Saturday, April 14, 2007

He's Home!

Can you all believe it? Only 4 days after open heart surgery, my dad is home, safe and sound. Late yesterday afternoon, I was surprised when I answered my telephone and heard my father's voice full of vim and vigor announcing that he was blowing that joint and going over the walls! "Really dad?" I asked doubtfully. "Really! I am getting discharged tomorrow morning at 10:30!"

I just spoke with mom around 1:30 today (Sat.), and he was all settled in at home. The Dr.'s, nurses, and friends have all been amazed at dad's wonderful and quick recovery. We aren't surprised, just more convinced than ever that God is in the prayer answering business. You know, after his last surgery almost 9 years ago, he wasn't in near as good as health as he is in now. He also had a massive heart attack before the emergency 5 bypasses were performed. This time around, Dad has walked religiously for those years, takes all kinds of herbs and vitamins, is very strict with his diet, his heart attack was less severe this time, he recently lost 47 pounds, and remember-he had 5 days of rest between this heart attack and this surgery. I'm sure all of those things play into his quick healing; but God definitely gets all the glory! Dad hasn't had any pain medication since the day after his surgery!

We have spoken of how many people all over the world are praying for him and mom. Many we know, but many we may never meet in person. Let me tell you something now that will give you goose bumps! A letter from the Gideons International was in the stack of un-opened mail. It stated that Dad, Pastor Jack Riffe, had been named "Pastor of the Week". It went on to explain that dad would be lifted up daily in prayer by name by each Gideon in this regional chapter! The letter was dated for April 7, last Saturday. Dad's surgery was Tuesday and his recovery began that evening! Now, to make this even better, let's go back to dad's last surgery in September of 1999. Dad was chosen that week also as "Pastor of the Week"! It had never happened before and it hasn't happened since, until this week! Now people, you can't make this stuff up! I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus!

Have a wonderful rest of the week-end! Thanks once again for your loving prayers and support! Those cyber hugs felt so good last week!

11 comments:

TO BECOME said...

Oh, the news about your Dad is just GREAT!!! I am so happy for him and all of you. What great things our God does for us. Nothing God does is by accident and I know He knew how things would turn out but thank God we all had faith in God and what He was doing and would do through your Dad. God bless you all. connie from Texas

Kimberly said...

Exciting and marvelous!

Kristi said...

I had to giggle when I read about the Gideons and them making your dad Pastor of the week both times he's had this surgery. I giggle because only a child of God KNOWS what that is. LOL To everyone else it is only coincidence.

To God be the Glory!!! :) I'm glad your dad got to go home and
Cyberhugs back at ya!

~Kristi

Pen of Jen said...

God is absolutely in control and wanted so many prayers for your dad.
I think that the praying for your dad was very important to me. Maybe more for me than your dad. I was praying for you to keep something that I never have had.(pause while I wipe my tears)
It is soooo easy to pray for someone for something that you don't have a need for, but for me this is the first time I was able to pray in joy for something that I do not have. Your dad's situation allowed me this opportunity.
I probably am not able to make you understand what I am saying. It was like I could make a difference, on something that at times makes me every so sad.
It was very healing to me to truly deeply pray for a dad to live.
It was humbling, because of saying"God, whatever your will is, I said God, give this family more time, and I was extremely honest and sincere".
So you can let your dad know that he has a nearly fortyish woman in New Mexico who now claims him as her blog dad!!!

Thanks so much and Praise God for the Power of Prayer. My husband is wondering what is making me cry like a baby. Please forgive me if I seemed so selfish in this comment. I will compose myself,
I am glad that I comment on your name thing first, otherwise I would not have been able to comment.

Anonymous said...

"TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANT ABOVE ALL WE THINK OR ASK...BE ALL GLORY"

I know this is not all the verse, but a reminder that God's ways are higher than ours and before we think or ask, HE IS LISTENING to the prayers of the faithful!!

PRAISE THE LORD!!

Susan said...

Praise the Lord for his quick healing! That's great news!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry I didn't check in sooner to your site so that I could have prayed for him but I'll still keep him in my prayers...I'm glad he's better! I've been taking a blogging break from my sites except for one and also haven't really been visiting too many other's either.

Anonymous said...

Came over from Rita's blog and just wanted to let you know that I am one of those praying for your family. It doesn't really matter if we know each other face to face because our hearts are connected by our Lord. Praise His name that your dad is home! I have been there with my own dad and feel what you have all been through. God is so good! Keep loving on that precious man. We give all the glory to our heavenly father and continue to lift our prayers up to Him on your dad's behalf for his continued recovery in the days and weeks ahead.

Lyndy said...

Oh Pam I am thrilled your dad got to go home. I know it is so much easier to rest when you are in your own bed. Continuing to pray for his complete recovery.

How have you been dear one? I know stress and worry is not good for someone with chronic pain. Praying for you too and thank you so much for your continued prayers for me too.

Love and Hugs, Lyndy

Karen said...

I'm so happy for you all! What a wonderful ending to a very stressful time!

Janie said...

So glad he is doing as well as he is! We will continue to pray for him!