Help the Adams

“Incline Thine ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be Thou to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.  For Thou art my rock and my fortress; For Thy name’s sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me.”  Psalm 31:2-3

May and June 2009

Greetings to you from North Dakota,

We hope that this finds you doing well, and that you are enjoying the onset of summer.  With having 3″ of SNOW on June 6th, our warmer days have been slow at arriving.  I guess it just makes us appreciate summer even more.  Things the past couple of months have definitely kept us busy.

Steven was able to come home for about 3 weeks, so he was home for Mindy’s graduation.  It was nice to visit with him.  He got caught up on his rest, after a very stringent finals week.  He is back in Omaha taking summer school and working at the law library.  He should be done with school next May.  We hope to go see him for a few days.  We need to take down the rest of his things,  but also it would be good to see him.

We were so proud of Mindy finishing her schooling.  She indeed persevered.  Her best friend Sara, from Colorado, came up for graduation as a surprise.  That was so nice to have her and Steven both here.  Mindy continues to see specialists in Bismarck.  They are trying to find a medicine that can help.  At least she doesn’t have to work and go to school right now.  Hopefully, they get something figured out so she can feel better.  She and Ian had their 2nd anniversary on the  15th of June.  Time sure has flown by.

Dean is on vacation for a couple of weeks, which is always nice for him.  he was able to go fishing, but only once, as the weather has been so wild.  He continues his Sunday morning class on the Old Testament.  It has been an interesting study.  He also continues to preach.  We will be doing the teen campout again this year, towards the end of August.  This will be the 14th year!

I started my new position as administrator on May 1st, which ironically was about the same time as the threat of a pandemic has occurred.  Needless to say, I have been really busy, but it is what I have been training for over the past 4 years.  This flu could create a lot of problems come fall.  I do plan on going to Bible Camp in July.  It is the camp’s 25th year, so there will be a reunion.

Dean’s grandma has really been struggling with her health–been in and out of the hospital.  She is quite a fighter, and still very active for being 94!

We hope you have a great summer, and again if you are vacationing in North Dakota, please stop bye.  :)  God watch over you and keep you safe!

Love Always,

Dean, Sherry, Steven, Mindy and Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on June 29th, 2009 | No Comments »

Dear Friends,  Please read the newsletter below for updates on the Adams family health and experiences with the North Dakota flooding.   I apologize for being so slow in posting.  I have been delayed by some health problems of my own.  Since this newsletter Sherry has informed me that she is undergoing more tests to determine what is causing her continued serious sinus infections and other symptoms.  Mindy has also received news of bad results on a kidney test and will be seeing a specialist soon.  She is suffering from a lot of fatigue and constant health problems that make these weeks before her graduation quite difficult.  Medical bills have creeped up over 5000 dollars again.  A much more manageable sum, but contributions to keep it manageable would be deeply appreciated.  Please continue to pray for these good people.  And as always, thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

With love and appreciation,  Jennie Percell for the Adams Family

Filed under: Uncategorized on April 21st, 2009 | No Comments »

March and April Newsletter:

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul….”  Deuteronomy 10:12

March and April 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

Sorry to be slow at sending out this newsletter, but the past few weeks have been crazy for  most of us in our state.  We have had a very hard winter,  and although it is officially spring, we have continued to experience winter-like days.  We had had record snowfall…and even the past week or so we saw 2 full blown blizzards that dumped 33″ of snow in one week in Dickinson.  With all the snow throughout the winter, and colder weather, came the ice jams, and flooding in almost every place in North Dakota.   We have been okay in Dickinson for the most part, with localized flooding, but floods have ravaged many parts of our state.  I was called up to be in charge of the medical shelter in Bismarck.  My role was the state liaison working with the various federal partners, and also coordinating the evacuation of several long term care (LTC) facilities to Bismarck and then out to other LTC in the state.  I joked with Gina, as we sent several to her facility in Dickinson.  I told her I was sending them all, but she didn’t think that was funny.  I worked about 96 hours in 7 days, but I learned so much.  I just got home on April 2nd.  We still have about 28 inches of snow on the ground in Dickinson, but warmer temperatures are just around the corner.  ND is still not out of the woods for flooding, but there is a lull for the moment.

Steven has been keeping busy with his classes.  He will be coming home for Mindy’s graduation (May 16), and home for about 3 weeks.  It will be nice to see him, as it has been awhile.  Health wise, he hasn’t been too bad.  He has had a sinus infection, but is on antibiotics.

Mindy is counting the days to graduation.  She still has not been feeling too good.  She has had to work extra because many people could not get into town due to the weather, and she ended up staying several nights/days in a row.  Ian has been filling in a lot as well at the fire station for the same reason.

Dean has been holding down the fort and keeping busy with church, snow removal etc……  The last storm he was snowed in alone with the two dogs….it was quiet. :)  He works so very hard!

We were able to finally do a couple of teen activities.  It was too bad we couldn’t do more, due to the crazy weather.  I will be taking a group to the Bismarck youth rally the end of April.  We had scheduled a young adult retreat for this weekend, but had to cancel because so many could not come.

Well we hope that you are doing well.  Please know that you are never far from our thoughts and prayers.  Have a great spring….God keep you safe and in His care.  Do let me know how you are…. our email is:

adams@ndsupernet.com

Love and Prayers,  Dean  Sherry   Steven   Mindy  Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on April 21st, 2009 | No Comments »

Dear Friends,

Please read the newsletter below to hear how the Adams family is doing.  There have been approximately $5000  of recent medical bills, not including all the extended care needed for Sherry’s broken arm.  There have been contributions of over $1000 toward these bills, so there is again  some outstanding debt.  As always, prayers, and contributions are deeply appreciated!!

Filed under: Uncategorized on February 5th, 2009 | No Comments »

“…Be strong and courageous.  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”                 Joshua 1:9

January and February 2009

Happy 2009!

We hope that this letter finds you doing well, and that your 2009 is not only happy but healthy!   Seems like only yesterday we were planning for Y2K, and the changing of the century!  We have had an old-fashioned North Dakota winter, with many blizzards, temps way below zero, ice, sleet, and high wind.  The past few days have seemed hot with temps in the 30’s!  Thanks for all the cards, letters, and pictures over the holidays.

Steven did make it home for the holidays, which was nice.  He was pretty sick when he arrived home, but after much sleep, and lots of food, and a good dose of antibiotics, he perked up.  He is back in Omaha, and getting into full swing with his classes.  He is now a reporter for the University paper.  We had a nice visit, and seemed like the time flew by.

Mindy is still having lots of health problems and ended up back at the hospital in December, only two weeks after her last hospital trip.  She then got bronchitis.   It was good that she had a break from school, but has now been diagnosed with mono.  She just cannot get her full strength back.  She is in her last semester for her Psychology degree, and has worked so hard.  She and Ian both just had their 25th birthdays.  Ian is doing well, and loves his work.  He still is volunteering at the fire department as well.  Their puppy, Dudley, keeps them busy.

With the bad storms, we have had to cancel both the December and January teen activities, which has been a little frustrating.  So far the February activity is still a go.

Dean has kept busy trying to keep us shoveled out, keeping my car running, and keeping furnaces functioning at the school.  He has also gone ice fishing a few times, which is where he writes many of his sermons…..not many distractions on the ice. HA!

I ended up being a casualty of the winter of 2008/2009, as I fell on the ice and fractured my humorous…which I tell people, what other bone would I break…HA!  This was only three weeks after I broke two toes.  I do not want to believe that I am a klutz, just not real graceful. My arm is still not totally healed, as I had some nerve damage by the elbow, and I struggle with numb fingers.  I had some great news though, a few days ago.  I was  offered the Executive Director/Administrator job for our health unit starting May 1st.  I am both excited and nervous, but it is a lot more secure and a huge step up.  I will still do a lot of the same things I do now, which is also great.

Well, do keep in touch….always good to hear from you.  God watch over you and keep you safe in His care!

Love Always,

Dean, Sherry, Steven, Mindy and Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on February 5th, 2009 | No Comments »

Filed under: Uncategorized on December 13th, 2008 | No Comments »

Dear Friends,

Please take a moment to read Sherry’s newsletter posted just below this note. 

Since receiving this newsletter I have  an update on Mindy’s health.  She continues to feel bad and was taken to the hospital again.  She was very sick with food poisoning after attending a friend’s birthday party.  She became severely  dehydrated and required lots of IV fluids. She was also given a nausea drug commonly used by chemo patients.  This episode exhausted her system once again and will make any little infections very hard to fight for awhile.  Please pray for her to be much better soon and also pray for Ian, her husband,  who found this round of her illness quite frightening.  We need your prayers all the time!

Steven is doing well, his new medicine is working.

Sherry’s car recently had a $200 master cylinder job and the next day wouldn’t start again!  It was returned to the shop for a new diagnosis.

Of course all of these things cost money!  Again the relief of the old debts makes a huge difference, but please realize that the holiday season and the current economic crisis cause already strained situations to quickly become unmanageable.  Please continue to help this family keep their heads above water.  Send a bit of Christmas cheer as you remember your friends and family!! 

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS!!  THE PERCELLS, FOR THE ADAMS

Filed under: Uncategorized on December 13th, 2008 | No Comments »

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, and forever.”  Hebrews 13:8

November/December 2008

Happy Holidays to Each of you.  We hope that this finds you doing well, as another year quickly comes to an end.  Our year has been filled with many highs and lows, and I think about the one thing that has been constant through all these times, and that is Jesus and God.  How very fortunate we are, and how truly blessed.

We had a nice Thanksgiving with Dean’s mom, Mindy and Ian and my sister Gina and her family.  It was hard not having Steven home, but thankfully he was taken care of in Omaha.  He will be able to come home on December 20th, and we are all pretty excited.  He has been doing pretty well.   He is on some new medicine for his migraines and so hopefully that will help, especially with finals rapidly approaching.

Mindy still hasn’t been well.  She ended up at the hospital after passing out.  Her blood sugar bottomed out, and she also needed fluids, so was put on IV’s.  A few days later she ended up with the flu.  She is pretty worn out, and looking forward to the semester ending.  She will be on her last class next semester.  She is still working in the rehab center, and loves it.  Ian has  been keeping busy with his job as well.  Rent keeps going up because of the oil boom, so he is working 6 days a week.

We are starting the teen activities in December, which we are looking forward to.  They are always a lot of fun, and keep us young.

I did see the specialist, and found that the bad infections ended up causing the nerves in my face to be inflamed.  I am on a new medicine, but still don’t feel 100%.  At least, no surgery right now, which is good since my car has issues…..not sure what we’ll do with that right now.  My college class ends also.  I wished I had another one to teach next semester, as I really enjoyed the kids.

Dean got his three deer, and has been making lots of jerky, and slim jims, and such.  He was pretty excited.  He is still keeping busy with preaching and teaching.

We do not know what lies ahead in 2009, but we know God will be there.  Thanks so much for being a part of our lives, and God bless you in the upcoming year.

Love Always,   Dean  Sherry   Steven  Mindy and Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on December 13th, 2008 | No Comments »

Dear Friends,

At this time of Thanksgiving it seems appropriate to remember again all that God has done for us this year.  One of the greatest stories of gratitude we know is what He has done, through so many of you, for the Adams Family.  We thank Him and all of you again for the wonderful efforts to clear the old debts and help Dean and Sherry have a fresh start.

In the past couple of weeks Sherry has continued to fight the sinus infections she has been having. Surgery is being considered soon.  Mindy also is still suffering from infections and fatigue.  The tests, treatment and medications they have needed have cost more than 1000 dollars already.  Doesn’t that sound wonderful?!  I mean, that is still a significant amount of money, but nowhere near the old figures.   As you do your holiday giving this year, please keep in mind the importance of continued contributions to this need.  The bills will add up again, it is inevitable with the illness they live with.  But there is no need for them to ever accumulate like before.  So little can make such a big difference.  So as we rejoice that the Adams are entering the new year without huge debts for the first time in many, many years, let’s do what we can to keep it that way!  When someone asks what you want for Christmas please direct them to this website to spread a bit of cheer in your name!

A Very Merry Christmas to all of you!!!

From the Percells

Filed under: Uncategorized on November 29th, 2008 | No Comments »

Below you will find the October  newsletter and update on the Adams lives.  As you can see, they have suffered the sudden loss of Dean’s father and some new health issues.  Today I received word that Mindy fainted at home and had to be taken to the hospital.  She had very low blood sugar and signs of dehydration.

Sherry’s doctor has ordered a Cat scan of Sherry’s sinuses and will then decide if she needs sinus surgery.  We really appreciate your prayers for both of these concerns.  As well as prayers and contributions to keep the new medical costs of their care  manageable.

The Adams and all the rest of us continue to be VERY thankful for the relief of all the old medical debts.  In this season of Thanksgiving we feel so much gratitude to God and all of you!

Filed under: Uncategorized on November 6th, 2008 | No Comments »