urgent update

Major turn of events:  Tonight while Stephanie was sitting up in a chair, she experienced a sudden impaired breathing - among other problems.

She was rushed back to ICU, and as the medical staff started to administer medication and put her on the ventilator - Stephanie asked them to stop. She is requesting only comfort care at this time.

Please pray for Stephanie and her body as she turns this battle over to God tonight. Please pray for strength, peace and wisdom for the Vest family and for all of the prayer warriors.

We will be in touch with an update as soon as it is available.

Comments

[David Lea]

I am praying without ceasing today! Our God is huge and has you both in the palm of His Hand!

Love you both!!!
David

[Tiffanie & Gabe Bevan]

Gabe and I both are praying for you all. Stephanie to be at peace with whatever decision is made. Eric you are so strong, what a great man. God Bless you both.

[Jennifer Reeder]

Stephanie & Eric-
I have also never met you, but some how came across the blog about a month ago. Your family is truly an inspriration. I also started praying right after I read the new entry. May comfort & peace come to you, but I am still praying to expect miracles!

[Robin Johnson]

We are continuing to pray for miracles, Stephanie. Most of all our family is praying for the comforting and healing hands of God to embrace all of you. He has spoken to us through you. Your strength and unending faith are so powerful. God bless you Eric, Stephanie and all of the warriors!

[Mark Abernathy]

I know life is not going your way at the present for ya Stephanie! Hang in there and be tough girl! My prayers and thoughts are with ya!!!

[Suzi (seibold) Bauridl]

God Bless you

[Cristy]

Praying as ever. Hugs to you and your family. With much love,
Cristy & family in KC

[Melissa (Asahl) Calvaruso]

Please God, heal Stephanie's body.

[Brooke Frost]

After a long, exhausting night of a heavy heart, I woke to a very important and timely devotional on my computer. I get these forwarded daily and I am unsure of the devotional scribe, however I am praising God that His word is so right on time and perfect.

Whose Battle Is It?

"But you will not even need to fight. Take your posiions;then stand still and watch the Lord's vicotry. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out where tomorrow, for the Lord is with you !" 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NLT)

In today's passage, God is talking to King Jehoshaphat andthe Israelites. They're about to be attacked by three enemies: the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Meunites.

Jehoshaphat had to be worreid about how his people could defend themselves in such a battle, but God knew exactly what Jehoshaphat was thinking. He said, "You will not have to fight in the battle." Now, that is the kind of battle I like!

What god tells Jehoshaphat in this passage, and what he would remind us today, is this: 'The battle is not yours; its mine. You don't have to fight in it."

In other words, it's God's problem. Let him solve it.

The fact is if you are God's child, then your problems are his problems. And he's much better at fighting your battles and solving your problems than you will ever be. Your job is to trust him to work it all out. Perhaps the reason we have so many tired, fatigued, and discouraged Christians is because we think, " it all depends on me."

The day you resign as General Manager of the Universe, you're going to find that it doesn't fall apart. You can relax in faith, trusting that God is able to run things without you help.

Twice in this passage it says, "Dont be afraid,: and "Don't be discouraged." When you face a seemingly impossible situatuion, don't be afraid and don't be discouraged.Has god ever lost a battle? No. He doesn't lose battles.

There's an important phrase in verse 17. God tells Jehoshaphat, "take your positions and stand firm? It means to have a mental attitude of quiet confidence. It is never God's will for you to run from a difficult situation. I've discoveredtheat when I run form a difficult situation, inevitably God always brings it back around and gives me another chance. Why?

Because Gpd wamts us to learn and he wants to teach us throught experience- that in every situation He is sufficient. He is competent and capable and He will meet our needs in that situation. Don't be afraid; fear is the opposite of faith.

You stand firm on two things:

* The charcter of God - He's faithful. He does not bring us this far just to let us down. He doesn't bring you out on a limb and then cut off the limb. Have faith in the nature and character of God.

* The truth of His work - God's Word is faithful. You can count on the promises found in the Bible.

Stand still. Remmeber who the battle belongs to. Trust that he is able to deliver you. And then watch Him do it!

[Jessica Rohrer]

I am praying for you Stephanie. God bless you. You have been such a blessing to me.

[amanda]

steph i am prayn i am. your a strong mind and i know this is hard on you and i am so sorry your in my daily thoughts and prayers and i love you very very much very very much
love amanda and lil ones

[Carol Clark]

I know God is with you thorugh this major storm in your lives. It can feel like a raging storm that you have to battle alone but you are never without power. It is just a prayer away. May God give your family the strength it needs to conquer the decisions you face. We love you and stand behind you in prayer for God to give you comfort, strength, and peace. Love, Carol & Will

[Tammy]

Praying for everyone in Rochester, peace and comfort be with you. Brooke said it right - It's not our battle, it's God's. And remember whatever God's plan for your life is - you win because you have been given eternal life through Jesus Christ!

[Aloyshia Kinnett]

I am praying for you both to have comfort and peace.

[Elizabeth Bates Heizer]

Steph...you keep fighting girl!! You are such an inspiration to those whose lives you have touched. God has a plan for you...there are still great things for you to do yet...and many more people to meet who have not yet got the privilege of calling you a friend. I'm praying for you, your loving husband and those sweet children of yours...
Elizabeth

[Annabelle Massey]

Eric and Stephanie, we are praying for you both. We are also praying for all those who have been so deeply touched by your example.

[Deb Petschel]

Oh bless her heart, I am so in awh of her strength and faith. I will pray for peace and comfort and still for that miracle we all hope for.
Bless you all, know that we hold you up in our hearts.
Deb (LSMO)

[Allison Roth]

Praying, crying, wishing, hoping and still expecting miracles. May today bring you comfort, love and peace. We love you!

[S]

May God wrap his arms around the entire Vest family. I will be forever inspired by your faith. Peace be with you.
S

[Vickie]

God bless the entire Vest family. Dear Heavenly Father please perform yet another miracle on Stephanie. Will pray for all of you to find comfort and peace.

[Amy Hurley]

Stephanie knows God loves her and will protect Eric and her kiddos. We all love you Stephanie. You are so brave and such a good person. AMY Hurley

[Laurie Coleman]

Praying for you Stephanie. May God continue to bless you with miracles.

[Susan McRae]

We pray for Stephanie to find comfort and peace. We pray for the entire Vest family for strength and peace. And, of course, we are praying for more miracles!

The McRae Family

[Dorinda (Houston) Peyton]

I sent the following message to Megan D. on facebook but I just got a message that she wasn't able to receive it to pass on until now. I wanted to make sure, especially after reading this, that it got to Steph.

This is what I sent on Nov. 20:

"I have never met Stephanie but met Eric when I was at Southwest at the same time.

Anyway, this morning as I sat to think of God and who He is I turned to a youtube video that helps me to shut everything else out. There is a line in the song that says "Rapha- the Lord who heals" and Stephanie's face in those pictures with Gracie shown in my mind. Throughout the rest of the song, God brought her to my heart and told me to share this with her. Here's the url to the video (I don't know what kind of wifi access they have in the room but I know God will provide it.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-6gwssX0Y

Thank you for passing this on to them. Have a wonderful day!"

Don't give up Steph! I'm sure you can't imagine how many lives you've touched. I've heard so many people say your name that have just read about you and your journey. Your life and love of Christ is known throughout the world. That is just amazing!!!

[Shawn & Debra Logan & Lucy Nault]

Eric-
You guys have been in my thoughts and prayers ALL night long, and Brook's message this morning could not have been more perfect. Although we all want to feel we are in complete control of our destiny, it is God who ultimateley takes care of all of us. I pray that you both are at peace knowing that God will provide comfort to you in any given situation. We have witnessed so many miracles over the last few months, but the true miracle is the impact you have had on the lives you have touched since God brought you on this earth! We love you guys!
Debra