Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Busy Day

Britten has had a busy 2 days. They performed a Gastrostomy this afternoon to put a feeding tube directly into the stomach. So now there aren't any tubes going down his throat. He looks so much more comfortable. Elder Britten Schenk was very active today. His actions are very uncontrolled as his brain is beginning to come out of the "coma". His pneumonia is improving each day and the Doctors seem positive about things. The coming days we will slowly learn how much Britten is going to have to re-learn. We need to be patient during this time. We know this could be a long road, but when we think about where we were just a week ago and how many blessings we've received, miracles we've witnessed, we thank our Heavenly Father for his love and blessings. We appreciate so much the continued support, your love and your prayers. We feel it in our hearts and it makes it easy for us to get through each day. All our love, Steven, Karla & Elder Schenk

32 comments:

  1. We are praying for Elder Schenk! Thanks for your updates.

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  2. It is so good to hear that he is making progress! we continue to pray for all the Schenks:)

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  3. so glad to hear he is doing better! :))

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  4. I am sure Britten is much more comfortable now that he doesn't have any tubes down his throat. He has had a busy two days; you have had a few really busy days as well! You still sound so strong. You are inspirational! Make sure you take good care of yourselves too, and don't get run down! I think having positive doctors is a blessing also! So glad the pneumonia is improving. Britten may just surprise you and not try your patience so much once he comes out of the coma. He is an incredible young man with the Lord on his side!
    We continue to pray for miracles every day - big ones and small ones. We pray that you will feel Heavenly Father's loving arms wrapped around you.
    Love you so much,
    Lyle and Melanie

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  5. Steven and Karla,
    You do not know me. My name is Tyson Harmon and I was one of Elder Schenk's teachers at the Provo MTC. I have been keeping up with his progress through your blog and recently have felt an urgency to let you know of my love for him. Every time I read your blog I can't help but remember Elder Schenk's powerful testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ as a young missionary just beginning his service in the MTC. His testimony had a powerful influence on me, as I know it did and has on all with whom he has associated. I just keep having the thought that this burning witness of the living reality of the Savior that I felt from Elder Schenk is what will make this very difficult and trying experience a miraculous blessing for all of us.

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  6. I am so glad to hear that Elder Schenk is doing well! He is improving bit by bit as it appears. I am grateful for the updates even though I have never met him as I've said before. It seems to me that he was a great Elder and that even though this is a tough time for you, you are able to experience a little bit of what Elder Schenk was experiencing in Brazil. :)

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  7. We are so happy to hear that he is improving! what a blessing to know that heavenly father is watching over him and helping him to improve. Elder Schenk, you and your family will continue to be in our prayers.
    Much love,
    Shalise and Jacob and family :)

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  8. Thank you so much for keeping up this blog. I really like checking on your son every evening before I go to bed. I am happy that he is making progress and will continue to pray for his complete recovery. My prayers are also with you, his parents, I hope you will be able to feel strength through the prayers of all the people who are praying for you. I appreciate the sacrifice of our missionaries and their parents.

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  9. Such great news Steven and Karla. We continue to be inspired by your faith and the love that all three of you have in our Savior and Heavenly Father. Our faith and testimonies have grown tremendously because of you.
    Keep smiling and know we are all praying for you and your family.
    Love David, Mary and the kids

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  10. :) Love you all so much! The Lord is good.

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  11. I live in the Kansas City, Missouri area. MTC Delivery.com put a link to your story on their Facebook page, and since i am a missionary mom, I immediately came and read all of your recent posts about Elder Schenk's accident and daily progress. I am so sorry Elder Schenk has had this terrible accident. I was glad to hear how quickly Bro. And Sis. Schenk made it to Brazil. You have had many miracles and I hope and pray many more will be occurring.
    Please know that Elder Schenk and your whole family are in our prayers.
    Lesta
    KC, Mo. area

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  12. Good to hear some hopeful news. I was so excited when I opened my mission call and realized that I would be able to see Britten for a few days before I went into the MTC.. I pray every day that we will all be able to see him before too long; I hope all continues to go well.
    Sean

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  13. I am so glad to read these updates every night! I can see how God answer our prayers so fast and I can see how many miracles we receive every day. The words for next days are prayer, faith, and patience. You all are in my prayers every moment everyday. Keep in faith!

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  14. Oh i am so so happy to hear that he is doing so well! You probably don't know me, I'm Lottie Johnsons sister. But I read everyday to see how Britten is doing and have been praying and thinking of your dear family. I know the Lord is with you and I know that elder shank is going to heal. I love the scripture in mormon 9:21 I know that promise applies as it says to all the ends of the earth. Hundreds of the Lords faithful children have been praying for your son and I feel certain those prayers are, have been and will continue to be answered. MIRACLES ARE REAL! Thank you and your family fore your faith, what amazing examples you are. Keep your hope and faith burning strong. You are in our prayers always.

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  15. Our family continues to pray for Elder Britten Schenek. I’d like to suggest that you keep a journal, a hard copy journal. Write your thoughts, feelings and all the miracles you experience daily, as they happen, don't wait to write it all down. Each of you take the time to write in the journal, family, friends all of you. In years to come you will cherish this journal as it reaffirms how much our Heavenly Father loves us. Your posterity will tell this story and they will find strength as they experience their own trails. Sending many blessings

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  16. just found your blog.... very randomly. So sorry to hear about the accident but happy things are improving each day. Prayers being said and sent your way. I'm a mom to three little ones and after I had my third I became seriously ill. I always say I could LITERALLY feel the strength of other's prayers and fasting on my behalf from the hospital bed. It's hard to explain but I felt that power as a really "real" thing. I'm sure your son will feel it too. And, I'm sure you are experiencing it as well. I pray you as parents, your family, and son will all be strengthened in this time of trial.

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  17. My family pray for your son. We have a son serving in the mission.

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  18. So grateful for the updates! We are so happy for Britten's progress and count each day a blessing. Keep the faith...Love, Stoddards

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  19. Britten is proving that he is a fighter! So happy to hear of each days progress. You are such an amazing family and give me strength as you are going thru difficult trials with such great faith and trust.

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  20. We are praying for him!!! He is a great fighter !!! hugs from brazilian people!

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  21. Steven and Karla, How grateful we are for the many miracles that have occured in Britten's and your lives. Your testimonies are a source of great strength to all of us back home. We know you are in the Lord's hands and that He loves you and is watching over you. You are continually in our prayers. We love you!
    Bruce and Laura

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  22. I was reading your facts from the Brazilian people in Portuguese...just now I found your pages!! and just wanted to tell you parents how great parents you are! your love and faith and support! and yes we are all praying for his short and fast recovery! we know that miracles can happen and they will!! such a wonderful missionary, not from our area, we are also in SP, but we do love missionaries and I read about how the people from his area loved him and how wonderful he is...so now the Lord will help and you parents will also be protected and be in this wonderful care from the Lord! we pray for you!! love from us Tolman family here!!

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  23. I just forgot to give you our phone number... my husband is Paul Tolman, from US, if need any help of any kind, please call us ok... 55 11 4241-4301, Paul and Ilona...our love to you!!

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  24. Steven and Karla, I will continue to keep all of you in our prayers. Thank you for keeping us all updated here and on Facebook. It is so hard to figure out the meaning behind why some things happen, but when we have an understanding that our Heavenly Father knows- it makes it a tiny bit easier to deal with. I can see wonderful missionary opportunities and things happening from reading here and on Facebook. Britten is doing amazing work... every minute of every day. People are seeing the miracles happening- that they may have never been able to experience. Again, I will keep all of you in our prayers. We love all of you :) D'Lyn Taylor (Moser)

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  25. E muito bom ouvir que Britten esta ficando melhor cada dia,somos felizes por recebermos bençaos grandes do Pai Celestial.Estamos torcendo muito por voce Britten...logo,logo vai sorrir de novo conosco hein ! Tem um otimo dia !


    LilianS2 !

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  26. We continue to pray for your son, Britten, as well as you and your family. We have sent out 4 missionaries (one to Sao Paulo), with our youngest out on his mission at this moment. We have seen many miracles along the way, and we know that Heavenly Father and Jesus are watching over Britten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    The Slack Family

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  27. So happy to hear of your son's progress. We talked with your Mother last night at the basketball game. We are keeping your family in our prayers. Who know's maybe this experience will lead more people to Christ as your son continues to improve. Sending our love and prayers your way. Layne & Julie Finlinson

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  28. FAMILIA SCHENK, CADA DÍA ESTAMOS AL PENDIENTE DE LA RECUPERACIÓN DE ELDER SCHENK Y GUARDAMOS LA ESPERANZA DE QUE POCO A POCO SANARÁ Y SE RECUPERARÁ TOTALMENTE PARA FELICIDAD DE TODOS. CADA NOTICIA DE MEJORÍA DE SU HIJO NOS ALEGRA PROFUNDAMENTE. ESTAMOS ORANDO POR USTEDES, QUE EL SEÑOR LES BENDIGA. CUIDENSE MUCHO.

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  29. Dear Schenk Family our prayers go out to you at this difficult time. I try to get on the blog every day if possible to see how your Elder is doing. This reminds me of a Janice Kapp Perry Song that is called The Test. None of us know what that test we may be expected to handle in life and sometimes they feel overwhelming but I know that whatever tests Elder Schenk and your family will face in the future faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will get you through.

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  30. Dear Brother and Sister Schenk: I am like so many others who have left comments.....I have never met you nor your son. But I have been touched by what happened to him and to your response to all of it. I think of you and your family many times during the day. The first thing I do in the morning is to get on the internet and see how Elder Schenk is doing today. I remember him, and you, in my prayers always. I know our loving Heavenly Father is blessing you with strength and comfort. I know from first hand experience how difficult this kind of situation is and how stressful it can be. We are all praying for Elder Schenk and for you. The whole church is praying for you and your son because the people of this church love their missionaries. They are the brightest lights in the church. Your son has touched the lives of so many people, those who have had the privilege of meeting him and those like me, who have just read about him and his family. You both have been such a great example of faith and humility. When I teach the Marriage and Family Relationship class, I'll use you, two, as an example in my next lesson which is "Developing Faith and the Importance of Prayer in Marriage." Why is it so important to have developed a strong foundation of faith in a marriage?... Because sometimes bad things happen to good people (in other words, life happens) and if a couple has not developed strong faith, the stress of adversity can tear them apart. I can see that this experience has strengthened you as a couple because you had already developed a great amount of faith before this happened. And that shows in the way you are handling this adversity. That's why I will use you as an example to my class. God bless you both. We all love you and we'll all keep checking on Elder Schenk's progress every day. --Kristine Prince, West Jordan, Utah

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  31. Olá Pais do Elder schenk, fico muito feliz quando a cada dia recebemos noticias novas e melhores. O Senhor tem o abençoado a cada dia grandemente, pois o Senhor tem um grande proposito em sua vida.
    Eu breve iremos visita-lo, ele realmente é muito especial para nós aqui de São Paulo.
    Boa noite.......até mais, muito obrigada pelas noticias diarias.

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  32. Nossa como é maravilhoso ler cada progresso que o Élder faz, sentimos o espírito tão forte, Ele nos mostra que temos um Pai amoroso e atencioso, que nos concede grandes e maravilhosas bênçãos. Como amo fazer parte desse evangelho dessa família e saber que Jesus morreu e ressuscitou por nós. E que família tão bela e forte vocês são, pois com o exemplo de fé de vocês só faz aumentar o nosso testemunho. Amamos muito vocês e oramos sempre pela melhora do Élder Schenk.

    Marília - Caruaru/PE

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