Please Pray for the Mountfords

With grief in my heart I must share that beloved members of our Parish, Len and Lynda Mountford, have been hit by an automobile while crossing the street in Provo, Utah. Lynda has several broken bones, but is expected to pull through. But Len has internal injuries, and his life is hanging in the balance. I ask us all to pour out our hearts in prayer for Len, Lynda, and their family.

Our God, whose everlasting arms hold us eternally, in anguish at their suffering, we pray for healing for Len and Lynda and their family. Send forth the power of your Holy Spirit to flow into every cell of their bodies and into the depths of their souls, wherever they are broken. Fill them with the peace which passes all understanding, and with healing, wholeness, and newness of life – now in this time of their extreme need, and even for all eternity. This we ask in the name of Jesus, into whose nail-pierced hands of love we place Len, Lynda, their family, and ourselves. Amen.

I shall update my blog when I hear of any new developments.

May God bless us all.

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NOVEMBER 4, 6:30 P.M. UPDATE: I’ve just spoken with Maurice, Len’s son, who, along with Lynda’s daughter Kim, is at the Trauma Center, and I am overjoyed to be able to share encouraging news. Len’s condition has improved since yesterday, though Maurice told me that he is “by no means out of the woods yet.” Lynda’s condition, too, has improved, and she is now conscious and able to converse.

Our loving God, we are so thankful for the improvement in the health of Len and Lynda, and we ask that every single moment your loving hands would continue to strengthen them towards full recovery. In the Name of Jesus, our Great Physician, we pray. Amen.

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NOVEMBER 5, 1:15 P.M. UPDATE: I was just on the phone with Maurice, and am so thankful to continue to have good news to share. Len had just come back from surgery, and he is continuing slowly to gain in strength. Lynda is also continuing to improve, and is now able to feed herself.

Our God of grace, we are filled with gratitude for the care Len and Lynda are receiving. We pray that today they would both experience continued growth in wellness, and, together with their family, an overwhelming awareness of your Presence, protecting them on every side, and filling them with your peace, joy, and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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NOVEMBER 7, 10:30 A.M. UPDATE: I spoke yesterday with Maurice, Sr. (Len’s brother), who is now also at the hospital. He shared with me that, though Len is still in a terribly injured condition, he is tremendously improved from when he first arrived. Indeed, he said that the medical personnel at the hospital refer to Len as the “miracle man,” because they hadn’t expected him to survive. Maurice told me that today is a vitally important day in Len’s recovery, as he is undergoing surgery to repair his aorta. Lynda, who, though her injuries are extensive, mercifully was not injured as terribly as Len, is also continuing to grow in strength each day.

At 7:30 p.m. this evening, the Reverend Derek Lightbourne from the healing Order of St. Luke will be spending time with us in our Sanctuary, first sharing about what we can learn about Jesus’ healing ministry from the Gospel According to Luke, and then guiding us in a time of special prayer for all we know who are in particular need of his healing touch. The first people on whom we shall be focussing will be Len and Lynda. I invite everyone to come and join with us as we unite in prayer together for them. 

Our God of all hope, we give you overflowing thanks and praise that Len and Lynda are continuing on the long path to recovery. We pray especially today for you to guide and empower the surgeon and assistants who will be operating on Len’s aorta, and work through them, and even above and beyond  them, to restore this vital part of Len’s body to wholeness. Please surround Len, Lynda, and all the family with your love, and  enable them to feel in the core of their being your uplifting arms, holding them close to your heart. This we ask in Jesus’ precious Name. Amen. 

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NOVEMBER 7, 11:00 P.M. UPDATE: I am thrilled to say that Len returned from surgery a short while ago, and his nurse says that he has come through it well.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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NOVEMBER 8, 10:30 P.M. UPDATE: Today’s news is especially wonderful, as I was able to talk with Lynda for around 20 minutes. She is well enough now to be out of ICU, and I was filled with joy at her mental alertness in our conversation. Arrangements are in the works to medivac her to a hospital in Calgary, and how precious it will be to visit with her in person soon!

The news about Len is also good today. He had surgery this afternoon on one of his legs, the swelling of which had gone down sufficiently for it to have pins inserted. He is still unconscious, but has responded to people’s presence by squeezing their hands. The hospital is continuing steps to try to reduce the swelling in his brain.

Some people have wondered about Len and Lynda’s dog, Sammy. She wasn’t with them at the time of the accident, and is going to be driven back to Calgary by Linda’s son, David, and Len’s son, Maurice.

Lynda wanted to express her deepest thanks for all the prayers and other loving words and actions that they have been receiving. I had the great privilege of praying with her on the phone, and affirming that love to her.

Our Lord Jesus, we thank you so much for the continuing growth in strength day by day that Len and Lynda are experiencing, as you lay your hands of compassion upon them. We pray for your life to flow through them and all the family in ever-increasing measure, and for wave after wave of your healing power to wash over them, bringing wholeness to every aspect of their being. In your precious Name we pray. Amen.

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NOVEMBER 10, 2011, 12:30 P.M. UPDATE: I am sad to report that today the news about Len is not good. I spoke with Lynda yesterday evening, and she told me that she had spoken with Len’s doctors, who told her that they are very concerned about the lack of improvement in his brain activity. The condition of the rest of his body also remains critical. Linda herself is undergoing surgery today on her pelvis, but she hardly made reference to it at all, she was so focussed on Len’s health challenges. As we talked, I was amazed at the strength Lynda was displaying. I have to believe that it is because in the midst of this hurricane she is anchored fast to God as her rock.

O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home: we continue to seek your protection for Len, Lynda, and the family today. Keep them safe in your love, through this terrible storm. 

Our Lord Jesus, may they know that you are walking beside them on nail-pierced feet, and will be with them always, never leaving nor forsaking them, so that nothing in life or death, or in the entire universe will ever separate them from you and your love.

Holy Spirit, fill them through and through with your power, your energy, and your life. Be their dove of peace, and hide them under the shadow of your wings. 

All this we ask for your compassion’s sake, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

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NOVEMBER 12, 2011, 11:00 A.M. UPDATE: I was able to speak and pray with Lynda for a few minutes just after her surgery on Thursday and again on Friday. She has come through the surgery on her pelvis well, but, of course, is in a lot of pain. To make sure that her pelvis remains immobile, Lynda will have to have an apparatus attached to her for 6 weeks. During this time she will not be able to bear any weight whatsoever on her legs. Unfortunately, Len’s condition has shown no improvement.

Len, Lynda, and all the family: Unto God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

O God, the protector of all that trust in thee: Grant, we beseech thee, to thy servants Len and Lynda, that they may be sustained and sanctified by thy Holy Spirit, and strengthened in soul and body; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, pages 585 and 580)

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NOVEMBER 14, 2011, 6:30 P.M. UPDATE: I spoke with Lynda earlier this afternoon, and she told me the heart-rending news that Len is slipping away, expected to live for hours only, not days. She says she has peace from knowing that he is going to be with Our Lord, where every tear will be wiped away, and sorrow and pain be no more. The hospital are wheeling Lynda’s bed in beside Len’s, and so she is able to spend time beside him, along with the other members of the family. We are sharing vigil with them, absent in body but present in spirit. We pray for our Saviour’s love, including the love expressed through each of us, to comfort the hearts of Lynda and all the family. And together with them, we seek only what is best for Len – complete healing, in whatever form that might be.

O God of our eternal hope, into your hands our Lord Jesus commended his spirit at his last hour. Into those same hands we now commend your beloved child, our brother, Len. Keep him safe in your love in all he continues to endure in this present life, and in your perfect time, receive him to yourself, to see you face to face, for ever and ever lost in wonder, love, and praise. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

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NOVEMBER 15, 2011, 4:30 P.M. UPDATE: Our dear brother, Len, passed into eternal life this morning. I’ve devoted a new posting to sharing about this. You can access it by clicking on the following link: https://pastorfergus.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/len-mountford-has-gone-to-be-with-the-lord/.

Thank you all so much for all the love you have shared with Len, Lynda, and all the family. I know they will never forget it. Nor will I. And nor, I am convinced, will our God of love, into whose hands we commit our dear companion on discipleship’s road. God bless you all, always.

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NOVEMBER 17, 1:30 P.M. UPDATE: Lynda is being flown back to Calgary today. Her daughter, Kim, says she’ll be going to Emergency at Foothills Hospital first, to be assessed, so we won’t know until then the exact Unit of the hospital she’ll be in. When I get this information, I’ll post it here. We pray for safe travel for Lynda, and for healing of every kind to continue within her and all the family every day. We give thanks that she is strong enough to come home, and that we now have the opportunity to be phyically present with her in her grief, and her long path to recovery.

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NOVEMBER 18, 10:45 P.M. UPDATE: Lynda has safely arrived at Foothills Hospital, and is in Unit 44. Visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. We’ve been lifting Lynda up in prayer and sending messages of encouragement. Now I invite us also to share Our Lord’s love with Lynda by being with her physically, visiting her often during these next weeks in which she is confined to her hospital bed.

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NOVEMBER 29, 11:00 P.M. UPDATE: Lynda’s daughter-in-law, Erin, sent the following email this evening: Hello everyone, Lynda has been moved to an orthotic unit on the fifth floor (right above where she has been so far in the McCaig tower). I don’t know which room yet but the nurses up there can point you in the right direction.  For those who don’t know, the best parking is in the underground lot #10, just around back. 

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NOVEMBER 30, 4:30 P.M. UPDATE: Erin sent me the email embedded below this afternoon. Her email lets us know that Lynda has been moved again since yesterday, and where and when we can now visit her. It also makes a very important request for first-time visitors of Lynda. Thank you, Erin, for sharing this with us, to help us all in our desire to be a healing presence for Lynda in her recovery.

Lynda is finally at Glenmore Carewest (behind the Rockyview) in west 117.  Visiting hours are from 10 am until 8:30 pm.

If you are passing this on to people who haven’t visited yet, please let them know that Kim, David or myself would be happy to fill them in on the details of the accident but please do not ask Lynda for this as it has begun to weigh on her, having to relive it with each new visit.  Right now we are trying to focus on recovery, physically & mentally.

Thank you all for your continuing support,

Erin xo

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DECEMBER 1, 11:30 P.M. UPDATE: When I was visiting with Lynda today, we decided on a time and date of 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7th, for the Service at St. Paul’s to celebrate Len’s life.

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Thank you to all who are adding prayers and messages of support for the Mountfords in the comments’ section below. It is a beautiful idea! Lynda and the family are reading all the comments, and Lynda wants to share with you all how grateful they are for them. The loving support you are sharing is giving them courage and strength as they face the challenges each day brings.