A Bittersweet Sunday

Hello everyone. Today has been a good day. Here at home, we had a really great message brought to our body. Scott Douglas taught out of Luke where Jesus tells Simon Peter that Satan is about to sift him like wheat and instead of rebuking Satan and stopping this, Jesus prays that Simon Peter's faith will be strong enough to carry him through. Could this be any more timely for our body? In the days ahead it may be a temptation for many to question God and even to ask why he could take Dan but that is just part of the sifting. We are encouraged to remember that He did not promise to take all of our pain away, but that He will see us through, comforting us , holding us, sustaining us. He went on to give a beautiful narrative of the Jewish tradition of marriage where the father takes his son to his new bride and the bridegroom looks into her eyes and tells her to wait for him while he goes back home and prepares a place for her. This being the picture of Christ who has " gone to His Father's house to prepare a place for us" and if we can just remain faithful and wait, even through the sifting, He will come for us! What a comfort to all of us as we wait for the day to be reunited with our Savior and Dan and all of those in Christ that we have loved and have gone before us. The testimonies from this experience are mounting everyday, and we can only bless the Father for His unfailing grace and mercy. The scriptures are nearly jumping off the page at us as we have "new" eyes and ears to understand all He promised to those who would follow Him.

Continue to pray for the Binion boys. The news is encouraging, as they had a good night last night and continue to slowly improve. Sam is now able to eat a little bit of soft foods and they will use some sort of camera to check Schuyler's ability to swallow with the hope that he also may be able to take in some soft foods or liquids by mouth soon. They will be checking Samuel tomorrow to see what may need to be done about the accident with his catheter. Pray there is no lasting damage. On a lighter note, a bunch of young men got together and purchased a new Xbox 360 for them and brought it to the hospital! Sam was already trying it out last night.

There are, of course, some very serious and trying days ahead for them in their recovery. They are yet to learn of the loss of their friend and we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide Karin and Gaylin in the decision of how and when to tell them.

It is beautiful to see the Lord working in and through all of the Robinsons. As Sarah (Robinson) Taylor shared with us this morning, God is saying to her "do not be to mad at me just worship me" and she is doing just that! One last thing, please keep the man who hit the boys in your prayers. At this point we don't know alot about him but we know he is going through the fire and we want to be to be used in any way we can to bring total healing to his heart.

Katrina

Saturday, June 14

Hello everyone! Karin asked me to go to you all and ask you to stand in the gap again for Sam.
This morning he managed to pull out one of his catheters that he had gotten in the surgery on his urethra. It was one with a balloon on it and there may have been some damage done but they won't know for sure until Monday. It seems each day is one big roller coaster ride with all the ups and downs. I also just got word that Ollie, their 8 year old, cut his foot and had to go for stitches while at a birthday party this afternoon! Maybe its the foot and all that reminded me of this scripture in Psalm 91 that says "He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, Lest you strike your foot against a stone."
Thank you again for riding this roller coaster with us through your love and prayers. The body of Christ is very real and present with the Binion and Robinson families.

Love in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Cristal

Update on Tom

Tom has a large piece of glass in his neck which must be surgically removed, he is scheduled for surgery next Tuesday at St. Marys. It will be outpatient and we expect it to go well.

He is also having trouble with his knee, he is seeing our family doctor on Monday for that.

Please continue to pray for Tom's healing and grieving process.

Friday Noon

Dear Friends,

I heard from Karin at 10:00 a.m. that they were waiting for transport back to Champaign. She also wanted me to ask you to pray for Sam as his doctor did another CT scan this morning. He was concerned about his lack of responsiveness. We trust that the Lord is healing Sam and that He will provide everything he needs.

Our confidence is not in human hands. It is a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is the unfolding story of a Christian's daily life.

1 Peter 1:6 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

In Him,
Cristal

Thursday Noon

Hello from St. Louis. This is Cristal again, reporting on the status of the Binion boys. They are doing well. Schuyler got his trach tapped off and is able to speak even though his mouth is wired shut. He was asking for juice to drink. That's a good sign! Sam had his ventilator removed so he's more comfortable. He's still pretty slow in his thinking and speech, but his dad is keeping him on his toes! We're gearing up to get them home to Champaign tomorrow. Just waiting to hear from the insurance company but otherwise they have the clearance to go. Thanks for all your prayers!

Wednesday Afternoon

Greetings on behalf of the Binions from St. Louis!

The boys are doing well today. Sam is still on a ventilator and is experiencing some pain mostly because of the surgery yesterday. It was really hard to see him looking so small and helpless. If you know Sam, he's got the biggest brown eyes and when we walked in, tears were coming down the corners of them. It about broke my heart. Schuyler was more alert and from what I understand, looking much better. He so wants to be out of this place and free from all the machines and things keeping him bound. There is good news that they both will be moved to a regular room here tomorrow. And they may even get to come back to Champaign Friday if all goes well! We're hopeful because the little Binions would really like to be with their Mom and Dad. (Asa's patience is especially wearing thin!)
Today is Karin and Gaylin's 25th wedding anniversary! We're hoping to whisk them away for a little dinner out! Knowing them, we probably won't be successful. They are such good parents.
Just a little testimony as to how a son trusts his father--A nurse came in to Schuyler's room earlier and asked him if she could remove one of his I.V.s. He told her not to do it until he asked his father if it was O.K. He is really leaning on his father's every word right now! I'm reminded by this that our Heavenly Father wants us to lean on Him just as much! God is good to teach us these things through these experiences. Keep them in your prayers, as well as the Robinsons who are settling down into the routine of life without their Dan.

Tuesday Morning

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Lamentation 3:22-27

Good morning everyone. I have returned from a visit to St. Louis. While there are still many unknowns, we seem to have some encouraging news this morning. Schuyler had a successful surgery yesterday afternoon where they realligned part of his broken pelvis. They also were able to determine that they will not be performing any more surgery on his pelvis, as the other breaks are not out of allignment and should be able to heal on their own. He was awake most of the night last night but at some point they decided to remove this hard, velcro contraption that holds his pelvis in place. It had been agitating him terrribly and so he was provided with much needed relief. Sam is doing fairly well, also. They did find that he has torn ligaments in his neck, so scans and x-rays were done yesterday and this morning. If the ligaments are found to be the major suporting ones they will have to perform surgery and fuse his spine. This, of course, would be permanent so we are praying specifically that that won't be the conclusion. We are expecting to know this later today and I will post when we hear. Sam will also be having the surgery around noon on his urethra. If all goes well with his recovery, they said he might get to move to a regular room out of ICU. That would be wonderful. Also, Karin said that they have spoken to Schuyler's doctor, but not his surgeon and there is a chance that maybe they could be moved back to Champaign very soon!! We realize there are a lot of variables involved in this decision, but we also know that God has brought them through so much and he is seeing them through every little thing that comes along.

Tom, Mike, and Rhonda as well, as other family members of mine and the Robinsons all went yesterday. I know it is very healing for all of us to be together. We cryed some, but mostly I think we laughed. The Lord has been bathing all of us in sweet, funny memories and such comfort that we know there is no one else to give the glory to but Him. Karin and Rhonda were able to comfort each other and share sweet things about heir precious sons. We all had to laugh when we heard that Seth had offered to bring Sam some new books to read(as he loves to read) and Sam slowly responded, "I can't, I'm grounded from reading" I guess he wasn't getting his chores done because he couldn't put down his books! Rhonda, I know, has so many touching memories of their last days with Dan. I'm sure she will be sharing many of them with us in the days to come.

Continue to pray for healing for the boys. Pray that the stress on the Binion families will be manageable, especially for their little boys who are of course, feeling unsettled and scared. Pray that the Robinson family will continue to draw tightly together in their grief and that those of us around them will be able to bring comfort and support wherever they need it. Mostly pray that lives will be touched and souls will be saved through this situation. I know that all of us believe that what Satan meant for evil the Lord will use for good. Because He loves us we are His.

In Him,
Katrina

Monday Morning

Many of us from the Henningsen and Robinson families are traveling to St. Louis today to be with the Binions during Schuyler's surgery. He was able to sleep some last night and both he and Sam are about the same. Sam may also be having surgery on his ureter today. I hope to know more a litle later. Pray Schuyler will receive words of peace and comfort from those around him and also from the Holy Spirit.

Katrina

"Teach us to number my days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom....Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:12,14

Today we buried a precious saint. The combinaton of grief and joy was tangible to all those present. The Lord provided all the right pieces to bring all of his grieving children through this situation. Their were words that brought comfort, words to make us laugh, songs that celebrated Dan's life and most important the true message that all of us involved wanted everyone to know...The Lord is on His throne and all who will turn from their sin and call on His name will be saved! And one day we will all be together with Dan for eternity. Aaron and Brian Henninsen wrote a sweet, beautiful song this morning that they sang for us and I will include the words below so all can be ministered to by it. I don't want to forget to mention the sweet people from Arthur Christian School and Eagle Mountain Youth Group, who came together to provide a meal for everyone this evening. They worked so hard and made everything so nice for all of us. I believe I can see the hands of Christ when I see believers coming together to help others like we have seen so often lately.

Meanwhile, The Binions really need your prayers. Karin is being stretched farther than can be imagined and feels she can hardly take watching her sons struggle anymore. Schuyler is fighting things quite a bit, pulling tubes out, fighting to make everything go away. Karin is trying to keep him under control and he is getting very angry. His blood pressure has been high and I'm sure Karin's is also. She is desperate for just a little reprieve for him. Pray with me that God will bring just a little change in the situation. Tomorrow is still supposed to be the surgery so that will help Karin a little. Sam is doing okay, kind of out of it. I believe that is God's mercy.

I know the days ahead for both families are going to be long and hard so please don't forget to pray and ask God how you can reach out to them.

Thank You for all the help.
Katrina

We've Never Seen Blue Like That ©2008 Aaron and Brian Henningsen

We’ve seen the gulf side of Florida
And swam in those waters
And North Carolina in the twilight of morning
Just before the sun comes out
And gives out its orders
And the leaves don’t yet know
That they’re green, they’re blue
Born a hot July day
Might as well have been have been spring time
With the way that the flowers did bloom
And we couldn’t believe when you opened your eyes
And you outdid the sky, yeah it’s true
‘Cause we’d never seen blue like that
Yeah, we’d never seen blue like that
We’d never seen blue like that ‘till we met you
Part lamb and part lion as everyone knows
Built machines made for flying and out grew his clothes
And the girls would line up ‘round the block, I suppose
Just to gaze deeply into your eyes so blue
Yeah, they’d never seen blue like that
Yeah, they’d never seen blue like that
‘Cause they’d never seen blue like that ‘till they met you
Then the storm clouds came rolling in wave after wave
Each displaying it’s own shade of blue
Then the clouds and our eyes both poured out their waters
On the day that we heard we lost you
No, we’d never seen blue like that
No, we’d never seen blue just like that
Though the peace of the Lord hovered over those waters
We’d never seen blue like that
No, we’d never seen blue like that
I can see a boy walking on a beach up in Heaven
With Jesus by and ocean of truth
And he’d never seen blue like that
And he’d never seen blue like that
And the spirit of God hovers over those waters
And he’d never seen blue like that
Someday we'll see blue like that

Funeral Reminder

The Funeral for Elijah Daniel Robinson will be at Hilligoss-Shrader on Rt 36 in Atwood. It will take place at 3:00 Sunday afternoon with burial following at Lewis cemetery on Hayes Rd. A meal will be served at the Henningsen building and everyone is invited to come. Because of the reaction of so many young people, we are especially inviting any youth who know the Robinsons and Binions to come to the building for fellowship and a time to reminisce and comfort one another.

(address to the Henningsen building is: 18 County Road 500E, Sadorus, IL)

Saturday Morning

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18

Today will be a really tough day at the Robinson home, please pray for their comfort. Tom is having significant problems with short term memory and focusing, this may all be normal recovery but is still hard for them.

We don't have much information from St. Louis but have heard that both Sam's and Schuyler's color was much better this morning, although they are still keeping Schuyler under an "ice" blanket for his fever.

We will try to have more later.

"The peace of God which passeth all understanding." Philippians 4:7
Katrina

Good News!

We just got word that they were able to get Sam brought out of his sedation and the neurologist asked him to perform a number of tests and he was able to do them all! This means they probably won't need an internal brain monitor. Very good news!
Schuyler is running a temperature, they are culturing him to check for infection, but it is possible it just could be from the trauma. Continue to pray, also for Karin- this is really tough on her.

Update on Sam

June 6, 2008 5:30 pm

We have heard from Karin and Gaylin. Sam's breathing is improving. A small surgery had to be done on his bladder this afternoon, but all went well. The doctors have told them that often with this kind of situation they will have the initial trauma and then a couple of days later more trauma will show up. We are praying that nothing will be found more serious.

Katrina

Tom Robinson is home

Tom Robinson was able to go home today.
Hoping to have more details to post on that soon.
~j

UPDATE on URGENT PRAYER NEEDS

Friday, June 6, 2008 8:30 am

I just got off the phone with Karin to get more info regarding Sam. Beginning on the way to Barnes yesterday his need for oxygen was increasing. He successively got worse and they have had to put a tube in his chest to drain fluid off of his right lung. They are putting him back on a ventilator. The other issue is they are a bit concerned because the bruise on his brain didn't look terribly bad but his amount of response has been definitely less than they expect. So today they will be doing more scans and test on him. Schuyler is doing okay, but they do know now he has at least 7 breaks in his pelvis. They decided that because his surgery will be so extensive and long they will wait to do it on Monday. They are really in need of your prayers.

While at Barnes, they have already run into a family who also needs your prayers. It is a young family from Philo who have a new daughter 5 wks old. She has a problem with her mitochondria and her prognosis is bad. Her name, I believe is, Raley. Please pray for them, also.

I don't know specifics, but I understand Tom is doing much better and hopefully coming home today. I'll let you know more later
Katrina

URGENT PRAYER NEEDED

Please lift up Sam Binion (13) as he is having some struggles. His lungs have had to be drained but are filling again with fluid. This is a new development. They are also having concerns over his brain activity. He was able to say his name last night but the doctors at Barnes are concerned. They are doing more scans and his surgery (i believe it was his pelvic surgery) has been postponed because of these two issues.

His brother, Schuyler Binion (16) has had his pelvic surgery postponed until Monday because it is going to be so extensive. I believe they are wanting him to gain in healing before having to undergo such a lengthy surgery.

~jada (as dictated by katrina)

Funeral Arrangements

The arrangements have just been finalized. They are as follows: Visitation 4-8 Saturday at Hilligoss-Shrader on Rt 36 in Atwood, Funeral 3:00 Sunday afternoon also at Hilligoss-Shrader, the burial will follow at Lewis cemetery on Hayes Rd. and a meal will be served at the Henningsen building and everyone is invited to come. Because of the reaction of so many young people, we are especially inviting any youth who know the Robinsons and Binions to come to the building for fellowship and a time to reminisce and comfort one another.

I have been asked about a fund for the Binions, while there is not a formal one set up I'm sure their expenses will mount and so I'll reiterate, if you feel led to give financially just call Brian Lowry 867-2776 or 714-3982.

Katrina

More Important Info!

Important update on this post: Please do not bring or send air conditioners as this need has been gloriously met.
thank you!

I forgot to mention two important things:

There is a need for window air conditioners to use at the building where the funeral meal will be held, as well as, at the Robinson home. These will only be needed temporarily

Two funds have been set up at the Tuscola National Bank, one is the Elijah Daniel Memorial Fund and the other is the Robinson Family Expense Fund.

Katrina

Thursday update

Isaiah 40: 28-31
The Lord is the everlasting God, The Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Today , as I write Schuyler is being airlifted to Barnes in St. Louis. Sam and Karin are following in an ambulance. They will be under the care of a pediatric specialist there. Pray that the wind and weather allow the helicopter to make it safely there. If all goes well, Schuyler will undergo surgery tonight to repair his badly broken pelvis. Sam's surgery will probably be tomorrow morning. Both boys are in a severe amount of pain. The doctors were able to remove Sam's ventilator last night but he still is not speaking or responding much. I was reminded that I did not list all of Schuyler's injuries last night. He also has a lacerated kidney, a bruised lung and liver, and both he and Sam have torn bladders.

Tom was expected to be released today but is not improving as much as hoped. Because of his concussion he is having some vision problems and when they get him up he vomits. He had another catscan and they hope to know something more this afternoon. Pray that he just needs a little more healing time and improves quickly. The Robinson family is making the arrangements for Dan's funeral and we hope to have finalized plans by this evening, which I will post a.s.a.p.

We continue to receive an outpouring of love through prayers, visits, food, money, etc. All of which bless these families more than anyone can know. It is truly the hands, in the Body of Christ, at work. There are amazing testimonies coming to us of God's compassion and grace working through this tragedy. A youth group called an impromptu prayer meeting last night, fifty kids came and four received salvation! A dear friend has said, "The death of one, will bring the salvation of many."

Thank you all and I will keep you updated.

Katrina

Condition of the boys 6/4/08

2 Corinthians 5:1-9
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Dear Family and Friends,
We are grieving with the Robinsons at the loss of Dan, their precious son. The other three boys Tom, Schuyler and Sam are doing as well as can be expected. Tom is at St. Mary's but will probably be released tomorrow. He has a broken shoulder blade, a bruised lung and a broken thumb as well as a concussion. Today has been especially hard as he has learned of the loss of his brother. Pray that the Lord will comfort him.
Sam Binion suffered a bruised brain, a broken pelvis and a fractured vertebrae C2. He is still somewhat sedated but is slowly beginning to respond to his family. Schuyler sustained many injuries. He also severely broke his pelvis and leg. His jaw is broken in two places and has been operated on twice. It is wired shut for 4-6 weeks. They also inserted a trach today so that they could continue with his necessary surgeries. Karin and Gaylin are being asked to make a decision about transferring their boys to a
children's hospital where they will get pediatric specialists to take care of their pelvis fractures. We will let you know where they will be. They have weeks, possibly months of recovery ahead of them. Pray for strength and healing for all three.

Gifts of food or money would be a blessing to either family. There will be funeral expenses, loss of work and travel to hospitals. If you feel led to give financially, contact Brian Lowry 867-2776 or 714-3982.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalized. We will let you know as we know them.
Please feel free to send encouragement to these families through this blog. We know they have already benefited greatly from your outpouring of love!

2Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Katrina Messmore & Cristal Lowry (sisters to Karin Binion and aunts to Schuyler and Sam)