Hi everyone, I am not sure if you have been following along but I will try to make this brief. Sorry for the delay but Nicole usually does the posts through our website… please read up on all of my posts on Facebook.
1. Hosted a medical team, saw 2700 patients and over 800 professions of faith
2. Our truck and container Came
3. Our world changed on Tuesday June 13th.
It appeared as if nicole was just sick and tired from working super hard for a week. She went from tired Friday and Saturday, to unable to sleep Sunday. To have Monday start a series of events showing us all something was wrong. I went to the doctor and got meds to see if that help her sleep and feel better.
Tuesday started a series of things that made the doctor say “get her out of here”. It took 50 hours for the life flight to come and medevac us to Brisbane Australia. During that time her symptoms got worse and the doctor was forced to give her a Really strong drug. And gave her 3 doses until the symptoms stopped. The downside is the effects of the drugs still linger till today (Sunday). So it’s really hard to gauge where she is at this moment.
We were medevac’d around Thursday at noon. Rushed to the hospital, and they have not ceased taking samples from her multiple times a day. Even a spinal tap. X-ray, CT scan, next up is an MRI and EEG. The weekend has slowed the process but they also want to see where she is without the drugs. Monday will start things back up. They sent off the samples to test for every crazy thing. Some will take a week response. I will repost a Facebook post here:
Update: Sunday June 18th, 2017. Nicole Stokes slept through the night without any “assistance” for the first time in 10 days, and it was her first actual full night sleep in 17 days. Praise God. Thank you for your prayers. The weekend has gone slower due to less staff. They are still testing and taking samples, but mostly checkups. More serious tests will happen on Monday when the doctoral staff is back.
We have felt super encouraged with everyone sharing the posts and writing us, thank you so much to the body of Christ comforting us in this time. I try to let Nicole read one or two comments here and there, she only has so much energy.
Im a grateful to God that we have an amazing marriage, the good and the bad God has used to help Nicole in this recovery process. The memories keep her focused and give her strength, saying things like “she is fighting for me” through this. Her beautiful and sensitive heart is so clear and is being revealed more in this event. God (prov 18:22) shown His favor to me through her. This has only made me love her more.
This “event” has made us just trust in our Heavenly Father more, we are praying to be like Job… knowing we don’t deserve answers nor does God have to give us one. We are mere servants (Luke 17:10). Reading a little bit about Job and in 2:10 the word “evil” has a semantic range of: evil, bad, adversity, affliction, harm, hurt, trouble, unpleasant, sad, unhappy… and much more. It’s easy to receive “good things”, but those things that are “unpleasant, sad, unhappy” things are not easy. But that’s why He is Sovereign, He uses those things so His grace can shine through. Even in unpleasant times He wants to show us His grace, sometimes His Sovereignty is unclear to us… but that’s why Job said “receive”. There is no choice in the matter. The only choice is how we react, and we choose to react in Praising His name. This event has:
1. Made us focus on Him more
2. Made us love one another more
3. Realize what’s really important
4. See the body of Christ bless us
5. Remind us we have an awesome family
And much much more.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Continue praising His name with us. I will keep you all updated as things occur here in Ozzie land.
Stoking The Fires 
Hey you guys — I am so sorry Nikki has been terribly sick, that sounds like a wretched handful of weeks you have endured. I hope the doctors in Brisbane — my home town during the 1960s (my dad taught at the Univ of Queensland, at the main campus in St. Lucia) — will find you help, as I know you have found grace along the way. (PS – Nikki, if you knew either of the Green siblings while on campus, their Dad and Mum are also in Brisbane, almost exactly where I used to live and play)
Warmly,
Jonathan
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Thank you for the prayers!
We love you and we’re praying for you! xo ❤
Thank you for the prayers!
I love to see how God is using even these difficulties to knit your hearts together even more. You faith and perseverance encourages and challenges me, and I am thankful! Please know, dear Nicole and Seth, that Sam and I are praying for you and “carrying you on our knees to Jesus” frequently throughout the day and night. I’ve been feeling almost obsessive as I keep logging back in to see if there’s an update! Continuing to pray for the diamond studded titanium wall, and for God’s grace, mercy and healing on you both. We love you so so much! -Shari
Praying unceasingly…Praise to The Ultimate Physician!
Kiss my favorite cousin for me! (& no, not yourself!)
😘
Thank you for the prayers!
Praying for two of my favorite people
Sent from my Sprint Tablet.
Thank you for the prayers!
Seth,
Thank you so much for the update. I cancelled my facebook months ago, so Buck has been updating us as he has been able. We are praying for Nicole’s recovery. I know that our Heavenly Father will use this trial for your growth and blessing.
Love,
Maria Dunn
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Thank you for the prayers!
Dear Nicole and Seth,
I am so sorry to hear all that you two have been going through. Jerry and I are praying for both of you. It is unsettling to not know what is going on in your body , Nicole. Praise God that He knows and loves you so much,
Psalm 91: 1-6 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
You may be half a world away, but our prayers in the hands of the Divine Physician are as close as your heartbeat.
Blessings, Terry and Jerry
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you for the prayers!
Bonnie & I have been praying for you daily since we heard the news. Seth – What a blessing it was to hear your perspective on the events that have transpired and your continued faith in our Lord. May God take this opportunity to draw you both ever closer to Him!
Thank you for the prayers!
Am praying for both of you. We know God is in control. Love you both.Barbara
Thank you for the prayers!