Gretchen wrote a post!August 1
Merritt returned home from the hospital a week ago and both he and Gretchen are thankful for all of the prayers and support. His leg is slowly improving though he will not be able to put any weight on it until late September (on his 23rd birthday as a matter of fact). I hope to update more soon…
July 25
Gretchen wrote us a letter on her mom’s laptop while her mother was with her this past weekend. See it and a picture of Merritt and Gretchen here.
July 24
Merritt is being discharged from the hospital this afternoon! He and Gretchen are thankful to be going home. Since the surgery he has not been in as much pain and when I talked with him he sounded good. What a big answer to prayer!
More soon…
July 22
7 pm: Merritt’s surgery went well and was successful. He won’t need a skin graft, praise the Lord! They hope to go home Monday or Tuesday. There is a lot to learn and do but they are very thankful.
8 am, Pacific time: Merritt just went back into surgery to set the fibula and clean up some of the infection. Gretchen’s mother arrived yesterday and that is a huge support to Gretchen. Both Merritt and Gretchen slept well last night–which was needed after more than 48 hours of constant activity.
Gretchen continues to say she can feel all the prayers–she is very peaceful and of course, being Gretchen, keeps asking how I am doing. Silly girl–as if that matters at all right now! But that’s just her–she’s a sweetheart.
There was a scare yesterday with an overdose of the pain meds they have Merritt on–Praise the Lord Gretchen was not leaving his side or sleeping. Her desire after this surgery is to get him off it onto a milder pain pill (versus IV) which they can’t do until his stomach will tolerate any kind of food. So that is a prayer request for today.
July 21
Praise the Lord…Merritt came through surgery all right last night. The following is the information sent out by Gretchen’s parents to friends and family.
“For those of you that haven’t heard yet, our son-in-law (of less than two months) was in a serious welding accident today, but God miraculously spared his life. A bio-diesel tank exploded, shattering the two bones in his lower left leg (fibula and tibula) and throwing him ten feet. Had the top of the tank blown out instead of the bottom, Gretchen would probably be a widow right now. But God is good, and He still has plans for Gretchen and Merritt together.
The accident occurred on the family farm around 9:30 this morning. Merritt was taken by Life Flight to the hospital. Gretchen called tonight after Merritt came out of surgery. The surgeon said it was not a clean break (as reported earlier), that there were many bone fragments, and that he didn’t even repair the fibula because it was getting so late. He had planned to keep the incision open until Saturday anyway in order to “clean things out” again, so he will go back in and repair the fibula at that time. He doubts that he will be able to get enough skin to close the wound, so he will probably need to do a skin graft as well.
The doctor stressed over and over to Gretchen that it will be a long road to recovery—at least a year before he will have the full use of his leg again, and a good 2-3 months before he will be able to drive. Not exactly what a farmer wants to hear in the middle of the summer, but Gretchen is just grateful to have her farmer still by her side, and even a smile on his face in spite of excruciating pain. (It takes me back 27 years to when Mark lost his fingers in a logging accident 3 years before we were married—I knew then and there he was the man for me when I saw how brave he was!)
We would ask for continued prayers, that the remaining surgery would be successful, that there would be no infection, and that Gretchen would get the rest and nourishment she needs to stay healthy and strong.
Great is His Faithfulness! (We sang the hymn by that title at Gretchen and Merritt’s wedding!)”
July 20, part two
Gretchen thanks everyone for their prayers–she says they are keeping her strong. She is amazing me with her calm, strength, and thankfulness to God. She amazes me. Merritt is in surgery as I type this–it kept getting delayed but he should be out soon. He’ll have another surgery Saturday.
Major prayer requests at this point:
That infection will be minimal. Merritt’s leg is broken severely in several places and infection is the biggest concern right now. Please pray that the surgery today and Saturday will make strides toward preventing such. Right now they are putting a rod in but won’t close the wound up until after the second surgery. Also, his left arm is severely burned.
Strength for Gretchen. Gretchen is on her own at the hospital as the rest of the family is attempting to hold down the farm. She needs lots of endurance.
Finances. This is what I’m asking you to pray for. Merritt and Gretchen have some health insurance with Samaritan Ministries but it won’t cover everything. Merritt will be in the hospital at least until Sunday and the expenses will be high. Gretchen knows that God is infinitely capable of providing–her trust in this is wonderful to see. [Financial Update]
Merritt has been conscious the whole time, though in tremendous pain. He actually wanted to talk to me on the phone–he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. And his constant words were: God is really good to us. The accident could have been so much worse–and we are all very thankful for God’s mercy in sparing Merritt’s life and that the injuries are not more serious.
July 20
Lift up Merritt and Gretchen Acheson with me…
This morning Merritt was in an accident when a gasoline tank exploded. He was life-flighted to Spokane and is going into surgery now. His leg is broken in several places but it is looking like they will be able to save it–at first they weren’t sure.
Please pray for strength for Gretchen….and for the doctors to have skillfull hands as they seek to minister to Merritt’s injuries.
Thank you for sharing the details with us. I’ll continue praying…
~Chelsea
Praying for God’s mercy, grace and goodness!
Praise the Lord that they’re doing so well!
One of the most amazing things in the whole world is when people go through hard times with a peaceful heart, a smile, and a firm, happy trust in God’s goodness. God is glorified in the highest degree by such faith (and the rest of us are inspired and challenged to have the same unwavering trust in God).
Still praying,
Whitney
Thank you so much for keeping us updated, Natalie! I’m still praying.
Thank you for the update, Natalie. I will continue to pray for them. That is so incredible that they are praising God in the midst of it- what a testimony to others!
Wow…….
Praise God Merritt is doing well and is in high spirits. And its such a mark of faith when both Merritt and Gretchen can look at this through the eyes of Christ and trust in Him.
I’ll be praying for them, and I know God will provide healing, emotional peace, and financal help.
~Katie
Thank God for taking care of them both. I am praying for them.
I will be praying that God’s grace and abundant provision will be poured into their lives. May God be glorified!
I will be praying that God’s grace and abundant provision will be poured into their lives. May God be glorified!
I will be praying that God’s grace and abundant provision will be poured into their lives. May God be glorified!
Gretchen and Merritt will be in my prayers.
~Autumn Rose Graber
I woke up this morning to read abou this accident. This is so horrible for Gretchen. I feel like she is a dear friend because of all of her writings. This is so sad. I will pray that all goes well.
If finances are an issue with them, has anyone thought of starting up someway to donate funds towards their hospital expenses. This will be hard for them especially being newly married. This idea might be premature or innappropriate. Just wanted to throw that idea out there.
Is there any way we can possibly find out what church they belong to, Natalie? Or someplace to possibly send money to help them out? I know prayers are needed, but they’re going to need financial help…has their church set up a fund?
OH, I had no idea this had happened until just now. Praying!
And maybe Zan’s idea is part of God’s provision. Romans 15:27 comes to mind. :O)
I will be praying for them both. They will both be stronger through this! God is good!
Praise the Lord! I will keep praying hard for strength and grace on them all! I think that the idea of pitching in financially is and awesome idea! Gretchen and Merrit are our sister and brother in Christ! If we can in any way, lets pray, and do it!
Still praying…
Praying! So wonderful to hear how they’re taking this. Thank you so much for keeping us posted, Natalie. (No pun intended)
Ohhh, I’ll definitely be praying. Romans 8:28 is probably a great comfort to them now.
Oh, no! Thank God it wasn’t worse, but that is so terribly hard nonetheless! I will be praying for them every day.
Thank God they managed to have their wedding before the accident!
Thank you for the update. May God be with them.
Our youth pastor was in an accident where he did some major damage to his foot – and we just all kept it in prayer and his 6 month recovery (before he could even use his foot) is completely recovered in less than a month! I will be praying the same for Merrritt and Gretchen.
-Stacie
http://liberty-lover.livejournal.com
I read about this on Crystal’s blog and wanted you to let her know that many people who do not know them but are brethren in Christ are keeping them in prayers. There is sure to be a long journey ahead. I have found these lyrics a comfort during times of trials.
Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
I was sure by now, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it’s still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain,
I’m with you
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
that You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can’t find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
I’m with you
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Chorus
HI!!
Praise the Lord for sparing Merrit’s life! I will continue to pray for them!!
God bless
Leilani
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation: HE is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in HIm at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:5-8
I will be praying for them! I don’t know them personally but I feel like I know them from just reading Gretchen’s posts before she got married and hearing about them and such.
I think alot of people that don’t even know them personally are praying for them, it is wonderful to be part of God’s family.
Thank God he is doing better!!!!
Him and Gretchen have been in my prayers continuously!
Praying for a speedy recovery!