Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has been checking this blog. There has been an average of 530 individuals per day checking the blog; with peaks as high 950! While not everyone chooses to leave a comment the fact that you care enough to check everyday (and for some of you more than once) means a great deal to us. We feel your prayers and feel completely loved. You all are important to us...even those who we have not yet met. Thank you for walking with us through this. You are appreciated.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike and Family

I personally want to say thanks for being willing to updat this site so often. It is really helpful. Today I thought I would just share with you a story that someone sent to me. I don't know who's it is or where it is from but it is a good reminder. It's about looking onthe bright side of things.

Positive Thinking

Jerry is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."
I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gun point by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.
I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. “The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action."
" What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'" Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.

I hope that brought a smile to your faces. It was an awesome reminder for me. So keep on smiling and thinking positive. God Bless

P.S. sorry for the length

-Julie-Anne

Anonymous said...

Just want you to know you are constantly on my mind and in my prayers. This way of comunication is wonderful in how we are up-dated to your progress. I pray your spirits are high and I encourage you in any way I'll can. Thankyou Matt and anyone else that keeps this coming. I love you all even though you don't know me.
Love from Aunt Doreen

Anonymous said...

Hey Michael,
Just wanted to say hi and bye before we leave for Kelowna tomorrow for 10 days. We'll see you when we get back and will keep in touch with the family to find out how things are going and what we need to pray for.

ciao,
Petra, Brian, Trivun and Madeline (your favourite relatives)
p.s., the rest of the family doesn't read this right?

Anonymous said...

Phil 1:8 NLT "God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus"
xo Nancy

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike and Family

Firstly, thanks Steve and Matt for keeping us posted on your brothers progress. You might not remember me, I am the Mom who was sitting at your Mom's dining room table every Wednesday afternoon after school. (My daughters took piano lessons from your Mom for a number of years).
Secondly, Mike it is very positive to hear that you are waiting for a bed outside of the ICU. This is GOOD news. I have not been able to check the blog for a number of days due to getting ready for 4-H Achievement Day, so I was very greatful and pleased to hear of your progress. Keep positive Mike! Take it one day at a time and know that my family has been thinking and praying for you and your family.
Lastly, Brenda know that from a "Mom to a Mom", you are constantly in my thoughts. I send out a big hug to you and your family. Stay strong and keep positive!
God Bless you ALL!
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike!
we're still pulling for you and praying. keep working on that physio!
steve and matt- thanks so much for keeping us all posted on Mikes recovery. its awesome to read about his improvment!
hang in there Mike!
-Christy

Anonymous said...

Hey there Mike,

Missing you so much as we are far away during this time. It is really hard not to be right there with you but our hearts are always together. We love you, oh how much we love you. Praying consantly for you. Be there soon.

Love always,
Steve and Lori

Anonymous said...

Hey all, the PayPal fund total is about $335 USD as of 5/31/06
-Doug Geiger

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike and Family
Just had a coffee with your Dad here in Lac La Biche. Wow can you ever feel proud to have a Dad like you have. His love for you, Brenda, Matt, Steve & Lori shines through in every word but his love of the Lord in felt in every word he speaks. Continued prayer for all of your family.

Anonymous said...

I saw this quote today Mike and thought of you.

"Every time I start to fade, I close my eyes and realize that
my friends are my energy."

Know that we all love you and will always be here for you.

h said...

thank you for the updates.

Anonymous said...

Betty Risto
Just want to let you know that the Risto family is praying for you all at this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

mike
just wanted to say hi and that you and your family are always in my prays and thoughts and hope you have a good night

sherraz

lou said...

hey mike!
good to hear you are improving and that you are starting physical therapy. you are always in my prayers.
and to matt: great pic choice in the previous post. and thank you for all the quick updates.
and to steve: i knew that would be a post worthy picture at some point
><> gina-louise <><

Anonymous said...

don't thank us, we thank you for keeping us posted...with all of the progress and prayers requests...:)

Anonymous said...

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
anais nin

Courage faces fear and thereby masters it. Cowardness represses fear and is thereby mastered by it.
Martin Luther King

Believe you can,and you can. Belief is one of the most powerful of all problem dissolvers.When you believe that a difficulty can be overcome,you are more than halfway to victory over it already.
norman peale

Laughter over the simplest things helps heal the soul. e.y.

--just another thank-you for your updates.They are heartfelt raw facts and emotions that cannot be miconstrued by 2nd hand information.For that we are greatful!

Godspeed to your healing, Michael.

We continue with thoughts and prayers for the well being of you and your families and that the road ahead is smoother than the potholes in LLB!
hang on, ms.young

Anonymous said...

Hi, Mike,
this is Wailee and Winnie Wong. You probably don't remember us. We've been friends with your Grandpa Leroy for close to 30 years. We got the news of your accident while we were traveling. We will keep praying for you and ask for the Lord 's mercy on you. I told my girls, Janice, Emily and Jenille and they also committed themself to remember you in their prayer. Now thagt we finally got into this blog we will keep checking and keep praying for you.
Love in Christ
Wailee and Winnie Wong

Anonymous said...

dont thank us. its the least we could do since there isnt much for any of us to do but pray and wait that Mike gets better. I thank you for keeping us informed on how Mike is doing and what is also going through your heads at this difficult time. all my prayers and love are out there for you. keep up the good work on the site and Mike get better.
from: just another person out here

Anonymous said...

hey Mike,
Hope your feeling better...i know your probably sick of hearing quotes but i got another one for you...its by a man named Christopher Reeve ( i think thats the guy who was superman) anyways he says..."I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."..your my hero Mike... i'll continue to pray for you and to check in to see how your doing...this site is addicting...i think i check like twice a day...or more...continue smiling..."Never frown even when your sad...cause you never know who's falling in love with your smile" ... you have a wonderful smile!!...
Forever in my prayers
Rieki Scott

Anonymous said...

Michael, You are such a sweetheart. We love you so much. We continually think of you, and when we do, we pray for you..... so many memories of you as a little boy. You were so cute and such a little monkey(We mean that in the cutest monkey way :) ). We are so proud of you, Michael. We cling to every bit of news of your progress whether it's from this blog or by phone. We will not stop praying for you.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike, Neil, Brenda and Matt,

We just want to say thank you for keeping us up-to-date with Mike's progress. We pray for Mike many times a day...if we are not quick about praying for Mike, one of our four children is ready to remind us! :) We think about Mike very often because it is summer, and the children (mainly Jacqui and Zac) still wonder where Matthew Barker is! By the way, Matthew, Zac can now say Matthew Barker...it is so cute! I just want you to know that when Zac prays for you Mike, it is so sweet and precious! I know that God has something special in store for you!
Love,
Tanya for The Kirylchuk's

Anonymous said...

Everyone wants to do something to help Michael. Sometimes it's hard to know what to do....Well, we can pray. It would be wonderful to envelop Michael in prayer 24 hours a day for two days or more. We don't know how to set up something like a sign up page where people could commit to praying for 20 minutes (or more) for Michael. Some may want to commit to the same time two days in a row.

Anonymous said...

Hi Barker gang,
I wanted to let you know that my family has been through a lot of trials & hospitalization. I wish we would have had a site like this to get us through. During those times however, we saw many miracles defying all medical explanation. I am praying for the same for you. You may never know the why, but God does and you can know that God will never abandon you. I find it interesting Brenda, that I am reading "Diamonds in the Dust" by Joni Eareckson Tada as a devotional book (one I got from you). Today talked about how we all experience 'frost in our gardens in order for the truly beautiful flower to show through'. Yesterday was about how wonderful memories can help us through tough times and tomorrow's theme is "Let go, and let God".
I truly believe that God does have good plans for us, especially Michael. We really love you guys and will continue to pray.
Rachel Fish and family

Anonymous said...

Mike and the Barker family

Even though you have not heard from me since a few days after the accident, I just want you to know that I am still thinking of you and praying for you.

I understand it was Steve who set up this site - thank you.

Thank you Matt for giving me the address, even though I didn't write it down correctly. I finally got the correct address today from a friend.

Brenda and Neil - God knew what kind of parents and siblings Mike would need and he supplied the best. If I could ever be of any assistance to you as you relocate etc., please contact me. I am only about an hour away from Edmonton.

Mike - I read Sarah's comments about rehab - sounds like the place to be! If you ever get discouraged though remember there is a whole army of us praying for you and if we were there we would be cheering you on! Take care.

Erwin S.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say thank you for keeping us posted on Micheal's progress. I have always so admired your family's incredibly strong faith. Although we have had little contact since your move from Smoky Lake,Brenda,you remain in my heart as true friends always do. My thoughts are with you and Neil, knowing parents feel their children's pain more deeply than her own. I will continue to pray for strength and courage for Michael and your entire family. Leigh Ann

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike,
Just want you to know that the MacLurgs are remembering you and praying for you many times a day.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might. He is able!

Steve and Matt,
Thanks for the daily updates. It is such a blessing for we who love you all and want to be in touch with what is going on so that we can pray with you.

Brenda and Neil,
We love you, we have you in our hearts and prayers.
Alan and Cindy

Anonymous said...

Just want to thank you for the blog--it really helps us in knowing how to pray and is giving all of us such a love for the whole Barker clan. We really appreciate the updates and the comments. THANK-YOU!

Anonymous said...

This blog is just the best thing! Thanks to the boys for being commited to letting us 'reach out' in this way. You are never far from our hearts. Brenda and Neil, I just want to somehow send my love and cacoon you in what ever strength friendship can give. Leigh Ann said it - we hurt more for our kids than ourselves. So if you know how often I check this maybe I won't have to come up with words - just know ... People here are checking this sight but do not know what to say. People are praying, even if those who are awkward.

Anonymous said...

Mike an Family

Christine and I heard of the accident while out of the country, we arrived home this AM. You have been and continue in our prayers. What I feel while going through this site and the accounts is overwhelming and a tremendous testimoney of your strength and Christian faith as individuals and a family. It is truly empowering to me to know how powerful God is when we accept him into our hearts and lives as you all have.

In Prayer
Kenton

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike...we continue to check your blog every day and feel thankful for the updates. And thankful that you continue to improve every day with a laugh here and there. Even if it is over jello..? You are an inspiration for all of us....thankyou...
Love, C.Peters

Anonymous said...

Hi Barkers,
checking in to say hi, and sending much love. It is a strong person who can go to the place inside that hurts - places of limits, brokenness, grief, pain, not-knowing, not understanding - and it is in this place that God's presence and comfort becomes real. When we let go of having it figured out and trying to fix it somehow for ourselves or for someone else - that is where God's healing Spirit is. Even if it feels that you are alone, you are not. But the feelings bring us to the place where God's Spirit and your spirit will find each other. All that to say, it takes great courage to be where you are, and to allow yourself to feel, and to be safe enough with your family and those you love to let it happen, to go through this. You are strong, you have great courage - Go onward into this strange land, and know that you are met with the creator of strength and courage, who will take on many shapes - don't be afraid. And we, we stand with you - all who check into this blog - for sure you are not alone, even when you must go onward - there is a great cloud of witnesses who suffer with you, cry with you, laugh with you, hold faith and hope with you and for you, and carry you - you know who they are. Mysterious God, life-redeeming and healing God, is here, fully present.

I pray that you can see the hands and face of Christ present in all who each of you encounter today, with each other or with stranger.

We love you,
Peace,
Mary Dickau

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,
sent you a message and put it in the blog from a few days ago - sorry - check out Mello and Jello. We had jello the other night - a rare occurence - and thought of you. A group of people are meeting today to stand with you in prayer - even though we are far in distance, God is not limited by distance - and the Spirit holds us close in love. We love you,
Aunt Mary

Anonymous said...

hey mike how are doing im fine i really hope you get well soon well heal up real soon.

Anonymous said...

Barker-family
still praying for- and thinking of you. God Bless!
Nieuwoudt's

Anonymous said...

June 12,2006

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday.Thinking of you.

Tiffani Beniuk