Saturday Nov 28

I'm lonely. With the exception of my parents, the rest of my family have left. Just the chaos kept my mind preoccupied. What is fearful for me is that soon it will be very quiet around me. I hate quietness right now...it makes my mind wonder.

Sometimes I don't know what to think....maybe even how to think. I take one minute at a time.

Rachel asked me when we were going to buy our Christmas tree. I have the faintest idea how to do that. We would go as a family, pick it out, and bring it home. John would cut of the end, put it in a bucket of water over night. The next day we would put it up. He was the light guy. He put the lights on the tree as well as the star. I don't know if I can do it. Honestly...Id skip it if I could.

My challenge for today is to go to the house and clean up the mess that we made yesterday putting his things in boxes. The boxes have been put in the garage. But there were quite a few golf shirts that ended up piled on my bed that Matthew wanted to keep. Then there is a pile of this, and that......So I know the bed is full of clothing needing to be put in his closet. I also want to spread my clothes around in the closet so it doesn't look so empty.

God sustains me. That is all there is to it. I am a perfect example of God's Grace. When I have my doubts, fears etc...I look to God's Grace. He is merciful.

I probably sound like I am rambling....well welcome to my mind. That is exactly how I feel.

My prayer requests for today are:
Peace for me through out the day...when I have to do things I don't want to do
Peace for each of my children
Strength to lift my head, and take that first step
Wisdom to do what is best for my children and myself.

Somebody once told me that in every one of God's Children have to go through the wilderness. Things are going well...no problems...happy as can be. Then something happens....and we are in the wilderness.....but as we look up we see that God is there...guiding us through the wilderness. Then, suddenly, miraculously we are out again. All by miracles, all by God's hand...all we have to do is look up...he does the rest.

Well, I am in the wilderness..sometimes it is hard for me to hold my head up....and believe. Believe for me.....
that is where you, my friends, family, everyone who reads this can do for me. Believe for me. Hold your head up......

I apologize if it seems I ramble....welcome to the inside of my brain. Everyday.

Well, Rach is calling for help....

Thanks for reading, thanks for praying.

I love you all,
Saundra

Friday, November 28

Well, some of the hard stuff is done. Thankfully Dawn and my sister in law Shelly were there to help. We have put have everything in boxes. The kids did take a few of the the things that they cherished. I would have to say that Isaac had the hardest time. He just kept hugging and crying....and is now just very quiet.

I had a hard time holding it together. John was a letter writer. He wrote them often to me....in poem form. I found several of them. I found books that we read together when our marriage wasn't where we knew God wanted it to be. I saved those back. I don't know why. I just did. I just feel numb now.

Now, I am not sure I'm ready to get right back in the house....but I fell like I've made a major step. I know God has given me strength this far...and he won't let me go in the middle of it all. He has been so faithful to us.

I stand in awe at the people who know little of John, me or the kids...yet step in to help in any way that they can. I stand amazed at the people who want to just do ANYTHING to help. You are angels send by God. I have no doubt in my mind. I am surouned by his TEAM. I feel priviledged.

I am scared...yes. But, as He has brought us this far....he can take us further.

My mind wonders a lot. I have been trying to keep it centered on God. The scripture that comes to my mind is this (my paraphrase) Saundra, think on those things that are good, pure, true and worthy of HIS PRAISE.....and when you think on these things His Peace will be with you. It is my promise from God to help settle my worries.

I love and thank you all...

My specific prayer requests would be for peace, contentement, peace for my children, and that this will only increase their faith in Christ.

Love,
Saundra

Fri.Nov. 27

Well, we made it through yesterday. Yes, it was hard. But my thanks to God and his angels that helped me through it. Life will never be the same.

I am up today....dressed....with makeup. Maybe I will be recognizable today. But, I wanted to start out new today. Today is the day. My mom and dad, brother and sister and law, and in laws are going to the house (my first time) to pack John's things away. I can't just send them away....but I have to have them out of my house. Especially the bedroom. This is going to be so hard. But I didn't think I would make it through yesterday...and here I am.

I don't know yet which of the kids will be going to the house with me, I have left that up to them. We will see. Matthew...my brave young man said he would go.

Pray for us as we do this. Pray for peace, contentment, direction.

I will let you know how it goes. Thanks for all your constant prayers and support. We could not do it with them. And continue...please.

Love,
Saundra

Thanksgiving Day

What a day. Happy/Sad? What should I feel. I told my sister-in-law Kay that I wish it (Thanksgiving) would go away. Then I remember my precious children and how life must continue as normal as possible. I just cannot think about Christmas. Traditions that were John's alone. Picking the tree, cutting the bottom off, putting it in the stand....and the lights....that was his job. I don't know if I can do that. I don't know what the kids are thinking....we wil definitely have to talk about this I know.

I hope and pray that tomorrow I may try to go to the house tomorrow. Thanks to Ami Dillard she has helped me to deal with his belongings.....what to do, when, etc....I need all the direction I can get you know.

I didn't realize how helpful this blog would help me. I really do feel like I have released feelings and thoughts to someone and feel better. John used to always tell me that I would relax once I talked everything out with him. Another lesson learned from my beloved husband.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Be thankful for your family.

I am thankful for my children, my family, John's family, my church family, my dear, dear friends, my school friends.....I can go on and on. God has been so good to bless me with all of you.

I love you.

Saundra

November 25 ( I think) Wednesday

I am so sorry that it has been such a long time since I have been keeping you up to date. I just haven't been feeling like doing much of anything. But today, I am trying to start a new day. I am up...with jeans on, and am going to try to do something relaxing and outside today.

Folks, I cannot tell you how I hurt. I know it will be a while before I even begin to feel some semblance of a life again. You know..you get into a routine...and then when part of the routine is gone.....you just feel lost again. But with God's help, your prayers and support we will make it!!!
,
The kids are doing pretty well. Hannah struggles most. Her friends came over last night....it is always a blessing to see her smile. They always bring a smile to her face.

Isaac is doing well. I thank God for the Van Zant family. They have allowed Brady to be here most days and that keeps Isaac well entertained.

Matthew has his own way of coping. He is in his room most of the time. Although he is spending sometime with his friends which I think helps him some.

Rach does miss her friends very much. But I appreciate Sara Privott taking her to the horsebarn to ride horses. She seems to enjoy that so much.

I do want to thank each any everyone of you for all of your thoughtfulness, food, flowers, cards, contributions, and so much more. My family is just amazed at how the church has just stepped in and done all that you have done. My school family has also done so much it is hard to name. You all have shown so much support.\\\\\\\\\

I have heard good things about Chic-fil-a and Papa Angelos. Wow. John has touched so many lives. It is incredible. Thank you to all of you.

There is more to come...we have a road ahead that will be difficult and I covet each and all of your prayers. But I would like to ask specific prayer for these things;

Peace for the children and myself
Sleep at night...peaceful and restful
A quiet mind
Help for when I need to move back into my home
Help for when I have to go through his things...just a peace and help from God.
And wisdom, from above, on how to handle my children, my life, our life, and the future to come.
And Christmas....I can't even begin to go there. We had so many traditions......I just don't know.

Just pray.

I am going to go to facebook and tell everyone that I won't be on there for a while....this will be my release as well as any news I may have.

Please never stop praying.....we love you all....
Saundra

"G" Shirts at Salon Envy

From now until they are gone the "G" Shirts will be sold at the Salon Envy retail location (5021 N. Rockwell)

Slide Show from Funeral

Click on this link to see the slide show http://vimeo.com/7786573

Here are the details, gang.....let's make this shirt the "must have" fashion item of 2009. We go big for John Griffis. Got G?

John Griffis Funeral Date

The celebration of John Griffis life will be Monday, November 23 at 2pm. Bethany First Church of the Nazarene.

Griffis Day @ Chick-fil-A: Monday - Nov 23, 2009

Friends and Family -

Chick-fil-A on NW Expressway loves the Griffis family and the Bethany community. Upon hearing of John's passing, they contacted the GoMitchGo Foundation to see how they could help. We proposed that the GoMitchGo Day @ Chick-fil-A be in honor of the Griffis family this month!

All Day - Monday, November 23, 2009
Chick-fil-A - OKC - NW Expressway
15% of your ticket will be donated to the Griffis fund
at Bethany 1st Church of the Nazarene

Tell them "We are here for Coach Griffis" when you place your order!

Eat more chikn........go, G, go!

John is with Jesus

John went to be with Jesus about 10:30am today.

The family thanks you again for you prayers. John's status has not changed at this point. Your continued prayers are appreciated.

Status Update - World Wide Prayer at 7:00pm

Dear Friends of the Griffis Family,

The family has met with the doctors caring for John. Matthew has brought us an update.

"The doctors have done all they can possibly do. They are continuing to do all that they medically can. At this time, it is crucial for the swelling in his brain to go down. His life is now in the hands of God and not ours or the doctors. We know that these are the best hands he can possibly be in. Tonight at 7:00 pm, we are going to hold a world-wide prayer. Please, no matter where you are or what you are doing, stop and pray for my dad."

The family would also like to communicate how much they appreciate your prayers, support, and care during this time. It is only by your prayers and support that we are making it through this.

To All Our Friends:

Please know that everyone is welcome to come and visit us. We love and greatly appreciate each of you. While the doctors are asking that only family members visit John at this time, everyone is invited to come and visit with us in the waiting room.

Griffis Family-

To All:

I have been in to see John this morning. There appears to be no change, although he does look better. Please keep praying for his healing.

Saundra-

Nights are the hardest ....the enemy briings negative thought into mind. Please pray that I get some sleep and the enemy not enter our room! My kids need sleep.

John Griffis - Status update 11/16/09 524pm cst

Friends & family of Team Griffis --

We have created this site in order to mitigate some of the incorrect information that is floating about regarding John's status. We will post information on a regular basis at this site, as warranted, when his condition changes.

Continue to check back to this site for accurate information from the family.

This note was provided by the family regarding John's condition about an hour ago.

***********

"Dear friends and family,

First, we want to thank you for the countless hours of prayer and concern shown to our family. The outpouring of love has been incredible and is greatly appreciated by all of us. There are no words to express the gratitude that we fell for all of you during this time of crisis. Friends and family holding us up with acts of kindness, hugs, visits, and most importantly, prayer....is certainly carrying us through.

The current update regarding John's condition is as follows:

John is resting and is not in pain. He is in a medically induced comatose state, but there is guarded hopefulness that he will make some improvements. Neither we, nor the doctors, have given up hope that John will recover from this injury. The Lord is powerful and we know that He has this situation in His powerful hands."