Ways to Help

TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 8:35 PM, CDT

meals, thanks, etc.

Thank you for your continued inquiries about helping out...

We wanted to let you know that there are several things you can do if you find yourself with the urge to do so.

memories and encouragements - 

The family has cherished your comments on the guestbook here and been encouraged by your prayers.  Please continue to pray for whatever comes to mind as you think of them in the grieving process...  Also, if you have a special memory or picture of Matt that you would like Harper to read/see someday - send that to jessicagunkel@gmail.com.  They will be compiled as a gift to her.

volunteering, donations, etc - 

The Hope Center would love some time and attention in this time of transition, and you can find out how to volunteer at  www.hopecenterkc.org.

You can also still contribute to the memorial fund - scroll down to previous entries to see the information and address to send it to.

meals for the families - 

for information on providing meals please email jadevanslyke@yahoo.com.  There has been a ton of response on this, so consider a meal for extended family/friends if you know them...

not sure how to help?

In times like these, we often don't know what to do or how to act.  Just remember to keep the individual's needs at the forefront (needs for rest, alone or family time).  Grieving is necessary, hard,  and at times incredibly private... talking can be draining, even with a close friend.  Use your gifts to thoughtfully care for those in need - not just the Nagel family, but those in need around YOU, as well. If you don't personally know the family, consider those in YOUR family or neighborhood that need a blessing from you this week! 

grace and peace to you this evening, friends...

jL

Memorial Donations

FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2012 7:54 AM, CDT

helping out...

Heartfelt thanks to all who came to the memorial yesterday and to those who were there in spirit.  For those who asked,  

donations in Honor of Matt Nagel can be made to:

The Hope Center

2800 East Linwood Blvd

Kansas City, Mo. 64128

www.hopecenterkc.org 

Or

Matthew R. Nagel Memorial Fund

Checks payable to Molly Nagel

Send to:

Heartland Community Church

12175 South Strang Line Road

Olathe, KS 66062

A link to provide meals or other needs for the families will be posted Monday morning.  Thank you for all your inquiries.

Pray for the family today as they lay Matt to rest.

Matt Nagel Obituary

HURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 7:14 AM, CDT

Matthew Robert Nagel, age 35, beloved son, husband and father, went home to the Lord April 4, 2012 at KU Medical Center after suffering a stroke.   He passed peacefully from the arms of his love to the arms of his Savior.

Matt was born January 12, 1977 in Kansas City, MO to Brian and Vicki Nagel of Spring Hill, KS. He graduated from Kansas City Christian High School and later from Kansas State University.  He worked in church ministry, construction management and most recently in non-profit community development at The Hope Center, as Director of Operations.   In addition to cheering on the Wildcats, he enjoyed spending time outdoors in Colorado, and taking care of his precious girls. 

He is survived by his bride of nearly 10 years, Molly Heintzelman Nagel, their daughter Harper, his parents, his brother Mark and family, and his treasured extended family and countless devoted friends.  They will miss his tender heart, fierce devotion, buoyant smile and contagious, steady faith. 

A memorial service to celebrate Matt’s life will be held April 5, 2012 at 4pm at Heartland Community Church,12175 S. Strangline Rd, Olathe, KS  66062.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to The Hope Center – www.hopecenterkc.org  - (816) 931-6290.   

Information on how to contribute to a memorial fund will be available at the service and subsequently on CaringBridge and on this blog.

Arr.: Signature Funerals; honoring life; honoring death. (816) 214-5174   www.signaturefunerals.com

Family Needs

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012 11:37 AM, CDT

Family needs

Thank you so much for your outpouring of support and desire to meet the needs of Matt's loved ones.  Instead of contacting the family, please stay tuned for a caring bridge update with a link to sign up to bring meals when the family is ready to receive them.  They are so thankful for your prayers.

NOTE: Information regarding the meals and other needs will also be copied to this blog.

Celebration of Matt's Life: Thursday, April 5th

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012 9:13 AM, CDT

Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Matt Nagel

Thursday, April 5th at 4 p.m.

Heartland Community Church

12175 S. Strangline Rd, Olathe, KS  66062

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to The Hope Center - www.hopecenterkc.org - 816-931-6290.

In addition, a trust fund is being established for Molly and Harper for those that wish to help further Matt's legacy in the life of his family.  Details to come...

He is HOME

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012 1:26 AM, CDT

peace

Resting in his savior's arms...

we will post details about the memorial service / arrangements wednesday morning.

please continue your prayers for Molly and Harper and the rest of the family...  for a keen awareness of God's presence in the coming days.

Waiting to Meet Jesus; Day 3, Evening Update

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 5:57 PM, CDT

evening update

I keep thinking of Christ’s words in the garden –

“This sorrow is crushing my life out – stay here and keep vigil with me…”  Mt 26

Please keep praying for Molly through the night tonight – by Matt’s side.  He is breathing and resting easy, waiting to be with Jesus.

Important Update

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 11:52 AM, CDT

important update

I must admit – I’m not sure how to say all of this…

I’m not sure how to say how mighty and loving our God is… how he is wrapping his arms around us.

I’m not sure how to say that he has answered our prayers – the ones that we barely dared to utter…

Thy will be done.

We knew God would reveal himself in this ordeal.  We knew it.  We just didn’t know WHAT he would reveal about himself… his healing power?  His gracious love?  His peace that passes understanding?

He is revealing himself to be a loving father – who comforts those who mourn – who is near to those who suffer.  Who is tender with those who are broken-hearted.

Matt’s body has suffered too much.  Jesus is calling him home.  This afternoon they will shift his care in a different direction – to comfort and rest.

Pray for Harper today – she gets to see her Daddy – pray that she would not be frightened by tubes and beeps, but would see only his loving face. 

Pray for Molly – courage and strength to endure the unimaginable this day… for rest when rest comes.

Pray for Brian, Vicki and Mark (and their families).  Treasured, quiet moments with Matt.

Pray for Molly’s family – they are an invaluable support to Molly and Harper and will need strength in the days ahead.

Pray for Matt’s care-giving team today – Dr. Husmann, Dr. Porter-Williamson, Lauren, Bryan, Becca and Ashley.  We are missing some names, but the team has been great and will need strength and wisdom today.

Pray for us all to hold Matt with open hands today – hands raised in grief and thanksgiving, confusion and hope, in trust and expectancy.

We will continue to keep you updated today.  There will again be a prayer service in the Spencer Chapel at 4pm on the campus HERE.  Please come if you need/want to, or pray from wherever you are…

Obviously there will be needs and support requested – we will let you know about those as they come up.

Thank you – for the outpouring of faith, prayer, love and service.  God revealed in the body of Christ.

PRAY NOW!

From Caring Bridge:  Day 3, Morning

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 7:36 AM, CDT

NOW

PRAY - pray dear friends.  pray NOW.

Caring Bridge Update: Day 3, Morning

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 7:22 AM, CDT

day three

This is Molly writing. 

I am sitting in Matt's dark hospital room waiting for the results from Matt's last CT scan. Matt's IPC which measures the pressure in his brain is at around a 41 right now. 0-20 is the normal range. Yesterday we celebrated when it had decreased to 25 after being very high. As the hours went by it got as low as 20 before starting to increase again.  

Matt's blood pressure is too low. The nurse has been trying to  manage his swelling and blood pressure by altering different medications throughout the very early morning hours.  The doctors do their rounds around 8 -- we will update again after they let us know more about what will happen today/what the plans for Matt are.

Thank you all so much for praying. I have taken comfort in the sweet comments being left.  I slept from 11 to 2:30 last night. Matt's parents and  I each took a shift sitting with him through the night. Although my shift didn't start until 4:00 I was unable to sleep longer but still feel okay this morning. I think I have your prayers to thank for that.  Harper will go to school this morning to try to keep some normalcy in place. She only knows that her daddy is in the hospital because he isn't feeling very well. I simply told her he is resting and using their medicine. I will decide what else to tell her as I know more. 

Please pray Matt's swelling would go down to the normal range. Please pray for complete healing and recovery. Please continue to ask God to perform miracles in Matt's life. 

Thank you so very, very much,

Molly

Day 2, Update 2: Thank You God

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 6:57 PM, CDT

update 2

Thank you, God –

That Matt was running with friends yesterday and not alone somewhere… such a quick reaction time was crucial.

That Matt was running WHERE he was running (that silly brew to brew…) that ensured his ambulance ride brought him here to KU Med.

For Dr. Reeves – who performed the emergency procedure yesterday to remove the blockage – who told us he was praying for Matt today when he made his post-op visit.  For his assistant (Courtney) today, who just HAPPENED to be married to one of Vicki’s former students.

For Dr. Lele– part of the emergency craniectomy yesterday, who came in today (ON HIS FIRST DAY OFF OF 24/7 ONCALL DUTY) to check on Matt’s progress.  Thank you that he said (imagine the accent) “GOOD job, Matt!”

For Dr. Strom – critical care physician who came (with a caring manner) to talk with Molly and has been down this road with his three year old son.

For Matt’s day nurse today – an acquaintance who prayed for Matt yesterday via facebook and requested to be his nurse today when she reported for duty.  They seem to be sweet on Matt – they called him “quite cooperative.”  (That’s high praise from a nurse)

For space-age cooling wet suits – (technical term) that have successfully lowered Matt’s temp and will continue to do so for awhile to help with the swelling.

For a lunch date dance party for Molly and Harper – rejuvenation for the Nagel girls.

For steadier blood pressure – which has allowed them to safely sedate him a little further, for his comfort.

For the pastors of our church held a prayer session on Matt’s behalf.  Molly was very grateful for everyone who came and prayed for Matt at 4 pm – while Matt’s inter-cranial pressure dropped to 22.  !

For the prayers so many people have offered up in the last 36 hours since we have been here.

For a friend of a friend who “happens” to be a neuroradiologist HERE and is working “extra hard” on Matt’s case.

For emails today from staff and relatives of staff here at the Med Center, willing to help and offering resources.

For Matt’s new nephew, Asher – born healthy yesterday across the country.

“We have a long ways to go towards recovery, 

and much is uncertain,

but in these moments,

for these things,

we are thankful.

Love,

Molly”

Prayer Service - Specific & General Requests

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 3:43 PM, CDT

Pray for Matt Nagel…

·         Remember:  God is good & can be trusted.

The LORD is good, 
a refuge in times of trouble. 
He cares for those who trust in him,… (Nahum 1:7)

·         Affirm:  no one loves Matt more than His Father in heaven.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! 
How vast is the sum of them! 
Were I to count them, 
they would outnumber the grains of sand— 
when I awake, I am still with you.  (Psalm 139:17-18)

·         Confess:  your weakness, doubt, & fear

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (mark 9:24)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)

·         Surrender:  ask for His highest & best

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36)

·         Fight:  pray for defiant hope & His resurrection power in Matt’s body.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Specifics…

·         Reduced swelling in Matt’s head

·          Balanced blood pressure

·          Protection from infection

·         Decrease in agitation (note: he’s not in pain)

General…

·         Strength, peace, and comfort for Molly (wife), Harper (daughter) & extended family

·         Wisdom over every decision

·         Focused excellence & precision among the entire KU medical staff

·         The power and presence of Jesus