Tomorrow will be my first Sunday since the accident. I'm so excited to praise God because he has saved my life more than once now. I've learned so much from this whole experience and I know that everything works out for the good of God, even the bad things. I still don't how to put it into words how thankful I am that I have had so much support through all of this and I hope that God will bless every prayer that was prayed for me while I was in the hospital.


"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Thankyou note from Andy

Hey everyone this is Andy. I am out of the hospital now and I am staying at my dads house in Owingsville. God has blessed me with a secong chance at life and I am so thankful. I want to thank everyone for all the prayers and support throughout this battle. I feel like a brand new person and thats because I am. God is leading me now and I my life is in his hands.

Love You ALL,

Andy



"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Andy is being discharged

Andy is being discharged from the hospital today.
He is going to stay with his dad for now and we will seek whatever treatment he needs.
This blog is not the end, but the beginning of a new life. In a day or so, Andy will begin writing his own blogs. Stay tuned and see how God works in this young man's life. I believe that God is going to use Andy's testimony to help others in the future. For now though, we must get Andy well.

How can I thank everyone enough for your concern.

Andy will be going for treatment at a faith based facility. We may have to have a couple fundraisers to pay for it, but I know that God will provide.

For all you who have offered money, prayers, cards, phone calls, God Bless You.
I am checking out of the Ronald Mcdonald house now, and looking forward to going home with Andy to my family. You may continue to send Andy comments if you like.
\"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Andy's song

Andy's doctor informed us that at one point when Andy first arrived at the hospital his heartrate had dropped down to 20, and even stopped beaing. They had to give him a drug called After Pain which helps shock the heart back to rhytm. He said they did not think he was going to make it for a while. We were never told this until now. When the doctor told Andy and I that, we both cried. God is good. Thank you Lord.

Andy wrote a song and he gave me permission to post it. He has not written the 2nd verse.
But here it is.


He lifted Me Up
By Andy Penix


He lifted me up and carried me when I couldn’t walk.
He gave me strength to go on
I started off crawling, and when I stood up I started fallin’
But now I walk beside him

(Chorus) I fall to the ground and call out his name
He lifts me up through his mercy and grace
He gave his life for me, I lift him up cause I’ve been set free.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Star Trek

Andy is doing well. He wants to thank everyone for thier prayers and support during this difficult time. He has been watching the new Star Trek over and over that Aunt Deb got him. It is actually a pretty good movie, but I am ready to watch something else.



"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Andy is a great guitar player

It has been a great day! We have cried and laughed and cried and laughed some more.
God assured me early on that he would bring Andy through this. I admit there were times when my faith was tested, but God proved his self to all of us.

Andy's sister Paula, his niece Marissa, his Granny, Aaron and Ashley, my wife Tina, Tiffany and her boyfriend have all been to see Andy today. Lisa Toppins came by, the lady that prayed with him and shared with him a word from the Lord.

One last thing before I close tonight. Andy is a great guitar player. I was concerned that he would not be able to play the guitar again. At one point they even talked about the possibility of him losing part of his fingers. Thank God that did not happen. Andy pointed out something to me tonight. The fingers that were burned are all on Andy's right hand. The two that were not hurt were his index finger and his thumb, which is the part of the hand that you hold the guitar pick with. God is so good~! "Expect great things from God,
Attempt great things for God"

Andy is getting back to his old self

Andy is getting back to his old self. He seems pretty tired, but he has cracked a joke or two. I thank everyone for their prayers. This week seems like an eternity.



"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

The mystery lady

Andy continues to make progress. This morning he took a shower.
He is doing well. Last night I met the mystery lady that had prayed with him the other night.
Her and her husband stopped by. Her name is Lisa and they are wonderful people and we all thanker her for being Andy's angel in the night.



"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

random comments

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"


woodyblues98 said...
This is such encouraging news!
December 5, 2009 7:38 PM

Anonymous said...
Thank the Lord! I've been waiting for this news!Praying for Andy and the family,Charlene Martin, PHS English Teacher
December 5, 2009 7:49 PM

Leslie Faith said...
I am glad to hear this news. We are all praying for him day and night.Leslie Faith and Quinlan

star wars

Andy has requeseted Star Wars 1 and 2. So I am off to Walmart.
"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

turnaround

Andy is doing much better. He wanted to watch movies and so I went out and got him a DVD.
His aunt Deb and Gary got him some movies. He wanted to watch the new Star Wars. His brother Aaron is here and his wife Ashley, and sister Tabitha. His uncle Jim Penix said some encouraging words before he left. His granny went in to see him. When I went in to see him and he gave me a long awaited hug. He also said he had prayed with a lady at the hospital last night and everything was okay between him and God. PTL!


I want to thank everyone, How can I express my apprectiation, I want to shout, and probably will. Let us pray that he does not have any setbacks. God is good. all the Time! All the time, God is good!

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Crystal Miller from Beckley West Virginia

Hello"I've been wanting to write something but when I go to nothing comes out right. Andy has been on my mind from the minute my dad told me what happened. It's still hard for me to believe considering the Andy I remember was about twelve years old and bouncing off the walls and never stopping til he made everyone laugh. So hearing this just made reality sink in about us being "grown up" and made me realize we don't have our moms and dads to protect us anymore. Anyways though, let Andy know he stays on my mind and that everyone of us is praying for him and constantly reading the updates. I know he'll get through this though." (Crystal Miller from Beckley West Virginia)



"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

andy is sitting in a chair

The nurse says Andy is sitting in a chair watching TV. It is amazing how little things like this can make your day. They are not allowing anyone back until visiting hours.

Thank you Lord for the progress he has made so far.




"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Andy is sleeping

Andy is sleeping still. He slept all night. He had a good night and is obviously very tired.
Sleep is something his body needs. At the present time it is snowing and there is at least a couple inches of snow on the ground.
My brother is still here with me and we believe today is going to be a good day.


"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Here are some of the comments I have received

Here are some of the comments I have received. Anyone who wants to comment can do so on the blog or to me at: penix63@yahoo.com

(Don't send anything you don't want published)


"I am praying for him, and you all as well!" Carolyn Penix

Larry, I want you to know how sorry we are about Andy. I can't get him off of my mind. My entire family is praying and thinking of him. I don't know if anybody told you but dad is in the hospital in Ashland. He had a heart attack and is having open heart surgery maybe on Monday. He has four blockages. He has a kidney disease and this makes it more dangerous. They are testing things on his kidneys all weekend and if they are ok it will be Monday. Please rememeber him in your prayers. Tonight he was asking if we had heard anymore about Andy. If you need ANYTHING let us know. Tell him we love him and are praying for him.

PS-Tell Tina and the boys hi!

God Bless You All,

Betsy

"Keeping him in our prayers. Keep us updated!" Toyray Adams


"We are still praying for Andy and all the family. Love, Mary Avonne, John David & Ellen Preston"


"Larry, Just wanted you to know danny wayne and I are praying also.." Teresa A. Fitch

"I am getting ready to leave i will be there soon. I am praying for him as hard as I can Love from all of us." Brenda Johnson Spriggs

"your in my prayers L J ...chuck" Chuck Miller




"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

A letter from Billy Hughes

Larry, even though I do not attend church, I fear God and truely believe in Him and the healing power that he has. I am a vietnam vet and have experienced a lot about life and love and the terrible addictions of young men. I have been through it within my family circle. my older brother was in the hospital withdrawing from drugs. No one could handle him. The doctors, nurses nor my family. My sisters called me for help. They couldnt keep him in the room and not even in the hospital. I got there at 6:00 p.m. and told them to leave. Of course his first move was for the door, and his strength was tripled. But I literally picked him up and body slamed him into bed and dared him to move. At about 7:00 p.m. is when this took place. I began praying at that time, non stop, and when he would get restless, any at all, I would pray harder. I continued this praying, even when nurses came in or whatever in my mind, until 7:00 a. m. He slept the entire night also until 7:00 a.m. He woke, asked for breakfast ,and was completely at himself. I am giving my self credit for what I did and for the praying, but I give God the credit for the healing and the unusual strength he had given me to do his Will. We all are praying, but we need to PRAY HARDER!!! you can show this email to anyone you would want to. We all have problems and need Gods help and I feel we need each others help. Larry you have been on my mind as much as Andy. I dont know why I all of a sudden felt I need to share my story with you, but I am sure God does. Hang in there! Your Friend, Billy Hughes...











"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Ramen Noodles

Andy is doing okay. He has watched TV and ate some of his favorite food- Ramen Noodles. He even reminded his mom how to fix them in the microwave.

My cousin Stevie and Anthony Penix stayed for a long time, and along with my brother Jim, Tina and Tab, we ate the midnight meal in the cafeteria.

Stevie kept us entertained with his many family stories.

God knew how much I needed family and friends. I feel much better.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

My brother made it here. He is going to spend the night.

Barb Burke, Lauren, and Jeff came by and brought us some coffee, and a gift and sit with us. The Bible says:

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. {fitly...: Heb. spoken upon his wheels} KJV Proverbs 25:11

Barb, thanks for the pictures of silver.



"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

have had some visitors

We have had some visitors.
Tina's parents came down today and visited and they took the boys home with them. Dan and Winnie Gardner were here. We have a special prayer at the Ronald Mcdonald house.


My cousin, Steve Penix, Anthony Penix,
Brenda Sprigs, and David, Bryce, and Beth Castle from Paintsville and Andy's sister Tab.

My brother Tommy (Jim Jack) is on his way.

It is good to have friends and family at a time like this. It feels good to laugh.

David Castle gave a beautiful prayer. Thanks brother.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

thinking back

I am thinking back to a little boy who was so full of life. Where did he go?
I have experienced so many emotions; guilt, anger, pain, denial, bitterness, betrayal.

After the surgeon spoke to us I went to the chapel and had a talk with God. I cried at the feet of Jesus. I believe, but help mine unbelief.


"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

came through the surgery

Andy came through the surgery just fine.
The doctor said his main concern right now is his mind. He has a very flat mood. The doctor says he may have some damage to the brain, but only time will tell.
We are praying for miracles still. God please heal my boy.


"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

They just brought Andy out for surgery

They just brought Andy out for surgery. He did not say anything. We told him we would be waiting for him.
Andy's granny has been here all day. Tiffany, his cousin was here during the surgery.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

in the hour

We are still waiting. It should be within the hour.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

still waiting

We are still waiting for them to take Andy for surgery. They are behind schedule.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Andy let me come in to see him

Andy let me come in to see him. He is giving me some mean looks. After a few minutes he asked me to go back out. His mom is still with him. Not sure what that's about. I think he may remember when we had to restrain him the other night to keep him from hurting himself. Perhaps in his mind, he thinks I was trying to harm him.

It does hurt some, but at the present, my feelings are not important. I just want Andy back.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

preping Andy for surgery

They are preping Andy for surgery. His granny and his aunt is here.
His mom is with him right now. I continue to sit in the waiting area.
I will be here if he should need me.



"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Andy had a good night.

Andy had a good night.
His first couple days, he only wanted dad with him.

Yesterday, he only wanted his mom with him.

Today, who knows?
I am just glad he is doing okay.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Andy is doing well. We are a little anxious concerning his upcoming surgery. The pain from the burn is suppose to be much more intense after the surgery in additon to the pain of the donor skin graft site. As we understand it the graft site will be more painful than the burn. Please be in prayer Friday during the surgery time--12:00 to 2:00.


"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Andy asked me to leave the room. He only is allowing his mom to stay with him.

Maybe this is another phase he is going through.



"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

ecards

Andy is not talking much, but can speak softly when he chooses to.
He does not seem to want anyone in the room for a long period of time.
Below is the website if anyone would like to send an ecard for the hospital to take to Andy.

http://cabellhuntington.org/features/ecards/

I think they charge for this service, so you may continue to send emails or comments on here, and I will print them out for Andy. I told him there were emails and comments coming in and he said he wanted me to read them to him later. I am getting them all together now.

The words of encouragement have been a blessing to me as well, some from people I don't even know. I thank God for every one of you.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

andy watching kindergarten cop

I was just in to see Andy. He was watching "Kindergarten Cop"

He was able to mumble a few words.
I told him I loved him and he told me he loved me and then asked, "can you go back out to the waiting area?" He wanted to go to sleep.

He then said, "will you come back later"? I said "yes, you are going to be okay, we have a long road ahead, but daddy is going to be here for you".

Andy's is barely able to mumble his words, but at least he is communicating.


"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"

friends and family

It has been a tremendous blessing to realize how much Andy is loved.

There have been so many false rumors about Andy. Please don't believe anything you hear or read. If you want to know the truth, read these posts or ask me.

I don't know all of the details of what happened but Andy was not burned by a meth lab explosion as some are saying. His burns are not chemical burns, they are burns consistent with a fire, which is what Andy told us happened. Apparenty they were paryting at a stipmine site in Martin County. At some point he was burned, the details are not presently known.

It does cause me to be upset that his friends and even a parent knew Andy was burned and in bad shape and did not immediately seek medical attention for him or call his family. Because of this, his burns grew worse.

There is a payphone hear in the waiting room. The number is:304-528-9688.

progress

At approximately 5 Am Andrew awoke. He was able to talk and to tell the staff what year it was and where he was.
He is having major muscle spasms. His vital signs are good.

God answers prayer. He has a long road ahead. I can't begin to thank everyone for their love and prayers. Last night I read him the cards he got from Shoneys that was signed by all his coworkers. Today I will print out all his words of encouragement from his freinds. If anyone wants to send Andy a word of encouragement you can either post it on my facebook or my email-
penix63@yahoo.com

anthony castle's post

"We declare healing and freedom for your son! God has a great plan and purpose for that young man and we stand our ground in faith for his total recovery. I Peter 2:24 We speak LIFE into your Andy in Jesus name! "I Shall Not Die, but I Shall Live and declare the works of the Lord!" Psalm 118: 17"
Written by Anthony Castle

I spoke with the nurse about 30 minutes ago. She said Andy had awoke for a few minutes, ate a bite, and had asked for his mom.

This is encouraging.

sermon

Below is a sermon I preached for a community thanksgiving service. I found this by Andy's bed.
I read it to him. I had no idea when I wrote this sermon, how the words would come back to comfort me.


Two things to be thankful For

Do you know what I like about Thanksgiving? It's the least commercialized of all the national holidays. The stores cash in on Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter, but there's not much of a Thanksgiving windfall for retailers. As a result, we don't suffer from Thanksgiving overkill. We're not expected to buy Thanksgiving candy, or send Thanksgiving cards, or pass out Thanksgiving gifts. There's no "hot point" in this holiday for advertisers to exploit. (At least not yet. I'm sure, as we speak, some of the brightest minds of Madison Avenue are working to develop a way to commercialize the fourth Thursday in November.)
As you know, the day after Thanksgiving kicks off the busiest time of the year for the shopping malls, and it kicks off the busiest time of the year for most of you, too. In the next 4-5 weeks there will be parties to attend, shopping to finish, gifts to wrap, cookies to bake, cantatas and programs to go to, special services at church, visiting relatives, and on and on and on. For most of us, the next several weeks will be the most hectic days of the year. Before the insanity begins, we can look forward to Thanksgiving Day.
Though Thanksgiving isn't specifically a religious holiday, it can be spiritually uplifting if you let it -- because a thankful heart opens the door to God's blessings in your life.
Sir John Templeton, the billionaire investor, was once asked what is the secret of wealth. He said, "Gratitude. If you're not grateful, you're not rich -- no matter how much you have." The flip side of that is, "If you're grateful, you are rich -- no matter how little you have."


KJV 1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.


KJV Psalm 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. {Praise...: Heb. Hallelujah}


KJV Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
`
KJV Psalm 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

KJV Psalm 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

We have a lot to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and we give thanks for the bountiful food, for our families, for our health, and many other things. But there is two things in the passages we have read that the we should be thankful for above all other things.


God is Good Acknowledge that God is the source of all good things in your life.
(Psa 16:2) "I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.'"
The book of James says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..."(James 1:17)
All of the good things you have in your life, you can thank God for. Not just the spiritual blessings, but also the material blessings, the sociological blessings, the relational blessings -- every good thing in your life is a gift from God.
I.
Nearly every church is familiar with the Echo:
God is good (all the time)
All the time (God is good)

Now that is easy to say, but not so easy to believe.

Life is easy when you're up on the mountainAnd you've got peace of mind like you've never known.But then things change and you're down in the valley.Don't lose faith for you're never alone.For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.When things go wrong, He'll make it right.And the God of the good timesis still God in the bad times.The God of the day is still God in the night.You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain.Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best.But it's down in the valley of trials and temptationThat's when faith is really put to the test.For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.When things go wrong, He'll make it right.And the God of the good timesis still God in the bad times.The God of the day is still God in the night.

It is difficult for our mortal minds to understand why God allows suffering in the world. This is the cry of the Atheists. How can a loving God permit such suffering in this world. To this question, there is no easy answer, because there is not a person in this room who has not wondered the same thing in their hearts.

Did you know . . .
· One out of every eight children under the age of twelve in the U.S. goes to bed hungry every night.
· Every year 15 million children die of hunger.
· Every four minutes a child is sexually abused.
· 93% of victims know their abuser.
How do we reconcile our understanding of a loving God with these kind of horrific things going on in our world?
I can’t comprehend the mind of God. But I know this. We see the here and now, but God sees past, present and future. The Bible says that one day, we will stand before him, and he will wipe every tear from our eyes. We may not understand the reason for the pain until we are raised in his likeness.
Job was a man who was afflicted with extreme physical and emotional pain. Most of us have not experienced the kind of pain that this man did. His wife is often ridiculed for telling him to curse God and die. But she could not stand to see the man she loved suffer so much. She was willing to give him to death in order to end the great sufferings he endured. Job said

KJV Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
KJV Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: {And...: or, After I shall awake, though this body be destroyed, yet out of my flesh}

Even if I die from this affliction, I will someday be raised to life again.
To you and I the suffering seems like an eternity, but to God, it is only but a moment in time.

“I know my redeemer lives”. God will eventually rescue me. Whether God heals me now or in the next life, he will come to my aid.

Paul said:

KJV Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

KJV Psalm 31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!


Someday, we will be like the sailors who endure the great storms of the voyagee. Once we reach the shore forget all about the storms.

But until then, my heart will go on singing, until then, with joy I’ll carry on. Until the day my eyes behold that city, until the day God calls me home.

II. God is merciful

Why God would take an a hillbilly like me, the son of a bootlegger from Paintsville Ky and use him for the work of the ministry is a mystery to me. I do not deserve to stand on this platform tonight. But God loved me enough to send his son to die for me. . .

Look ahead to better days.
(Ps 16, v. 6) Surely I have a delightful inheritance.
He's saying, "What the future holds for me is even better than what I have right now." In the Psalms, whenever David speaks of the future, he always speaks of it with optimism.
(Psalm 23:6) Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.
“I’ve got more to go to heaven for than I had yesterday”

At the present time Andy is in a very low functioning mental state.
He can mumble a word or two at times. It is so hard to see my son this way

It looks like a hopeless situation, but my hope is in the Lord. "I would have fainted unless I beleived that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:27)

I am trusting in the God who raises the dead. I am looking forward to the day when the prodical comes home to me and we will have a real party.

andy's catscan

Andy's catscan came back and it is normal.
That is an answer to prayer.

His surgery is postponed till Friday because his heartrate has been fluctuating.

Larry Penix


"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God". William Carey

andy mumbles

I spoke to Andy when he came out of the cat scan. He has a confused look. I told him I loved him and he mumbled, I love you.

Andy has been taken for a Cat Scan
He was awake and we spoke breifly to him.
He only looked at me but did not speak.
My main concern now is his mind. Let us pray that he does not have any brain damage

I am sure most everyone knows by know that middle son Andy was burned. He is at Cabel Huntington Hospital Burn Intensive Care Unit. He has 3rd degree burns on his right arm, hand, and fingers.

I was given the news at my church on Sunday when a police officer came at the end of the service to let me know.

Tuesday,
I have been given a room at the Ronald McDonald house and finally have access to a computer. I had not had a shower in two days.


First, I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers.

Monday, Andy has went through various stages. From calmness to extreme mood swings. He wanted me with him all day and would not let anyone else in the room.
Around midnight, Andy had to be restrained because he was having a pyschotic episode. It was a struggle for about two hours. It was awlful.

Tuesday,
His pulse is very low and he is somewhat dehydrated. Please continue to pray.

If anyone wants to call the number at the Ronald Mcdonald house is (304)529-1122. Ask for room 203. You can leave a message.

THe pay phone in the waiting area is:304-528-9688
Larry Penix


"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God". William Carey

update at 10:44 on Wed

Andy is sleeping still, he woke up and said something to the nurse. We are praying his mind is okay. His surgery is postponed until Friday.