Ideas for non-geocaching related prayer requests, etc.

[MathSeeker]

Praying for a speedy recovery for Rhone.

Please continue to lift up thefab5willisclan in prayer.

[MathSeeker]

Last night Jimmy Poor, firechief1956, lost a long hard battle with cancer. Please be in prayer for his family.

[rklmbl]

Prayers for Jimmy's family. He was a very nice guy and it was an honor to have met him.

[MathSeeker]

Please lift up Morgan O'Neal aka drmo913 in prayer. His dad passed away last night.

No matter how old we get or our parents get, it is hard to lose a loved one.

[MathSeeker]

Linda Shaffer aka Cachecrazies passed away this week. Please keep Bob and the family in your prayers.

[rklmbl]

For those of you who knew Cachecrazies well, the funeral is at 11 am on Wednesday, April 22, at Conner-Hankins Funeral Home, 2833 Highway 62 West, Mountain Home, Arkansas.

[Nukeworker]

Sending our prayers and sympathies for those suffering recent losses.

[Buckshot/MamaLlama]

Our condolences to all!

[Flyfishingcachers]

Our prayers are with Morgan and his family during this difficult time and also for the family of Cachecrazies. It is so hard to deal with losing a loved one.

[likestocanoe]

Morgan, you and your family are in my prayers. Remember, The Lord will never place more on you that what He knows you can carry .

[rklmbl]

Morgan, so sorry to hear about your Dad. Prayers.

[ABJCM]

I'm so sorry, too. Sending love...

[Angel06]

Morgan and family are in our prayers. The Lord is with you during this time of loss. Keep those memories of you and your Dad close to your heart!

Bob, of Cachecrazies, you are also in our prayers. I remember when we first met and the multiple JAKE events held in your neck of the woods. The Lord is with you during this time of loss.

[rklmbl]

JoeGPS (aka Joe Armstrong) died. He was Arkansas' first Reviewer and those of us who knew him were proud to have called him friend. Not only was he Arkansas' first reviewer, but Tennessee, et al as well and he was one of the driving forces behind Geowoodstock and geocaching, making it what it is today. He will be missed by a host of geocachers.

[Nukeworker]

We didn't have the pleasure of knowing JoeGPS, but we are sending our sympathies and prayers to his family and friends.

[ChuckWalla]

I was shocked and saddened by the news of Joe's passing. He was a great geocacher and promoter of the game. His hides were devious, although he was always willing to help out ... to a point! I first met him at the 2nd Clarksville event in January 2005. Later, he recruited me to be a volunteer reviewer in the Summer of 2006 and was my mentor as I learned the process for reviewing. To this day, I still use most of the review templates he provided for the notes I post on geocaches when I identify issues that prevent publishing. He will be missed.

Following is some information about Joe that was shared with other reviewers today by The Seanachai, one of TN's volunteer reviewers:


I come before you today with a heavy heart to report that Joe “JoGPS” Armstrong passed away quietly at his home this weekend. Joe’s health had deteriorated over the last few years, but he kept his spirits up and put on a brave front for the world. It was unexpected and we are still trying to process the shock. I feel like everyone here knows Joe, for better or worse, he was a polarizing figure, but he love for this game was only eclipsed by his love of the people in it.

Joe’s contributions to Geocaching are nothing short of legendary, in fact, I am not even going to try to create a comprehensive list as I am sure I would leave many important things out. Still, I feel like it is important to recognize his service as one of the early volunteer reviewers under the name Tennessee Geocacher, which he later changed to Max Cacher. In addition to reviewing caches all over the world, he also moderated the Southeast and Benchmarking forums, a task that he continued after retiring from active reviewing in 2009.

Joe was one of a kind, to say the least. He was my mentor in the geocaching world and it was a great honor for me to be his “chosen successor” as he used to jokingly refer to me. Of course, I am not alone in this, when we made the reviewer family tree at Obey a few years ago, Joe’s trunk had a great many branches. He was always quick to help out a fellow reviewer or fellow geocacher and he always spoke his mind, even when it hurt. I have often thought that Groundspeak only brought him on board as a reviewer because it was easier to have him on the team than to constantly fight his search for loopholes, even though he would claim that he actually blackmailed Hydee to get his golden ticket. I won’t bore you with the details, but when I read through the current guidelines, I see his dirty fingerprints in many places. What do you expect from a guy who hides a cache at every exhibit in a zoo, just because there is nothing that says he can’t. Even with all of his cantankerousness, he always had the best interests of the game at heart and I feel like he challenged us and Groundspeak to be better.

As much as he gave to the game from behind the curtain, he really began his service to his fellow geocachers as a player. He founded the Middle Tennessee Geocachers Club in 2001, making it the second oldest geocaching group in the world, following the Georgia Geocachers Association’s lead. He never served as an officer, in fact he refused to, preferring a position as parks liaison. Which touches on some of his most lasting contributions to the game. Joe worked closely with many parks departments on the state and local level during his entire career, but his early works to create responsible geocaching policies with land managers created a template that many still follow today. In 2001, rather than accepting a ban on geocaches in Nashville’s MetroParks, Joe worked with them to create one of the first official Geocaching positive policies with a major metropolitan parks system. He then went on to replicate this geocaching-friendly system with Tennessee State Parks, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and TVA, and in doing so, helped to create a framework for parks policies across the country.

You would think that those contributions would be enough, but most people have no idea just how much he influenced the early evolution of the game. Joe is known to most geocachers today for the creativity he exhibited in the caches he hid. When you think of great geocaches in the Southeast (or Brazil) you think of JoGPS, including the most favorited geocache in Tennessee, Geo Mojo 6: Shadow of the Titans (among many other highly-favorited caches) and the last remaining Project A.P.E cache. Not to worry, he laid out a plan to keep his caches alive after he was gone, so they won’t be disappearing anytime soon.

Joe was a strong believer in geocaching events as the best way to build community within the game and I remember when I attended my very first event, that he was the first person to come over and shake my hand to make sure I knew I was welcome there. That was Joe, always extending a handshake and a welcome to the nervous newcomers. So it comes as no surprise that he was successful when he decided to create an event to bring together folks from several communities. In 2003, Joe put together GeoWoodstock, as a way to bring the “top” cachers from around the country together to share stories and ideas. That relatively small event grew to become the world’s first Mega-Event and it continues to travel across the US.

As I said, it is not possible for me to recount everything that Joe has done for his fellow cachers or the game, but I hope that this incomplete list will do some justice to his contributions. He was a force of nature, willful, stubborn, but with a good heart and a love for this game and community that cannot be questioned. I hope that as you’ve read this, a few smiles crossed your face. I know many of you have your own stories to tell and memories to share, so I'll sign off with this thought.

Joe wasn’t the first among us, he wasn't the best at communicating his ideas; but he held himself and the rest of us to a high standard as he explored many paths trying to find what the game would become. He played the game within the game like few others, and even if you didn’t like him, you had to respect him. He was truly an institution and we are diminished by his loss, but he leaves a great legacy within the game and many friends; and that, as the man himself would say, is “Too Cool”.

There will be no funeral in accordance with his wishes, but his family will host a celebration of life this weekend for close friends and family. The Middle Tennessee Geocachers Club will host a memorial event in Nashville in the next few weeks.

Also, For those of you who didn't know Joe personally, this video may help. It was filmed in July 2010. https://youtu.be/d1_T9jZ4Vm8

Rest in peace in that Great Geowoodstock in the Sky, Joe!





(https://youtu.be/d1_T9jZ4Vm8)

[ChuckWalla]

I was shocked and saddened by the news of Joe's passing. He was a great geocacher and promoter of the game. His hides were devious, although he was always willing to help out ... to a point! I first met him at the 2nd Clarksville event in January 2005. Later, he recruited me to be a volunteer reviewer in the Summer of 2006 and was my mentor as I learned the process for reviewing. To this day, I still use most of the review templates he provided for the notes I post on geocaches when I identify issues that prevent publishing. He will be missed.

Following is some information about Joe that was shared with other reviewers today by The Seanachai, one of TN's volunteer reviewers:


I come before you today with a heavy heart to report that Joe “JoGPS” Armstrong passed away quietly at his home this weekend. Joe’s health had deteriorated over the last few years, but he kept his spirits up and put on a brave front for the world. It was unexpected and we are still trying to process the shock. I feel like everyone here knows Joe, for better or worse, he was a polarizing figure, but he love for this game was only eclipsed by his love of the people in it.

Joe’s contributions to Geocaching are nothing short of legendary, in fact, I am not even going to try to create a comprehensive list as I am sure I would leave many important things out. Still, I feel like it is important to recognize his service as one of the early volunteer reviewers under the name Tennessee Geocacher, which he later changed to Max Cacher. In addition to reviewing caches all over the world, he also moderated the Southeast and Benchmarking forums, a task that he continued after retiring from active reviewing in 2009.

Joe was one of a kind, to say the least. He was my mentor in the geocaching world and it was a great honor for me to be his “chosen successor” as he used to jokingly refer to me. Of course, I am not alone in this, when we made the reviewer family tree at Obey a few years ago, Joe’s trunk had a great many branches. He was always quick to help out a fellow reviewer or fellow geocacher and he always spoke his mind, even when it hurt. I have often thought that Groundspeak only brought him on board as a reviewer because it was easier to have him on the team than to constantly fight his search for loopholes, even though he would claim that he actually blackmailed Hydee to get his golden ticket. I won’t bore you with the details, but when I read through the current guidelines, I see his dirty fingerprints in many places. What do you expect from a guy who hides a cache at every exhibit in a zoo, just because there is nothing that says he can’t. Even with all of his cantankerousness, he always had the best interests of the game at heart and I feel like he challenged us and Groundspeak to be better.

As much as he gave to the game from behind the curtain, he really began his service to his fellow geocachers as a player. He founded the Middle Tennessee Geocachers Club in 2001, making it the second oldest geocaching group in the world, following the Georgia Geocachers Association’s lead. He never served as an officer, in fact he refused to, preferring a position as parks liaison. Which touches on some of his most lasting contributions to the game. Joe worked closely with many parks departments on the state and local level during his entire career, but his early works to create responsible geocaching policies with land managers created a template that many still follow today. In 2001, rather than accepting a ban on geocaches in Nashville’s MetroParks, Joe worked with them to create one of the first official Geocaching positive policies with a major metropolitan parks system. He then went on to replicate this geocaching-friendly system with Tennessee State Parks, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and TVA, and in doing so, helped to create a framework for parks policies across the country.

You would think that those contributions would be enough, but most people have no idea just how much he influenced the early evolution of the game. Joe is known to most geocachers today for the creativity he exhibited in the caches he hid. When you think of great geocaches in the Southeast (or Brazil) you think of JoGPS, including the most favorited geocache in Tennessee, Geo Mojo 6: Shadow of the Titans (among many other highly-favorited caches) and the last remaining Project A.P.E cache. Not to worry, he laid out a plan to keep his caches alive after he was gone, so they won’t be disappearing anytime soon.

Joe was a strong believer in geocaching events as the best way to build community within the game and I remember when I attended my very first event, that he was the first person to come over and shake my hand to make sure I knew I was welcome there. That was Joe, always extending a handshake and a welcome to the nervous newcomers. So it comes as no surprise that he was successful when he decided to create an event to bring together folks from several communities. In 2003, Joe put together GeoWoodstock, as a way to bring the “top” cachers from around the country together to share stories and ideas. That relatively small event grew to become the world’s first Mega-Event and it continues to travel across the US.

As I said, it is not possible for me to recount everything that Joe has done for his fellow cachers or the game, but I hope that this incomplete list will do some justice to his contributions. He was a force of nature, willful, stubborn, but with a good heart and a love for this game and community that cannot be questioned. I hope that as you’ve read this, a few smiles crossed your face. I know many of you have your own stories to tell and memories to share, so I'll sign off with this thought.

Joe wasn’t the first among us, he wasn't the best at communicating his ideas; but he held himself and the rest of us to a high standard as he explored many paths trying to find what the game would become. He played the game within the game like few others, and even if you didn’t like him, you had to respect him. He was truly an institution and we are diminished by his loss, but he leaves a great legacy within the game and many friends; and that, as the man himself would say, is “Too Cool”.

There will be no funeral in accordance with his wishes, but his family will host a celebration of life this weekend for close friends and family. The Middle Tennessee Geocachers Club will host a memorial event in Nashville in the next few weeks.

Also, For those of you who never met Joe or didn't know him personally, this video may help. It was filmed in July 2010. https://youtu.be/d1_T9jZ4Vm8

Rest in peace in that Great Geowoodstock in the Sky, Joe!





(https://youtu.be/d1_T9jZ4Vm8)

[arkfiremedic]

Someone very close to me just received a devistating diagnosis. The doctor called and told then the news. Please say a prayer for our family.

[Flyfishingcachers]

We will be praying for you & your family Justin!

[Nukeworker]

Justin, we're sending our prayers. Please let us know if we can do anything to help

[likestocanoe]

Justin, it is your time to to be the rock of your family. You all are in my thought, my heart, and my prayers. The Lord will get tired of hearing from me while this situation resolves. Loving you and praying...

[rklmbl]

Justin and Kerry and Rachel,

We love you all and are praying for a swift and complete recovery.

[MathSeeker]

I know some ArkGeo members are not on Facebook so I am posting this here in the forums.
Kerry had the second round of Chemo on Friday, July 17th. Please keep Kerry, Justin, and Rachel in your prayers.

The following was a post by Justin Murphree aka Arkfiremedic on Facebook today.
Please say a prayer for Kerry (https://www.facebook.com/kerry.murphree). We had a really rough night and now we are going back to the hospital per Dr. Luper for more iv antibiotics. She could sure use some prayers today.

*edit* 9:15 am = Dr. Luper has admitted her to ICU #5 at MCSA.
*edit" 10:10 am = Surgery at 4:00 pm today to remove port as Dr. Tommey believes it is possibly the source of the raging bacterial infection and Fever.
**edit** 12:10 = white counts very low blood counts. She is now in total isolation and cannot have any visitors.
**edit**. 17:26 = Kerry is out of surgery and all went well according to Dr Tommey. Said that probably the port was indeed the source of infection. Probably take 24 hours or so to get the Fever back down.
Thank you guys so much for all your prayers!

[Nukeworker]

Thank you Mathseeker, for the update. We have been keeping them in our daily thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs from both of us.

[likestocanoe]

Loving and praying for Justin, Kerry, and Rachel from the Northwest....😀...

Thank you, Mathseeker, for sharing their post. I never thought about it.

[MathSeeker]

Latest update from Justin on Facebook:
Change in plans. Kerry now not only has low blood counts but now bilateral pneumonia. Dr Luper her PCP and Dr. Muldoon in Hot Springs want her under the care of a pulmonologist that is not available here. EFD Ambulance is ready to roll with Chief Chad Mosby and Lieutenant Matt Taylor riding up with us both and transferring us to St Vincent in Hot Springs. Thank you to everyone that has helped us here and with Rachel. If I haven't asked you for anything don't worry I'm sure before this is over with I will. Thanks and love to you all. Please pray Kerry can rebound out of this quickly.


KEEP THIS FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS!

[rklmbl]

Continued prayers for the Murphree family.

[MathSeeker]

The following is a post from Justin on Facebook this morning:

Results from the TEE yesterday were not at all what we wanted to hear. Apparently infection has moved into the valves of her heart now as well. This breaks my heart. Today is Sunday, can you all share this and lets get her on the prayer lists in as many churches as we can? This is another rather large stumbling block in the road but with you guys help and prayers and God's healing powers she can get through this too! Please like and share to let Kerry know you are praying for her. I am confident in one thing here- that is that we can not have too many people praying for her! Thank you all!!!

KEEP PRAYING for the MURPHREE FAMILY: Kerry, Justin, and Rachel!

[MathSeeker]

The prayers are working. Keep them coming!

Update from Kerry this morning:
Well, it's been a rough week to say the least! To make a very, very long story fairly short, I had sepsis (overwhelming bloodstream infection) along with bilateral pneumonia all as a result of my port. The port was removed last Sunday, but things continued to deteriorate. My blood pressure was low, heart rate was high and I was running very high temperatures. All this in addition to my regular chemo side effects didn't make for a good combination. Of course I was admitted and began immediate treatment. Things just didn't seem to be coming together. Justin contacted my oncologist and said to come to HS now. After several road blocks and speed bumps, we finally made it to HS on Monday night late about 10:00. And it's been non stop aggressive treatment(s) from
Oncology, pulmonology, cardiology and wound care!
Things progressed and I moved out of the unit on Wednesday (I think) to the floor. Things have moved slowly, still running fever off and on. A PICC line was placed for my long term IV antibiotics at home, the TEE showed some vegetation on the valves which means more IV antibiotics at home. More cultures were taken yesterday due to the fever, nothing on those today thus far. The wound care doctor came by and said the wound was looking good and getting smaller. Awaiting Dr. Muldoon this morning.
I feel sooo much better. I can't even begin to thank you all enough for your thoughts and prayers, they've truly been felt. I apologize now for not responding to texts and messages. I'm in the process of reading everything now. There are times in your life that you know you can count on friends to be there in your time of need. Well let me say this, I have some the most awesomely, wonderful and truly caring friends and family, as evidenced by the number of calls, texts, messages I've received this past week. Thank you all for everything from the bottom of my heart. I truly appreciate you all!!!

[arkfiremedic]

Just wanted to thank all of our geocaching friends for all you have done for my wife's ongoing hospitalization. Was hoping today we may go home but the ct scanner broke down and it will be at least Monday before they can do the procedure. Fever has been gone over 48 hours and some blood given yesterday got all her counts up. Tomorrow is day 14 between here and the icu in El Dorado. Geocachers have visited, prayed, called, messaged, purchased gift certificates for meals, and texted and we appreciate each and every one of you. Once we get out of the hospital it is at least 4 weeks of iv antibiotics for endocarditis and double pneumonia. She will also need oxygen for an undetermined amount of time for some type of small emboli she has in her lungs causing her to become very winded on exertion. So it is with great regret we have to take our names off of the event on 12 September. Also looks like we won't be able to attend Fired Up and I'm pretty bummed about that but there is no way Kerry can get out in that heat and by then I still won't want to leave her alone. Another side effect of these bumps in the road is she is off chemo until her body heals. That breaks my heart because it won't get better on its own. Thank you all again.

[arkfiremedic]

With my wife Kerry facing surgery next Tuesday her co-workers recruited two members of ArkGeo to participate in a little pick me up video I thought those of you not on FaceBook may enjoy to help boost her spirits and keep her smiling. Feel free to watch it on YouTube:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwZ0ZYagXcI

Kerry's FaceBook page for those who have FaceBook but may not be friends with me that was created by her friends is Prayers and Support for The Murphree's​. If you are on Facebook and we are not friends feel free to friend me and just say you are in ArkGeo and even if we haven't met YET I'm sure one day we will as we love us some ArkGeo. Please continue to keep Kerry in your thoughts and prayers as she still has a very long way to go. Thank you guys!

[likestocanoe]

Our prayers continue for Kerry Murphree (arkfiremedic) as she heals from surgery. Please add this wonderful geocaching family?

[Nukeworker]

Our continued prayers for Kerry and family.

[rklmbl]

Edie O'Bryant (edieo) is greatly in need of prayers now. Please pray that the doctors can find a cure for the antibiotic resistant staph infection that she has been fighting since her knee replacement surgery so that she does not have to have additional surgery and maybe lose her leg.

[Nukeworker]

Adding prayers for Edie

[likestocanoe]

Prayers for a quick and complete healing for Edie.

[Razorback01]

Prayers for Edie. Hope she recovers soon.

[Buckshot/MamaLlama]

I have just heard from Jerri Tabor, Kendall's (coon&bud) wife. He and Eugene Smith (bUTCH46) were out caching near Harrisburg on Hwy 14 when they collided head on with a jack-knifing semi truck. Eugene has been treated and released from the hospital with 3 cracked ribs, bruising and soreness. Kendall did not fair as well. Both bones of his right forearm are broken. Two vertebrae in his lower back are cracked with bruising and swelling all over. Surgery for the arm has been scheduled at 1:00 pm on the 26th. Prayers appreciated and we will keep everyone posted when we have updates.

[rklmbl]

Thank you so much for letting us know the status of this. We have been worried ever since we saw the Facebook post yesterday. Many prayers for Kendall and Butch.
We will watch this thread updates. Thank you.

[likestocanoe]

Thankful this turned out as well as it did. Continuing our prayers for complete and rapid healing.

[Buckshot/MamaLlama]

I am sitting here with Jerri and the kids waiting for Kendall to get out of surgery. Things are looking better than first believed. The doctor this morning said there is a hairline fracture around the number 11 vertebrae that should behave like a bone spur and the lower back seems to just be strained and still a little swollen. They are using pins, screws and a plate in his arm. Kendall was in good enough spirits to give me a call this morning. From the description of the accident that I have heard he and Eugene must have had an angel watching over them. Things could have definitely been much worse.

[Nukeworker]

Jesse, Thank you for the continuing updates. Thankful it wasn't worse, but praying they both make quick recoveries.

[Buckshot/MamaLlama]

Kendall's surgery went well. He got back to his room around 5 pm. He was still a Little groggy but it was't long before he was cutting jokes and telling me about the caches he and Eugene had gotten before the accident. Then he relayed to me the story of what happened. They are lucky things were not worse and definitely were being watched over that day. Eugene is back home and working through the soreness.

[bUTCH46]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I'm bruised up pretty badly with the cracked ribs being real sore, especially it I cough or sneeze, but my injuries aren't nearly as bad as Kendall's. I'm happy to hear that his surgery went well and that his back wasn't broken.

We will both recover fully in short order and head right back out there on the geo-trail!!

Smiff

[Nukeworker]

Eugene, So sorry the accident happened, but we're glad the injuries weren't worse. Broken ribs really hurt. Hope you feel better with each passing day.

[likestocanoe]

So thankful you both are going to be up and caching again soon! Eugene, thank you for getting that other driver out even though you were hurt yourself. YOU da' man!!!

[Razorback01]

Hoping both Eugene and Kendall get better soon. It will just take some time. I know these two guys won't be held down long. We'll be praying for full recovery.

[SJClimber]

Whoa, dudes!! Glad all are recovering successfully. Prayers daily. Heal quickly!!

[bUTCH46]

Like I mentioned, my injuries were much less the Kendall's . . . still a little soreness, especially when I cough or sneeze. But, not enough to keep me from going caching today with KSDS97 over in East Tennessee. We ran about 2/3 of the TN Hwy 51 series and picked up about 112 finds. I think the exercise did me some good in mitigating some of the stiffness and soreness.

Like Razorback01 said, we won't be held down long.

Too many caches, too little time!!

[Cloak.n.Dagger]

I really like the PAF idea, if someone needs help in Bentonville/Rogers/Bella Vista Area I stand ready.