I wanted to share part of an email my mom sent to her precious friend Anne Mackey before her lung surgery. My Mom is ministering to us even now! I read this over her today and she heard every word.
“At first, I thought why at Christmas, and then it just made sense, that just as He has entered into our sufferings, so I would be called to enter into the sufferings of this world as well. Anne, there are so many who are suffering and it feels cheap to minister to them when I don’t know what they’ve been through. I don’t want to have to experience it, but it’s okay if I do, to some measure. Hopefully, if nothing else, it makes me a more honest person.” – Katy Key
He has certainly called her to go THROUGH suffering, as she mentioned here. She already loves SO well (better than anyone I know)…but I know when she gets through this she will love those in suffering even deeper! Hard to imagine.
They have taken Mom off her meds to try to get her awake. This is because they want her more alert and taking deep breaths…to help her lungs. She was way more alert today – which encouraged us! But because of that it was her worst day because she was alert and realizing a lot of her new realities. She was greatly discouraged. Please pray for her spirit to be encouraged tonight and for her heart to be able to accept these new realities and find rest in Him!
We are certainly alarmed by the pneumonia concerns…we do not yet have results. But today we celebrate that Mom was put into a recliner chair for a couple hours today to help with her breathing. It was her first time out of the bed in over a week. It was very hard and took all of her strength, but it was a step that we celebrate.
We don’t know what we face tomorrow. But thankfully He goes before us.
Lord, tonight we ask for the miracle of NO PNEUMONIA. We ask that you would minister deeply to your beloved tonight with peace and rest! Lift her out of the pit of discouragement and sadness. Help her to find true rest in you. We entrust your precious daughter into your loving hands. There is nowhere else to turn!
Journey with Katy 
How humble and selfless she is even when facing surgery and not realizing what would come after the surgery. She has such a heart for women and for everyone but herself. She is very precious to me as she has prayed for me and my family over the years I have known her. Praying for no pneumonia and daily strengthening from PT and Holy Spirit indwelling. Praying grace over the entire family. The impact you will all have on the staff at that hospital will speak more volumes than any sermon they have ever heard. Praising God for all of you.
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Just to let you know that Katy and the entire Key family are and will continue to be on the Malinoski family prayer list. Some 19 years ago now my wife had a severe reaction to a chemotherapy drug that required her to be hospitalized. The very first people to come to visit her were Stan and Katy. We have never forgotten the love and care you gave us. May God give healing, comfort, and His peace to all of you.
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Dearest Katy and Family,
I am so humbled to hear of your note last week prior to your surgery…I don’t know you well, but I know you are such a Godly woman…one whom the Lord loves and who loves so many others. I have been suffering as well physically, especially for the last 3 months having had open heart surgery and am not recovering well at all….I kept thinking, why is the Lord allowing me to suffer like this and although I have thought and said that I wanted to use my suffering to help others…it was ‘t until I Read your note that it really hit me…that is what He wants. My heart is with all of you and I am praying for your health to be completely restored and that there will be a clearing of your lungs and your strength and life will be returned to perfect so that our Lord can continue to use you in so many people’s lives …to God be the Glory. Praying for peace, rest, hope and healing for you and all your wonderful family.
Love in Christ,
Rena Doran
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Praying for each of you and especially for Katy. She represents the tried and true faith of a godly woman and her example continues to challenge and encourage many. Oh dear Katy…do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap if you do not faint. Know that we are in our knees on your behalf…trusting that He can restore you to an even greater service through this trial. Lean hard on Him.
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Katy, Pastor Stan & family,
You are all being lifted in prayer! Thank you so much for this blog so we specifically know what to pray for. You are all so very special and loved! Praying for uplifted spirits, rest, and strength for each of you along this journey.
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Hard hard hard. We love you and continue to pray with you.
Mike
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It sounds like your mother, friend, wife, sister – is an amazing testimony of faith in our Lord and Savior – Christ Jesus. And, as a time when the world around us is focused on “the world” – this story brings to heart the most important thing that God wants us to be focused on…. Not the world -but the gift that Christ Jesus gives us and that was brought to us so long ago in an obscure place as Bethlehem. May the loving, healing and comforting arms of our Almighty Father be around her and her loved ones at such a time as this. I am blessed to have read this story through a daily devotional (Daughters of Promise) – and offer prayers of hope to all.
– your new friend in Cambria, CA
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Thank you for letting us know specifically how to pray. Hard times are Holy times. We continue to lift everyone up especially Katy. We love you all.
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When we were young, when other kids did something extremely brave, we would say, “She (he) has real guts”. When I read what Katy wrote before her initial surgery, what came to mind, is that woman has “real guts”. Maybe, it should be, she has gutsy faith! The reason I hesitated to write any comments, is because anything one can say at this time, seems superficial, like Job’s counselors, As Elizabeth pointed out, Katy knows how to love others better than that, as she has me and many others. She has loved like Jesus, and has offered up a fragrant offering to Him, in her willingness to enter into “the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, to become more like Him”. We are so honored to know such an example of “Gutsy faith”.
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Lord, tonight we ask for the miracle of NO PNEUMONIA. We ask that you would minister deeply to your beloved tonight with peace and rest! Lift her out of the pit of discouragement and sadness. Help her to find true rest in you. We entrust your precious daughter into your loving hands. There is nowhere else to turn!
Make it so, Father.
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As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus today and tomorrow, I am keeping in mind all that Mary kept hidden in her heart throughout Jesus’ life–both treasures and sorrow alike. Thinking and praying for Katy and all her loved ones in the Key and Kinlaw families as your hearts hold as Mary’s did, and trusting in Katy’s Overseer. We carry you in our hearts.
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Dear Katy and Stan, I have been so deeply distressed knowing that Katy is suffering each hour with one thing or another. It must be incredibly frustrating and exhausting for her and for you as you stand there helpless to comfort her. When I feel helpless and don’t know what to pray, I pray God’s Word back to Him. Nothing is more powerful. So I have been praying Psalm 77 over and over for you both. Katy is one who is always meditating on God’s Word and I pray that her mind and heart will be reminded of the Scriptures and God’s unfailing love, His holiness and mighty deeds from the past. May His Holy Word give you inner peace as you meditate on who He is. May His mighty arm hold you up and carry you through these troubling waters. Though it is hard to see, God is making a path through the thunder, lightning, earthquake and whirlwind, and He is carrying you, His precious children. May you feel His hand of comfort today. Love, Beth, Doug and Li Yan
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Just prayed your prayer for your Mom and will continue to day and night. Thank you for taking good care of your Mom and encouraging her! Despite the current circumstances, I’m trusting God to be with Katy and heal her. Please hold her hand for me and a gentle hug. I love her
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Wow. Such powerful words. Thank you for these. God bless Katy. What a sweet spirit she has. We are praying against pneumonia and for encouragement and more hopeful signs of recuperation and increasing strength. We love you and will continue to pray.
– Marybeth and David Baggett
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In the precious Name of Jesus, we pray for His strength, His breath, His loving arms and His continued miraculous healing upon. May His fullness come. Amen.
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Thank you Father for Katy. Her surrendered heart. Heal her lungs, help her breathe. Encourage her heart and bring your word to her mind. May your presence guard her heart and mind; and Stan’s and each daughter, son in law, and loved one. Help her have healing rest and oversee her care as the Advocate You are. In Jesus name. Amen.
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