SvenOnTech » MCI

Goodbye, My Friend

Sven Rafferty — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:05:21 +0000

It is with a heavy, heavy, heart that I announce the sad departure of a very true and dear friend, Eric Davis. He went to be with the Lord today at 11:20 am while hospitalized in Merced. Collapsing Friday at a job site from a lack of air, Eric simply could not recover from the ailment that has troubled him for years, most recently just before Christmas. He leaves behind a wife and six beautiful children, two of which the family adopted from Africa (he personally went to Africa to bring them home.) It was just this month that the kids officially became theirs.

Even though I have only known Eric for about a year, I regard him closer than a friend. He was my brother. He and his family was the first to truly take us in when we started attended our current church. Eric and I immediately bonded and how could we not? He was a geek within and was just excited about technology as I am. What struck me the most about Eric was just what an amazing servant he was. He happily helped where ever there was a need.

What I will most miss about Eric is his tender heart and smile. Seen here in the picture I used for his Caller-ID on my iPhone, this was typical Eric. Taken at the end of last summer at an impromptu BBQ he invited us to, I asked him for this shot and laughingly he said he didn’t want to but he smiled any way while I took it. This picture will forever be on my iPhone.

Please be praying for Eric’s family. This without a doubt is such a tragic loss that it will be very difficult to digest. They will need the soft and tender touch of Jesus through this difficult season.

Eric, with tears in my eyes…I say goodbye. I love you and will miss you. Until eternity, my friend, goodbye.

Try Driving in a Nation of 1 Billion

Sven Rafferty — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 06:30:12 +0000

Man, you think we have bad traffic here in the States, then you’ve got to read Lois’ account of her recent trip to China. The disregard for lane markings remind me of France as we witnessed something similar when Liz and I were in Paris in 2000. As to the seatbelt comment, all I can say is, “Wow.” Smoking cigarettes isn’t bad for you, either.

Picture this

Sven Rafferty — Fri, 13 May 2005 19:30:40 +0000

Shane posted this at The Dad’s Group and I had to post it here. It cracked me up so much!

Bethany was eating at the table, some yummy cereal of sorts. As I walked by she gave me a big smile and said “can you get a picture of this?”. How cute is that?

Congratulations, Hall’s!

Sven Rafferty — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 04:12:40 +0000

Roger and Terri just welcomed into the world their first baby boy! He was born at 8:07 local time (Texas) and weighed in at a big Texas 10 pounds and 9 ounces. His length ripped the stick at 22 inches. Yup, that’s a BIG boy! Nathanael is certainly deserving celebration as the first boy in a line of four sisters for the Hall’s. You know the family is excited.

Mommy did really well, daddy said, and both daddy and mommy are happy. Mommmy’s sister, Kim, was there helping coach Roger doing his incredible job of helping mommy push that big boy out. Great job everyone!

First Texas Hall Baby on the Way

Sven Rafferty — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 19:13:52 +0000

Just got off the phone with Roger and Terri and Kim are at the hospital ready to deliver the first Hall baby in Texas.

Roger said that Terri and Kim went in for a doctors appointment this morning and the doctor said she was progressing enough to check into the hospital. Soooo, that’s where they are and Roger’s on the way to meet them.

Be praying for Terri and Roger and for the baby. I did get an insiders tip on the name, but I don’t want to ruin my trust with my source, so you’ll have to wait until it’s official.

What No TV Does

Sven Rafferty — Fri, 02 Jul 2004 00:34:12 +0000

So I’m here entering in nutrition data for my Togo’s #3 I had for dinner into my Palm and I’m listening to my niece reading to her sisters and cousins. She’s reading in such a wonderful story telling voice that all the other children are captivated by the plot, listening with intent. Faith reads like she’s been reading for years and years and rarely trips over any words. Even the tough words she had very little difficulty with. Now what is amazing is she’s only a first grader and is reading better then most fourth graders!

Now, all this comes down to the fact that her mommy reads to her and the family often and teaches Faith to read. Homeschooling sure has helped but I also think the lack of TV in her life is another major reason why she reads so well. I look at other children who are years ahead of her in school and they read worse then her. The difference? They all have TV’s in their room!

TV: Tune in, turn off, drop out. Start early…

Goodbye Hall’s & Off to Monterey

Sven Rafferty — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 15:18:19 +0000

Well, we’ve decided to see the Shark exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and cash in our free tix to see the sharks.

We just said goodbye to the Hall’s from IHOP and it was sad like the last time from San Jose. To help with the pain, we’ll take in some of God’s Creation and enjoy the day as a family.

I hope to blog from their. L8!

Pix of the Rasmussen’s Last Night in Sac

Sven Rafferty — Mon, 29 Mar 2004 21:17:33 +0000

I got’s the pix up of the night we were invited to the Rasmussen’s family BBQ. It was so sweet of them to invite us to their special dinner and we fully enjoyed it. I always have enjoyed my time with them and will miss them dearly. I don’t know if we can wait until November to see them. Well, at least we have pictures until then.

The Latest on Michaela (and Now Sarah)

Sven Rafferty — Wed, 18 Feb 2004 03:53:58 +0000

Well, Kayla is doing much better and I thought I’d share Rebecca’s e-mail for all those who have been praying for her. Thank you so much and continue praying for the Jo Jo’s through this tough time of illness.

Hi everyone,

We just want to thank each of you that have been praying for our Michaela girl. She was so very sick and although we can treat symptoms it is only God that can bring the healing. Thank you for asking on our behalf!!!

We are so happy to be home and truly felt that God was with us and encouraging us along the way. We know that He is sovereign and that He is working all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Even our hospital stay was part of His soveign plan. : ) Tom had been praying about changing jobs a few weeks ago and if he would have done that we would not have had insurance yet. I’m sure an ambulance ride and a hospital stay could get expensive.

Today Michaela was able to keep down her first real food- cereal! Her fever went down and she is talking more and acting like herself again- Praise God! : ) We have a follow up doctor’s appt. today for her at 4:15 and expect him to say that she is ok, but we need to keep her hydrated as she still has diarrhea.

We are doing our best to keep a close eye on all 3 of the girls and their hydration. They are allowed sport drinks, water and milk. Faith can have juice, but Michaela can’t yet. Please pray for us in that area and for Sarah who has been throwing up since late last night and is running a low fever today. Tom and I were laughing that all the prayer warriors fell asleep last night because during the wee hours she could do nothing but throw up and in the later morning when everyone was awake again she was able to hold things down for a longer period. : ) For now we are thankful that she can keep fluids down for a little while before they come back up and that she is producing wet diapers. Both of those things are positive. She has developed those dark circles and grey appearance and is lethargic, but we are hoping that we will be able to keep her hydration up ourselves now that the throwing up has slowed down.

Thanks everyone!

With love,
The Jones

P.S. Please also remember Lucas Jones in your prayers too. He is our little nephew who also was just discharged from the hospital for dehydration this am. : )

Michaela’s Home and…

Sven Rafferty — Mon, 16 Feb 2004 20:36:48 +0000

Here’s another posting from Liz’s e-mail:

I just got off the phone with Rebecca, and Sven is right, they are on their way home. Yea!!! Michaela is talking today and that is a good sign. She laughed today for the first time when she saw and talked to Faith. I guess Faithie was cracking her up as usual.

The hospital let Michaela go on strict orders that they bring her back into the doctor tomorrow so that they can check on her. She still isn’t eating and infact the idea of eating makes her gag, but the whole family is trusting that God will help to keep her food down when she is able to take them in. Please continue to pray for Michaela that she will be able to keep some food and liquids down. Also please pray for Faithie as I hear she isn’t looking that good either.

Thanks All,
Liz