DAN STILES IN CAR ACCIDENT/RODEO ANNOUNCER Updated 3-26--09

[Dolly]

OMG this is awesome! I love how God does things like this!

[Bob Gould]

Howdy everyone just some more news on my continuing saga.
 
The surgery last week was not a success as they first thought.  It did not totally line the elbow up as hoped, and the moving of the bones around in the surgery put the wrist back out of line.  I am being referred to the Chief Orthopedist at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.  When I know more about the dates and stuff I will let all of you know.  Please keep this in your prayers.
 
I KNOW that my Fathers will is for me to be healed, whole and well so I can get back to work and back on the trail announcing and preaching.  This may sound strange, but seeing how hard the enemy is fighting to keep me down excites me cause I know that means my Heavenly Daddy has great things in store for me that the enemy is trying to stop.  He will NOT be successful!!!!  I will shout it for all the world to hear, Jesus is Lord, satan is defeated, greater is the Spirit of God inside of me than the spirit of evil in the world, My Father loves me, and The Kingdom of the Living God is moving forward!!!
 
I was told yesterday by Industrial Specialties that I am not covered by FMLA, but they are going to keep paying their part of my insurance premiums until I am released to go back to work.  At that time if they have an opening I will get it, but if not I will lose my employment with them.
 
Your prayers for me are working and please don't quit!!!  As bad as my car was torn up, I should have had more major injuries, in fact the paramedics kept asking me where else I was hurt over and over and when I asked them why they were continuing to ask me they said "from the damages to your car, we just can't believe that your only injury is your arm and elbow."  So, God has already done several miracles and I am confident that more are on the way!!!  I would ask all of you to contend for and seek the supernatural power of the Living God, and the blood of His Son Jesus, and the Kingdom of God & Will of God, to be done RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW IN MY LIFE, especially in my wrist, thumb, forearm and elbow and vehicle.
 
Thanks again for all your prayers and e-mails and phone calls of support.  I can't wait till I get to go out and tell the world the great and miraculous things that God is going to do in my life.
 
In the blessed name of Jesus,
Dan Stiles

[Bob Gould]

Got a surprise Friday, the hand and elbow surgeons were able to both be in on my surgery as well as some of the top Orthopedic students at OU Med School.  When they got the elbow lined up, the wrist pretty much lined up on its own, so what they thought would be 2 surgeries was 1, PRAISE GOD!!.  Still not completely sure I won't need another surgery, will have to see how it looks in 2 weeks when the swelling is down.  But, Praise God it was only a 3 day stay not 5 or 6 like they first thought, and all went better than they originally thought it would.  Got home today around 4:00, Dr.s orders are to rest, keep on anti-inflammatory, move the fingers as much as possible to get the swelling down, and I get to take the sling off 3 times a day and move the elbow some, like I was making a muscle.  I have not been allowed to move it since the accident Dec. 5Th, so that is huge to me.
 
Thanks to all of you for your prayers, please keep them coming, still have a ways to go, but feel like I am seeing the light at the end possibly.  Thanks to Chris Carter for getting me there and back, and J.D. for staying with me while I was there and helping me.  I also appreciate all the calls I got, feel free to keep calling since I love to talk, but my cell phone service here at the house is not good, so if I lose you feel free to call back or call on the house phone.  Thanks also to Andy Taylor, Buddy Suthers and the whole Carter family for their help.
 
But, the most thanks to God for being such a great God and Father.  He has shown up over and over and done great things.  I had no problems with my lungs or waking up after surgery, no nausea or vomiting and my pulse OX level was 96 or better the whole time I was there!  So Praise God and I am expecting more and more miracles and miraculous things to happen as mt Daddy shows up and shows how good He is.
 
Thanks again for your prayers and love, hope to keep hearing from you as I walk this road to recovery.
In Jesus name,
Dan Stiles

[kb2blair]

Wow! I did not know...hv been out of town.  Prayers to Dan and his family!  Get well soon!!!

[Bob Gould]

Had my checkup today with the surgeon/specialist from OU that did the surgery last Friday.  He told me that the arm looked great, that I already had more range of movement in my hand than he expected, that it looked to be healing great, I need to start doing some movement exercises 3 times a day, and to come back next week to have the stitches out.  Then 4 more weeks of the immobilizer, and in 5 weeks if all goes as planned they will do the procedure to take the pins, rods, and immobilizer out.  Then he sent me for x-rays of the arm and wrist, and then on home.  When I got home I had a message on my machine that said all the x-rays looked great, everything was properly lined up and healing!  Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!!!
 
In addition all the wires and stuff are out of my thumb and wrist, and I am only to wear the wrap on the wrist/hand if it starts to hurt, but to do my best to wear it as little as possible.  I was able to wash my left hand today for the first time since December 5th!!  It felt weird, still a little numb and stuff, with some swelling, but really awesome to see my hand!!
 
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support!!  We have an awesome Father that does great things for his kids!!  Please keep the prayers going for the rest to heal right, the range of movement to increase, no infections or complications at the pin sights, and for me to be strong and do the exercises, even when they hurt.  It really feels good to be giving all of you a good report on my elbow, arm and hand, and to give all the glory to God!
 
Thanks again for your prayers, support, calls and cards of encouragement and I know that I am going to be giving you even greater reports soon of the good things God is doing.
Dan Stiles

[Bob Gould]

Had an appointment today in OKC with the doctor.  He took X-Rays and examined my arm.  The X-Rays showed the elbow and upper forearm are in perfect alignment and healing well.  Only down part was that there is some drainage around one of the pins, and the arm and hand are more swollen than they had hoped they would be.  I have to go back in 2 weeks, continue daily changes of the dressings and wrap, and they think they will do the operation to remove the pins and rod on February 24th.  If that schedule holds, I will then start intensive physical therapy and should be able to return to work by late March or early April.
 
So, Praise God!  He is so awesome and I Praise His name and thank all of you for your prayers, words of encouragement and support.  I still have a long ways to go before this journey is over, but I know my Heavenly Daddy will see me through it all.  Please keep me in your continued prayers that the swelling will decrease like it needs to and for the drainage around the pins to cease.  I am getting bored some now, running out of stuff to do and ready to be back on the road working, announcing and preaching the Word of God again.  So keep that in your prayers also that I will have patience and go slow and take the time to let it all heal like it needs to.
 
God bless and thank again to all of you for all your prayers and support of me.
Dan Stiles

[Bob Gould]

Howdy all,
 
Had surgery today to take the pins and rods out of my arm.  It went well, was in the O.R. 45 minutes, total time at the hospital under 4 hours.  Having some pain, but mostly it feels good, just a little stiff.  Now I have to start really hitting the Physical Therapy to get my movement and use back.  It will be great to not have to type with one hand!
 
I am still not able to work, getting a disability check, but it is only 60% of what I normally make, so things are starting to get tight, the bills keep coming whether I'm working or not.  But, make no mistake, I KNOW that my Daddy God will provide for me!  I am just having to be real careful, not waste money, and sometimes do a little "creative" paying of the bills.
 
I am announcing a Junior High Rodeo this coming weekend, it does not pay a lot, but lots of opportunity to speak into the lives of young teens about the awesome God and Father we have.  I can only do events right now that have a sound system installed at the arena since I can't carry my speakers and amps yet.  I am excited to be announcing again though, have not done any since November, and am definitely missing being behind the microphone.
 
Now for some prayer requests.  I was informed last week by the President and Vice President of Industrial Specialties that due to the economic slowdown and drop in sales to the gas and oil industry that I was being let go as of April 1st.  This means that as of April 1st I lose my disability payments and Health Insurance.  So, I am praying for a miracle in my arm since I only have a month to get it in shape before I lose the insurance paying for the Therapy, and for wisdom and favor from God in finding new employment.  Times are tough here in the job market, but I know that nothing is too hard for God.
 
I have been offered a position for the summer announcing the "Cody Night Rodeo" in Cody, WY and would also be able to do ministry there with the contestants, their families, and hold a Church Service on Sundays for the staff, contestants and fans.  I would ask you to pray for me to know Gods will in this.  I love announcing and doing ministry, but from a "business" standpoint it does not look like the smart thing to do since come September I would once again be out of a job, have no insurance and no guarantee that I would find a job.  I have to make a decision on this soon, so your prayers and advice are greatly appreciated.
 
I will once again be producing the "Lane Frost Memorial Bull Riding and Bull Fighting School" on June 8Th, 9Th and 10Th in Lane, OK.  Mike Lee and Frank Newsom are once again the instructors and they both do an awesome job not only teaching the students how to rodeo, but even more importantly how to win in life by having a relationship with God and knowing Him as Father.  Please keep the school in your prayers, and I will be sending more information out on it in late March.
 
I can't express how I feel right now.  As I look back and see how things have gone since December 5Th, 2008 when the accident happened, I am time and time again amazed and awed by the ways God has taken care of me.  Over and over, just at the right time He has showed up and kept me moving forward and protected me.  My Ford Explorer was totaled, the whole drivers side of the vehicle basically destroyed from front to back.  The paramedics kept asking me where else I hurt, and when I told them only my arm they could not believe it.  Over and over my Trinity Fellowship family has been there for me.  Melvin was at the hospital waiting on me when I was brought in, and within 30 minutes of my arrival I am told the waiting area was full of Trinity people.  During my first hospital stay so many family members from Trinity kept showing up that one of my nurses decided she had to check out Trinity and see what made the people from there so different and caring.  Even when I was in Oklahoma City for surgery, Trinity family members made the 2 hour drive, just to check in on me and make sure I was OK.  My Daddy provided a vehicle for me at half the blue book value that is just as good or better than the one that got wrecked.  I could go on and on with the great things my God has done like total strangers taking a vacation day to take me to a doctors appointment, and people I never met sending me a check in the mail because God told them to.
 
I know that God did not cause my wreck or the mistakes that the surgeon in Elk City made.  But, He used it to show me just how much He loves me, and to teach me to totally put my trust in Him.  I am not done with this adventure with my arm yet, and in the natural, it doesn't look real good, unemployed, insurance and disability ending in a month, over $6000.00 in debt to various doctors and hospitals and still climbing.  BUT!!!!  My God said He will provide for ALL my needs and He will!!  My God said that no weapon formed against me will prosper, and they won't!!  My Daddy said that greater is the Spirit of God inside of me than any spirit in this world, and it is true!!  He said that Dan Stiles can do all things through Christ, and I can.  He said that I can use His name and speak to the mountains and tell them to get into the sea, and they have to go.  I could go on and on with His promises, but my point is this.  We have THE power and THE authority in the name of Jesus and as God's kids we are more than conquerors, and the victory is ours!!
 
I want to thank all of you for your prayers, your support, and your love for me.  When I have dark days, feel like I am in the valley of death, I begin to think of all Christ did for me, what God has done for me, and all my friends all around this country, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am gonna make it, and overcome.  If I can be of help to you in any way don't hesitate to contact me, and please share your prayer requests with me.  Our God is an awesome God and He is moved by the prayers and praise of His kids!
God bless,
Dan Stiles

[Bob Gould]

Dear Friends,
 
As most of you know I have been in a battle since my wreck December 5th, 2008.  God has been there for me at every turn and I praise Him and give Him all the glory for my making it through.  Many of you have prayed for me, helped me out with transportation to doctor visits and hospitals, and some of you gave to me financially as you were led by God to do.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart and pray that each of you will be blessed many times over for all that you have done for me.  I am living proof that God does take care of His kids and that the righteous will not be forsaken.
 
I am still doing physical therapy 3 times a week trying to get my elbow, wrist and hand back to normal.  It definitely hurts sometimes, and I get tempted to quit, but I know it is all for my good.  I will be seeing a hand specialist at OU Medical Center on April 7th to have my hand evaluated.  The specialist that did my elbow feels like I am not getting enough use of my hand as I should by now, so he wants it looked at and evaluated.  Please keep that in your prayers.
 
When I got hurt I was evaluated for disability payments through my companies insurance carrier and was deemed eligible.  From that time until March 5th I was getting a check every 2 weeks equal to 60% of my pre-accident income.  On March 5th the short term disability ended and I became eligible for long term disability.  The long term is through the same company, but a different department.  Apparently my short term case worker did not forward my claim to the long term department until March 3rd, 2 days before my short term was to end.  When you go to long term they have to totally re certify you, just like they did at the beginning of the short term, and it is a 6 week process normally.  I have gotten all the needed reports to them just as soon as they requested them.  But, I still have not heard back from them with a decision or a check.  I got my last check March 5th for one weeks pay, but nothing since then.  Please lift this up in prayer that a decision will be made very soon, and that they will start paying me soon.  I know that God is my source and my trust is in Him and not the insurance company, and that He will not let me down.  I have not worked since December 5th at a job, but have not been in lack in any way, and that can only be attributed to my Father God taking care of me.
 
As of April 1st I will be unemployed since Industrial Specialties is letting me go due to the economy and a 75% drop in sales.  I have accepted a job announcing the Cody Night Rodeo in Cody, WY starting June 15th and lasting till the end of August.  I will also be doing daily and weekly ministry there with the contestants, their families, staff and rodeo fans.  Please keep this in your prayers also.  I am planning on the ministry there being somewhat non-traditional in the approach and definitely relational.  I am very excited by this opportunity and truly feel that it is from God.
 
While in Cody I will be living in a travel trailer or RV on the grounds.  The producer of the rodeo thought he had a deal on a trailer for me to stay in but that fell through on him.  If any of you know of someone with a travel trailer for sale at a reasonable price or that they would rent out for the summer, please let me know.  It does not have to be a great trailer with all the fancy gadgets, just one with a bed, working refrigerator and stove, a bathroom and AC.
 
The 4th Annual Lane Frost Memorial Christian Bull Riding and Bull Fighting school will be held in Lane, OK June 8th to 10th.  Mike Lee will teach the bull and steer riding and Frank Newsom the bull fighting.  For more information on the school or an application go to my web site www.dstiles.net.  Please keep the school, the students and staff in your prayers.
 
I have been blessed to do several rodeos this month which helped out some on the finances, and I was able to do a lot of ministry at them as well as giving out a lot of tracts and Bibles.
 
I want to thank all of you once again for your prayers, support and words of encouragement.  I know that I am a victor and not a victim and that I will come out of this trial a better man, a stronger Christian, and more aware of how much I need to put and keep my trust in God.  When everything you have ever depended on is shaken and crumbles in a heap, you find your hope and strength in the one thing that can not be shaken.  That one thing is The Kingdom of God.  I have never before been in the situation that I am right now.
 
I prided myself on my ability to work hard and make a good living at my job and as an announcer.  Since December 5th my ability to do those things has been severely curtailed, a job is still out of the question, although I can now go out and announce events.  Through the dark days of surgery, Dr. appointments, hospital stays, losing my job, and wondering if my elbow and hand would ever work again.  God was there holding me up, giving me His strength and peace, His blessings and teaching me every day more about Him and His  never failing, unending, unconditional love.
 
I can't tell you what my future holds in the way of material stuff , a career, or where I will live.  But I can tell you this with 100% accuracy.  God will take care of me.  I will not go hungry, I will have a place to live, I will be blessed to overflowing, and I will be where God wants me to be, and I will be doing what God wants me to do.  Have a great and blessed day and keep your eyes and hopes on God, not the world.
 
God bless,
Dan