Following a long illness, Myra was presented a Mercy Heart by her dear friends Dawn and Carol of St. Paul's, Janesville, Wisconsin. With the help from Dawn, Carol, and Myra's husband Terry, friends, caregivers, therapists, and all those caring for Myra wrote words of encouragement and love on both sides of the Heart of Mercy & Compassion.

Myra was overjoyed to listen to her friends read the messages written for her along with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mary (St. Paul's, Janesville - Wisconsin) by her side. St. Paul's also included an easel to set the Mercy Heart on so Myra could look at it from her bed or chair.

Myra, a retired nurse, and Stephen Minister was called home by God two weeks later, where family and friends celebrated her life.

A purple Mercy Heart was presented to Pastor Rod Armon and his wife, Julie, on behalf of their 34-year-old son, Josh, who died of liver and kidney problems. Josh left behind a wife and three small children and was deployed three times in the Army National Guard and served five years as a police officer. Pastor Armon stated, “This gift was even better than I would have imagined,” and thanked LCC for what was presented in memory of their son Josh.

Pastor Rod and Julie requested that Josh’s confirmation verse be reflected on the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, which reads, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” from Joshua 1:9.

On Saturday, December 12, Redeemer, Fort Collins, Colorado, with the help of LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) presented a Mercy Heart to Melissa. She is a Ministry Partner on their team, and is currently dealing with a very difficult family situation. 

After praying for her, she said, "You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you very much."

After receiving the Mercy Heart, Melissa sent this message. "Thank you for the heart. It means so much to know that so many are praying for our family."

On Tuesday, December 1, a prayer vigil was held outside of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Illinois, for LCC Staff Member, Rich Martin.

Amy, one of Rich’s nurses from the ICU ward, came outside to receive an LCC Heart of Mercy & Compassion signed by LCC staff and all present at the vigil to recognize and thank the hospital ICU staff who tirelessly and lovingly attended to Rich and so many others.

LCC and Rich’s family are thankful for the excellent care of the entire medical team at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital who dedicated themselves to Rich’s care while he was in the hospital. We lift them up in prayer for all that they do every day.

On Friday, November 27, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) participated in her very first Heart of Mercy and Compassion presentation along with her handlers. 

A purple Mercy Heart was presented to Pat and Marlene Weller, very well-loved members of Devorah Comfort Dog's K-9 Ministry team where they both serve as ministry partners. They recently experienced a family crisis followed by a medical event.

The purple heart was presented to commemorate Pat's past service in the U.S. Army. The heart was signed by all of the LCC K-9 Ministry team members and pastors.

In the Wellers' own words: "With the outpouring of prayers we are finding our way back to 'normal' and looking forward to new and better things ahead."

On Tuesday, November 24, a Mercy Heart was presented to Houston Fire Station 62 in Houston, Texas, in honor of Houston Fire Department's Arson Investigator, Lemuel "DJ" Bruce (44), who was killed in the line of duty on October 16, 2020. Bruce was one of six investigators on surveillance when he was murdered almost in front of the fire station.  He was married with 2 children.

A request for a Mercy Heart came from Marsha Froehlich, a member of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Gabriel's (Messiah - Houston, Texas) Ministry team. Marsha has no connections with the Houston Fire Department, but the station that responded is down the street from her, and she felt that a Mercy Heart could be provided to that station and then on to the family. 

Thank you cards made by children from Messiah Lutheran Church and members of Messiah helped Gabriel Comfort Dog's LCC K-9 Ministry team make the presentation. 

Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, and LCC volunteer, Bob Morris, presented a Mercy Heart to the family of Harry Noice. One scripture verse was written on each side (1 Timothy 2:4 & Isaiah 40;31) of the heart, which family and friends were able to sign with comforting comments. 

Harry Noice, a good friend of Tim Hetzner, died in his sleep at the age of 70 on November 16.  Harry and his wife, Jean Gohl-Noice, were faithful supporters of LCC and Tim’s WORD Bible Study, and went on many of Tim’s trips.  A funeral service was held on Saturday November 21st at his home town of Champaign, Illinois.  Tim was asked by family to speak at Harry’s funeral. 

The family asked that memorial donations be made in Harry’s name to Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Ministry, and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry.

Last week, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mary (St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Janesville, Wisconsin) and her handler were invited to a group of her neighbors who call themselves “The Shade Tree Ladies” to share information about Mary Comfort Dog and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion ministries.

They all signed a Mercy Heart to present to one of the members who had lost her husband a year ago to cancer and was feeling very anxious about the anniversary. She appreciated the messages of encouragement and love written to her.