Prayer for a Sister in Christ

Ali who blogs at http://www.anordinarymom.com/ is the originator and host of Saturday Snapshots, which I regularly participate in. 

Over the past week her families lives have been turned upside down with her oldest son having brain surgery to remove a tumor that has turned out to be cancerous.

Would you please take a moment to pray for them, and perhaps stop by her blog to show your support?

James 5:16

16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Blessed are They that Mourn

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Would you please join me in praying for a couple of blogging friends?

Trisha's father passed away on June 14th.

Jules' mother passed away earlier today.

I've been so blessed to get to know these two ladies through the blogosphere. Please take a moment to pray for them and their families.



33 1/2 week pregnancy update and a prayer request

First, the prayer request. My friend was due with her first child 10 days before me. Her daughter Shula was born six weeks ago at 29 weeks gestation. Precious little Shula is having heart surgery this afternoon to close a hole in her heart. Would you please pray for Shula, the doctors, and her family?
**Praise report: Shula's surgery was successful and she is now home with her family after nearly 8 weeks in the NICU.

And now for the update:

(Ok, so this is last weeks photo, but he's just so cute!)

Not much has changed since last week.

-No trips to the hospital this week, although the OB Homecare nurse wanted to send me on Monday. I was contracting every 2-3 minutes while she was here, but they weren't too painful and I wasn't worried.

- Weight gain: 16 lbs

-Morning sickness has returned - yuck.

-Looking forward to reaching the 34 week milestone on Tuesday. I will take my last dose of Nifedipine at 10PM on Monday and if I go into labor after that they won't stop it. I'm still hoping to make it to at least 36 weeks.

-Feeling the overwhelming urge to rid my house of cobwebs and get all those cute little baby clothes put away - must be nesting. Or almost 9 weeks of bedrest is catching up with me. Either way, the cobwebs will have to wait as I'm still stuck here in bed.

-I'm thankful for everyday this precious boy grows in my womb and not in the NICU.

Come Lay ' Em Down

Have you ever just been weary, I mean REALLY weary just from all the day-to-day burdens of this life? Been really down over all the little things?

I've been feeling that way for the last few days.

There are no significant problems in my life, just those ever-present stresses of life in this fallen world. Teenage angst. Conflict at work. Friends that are suffering the loss of a loved one. Family members that are ill. All the usual.

I've just been feeling burdened.

As I was stuck in traffic this afternoon "Lay 'Em Down" by Need to Breathe was playing on the radio and I had a real A-HA moment. We can lay them down at the King's feet. All of our burdens, even the little ones. None are too small.



I spent that "traffic" time in prayer, and laid my burdens down.

Thank you, Lord that You always hear us and lift our burdens.

Thank You for Your promises and the good things You have for us.

Thank You for giving us the grace to get through the tough times and the promise of eternity with You.

Diving In

I've spent a few days trying to decide on the perfect thing to say for my first post. I was thinking of a profound essay on who I am, or some deep theological insight. I've since realised that I won't ever write anything if I don't just dive in. So here goes...

Last night I was sitting in our library sipping a nice cup of tea, ready to spend some time soaking in God's word. I opened my MacArthur Daily Bible, said a short prayer, and began to read in Isaiah 53....when someone started watching a video across the hall. Loudly. I sighed, closed the door and turned back to the Scriptures...when T started shouting about the enemy around the corner - in a video game I presume. It occured to me that though I am really not a morning person I am going to have to get up early if I really want a quiet time with the Lord.

This morning my alarm went off at 5:30. Way to early for anyone to be alive...but very quiet. And COLD. As I was thinking about actually crawling out of bed, my hubby pulled me close, and it was so nice. And then I prayed. I prayed for him and his challenges at work. I prayed for T and all that we are facing with him these days. I prayed for our church and for Pastor Ryan's church plant. I prayed until 6:15. And I got out of bed feeling more refreshed and ready for the day than I ever have. All without having to venture out of my warm bed.

While I'll still have to contend with the distractions while I try to read the Bible tonight, I think early morning prayer time will be a regular thing from now on. By God's grace.