Compassionate Lord,
Thy mercies have brought me to the dawn of another day,
Vain will be it's gift unless I grow in grace,
increase in knowledge,
open for spiritual harvest.
Let me this day know thee as thou art,
love thee supremely,
serve thee wholly,
admire thee fully,
Through grace let my will respond to thee,
Knowing that power to obey is not in me, but
that thy free love alone enables me to serve thee.
Here then is my empty heart,
overflow it with thy choicest gifts;
Here is my blind understanding,
chase away its mists of ignorance.
O ever watchful Shepherd,
lead, guide, tend me this day...

Morning--The Valley of Vision

Monday

I am a working mom. I have always been a working mom. My children know of no other life. They are used to me working days, nights, weekends, whatever comes along. I enjoy my jobs, both as a mom and as a LifeWay person. And, for the most part, both jobs coexist peacefully.

Most of the time.

However, there are times when they don't mix so well.

Today is one of those times. The weekend started out normal enough. I worked Saturday and then came home, fixed dinner, helped Jessi with her hair and caught up on a few chores before Thunder time. After Thunder, I did a few more things and then headed off to bed....to be awakened an hour later by a sick husband.

A very sick husband.

We were up all night.

And all day.

Of course, this would happen to be the day that we were supposed to go and watch my sister-in-law and niece dance but Josh was in no shape to leave the house. So, Jessi and I went.

And enjoyed ourselves.

However, we did leave after my SIL finished dancing because I felt uncomfortable leaving Josh for so long. On the way home, Jonathan called. His back had been hurting him for the past couple of days (he's been working on the spring musical, setting up, moving stuff, climbing, and whatever else one does to help put together a theater production) and he was in so much pain that he could hardly speak.

Asking for medication.

Which is a giant red flag right there because that boy hates pills with a passion.

Anyhow, for whatever reason, his back had gone from bad to "I can't stand up and I can't move."

So, we spent the rest of the evening Lysoling and running and fetching and soothing and "there, there"-ing and fixing jello cups and praying and warming heating pads and rearranging pillows and keeping dogs from jumping on the sick/injured. (Oh, and contemplating going to the ER. Can't forget that.)

Fast forward to morning.

It's a work day.

The sick and the injured are still sick and injured. (although not quite as sick and still about the same on the injured.) It's obvious that there will be no school or work for these two. And while I am a working mom, (and believe me, the last 31 hours have been work) I am a mom first. Once the doctor's office is open, we'll be getting an appointment or two. I suppose that's what family sick days are for. In the meantime, we'll be passing out jello and advil.

(We have a very busy week here at the heigh ho house. It's ring ceremony week and the play starts Thursday. We'd appreciate your prayers for mercy, healing, good health and just saying "no" to passing around whatever bug Josh has.)

the list

As you go about your busy day today, would you mind taking a moment and praying for some of the people who have been on my heart lately?

Brother Freddie and his fellow friars as they not only minister to the earthquake victims but also deal with their own losses.

Baby Stellan and his family as they prepare for possible surgery on the other side of the country.

Beth and her family as they prepare to adopt Maria from Guatemala.


Sheryl and many others who are dealing with job losses in their families.

And honestly, in light of the other more serious issues, I hesitate to even mention this, but I fell yesterday. Again. (the second time in six weeks. Just call me Grace.) Anyhow, while I know I did not break anything (other than my pride), I am having some issues lifting my arm today. And, um...I need my arm. It does lots of things with me. So I am ice-packing, heat applying, ibuprofen swallowing and whimpering about it and hoping that it heals quickly. Because I miss it.

a prayer request from The Boy

There's this girl...who is a friend of The Boy. This girl was diagnosed with cancer at the end of their freshman year. She spent most of their sophomore year undergoing treatment and finally went into remission at the end of their sophomore year. This girl had to undergo a PET scan on Friday and has not returned to school since. The Boy says that no one knows the outcome of the scan. (um...now would be a good time to point out that The Boy is clueless about many things.) However, he is concerned, therefore, I am concerned. So, if you have a moment...please lift this girl and her family up in prayer.

Waiting...

We are now trusting our Sovereign God to reveal whatever path He would have my family take.

The biopsy is done...Daddy is doing "okay" (he was less than thrilled with the three needles and Novocain. I don't guess I blame him. And being a diabetic, mom can't even take him for ice cream for being a "good patient."). Now we are awaiting results. His appointment is next Wednesday so hopefully it will be a peaceful week of waiting. (Dad is still a little bummed because the surgeon is still telling him he has to have surgery regardless. Those pesky gallstones.)

I so appreciated your prayers for him and I know he does too.

I'm asking...

***Updated***
We just received news that Molly is a Trisomy 18 baby. The doctors have told Brianna and Garrick to enjoy her to the fullest over the next few days as they believe this is all the time she has left. Please lift Brianna and Garrick up as they face this most difficult time.



You all are so faithful to pray...so I am asking once again for specific requests. My father (his name is John) will be going to have a biopsy tomorrow and I'm asking for prayer for his healing. In a perfect world, I would prefer that the mass be completely gone. However, I know that only God's will is perfect so I'm also asking for peace over whatever the outcome is. (We are supposed to have to wait a week for the results. I'm thinking this is a patience test. Sigh. I don't do very well with patience tests.)

Also, the assistant manager at one of our LifeWay stores has a prayer request as well. Her daughter, Molly, was born last Wednesday weighing in at a little over 2 pounds. Because of some other health issues that she has, the doctors suspect that she may have a chromosomal abnormality that is, in the doctor's words, "incompatible with life." I cannot imagine ever hearing those words coming out of a doctor's mouth. (And I'm thinking he needs some lessons in tact but that's just me.) Anyway, they're praying for a "Molly sized miracle." Would you lift them up in prayer today as well?



Thank you so much. You are much appreciated!

Amanda

This is my friend, Amanda.

I started to say that I've known her since she was small, but she is still "fairy" sized (and I am so envious, which is a sin. Oh good, we're starting the day off well, aren't we?)

Anyhow, as I started to say, before I was so rudely distracted by myself, Amanda is currently in Japan serving as a summer missionary. If you find yourself with a few moments on your hands throughout the summer, would you mind praying for her? She has a heart for the lost in Japan and plans to spend her life serving there. This is just a taste of the future for her.

(Also, you could pray for her mom too. It's both hard and a blessing when a child chooses a life of service overseas. And Helen (Amanda's mom) not only has a daughter in Japan, but her youngest is graduating from high school today and heading off to Africa in a few weeks. And we aren't even mentioning that she is talking about a life over there. One hurdle at a time.)

Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
1 Corinthians 9:19-23

One of my favorite blogs is the Living Proof blog. I love reading what Amanda and Beth have to say and I particularly enjoy my siestas comments. (and I have found new friends that way.) I visited there this morning and Beth had asked two questions as a part of her revising Breaking Free. She asked that we post our answers anonymously. Here are the questions:

1) What one thing threatens you most with bondage? Try to be specific. If your answer is intimate in nature, then use code language. I'll get what you're trying to say.
2) What is your biggest obstacle to living freely and fully in Christ? (Please don't give the answer you think you're supposed to give. Really share what you think holds you back.)

At the time that I posted my comment, there were already 261 responses. I am certain that there will be many more. I felt compelled to answer and after I posted my response, I began to read some of the other responses. And all I could think was that there are a lot of women hiding a lot of baggage. Struggling to get free. In some pitiful way, I am grateful for the company but mostly I am heartbroken that so many of my siestas carry such heavy burdens. I know this isn't what God has intended for His children. So, my siestas, if you left your burden there, please know that I am praying for you. God bless!

It's Saturday!

Which means a festive, fun filled day around our house. We (dh and I) are getting ready to head out to the grocery. I love it when he goes shopping with me. It can be fun! From there we will pop into the library to check on Cinderella and drop off some books. Maybe they will have a best-seller I am looking for. I don't have any particular one in mind but I am always on the lookout for a good book. Then it's back home to plow through the laundry and ironing. We're cleaning parrot cages today too. There's a ball game on this afternoon. We would normally be excited about watching it, but we are having a Horrible season so most games are painful to watch. But a true fan watches during the good and the bad. Besides, we might have a great game. So what if Vandy is unbeaten. Some body's gotta win. Might as well be us, right? I think it will probably be a quiet evening. We have a DVD from netflix to watch and are making homemade pizza. (No sauce for The Boy.)

Speaking of The Boy, he seems to be doing some better. He made a conscious effort to eat some yesterday and he ate some breakfast. We are planning on tempting him with his favorite food for lunch. Hopefully, knowing he can stay home if he feels sick will prompt him into eating. The mind is a tricky thing and it's hard to battle something that is in your head. But I do appreciate your prayers.

Well, we are a' Wal-marting so I'd better go. Happy Saturday to you!

Prayer Request

My son has reflux, IBS and a few (small) anxiety issues. His reflux and IBS are kept under control by diet with occasional medication thrown in here and there. For the most part, he lives a normal happy life.

However, two summers ago we drove to Atlanta on our way to Disney World. During the trip, we discovered (the hard way) that he developed motion sickness. The trip was rather traumatic for him (and mom) and he and I spent a lot of time just walking around Disney World, not riding anything. Now, you have to understand that I am no stranger to anxiety issues. My daughter has had panic attacks for many years. She has an attack, recovers and moves forward. The Boy is a little different. He develops a few "tics' that present when he has anxiety. And he avoids the thing that caused the anxiety. Another thing you need to understand is that when reflux people get sick, it causes their reflux to flare up more. Which causes pain and that sensation that you are going to be sick again. So that summer, The Boy stopped eating. Because he was afraid if he ate, he would get sick. Oh, he would eat some crackers or some cheese and drink ensure, but overall he ate very little. He ended up losing twenty seven pounds and looked like he was starving. We made several trips to the doctor, tried different medicines, (had the nurse accuse him of being anorexic...which he wasn't.) did daily weigh ins to track his weight, avoided trigger foods, and finally, after three months or so, he began to slowly eat more normally again. (He really did want to eat, he was just afraid to.) So for the last year or so he has been the typical teenager. Eating, grazing, whatever you want to call it.

Until Christmas. I guess he was eating foods that he normally shouldn't or wouldn't and apparently that caused his reflux to start acting up again. Which triggered some anxiety. Which I was aware of. What I didn't know was that he apparently has stopped eating. Again. Because he's afraid he'll get sick. I know it's only been a few days, but I can tell (now that I've noticed) that he is losing weight. So tonight we talked about restricting his diet to avoid the trigger foods, taking his reflux medicine, carrying meds with him for his IBS, weighing in, and anxiety. Which is really the culprit here. He did eat some plain toast and drink some water. I guess tomorrow I will get some Boost. And if things don't improve over the weekend, we will be off to the doctor's on Monday.

So if you get a moment and would be so inclined, I would appreciate any prayers you might offer our way.