Sometimes Words Just Aren't Enough

Last month I went to the Women's Retreat for our network of churches. It was amazing and a very refreshing time.  I kept saying I was going to write a post about about it and I did try.  Every time I tried to express in words exactly what had happened there I just could not adequately describe it in a way that satisfied me.  I felt like when I was putting into words my meeting with God it was somehow taking away the personal closeness of that encounter.  Don't get me wrong I love sharing my experiences and encounters with God but I believe there are some that are just to be between you and the Father.  So while I didn't have to explain why I never wrote that post, I felt I should because I kept saying I was going to write it.

Prayer Monday, April 25, 20011

Not a lot to say today.  So I am just going to dive right in.

PRAISES

1.  God was an amazing provider this week.

2. The given for this past week!  HE IS ALIVE!!  

3.  Xavier got to go home Friday.   He is doing awesome.

PRAYER REQUESTS
1.  I am asking that God will help me to continue to press into Him for a deeper relationship.

2.  I pray that He continues to highlight people for our members to invite so our small group will grow and touch more lives.

3.  My husband is STILL waiting to hear one way or the other about the Carpenter's position he interviewed for at a nearby prison.  He feels like the interview went well and they told him it could be two days to two months before he hears one way or the other (He interviewed Mar. 22nd).  Please pray he gets this job.  It would be so good for our family.

4.  I pray for the church plant we are sending to Athens, Ohio this summer.  I pray that God builds up those being sent out on the church plant and that God would prepare their hearts for this as well as the hearts of the people in Athens.  Adding to this there are about 30 going and 20 of them still need to find jobs or get into school.

5.I am praying for all those with storm damage and continued flooding.  

6.  My dad's aunt passed away Thursday.  Please pray for the family's comfort.  We know she is with Jesus but it is still hard.

PRAYER THIS WEEK

Father,

Thank You so much for giving Your only Son to die on the cross for our sins and that He has Risen!  I ask that you continually remind us of that, Lord.  Not just on Easter but every day.  Father I thank You for Your provision this week and the huge help it was for us.  Be with each lady as they are praying this week.  Holy Spirit I ask that You pour Yourself into us and speak Your words to our hearts.  Give us the wisdom of the words to speak as we pray and who needs our attention at that moment.   Also, Father, help us to not feel selfish as we pray for ourselves.   I can't begin to thank You enough for all of these ladies and their prayers!  Father, bless them this week.

AMEN

Blah all over the place post....

Today has been one of those days.  I don't know if it was the storm last night combined with the fact it caused our electricity to go out around 8:30p and not come back on until 10:30a this morning or what.  It has just been blah.  I have not really done much but clean house and hang out with Braedon.  I am not sure where all of the time went quite frankly.

Speaking of the storm.  It is quite amusing to keep a toddler entertained in a basement that he really can't roam around in right now.  We sat in camp chairs with a lantern and fruit snacks.  We probably weren't down there more than 20 minutes but I can tell he felt like it was much longer.  Other than the electricity we didn't really have any storm issues thank God.  All I could think about though until the electricity came back on was we had just bought half a cow and it was sitting in our freezer.  It made me sick to think of losing it.  I was going to load it all up and take it down to my parents.  But God provided and the meat didn't even thaw!

Sorry this post isn't more entertaining. I am sitting here bored because my husband is out putting some tarps on someone's roof.  They had quite a bit of damage and my husband being the handy man that he is was enlisted to take care of it.  He is such a generous man with his skills.  Have I mentioned that I love that man! :)

Prayer Monday, April 18, 2011

It has been a fairly decent week.  I have seen some prayers answered and that is always wonderful.  I do have a couple of new heavy hearted requests this week though

PRAISES

1.  I am seeing prayer answered!  We had such a full house at small group Thursday that we had people sitting on the floor!

2. My cousin's baby, Xavier, is doing so good.  And his momma is doing great as well.  

PRAYER REQUESTS
1.  I am asking that God will help me to continue to press into Him for a deeper relationship.

2.  I pray that He continues to highlight people for our members to invite so our small group will grow and touch more lives.  I know we had a full house but I want more and I think God does too.

3.I am praying for a little girl named Gracyn.  Continue to pray for Gracyn.  She got to go home but still has a long road to take.

4.  My husband is STILL waiting to hear one way or the other about the Carpenter's position he interviewed for at a nearby prison.  He feels like the interview went well and they told him it could be two days to two months before he hears one way or the other (He interviewed Mar. 22nd).  Please pray he gets this job.  It would be so good for our family.

5. I pray for the church plant we are sending to Athens, Ohio this summer.  I pray that God builds up those being sent out on the church plant and that God would prepare their hearts for this as well as the hearts of the people in Athens.  Adding to this there are about 30 going and 20 of them still need to find jobs or get into school.

6. I am praying for my friend from college, Tabitha and her family.  She had identical twin boys at the end of February.  This Friday one of them passed away from SIDS.  I am so broken hearted for her over this that all I can do is pray.

7.  My dad's aunt is in the hospital not doing well at all.  She will most likely not make it out of the hospital.  Please pray for the comfort of the family and peace at this time.

8. I am continuing to pray for my cousin's baby, Xavier.  He is being given IV antibiotics.  If the it all goes well he may get to go home today or tomorrow.  If not he has to stay until the end of the week.

PRAYER THIS WEEK

Father,

I come to you this week with such mixed emotions.  I praise You for the awesome answers to prayer you have given many of this week.  The healing of Crystal, Katie's Uncle James, my small group and Xavier.  Father I know You have so much more that You want to do.  Father I ask You to help me to find Joy in spite of the heavy prayer requests I have given this week.  I ask that You be with each of us this week as we pray over our requests and those of others.  Give us the peace that You are in control.  I ask that You protect us  when the enemy is speaking doubts into our mind about unanswered prayers .   You are in control and still in the business of making miracles happen.   Thank You so much for what You have already done and are going to do.

AMEN

Addition to my prayer Monday!

Hey all!  I have a request that couldn't wait until Monday to be added.   My cousin's wife had their baby last night and he is having some issues breathing.  The doctor thinks he may have aspirated some meconium.  His name is Xavier.  Please pray that his breathing issues be resolved and comfort for his momma and daddy.  Thank you!

Prayer Monday, April 11, 2011

This week has had it's ups and downs.  I have LOVED the weather this weekend, it refreshed me from a draining episode Friday.  On Friday, my dear son shaved several years off my life by falling down the concrete stairs on our front porch.  It was one of those moments where I saw him taking that first step off but everything was going in slow motion.  I reached for him but didn't catch him before his face made contact.  Fortunately I caught him before he went all the way down but he is now sporting a scrape on his leg and a scrape and his first black eye on his right eye.  He cried and I cried but he got over it first!  I am just thankful there were no stitches!

On a more positive note, my husband mowed our lawn and tilled the spot where I will be planting the garden. I am super excited about putting in a better garden this year.  Last year I did a potted herb garden because we were renting.  This makes me feel like we are homeowners!  LOVE IT!

PRAISES

1. The beautiful weather this weekend.

2. My son didn't need stitches for his spill.

3. Time spent with my family.

PRAYER REQUESTS
1.  I am asking that God will help me to continue to press into Him for a deeper relationship.

2.  I pray that He continues to highlight people for our members to invite so our small group will grow and touch more lives.

3.I am praying for a little girl named Gracyn.  Her mother was a few years younger than me and was in HS with my sis and BIL so I don't know her.  Her little girl Gracyn,  who is 2, has been diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome.  Simply put it is when the body's immune system attacks the nervous system.  This leads to a variety of complications.  Pray for her healing and her parents comfort.  I can't even imagine what they are going through.

4.  My husband is STILL waiting to hear one way or the other about the Carpenter's position he interviewed for at a nearby prison.  He feels like the interview went well and they told him it could be two days to two months before he hears one way or the other (He interviewed Mar. 22nd).  Please pray he gets this job.  It would be so good for our family.

5. I pray for the church plant we are sending to Athens, Ohio this summer.  I pray that God builds up those being sent out on the church plant and that God would prepare their hearts for this as well as the hearts of the people in Athens.

6. I am praying for my sister.  She has been back to work, since having her son, for a little over a month now.  It has been tough for her because she would really love to stay home with him but cannot.  I am praying for her stress level and her quality time with her son when she is not at work.  

PRAYER THIS WEEK

Father,

I feel like my list of requests isn't getting any shorter but I do see where some have been answered and You are just giving me others to concentrate on.  Father, I ask that You help me to rejoice in those answered prayers.  Also,  I come before You boldly asking You to answer all of our prayers.  I know that these things won't always happen in our time and that Your will is perfect.  Help us to remember that.  When we are praying Father I ask that we will seek more of You and less of ourselves.  I ask that you refresh and renew each of us in Prayer Monday.  Thank you so much for Your countless blessings.

AMEN

Summer Nights.....and I don't mean the song in Grease.

Yes, I know it's not Summer yet but this Spring night had such a Summer night feel to it.

Have you ever had a smell, or a sight, or even a situation that triggers something from your past?  It happens to me occassionally.  It is amazing what our brains recall just from those little things.

Anyway, last night, around 8:30, I was driving to the next town to go shopping.  I had the windows rolled down, sun roof open, Francesca Batastelli blasting and I was singing along.  The atmosphere just took me back to my college days both at SCC and Murray State. Those carefree nights. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my life right now to go back to then but it is nice to reminisce!

My drive last night took me back to those nights, after musicals or performances at SCC or after work at Murray, when my friends and I would just drive around with the windows down and the music blasting.  Not a care in the world just enjoying the moment.  Destination was generally Steak and Shake with the SCC crew and at Murray it was just aimless driving ending who knows where.  I miss that sometimes.  I love memorable moments I am reminded of like that and that make me smile.  

Happy MY Birthday!

So yesterday was my birthday, I'm 32 now.  It really doesn't feel that much different than 31.  I still don't look my age for which I am thankful!  As for the day though it was fantastic.  I couldn't have ordered up a more beautiful day from God.  It may have been a tad windy but I am not going to complain.

I got to spend the morning worshiping at church and serving in the church's bookstore.  In the afternoon I got to spend time with my parents, sister, bro-in-law, nephew and of course my husband and son.  Then in the evening I went to Houlihan's for my free meal and free dessert.  I was a little tired after the days festivities but it was for a good cause :).

My husband did decide to taunt me with my gift though.  Saturday he told me he had bought it.  Then he clarified to say he had ordered it so I won't be getting it until later this week.  Then he said he wasn't going to tell me what it was until it got here.  Here's a little fact about me.  I like to give and get gifts either early or on the day. If I buy a gift too early for someone I am very likely to give it to them on that day. So this was driving me nuts.  I finally convinced him at midnight to give me the paper saying what was coming.  He got me a Metallic Chrome Kitchenaid stand mixer!  I love this man!  Honestly he has wanted me to get one for a long time but I kept telling him no because of the cost.  But he used a 20% off coupon.  I must say I can't wait to use it.

So as birthday weekends go, this was the best one I have had in awhile!

Prayer Monday, April 4, 2011

I have had a pretty good week. It has been mellow, which I have needed. God has continued to work in me and I am so excited about what He is doing.  My birthday was this weekend so that is always fun.  It was a laid back and beautiful day.  So thankful I have been blessed with another year :)

PRAISES

1. My Grandma is home from the hospital.

2. God is continuing to speak some truths to me.

3. God gave me beautiful weather for an awesome birthday.

PRAYER REQUESTS
1.  I am asking that God will help me to continue to press into Him for a deeper relationship.

2.  I pray that He continues to highlight people for our members to invite so our small group will grow and touch more lives.

3.My grandmother, my dad's mom, is doing better but still needs much physical healing.

4.  My husband is still waiting to hear one way or the other about the Carpenter's position he interviewed for at a nearby prison.  He feels like the interview went well and they told him it could be two days to two months before he hears one way or the other.  Please pray he gets this job.  It would be so good for our family.

5. I pray for the church plant we are sending to Athens, Ohio this summer.  I pray that God builds up those being sent out on the church plant and that God would prepare their hearts for this as well as the hearts of the people in Athens.

6. One of our group members lost his mother to cancer this week.  I don't want to share his name on my blog but please pray for comfort.  

PRAYER THIS WEEK

Father,rs.

Thank you so much for each of the praises you have given us.  I ask that You push us to press into  You more and more.   To seek more of You and You moving in our lives.  Holy Spirit I believe there is so much more you are going to do through our prayers.  Thank you so much for every single lady who is devoting her time to this group.  I pray that you pour out Your blessings on this group and that we never cease to be in awe of the works You are doing.  Be with us as we go through this week, Father.  Please do not allow me to get lax in my prayers.  Remind us all week of those needing to be lifted up in prayer.    

AMEN

Blogger Fail....

I said I was going to post about our awesome women's retreat last weekend but I still haven't done it!  I haven't been able to find the time to compose it exactly as I want.  So it might be dated by the time I post but I will finish :)