Praise Report and Another Prayer Request From Jane

From my friend Jane:

Esther, please pass my thanks to all who prayed for Dora. She came through the surgery fine, and is back home now recuperating. The tumor itself was small, but it was malignant, so there will be more treatment in the days ahead. But the swelling around the tumor was causing all the other problems, and those have subsided - thank goodness. Her family says she is now acting more normal again.

Also, if you could keep my son Matt on the list, I would appreciate it. His new girlfriend decided they should call it quits, and he is very down. I don't know how to help him anymore . . . he doesn't stay on his meds and doesn't want to go back to the counselor. Praying is the only thing I know how to do.

Thanks!!
Jane

Ohhh please, Esther, I actually have two of them!
A friend's mother just found out she has a large brain tumor . . . they haven't decided if they can operate or not.
Prayers for Dora and her family would be greatly appreciated!

Also, if you would add my son "Matt" to the list. He suffers from depression and is in sore need of a job. Praying is the only way I really know how to help him anymore.

Thanks Very much!!!
Jane

My Friend Jackie

Please remember my friend Jackie in your prayers. Her cancer has reactivated and the new chemo treatment is difficult. Lord, hold her in the palm of your hand.

Praise Report for Di - Update

UPDATE:
Di recently had surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid. It looks like it was successful. Mahalo for your prayers!

This one comes from my friend Di. It is for her friend. However, I'd also ask that you keep Di in your prayers as she recently was diagnosed with cancer. Mahalo.

My friend's mother is in the hospital with kidney failure. Please pray for her. She has to have kidney dialysis twice a day until further notice... Please add her to your prayer list. Thanks...

Di

Pray for James--his latest journal entry

I received this in an email and wanted to share it here so that this poor boy can receive all our prayers.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

James has had a turn of health.His breathing woke Jim and I up this morning at 7am. It was not THE"rattle", but more of a rasp.I felt his head, and it was almost too hot for me to touch his head. The thermometer read 105.5 degrees. Jim rubbed his arm to wake him up to give him some Tylenol, and he immediately started gagging.He ended up vomiting all over the bathroom walls, floor and toilet before it subsided.We placed him back in the bed, and I applied the phenergan gel to his wrists. About 10 minutes later, I gave him the first chewable Tylenol, and within one minute, it was back up. all over himself and the bed.He then requested to be picked up so he could pee. only he could not void. Jim changed the sheets as I kept trying to get him to urinate, but nothing happened.We changed his clothes and placed him back in bed, where he would doze in and out of sleep for the next two hours.Once Miss Krista arrived, he woke up to tell her he was not experiencing any pain, but that he had been sick. His heart rate is high. She did hear some rhonchi is his upper airways; not sure if this was from the vomiting or if it could be cleared by coughing.He may have as little as a few days to a couple of weeks. or it could be tonight.He fell back asleep around 11:30 and slept until 4:30. He woke up with a small smile and another request to pee. this time, he voided 300cc. He then wanted to go sit on the couch and play a video game.He ended up vomiting two more times, and then started falling asleep around8pm.Jim carried him back to bed, and he is now back to sleep.He did get up to pee one more time; 150cc. He has not eaten anything all day.We request that you do not call the home. We have turned our home phone off in the bedroom, and trying to keep the cordless away from that area, so that it does not disturb him. He is startling easy.If you need to speak with us, please call our cell phones.Also, only immediate family at this time. Jim and I need our time with James, and are switching off between each other while grandparents and aunts/uncles are in the room.We covet your prayers.

May God have Mercy on his body.**

I have been trying to switch his website to another. we are having trouble with this server, and many people cannot access his journal or sign the GB. I am switching to :www.caringbridge.org/visit/jamesrunde

This starts immediately!

If you sign the GB there, do not subscribe to notifications at this time. I am trying to still upload his journal over the past 2.5 years, and I would hate for anyone to receive 50+ emails a day. thanks!
~Peace be with you~Pattie

"Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of that faith is to see what you believe." Saint Augustine

Remember Rosemary

Please remember my friend Rosemary in your prayers. She has had MS for many years and is now on antibiotics for a bone infection.

Sad Situation - Please Pray

This is not a prayer that we will ever know the answer to, but please prayer for all the families involved in the following situation.

An 11-month old boy died after blunt trauma to his head while he was in a family-run daycare center. Further investigation has found that the incident happened when the daycare provider left the room briefly and a 9-year-old boy whacked the younger child in the head with something repeatedly resulting in multiple skull fractures. The 9-year-old is being charged with the juvenile equivalent of aggravated manslaughter.

God, please help all of these people and families involved in this tremendously tragic situation.

Successful Surgery for Ellen

Keep those prayers coming for Ellen, her breast surgery was successful, and it doesn't look like the cancer spread to the lymph nodes. However the tumor they removed was excessive and it will be a week before the pathology report is in.

Please, also keep in your prayers her son in the Navy in Virginia and her daughter-in-law on a ship bound for Iraq.

Prayer Request From Sue Cifelli

Update from Sue: Although not good news, we must remember to thank the Lord, through the good and the bad. Please keep this family in your prayers.

I have just gotten off the phone with my dear friend Joan, Jack's sister. Jack went into surgery this morning and was opened up from his neck to his stomach. Once opened, they discovered that his arteries were all closed. Apparently they had been burned beyond their ability to recover while he was being given radiation to destroy the cancer 9 years ago. They were unable to proceed and closed him back up.

Needless to say, the entire family is deeply grieved by this news, as even though the surgery itself was to be extremely risky, Jack was willing to have the surgery to have a chance at a normal life. To refresh your recollection, he has been surviving on ensure taken through a port in his neck since his cancer treatment so many years ago. We are all very concerned about how he will feel when he learns the extraordinarily disappointing news.

Joan and I discussed Romans 8:28 and know that God will use this for
Jack's good, but our hearts are breaking for him. Please continue to pray.

Through Him, With Him, In Him,
Sue

We have been praying for Jack who is having reconstructive surgery for his throat and esophagus which was afflicted with cancer. This will enable him, eventually, to speak normally and eat solid foods again. He has been taking ensure through his neck for the past 7 or so years.

He is having surgery tomorrow, Wednesday. It will be at least 10 hours long. Please join me in praying it is a complete success. Joan, whose brother this is was told he won't be able to talk for 6 months to a year after the surgery.

Through Him, With Him, In Him,
Sue

Prayer Request for My Mom

She is having a lot of neck and back pain. She needs to go for x-rays. Please pray that it is not serious.

Thank you!

Prayer Request

Please keep Donna's spiritual director in your prayers. He is very ill and may be in his last days or moments.

Prayer Request for the Franciscan Sisters Minor

The following is from an email I received from my friend Shana:

Esther,

I'm writing to you about the Franciscan Sisters Minor. They are a very primitive order of sisters, who do not use money, who beg for their daily food, no phone, no computers, TV or radio, no conveniences of any kind except the barest of necessities and who do not even use beds, but have sleeping bags on the floor. My friend, Sister Clare is one of the Professed sisters. She is a widow, mother and grandmother who has given up all comfort in retirement to live this very simple life of poverty. They are the most joyful women you've ever met in their holy poverty.

Her daughter, Diane, lives here in WV and keeps me informed about her mother. There are now 14 sisters. They were recently invited to go to Worcester MA to work with the bishop and live somewhere near St Paul's Cathedral and open a convent (they do a lot of evangelization, door to door, parish work, summer youth ministries etc).

They need a convent.

Would you be so kind so as to put this on your blog? The sisters will not accept money donations or checks made out to them, but checks sent to them will be forwarded to the diocese, which will then buy and maintain the house for the sisters (they own nothing, not even their veils, cords, rosaries and habits). The sister will take any checks sent to their motherhouse and send them to the diocese, however.

Please ask your readers, if you choose to post the request I sent previous to put a note in the envelope earmarking the donation for the Franciscan Sisters Minor's convent, and put their order on the memo line of the check (that last is my own suggestion).

Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester
49 Elm St
Worcester, MA 01609

OR

Our Lady of Angels Convent
Franciscan Sisters Minor
PO Box 832
West Warren MA 01092-9998

Sister Clare and the sisters moving to Worcester are staying with the family of Little Audrey Santos until the convent can be purchased.

Thank you!

In the Sacred & Immaculate Hearts - shana

Prayer for a Soldier's Family

I recieved this in an email:

I want to ask for your prayers for my dear friend who just found out her husband was killed on Friday in Afghanistan. They have 6 children ages 13 down to newborn. They were a wonderful Catholic homeschooling family and God is asking alot from her right now to continue on without her husband. Please include them in all your prayers for the upcoming week and always that she remain filled with strength. Thankyou from her and her family.

" Be strong in the Lord, and in His Mighty Power." Ephesians 6:10

Continued Prayers for Ellen

I had the opportunity to talk with Ellen today for a little bit. I had emailed her and told her that many will be praying for her throughout the internet. She called me by phone to extend her heartfelt thanks to all who will intercede for her. Even though she never met any of us, she is overwhelmed that people will pray for her.

Her surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. but she has to go in earlier for identification of lymph nodes.

She just wants tomorrow to be here and be over. Even though it is 21 hours away, it can seem like an eternity waiting for that clock to move. Many people have been calling her and trying to support her. She is so thankful but she is drained and numb. She has to talk with her son by phone tonight who is in the Navy and cannot be here for the surgery. Pray that go well.

So please remember her tomorrow, pray for her peace and strength to come upon her, that the Lord's strenghth and peace flow out of Him to her, pray for all those who will come in contact with her. Pray for her family to love her into healing. I know the Lord will be with her and angels will fill the operating room andprotect her during her surgery that all goes well.

St. Monica, Pray For Us

On St. Monica's feast, a friend has requested prayers for the conversion of 'R' so the Holy Spirit will touch his heart and mind; may he become honest, spiritual, responsible; may he receive the gift of discernment so he can recognize his true friends; and may God grant us the gift of reconciliation so we can rebuild our friendship in truth, love, and honesty.

St. Monica, please pray for the successful conversion of all who are searching for the truth, as you did for your son.

Please Pray for Miners Everywhere, UPDATE

UPDATE: Two Chinese Men Dig Themselves Out 6 Days After Mine Collapse

Thank you Lord.

181 Trapped, Feared Dead After Flood in Chinese Coal Mine

Floodwaters from heavy rains poured into two coal mines in a town in eastern China, leaving 181 miners trapped and feared dead, government officials and state media said Saturday.

Prayer Request for Greece

Greek fires reach ancient Olympics site

Ss. Monica & Augustine, please pray...

This week we celebrate the dual Feasts of Ss. Monica & Augustine, St. Monica on the 27th, her son on the 28th. Let us pray to them both for the conversion of many sinners, and most especially for those in our own lives who have fallen away from the True Faith, or who may be in need of conversion. Here is a short, traditional prayer to St. Monica:
"Exemplary Mother of the great Augustine, you perseveringly pursued your wayward son not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so that they may learn to draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray." Amen.

I am on

Thanks for inviting me to this blog...I must admit I am new to this and have just enough in my head to get around on this site...but hopefully will improve.

I ask you today to again remember Ellen in your prayers and thoughts...she will be having an immediate mastectomy on Tuesday. I know she definitely needs the prayers coming for she is devastated by this news. I have never met her, but God does. I pray she find whatever peace she needs to get through this trial.

Hope to be contributing on a regular basis.

St. Anthony Help me Please

Sometimes I feel that perhaps something is not important enough to pray for. For example that my poison ivy rash clears quickly. I do believe, however, that God wants us to rely on him for everything and I also believe we have many saints who are more than happy to pray for our needs - just as we are happy to pray for the needs of others when they ask us. St. Anthony is a favorite saint of mine. So many times when something is lost I find it shortly after saying a short prayer to him such as St. Anthony help me please. The other day I was looking for audio tapes I had borrowed for too long. I was ready to go on line to purchase new ones. My cousin was with me and she said, "We need St. Anthony." She began praying aloud for his help and immediately I found the tapes. I think God was telling us something! Thank you Lord for helping me find the tapes. Thank you for the intercession of your saints in our lives and thank you for hearing our prayer. Amen

To Request Prayers

I know that there are some people out there who would like to see a prayer request posted here - but are not sure how to go about it. If you don't wish to be a regular contributor (with posting access) and you have a request, please simply put your request in the comments of this post and I will see the comment and post the request for you.

Prayers for Ellen

Who has to go for an immediate mastectomy -- a lump was discovered less than two weeks after a mammogram said "all is well ".

Frankie's birthday

Last year, a little girl in my homeschool group had a very big heart surgery in Ann Arbor, Michigan to repair her congenitally deformed heart. The surgery was a success but Frankie never recovered and she passed away in April. She was 2 years and 8 months old.

Tomorrow is Frankie's birthday. It will be a very hard day for her mom and her family. Please keep them in your prayers and if you can offer any words of encouragement, please do. Her web site is here:
CaringBridge.org - francescafrisone

Prayer Request - Pro-Pope Bishop Arrested in China

The following was shared by Sue Cifelli who will be sharing prayer requests.

Chinese authorities have arrested an underground church bishop who organised meetings to distribute and discuss Pope Benedict's Letter to Chinese Catholics.

ARTICLE

Prayer Request for Jean - UPDATE

UPDATE:

(Jean's husband) Bill did not get the job, so please continue your prayers that another door will open for him.
Thanks for all your prayers - they mean a lot to us. We believe that God has something better in mind.

Please continue to keep Jean's husband in your prayers.

Dear Esther,

I would like to request prayer for my husband's interview on Thursday afternoon. As you know, he has been laid off for a little over five months and desperately needs full - time work.

Please feel free to add this to your blog as well as your prayer blog and any other prayer line to which you belong.

Thanks for your prayers.

God bless you,
Jean
Catholic Fire

Thanks for Safe Flights

In the past month and a half I have known a lot of people flying hither and yon. Since it's vacation season, I'm sure I'm not the only one. And while people may have suffered inconveniences and waits, they all arrived in their destinations safely.

So thanks for:
My brother and his family safely from Bahrain to NJ
My brother and his son safely from NJ to Wisconsin and back
My friend and her family safely to Uzbekistan
Cousins safely from Germany to US and back
My brother and his family safely from NJ to FL
(and since I haven't heard differently) my brother safely to Haiti.

Thank you God for airplanes and pilots and safe flights.

Requesting Prayers--UPDATE

For my friend's father-in-law, Jim, who is having a malignant brain tumor removed today. Timetable has him out of the hospital by Tuesday or earlier! Please pray for Jim, his wife and family, and all his surgeons, doctors, nurses and other caregivers.

UPDATE: The surgery went well, and Jim was awake, talking and hungry (all good signs) less than 12 hours after the surgery began. His daughter-in-law said that if all goes well, he'll be home in his recliner by Monday!

Prayer Request for the Success of the Nationawide Public Square Rosary

This prayer request comes from my mom. That the public square rosary rally that she is organizing as well as all the others nationwide, be successful in promoting and honoring our Blessed Mother on the 90th Anniversary of Fatima.

Prayer Request for the Victims of the Black Hawk Helicopter Crash in Iraq

Please pray for 14 soldiers who died when their Black Hawk helicopter went down. 10 of the 14 were soldiers stationed at Schofield Barracks on Oahu.

Posted at 12:09 a.m., Thursday, August 23, 2007
Army's worst day

Advertiser Staff and News Services
Ten Hawai'i soldiers were among those killed when a Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed today in northern Iraq, a statement from Schofield Barracks said tonight.

ARTICLE from the Honolulu Advertiser

ARTICLE FROM THE HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN

Updates on Bryan

Thank youa ll for your prayers about Bryan who was hurt in a shooting accident. There is a website where you can get updates about his condition and how he is doing.

Bryan Holland

Please Pray for Missing Priest

UPDATE: Priest Body Found
ARTICLE

The body missing priest, Father Greg Brennan, has been found in the waters of the Kinzua Dam Reservoir. Father Brennan went missing on Friday after going to a cabin owned by the St. Bonaventure Friary to go boating. He was reported missing when he didn't show up for mass on Sunday at his church, St. Pacificus Roman Catholic in Cattaraugus County. Father Brennan was a priest at St. Pacificus for 18 years and on staff at St. Bonaventure University for 21 years.

I do not know if there has been an update. I am just getting around to my email now.

The Associated Press

SOUTH VALLEY, N.Y. (AP) ­ Authorities in two states searched Monday for a Roman Catholic priest after his boat turned up empty and damaged near the shore of a reservoir that straddles the New York-Pennsylvania line.

The Rev. Greg Brennan, 56, was reported missing by officials at St. Bonaventure University after he failed to return from a boating trip Saturday on the Kinzua Dam Reservoir, which lies on the western side of New York's Allegany State Park.

His damaged, 19-foot motor boat was discovered Saturday evening on the reservoir's east shore in Pennsylvania a few miles south of a marina in South Valley where it was usually moored.

Several law enforcement agencies in both states used boats during the search Monday, but rain and fog prevented state police helicopters from taking part, said New York State Police Investigator Bob Ingalls.

ARTICLE

Prayer Request

This request came from John Long, the former director of Hawaii Right to Life. His nephew is suffering from cancer. The following article is about his nephew's son:

Father's Day, every day
Codi Boek put football dream aside when his dad needed him most

Prayer Request for Tracy's Brother

Please keep Tracy's brother in your prayer

Yes Esther, if you could put my brother Craig on your prayer list that would be awesome.

(A little history)
He has Pancreatitis, he was in the hospital for it a couple months ago and the doctors ran test after test and they just don't know why he has it and now it keeps coming back and the pain is unbearable and the doctors don't know why it comes back and they are running more tests and seeking answers. Sometimes it is associated with alcoholism but in my brothers case the doctors said that is clearly not the case as my brother doesn't drink.

On top of this my brother and his wife have a daughter with severe autism and it is so much work and stress and for my brother to have to be admitted to the hospital puts a huge stress on his wife.

We just really needs answers to why this keeps coming back and prayers that the doctors will find an answer.

thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Tracy

Update on Missing 9-year-old

According to news reports the rescue mission in the case of 9-year-old Michael Zapletal, who was swept away in the Kansas River, has switched to a recovery mission.

Please continue to pray for this family, that they may find peace in the midst of this tragedy.

Praise Report - North Shore Fires

Fires on Oahu's North Shore Finally Contained

A Mother's Prayer Time

Karen Edmisten has written a wonderful article about a finding prayer time as a mother, and also - on how God answered her prayer for patience (and so quickly too). Check it out.

Please Pray for Those Affected by the North Shore Fires

burning on Oahu, especially those at the Benedictine Monastery. The following email was shared by a member of one of my Catholic homeschooling groups:

We are fine... so far... The fire has looked like it is all out a couple of
times only to come back to life since it is so dry. But at this point things look pretty secure and we have not had any fire of smoke damage immediately next to us. It got to about the other side of the ridge just east of us, where you come up the road to the pond. We were blessed by all the people who expressed their concern, offered to help, and prayed for us. Thanks, Fr. David B.

St. John Bosco, Pray For Them

This prayer request, very similar to Barb's was in the comments.

I'll pray for Adventure Boy. I've got a 7 year old "adventure girl" as a neighbor who is also breaking my heart. My oldest kid is only 4 and way younger than Adventure girl in experience. I've had to put sharp restrictions on the where and when of play because my kids are so little & we have a newborn at our house. Instead of early morning visits, Adventure Girl visits our home late at night -9 PM and wonders why my 2 & 4 year old can't come outside to play. Excuses like "dinner/bath/bedtime" don't mean anything so night after night its the same routine.The doorbell rings again and again "can't they come out now?" I get frustrated easily with her now.

Then something happens like my husband telling me that he saw Adventure Girl at our apartment pool and she doesn't own a bathsuit, just swims in a tee shirt and shorts. And I think "och, that is poverty- the broken shoelaces and no bedtime must also come from a Mom who is just really overwhelmed."

St. John Bosco is a good saint to pray to for her and Adventure Boy. Please let me know if you get any insights on this challenge.

Please Pray

Please pray for 9 year old Michael Zapletal and his family, who fell into the Kansas River 2 days ago while boating and is still missing.

Thanks for Sunny Skies

I prayed for a nice day for the kids production of The Wizard of Oz. And it was beautiful - despite early morning predictions of a chance of showers. The weather was perfect. The cast was superb. The day was fantastic.

Thanks God for giving us a great day all around.

Edited to add: We had two major thunderstorms come through this afternoon and evening complete with brown-out. Well, I did pray for nice weather during the show - and I got that!

Please Pray

This came my way through Laura.

One of the really great, homeschooling families named the Anderson's have 6 boys and only one girl named Laura. She is 15 and a super great gal. She is the second oldest and their family lives out in the country on the outskirts of town. Anyway, yesterday they (the boys, Laura, and some friends) were trap shooting in the yard and Laura went to re-load her shotgun. The gun was on safety but it accidentally went off, shooting a 15 year old friend (the nephew of a very dear friend of mine) in the shoulder and head. He for sure lost his left eye and they are all praying that he keeps sight in his right (he only sees shadows right now) there is one piece of shot in his brain but it's right on the edge and they are just going to leave it as it doesn't seem to be having any impact on anything. Please pray for both of these HUGE families.

We will indeed pray.
Mary, mother of God, pray for these families, that those who have been both hurt physically and mentally from this will always know that God's love will heal all their pains. Amen.

...And for those who have no one to pray for them...

Unfortunately this is not the kind of prayer request that will lead to an immediate answer. This is more of an ongoing prayer request.

This morning before 7:00, our doorbell rang. Of course I thought the worst, and went scrambling for my robe and my glasses to go answer the door.

It was Adventure Boy (age 5), in a filthy T-shirt, sandals on the wrong feet, carrying a large wrestler toy and an even larger "Brother Bear" and wearing a safari hat and binoculars.

Obviously he was ready for just about anything that early in the morning!

However, we were not ready for anything at that hour. In fact, no one else was awake. I told him that it was too early to play and that he had to go back home. Then after I closed the door I thought maybe I should follow him and make sure he went home. So I found some shoes and headed back out the front door, only to find him coming down the path from the back of the house--he had tried to visit our backyard neighbors when I told him it was too early!

I escorted him down the driveway and began walking down the street with him, and then saw his grandmother standing in front of the house.

Very slowly, Adventure Boy walked home.

St. John Bosco, pray for him and for all the Adventure Boys of the world. And while you're praying, pray for me and all the neighbors of Adventure Boys. We need to know what to do.

For Those in Peru

I don't know if we'll ever know what kind of answer there is to this prayer, but Lord, please be with the people of Peru. Help them in this time of terrible tragedy.

Prayers for a Soul

Ellen has requested prayers for her father-in-law who passed away yesterday. She has a wonderful tribute to him at her blog From Across the Net.

Update from Donna-Marie

Donna-Marie has posted an update on her neighbor who had a bad fall. She is still in need of prayers: she's in a trauma center with two broken arms and other injuries.

Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Reflections on Prayer

I've been thinking about prayer (wonder why) and posted some of my thoughts over at The Simple and the Ordinary. Head on over and see why Betsy didn't get the pony (it will make sense when you read it)

A Fair Weather Prayer

I know there are a lot of serious requests out there. But I have one that is not so serious. Tomorrow my kids are performing in a show - outdoors - rain or shine. I'd prefer shine. So, this is just a little prayer for a little sunshine upon "The Wizard of Oz" tomorrow.

Prayers for the Heart

Christine at Memories of a Catholic Mom has this prayer request listed on her blog for her Dad who is having an angiogram today.

Ask, Search, Knock

I thought it appropriate to share this with you:

"Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, 'My friend, lend me three loaves..."

Ask, Search, Knock

We can be embarrassed by prayer of petition for sometimes we feel that we pray only when we want something. Jesus tells us not to have such inhibitions. The prayer of petition is natural because it expresses our awareness of our relationship with God. We are creatures who are not our own beginning or last end. Christ is glorified by what we ask the Father in his name. Because of God´s love for us we can ask for anything.

Prayer

Father, teach me to pray. Fill my lips with words that you want to hear. You are the Holy One whom all should honour and revere. May your Kingdom come in the fullness of time. I pray that the love of you may permeate the universe.

Give us the food we need each day, food for body, food for soul. I need your forgiveness for my faults and failings. I am often proud and over-confident, not remembering that I can do little without your help. Teach me the way to forgive and forget. Help me not to have bitterness within me. Give me the spirit, Lord, to forgive those who sinned against me. Do not let me wander to occasions of sin.

Help me to love you with all my heart, loving my neighbour as myself. May I always be humble enough to say "Your will be done". You know, Lord, what is best for me and those around me. As I storm heaven with prayer, you are listening, giving what I need. Thank you, Lord, for all you did for me. Don´t forget me in the months and years to come. Give me the chance to honour and praise you for all eternity. Amen.

Prayer Request for an Elderly Friend

Here is a octogenarian who is independent, lives in her own home, etc. Yet, her "family" and certain "friends" want her to take advantage of her. They pressure her to sell her home, to move into a care facility, to leave her property to them, etc. Please pray that this person does not fall prey to those who want to take advantage. One recently borrowed something that my friend was reluctant to share...something that had been a project for many years, and it has not been returned.

And, while we are at it, let us remember all the elderly who are very vulnerable.

Thank you.

More Updates from Elena

Elena left a comment today about her neighbor. I'm posting it here so no one misses it.

Shayla had surgery yesterday. They could not save her eye and she will need to have a lot of corrective facial surgery. The bullet is also still in her shoulder and they are concerned about it causing more nerve damage. So clearly she has a long road to recovery ahead.

They did catch her son Allen last night unharmed. I am so relieved. No one on the street was letting their kids play outside yesterday.

Their whole family and our little community needs prayers.

Donna-Marie Requests Prayers for a Neighbor

Donna-Marie at Daily Donna-Marie came upon her elderly neighbor being strapped onto a stretcher after a bad fall. She's requesting prayers for this woman.

And - Uneventful it Was

The doctor's visit was appropriately uneventful. While a biopsy was done, the doctor saw no cause for concern.

Thank you God - that's one less thing we have to worry about.

The Answers Aren't Always What You Think They'll Be

My great-Aunt Florence had three children all very close in age. When they were still quite small, the middle child had a tendency to wet his bed.

Every night he wet his bed. The other two never had this problem, just the middle child. And every night my Aunt Florence would have to get up and change the wet sheets.

Finally, one night, exhausted from all this late-night linen changing, she prayed "Dear God, please don't let him wet his bed tonight. Please Lord."

And the Lord heard her prayers and he answered them. The middle child did not wet his bed that night.

The other two did.

Thank you God for having a sense of humor.

Update on Elena's Prayer request

Elena posted an update on the shooting situation on her blog today. I'll link again as she posts more.

Prayers definitely still needed for the woman who was shot, her son who shot her, and the nine-year-old boys who were the first on the scene and called 911.

For Heather from Bill

At this moment in time Heather is, without any degree of exaggeration, distraught: trembling, crying and dealing with fragile, raw nerves.

I left her in the parking lot of the Oncologist's offices. I hugged her and told her that we would come back to this spot and we would hug again when she was 69 and I was 79 years old-ten years from now.

The journey in front of her, to then and there, is going to be a difficult one. She will have to fight hard to get there. BUT she must fight. I tell you here and now that I would forgive anyone who chooses not to 'fight'. I really would. But it seems that the 'enemy' she has to fight is really only getting started against her. The cancer is so small and not so defined. They cant even go in to remove it because it is so small and in tiny bits and pieces.

So she must undergo six more months of chemo.

This news was shattering to her. She did not realize the ramifications of what the doctor was throwing at her. The doctor thought that she knew what she was walking into today That made it all the more difficult for her. She asked me along so that I could be there to support her and to ask some of the questions for her. She also had a pediatrician friend and neighbor come along. This was a doctor who had, successfully, fought a cancer in her past and so she knew some of the 'heavy' questions to ask and the oncologist was impressed with the doctor's knowledge and the questions she asked on Heather's behalf.

She held Heather and helped to dry her tears. I did my best to do that as well but the Good Doctor lady did a much better job than I.

Heather must go and get a 'Port' surgically 'installed' in her body and she must go through another six months of chemotherapy. She had an awful time last time-last year and now this again.

I will be a different drug--Avastin--a drug designed to cut of f blood supply to the tumors. I have heard of this drug and it appears to hold out great hope and promise to Cancer patients.

ANYWAY--Heather needs it ALL--support thoughts and prayers.

This lady is very spiritual and so it means a great deal to her to think that many people are praying for her.

Thank you

Bill.

Prayers for All Involved

Elena over at My Domestic Church has posted a very urgent prayer request. Please head there and let her know you are praying.

Prayers for Uneventful Doctor's Visit

Tomorrow my husband is going to the dermatologist about a mole that's been starting to act funny. Please pray that it is no big deal. He had a mole removed once before, and it was 'no big deal', hopefully this is the same.

Oh, and One More Thing

I need someone to join me who has some creative talent so we can make this blog look pretty.

Why This Blog?

How often do we ask God for something? Often, I suspect. And sometimes the things are little (please let the child throw up in the toilet this time) and sometimes they are big (please let him have survived the accident). And sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes the answer is "later" and sometimes we don't know what the answer is at all.

But when we do get an answer how often do we go back and say - Hey thanks for listening and answering my prayer, God. Probably not quite as often as we request things. (though probably more so on the big things)

I'd like this blog to be a place where people can post prayer requests - and therefore allow others to pray for your intentions but also (and maybe more importantly) a place to post Answered Prayers.

Sometimes prayers are answered in unusual ways. And sharing this with others will allow us to reflect on the way that God does work in our lives.

So - please, join me in this endeavor.

If someone wants to be a contributor - please comment and let me know. If you just want to post once or twice and not be an official contributor, you can post your information in the comments and I'll create a post for you.

Call for Contributors

The more people that can contribute to this blog the more successful it will be. Please leave a comment if you would like to be a contributor.

Please note if you want to be a contributor I need access to your e-mail address. If it is not in your blogger profile then please e-mail me (Christine M - my e-mail is in my profile) and I will send an invite.

One Came Back

As Jesus was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master!" Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice: and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" THen he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." (Luke 17:12-19)