Can ya'll believe that we are already in the middle of June? I am just now getting used to writing 2009. Time flies. I know that is an old adage but it is so true.
No big plans for the Pope family this weekend. This time last week I was gearing up for my writing retreat. A week has passed already, time flies. I know, I said that already but I could not help myself. Smile
I hope everyone has a great weekend. We have been reading through the Bible for five and a half months. I am so proud of you for hanging in there. This is quite a goal to meet. Don't get discouraged if you have missed or are behind, just start with today and move forward.
Until Monday...
Until Monday...
11 Comments:
Morning Girlfriends,
You all have been in my prayers...Jodie I was very happy to read about your results! Praise you Lord. Enjoy your pregnancy. Time flies. (hehe}
Amy Jane, I'm so hoping you are feeling peace. I prayed for your situation. I just kept hearing God say, everything happens for a reason. Trust that what happened is for the best. We don't always know why, but there is a reason. The Bible tells us to trust in Him, He is our Father. He loves that special couple that so badly wants a child. Glory will come.
Now, I'm on my way to the hospital. Surgery went very well
yesterday and everything seemed to be going good; however, they could not remove the respirator. The doctor had told me the day before that he usually likes to get this out as soon as possible after surgery. It's a device going into his mouth keeping him breathing. If it is kept in too long an infection can occur. We were hoping it would come out around 2:00 yesterday at the latest...he never woke up. Last night they tried to wake him up and he got real agitated, so they decided to "wait it out." Pray that he wakes up! Seeing him in the I.C. was hard. He looked dead. White. Tubes in/out...stomach covered with all kinds of contraptions. He's got the sweetest nurse that does not leave his side. Fortunately, she is on staff, again today & tomorrow. There is a different gal from 7p.m-7a.m.
Love you all,
Lori -AZ
PS Help me be like Micaiah!
Obeying God was far more important than is freedom. He was a courageous man that walked with God! Tragic consequences can happen to anyone who follows in Ahab's footsteps...Let us NEVER have a deregard the Word of God.
Good morning ladies of God!
Lori, my message for you today is 'what a difference a day makes'. i am praying for you and your father, and thanking him for his health and the team, especially that sweet nurse/angel!! i appreciate your prayers on my behalf...i actually went to visit the couple in the city hospital i'd tranferred them to ...i was well recieved, and we spent some time looking at the photos and footprints of the baby. interestingly they brought up adoption, and i was so prepared by God to minister to them with my testimony and pictures of my 2 asian beauties... i think we made a true God connection...
it is interesting, because when there is a bad outcome in medicine the lawyers are quick to tell you to not apologize, lest you seem like you had a part in the outcome... God just kept telling me to reach out to this couple... i knew that i could've been walking into a negative situation, with all their grief, and the crisis and the loss. they might think i could've done something differently that could've led to a better outcome. they might've needed a scapegoat to accuse or someone to vent on... i knew that, and prayed that i could handle whatever happened, in love... and i really do think we made a connection... i am glad i met them. i guess that's when people really need us. its easy to be supportive in the easy times and the good outcomes. i really stepped out of my boat here, and God grabbed my hand and let me walk on the stormy waters without drowning...
praise His Name!!
thank you for all your prayers and support,
love, amy jane
Amy Jane, Lori, Jodie thanks for sharing your life here. Praying for all of you. Lori, your need is especially dear to my heart. Sending hugs.
There was so much in today's reading. I loved the encouragement I received through several different passages. The reminder that the battle is the Lord's - "Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm." 2 Chron. 20:20 "Don't be discouraged...for the battle is not yours, but God's" vs. 15. "But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. He is with you...Do not be afraid or discouraged." vs.17
I also was blessed by vs 22, "At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused..." Pondering, what has my praise caused?
The verse that took my full attention today was, "An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor." 1 Kings 22:34
The word "randomly" here made me smile. Did the author of 1 Kings have tongue-in-cheek as he penned those words? Did he really believe that arrow was the work of chance? The kings death had been foretold, albeit mocked. That arrow flew in direct proportion to God's prophecy. Do you realize how exact that shot would have been to pierce so specifically between the joints of the king's armor? That was not a big bullseye, but a tiny target.
I've been reminded today that God is in control. "Random", although a word used often as an expression by the younger generation, cannot be found in God's vocabulary. He does nothing by chance, but all by design.
That health crisis - an arrow precisely chosen.
That job loss - a preplanned walk.
That disappointed relationship - a foreknown journey.
That struggle with emotions - a watched over battle.
That prodigal child - a chapter, but not the end of the story.
That financial stress - an opportunity for God to provide.
Whatever we're facing, we can rest in realizing it isn't random. That "arrow" had to pass through the bow of God's permissive will.
Love to you all this weekend!
Hugs,
Joy
Wendy I wanted to pop on real quick and say thank you for what you said today about getting behind or missing a day. I have had a rough week keeping up. I have been gone just about every day trying to find things for Will to do. Any of you ladies that have had smaller kids have any suggestions for me? He is an only child, 5 and has a hard time entertaining himself. The past few days I have really been having hard time. My perfectionistic personality has a hard time when I miss a reading and things like that. My reading and prayer time has been cut in half since he has been out of school, my house is a wreck, and I feel so behind on everything. My prayer-friend said something the other day to me about enjoying time I have with him this summer. I am, but I am not a good mom when I don't have time to be quiet, read my Bible and pray.
Just struggling right now.
Hope you all are doing well. I have caught some of the prayer requests as I pop in and out. Hugs and Prayers for you ladies.
Love,
Brandee
Thanks for listening to my whining :) Feeling better today! Love to you all.
Brandee, so thankful you're feeling better. Hope you received my message on your blog.
I just had to come back today because a very "strange" verse spoke to me this morning :o)
"Jehoshaphat also built a fleet of trading ships to sail to Ophir for gold. But the ships never set sail, for they met with disaster in their home port of Eziongeber." 1 Kings 22:38
Plans destroyed. Effort wasted. "Ships" that never put out to sea. Dreams unfulfilled. Hopes that were shattered before they "sailed". I'm sure we all have a "fleet" of them.
Regardless of the 'why's', it's what we do after the calamity that determines our survival. If we allow the shipwreck to keep us from 'sailing' again we will drown in the waters of disappointment and sorrow. Maybe we did the wrong thing. Maybe the timing was off. But, how do we respond to the sinking of our ships?
I believe there is purpose in pain and strengthening through sorrow. The 'ships' my family are building right now, trying to help my Dad, keep getting bashed on the shore as waves continue to beat their frame. Sea billows are rocking our plans and storms continue to brew. We are all swimming in uncharted water, but our anchor is holding firm. Our "home port" is facing some extreme weather, but God is with us. We are trusting our lives into the hands of the Captain and know that He is working in ways we cannot see.
Our design might have been incorrect. Our method faulty. Our motivation selfish. Our timing rash. I firmly believe that each 'ship' that has been demolished thus far is for our protection and safety. Being "met with disaster in their home port" is easier than hardship in the open sea. What grace. What mercy. A 'dock' and 'shoreline' offer comfort and peace.
When the Lord finally christens our 'ship' with His blessing, it will set sail and the journey will be lovely.
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21
Trusting we'll all place our plans in God's hand, and only build at His command,
Joy
Good Morning,
'What a difference a day makes,' - Amy Jane I held on to those words and the Spirit must have led you to write them to me. I felt God's peace throughout the day yesterday. I'm amazed at the miracles God performs through the medical profession. My Dad is doing unbelievably well. All tubes were taken out by the end of the day. They are working to get his blood sugar regulated and then, today, most likely he'll be leaving the I.C. and going into a regular room. I do believe we had an angel for a nurse. She's been by his side the whole time. This whole surgery is part of God's plan. Thank you for your prayers.
Sweet Brandee, we've all been there where we just feel like we are going to pull our hair out! Child rearing is not for the weak! :) It's the hardest job you'll ever love.
*get enough sleep
*spend time in God's Word-if you can't get to it first thing...don't be hard on yourself. That is nice, but you can't always be perfect. You can offer up praises to him while you're fixing breakfast, etc. Praying and talking to Him, first thing.
*give up extra things
*try and have some time each week to be by yourself away from Will.
I remember sometimes when just going to the grocery store was a treat! :)
*remember when we're tired and weary...the enemy comes in full throttle! don't give him this satisfaction. don't worry about the dust...or fingerprints. appreciate the time you have with Will. The summer will be over before you know it and he'll be in school all day long. There will be more time than you need then.
*It is a season of life right now.
ENJOY the MOMENTS. Seek God each morning and he will come through.
Enjoy God's presence. Take time to feel His loving arms wrapped around you. No matter what...we've got Him with us!
Lori - AZ
Good morning, girls.
It is so good to hear from you...I am glad to read from Amy Jane that you were able to visit with the family in the city hospital. It really sounds like you were listening to the voice of God and went to visit them.
Lori, I am so glad to hear how well your dad is doing. I have also had my aortic valve (root and stem as well) replaced and have kept him in my thoughts and prayers.
Joy, you are such an inspiration...I too marked the same verses yesterday! Thanks for keeping us updated on the situation; it helps us know how to pray.
I am reading the "Yada Yada Prayer Group"series and it reminds me in some ways of our "Wendy's Group". The only difference is that we don't actually see one another in person..yet in spirit it's wonderful!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend...please keep our schools in prayer.
nancy
It's interesting to read about so many aortic root and valve problems here. My son (19) was diagnosed at 13 yrs old with an enlarged aortic root and his tri cuspid valve only is a bicuspid...it should have 3 slits instead of 2. Anyway, we watch it yearly and so far so good; but I'd like to know how the rest of you or yours found out about their heart problems? I'm wondering if he'll need surgery down the road.
Small thing I noticed in our reading: Elijah was described as a hairy man. Wasn't John the Baptist and Esau also described as hairy? Interesting.
I also noticed how Jehoram became king and then killed all his brothers. Where's the love? Where's the empathy? Where's the kindness? We see jealousy and anger and meanness when God is not present. I cannot fathom killing all my brothers.
Beautiful weekend in MN....loving every minute of it!
Morgen
Girls, I am back from vacation and what a week you all have had. It feels so good to come back and get into step with all of you. I also am glad to read about your dad's successful surgery Lori.
Brandee, you sound like me girlfriend. Please remember that while reading God's Word is important, that He is not limited to just your quiet time. I have been amazed how many times God has given me just what I needed through the circumstances with my boys, a song on the radio, or a friend calling. God knows your circumstances, and most of all, He knows your heart. You can trust that He will not leave you even in the chaos of summer.
Also, please don't feel guilty for requiring your son to have "quiet time" in his room where he has to entertain himself for an hour or even just thirty minutes at first. Books on CD are also great for these times. My five year old loves to have a CD player in his room where he can listen to books from the library. Somehow, I feel better too about it since it is not TV.
Hope these help!
To everyone, have a great week and most of all, remember that we serve a God who wants obedience, but He also is a mighty God of Grace!!!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions and comments. I love the idea of books on tape and as much as Will loves to read and things I think he will really like those alot. I sat down today and prayerfully made a schedule. I shared it with Lori :) I don't want to be rigid, but I think as long as we have a semblance of a routine weekly our summer will go great. Last week I tried to do too much and it caught up with me. We do plan on going to the zoo some and that is about a 50 minute trip to get here so that will be all day things when we go, but most of the time I plan on being back home by 1:30 each day so we can have afternoon quiet time, exercise and chore time before John gets home from work. Thanks again and I pray I will be able to keep up in the reading. I think the new schedule will help alot and I am going to listen to my Esther Beth study here at home instead of being bound to a weekly meeting early on Monday mornings. That way if I can't get a whole week done one week I can just do what I can do and then move on.
Blessings everyone! Thanks sisters :)
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