Prayer Update 3

"Nevertheless, I am always with you."

Psalm 73:23

“Nevertheless,” -- “nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God!”  By this is meant continually upon his mind, He is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before His eye;—the eye of the Lord never sleeps, but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in His hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on His heart, worn there as a memorial......You always think of me, O God. The heart of Your love continually yearn towards me. You are always making providence work for my good. You have set me as a signet upon Your arm; Your love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it. Surprising grace!" C.H. Spurgeon

This is part of my devotional reading from yesterday morning.  And it really ministered to me.  I am learning about His love for me, trying to appropriate what I know in my head and experience it in my heart.  It is amazing to me to see what He is doing in our lives in this challenging time.  Much blessing.

Maggie and I are safely home and it is always so good to get back after a trip and relish time with our family.  Our time in California was very good.  So many blessings, some of which I wrote about last time.

We are poised to start our move to the rental on Monday.  It will be a process over the coming weeks, but we are trying to get set up as much as we can in this next week so we can stay there.  It proved helpful to my overall well-being to be out of our house for the past week, so we are working on getting moved as quickly as we can.  We would really appreciate prayer for that process to go well and smoothly.

Thank you again for your prayers for all of us.  We so greatly appreciate you!

Prayer Requests:

~ Moving process to go smoothly and quickly.

~ Dale still needs a vehicle.

Prayer Update 2

 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly

beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us,
to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 & 21

I've read these verses so many times, and have realized their truth on a number of occasions, but yesterday they were made even more real to me than in the past.

Maggie and I are in California to handle some final things regarding my dad and his death in February.  Years ago he had asked that, when the time came, my brother and I scatter his ashes, together with those of our mom, in a couple of special places.  Through a series of events that have been difficult, I thought his ashes had already been scattered, precluding the opportunity to carry out what he had indicated he wanted done.  When we got here, I discovered that this was not the case and that his ashes had been entrusted to me after all.  Through another series of events, I had brought my mom's ashes with us on this trip.  My brother and I had planned to spend the day together up in the mountains in one of the places Dad had wanted their ashes scattered, so we were able to honor his wishes and, in a blessing beyond what I could ask or think, gain some closure over his death.  There is no way I could have orchestrated all that.  I am beyond grateful.

And, in the same vein, yesterday we also committed to a rental home in the Chehalis area which is available to us for a number of months.  It is a very good situation for us and we are so very, very grateful.  We'll be starting the moving process very soon.  Thank you for praying with us about this.  What an amazing "nothing-is-too-difficult-for-Me" God we serve.  Praise Him!

Prayer Update 1

This is the message we have heard from Him

and announce to you,

that God is Light,

and in Him there is no darkness at all.

1John 1:5 

I just wanted to give a quick update and ask for prayer for a couple of things.

The past few days have been pretty difficult with my back and weight loss again.  I had a reaction to something on Tuesday and wasn't able to eat very well for a couple of days.  I'm doing better now, but have some ground to regain.  It seems that my back is at least partly related to my stomach, so it's been one of those weeks.  I went to my back doctor today and I was "out" for the first time in 10 weeks, which is some sort of record for me.  I'm recovering from the adjustment.  So, I would appreciate prayer for the ability to eat well and gain back the weight I lost this past week.

Maggie and I are taking a trip to California starting on Sunday to deliver a car to my brother.  I am looking forward to the trip, even though it'll be tiring.  I'm hoping that being away from the mold issues will be helpful for these days.  We would appreciate prayer for safety going and coming, and for blessing and ministry as we see several dear friends, my brother and my only girl cousin who I haven't seen in many, many years.  I'm so looking forward to seeing her.  I will also be spending some time with an old friend who is involved in Theophostic healing ministry.  Very cool.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Ability to eat and gain weight, again  :-)

~ Safety on our trip to California

~ Blessed time with friends and family

Thank you!

40 Days of Prayer - Day 40

Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised,

And His greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 145:3

Wow.  We are at the end of the 40 Days of Prayer, and what comes to mind is this verse.  Great is the LORD!

Once again, I want to go through and highlight His wonderful answers over these past weeks to bring us encouragement and to remind us of His greatness.  All of these have been answered in the affirmative.  Amazing, isn't it?  Our prayers move God on behalf of His loved ones.

So.....going back to the beginning and progressing through today........

~That we'd be able to investigate the gall bladder possibility quickly and effectively.

~That God would reveal to us the root cause(s) of the issues I'm dealing with.

~ That we would be able to discern God's voice in how He wants us to proceed.

~ Looking ahead to Wednesday, that Dale's interview with Catholic Services will go well and that he will get the job.  Soon.

~ Perseverance in adversity and infirmity.  

~ That God would continue to reveal the truth of my health issues and shed light on the paths we are to take in pursuing healing.

~ That the gall bladder test will be definitive (test was negative).

~ Doctor/Nurse conversation later in the week regarding meds/treatment for adrenals and thyroid.

~ I need to be able to give a definitive answer by June 30th as to whether I will be able to work 3 weeks in August.  So I need clarity on that.

~ Accurate results from gall bladder test, and also from blood draws today.

~ This letter and a doctor I can work with, locally or otherwise.  Locally would be so amazing, but maybe it isn't to be.

~ I work my half-day shift tomorrow, and I am looking for His sufficiency in that.

~ This conversation with the ND tomorrow to determine if we feel it would be a good fit to work together on my health issues.

~ It seems to me that it would be good to be able to see the ND very soon, providing he is the one the Lord confirms.

~ Integration of this new information about possible pancreas problems into the big picture. 

~ Wisdom & revelation for the Dr. as he looks at my history and labs, etc. and the clear confirmation, or not, of whether he is the right one.

~ Praise, praise, praise for this amazing answer! (Dr. Matt)

~ An enlightening and productive appointment tomorrow, with the IV therapy making some headway in stabilizing me.

~That the tests would reveal nothing wrong with the baby. (After Daniel's and Sarah's accident)

~ Continued perseverance through the ups and downs of unpredictable days.

~ Continued light to be shone on my endocrine issues, as well as the best treatments and order in which they should be administered.

~ Continued prayer for provision this month before Dale starts getting full paychecks, which will be at the end of the month.

~ Smooth transition with this new med. 

~ Work issues for me are still stressful.  I need to be able to leave all that with the Lord and not dwell on what I can't do and how I can't help right now.  These are lessons in recognizing that I am not sufficient.  He is.

~ I desire continued clarity on treatment options (supplements, meds, etc.), as in what is of most importance and where to put the money we have, and in what order.

~ Continued figuring out of meds and supplements that will work for me in building up my intestinal and endocrine health.

~ Rejoicing in trials and not getting discouraged on difficult days.

~ Jessie's health concerns (from a previous post)

~ Perseverance

~ Effective doctor's appointment on Monday, with clear communication on my part.

~ Clarity in presenting questions to my doctor tomorrow, and helpful & definitive answers.

~ Safety on the crazy I-5 corridor and that we can get there on time.  Last time it was a zoo.

 

I am so grateful for the prayers of all of you through these weeks.  We have truly seen the hand of God orchestrating these amazing answers.  When I think of where we started, walking in the dark as to what my issues are, the discouragement, the seeming hopelessness of dealing with the medical community in a meaningful way, and now realize where we are with a doctor beyond any imaginings, it is just amazing.  The road is still long.  But there is renewed hope and strength in the power of His might, for nothing is too difficult for Him.  Nothing.

I will continue to update the blog through the weeks ahead.  Probably not everyday, but when significant things happen, or needs arise, I will post entries and prayer requests.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your faithful prayers for us.  We are grateful beyond words.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ A housing solution that is perfect in God's eyes.

~ A vehicle for Dale.

~ Continued clarity on treatment for me and positive responses by my body to the ones being implemented, and particularly....

~ Weight gain by focusing on gut health and protein supplementation.  The doctor is targeting 105 as a goal for now. (That's about 13 pounds.)

Bless you, each one.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 39

"But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD;

I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me."

Micah 7:7

My God will hear me. Hear us.  Isn't that amazing?  And He has.  

Answers from yesterday's requests:

Today went well.  First, we made the trip with no incident at all.  We were almost an hour early.  Didn't want to take a chance on being late again.  I-5 was clear sailing all the way there.  THAT is a blessing!

The time with Dr. Matt was very good.  I'm not sure how to express what a blessing this doctor is.  Wow.  He listens well, and answers in humility.  We were able to cover all the questions on my list and I have come away encouraged.  The aspect of trying to determine what is most important in treatment options, and then carry them out in a way we can financially sustain, was appreciated and understood by him and we worked on a plan to effect the things he determines are most important.  I so appreciate that.  This healing process is going to take awhile, and I have come to a certain peace with that, and now with a better grasp of the "big picture," I feel as if I'm coming at this from a position of strength.  So, we will devote our resources to those things he recommends as most beneficial, and see what the Lord does with it all.

You all have been a huge part of this process and I am so grateful to you for praying with us through this time.  What a blessing.

I think the thing that we most need prayer on at this point is clarity on what to do about our housing situation.  There are many factors that need to be considered, and we are asking God to give a crystal clarity to His answer.  Not to our myriad ideas of possibilities, but HIS answer.  He knows all the facets perfectly and we have only a dim and smoky view from here.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Clarity in God's answer to our housing situation.

~ Dale's need for a vehicle.

~ That the chosen treatments will be effective in bringing healing to my body.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 38

"You were tired out by the length of your road,

Yet you did not say, 'It is hopeless.'

You found renewed strength,

Therefore you did not faint.

Isaiah 57:10

Look at this verse I found today.  Wow.

I am just so tired.  Weary.  I had a food reaction this afternoon that has wiped me out.  I needed an encouraging word, and here it is.  Isn't it amazing?  I am tired out by the length of this road I'm on, yet I haven't said "It is hopeless."  No, I have hope.  In Him.  His faithfulness.  And I do find renewed strength each day, and I haven't fainted yet.  I love His Word.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my doctor up north.  I have done a lot of looking at supplements in the different areas where I need support, and have formulated a list of products that are more cost effective than some that I am using currently.  I will be talking with him about them and seeking his opinion on whether he believes any of them will work well enough in place of the current products.  I have also formulated a list of questions about my conditions and the possible treatment options.  What we're doing now isn't sustainable financially, and I'm looking for what other possibilities there are that we can manage.  I would so appreciate your prayers on this front.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness in praying for us.  It means a great deal.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Clarity in presenting questions to my doctor tomorrow, and helpful & definitive answers.

~ Safety on the crazy I-5 corridor and that we can get there on time.  Last time it was a zoo.

~ That this verse will play out in my life.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 37

And they gathered [manna] every morning.

Exodus 16:21

When did God provide the manna for the Israelites?  Every morning.  When did they need it? Every morning.  Hmmmm.

In the midst of life, I'm often thinking ahead to what our needs will be.  I'm challenged by this verse that depicted the life of the Israelites for YEARS.  Morning by morning, He provided for them.  Do I trust Him morning by morning, day by day, or am I thinking too far ahead?  I think the "too far ahead" bit is often where I sit.  So, I have work to do.  :-)

Not really any news today, either.  I made it through my shift at work, for which I'm grateful, and had a good time at the Cascade Cookoff listening to the band.  

I'm looking forward to Monday and my doctor's appointment and hopefully some more light shed on treatment options.

Today's Prayer Requests: (Same as yesterday!)

~ Healing for Daniel and Sarah

~ Housing solution

~ Effective doctor's appointment on Monday, with clear communication on my part.

~ Vehicle for Dale

 

Thanks for praying! 

 

A few shots from the Cookoff today.

The band on the trailer/stage.

Jessie and Maggie

Part of the band on the trailer/stage  :-)

Isn't she beautiful?!