Oh glorious day!!  I woke up this morning feeling better than I have felt in several days.  Stomach giving me a fit again.  Can't wait to see the surgeon next week to see what he can do for me. 
Also, today I celebrate my nephew Christian's 6th birthday.  What a precious child he is.  I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday, as I was his mommy's lamaze coach.  I didn't get to do much coaching because I was almost two hours away when she went into labor, but I was there to witness one of the greatest miracles I've ever seen as that beautiful baby boy entered this world.  I will never be able to thank Amber enough for letting me be a part of that event.  And Christian will never fully understand the bond and love I feel for him to this day because of it.
Heavenly Father, I ask for your continued protection over Christian as he continues to grow up with many challenges.  You know those challenges and I pray that you will be there for him and that one day he will acknowledge your presence in his life and commit his life to you.  Amen.

Another answered prayer for Steve Dean's brother, Richard.  Steve is in choir and sent a request through Ginger on Tuesday to pray for his brother who was missing.  He had left a good bye note on the computer and left a copy of the life insurance policy.  He lost his business about a year ago and has been very depressed.  Thank you Jesus, Richard was found alive.  He had attempted suicide but was found in time.  You have spared this life for a reason, Lord.  I pray for Richard, that the message of salvation will fall on his ears and touch his heart and his life will be changed.  I pray for his wife and children as they cope with Richard's issues.  I am overwhelmed by your greatness and the answered prayers of my heart.  You are so good.  Amen.

Today started off really early.  Isabelle started her little coughing fits at 4:30 am.  I knew I needed to walk on the treadmill this morning, but I just couldn't bring myself to walk that early.  So...I went back to bed and set the alarm for 6:30.  However, as soon as I laid down, Satan crept into the room and kept me pretty much awake until time to get up.  What do I mean?  Well, I laid there and worried about the fact that we have 2-3 more closings and then nothing else on the hopper after that.  YIKES!!  I always get nervous when I know that we don't have any long term sights of money coming in.  It made me stop and think about how poor stewards we are (or I am) with what God blesses us with.  I have always had a problem with the "I wants" and usually get whatever it is that I want whether I need it or not.  When money is coming in regularly, I relax a little and over indulge in the things I want.  I definitely need to work on this.  I need to learn how to save for a rainy day.  Or rather, forego some of the things I want and put the money aside for a rainy day.  It really isn't that hard a concept.  I just have a hard time denying myself.  Pretty lame for a Jesus girl.  Then I feel guilty when I am comforted by the fact that God will take care of us and provide for us what we need.  I'm a mess in this train of thought.  Lord help me to rely on you and believe that you will take care of us because you love us.  Not because we deserve it or have earned it.  I pray for business to soon pick up again.  I pray for Rick and his determination to set and meet such an ambitious goal of 14 contracts before the end of September.  Lord, I claim your power to fill Rick up and give him the strength and guts he needs to make that goal happen.  I thank you and praise you that I have such a great job and can contribute to the finances of our household.  I pray that I will be able to continue doing it for a long time.  I love you Lord, Amen.

I am reading the New York Times Bestseller, Heaven is for Real, which is the true story of Colton Burpo spending three minutes in heaven while undergoing surgery for a ruptured appendics.  The story is told by his dad, Todd Burpo.  A few chapters back, I was taken aback by a very real truth about prayer. He speaks of the times Scripture speaks of God answering the prayers, not of the sick and dying, but of the friends of the sick and dying--the paralytic, for example.  It was when Jesus saw the faith of the man's friends that he told the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home".  That truth hit me like a ton of bricks.  How many times have I been asked by a friend to pray for someone or something and I have said, "Sure, I'll be glad to", and then never give it a second thought?  How many times have I asked my friends to pray for me, or someone else, or some other particular thing?  Do those people handle my requests the same as I handle the requests of my friends?  I vowed then and there that I would definitely take praying for my friends and their needs more seriously.  Dennis and his cancer have been heavy on my heart for some time, but I failed to pray for him daily.  He had his surgery on Monday and when Brenda sent her update on Wednesday, she said that Dennis was in a lot of pain.  They were unable to control the pain without his blood pressure bottoming out.  He had had a terrible night on Tuesday.  I took praying for my friend very seriously.  I told God that I knew that pain was inevitable after the extensive surgery Dennis had been through but I knew that in his power he could make his pain more tolerable.  I claimed comfort for Dennis in Jesus' name.  This morning, Brenda updated that Dennis was doing much better, they had finally found the magical combination of meds that would control pain and his blood pressure.  He had a good night last night and might even possibly be moved to a step down unit later today.  PRAISE GOD!!  Thank you for easing Dennis' pain so that he can concentrate on getting well.  I love you, Lord.

Lord, I lift up to you the cousin of my friend Denise Pappas who lost his 19 yr old son as a result of injuries sustained in an ATV accident.  Be with this family, Lord, as they mourn their loss.  Give them a peace that passes all understanding.  May they turn their hearts and eyes to you in this difficult time.
Lord, help me to quit worrying.  I know that it does me or no one else any good.  Help me to remember that you are watching over me, that you have a plan for me, and that plan is not to harm me but to benefit me.
I lift Rick up to you today as I know he has a busy day and meeting potential new clients.  I pray that good things will happen for him today.  Guide and protect him, Father.
I continue prayers for Dennis, as he is most likely in surgery as I type this.  Be with Brenda and comfort her.  Continued prayers for Jenny's brother and for Karen Hughes.
I love you, Lord.  In Your name I pray, Amen.
 

Praying for Jenny Rogers' brother who was in a bad car wreck and is in ICU at Roanoke Memorial.  Father I ask for your healing mercies for this man.  I also ask for comfort for his family that are beyond worried about him right now.  In your name, Amen.

So it's been a busy few days and I haven't updated since Friday.  Rick's closing got done on Friday morning.  The disrespecting seller was his usual disrespecting self, but the buyer was her usual bubbly, appreciative self which made up for "Mr. Grumpy Pants".
I spent yesterday with my girlfriends and we spent the day preserving memories in our scrapbooks.  I always have a such a good time with them and yesterday was no exception.
Today, I stayed home from church (again) so that I could get caught up on some much needed sleep.  However, I will be in church this evening because I am doing the special music for the communion service.  Father, be with me today as I rehearse from time to time in my head and prepare the hearts of those that will hear my message in song this evening.  I pray that you will use the message to touch the hearts and lives of those that hear it.
Brenda and Dennis are on their way to Richmond for his surgery that will be tomorrow.  I know they are anxious, as I am anxious for them.  Father, wrap them up in your loving arms so that they will feel your undeniable presence.  Be with his surgeon and his OR team tomorrow as they remove the cancer that has plaqued him for so long now. 
I love you Lord, I know you are with me every minute of every day.  May I always radiate your love.  Amen.

Father God, help Rick to have a Christ-like attitude this morning as he deals with his difficult clients in their real estate closing.  I also pray that you would help them to show him the respect and appreciation he deserves as the professional who always looks out for his clients' best interest.  Amen.

Praying for Pam and her family as they consider adding a puppy to their family. Lord, help them to realize what a commitment this really is (or should be).

God is so good!!!

Satan, get thee behind me.  You have been crawling all over me today.  In the name and power of Jesus, I pray for peace in this hour.

Praying for my husband right now, as he is off beating himself up mentally, because he feels like he can't keep anything together.  Lord, clear his mind of anything that is not of you. Help him to stay focused on the task at hand.  Help him know when it is time to rest his mind and body.  And above all, help him know how much he is loved by me and you.  Amen

This day started off really badly...I just wasn't in a very good place, mentally speaking, for most of the morning.  I prayed that God would draw near and help me to be mindful of his presence.  Within minutes, I received a text from a friend inviting Rick and I to dinner tomorrow evening.  Really did wonders to lift my spirits, as part of the reason I was feeling so down was because we never seem to be at the forefront of anyone's thoughts, even our family.  Thank you God and thank you Misty.  God is so good. And I'm really looking forward to date night with my hubby and Misty and Patrick.  :)

A Bailey Flanigan quote from Learning:  We're all born with a bent toward sin.  Sin is sin in God's eyes. There is not one sin that is greater than another.  We're all going to struggle with sin but we're not supposed to give up and say the fight is over.  God loves us and wants to help us with our struggles.  Excusing sin with a banner of love doesn't change the fact that it's sin.  We have to love one another but we have to keep fighting to win the war against sin.

Lord, shine through me today.  Help me to be mindful of your presence.  Help me to be understanding and forgiving to those that don't treat me the way I feel I should be treated.  Help to keep my husband close in thought and prayer as he works hard to make a good living for our family.  Help him to rely on you, Father.
Surround Dennis and Brenda with your loving arms.  May they too know your presence in this anxious time.  May they know your peace that passeth all understanding.  I love you, Lord.  Amen.

I made the first step toward hopefully getting some relief from these stomach issues.  I have requested a referral to Dr. Bruce Long (recommended by my friend, Kim) for a consultation on reversing the vertical banded gastroplasty.  I pray that this will lead to something that I can do that the insurance company will cover and pay for so that I might be able to be free of the constant battle of eating healthy and tolerating it.  I love you Lord.  Amen.

Yesterday was a great July 4th.  Fixed breakfast in, got back on the treadmill after 4 days off, ran a couple of errands with Rick, went to dinner with Mom, and then drug Rick to meet Steve and Shelby to watch fireworks on the mountain at Parkway Wesleyan.  Great day and a wonderful reminder of how lucky I am to live in America. 
Today I'm praying for Rick and his business.  June was a bad month and he determined to make July a better month.  I so admire his drive and determination but I pray that he will learn to look to you Father, for your provisions.  Remind him that you watch over and protect us and you have a plan for us.  Help him to rely on this truth to lessen his stress level.
I also pray today for my friend Jamie and her children as their husband and daddy left this morning for a trip to China.  I pray for a safe journey for Tom and for Jamie and the kids as they have to get along without him for 10 days.  I pray especially for Jamie as her energy level is depleted to her pregnancy.  Give her strength and comfort Lord.  And help her to call on those of us who are more than willing to help her out.
Dennis and Brenda are weighing heavy on my mind, Lord, as they have less than a week before they head to Richmond for hopefully what will be the last time for a long time, for an extended period, anyway.  I pray that you will give them both peace this week and I pray for Dennis that he will come through the surgery cancer free and that they will be able to manage his pain effectively after the surgery.  I pray, Father, for you to reveal to me how I can serve and minister to Brenda during her long stay in Richmond while she waits for Dennis to be able to return home.  Most of all Father, I pray that you will be honored and glorified in whatever the outcome of this surgery may be.
I love you Lord.  Amen.

Thank you Lord, I am feeling so much better this evening.  Went to dinner with Steve and Shelby and thought early on what a bad idea that was.  But about half way through dinner, that pouch outlet opened up and, voila, instant relief.  Amazing how I can be so miserable for 3 days and in a mere second I'm feeling like a new person.  Going to do investigating this week about having a reversal surgery done.  Father God, please guide and direct me on this path.  I so want to be rid of this constant irritation. 

Well...another Sunday morning that I just don't feel like getting up and getting ready for church.  These stomach issues are really getting old.  Felt better yesterday until I went out to eat and then ended up throwing up several times before bed and once this am.  Still don't feel fully relieved.  Did some research on the internet this morning about reversing the vertical banded gastroplasty.  I really think I need to look into it.  Father, I continue to pray for your guidance on this issue.  It's a scary thought for me to have the surgery reversed, but when I look back on my weight history since I had the surgery done 17 years ago, I think I can do just as well managing my weight without the restriction of the banding as I have with the banding.  Maybe better, since I will be able to eat more healthy foods.  To be able to eat fruits and vegetables again would be wonderful.  I pray for the courage to explore the options and pray that my insurance would pay for the reversal if that is what is indicated.

My "secret sister" is the bomb.  Got home from work yesterday to find a bag filled with some of my favorite things...gummie life savers, dark chocolate hersher kisses, and a People magazine.  I've never done "secret sister"'s before, but I am really enjoying knowing there is someone thinking of me and praying for me and bringing me things that make me smile.  I'm also being blessed by thinking of and praying for my secret sister and sending her things that I hope are making her smile.
I'm feeling better today, thank the Lord.  Yesterday was rough.  I'm so concerned about these never ending stomach issues.  Father, I pray for some relief.  I pray for guidance and direction on how to resolve these issues.  Please watch over Lisa, Dwayne, Kaleigh, Ashlyn and Phyllis while on their trip to DC this weekend.  I pray that Rick and I will be able to enjoy some relaxing time around the house this weekend.  I love you Lord.  Amen.

Feeling under the weather this morning.  Be with me Lord, and may I soon feel alive and ready to tackle this day.  May I show kindness in everything I say and do today.  Praying for my secret sister too, Father.  Be with her today.  Be with her family over this holiday weekend.  Guide and protect Rick today.  I love you Lord.  Amen.