Prayer request please

Hello Friends,
I have a favor to ask. I need to ask for some prayer. For quite a while now, I have been in pain. The pain is in my chest, back and stomach at times. Sometimes it comes with an upset stomach and sometimes nausea. All of the time it comes with frustration and worry. I have been dealing with this for quite a while with no answers. This issue is not only hurting my body, now it is hurting my spirit. I am grateful to the Lord for all of the good test results, but at this point... I need answers and relief.

I have had countless tests run. A stress test was done to check my heart. That came back normal. An x-ray was done to check my lungs... again, normal. Blood work was done and nothing was found. Monday I had an ultrasound done on my abdomen and the gall bladder which also came back with nothing out of the ordinary. Next, we will do a Hida Scan ( whatever that is!) on Monday and look closer at my gall bladder. I really hope that we can find some answers with that.

I am tired and I am grumpy because I don't feel well. When you work with children like I do, that is not a good combination and is not acceptable. Two year old children, although sweet, are a handful and a lot of work at times. They need patience and that is something I am running low on these days. I am being creative to keep them happy and entertained. I don't want them to suffer because I am. That's not their fault and they deserve the best me I can give. They keep me going and motivated to get up and get going.  


Since we have finished all of our letters and are basically in summer play and review mode. I've been keeping them busy other ways. Our favorite times are dance time and instrument time. It's moments like these that lift my spirit and make almost forget about my pain and frustration. Their laughter and smiles and silly outfits make me laugh and smile. They have been the BEST medicine for me when doctors haven't given me any relief. I am so lucky to have them.


I watch them play and I find myself wondering where on earth they get all of that energy. I am in amazement daily at their quickly developing imagination and humor. They have all of this excitement about each day. Everything is so new and fresh. I love watching their little light bulb moments. K had one figuring out it was funny to have his chicken hat on backwards. You can literally see that connection made in this video. It's so precious to be here for these moments.

These are the things I am trying to focus on. It's not always so easy when I am hurting really badly. So Friends, I am asking for prayer from you. Please pray for answers for my pain and an easy solution. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and for swiftness from all involved. Please pray for my day care children and Ruby to continue to be inspirations. Please pray for my spirit to be uplifted and not pulled down by the pain in my body.

I have seen the miracles prayer can do over and over again. I believe in the power of prayer. I will keep you all informed as I continue in the search for what is causing all of this discomfort. I am grateful for all of the encouragement and support my readers have given me in the past. I am looking forward to what our prayers can do together. Blessings to you all!

Happy Friday Follow!

ARE YOU THANKFUL?

Have you ever had one of those moments when God answers a huge prayer? Maybe He provided for you and your family when things were getting tight. Maybe He healed a loved one or even you from an illness. Perhaps God provided an answer regarding a job change. Maybe the Lord gave you clear direction regarding a relationship. God has answered many many prayers like this for me and my family. He has proven to be faithful over and over again. I know that if I ask God and my heart is in the right place, I will receive what need. That doesn't mean the answer is what I want or think I need, but what the Lord knows I need. He knows me better than I know myself and will provide just the right answer!

What did you do when God answered your prayer? Did you get to praising God for his faithfulness? Did you share God's blessings with a friend? Maybe you put on your favorite praise and worship CD and started singing and dancing for the Lord. Perhaps you just said a quiet thank you. Those would be great things to do in appreciation. It would be wonderful if we all remembered to give thanks with a grateful heart. I'm sure you always do that part right? ( Insert annoying buzzer sound from family feud here!)  

I'm willing to bet that sometimes... you forget to say thank you.  You go about your life as normal never stopping to  recognize God's answer as a gift. Sometimes... you ignore God's answers and try and do things your way. The Lord sends you signs and answers over and over again. Instead of recognizing them as answers and making a change,  you continue to pray for an answer that sounds better to YOU. Unfortunately, instead of stopping to give God the GLORY he is DUE, we quickly move on to the next thing and next prayer request.

Can you imaging if your children did this to you? What would you do if your child received a gift and didn't say thank you? What would your reaction be if your child got a gift from a friend and complained that it wasn't exactly what THEY wanted instead of being grateful? Wouldn't you get upset if you repeatedly told your child an answer to a question and they kept saying,"what?"  Or what if they ignored you all together when you tried to guide them? I think we all know the answers to these questions. It would certainly NOT be acceptable behavior in my house and would likely lead to some major consequences.

If we don't accept this behavior from our children, why do we think it is okay to treat our Heavenly Father this way? This is YOUR wake up call. Take the time today and say THANK YOU to GOD!  Tell Him how He has blessed you and offer Him praise. Instead of praying for help or for something you want, today why not focus on all of the big and little things God provides for you everyday. Write God a Thank you note! If you are comfortable with sharing, perhaps you could post your Thank you comments here.

Here is mine to help you get started!

Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for providing for my family. Thank you listening to our hearts and providing what we need. We are grateful for your faithfulness. Thank you so much for making it possible for me to be home with Ruby. What a blessing to be with her everyday. Thank you for keeping her healthy and happy. Thank you for my wonderful husband. He is exactly what I prayed for. Thank you for my parents and in-laws who keep us in their thoughts and prayers and provide support each in their own unique way. Thank you for being the AMAZING GOD you are and providing for me even when I am not aware of it.
In Christ's name I pray,
AMEN!

OKAY EVERYONE! YOUR TURN!