At the risk of being Honest...
Okay, I've had several e-mails, calls, and spoken conversations of people who say, how can I help? Let me tell you. I'll be honest. This isn't to stress anyone, this isn't to beg or guilt trip... this is just some honest to goodness ways you can help right now, if you're one of those people who is thinking or saying HOW CAN I HELP?
1.) Prayer - this is the most important thing and what we ask from all of you. To pray for Michael. To pray that God would sustain Mike and I. To pray that He would be with Libby, Samuel, and Ian who aren't exactly sure what's going on. To pray for healing. To pray for a safe surgery and recovery. Etc.
2.) ENCOURAGEMENT - PLEASE post on my blog some encouragement. It could be a scripture. It could just be a personal thought. It could be as short as a fragments sentence or as long as a paragraph. I know you all don't want to put your name out there... so leave an anonymous response if you want... I would just love some feedback and encouragement from those who are reading my blog. I don't care if I've known you 10 years or have never met you. I would love some encouragement. I am tired and weary and need to be reminded of truth... and we need emotional support! If you're too embarrassed to post on the blog send me an e-mail or write me a card, okay? :)
3.) Money or Gift Cards- This is the one I am least hesitant to say. I don't want your money. The truth is though with Mike staying in the ICU he's not working... not working = no money. Please don't feel pressured to give. I am not trying to make you feel guilty... this is for the people who have asked me out of desperation, what can they do or how can they help... do you understand. If God is not speaking to you about this, DO NOT DO IT.... we would much rather have your prayers and words of encouragement. And thank you for those who have given! Right now it costs extra with gas to and from the hospital. Meals at the hospital and such. Etc. You would be amazed at what a gift card for coffee does for us :) Again, no pressure. Again, if you just are like, I've got to do something... give us a couple bucks for coffee or gas for the car. And I mean it, 2 or 5 dollars.
4.) Practical helps. Do you want to wash dishes? Do you want to mow our lawn? Do you want to plant my plants that have needed to be planted for two weeks but have yet to be put in the ground because we're too busy at the hospital? Do you want to help me sort the kids toys and put them in clear storage containers? Do you want to re-organize my kitchen? Do laundry? Wash floors? Scrub a tub or toilet? My friend Rebekah J. is heading up help for us. She is my contact. I will always need help. This one just stands. Even after the hospitalization... I love the help. Come hold a baby. Come fold some clothes. Come drink some tea with me and laugh at the whirlwind of activity that surrounds us. I am so open to whatever help people want to give. and I am so thankful for people who even want to do it. And thank you to all those who have helped us.... you know who you are- you've blessed us so much- Thank you!
Comments
I cant think of any encouraging verses off the top of my head, but I'm looking. Can you email me your snail mail address? Thanks! I'm looking forward to hearing good news about the surgery...
Not sure when we'll be back in the Hampton Roads area, but I will try to comment and let you know. Maybe 2 Starbucks fanatics could get together and spend some time talking and praying.
His eye is on the sparrow....the lilies of the field....so, I know He cares for me. Now I see through a glass darkly, but someday-----WOW! But in the meantime, Lord, thank you for Your amazing, divine plan designed in love for me and my family before you made the earth. At just the right time, You birthed us. May we feel, touch, taste, and see Your father-heart of love for us right now as our heart cries out to you....our Very Present Help in time of need. Kingdom of God, come and invade us for Jesus sake with the healing He purchased for us to have through Calvary. Thank you, Lord for this all- encompassing healing which we so desperately need, right now. Standing with you dear ones....always and all ways
7:52 AM
I only met you once (when YOU were an infant :)) but I know your family...my husband Blane and I have been and continue to pray for your family! I want you to know that with all you're going through, YOU are an encouragement and a testimony of God's Grace even in your chaotic, heartwrenching times! Your children are sooo adorable!
Brenda Harlacher
We are praying for your family and especially for Michael. Thank you for your openness to tell us what you need and to ask for encouragement and prayer. That is such an example of humility. This verse is one that I come to almost every day, when the cares of life throw me in a whirl...I love it because it reminds us who to trust, and carries a promise with it...I hope that it encourages you.
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Isaiah 26:3-4
(By the way, Maddie still remembers Samuel.)
I guess that you are a friend of a friend, that I found through her favorite friends list. Anyways, I actually tried to send a comment of encouragment a few weeks ago, but I hit the wrong button and it deleted (i just didnt have the time to retype) but I guess it wasnt God's timing either, He knew when you would really need it. I was going to send this verse:
Zeph. 3:17
The Lord your God is with you;
The mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in His love; He will sing and be joyful about you.
The process of refinement (as you know) is not always comfortable, but glory to God that we can trust Him with our hearts, our lives, and our children. I think that often God uses your site to give me some much needed perspective. I am encouraged by the way that God gives you the ability to be real and genuine, yet also full of faith. The readers of your blog can go through this process with you and see how He works it out in you.
I want to post my email address and blog site (it is not a blog spot one) on a separate post, that way you can not publish it. Also, if you email me your address my husband and I will be in prayer as to how God would like to use us.
I wish the ocean was easier to cross - I would happily come and do your laundry and kitchen but I'm not offering to do the planting since I am rubbish with growing stuff....
Sadly, no flying right now but please be assured of my prayers dear friend.
And I'd point you to Psalm 91 - I particularly like it in the New Living Translation and the Message. It would take up a lot of room to post the whole psalm - but please read it if you get a chance... Out of most people I know you are the one who most consistently declares that God is your refuge (see verse 2) in the most difficult circumstances and you are such an inspiration in that. I'll be especially praying verses 9-11 and 14-16 for you, Mike, Michael and the other kids too.
Hang in there sweetie - big hugs from this side of the pond xxxx
We have met, but years ago when you were a girl. My name is Beth Longtine, and I was part of the Denver church plant. Debbie Williams connected me to you, and I have read up on your journey the last few days.
I just let you know how evident the Holy Spirit's work in your life is; to keep you focused on God's grace and mercy during this time. It is encouraging for all of us! Some scriptures I have been meditating on lately that I thought you might appreciate as well is the entire Ps. 27, in particular the last few verses "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, Be strong and let your heart take courage, yes wait for the Lord" God Bless you!
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to PROSPER you and NOT to harm you, to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE.'"
If God is for you, who can be against you?
YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR through Him who loved you.
You can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens you.
And these are lyrics to one of my favorite songs that I speak in faith whenever I begin to get discouraged...
It's a New Season,
It's a New Day;
Fresh anointing is flowing my way;
It's a season of power and prosperity;
It's a new season coming to me!
You know what? Samuel is probably the strongest two-year-old I've ever met... and I bet you that he wouldn't be that strong if that terrible coughing hadn't strained and toughened his body.
Teddy Roosevelt went through ridiculous health issues when he was young... and similarly he was touted as one of the toughest, most tenacious leading figures of our great country.
Kim Burrell, probably the most dynamic and powerful gospel singer of today, had pneumonia that threatened to take her out of her destiny as a little girl. But God used it to only expand her power. When you hear her sing, God's anointing is undeniable.
Remember that Life and Death are in the power of the tongue, and what you chose to speak will determine the outcome. When God spoke, He created... and when He created us in His image, He gave us the same power! So speak Life! Health! Peace! Prosperity (which absolutely IS God's intention toward you!)! Blessing!
I am so excited for you guys - I know it sounds weird...
But as you plow this tough soil and do not give up, you WILL reap a sure and abundant reward!
Galatians 6:9
You guys ARE overcomers - MORE than conquerors - and those are the ones who get the sweet prizes!
I'm so proud of you guys - the whole family. You WILL see incredible blessings. Like a farmer, planting seeds, the harvest will grow on its own, under God's supervision.
Take that word, for example: Supervision. In Proverbs it says that people without vision perish... but even more than that, God has SUPER vision for your life - Supervision is to vision as Supernatural is to natural.
Believe that He is making things grow... and the longer it takes to see the fruit, the deeper and stronger the root.
I love you guys.
-Dave
I know God will do this for you, Jennifer! I love you dearly and am praying for you all! That album I gave you has a lot of the verses/quotes/songs that have been an encouragement to me. Maybe that would help?
Shar
I'll be praying for you all and little Michael!
barbaral@legacyroofing.net
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Pour out this love in healing streams through this blog, O Lord, that we may see Jesus and be drawn closer to HIm each day,.... so that our soul will exult in You O God through the self-fulfilling power of Your word. Amen.
Love ya!!!!!
Do you still have the Hard Pressed Song......I go through periods where I have to play that or sing it to myself all day.
Sorry Jennifer I had to delete my comment and repost without the link...you know my blog....I was getting spam comments from the link.