In Everything...God Shines Through...

My week has been filled with ups and downs, and the best I can do is to continue to pray and praise God for what He is doing in our world. If you care to join me in praises or prayer, here's a short list (not nearly everything that I have been praying/praising for) of what's been on my heart:

  • A college roommate accepted a job here and will be moving from the neighboring state. She is trying to find an apartment, but if necessary, will be staying here. It's selfish, I know, but I'm so excited because it's been over 5 years since we've lived in the same area! Praise God for providing a job, shelter for her (whether it's our home or the apartment), and for friendship! Also, pray that the job is a good fit, that she loves it and that she is able to impact lives of local youth.
  • Another college friend has a son born with HLHS. He is a little over a month old and yesterday, they did another surgery because the shunt in his heart was too large. He has struggled off and on since being born and is being held in God's hands. There is so much to pray for and praise God for with baby Joshua, so if you want more info, go HERE.
  • I've been working with a family that live near our church that has reached out to us. They took in a 19 year old and her 11 month old baby about a month ago. The teenager had no desire to work or help around the house, and often left, chasing drugs or alcohol or other negative things, leaving the family to care for the baby. They clothed her, fed her, bought her necessities and loved her. Last week, CPS took the baby and today had a court hearing. None of the baby's family wants anything to do with her and the mother and grandmother keep testing postive for drug usage. The teen mom also has an older daughter that was staying with the grandma and who has been removed from the home and put into foster care also. Although the woman (that sought our help) and her family were willing to fight for the baby to stay with them, it looks like it would be a losing battle and today, she seemed to be accepting that. She is in contact with the foster family and they are willing to allow them to stay in touch with the baby. The foster family has taken the baby to the doctor for the first time since she was a newborn and the doctors are concerned about her growth. The teenage mother had not fed her anything except bottles and never took her from the carseat. Only once she arrived with this family did she start eating cereals and other foods and get challanged to strengthen her muscles and bones. The foster family will be taking her to Riley's to test for bone disease. So, prayers for the children, the families, the lost souls and everyone involved in this. Praise to God for bringing the situation to light, allowing the children to recieve the love and care they deserve, and for His hand in it all.
  • A couple that are close friends have been approved to foster two young sisters! Praise God as they have been waiting and in the process for over a year now! Isa and Teo know this couple as their Aunt and Uncle, so will be overjoyed to have other children to play with!
  • Personally, I'm facing some struggles. A grant ending and uncertainty about the next one and finances. Dealing with a house that is a giant project. Arguements and hurts within my marriage from both parties. The normal difficulty of raising kids. Self-esteem stuff. Past wounds not healing. I praise God for where I am, in contrast to where I was a year or two ago, but need Him to continue to work in my life.
  • A acquaintance from college that has become a near and dear friend now is in another country doing God's work. Praise God and pray for them continually.
  • One of the fathers that attended my class this past month is still in my prayers. He is 16, with one child and another on the way. He has lived in a group home for 2 years now. He attended class with a friend, who is 18, not a father that he "knows of", and has been in the same group home for 1 1/2 years. Both have had an uphill battle with life until now and continue to face struggles as they become young men in a tempting world. I praise God for where they are now, in contrast to where they were, and pray that He continues to touch their lives.
  • A friend's father in law underwent a double bypass surgery last week and has been pretty unstable since. Pray for him and the family.
  • Another friend is trying to work through a relationship that is difficult. She has two young kids with the father, and there are many hurts and pains that they need to work through. Pray for God to continue to work in their lives, so that His Will be done, whichever way the path may lead. Praise Him for opening some doors and pray that He continues to open more.
Like I said, there are many more, but these are the ones that consume my thoughts and my prayers.

Dear Father, you are THE Father to so many who are fatherless and those who have earthly fathers, whether good or damaging. Thank you for being MY Father. MY Savior. MY Creator. I can look around me and see Your hand, doing great works and challenging people to become better servants to You. I am so grateful to have submitted to being Your servant and although I am still learning, I pray that You are patient with me. Guide me. Lead me. Allow me to worship You and to show Your great love to the people I interract with. Please. Be with the situations above. Guide them. Lead them. Allow them to accept and love you and to become pillars in doing Your work. Thank You. For all you have done with the above situations. Thank you for the guidance, the leadership, the grace which You use when dealing with us. You are so Holy. You are so amazing. You are the reason I live. Amen.

No comments: