If It's Pressed On Your Heart...

I know I use the term a lot "If It's Pressed On Your Heart," specifically when requesting prayer. My reason for that is because I know that as believers we have a lot that we see in our world that we need to pray over.

However, several years ago I was heavily convicted about telling folks I'd pray for them, and then never doing it. Therefore, I choose two responses now when people ask for me to pray for them.

My favorite (which sometimes takes A LOT of prompting by the Spirit) is to stop RIGHT THEN and pray with that person over the issue that they are requesting prayer. I feel that if it's important enough for them to ask, then they could surely use the prayer right then.

The next option is to tell them that I will pray about it "If the Spirit presses it on my heart." Now, I don't want that to sound cold or distant. However, like I said earlier, as believers, if our eyes are truly open to the world around us, we are bombarded with things/people/events/circumstances that we need to be in prayer over. Just as our amazing God gives us various talents and abilities, I also feel that He softens our hearts toward specific things as well.

For example, my heart is incredibly touched by the story of the Lawrensons. I think about them daily, and I pray for them often. I've never met them, yet I feel burdened to pray for them. Someone else may not. I believe that God uses these burdens on our hearts so that all peoples can be touched in our prayer lives.

With all of that said, I have some things I would like for you to pray over, if it's pressed on your heart. If you'd like to pray over these things/people/circumstances now, please leave a comment. I know that these prayers will not go unanswered, as long as we are praying for God's desires and His perfect plan to persevere.

1. The Lawrensons that I mentioned above. Long, long story short, almost a year ago Tricia went to Duke for a double lung transplant due to the deterioration of her lungs because of Cystic Fibrosis. The transplant was successful, and just weeks prior she delivered a pre-mature baby girl who is healthy and thriving. However, Tricia has now developed lymphoma and the chemo is not working. This family needs ANOTHER miracle.

2. Chris and Lindy Thompson. They are dear friends of mine who are returning today from Africa where they are FULL TIME missionaries. I'm not sure how long they will be back in the US, but please pray that their mission work will continue to thrive in their absence and that they will adjust to time differences, culture differences and thoroughly enjoy their time with friends and family.

3. The Hauts. They are also foster parents that we met in our fostering class. They are fostering a baby just 3 days older than Baby D. Today they were told that their baby's plan is being changed to Termination of Parental Rights. While this is a huge praise for them, it also comes with it's share of frustrations as it will be many, many months until the adoption is final. Please pray that they will find joy in the process, perseverance and peace.

Once more, if you feel led to pray now please leave a comment telling so. If you do not, that's okay too. However, realize that if you think of them over the next few days that it IS the Holy Spirit pressing them on your heart and they could use prayer AT THAT MOMENT.

Prayer doesn't have to be formal, it doesn't have to be stiff and rigid. However, it must be sincere. God knows the intentions of your heart and listening to His callings and understanding His promptings will bring you so much closer into a love relationship with Him. One like you have never dreamed or imagined.

The Lawrensons

Well, as I said in my last post, I've been following Nate Lawrenson's blog. His wife Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and back in April she received a double lung transplant. To make matters more complicated, Tricia had delivered their daughter, Gwyneth just 3 months prior. Baby Gwyneth was 15+ weeks premature. Both mom and baby have been discharged from the hospital and are doing quite well. However, just a few weeks ago it was discovered that Tricia had some type of cancer in her new lungs. I'm not totally sure how this happened but I believe it is transplant related. This evening, Nate posted this. Basically, Tricia has not responded well to the "lite" chemo they'd been doing. Now, the plan is to do a more extensive, harsher chemo in hopes that it will get rid of whatever cancer is there. As Nate says,

If, after the first two treatments, her cancer is not responding, Tricia is in serious trouble.

This sweet family has become so dear to my heart. Please, offer a prayer up on their behalf. I have already seen first hand, how God has worked miracles in their lives. I believe with my whole heart that He is capable of healing Tricia completely, should that be His desire.

Tricia's Having Surgery!!!

UPDATE: The surgery technically started just a little after 9:00EST. I know, I know, I sound like I"m part of the family but I just can't tell you how much my heart goes out to these folks. I am sincerely praying for the Operating Room to be shoulder to shoulder with angels, protecting Tricia during the surgery, and holding the hands of these surgeons. I also pray for another room full of angels, except these are for the donor family. Please join with me in prayer.


I know I'm a little freaky b/c I really don't know these people, but Tricia is having her surgery tonight! She has been in the OR for little over an hour. My stomach is in knots and I know I won't be able to sleep tonight!

As for my freakish obsession with this family, I cannot tell you how many times a day the Holy Spirit brings them to my mind. I pray for them almost as much as I do for my own family.

Please, please, please lift them up to the Creator of the universe in prayer. Pray for the donor family, surgeons and especially Tricia & Nate's family.

Pray for Tricia, Nate & Baby Gwyneth

I've been following the blog of The Lawrenson Family (see side bar blog). Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and is awaiting a double lung transplant. They received a call earlier this evening and they may have a match for new lungs! Please join me in prayer for this very special family, as well as a prayer for the donor family.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good...

Update: The lungs were "not good." That means that Tricia had to have a "dry run" which basically means she was prepped and ready for surgery, but didn't have the transplant. I'm sure it was emotional and challenging. Please continue to pray for this family, as well as the family that lost a loved one last night.

For Tricia

I am joyfully accepting the challenge given by another blogging mommy. The challenge is to list all the things that I take for granted, with regard to my children. Then, the next time I do one of these tasks, I will think of Tricia, and others like her, and praise my Lord for the ability to do these things. Some of these will reference past duties.

Note: If you've not yet read about Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth, take a moment and check out their blog over in my list of faves.

Things I take for granted, when mothering my kids:

* Changing poopy diapers
* Fixing lunch, and sitting with them while they eat
* Cleaning up after a messy, but enjoyable lunch
* Hearing the squeal of "MOMMY!" when I open their door 1st thing in the morning
* Toddler jibberish
* Random hugs
* Sugar-lips
* Being able to take care of their basic needs
* Breastfeeding (from the past, but I still took it for granted)
* Giving them baths
* Stepping on cherrios
* Watching , "Go Diego, Go!" for the millionth time
* Being continuously interuppted each time I attempt an adult conversation
* Sprinting someone to the potty, before it's too late
* Wiping snotty noses
* Snotty kisses
* "Doctoring" a bloody lip
* Tickle parties
* Sneaking in at 11pm (with my husband) to watch them sleep
* Pig piles
* Belly munchins
* Uncontrollable screaming
* Always looking for "Kitty" and "Bear Bear," Lucas and Ashlee's lovies
* Piles of dirty laundry (I'm blessed they are here to make it)
* A dirty house
* Teaching Elizabeth about God, Jesus and how to love others
* Watching Lucas and Ashlee pray

These are just a handful (okay, maybe two) of the things that make my heart swell with love and joy. Sometimes, I look at my life, as a stay-at-home mom and ponder my purpose. Thanks to Tricia, this is something that crosses my mind a lot less lately. I feel so blessed to take care of these kids that call me "Momma." They give me a life with direction and heart of purpose. I love my job....do you?