Today or, rather, Friday, is the last day of Term 1. Our high school students will be spending 4 days at the annual Youth retreat here called Encounter. It was scheduled to be 2 hours away, but the roads are not safe. A murder and then vengeance and then purposefully shutting down the roads. Nope, we are all staying home. The youth will have their retreat at our training centre which is just down the hill. None of the trouble was here, but it does mean we will all stay home, unless we are flying somewhere.
I am REALLY struggling with my attitude today toward my siblings regarding family communications about Dad’s medical care. Long story, and I know I will regret telling it if I do.
I sent out an email to them (my four sibs) yesterday (when I was calm), but I need to send another today, and right now, I am very angry, and tempted to unleash regarding old unresolved issues that have bearing on the current situation.
Please pray that I’ll do the responsible thing and stay away from the keyboard until I can communicate with them without anger.
And that I will be able to proceed with my home routine and the children without the extended family issue affecting the way I handle my domestic duties and my immediate family.
6 arrows, I am dealing with that issue, as well, to some extent. A few years ago, I read She’s Your Mother, Too and it was helpful. It deals with some of the issue typically dealt with at this time of life. It opened my eyes to things I had not considered. If nothing else, it gives some of the different ways things are taken and how old sibling rivalry raises its ugly head.
It is difficult to know how to respond. I have found keeping 1 Cor. 13 in my head is helpful, too. Boy! Do I need to do that! Along with the prayer, of course.
Thank you for your prayers. Also for the book recommendation, Kathaleena — that sounds like something I should read, sooner rather than later.
My sweet husband listened to me pour my heart out when he got home from woodcutting a bit ago, and in his no-nonsense way, convinced me to skip sending another email. He told me I did what I could, and how everyone else responds is up to them. If they do nothing, so be it. He also suggested two ways I could handle this situation if it comes up in the future, and most likely, it will.
I feel good about our talk, and it feels like a significant portion of the burden is lifted for now.
And I see that one of my siblings has now thanked me for the email I sent out yesterday.
Dear All,
I have received these two emails from our missionary friends, one yesterday and one this morning. I just wanted to pass it on so that as many people as possible can pray specifically for our brothers and sisters.
This is so sad…
A friend just got a text message from her brother asking her to shower him and his parish in prayer. He is part of a mission and ISIS has taken over the town they are in today. He said ISIS is systematically going house to house to all the Christians and asking the children to denounce Jesus. He said so far not one child has. And so far all have consequently been killed. But not the parents. The UN has withdrawn and the missionaries are on their own. They are determined to stick it out for the sake of the families – even if it means their own deaths. He is very afraid, has no idea how to even begin ministering to these families who have seen their children martyred. Yet he says he knows God has called him for some reason to be his voice and hands at this place at this time. Even so, he is begging prayers for his courage to live out his vocation in such dire circumstances. And like the children accept martyrdom if he is called to do so. She asked me to ask everyone we know to please pray for them. These brave parents instilled such a fervent faith in their children that they chose martyrdom. Please surround them in their loss with your prayers for hope and perseverance.
She was able to talk to her brother briefly by phone. She didn’t say it but I believe she believes it will be their last conversation. Pray for her too. She said he just kept asking her to help him know what to do and do it. She told him to tell the families we ARE praying for them and they are not alone or forgotten — no matter what. Her e mail broke my heart. Please keep all in your prayers. Thanks
This came this morning… Just a few minutes ago I received the following text message on my phone from Sean Malone who leads Crisis Relief International (CRI). We then spoke briefly on the phone and I assured him that we would share this urgent prayer need with all of our contacts.
“We lost the city of Queragosh (Qaraqosh). It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food too. ISIS has pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working. Thousands more fled into the city of Erbil last night. The UN evacuated it’s staff in Erbil. Our team is unmoved and will stay. Prayer cover needed!”
Please pray sincerely for the deliverance of the people of Northern Iraq from the terrible advancement of ISIS and its extreme Islamic goals for mass conversion or death for Christians across this region. May I plead with you not to ignore this email.
Do not forward it before you have prayed through it. Then send it to as many people as possible. Send it to friends and Christians you may know. Send it to your prayer group. Send it to your pastor and phone him/her to pray on Sunday during the service – making a special time of prayer for this. We need to stand in the gap for our fellow Christians.
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend Ginnie, Michelle.
Thankful to hear you got some rain.
Thank you again for the prayers and comments. Though I didn’t hear back from any of my siblings except the one I mentioned at 12:04, my day got progressively better, and I feel at peace tonight.
The needs in this wirld continue to pile up, massive needs, some life and death and others minor but needs still. We look to You, the supernatural provider, to reach in with protection, wisdom, provision, and a tremendous strengthening of faith and trust when Terrorism threatens or takes life by beheading. I ask that our world could become less barbaric and that Your peace can soon be known. Please bring peace to Jerusalem first and may it radiate outward to to whole world. Please keep our troops safe wherever they are busy in the world.
Please give comfort to Michelle and others saddened by the death of her older friend. Please be with Donna’s friend who has cancer.
Thank You for Your light in the darkness. Thank You for Your help in trouble times. And thank You for the hope of heaven.
Wandering Views 
Today or, rather, Friday, is the last day of Term 1. Our high school students will be spending 4 days at the annual Youth retreat here called Encounter. It was scheduled to be 2 hours away, but the roads are not safe. A murder and then vengeance and then purposefully shutting down the roads. Nope, we are all staying home. The youth will have their retreat at our training centre which is just down the hill. None of the trouble was here, but it does mean we will all stay home, unless we are flying somewhere.
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I’ll be praying, Jo.
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My friend Ginnie died last night, as expected.
It rained, some, last night. First rain since April 4.
Thankful for knowing a spunky lady, thankful for even a little bit of rain.
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I am REALLY struggling with my attitude today toward my siblings regarding family communications about Dad’s medical care. Long story, and I know I will regret telling it if I do.
I sent out an email to them (my four sibs) yesterday (when I was calm), but I need to send another today, and right now, I am very angry, and tempted to unleash regarding old unresolved issues that have bearing on the current situation.
Please pray that I’ll do the responsible thing and stay away from the keyboard until I can communicate with them without anger.
And that I will be able to proceed with my home routine and the children without the extended family issue affecting the way I handle my domestic duties and my immediate family.
Thank you.
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Praying with some understanding on all three fronts.
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6 arrows, I am dealing with that issue, as well, to some extent. A few years ago, I read She’s Your Mother, Too and it was helpful. It deals with some of the issue typically dealt with at this time of life. It opened my eyes to things I had not considered. If nothing else, it gives some of the different ways things are taken and how old sibling rivalry raises its ugly head.
It is difficult to know how to respond. I have found keeping 1 Cor. 13 in my head is helpful, too. Boy! Do I need to do that! Along with the prayer, of course.
LikeLike
Thank you for your prayers. Also for the book recommendation, Kathaleena — that sounds like something I should read, sooner rather than later.
My sweet husband listened to me pour my heart out when he got home from woodcutting a bit ago, and in his no-nonsense way, convinced me to skip sending another email. He told me I did what I could, and how everyone else responds is up to them. If they do nothing, so be it. He also suggested two ways I could handle this situation if it comes up in the future, and most likely, it will.
I feel good about our talk, and it feels like a significant portion of the burden is lifted for now.
And I see that one of my siblings has now thanked me for the email I sent out yesterday.
God is good.
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Husbands are very valuable that way.
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This came via a FB friend.
Dear All,
I have received these two emails from our missionary friends, one yesterday and one this morning. I just wanted to pass it on so that as many people as possible can pray specifically for our brothers and sisters.
This is so sad…
A friend just got a text message from her brother asking her to shower him and his parish in prayer. He is part of a mission and ISIS has taken over the town they are in today. He said ISIS is systematically going house to house to all the Christians and asking the children to denounce Jesus. He said so far not one child has. And so far all have consequently been killed. But not the parents. The UN has withdrawn and the missionaries are on their own. They are determined to stick it out for the sake of the families – even if it means their own deaths. He is very afraid, has no idea how to even begin ministering to these families who have seen their children martyred. Yet he says he knows God has called him for some reason to be his voice and hands at this place at this time. Even so, he is begging prayers for his courage to live out his vocation in such dire circumstances. And like the children accept martyrdom if he is called to do so. She asked me to ask everyone we know to please pray for them. These brave parents instilled such a fervent faith in their children that they chose martyrdom. Please surround them in their loss with your prayers for hope and perseverance.
She was able to talk to her brother briefly by phone. She didn’t say it but I believe she believes it will be their last conversation. Pray for her too. She said he just kept asking her to help him know what to do and do it. She told him to tell the families we ARE praying for them and they are not alone or forgotten — no matter what. Her e mail broke my heart. Please keep all in your prayers. Thanks
This came this morning… Just a few minutes ago I received the following text message on my phone from Sean Malone who leads Crisis Relief International (CRI). We then spoke briefly on the phone and I assured him that we would share this urgent prayer need with all of our contacts.
“We lost the city of Queragosh (Qaraqosh). It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food too. ISIS has pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working. Thousands more fled into the city of Erbil last night. The UN evacuated it’s staff in Erbil. Our team is unmoved and will stay. Prayer cover needed!”
Please pray sincerely for the deliverance of the people of Northern Iraq from the terrible advancement of ISIS and its extreme Islamic goals for mass conversion or death for Christians across this region. May I plead with you not to ignore this email.
Do not forward it before you have prayed through it. Then send it to as many people as possible. Send it to friends and Christians you may know. Send it to your prayer group. Send it to your pastor and phone him/her to pray on Sunday during the service – making a special time of prayer for this. We need to stand in the gap for our fellow Christians.
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Praying with fervency, Anon/Michelle?, and passing the message along.
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Snopes is now saying this message may or may not be true. Apparently they have not been a able to verify more than five children killed.
Still, prayer certainly is needed in that part of the world.
Michelle
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I’m sorry for the loss of your friend Ginnie, Michelle.
Thankful to hear you got some rain.
Thank you again for the prayers and comments. Though I didn’t hear back from any of my siblings except the one I mentioned at 12:04, my day got progressively better, and I feel at peace tonight.
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Heavenly Father,
The needs in this wirld continue to pile up, massive needs, some life and death and others minor but needs still. We look to You, the supernatural provider, to reach in with protection, wisdom, provision, and a tremendous strengthening of faith and trust when Terrorism threatens or takes life by beheading. I ask that our world could become less barbaric and that Your peace can soon be known. Please bring peace to Jerusalem first and may it radiate outward to to whole world. Please keep our troops safe wherever they are busy in the world.
Please give comfort to Michelle and others saddened by the death of her older friend. Please be with Donna’s friend who has cancer.
Thank You for Your light in the darkness. Thank You for Your help in trouble times. And thank You for the hope of heaven.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
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