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Prayer Requests 12-14-23

It’s Thursday, so please remember to pray for Jo and the people of PNG.

Anyone else have something to share?

Psalm 138

Of David.

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
    and will praise your name
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
   for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
    you greatly emboldened me.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
    when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord is great.

6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
    though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.
   You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
    with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever—
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

239 thoughts on “Prayer Requests 12-14-23”

  4. Heavenly Father,

    Thank You for Your Big plan of saving the fallen people on Earth so we can be with You forever. We have the wonderful gift of the indwelling Spirit, and Chrst in us and we are in Him. Thank You so much! We are in Your constant care every nano-second. We cannot escape from Your love. Thank You.

    I lift up AJ as he readies for surgery tomorrow. I know You have him covered undrr Your guardianship. He is Your beloved adopted child uniquely made in Your very image. I pray for You to let him and Cheryl feel Your comforting presence knowing You are fully with them in the morning, noon, and night. Please let AJ have an excellent team for surgery and in recovery. Help him in each step from signing in, to going into the pre-op room, to going into surgery, to going into recovery unit, to going into step down unit, and then onto blessed home recovery. Thank You for the miracles over the years that have allowed the surgical way of removing cancer. It’s not easy, but it is worth it. Please help AJ and Cheryl as they go through this together as a couple.

    Lord, we all are looking forward to the day of discharge from the hospital. It always seems too soon these days, but You make a good way ahead for recouperation at home in the comfort zone. What a nice Christmas present that will be.

    Thank you,, Lord for hearing this one of many prayers. You must have a special bowl up there labeled “Prayers for AJ!”

    Bless him and Cheryl in all their needs. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

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  7. Father God,

    Thank You for hearing the chorus of prayers going up for AJ today. Over and over You have heard fervent prayer for our Brother in Christ. Thank You for the blessings from You for him today. Please keep him as comfortable as possible. Please give Cheryl ease of mind, and the same for all others who are there for them whether in person or from a short or far distance. I ask for a healing touch from Jesus over each suture. Please help him to rest as much as he can between all the medical checks and sticks and discussions. I ask for no complications. Please let recovery be speedier than anticipated. Thank You again for all You are doing. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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  10. So thankful for AJ’s good reports and that this surgery is behind him. Praying (and feeling assured) he’ll be home with the family in plenty of time for Christmas.

    Meanwhile, prayer for what’s turning into a work (Satur)day for me with an exclusive-for-us story coming from one of our congressional reps about additional $ just secured for a massive (and important) rail project ongoing at one of the ports. Hoping this doesn’t eat up the whole day, but it may, for the most part anyway. 😦

    But thankful, too, as this should make up for at least some of the pay I missed for the walkout on Thursday. 🙂

    Still, I was hoping to get a (smallish) Christmas tree today. They’re already very “picked-over,” I’m sure. 😦

    -dj

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  11. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

    -dj

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  13. Heavenly Father,

    Thank You for providing the cataract surgery for Kathaleena. Thank You for keeping her well so she will be able to get it done this week. Please make a smooth path fot her all the way through it. Make it be successful and give her much improved vision. She is a treasured part of Your kingdom family who spreads joy with her husband. Please keep them both healthy and able to do Your work for many more years. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

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  14. Prayers for Kathaleena today, and AJ, of course.

    I talked with my neighbor yesterday, she’s still in the hospital some 2+ weeks following the knee replacement surgery but it’s all good as they are providing some really strong and consistent rehab for her there. It will be a long way back to rebuilt her strength. She is hoping to come home on the 23rd but doctors are suggesting they may need to keep her a few more days, until the 28th, which isn’t making her too happy. But I told her better to listen to them and do the work, A belated Christmas family celebration is workable in this case, I’m sure. The grandkids will still be out of school and she had the foresight to get their tree up and decorated before she went in for the surgery.

    Continue to pray with me for her recovery, that she can regain at least most of her mobility and ability to walk, even if a walker may be still needed for part of of that.

    -dj

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  18. Cheryl/Mrs the real here. Allen is healing well. They are supposed to start him on solid food today. He has been having nausea and no appetite, so praying he will be able to eat. His digestive system needs to be working as one of the conditions of release. His spirits seem to be good, but he is also good at hiding emotion. Keep praying, as I know you will. It is effective, as well as encouraging.

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  21. Follow-up and prayer request regarding *that* piano family I mentioned several weeks ago, when one of the studio owners stepped in on my behalf.

    Things were resolved, as best as they could be, at that point, but within a week from now is when the plan actually is fully implemented. Let’s say there was a little wrinkle that appeared in the cloth in the last couple days. You can pray that what happened was a simple misunderstanding on the part of the bossy adult male and not a deliberate move to call the shots. I clarified the situation to him, thinking he had misunderstood, and told him my terms are different than how he’d begun to proceed, and he didn’t reply. So we’ll see how it all plays out.

    In the meanwhile, bossy adult female who caused the original problem and got the kibosh put on her by the studio owner is no longer speaking to me. I find that rather amusing. Docile adult female kinda/sorta in the equation is quiet as usual.

    Prayers that the recent wrinkle in the cloth was a misunderstanding and not something that will open into a big rip again. Thanks.

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  22. My cataract surgery went well once I finally got into the operating room. There was some glitch so a very long delay after I was already ready and stuck just lying there. The surgery itself probably took, at most, ten minutes. Simply amazing. The eye seems better sooner than the other one already. Close work is difficult and sometimes impossible, though. Thank you for all the prayers. They were a great comfort.

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  23. I have been up since 2am. A week or so ago daughter said she would not be here for Christmas. She said she decided to drive to AZ for a week…alone. She left this morning before 5 and she doesn’t plan to touch base with us at all. She seems content and happy about her adventure. This will be our first Christmas alone in 48 years. Adjusting to this but still concerned for her….she does not walk with our Lord…

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  27. Cheryl/Mrs the real here.
    Good news! Allen may get to come home tomorrow. I am so excited to have him home soon. I enjoy alone time, but I prefer to choose it myself, rather than have it imposed on me.
    I am so grateful for all the prayers and encouragement we have both received. Christmas is certainly different this year, but getting Allen home will be a wonderful gift. I am so thankful for all God has done for us and in us as we walk this path together.

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  28. Thankful with you and Aj!! That is such a sweet blessing and we continue to cover you as you settle in just in time for Christmas!!! We love you two!!❣️❣️… and Liz and Isaac!

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  31. Great to hear AJ may be able to go back home tomorrow! Thanks for the update, Mrs. The Real.

    Thankful for the successful surgeries, K.

    Praying, NJ, for your daughter and for you.

    As well for your neighbor, DJ.

    Praise! Piano situation wrinkle mentioned above is ironed out and all is good. Relieved. Many thanks for the prayers.

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  33. Cheryl here. More prayers please. Surgeon called. There is some concern about where they reconnected his intestine, so they are taking him back into surgery. Getting myself together and heading to the hospital

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  34. Oh, Cheryl, I’m so sorry. Peace be with you and AJ in this setback. Praying for you all. God has this. We are weak; He is strong.

    Lord, grant favor and healing for AJ.

    Cheryl and AJ, may the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

    6

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  37. Surgery just started. Should be about 2 hours. There is concern about sepsis. The intent is to go in, clear infection, fix sutures and close him back up. Possibility that the closure can’t be done same day and may need time in the step-up or is it down unit, rather than his reg room.

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  41. Cheryl again. Just got home. I will try to hit the main points and not ramble. Sutures were fine. There was a tear in the rectum area. They cleaned out his abdomen and repaired the tear. To start it was his surgeon and an assistant who is skilled with intestinal surgery. They had difficulty getting to the tear and repairing so called in an expert. To sum it all up, Allen now has, at least temporarily, a colostomy bag in addition to the urostomy bag. He will not be home until sometime late next week. Please keep praying for his health and his ability to accept and cope with this turn of events. I ask for you prayers as well. We went into this hopeful for the end of cancer and we are still hopeful for that outcome, but right now I am so,so weary and heartbroken.

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  46. Praying. May He be your peace and may the real see truly that this is the path the Lord has for him. May you have true rest tonight and the Word to freshen your trust in Him. He knows the plans He has for you and for the real.

    mumsee

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  49. Janice, I may have missed something, is your brother back in the hospital or was your reference to his earlier stay?

    Praying this morning for Cheryl and AJ still. My friend Carol had to have a colostomy bag following a serious surgery but it was temporary, they were able to reverse it a couple months later. So I’m praying that will be the case here as well. -dj

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  53. An elderly couple husband has been assisting for years. The husband just texted Mike. He is in the hospital nearby which means his wife, totally dependent on him with dementia and a series of strokes, is home alone. A friend will check in on her but in these cases, we have often found our children requested. So daughter may be headed down to live in for a bit. Prayer all around. Thanks.

    mumsee

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  54. I did not want to say much about my brother considering all AJ and Cheryl are going through. Brother seemed to have done okay today. Husband and son are there at Hotel Hospital with him. Personally, I think he probably over-exerted and caused this problem. He is now patched up and hopefully will be careful and not do too much. Each day is a new adventure.

    I have continued to lift up AJ and Cheryl and family. I did not cry over brother, but I wept for AJ and Cheryl’s situation. Our God is still even bigger than this detour on the healing route. We still can belueve in the good plans He has for AJ and Cheryl and how He can turn what seems the worst into something good that only He could orchestrate.
    Please sustain snd uplift AJ and Cheryl on Your higher level, Lord, keep them looking up, focused on You, praising You through the current storm. Help them rise above it all on the wings of prayers while divine healing occurs. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

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  55. Janice, your prayers are such a blessing. And you certainly should feel comfortable sharing and asking for prayers for your brother or any needs you have. I have so little family left, but all of you show so much love for Allen and I and for each other. You all exemplify “bearing one another’s burdens” .

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  56. Cheryl, you and AJ have my continued prayers.

    Janice, praying for your brother.

    Mumsee, for the elderly couple.

    I’m requesting prayer for my mom. She is experiencing loneliness, as she was recently quarantined after a covid exposure at a funeral she attended. She didn’t contract it and is able now to be around others. It’s a sad time, though, as she’s facing her first Christmas without my dad. And Tuesday this week would have been his birthday. I wanted to call her, but my voice was almost completely gone. I want to have her over for Christmas but I’m on Day 8 of a cough that is still going strong.

    Prayers that Mom M will find comfort in the Lord in this season. Thank you.

    6

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  57. Heavenly Father,

    Thank You for this day so close to Christmas 2023. It appears cloudy, but I expect You’ll move the clouds and bring the sun to shine before long.

    You have given me a good reminder to pray for those who are alone at Christmas since I am home alone this morning unexpectedly. It’s so quiet. Voices of loved ones are missed. Having someone to do for, though sometimes a chore, is missed. The shared laughs are missed. You know the extent of it all, Abba. It is an individual thing for each in the situation of missing a loved one during this season for whatever reason. I lift up 6’s mom, M, the elderly couple Mumsee mentioned, Cheryl and AJ, NJ and husband as they puzzle over daughter and pray for Your best, and others going through any variety of situations.

    Thank You for meeting needs of those who are in a missing and waiting stage today. You are comforting me as I choose to spend extra time with You. To whom else could I turn? There is no one like You.

    Especially, I cry out to You again to show a constant flow of love to AJ and Cheryl. Love conquers fear. Help them stay close to You, taking each negative thought captive, each moment of anxiety caught in a lasso and cast over to Jesus. Moment by moment, day by day,, keep them steady on the solid rock and firm foundation of Jesus and Your Word. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

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  59. 6, can you text your mom?? Texting can be so nice to let someone know that you are thinking of them.
    Maybe one of your children still at home could talk to grandma for you. You whisper and they talk.
    I can feel how much that would encourage her.
    Blessings,
    Jo

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  60. Jo, thanks for those great ideas. Mom doesn’t have a cell phone, so we’re unable to text with her. But I hadn’t thought of having the children at home speak to her for me, so thank you for that. All three of them are typically very soft-spoken, and I’ve talked with them about how it’s respectful to SPEAK UP (!) with Grandma so she can hear them. The girls rather bristle at that, having to step outside their comfort zone and use a voice that feels unnatural to them, so there is definitely more opportunity for character building there. Son with autism could speak loud enough, if I wrote out on paper what I wanted him to say. When I encourage him to talk louder with his grandma, his voice sometimes inadvertently sounds angry. That could be a prayer request, that Grandma doesn’t feel like she’s getting yelled at when her autistic grandson communicates with her.

    Another idea you gave me, Jo, is that maybe I could text a relative who lives closer and have them go to Mom and read what I wrote. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity, wisdom, and compassion. I appreciate it.

    Blessings,
    ~6

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  62. Please pray for me as I prepare and deliver the message on Christmas morning at our local church here in the CR. At the local Christmas market at the end of November we passed out packages that included invitations to the Christmas service, so please pray that some will come…

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  64. Praying for God’s blessing on your labors in Him, Tychicus, and we know He will. Thankful for the hearts reached for Christ.

    5th Arrow called my mom just a bit ago. She was blessed by his call, and also mentioned that she and her fellow residents were recently visited by thoughtful strangers who brought gifts like blankets and other comfort items.

    The Lord is providing. Thank you for your prayers.

    ~6

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  66. I honestly don’t know how I am. Kind of still in shock, I guess.
    Allen is ok, but not too well. Struggling with nausea, so they put the tube back in. I encouraged him to have them get him out of bed and then the surgeon stopped in and said the same thing. He agreed to try, which was a relief because he had told me he did not want to. When I left they had not yet changed his dressings, taken X-rays or gotten him up. He was pushing them for ice chips which were initially not allowed, but the surgeon on duty agreed it was a good idea.

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  68. I’m so sorry this is such a very rough stretch. It sounds so hard.

    I’m hoping with good care, monitoring and medications that he will rebound and feel better fairly quickly, but that’s not much solace in the meantime. 😦 It sounds miserable, I’m sorry — also praying alongside. -dj

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  70. Have been continually praying Cheryl. You all are always on my heart and our Lord hears your names so often throughout the day and sometimes night…
    I hurt for you both even knowing in Him we can trust….asking Him for healing and strength ❣️❣️❣️

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  73. Again, thank you. Reading your comments and knowing you are praying keeps me pointed in the right direction. But, I am scared. I trust God and His infinite wisdom and His plan for our lives, but still I am scared. I do have a deeper appreciation and love for Allen through this and am grateful for all I am learning about God, faith, my weakness, and the love of the body of Christ.

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  74. oh, Cheryl, yes it is okay to be scared. Praying that you will feel his loving arms around you in the midst of your fear. Seeing someone you love in so much pain and misery is scary.
    Share your fears with us and with Him. He knows and He cares.
    love you,
    JO

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  75. Cheryl, so glad that you shared the feeling that God is working through this. There is a purpose but not truly understood yet. Praying for fear to cease or be only in small quick bouts that are put to rest quickly by prayer. If fear must be suffered monentarily, I pray it can be used as a tool to anticipate possible future needs. May God give the blessing of time to seek out best resources that could be helpful for your needs during recovery at home. Being active toward the long term goal of wellness will help put fear to rest since you are in control of research. You can always use info gatheted to help others in similar circumstances. God is growing compassion in you.
    Lord, You are the ultimate Three In One, a perfect medical team and supplier of resources. Please supply miracles to Cheryl and AJ. You know what is needed. I pray in Jesus’ precious name,
    Amen

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  76. The comments about strangers giving to strangers in assisted living reminded me of those who do that here. A couple of missionaries switched from their emphasis on children to that with the elderly who are alone in nursing homes with no family near here. They began quite a few years ago. I was astounded when they told me the number of residents that fit that description. Now I have seen it for myself. When jobs leave an area, the young go where the jobs are. The elderly are left behind for the most part. It was a ripe mission field and these missionaries saw it.

    I have the quilt my mother received when she was once in an assisted living place for rehab. She was astounded people would donate those because she knew the work they take.

    Praising God today for those who see the needs and step up. Praising God for those who comfort those in the scary situations like the one Cheryl and AJ are in now. How grateful I am for what God puts in people’s hearts!

    Prayers for improvement for AJ and for the others.

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  77. Cheryl, if I was in your shoes, I would be scared too. Yes, we are trusting but at the same time, those emotions are there. God may be bringing complete healing, a life time of struggle, taking him. You will be able to get through any of them but not knowing and just trusting leaves our minds flying at all the possibilities. We are pleading for you.

    mumsee

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  84. I prayed during the 10:30 a.m
    service as well as overnight and now. ICU monitoring and nursing care level is much preferred and a blessing. I give thanks that AJ is getting better care now than before because it makes a big difference. It can also be a hospital decision based on staffing and room availability. From all our experience in hospitals, ICU is the best the hospital can provide. It sounds scary, but it is good.❤🙏❤

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  89. Lord, we pray that your peace would cover the Jacksons with a think blanket focused on hope, thankfulness, and confidence that where you are, we are safe. We pray your Holy Spirit would guide the physicians and nurses, and other staff, that you would spark their imagination to look beyond the obvious to the possible.

    Spark life and fight into AJ. Give Cheryl the voice she needs to be heard clearly. Move your healing through AJ’s body, from the top of his head, throughout his trunk, and even to the souls of his feet.

    Give the rest of the family the words they need to encourage and to hang on to faith; may be you be glorified in this situation.

    Amen.

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  90. Thanks, Janice. You are exactly right. I feel much more confident with him in ICU. I let them know that it was a poor decision to delay so long in waiting to move him. He looked as if he were at death’s door since the second surgery, but was a bit more full of life today. There seem to be further complications or at least the strong possibility of one, and a warning that there may be others. There is also the possibility oh him needing time in a rehab if he has lost too much strength.

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  91. Michelle, thanks for your prayer. It echoes so much of what is in my heart and mind. When I cannot think clearly I just repeat “to God be the glory”. I want Allen home and well, but am trying to reconcile with knowing God has a plan and his love and wisdom are infinite.

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  96. And first thing on Christmas morn, prayer for AJ and Cheryl . . . never ceasing.

    Also praying for a young gal, N,, who has contracted typhoid, to get well enough to be at her brother’s wedding.

    Prayer for my brother’s continuing healing and that the peace and joy of the Lord woild fill his heart to overflowing today.

    Prayer for safety of all who may be targeted for any kind of threat by terrorism. Especially Jews and Christians.

    Prayer for safety on the roads for all who are traveling. May all drunk or drugged drivers not be able to get behind the wheel.

    Thank You, God, for Your love and for hearing our prayers
    In Jesus’ name, Amen

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  101. Allen is in surgery again. 1-3 hours, since about 2 or however long after that when the anesthesia kicked in. He is now considered medium to high risk for surgery. I asked the surgeon to return him to me in better shape rather than worse. He promised me he would give 100%. And really, ultimately the out come is in Gods hands. Thank for your continued prayers. I do feel blessed by all the care and prayers. So in some ways this awful Christmas has some beauty for me.

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  102. Just got the call from the surgeon that it is done and was successful, went well.Thank you Jesus for some positive news, may this be the beginning of heading in the right direction.

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  104. Cheryl this has been such a roller coaster of emotions for you and my prayer is the calm of our Lord will envelope you. Thankful the surgery was a success and we continue to lift you up. Thank you for keeping us updated ❣️❣️

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  107. Praising God for the good news about AJ’s surgery. I was checking in here and praying while on the road and at Bro’s house earlier.

    Things were peaceful at Bro’s so I know prayers helped.

    News on the young lady with typhoid said she is better today and able to eat sone. Still praying she can make it to her brother’s wedding.

    Art gave me a desktop vomputer wss ith a very large screen. Please pray it can be set up in a timely manner and that I can master it and utilize all its vision helps.

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  110. Reading in Psalms for my sceduled Bible study this morning. I felt prompted to turn a portion into prayer for AJ.
    Psalm 69:13
    “But as for me (AJ), LORD, my prayer to you is for a time of favor. In your abundant faithful love, God, answer me with your sure salvation (physical healing).”

    May You, God, show Your favor upon AJ and Cheryl this day and hold firm their faith in You. May the depths and heights of Your love be known to greater measure than ever before. Please mend up all the wounds in AJ with Your supernatural weavings that give strength to endure. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

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  111. Continued prayers for AJ and Cheryl. Thanks for the updates.

    When I walked out of Office Depot today, I saw someone walking in who looked like AJ. Another reminder to 🙏! Prayers lifted from behind the wheel while sitting in a parking lot. 🙂

    Prayers also for Janice’s brother, and for the girl with typhoid.

    Prayers for my mom, please. My siblings and I are wondering if she had a stroke. Slurred speech, increased confusion.

    An especially concerning example revolves around Mom’s non-reaction to a recurring event not having happened last week. 3rd Arrow has been calling her every Saturday for the last couple years. This weekend she tried calling more than 15 times on Saturday and Sunday, but Mom didn’t answer, though it’s been established that she was at her place of residence for many of those hours 3rd was trying to reach her. Over the years, if that Saturday phone call from her granddaughter didn’t come right away, Mom would call me by early afternoon to find out if everything was OK with 3rd. Mom doesn’t seem to be aware now that the call never came last Saturday or since, as she hasn’t inquired of anyone why she didn’t hear from 3rd last week. 😞

    6

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  112. I have been lifting AJ and Cheryl to the Lord each time I awoke in the night.

    I tried to post a prayer last night before I fell asleep for 6’s request and for AJ but somehow it got lost and I was too tired to redo.

    6, perhaps your mom could be checked for a UTI which can cause things like mental confusion.

    Heavenly Father,

    Thank You for Your abiding presence that sees us through the difficult times of life. Thank You for carrying us when necessary through areas of quick sand that want to engulf us with anxiety and depression. Without You we would be stuck but with You we can arise over and over. Thank You for Psalms which show is the way King David did that in Your power. He started writing from a dark place and then thought of You and Your attributes, and he held tight to You as You lifted him up by supernatural might and will. Thank You for AJ’s daily posting of Psalms. Please lift him as You lifted King David from despair. And please lift Cheryl, Elizabeth and Isaac, church friends and family, and all of us on the blog. We wait on You, Lord.

    I ask that You give help to 6’s mother, M, who seems to have some type of affliction. You know what is needed to bring her mind back from where it has wandered. Please act quickly to restore her to fully alert and aware as she was before this incident.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen

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  113. Good idea to check for a UTI, Janice. My mother would seldom answer the phone and refused to have an answering machine. I know how nerve wracking that can be for loved ones.

    I have a couple of older acquaintances who regularly attend a music jam. One has called the other every single morning for over twenty years (since she became a widow), just checking to make sure she is all right since she lives alone. If the one checked one goes out of town, she lets the one checking on her know. Otherwise, one of her children or other relatives will be called to physically check on her. Such things can be such a blessing to others.

    Michelle, I want you to know I am also keeping you and your husband in prayer over leaving your church. I know how heartbreaking and difficult this can be. It is a time of grief even though the decision may be yours.

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  114. Prayer here as son in law’s mom heads home. Though she made a couple of big dinners for us, she has been ill since her arrival and, with her heart condition, has been sleeping more and more. She heads home today. A couple connecting flights. Then home to where she lives alone.

    mumsee

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  115. No news on Allen yesterday, nice to have no new concerns. Will head over to see him as soon as I log off of work, around noon. He is feeling hungry and lonely, so specific prayers that he do the things he needs to do to get to the point of being able to eat. I reached out to the church to let them know that he would love short visits from anyone who is willing and able.

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  119. I saw more signs of progress during this afternoon’s visit, both physical and mindset.

    I am feeling so encouraged today.

    I was able to talk to a coworker today and really talk about God. She wanted an update on Allen and we got to talking and she mentioned a “church lady” who was being mean. It gave me the opening to tell her that church people are not perfect . But if we have a relationship with God we need to be reflecting who God is to others. I asked her to call me on it, if she sees me not doing so.
    I also had the opportunity to talk with a number of people about how many blessings we have gotten from God through this awful time, and tell people that in some ways this has been a great Christmas.

    I am just feeling so much joy today. I am seeing the blessings and feeling overcome with gratitude.
    Our pastor stopped by and the conversation was so encouraging. I just love how much he loves God and how it is so obvious.

    I get wordy when I am feeling “up”, so thanks for hearing me out.

    I would like to end with a prayer request for a man named Kevin, whom I spoke with today in the elevator. His wife was just put on hospice. He is in his 30s, maybe 40. I told him I would pray for him and asked if he had a church family. He said he attends a local Catholic Church. My prayer is that he gets the support and love he needs and that God brings believers into his life to show him Jesus if Kevin has not met him yet. I could see the love for his wife in his eyes. A good reminder to me, that I still have my beloved and I am grateful.

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  120. Thank you for that beautiful report, Cheryl. God be praised.

    It is amazing to see how God uses times of trial to draw us closer to Him and our loved ones. I remember so well the deep peace our family experienced around Christmas 2002 as God showered His mercies on us at the time of my first miscarriage, a little one who came forth from my body on December 19th that year, on my dad’s 73rd birthday. Our family enjoyed a quiet place of bonding and love for one another and for our Lord Who blessed us with that little child for his/her brief earthly life, and Who has given us hope and peace that we will be reunited in heaven, home with our Savior.

    There is no greater joy.

    Continued prayers moving forward, and I will add the young man Kevin and his wife to my prayers as well.

    6

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  121. So thankful to hear your heart on all this, Cheryl. God is so good and does not waste opportunities to show off His goodness and love for us. A hospital is a great location for Him to do so. Y’all have been a super God-sized blessing to all of us here over the years. I am so glad you have a great pastor and close knit church family. It makes a great difference. Prayers for Kevin as he processes all before him and especially that he will seek greater understanding of God and the Bible. I pray that the differences between true Christianity and all the additions tacked on by the Catholics will become evident to him. May he know the simplicity of basic faith in Jesus while getting on board the path to lifelong discipleship through Bible study and other disciplines that will train him in abiding in Christ so that he never feels alone even though he misses the wife he cherishes. Please, Lord, draw Kevin closer today. Do not let him fail to know full salvation in Jesus. In His name, I pray. Amen

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  122. Cheryl, Thanks for the good report. It’s wonderful the way God makes his presence felt during these times of intense crisis. I know he changed me when Cyrus was battling for his life with covid. He brought about a level of surrender to his will and peace that I have never known before. And that has stayed with us. I pray that same thing for you and AJ as well. Let him mark us and change us and mold us to be his desired vessel. Only the potter knows how to do that. We submit to his will and ways.

    Blessings,
    Debra

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  123. Cheryl, I am so glad that you are feeling some relief about the situation, and that you have that deep sense of God’s presence.

    *******
    Debra – What you described is similar to how God moved in me after Hubby’s death. I felt God’s presence with me in a greater way than ever before.

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  125. Janice and Kathaleena, a UTI was one of the first things that came to mind, too, when I’d heard about the symptoms Mom started exhibiting. I requested that she be tested for one, but there was no follow-through. (I’ll admit to frustration about that lack.) The nurse on staff believes Mom reacted to a recently increased (doubled) dose of one of her medications , so they’ve gone back to the previous dosage. She will get physical therapy again, and will start occupational therapy.

    I talked with Mom today. Her speech sounded thick, but I could understand her.

    I’d appreciate continued prayers for her. She still seems to have no remembrance that she didn’t speak with her pregnant granddaughter this weekend (3rd Arrow, the one who has phoned her every single Saturday since November 2020). For months now, Mom has talked and talked about that baby coming in the spring, looking so forward to another great-grandchild. Mom tells me often how much she enjoys those conversations, so it’s not like her to refuse to answer the phone on a Saturday when she knows (or once knew) that her granddaughter was calling for their weekly visit. It also seems weird to me that Mom wouldn’t wonder if 3rd Arrow went into labor early or something, or be concerned that that expected Saturday call never came.

    I’m thinking now that Mom has forgotten what 3rd Arrow’s husband’s name is. When 3rd calls, it’s her husband’s name that appears on the caller ID. She doesn’t answer the phone anymore when she doesn’t recognize the name, because of the number of spam calls she receives. If she has forgotten 3rd’s husband’s name, she wouldn’t pick up, because she only looks at the name, not the phone number.

    And one of Mom’s grandsons called her on Christmas Day, and she asked him at one point who he was again? He’s well into his 20s, just got married this summer, a wedding Mom attended, and he’s been in our lives since he was 5 years old, living next door to Mom and Dad for a number of years, and she lost track of who he was Monday. If she forgets who he is, it’s not surprising that she would forget the name of a granddaughter’s husband who has only been in Mom’s life for a few years.

    Anyway, sorry so long. I am hoping Mom bounces back after the med dosage change. Today she remembered better some details about Christmas Eve and Day that she was mixed up about on the 25th and 26th, so that is one bright spot that things are improving.

    Thank you for your continued prayers, everyone, and if you could add some for 3rd Arrow, that would be much appreciated. She’s grown very close to her grandma through these weekly phone calls, and what has happened over the weekend and Mom’s continued lack of awareness about it, is heartbreaking to my daughter.

    With gratitude,
    6

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  126. Praying for 3rd Arrow to have an excellent birth experience and for good health of the baby with a strong immunity to all the winter illnesses. Lifting 3rd to have comfort from God in missing the great relationship with M. May it quickly be restored for both of their sakes as well as others. Thank You, Abba, for how You are working things out now since the problem is being adressed. If a UTI check is needed, please make caregivers get on top of that, too. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

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  127. Things are starting to move internally for Allen. He is looking forward to when he can eat. His last full meal was 12/13. He was feeling discouraged today. I think he is expecting too much too soon and is just sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. He is usually a very busy person, so the slow pace is unfamiliar to him.

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  130. You are never so happy to see poop as when you are in the hospital. Praising God for making things move! It is very hard for me not to pepper you with questions, but please know that I am praying for you and your family!

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  131. Nightingale and our neighbor/friend Gabby-Mom left a little after 5:30 this morning for a daytrip to New York City. Please pray for safe travels and safety while they’re there. Thank you.

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  134. Heavenly Father,

    Thank You for being our all in all. When we don’t know what to ask, You know. You are never clueless like we feel so often.

    I continue to lift up AJ and Cheryl. Thank You for helping things move in a positive direction for AJ. Please help the dietary staff to bring the proper meal selections unlike what happened with my brother after his bypass surgery. Thank You for the long rest AJ’s systems have had for recouperating, but now he needs Your strength to build him back up. Thank You for putting guardrails of safety around him to keep him steady. Please give the benefit of physical thrrapy in house at the hospital and elsewhere as he is ready for outside appointments. Please help him to make friends with other patients if possible. I do ask for good chats with a hospital chaplain if AJ desires. Thank Ypu for church family that visit. I pray he is not in pain and that his good sense of humor is intact. O, Lord, thank You for how You are seeing AJ and Cheryl through.

    I pray in Jesus’ name Amen

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  135. Father God,

    I lift the situation to You concerning 6’s mother, M. You know the cause for her trip to the hospital. Please let it be easilt diagnosed and treated. Please give the family peace as they wait for answers. I pray for ease in travel to the hospital for family who are able to be there. Thank You for the loving care she receives from You through her caregivers. May she soon be able to return to her own bed much more healthy than when she left. Please give her a clear mind and ease in communicating. You know all the details, Lord. Please let answers be known soon. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

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  138. Allen was moved to a regular room today, I presume his ICU room was needed.
    He is making progress; the stomach suction has been removed, so he should start on clear liquids tomorrow.
    I am concerned about the regular ward keeping up with all his needs. The 4th floor where he was after the first and second surgery have too many patients. He is now on the 3rd floor, but a lot more to look after for him. I felt confident in the care he received in ICU.
    It’s also unfortunate that the move came before he had been out of bed and was hard on him, so he didn’t feel up to getting out of bed after. Praying he does not lose ground.
    Also praying that he will no longer have the nephrostomy bags when he does get released, as the other two bags will be enough to keep up with, even with nurses coming to the house.

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  140. Mom is being admitted to the hospital right now. Bladder infection with diarrhea, nausea and gagging. She is too medically unstable to be discharged.

    Most of the other tests they did in the ER came back normal. Her CT scan, however, when compared to the one she had 5 years ago, shows changes with blood vessel disease that may be contributing to cognitive decline.

    Antibiotics will be started. Pray that they will be effective, and that she won’t have another stroke like what was noted in her medical record sometime in the past.

    Thank you, all.

    ~6

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  141. Much to pray for, good to hear AJ is progressing and 6’s mom is getting looked after with tests and needed medication; hope they can relieve those uncomfortable symptoms.

    And praying that AJ will gain strength quickly as he shifts to actual food following the liquids and begins to get up out of bed with assistance.

    -dj

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  142. Praying for AJ and Cheryl. Lord, please give them confidence to deal with the ostomies. Strengthen them, give them encouragement to face the days ahead. We know you are in charge. You love your children.

    Praying for 6’s mom. Please heal her and give her peace. Give the family peace and encouragement during this time.

    Praying for Kizzie’s family. Lord you know the situation, and the healing that needs to take place. Please draw all of them near to you. Give Kizzie perfect peace. Thank you for loving them.

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  144. Thank you for your prayer above, RK, and for all the prayers going up, everyone, for my mom. She’s back at her assisted living place again and I visited her today.

    Too much on my heart to tell. Thank you for continuing to pray.

    Our family Christmas celebration tomorrow will be postponed, as my husband is now sick with what appears to be the same virus I just got over.

    Praying we will all find peace, encouragement and refreshment in the Lord in 2024 as we walk our various ordained paths.

    6

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  145. Clarification: “We” means all of us reading this. I was speaking of my family in the second-to-last paragraph, and now realize that “family” might sound like the antecedent to “we” in the closing paragraph.

    God’s richest blessings be yours in 2024,
    6 arrows

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  146. Prayer here, as son in law realizes it is time to move along even without the judge decision. He is thinking of flight school, which was his plan before she filed. He had started in Boise but found a couple in Spokane which would be easier for child exchange. He and his mom are looking at house up that way. Wisdom.

    mumsee

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  147. Prayers continue for Aj and others.

    Being without Aj and his updates has sure made me aware of how much he does. I am thankful for it.

    I am thankful, too, to see how God is working in the life of one of my grown grandsons, who has joined the same bible study his mom and I are doing (with many others). It is always a joy to see your children or grandchildren, and so on down the years, walk in the right direction. It is also a joy when others make a course correction. Oh, what a blessing to have a living Savior who works in our lives in so many ways.

    Praise to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in this new year!

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  148. Agreed.

    It is also encouraging to find old letters from ancestors written centuries ago, indicating prayer for their descendants and their very real belief in the Lord.

    Praying for the real and family as they continue to cling to the Lord and see His workings in their lives.

    mumsee

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  150. There was a fire in a two-family home one town over from us. Four children from the upstairs family were killed in the fire, and both families lost all their possessions. Please pray for their parents and other relatives, and for the downstairs family as well. Thank you.

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  155. Staff at the assisted living facility just called and reported Mom fell and has a head injury. She is being transported by ambulance to the hospital. We covet your prayers for her. Thank you.

    6 and family

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  156. Heavenly Father,

    Please take good care of M as she is again in a situarion involving a trip to the hospital. I ask that You help her rely on You for comfort and peace as medical staff are doing all they have to do to treat her and bring her to recovery. Please help the family as they feel that they are on a roller coaster ride with M. Please show Yourself mighty to help again in this troubling time.

    I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

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  158. Thank you for your prayers for my mom. Apparently she had fallen backwards while standing by the window, hit the back of her head, and found herself on the floor. No internal bleeding, neck injury, etc., so she was discharged after the tests came back.

    Thanks for praying through all these recent incidences. I think we’re all a bit in shock at how significantly she’s deteriorated in the last couple weeks, though there are moments of improvement that provide encouragement and a respite from continuous decline.

    6

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  161. Thank you for that, Kathaleena. I need prayers for wisdom. I don’t think I’ve adequately grieved my dad’s passing last year — I’ve experienced so many health challenges in the last 6 months: vitreous detachment, torn retina, covid, a different respiratory illness last month, and a lingering intestinal bug or bad reaction to food I ate New Years Eve– so Mom’s big decline and ER visits since Christmas have added emotional burden to my physical issues. Life is too busy (and actually quite good in some important ways) to slow down and grieve, I’m afraid, but I think that’s why one ailment after another keeps striking.

    Is God trying to get my attention? Am I actually listening?

    Maybe I like too much the things that are keeping me overly busy. I wonder if that’s avoidance of doing the hard work of fully grieving Dad. But I can’t escape the reality that Mom is headed downhill fast. I didn’t think that would happen so soon after Dad’s passing — she’s almost 11 years younger than he was.

    Thanks for prayers that I’ll discern God’s will in all this and be able to serve in the way and capacity He calls me.

    6

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  165. Thanks so much, Janice, and all praying. Today I have two pieces of good news!

    3rd Arrow was able to reach Mom/Grandma today by phone, and they talked for about an hour, 3rd reports! It’s significant that Mom knew today how to respond to a ringing phone, unlike when I visited her on the 30th and she sat blankly and unmoving when the phone was ringing on the tray right next to her chair.

    Praise God for antibiotics that help clear up bladder infections and associated cognitive confusion, and I praise Him again for praying friends!

    Second piece of good news is that today is the first day of this year that I’m able to eat without experiencing nausea. Yay; food looks good again. 🙂

    6

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  167. Lifting AJ and Cheryl to the Lord. Asking for His felt presence as they navigate recovery at home. Peace of mind, resting in Jesus, calming of momentary storms, and freedom from any type of pain. May praise songs lift their spirits, and visits from family and friends encourage them. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

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  169. I start the prep today for a routine medical procedure tomorrow. It should be my last for this, hopefully. There are some areas where age is not a bad thing. I appreciate all prayers that all goes well today and tomorrow.

    Nice to hear your good news, 6.

    Prayers continue for others.

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  172. Prayers continue for you all my wandering companions. I am so grateful that God is faithful and has left us Holy Spirit to cheer and to guide us…and that he has given us each other.

    Debra

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  173. Praying, 6 & mom, Kathaleena, AJ-Cheryl.

    Pray for a young woman attender at our church, “J,” I don’t know that she’s a believer, I think not, but she has been taken under the wing of one of our deacons — she unexpectedly lost her much loved 6-year-old seeing-eye dog in the past few days which was quite devastating. Pray for her comfort and also for her to come to faith if that hasn’t happened. -dj

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  177. This is a season for prayer, clearly. Minor issue on my end (I hope), but I checked in w/the GP today for just the routine followup I’d put off from December and I mentioned that now my *other* knee, the right one, is experiencing some pain on the inside and in back, but nothing that is impeding walking or moving, I just notice a burning sensation. Nothing major and I’ve been hoping it was just a “tweak” that occurred on a dog walk or with some other move, but it’s persisting going into 2 weeks now. So we had an X-ray done today in the office (which probably won’t show much as these are almost always soft-tissue issues) and doctor will order an MRI also but that may take a while due to the hoops one has to jump through with insurance.The doctor felt the joint, said it seemed like perhaps a ligament might be loose, but we shall see. Sigh. Always somethin’ But in the scene of things, minor.

    -dj

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  183. Thanks for the prayers — knee feels much better so far today (and even last night on the dog walk), I still am thinking something just got ‘tweaked’ in the past couple weeks and this is a temporary thing. This came up so suddenly. Either way, I’d still like to get the MRI, just to see what that other knee looks like. It’s given me no trouble or pain at all until just these past several days. I’d asked the surgeon once if my “other” knee would be expected to need attention eventually, too, and he said “not necessarily,” often times people have one knee “go” out but the other one stays fine, he said. So we’ll see.I had another doctor once tell me — when I was telling him how tiring it was to be going to so many doctors so suddenly — that everything past 50 falls under the “maintenance” category. He was old enough to know from experience. 🙂 -dj

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  187. Kizzie’s family is stumbling along.

    After discussion with Nightingale on New Year’s Day, what we are going to do or not going to do with or for the house is still an issue, and up in the air, at least as far as I am concerned. Nightingale has a firm position on what she wants to do, but it is not at all what I would prefer. My next step will be to organize my various thoughts and ideas to present to her, and to eventually get a professional opinion. (Please pray that her heart and mind will be open to hear and seriously consider what I will have to say.)

    This situation has caused me to feel discouraged and depressed lately.

    There was another big blow-up with Nightingale and Boy one night last week. (Please pray that Boy will make a big step in the maturing process. But there may be more to it than that, too.)

    Heidi seems to have doggie dementia, and goes through a period of restless “sundowning” in the early evenings that keeps me on my toes until she settles down for the rest of the evening.

    And earlier today, Janie managed to get the second of half of my cheeseburger grinder (sub or hoagie to most of you) left over from last night’s dinner, which I was very much looking forward to having for lunch.

    And our cat Rudy is a pain the butt.

    Other than that, I’m fine! Thanks for asking! :-D

    Seriously, though, please pray that Nightingale and I will find a way to deal with the house situation (wisdom for each of us) that will satisfy us both. And for Boy. Thank you.

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  191. Praying as well.

    I’m grateful for a good report yesterday at the check-in with cardiologist, the echo cardiogram from November looked good, she said, heart is pumping well, is a good/normal “size;” so she’s now put me on an annual check-in with her rather than every 6 months unless I feel I need to come in sooner if something changes.

    I have a couple days off for a long weekend for which I’m also grateful; but I am also reminded to be thankful I am still able to work and be active after hearing this week about a past work-related couple who are not much older than I am, retired, and are not doing well physically.

    I know many people look forward to retirement but I still believe God has designed to work, to stay active in whatever sphere He has placed us, as long as we are able; in the home and yard, an outside workplace or by volunteering, Bible studies, walking dogs ( 🙂 ), whatever is available to us.

    I still go through bouts of sadness over some of the abrupt personal losses I’ve had in the past few years, from lifelong (or close to it) close friends who have died close together, my lost long-time and beloved pets that also died in quick succession, and just the weirdness that’s been left in some cases for many of us with the aftermath of the pandemic. They feel like lost years in some ways, years that disrupted so much of our regular lives and routines.

    Also concerned about our world and nation, of course, this is an unsettled time all around.

    But God … There is and was and will be a purpose for it all. -dj

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  193. kizzie, I wrote out a long prayer yesterday over gour.c needs. As I got to the end, my phone shut off and all I wrote was gone. But God heard and that is most important! I will keep praying. My own frustrating home situations often remind me to pray for you.♡

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  196. Prayers for those in the cold to not get frostbite. Also, may everyone’s heaters be in good shape for the winter blasts. It’s suppose to go down around 13° here next week.🙏 At least the storm predicted for today fizzled out.PTL

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  198. Thanks again for all the recent (and previous to that) prayers for our nuclear and extended family, everyone.

    Ever grateful,
    6

    Keeping you all in my prayers, too. It’s a privilege.

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