Computers and a Prayer

Isn't the power of technology incredible??   Generally, technology and myself are not a good match.  It's kind of like oil and water.  When it comes to the computer, I've had a love/hate relationship with it.  Mostly hate. I love the endless possibilities but hate that I really don't know how to do much other than email. Seriously, until two years ago I didn't even know how to upload my digital pictures on to it!!!  All of my precious family memories were trapped on memory cards....when one would get full, I'd go to WalMart and by a new one.  Sad?? I know!

Thankfully, some friends showed me the light one evening when I confessed that I had about 15 memory cards, and I've been uploading ever since!  

Excel???? Powepoint???? You scare me!

Let's just say that when the computer isn't working right, I'm the kind of girl that turns it off and hopes it will get better by "resting."  

Over the past year and a half something has happened thanks to the computer, that I never would have thought possible.  I have made some wonderful friends and reconnected with old friends.

Have you met a friend over the computer???  

Last year I was the team Mom for my daughters cheerleading squad.  As part of my "duties" I had to update the parents through email.  Often I'd do this late at night after 11PM when everyone was asleep.   Many times one Mom would be up and email me right back.  I'd email her back.  We just connected instantly.  We talked about raising teens, lice, friends, even death. We never met each other because she wasn't able to attend the games.  After a few months of emailing each other she finally came over to my house.  When she pulled up and got out of the car, we just hugged each other. It was so nice to finally meet in person.   (Of course my kids thought it was pretty dorky.... they call her my email friend.)   We've stayed friends, done lunch,  and she was one of my biggest encouragers about running in the marathon this past fall.

This year I joined facebook.  Talk about a mind boggling experience.  Let's just say that if you join facebook you will be reconnected with people that you've known through every stage of your life.  It is the new version of "This is your life." Everyone from people you went to elementary school with, sorority sisters, past co-workers, family members, to friends and neighbors that your close with today. It is so strange to see them all listed side by side on one computer screen.

About a year and a half ago, I started this blog.  My sole intention was to update my friends and family on my kids.  As time passed I connected with other women and got to know them and their stories through their blogs.  I like to think of it as the new way for Mom's to connect.   When my Mom and Grandma had their kids, most Moms didn't work outside the home.  They'd get together and share stories, recipes, laugh & cry together.   I like to think that in a way, the blog kind of replaces the over the fence talk of generations past.   

I've met many women through my blog. Including a few that go to my church.  One friend that I met used to go to my church and had moved to Florida and started blogging.  We read each others blogs and finally got a chance to meet in person this fall.  How cool is that?  There have been many friends I've met that either have a blog that I started reading or who've somehow stumbled across mine.  It is always so neat to meet them in real life.

Then there are those people that I've yet to meet in real life.  This is one.  Her name is Kelly and right now she can use our prayers.  After battling infertility she got pregnant and just gave birth to her first baby, a girl named Harper. Harper was born at 40 and a half weeks and is in critical condition right now in Tulsa. She is having problems with her lungs and her heart. She can give you the details better than I, so if you have a few minutes go over to her site and read about her.  If you could stop what you're doing right now and say a quick prayer, I know it'd be greatly appreciated.

Speechless

I'm speechless.   

I wanted to point you in the direction of Angie Smith's blog  to have you read her post titled "The Past and The Pitcher."  It is truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring things I have read in a long time.

I've mentioned Angie's story a couple of times in my blog.  Her baby girl Audrey Caroline was born and died on April 7.  Angie is an EXCELLENT writer and has so much to share.  

Today, I went to her blog and saw that her 2 month old nephew Luke died on Tuesday evening. He apparently died from SIDS.  This family has been through so much heartache and pain. Please say a prayer for Angie's entire family.

Please Pray

I just returned from the bus stop, where I heard the sad news on the radio that Christian singer, Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old daughter was tragically killed yesterday. Apparently, she was playing in the family's driveway and her teenage brother did not see her and accidently struck and killed her with the family's SUV.  Please keep their family in your prayers.  Pray that they would have peace and comfort, on this dark day.

It just makes me think, we never know.  

WE NEVER KNOW. 

 

My time could be today, or my husband's time could be today, or my child's time could be today.  Am I ready?  Are you ready?

These past few months, I've had the opportunity to witness amazing faith in action, in the midst of incredible pain and sorrow.  I personally, have learned and grown so much.  I am grateful.

Please continue to keep my friend Suzie Lawyer and her kids in your prayers. 

Please continue to keep the family of Emily Burke in your prayers.

Please also continue to pray for Angie & Todd Smith.  Todd is the singer in the Christian band, Selah, and they had a baby girl who only lived for 2 and half hours.  I've been following Angie's story, and her faith in God is truly inspiring.  You can read her entire story on her blog.

Prayer

I have been doing a Bible Study by Angela Thomas with some women from my church and at the beginning of each week's lesson, Angela has written a prayer.  She has a beautiful way with words, so I'd like to share her prayer for this week with you.

He'll Raise You Up

Father God, In  this last week of study,  remind us that your truth never ends.  There is always more with You.  Let this just be the beginning of our transformation.  A life that is becoming, growing, and changing into Your likeness.  A heart that is being healed.  A soul that yearns for more.  

Where the way is narrow, let us walk with a righteous confidence.  Where we have given judgement, let us lay it down with humility.  Where the foundation is sinking sand, let us tear down and rebuild on solid rock.  Make us amazing women with profound and amazing lives.

Every time someone looks toward us, let them see Jesus. In our brokenness.  In our accomplishment.  In our obedience. In our forgiveness.  Make us women who reflect your grace with passion.

Take each day and give wisdom.  Open our eyes and soften our hearts.  Lead us by Your Holy Spirit.  Make this life a beautiful offering.

Because of Jesus and His love, Amen.

Please Pray

Please pray for the families of Emily Burke and Rudolfo Calderon.  They were local teens who were both killed Saturday night in a car accident. Emily's older brother, a 12th grader, was driving and he and another passenger, Alyson Hird...Emily's best friend,  were taken to Shock Trauma. The older brother's name is Paul Burke. Please pray for him.  What a terrible burden to have to carry through the rest of his life.

'My Girl' played softball with Emily at LHS.  She is very sad and is struggling with this.  She's had to deal with a lot of death this year.  Please say a quick prayer for her too.

Thank you guys.

Kath

Please Pray

I am writing this with a heavy heart.  I would like to ask you all for your prayers.  A good friend of ours, Kevin Lawyer, was killed tonight (Thurs) in a car accident.  He was driving his 6 kids home from school when it happened.  The kids were taken to 2 different hospitals. 4 of the 6 were being released when I left the hospital around 9PM.  The other 2, who were taken to Hopkins, were doing well, but hadn't yet been released.  His wife, Suzie, was not in the car with them at the time of the accident.

I was able to go up to the hospital to be with Suzie and the kids, along with other close friends and our Pastor and his wife.  Bri was in FL getting ready to fly home, when we heard about the accident.  Thankfully, he made it home safely.

My kids are pretty upset, as this is the first time, that they can recall, that someone close to them has died.  We have them all sleeping in our room tonight with us.

I am emotionally drained but yet unable to sleep, thus the post at 5AM.

I keep thinking that they must have made a mistake, that this can't be true.  But, sadly it is.

The one blessing in all of this is that Kevin truly put God first in his life.  He believed in Jesus with all of his heart. We know that he is in Heaven, where he wanted to be. As Brian said, "Now he knows all of the answers." 

Although, we are comforted in knowing where he is, our hearts are saddened by the void he leaves behind in so many people's lives.

Please pray for my friend Suzie and her kids Josh, Mayson, Max, Katie, Chloe, and Isabella.