Prayer Warriors Called into Action (Day 11 and 12 together)

If you'd like to know what we are praying about go HERE.

Last night got late so I didn't post.

But, today was a crazy day.  I feel like it was filled with spiritual attacks which mostly came in the form of FeiFei.  He was crazy today.  I believe it was primarily a lack of sleep because one of our dogs woke him up at 5:30 am, which left him vulnerable to all sorts of crazy.  

Toward the end of the day, he sat at the dinner table and I finally thought "maybe, it's all the stuff going on with Emma and he is sad/worried, etc."  So I asked him and he said yes.  As we talked, Emma bowed her head on the table and began to weep.  She was too weepy to really explain why she was crying--translators only work when people speak clearly and can articulate.  We mostly speak English, but when it comes to complicated things like emotions, we still pull out the translators.  She never really clarified what her tears were about.  But, Joshua definitley had some feelings about the subject and is stressing out about her being there and him not being by her side the entire time.

This came out in his crazy actions today and jealousy of Lucas, getting mad at me several times and throwing things around the house--yelling like an infant, etc.  Peter was gone all day serving at church, so it was kind of a crazy day.

At the end of it, I realized these are all "attacks".

So Please pray the Full Armor of God (see below) over all of us here this week.  Peter and I leave on Thursday evening with Emma for surgery on Friday.  The boys will be in 2 different places and then together on Friday night.  Peter will return to them on Saturday and I will be with Emma in Greenville (2 hours away).  Just cover everyone this week. 

It must mean something big is on the horizon or Satan wouldn't be on the prowl like this. 

 

GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED! So Satan, You may want to just take a back seat now.

On another subject---I had a few strange moments with Emma today--in a good way I think. 

 

I started this whole essential oil massage thing 12 days ago. And she's getting some other supplements as well.  

But, here were a few of the unusual things that happened today:

1.  She asked me if she could use the restroom before her Cath alarm went off at church. ( ok that may not seem strange but it was as if she had some sensation--that would be weird since she is unable to control any of that supposedly)

2.  When we got home she smiled at me and pointed that she wasn't wearing a diaper after she cathed when we got home.  That is RISKY for her.  She has no leakage control between cathing and is typically not dry.  But, she was all smiles and walking around all proud.  WHAT?  Was she sensing sometthing?  (she eventually put one on again, but it was a while later)

3.  While I did her massage tonight she complained at one point and said "ouch" on the lower right section of her back as if it was really tender.  This is her "bum" side.  She supposedly has/had no feeling on that side.  Other than up a little higher being ticklish.  Also, very strange because I wasn't pushing any differently than any other spot on her back or any other time.  (it's all really very gentle anyway--I'm not a massage therapist) Is she gaining some sensation?

Keep praying for her as we are apparently already seeing some things that could be good signs for her future.

Here are the verses of the Armor of God from Ephesians 6...

Please pray boldly as we enter this week and put on the Full Armor of God to fend off attacks on her behalf and ours.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Thanks again for continuing to pray with us.

Prayer Warriors Called Into Action -- Day 10 (part 2)

A Daddy's Prayer:

I’ve been struck over the past few days in particular, what a wonderful spirit Emma has. She is always cheerful and smiling (even if she doesn’t want to smile for pictures). She may not even recognize that she shines brightly with the Spirit of God in her, but I am certain that His Spirit is working mightily in her. My prayer tonight would be for that sprit to shine through to everyone at the hospital throughout her stay there. A couple of days ago she expressed to Heidi some concern about the surgery, mostly it seemed to be centered on pain; but she is clearly thinking about it. Even so, her spirit remains strong and positive. So I would further ask that her fears would be dissolved like the fog when the sun rises, so she can enter in with a positive perspective right from the start. Fear is not of God, so it has no claim on her. Despite the discomfort and strangeness of the situation to her, our desire would be that she would shine brightly to everyone; and what a tremendous witness she would be to the staff and other patients by letting His Light shine. 

AMEN!

Prayer Warriors Called Into Action - Day 10 (1 week from surgery)

If you want to know why we are praying look HERE

First, I have to tell you what Emma said as I sat next to her tonight on her bed getting ready to put the essential oils on her....

"Mom, Tomorrow, for you."

She wants to give ME a massage with oils tomorrow.
How precious is that?
Talk about God doing miracles and transforming lives. Wow!  I was blown away.
So, tomorrow I may be a big ole' marshmallow and unable to blog at all--stay tuned.

Today as I finally began, I was asking the Lord,
"What do you want me to pray for tonight?"
And almost in an audible voice I "heard",
"Tonight is Peter's night [to pray]"

He isn't in the room when I'm massaging her and therefore isn't praying in that moment because Emma is very modest and her back is exposed.  So, after I was finished, I told him and he said he would see how the Lord leads and we will make another post shortly (or tomorrow) as we hear how the Lord speaks through a daddy's heart for his girl and for the Glory of Jesus.
 I can't wait...how 'bout you?

He's my favorite...

Request to follow shortly.
Stay tuned.
 in the meantime pray for him since he will be home with the boys after the initial surgery is done, and I will be with Emma 2 hours away at Shriners.  He will need some prayers for sure.

Prayer Warriors Called Into Action -Day 9

If you want to know what we are praying about go HERE.

A few things came forward in our time together tonight:

First, when I lifted her shirt to do the massage I noticed an abrasion on her lower back about 2-3" long.  More or less like a pressure sore or rug burn.  It concerned me.  I asked about it and she said it doesn't hurt and that she fell at the playground tonight when her and Joshua were playing (I didn't see it happen apparently).
This did bring forward something to keep in prayer:
we need to make sure she has no wounds or abrasions or illnesses, etc before the surgery.  So if you could pray this heals quickly, we'd appreciate it.
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Second, while I was coming to the close of the massage I closed my eyes to seek Jesus' guidance for what to pray tonight and there was a very subtle light that I could see when I closed my eyes.  It was a very peaceful all-encompassing light.  I'm not sure exactly what that means.  I'd love to know how God speaks to you about that.  The only thing I could piece together was being a light in a dark place. or God is an all consuming light to our lives.  Again, I'm not sure what that's all about quite yet.  
So pray as you feel led about the light.
(sorry that is vague, but perhaps you have insight to share)

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Third, the word "expectant" kept coming up.  Be Expectant.  Expect great things.  Do not fear, but be Expectant.  "Let me show you how to be Expectant".  There's no room for doubt when you are expectant that God is in it.  Be bold.  Be strong. Be faithful.  Believe.  Be Confident. Be Expectant.
Please
pray with Expectation with us.

Psalm 5:3
"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
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Fourth, this is the first time she completely passed out and didn't move when I left the room.  Total and complete silence, didn't even move.  Again, more signs of peace, comfort, release, attachment, contentment.
Thank You Jesus for all you are doing and offering Emma sweet precious peace-which in turn becomes our peace as well.

Sorry this was such a scattered and random post.  I don't know why it turned out that way.  But, God had a lot of "little" messages tonight that have potential for Greatness in this journey.
1.  pray against wounds/abrasions before surgery and the one she has will heal quickly
2.  pray as you feel led about how God is using the image of "light" in this journey.
3.  Pray Expectantly--unabashidly ---without hesitation --without fear
4.  Thank Jesus for peace. (we thank Him for you. =)

Prayer Warriors Called Into Action--Day 8

If you want to see what we are praying about go HERE.

Tonight I was looking at Emma's back while I was massaging it.  I mean really looking at it.  From the perspective of what "normal" might look like, it's just a mess.  There are so many bones out of place and a non functioning hip and leg. There's a scar across her lower back that is about 8-10" long that looks like someone could have cared less how they sewed it up. (this was her one and only surgery at 11 mo. old for her SB)
I was touching it tonight and really "feeling" it.
I know most people my steer clear of even touching it.  She is very 'boney' --
So that means you can actually see some of the bones particularly on her back almost protruding.  I wish I could share a picture with you, but that would be pretty personal for her.  Suffice it to say, I think many people have steered clear of really offering her much physical touch/affection in life because it's almost awkward to hug her because you don't really know where to wrap your arms around her boney crooked frame.  I only say this because reality is what it is.

Yet, tonight I looked at it.
I mean really looked at it.
I truly wonder what is all going on inside of there.
Not much of it seems to make sense.

But, I'll tell you what made a whole lot of sense toninght.
I kept coming back to sections of Psalm 139 in my head.
I kept thinking about how intricately God Knows Emma.
I kept thinking about how He Wove Her Together in her mother's womb and how she was fearfully and wonderfully made.
How He has had her in the palm of His hand all along.

So tonight...we pray this Psalm over Emma.
We pray the knowledge of our Heavenly Father--the Great Healer and Deliverer would be seen and known.

I know it would be a long prayer to pray this...but could you insert "Emma" in for "Me"?
(I'm not highlighting anymore because I found it hard to read)

1You have searched me, Lord, 

and you know me. 

2You know when I sit and when I rise; 

you perceive my thoughts from afar. 

3You discern my going out and my lying down; 

you are familiar with all my ways. 

4Before a word is on my tongue 

you, Lord, know it completely. 

5You hem me in behind and before, 

and you lay your hand upon me. 

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, 

too lofty for me to attain. 

7Where can I go from your Spirit? 

Where can I flee from your presence? 

8If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

9If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

10even there your hand will guide me, 

your right hand will hold me fast. 

11If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me 

and the light become night around me,” 

12even the darkness will not be dark to you; 

the night will shine like the day, 

for darkness is as light to you. 

13For you created my inmost being; 

you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well. 

15My frame was not hidden from you 

when I was made in the secret place, 

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

16Your eyes saw my unformed body; 

all the days ordained for me were written in your book 

before one of them came to be. 

17How precious to me are your thoughts,God! 

How vast is the sum of them! 

18Were I to count them, 

they would outnumber the grains of sand— 

when I awake, I am still with you. 

19If only you, God, would slay the wicked! 

Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! 

20They speak of you with evil intent; 

your adversaries misuse your name. 

21Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, 

and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? 

22I have nothing but hatred for them; 

I count them my enemies. 

23Search me, God, and know my heart; 

test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

24See if there is any offensive way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Also, just an added request-- Tonight was the first time she really expressed any anxiety over the procedure and had questions about pain, etc.  This was all before the massage.  So, she's beginning to think it all through now.  So as you get to vs. :23--please pray she is released from any "anxious" thoughts and sees Jesus is by her side.

Prayer Warriors Called Into Action-Day 7

If you want to know what we are praying about goHERE

Again my internet wasn't cooperating last night to post, but again God is on the move.
Peter and I headed out to our Community Group last night and before we left Emma was concerned because she thought she might miss out on her "massage".  I reassured her I would do it when I got home.  So even though it was late, I did it then.
Right BEFORE we started she gleefully laid on her bed looked up at me with wide open arms inviting me in for a HUGE bear hug!!
And then said, "I Love you Mom!"
Wow!
That was some place to start the evening.

As I was praying over her last night "Thankfulness" rose to the surface.
Overwhelming thankfulness.

I'm thankful for all of you willing to walk this journey with us and continue to pray.
I'm thankful for Emma.
I'm thankful for God leading us to her so we could be a part of her story.
I'm thankful for wise doctors/nurses/healthcare professionals.
I'm thankful for Essential Oils.
I'm thankfurl for bonding and attachment that is emerging.
I'm thankful that Jesus did it all and has taken us from death to life.
I'm thankful for a full life that's definitely not boring.
I'm thankful for a wonderful husband.


this list could go on and on.

So take that list and pray prayers of gratidude with us today, or make your own list...

Today:

We pray prayers of THANKFULNESS!

Prayer Warriors Called Into Action--Day 6

If you want to know what we are praying about go HERE

Tonight as I put Emma to bed, I paused at the Deep Blue Essential oil and was thinking about the amazing properties of this oil and praying her body recieves it for its qualities which include relief of  discomfort and repair of damage to nerves, etc.  It is a blend of several pure Essential Oils and it's been such a blessing to our family.

Then I continued the massage and she was so relaxed she almost began snoring...=)  
But, as she was dozing off she was singing mixed up lines from various worship songs we have on in our car most of the time.  She was just worshipping Jesus while peacefully relaxing.  It was tender and sweet.

This is one of the songs we've been singing a lot lately...

I hope you can listen to it.  The lyrics are amazingly poignant for this season of our lives.

After that, I was able to pull my hands all over her back tonight without her flinching and giggling at all. Up to this point, I've been focusing primarily on going up and down her spine and across her lower back.  
But, even that sometimes causes some flinching and giggling.  
Tonight. 
Nothing.  
Just pure unadulterated relaxation and peace.

So I prayed over her---

and
Peace kept coming to mind.
Soothing Peace.
so I prayed:
"A Peace that Surpasses all understanding would guard her heart and her mind in Christ Jesus" 
As I slowly massaged the remaining oils on her back.

These words which came to my heart for her come from this verse:
(Phil 4:6-7)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

After I was done, she woke up slightly because I moved on the bed, and she asked me to pray with her.  She has NEVER done that before. NEVER.  It was about her new glasses she may get tomorrow.  But, it was pretty amazing that she made that request.  I prayed about more than new glasses, needless to say.  And was once again blown away by what God is doing.

So tonight...you got it:

PEACE.  

A Peace that surpasses all understanding would guard ALL of our hearts and our minds In Christ Jesus throughout this process.  

Simply Peace.