Southern Porch Extension

[ready2go]

What a horrible experience Callie went through. I am so grateful she was finally helped.

As a result of the severe storms going through this area, we were without phone, TV, and Internet be ause our cable went out. There were men working out here for hours last night, but still late this morning no service so we finally called in. Apparently the guys that were here just left things open and disconnected and left. The cable guy today couldn't figure out why. But he is in the pro ess of getting everything reconnected. It felt so strange to be cut off from the world for 24 hrs. What a modern world we live in!

Yes, a modern world for sure, but sometimes the wheels fall off leaving us stranded. It just goes to show how addicted we are to our everyday conveniences.

That is exactly why I have my phone, TV, and internet all separate with three different companies.

Don

[Green Leaves]

Our grandson, Tyler, was called to active duty to help with the storm damage in the area. Friends of our daughter, Sherri, who live four miles south of them, lost everything.

While I was watching the coverage yesterday, the meteorologist was covering five tornadoes at one time in the local area.

[Laurie]

I haven't posted an update on Jess for a while, but I see this was posted on Facebook yesterday.

Jess has had a good week at Emory. Moved to the fourth floor, out of icu, last Thursday and in room 480. Plastic surgery on her upper pectoral and a vacuum sleeve on her leg wound was successfully preformed on Wednesday. Still recovering from those and starting back rehabbing her left hand and both legs. We continue to seek God and thank Him for her progress and healing, as we anticipate God's continued intervention on our behalf. We know and trust that all will be well and ask for your continued prayers. Please continue to pray for her a complete and speedy recovery on her kidneys, legs, left arm and left hand.

[Green Leaves]

Another post apparently bites the dust....

My friend, K, who had the huge back surgery needs prayer desperately. She is in incredible pain and having lots of anxiety as well. Her mother who is not well herself is staying with her and she is worn out. In case you don't remember, they put two rods the length of her spine in her back. It is horribly painful. When I talked with her today, I suggested she contact her doctor for better pain control and a home health visit to determine her needs. She does have med insurance. Would you stand in the gap for her?

[BeachGrandma]

I'll pray right now for K, Carol. If anyone understands back pain, I do but my pain doesn't even register on the richter scale compared to what she is suffering. My friend once had 2 rods put in her spine and I've never seen anyone suffer so much. She is a robust and healthy woman, a hard worker but that almost did her in. But that was 10 years ago and she recovered wonderfully and now mows their big lawn there in the mountains, plants and cares for a garden and does all her housework. That was one back surgery that went well, very well, so let's "pray largely" for K that the healing process will be swift and complete and she'll be like a new person. God bless her. I'll keep praying for her until you tell me things are fine.

I've been thinking about Laurie and hoping she is resting. There is always a let-down time after losing a parent, when reality sets in, and especially now when she's so concerned about her mother's happiness and well-being. Laurie was such a blessing to the family in the way she took a leadership role and gave direction to the whole process, as hard as it was.

Don is still on my heart and in my prayers, too, and I hope he's seeing answers to prayer which he desperately needs.

I pray for all of you as God brings you to my mind during the day and night and I appreciate your prayers for me, too. This cold, rainy weather has done a number on my degenerative disk disease and head-to-toe arthritis and for several days I've feel that for someone to shoot me would be the waste of a perfectly good bullet !

Love you guys.

[Verna]

Praying for each request and praising God for His omnipotence and for each answer He has provided.

I'm so glad that Callie showed improvement.

Carol, I, too, can feel for the backpain of your friend, but my back surgery with fusion--though not nearly so painful--made me know what real back pain in. May God intervene for her.

Dear Mariane, I am so terribly sorry for your pain. May God bring sunshine your way and relief.

I'm happy to see some sunshine today. We had a small section in the north part of our city that had one tornado. Roofs were blown off and a car turned over andothere damage. (We live in the south part.)

[Edy]

Adding my heart to the prayers standing in the gap around those in need. In years past, seeing my patients in pain, I often wondered why some had to suffer so much, and I'd been spared. And, I expressed my gratitude to God that I could be the nurse rather than the patient. Orthopedic pain had to be the worst. It could be so frustrating for me, let alone the patient, when we had tried everything, every repositioning measure until we were back where we started, without relief.

While I have experienced other sorts of pain, just one incident of a broken ankle gave me a hint at the deep, excruciating nature of bone pain. I doubt pain medication even touches it (it didn't make any difference for mine, so I quit bothering with it - I didn't need the side effects ).

So sad about the devastating tornadoes. Have all the porch "kids" checked in to let us know they are okay? We have a beautifully sunny Sunday in our neck of the woods, and we are predicted to have 40-50 degree weather this week. I love it!

[Green Leaves]

I can't thank you enough for your prayers whenever I ask. There are so many needs out there. I often feel thankful that if we are not in a position to DO we can PRAY. God is so faithful to hear and answer our prayers.

I am so sorry to hear you are suffering so much again, Mariane. I pray you will experience God's comforting presence surrounding you during those times especially. I understand how the weather can have a big effect on your pain level. My daughter has often told me that we can offer up our pain in behalf of others. I confess I don't really understand how that works, but I do know our pain is not wasted. God can and has used it to minister to others. And I also know that those who have experienced your kind of pain can comfort and encourage others who must endure pain. You are a ministering light to those of us on the porch and I thank God for you.

I have long wanted to put together a book of poetry specifically designed to encourage those in pain...all kinds of pain.

Laurie, you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. You always ask for prayer for your mom, but I know you are also grieving. May you feel His arms holding you close bringing comfort, peace, and strength for each task.

[Edy]

I can't thank you enough for your prayers whenever I ask. There are so many needs out there. I often feel thankful that if we are not in a position to DO we can PRAY. God is so faithful to hear and answer our prayers.

I am so sorry to hear you are suffering so much again, Mariane. I pray you will experience God's comforting presence surrounding you during those times especially. I understand how the weather can have a big effect on your pain level. My daughter has often told me that we can offer up our pain in behalf of others. I confess I don't really understand how that works, but I do know our pain is not wasted. God can and has used it to minister to others. And I also know that those who have experienced your kind of pain can comfort and encourage others who must endure pain. You are a ministering light to those of us on the porch and I thank God for you.

I have long wanted to put together a book of poetry specifically designed to encourage those in pain...all kinds of pain.

Laurie, you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. You always ask for prayer for your mom, but I know you are also grieving. May you feel His arms holding you close bringing comfort, peace, and strength for each task.

GreenLeaves - my brother Joel shared this scripture verse with me once, when we were discussing a topic along these lines:

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church...to make the word of God fully known.... Colossians 1:24-25

I confess that I don't understand this, either! How could anything be lacking in Christ's afflictions (somewhere I heard an explanation, but don't recall what it was), since He declared His work "Finished!" Except He did say we would do greater works, because He was going to the Father.

My, how much we have to look forward to when we see Him face to face, and we shall know as we are known!

[Laurie]

The hardest part last week was thinking of my mom being alone and missing my dad. It took a few days for me to give her over to the Lord. She couldn't be in safer hands. I'm trying to practice putting my concerns into prayers. My worry won't do her a lick of good. I know that, but I also just hate to see her hurt. Even though I know God will strengthen and comfort her, it still won't erase the pain. It's something she'll have to go through, but thankfully, she doesn't have to do it alone. She is managing as well as can be expected, and with our help, she is moving forward with things that need to be done and considering decisions she'll need to make. I will go with her to see the attorney tomorrow and we'll be able to take care of quite a few more things once we get the death certificates this week.

I did something really rare for me this weekend and took time for myself. I haven't done much that would be considered work. I've taken quite a bit of time to journal about the last month. I took time to rest under my prayer quilt (you might remember Seema here at FW had her church make me one a few years back). It reminds me of all of the prayers God is listening to and answering, the Holy Spirit's prayers, and all of the people He has put into my life and prompted to pray for me and for my family in these difficult days. I'm so used to going through the hard times alone, and as of the last few years, I haven't had to do that anymore.

I'm so exhausted. I'm actually sleeping well at night now, but still going back to bed some mornings and sleeping a little more. But that's okay. I'll just do what I need to do right now. Mornings seem to be the hardest since it's the first thing I think of when I wake up, but I know that will get better in time. There are as many ways to grieve as there are people, so I'm just being gentle with myself and taking things as they come.

Thanks, everyone, for your prayers and support. It means so much.

[BeachGrandma]

I left you a note on Facebook, dear Laurie, in response to your post about resting this weekend. I'm so glad you took the time for yourself. Your body needs love and care now, too. Can you describe your prayer quilt? What a wonderful thing for someone to do for you!

Edy, several years ago when I was in good health, I often said to the Lord, "I feel so guilty because so many of my older sisters are suffering with pain, my little brother with advanced Parkinson's is overcome with pain, some friends of nearly every age are in tremendous pain. It's like I have it too good!" Every time, I felt the Holy Spirit impress this thought on me: "Mariane, enjoy your good health, be attentive to those who suffer, and don't wish for pain to come upon you. Your time will come but until that time, don't be eaten up with guilt." And it was just like He said to me. My time did come and I tell my friends who are in good health and feel a little guilty because I'm not, "Enjoy your life to the fullest. Each day is a gift from God and if the time comes when you are disabled or in pain, thank God for all those years He gave you that you were able to enjoy to the fullest. There is a time and season for everything."

I hear two little boys calling my name! Most precious sound in the world! Bye for now.

[ready2go]

I am trying to keep up with all the prayer requests on the porch...for there are many. Praying for those in physical pain...for those who are grieving...for those who may be suffering financial hardship...for those who are tired and worn...for those with family or friends who need a touch from the Lord...for those who might have unspoken needs for prayer...and thanking Him for the safety of all during the recent storms.

Don is still on my heart and in my prayers, too, and I hope he's seeing answers to prayer which he desperately needs.

I could not go to church this morning and leave Carol alone. She had another sleepless night again last night, and this morning was barely able to move around without holding onto something. Carol was sure there were spiders crawling all over her bedroom walls during the night. Of course, there were none. She has a great fear of spiders.

Her inability to sleep during at night is a security issue. Once she knows I am up and alert, she will sleep quite well for 2-3 hours. But, when I am sleeping, she doesn't feel safe without me watching over her and the house.

Don

[Green Leaves]

Don, that puts a huge burden on you. If only Carol could sense God's presence with her as she does yours. I have had experience with "delusions", but they were a result of a medication I took and immediately stopped. We need to be constantly lifting both of you in prayer.

[Green Leaves]

Many of you may remember the set of 3 books by Peter Marshall and David Manuel which relates the hand of God in the founding of America. I am reading the first book in the series. I thought this journal entry of Christopher Columbus was fascinating:

It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel his hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures...

I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous presence. For the execution of the journey to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps. It is simply the fulfillment of what Isaiah prophesied...

No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service. The working out of all things has been assigned to each person by our Lord, but it all happens according to His sovereign will, even though He gives advice. He lacks nothing that it is in the power of men to give Him. Oh, what a gracious Lord, who desires that people should perform for Him those things for which He holds Himself responsible! Day and night, moment by moment, everyone should express their most devoted gratitude to Him.

[ready2go]

Don, that puts a huge burden on you. If only Carol could sense God's presence with her as she does yours. I have had experience with "delusions", but they were a result of a medication I took and immediately stopped. We need to be constantly lifting both of you in prayer.

Carol does trust in the Lord with all of her heart and soul, and knows He has control over her life. However, her insecurities and fears run very deep going way back to early childhood...and those issues become engraved in ones mind never to be forgotten.

I never met Carol's mother or father (they died at an early age when Carol was 15 and 11), but I understand that her mother had the same kind of insecurity and fear issues...probably passed on to Carol. (Carol's sister has them, too)

Don