Prayer Requests

A cousin of mine, Teri, daughter of Bill and Shirley Scott, is having surgery at the St. Vincent Medical Center, in Los Angeles, CA. She went to California today, will have testing tomorrow, and will have surgery Friday, the 24th at 7:30 am. Teri has a tumor lodged between her ear and brain. Supposedly it is benign, but needs to be removed. The surgery is risky because of all of the nerves that are also in that area behind the ear and she will loose hearing in that ear. Will you pray for God to guide her surgeon, and for a steady hand in removing it?
Also keep three of my high school classmates, Barry, Doug and Stephanie, in your prayers as they are undergoing chemotherapy for cancers found in their brain, colon and breast. Another cousin, Christer, is now in hospice or awaiting getting into one in Sweden. He has been battling cancer since the beginning of the year and been in the hospital for over three months.
Thank you for joining me in prayer for these people, their families and anyone else in need. When we pray passionately and purposefully, according to God's will, God responds powerfully! The power of prayer should never be underestimated.

Prayer Request

We all know someone who has battled cancer, which opens our eyes to others struggling with this ugly disease. Recently, three high school classmates of mine (out of a class of 80) have been diagnosed; Barry has brain cancer, Doug has colon cancer and Stephanie has breast cancer. Two former co-workers of mine have been battling this disease for over two years, Penny and Jo. Jo is currently in the hospital and tonight I found out her children have been called home from across the country to be with her. A faithful reader of my blog, who is a distant cousin in Sweden, has a brother Christer, battling brain cancer. A cousin back in South Dakota, a neighbor's daughter,... the list goes on...
Sadly from my own experience with seeing Steve through his battle with cancer, I know cancer can also bring you closer as you face the challenges together, that is a gift and a joy that brings comfort in the face of pain. The love and support of family and friends is a powerful way to gain strength and no one can face the unthinkable without God's will and promises before us.
My heart aches for these people who have touched my life. Join me in sending out prayers for all who have cancer and their families who love and support them.

Adjust the Sails...

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward

I wouldn't be an art teacher for 27 years if I didn't enjoy working with kids, especially those that want to learn and create. Lately I've been discouraged by some of my students lack of manners and respect. Not just respect for me/authority but respect for each other. I worry about the "ME" society that is emerging and ever more evident in the students I teach. "What's in it for ME.", "What can you do for ME instead of what can I do for you.", "The rules don't apply to ME",... there are many more quotes I could write. Top these attitudes off with all the paperwork required of teachers as well as the above and beyond tasks expected of us and some days seem to get longer and longer. It gets to the point where we have to prioritize what will get done first and let the busy work go, let hurtful words go and focus on the positive. I love the serenity prayer, what a refreshing reminder that "The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you."

Prayer Request

A high school classmate of mine is in need of prayers and I couldn't think of a better way to get the added prayers out, than to post this on my blog. Cathie's husband Chris, had bleeding on his brain suddenly start a week ago and he has been in the hospital this past week dealing with complications due to his situation. Two days ago they were planning to move him by ambulance to a hospital ( in Santa Barbara, CA) that specifies in brain injuries, but yesterday those plans were put on hold due to the emergency created by the wild fires and the dry Santa Anna winds threatening the area.
Cathie's parents passed away around 30 years ago, at 20 yrs old or so she dropped out of college and took on the role of raising 6 younger siblings. She's a special person and has found that special person in her life as well in Chris. Please add Chris and Cathie to your prayers. Thank you.

11/16 update: Saturday Chris had surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain. He is currently in ICU and sedated to keep the swelling down.
11/17 update: Chris is still sedated, Cathie was told it may be 3-5 days more of this to allow things to heal in their own time. They are keeping him stable. It's the waiting that is tough.
11/19 update: He is not responding after being taken off the sedation medicine and now has a fever so there is infection someplace. The pressure hasn't changed and they have taken him off other medicines as well. Today they took a series of test to see what the brain function was, but Cathie doesn't have the results yet. I'm afraid there are difficult days ahead. Please keep them in your prayers.
11/20 update: After multiple tests it was determined Chris is not going to wake from this trauma to his brain. Life support was pulled from him today and he is dealing with a staff infection as well. Cathie said she knows his spirit has passed and now the family is praying that his physical body will follow. His heart is strong so they are unsure how long this will take.
11/22: Chris passed away peacefully early this morning.

Linda Jo

My cousin Linda has brought our family smiles and joy throughout her life. Born in 1950, she had fluid on her brain. Hydrocephalus, the medical term for this condition, occurs in one out of 500 births. Linda lives in Custer, SD. She has lost movement of her limbs and is blind, but she still enjoys a trip home to my Auntie Carol's and Uncle Wes's home for an over-night stay. Her loves are a good cup of coffee and listening to old I Love Lucy shows. She likes a good knock knock joke and lives in the past much of the time now. Recently she lost the ability to sing, a one time love, she can no longer hold a tune and can't remember all the words to long time favorites. The fluid in her brain stem is drying up. It's tough to hear of her struggles although she never complains. She's on my prayer list, add her to yours tonight too. Thank you.

Prayer Thanks

I wanted to thank you for your prayers, because of them I ended the week with much less pain and swelling in my knees and ankles. It was a welcomed relief and evidence in the power of prayer.
Bless you all.
Grow flowers of gratitude in the soil of prayer. ~Verbena Woods

Prayers

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. - H. Humphrey

A little over a month ago I was diagnosed with Psoriatic [pronounced sore-ee-AA-tic] Arthritis. I have had Psoriasis, a noncontagious lifelong skin disease, for about 19 years (since moving to Denver). I am now one of the 10-30% of people with psoriasis who have it develop into this form of arthritis. It is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, although milder in most cases; it can develop as severe.
I've had pain for a couple years now but had gone undiagnosed until finally getting an x-ray, MRI, blood tests and seeing some specialized doctors.
Currently I’m taking Methotrexate, a chemo drug, to help relieve pain, inflammation and prevent progressive joint damage. My ankles and knees are affected the most right now with swelling and pain.
My neighbors have been great, I think I’ve only mowed my yard three or four times this year. Walking on uneven ground has been tough. My art room at school is cement, so that gets tough too. I’m reluctant to ask for help but would appreciate you adding me to your prayers.