Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Only 4 Days Remaining Until Christmas. I know these are heavy for the holidays, but life goes on no matter what. So, we need to be diligent in praying no matter what. I also realize I said I wasn't sending out another this week, but well, it wouldn't wait. :-)

²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
 ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:21-23

Some Christmas readings from the Bible:
Luke 2 : 1-20, - Luke tells the traditional nativity story.

Matthew 1-2, - Joseph visited by an Angel and Story of the Magi.
John 1 : 1-18, - John's Gospel reveals how Jesus was destined to be born from the very beginning of time.
1 John 4:7-14 - Reminds us of God's love for us in giving His Son to be born as a human baby.
Isaiah 9:2,6,7  - The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of the Prince of Peace.

Request #1: Robin- Friends of a friend were in a tragic accident last night. Julie, Rick & 8 yr old daughter, Hayley were going to Alabama to spend Christmas with family. Drunk driver hit them from behind & pushed them into the car in front. Hayley was killed instantly. Julie & Rick are in ICU in Huntsville. Rick's injuries are life-threatening. Pray for this innocent family who were torn apart because someone chose to drink & drive.

Request #2: Connie- A co-worker, Josh, stepped into his backyard to let their dogs potty and slipped on ice.  He has shattered his hip and will be having surgery today.  He's only 37 and may have to have a hip replacement.  The doctor told him and his wife that it's the worse hip break he's seen other than from car accidents.  The wife also works with me at the library and is "freaking out" to quote another co-worker.   With both of them out, we will be very short-staffed at the library, so say a prayer for us too!

Requests #3: Shannon- Original request (sent 12/17):
Just received news that my coworker Jan and her husband have just made the very difficult decision to discontinue his chemo treatments due to complications caused by the toxicity.  He had a scan done as well and chemo has not been working, which further validated their decision.  They have called in hospice and my coworker will be working from home during this difficult time.  Please pray for Jan and her husband. Update from Jan (as of 12/20):   As many of you are aware, my husband was  admitted to Hosparus at Norton Pavilion this morning. Given his condition,  they are speculating that he has very little time left - days to possibly a week.  They are doing what they can to keep him comfortable which is no longer possible at home.   I will not be working during this time. I appreciate all of your support during this very difficult time.

Request #4: Carmen- Ok so Noah hasn't been out of bed today, he is throwing up, headache, and high fever! Are you serious?!?! My poor kid can't get a break either!  No I kinda wish it was something like strep, instead of the unknown. He has done this 3 times in a week, might be migraines. He is worrying me to death, just hoping it is completely unrelated to the bump on his nose. Trying not to worry and patiently wait for pathology report. (4 hours ago)

Request #5 & Update: Brodie Family- We spent most of the afternoon and evening in the ICU Trauma unit again today. I received a phone call at 11:50 tonight that my sweet, kind-hearted Louisville adopted Mom had passed away 30 minutes after she was taken off life support. Cathern "Granny" Board was a wonderful, loving women of God with a true servants heart. Her smile & cheerful spirit will be missed! She & her husband were married 60 years!

Original Request: Katherine- Please pray for my Granny Board. She took a bad fall tonight and the doctors don't expect her to make it through the night. It's a really hard time as it is for the family. So please send a few prayers tonight. Thanks. 

Request #6: (Revised) Carrie- Makayla is having surgery over Christmas break to remove her tonsils and adenoids.  Makayla is in Kindergarten and very nervous and scared. Please remember to say a prayer for her over the Christmas break.  Her surgery is Tuesday the 21st!!!

Update: From Kelly- Jaxon is much better!!! It was strep and with antibiotics he is much better!!!

Original Request: My Poor Jaxon has a temp of 103. this morning....

Update: From Me! I was worried about Thomas before, and it turns out he also had strep (last week) and again, 1 day worth of antibiotics stopped it in its tracks! Thanks to God for penicillin!

This is another ladies' prayer group online that I found: Very cute!

http://srccgirlfriends.blogspot.com/2010/09/yada-yada-prayer-group.html

iprayer Ladies Group
The Digital Prayer Group
www.iprayerladies.blogspot.com
iprayerlady@doowop.com

"Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)

Merry Christmas and December Requests!

Merry Christmas!

²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
 ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:21-23

Some Christmas readings from the Bible:
Luke 2 : 1-20, - Luke tells the traditional nativity story.

Matthew 1-2, - Joseph visited by an Angel and Story of the Magi.
John 1 : 1-18, - John's Gospel reveals how Jesus was destined to be born from the very beginning of time.
1 John 4:7-14 - Reminds us of God's love for us in giving His Son to be born as a human baby.
Isaiah 9:2,6,7  - The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of the Prince of Peace.

With Only 9 Days Remaining Until Christmas, I have attached several Christmas Prayers at the bottom. If you want to read more about them, you can look at the very bottom and I attached the links to these pages. 

Also, I learned a new trick on facebook that you may be interested in. You can go to the search box and type in "prayer" and at the bottom of the list click on "More Results for Prayer." This will give you anyone who has specifically asked for prayer recently.

Be safe in the ice and snow!!!! One little personal request: Thomas has popped up with a low grade fever today and sore throat. Ugg. Let's pray whatever it is will be gone soon!

Here is my Christmas Card to you, shared to me by several others already! It's soooo neat. Best one I've ever seen. Click Here: To See the Christmas Angel. 
Now, on with the iPrayers:

Request #1: From Carrie- Makayla is having surgery over Christmas break to remove her tonsils and adenoids.  Makayla is in Kindergarten and very nervous and scared. Please remember to say a prayer for her over the Christmas break.  I think her surgery may be scheduled for Monday the 20th.

Request #2: From Amber- I am asking for prayer today for my sister, Heather. She is having major surgery where she is having two of the vertebrae in her neck fused together. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and guidance for their hands and a calming peace for my sister. Thank you so much to all my faithful prayer warriors!!!

Request #3: From Kelly- My Poor Jaxon has a temp of 103. this morning....

Request #4: From Gregory- It's sooo cold out! My prayer goes out to the homeless people that don't have any place to go. See we sometimes have to take the focus off ourself & think about the people that don't have. Just some food for thought!!!

Request #5: From Kayla- Just got back from seeing my grandmother. Please pray for her. She's doing better than yesterday, but still needs the power of prayer. I know you're a fighter, just fight harder. I love you Memaw.

Request #6: From Claire, A Chaplain- I am asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan & they 

have lost 9 marines in 4 days. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE the message spread if more could pass it on, it would be greatly appreciated.

Request #7: From Susan- Please everyone , would you say a prayer for my cousin. He lives in Nicholasville and he has throat cancer and the Dr. said he has about 2 months to live. He is not a Christian :-(

Update: From Suzanne- ‎3 year old Steven Acree went home to be with the Lord 1:20pm Dec. 9....his short life has made a big impact on many...his courage, bravery and strength ...surely God had an amazing set up for him in heaven. Praise: The auction/dinner to raise money for Stevies' funeral, raised more than enough to meet their goal! 

From Previous iPrayer Request: Suzanne - Please pray for my friend Amy's nephew Stevey...he is 3 years old and has been in remission for the past 8 or so months...The medulla blastoma is back. 

Previous Update: My dear friend Amy's nephew has been sent home with hospice, there is nothing else they can do for him. They do not have the money to pay for his funeral.

Wave 3 News Article: LA GRANGE, KY (WAVE) - 3 year-old Steven Acree's cancer has returned in the worse case. He had been in remission for over a year, making improvement and thought to be doing well. When Steven started throwing up and complaining of pain. His parents, Josh and Lisa Acree, thought it was a stomach flu but quickly found that it was a result of the large growing tumor on his brain and  and small ones on nodules. Doctors sent Steven home with hospice telling him and his family he doesn't have much longer to live. Steven passed away on December 9.

Steven has 3 siblings, Shane 10, Lindzey 9, and Sammy 4. His parents are Josh and Lisa Acree.

Request #8: Katherine- Please pray for my Granny Board. She took a bad fall tonight and the doctors don't expect her to make it through the night. It's a really hard time as it is for the family. So please send a few prayers tonight. Thanks. 

Merry Christmas!!!!!

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10

A Christmas Prayer

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep,
I too must sing, with joyful tongue,
That sweetest ancient song,

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given
While angels sing with pious mirth.
A glad new year to all the earth!
Martin Luther
A reflective Christmas prayer :
Father God, When your precious Son became a tiny baby in a stable in Bethlehem in poverty and simplicity, you changed our world. As we imagine those surroundings, we join with the shepherds and the wise men in wonder and praise. We thank you for our material lives, praise you for our spiritual lives, and trust in you for our eternal life. Amen.

At present opening time :Lord Jesus, Wise men travelled for miles to bring you the first Christmas presents. So may we, too, remember with thankful hearts the love that comes with each present we open.  We also thank you for the amazing love you have for each of us, and we thank you for the many gifts that you give us. Amen


For those who work on Christmas Day :
Lord.  As I spend today going about my work, help me to put aside any bitterness that I'm not celebrating at home with loved ones. I ask you, Loving Father, to give me a special sense of your presence as I meet people, that I may shed on them the light of the Bethlehem Star, the Spirit of Christmas. Amen.

Children's Dinner Blessing

Happy Birthday, Jesus! We are happy because today is your special day, you were born today, just for us.. We thank you that you came from heaven to earth just for us. Thank you for all you did for us when you were here with us. You taught us how to love each other, help us to remember to be more loving. You taught us how to do the right thing, remind us that you are with us, even when we think no one is looking. We thank you that you didn't just stay a baby in a cradle but you grew up to be our savior and died on the cross for our sins. We thank you that you didn't stay dead but you came alive and went to heaven, opening a way so we can go there too, someday. Thank you for this food and for all our family and friends. Thank you for everyone who helped make this a great day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Here are the links:

http://oldhamcounty.wave3.com/content/spaghetti-dinner-help-family-steven-acree?utm_source=fcbkiconbig

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2007134554829

http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/christmas.htm

http://www.prayer-and-prayers.info/christmas-prayers/

http://blessingsofchristmas.com/christmaspraymeals2.html

iprayer Ladies Group
The Digital Prayer Group
www.iprayerladies.blogspot.com
iprayerlady@doowop.com

"Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)

Christian Fish

Week of December 1st, 2010

Hi again!

Hoping you all had a great Thanksgiving Week and are starting to get some of your Christmas decorations up now! I know my kids have been casually mentioning that our house doesn't have any lights up on the outside, or that we don't have a Christmas Tree up yet, nearly every day! My favorite was Grace, "Now, keep an eye out for lights on our neighbors' houses...."

We only have 4 real Requests this time, but most pretty serious. Great news is, we have just as many Praises! 

I have been trying to give a bit of history on each of the Updates we receive, and this time I have given a very extensive history on one, but I hate hearing someone asking for help, and I don't really know what to pray for, so if it helps, you can read it, if not, no harm done! :-)

Just FYI, I will probably only be sending these iprayer lists out a couple times during the holidays, unless of course we receive anything urgent! 

Here we go!!!

Request #1: From Denise- A fire began in the apt directly above Grandma's apartment. She was in her apt when the blaze started & was quickly evacuated w/ Little Girl, (her cat!)

Update: Praise God! I'm thankful that Grandma & Little Girl are safe at our house - many items that were in totes are now in storage.  Bldg to be completely boarded up Friday. Her apt was one of the worst. Keep the prayers coming!! Back to apt hunting!

Request #2: From Suzanne - Please pray for my friend Amy's nephew Stevey...he is 3 years old and has been in remission for the past 8 or so months...thank you in advance for praying with us! From Amy: The medulla blastoma is back. 1 tumor on the left base part of his brain & 3 nodules on the right hemisphere. Please pray for healing & peace for him & family. 

Update: My dear friend Amy's nephew has been sent home with hospice, there is nothing else they can do for him...he is 3 years old. Please pray for him and the family. They do not have the money to pay for his funeral.

Request #3: From Amber - I need prayers for my princess. She fell while working with one of her therapists today and landed on her face ... 30 seconds later she started seizing. She immediately fell asleep ... which scares me because of her hitting her head. I am not sure how to help her ... interrupting her sleep causes a seizure but letting her sleep could be bad after a fall. Thank goodness Jesus is watching over her and not just me! 

Update:  Thank you all so much for your support through prayers, everything went well at the hospital with Reagan ... we are now home and just have to keep a close eye on her for the next 24 hours. She's sleeping soundly in her bed and I am stalking her on the video monitor. Praying for no more seizures!

History on Amber's baby girl Reagan: 

Reagan has been having seizures since she was first born.

August 14, 2009 at 12:17am I desperately need prayers for Reagan ... tonight she stopped breathing and turned blue. We experienced this with Rylan but it's still so incredibly scary to see your newborn baby turn blue. We are trying a few different things for the next 24 hours but if it happens again she will be going to the NICU to be monitored and to rule out seizures. Please, please keep her in your prayers!!! 

August 17, 2009 at 4:04pm Reagan's Update: It's been a very, VERY rough day. After having three serious seizures within three hours (closer together than any have been before and her heartrate dropped to the 50s) the doctors have become gravely concerned. After much prayer and many, many tears, we consented to a spinal tap, which she came through like a trooper. She is still going through the EEG so I'll post more when it's finished tonight. 

December 1, 2009 at 8:45am We definitely appreciate all of your prayers ... we so desperately need them right now! Reagan had her 13th seizure this morning and her oxygen levels dropped to 8 and she turned completely blue. She finally began breathing (after five doctors and nine nurses came running) but it took her 20 minutes to come out of her seizure which is not normal. Please pray for her to recover completely! 

April 2010 Reagan has an extremely rare chromosomal abnormality. We were initially given a wide range of potential problems, which is why I was so nervous about our appt. yesterday. We found out, though, that while Reagan may still face some problems in life, she has a greater chance of not facing severe ones. They were encouraged by what all she can already do and *anticipate* a FULL life for her! 

November 6 at 9:31am  Today I am thankful for the prayers of amazing friends and family! I am thankful that my baby girl smiled at me hours after her seizures when it usually takes a day for her to even recognize anyone. I am thankful that she's gotten a good night's sleep (even if I didn't!). I am thankful that GOD is always in control!

November 20 at 11:00am  Have I ever mentioned how much I hate seizures? Especially when they inflict themselves on my baby girl. Even after experiencing over 100 with her, I get sick to my stomach and want to cry. It's just another opportunity to trust God even more!

December 2 at 1:15 pm I need prayers for my princess. She fell while working with one of her therapists today and landed on her face ... 30 seconds later she started seizing. She immediately fell asleep ... which scares me because of her hitting her head. I am not sure how to help her ... interrupting her sleep causes a seizure but letting her sleep could be bad after a fall. Thank goodness Jesus is watching over her and not just me!

 

December 2 at 10:15pm  Thank you all so much for your support through prayers, calls, texts and emails. I have been so encouraged today by my friends and family! Everything went well at the hospital with Reagan ... we are now home and just have to keep a close eye on her for the next 24 hours. She's sleeping soundly in her bed and I am stalking her on the video monitor. Praying for no more seizures!

Update! Praise!!! Connie- Update on my friend, Shirley.  Further tests showed NO CANCER!  Thank you for your prayers.  Praise be to God for His grace and mercy!

History:
Connie- A high school friend, Shirley, has 2 spots on two different ribs that doctors say is a 50/50 chance of cancer.  This is overwhelming because she just lost her brother to cancer three weeks ago.  Her husband also battled cancer this past year and is currently in remission.

Praise & Request #4: My brother Bill and his wife Sarah had their new baby Tuesday night at 6:33pm! Adam was 6 lbs 15 oz and 18.5 inches long. Let's pray that their 3rd baby boy will be a joy, a good sleeper, and continue doing a great job eating!

Praise! AB- What joy it brings to my soul to know that my son has asked Jesus into his heart and that he will be baptized this Sunday!!! I can remember so clearly praying over him while I was still pregnant (and every day since) that he would have a personal relationship with Jesus and I am overwhelmed at seeing this prayer answered. I can't wait to celebrate his baptism in Sunday!

iprayer Ladies Group
The Digital Prayer Group
www.iprayerladies.blogspot.com
iprayerlady@doowop.com
"Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)