Happy February!
The Love Month
....(according to Hallmark anyway.)
I am excited to pass on some good news, fun things, donation requests, and some prayer requests too!
First I wanted to start off by explaining the obvious lack of iPrayer Letters since December started! The last couple of months have been really really crazy in our house, and I assume yours too! The month of December was an emotional roller coaster (and you know how much I hate getting on those rides!)
December held several very difficult prayer requests, you know the ones that you are really to sad to write down? Also, with Christmas and birthdays, we had tons of excited happy days, and just the merry-go-round of activity of the Holidays. Also in my close family and friends, we have several birthdays that happen before and after Christmas and into January!
Praise #1: My nephew had his first birthday on November 30th!!! (Also, my oldest nephew turned 7 January 20th, and my daughter turned 5 yesterday!)
Request #1: The first day of December, one of our iPrayerLadies lost her husband. Their family are all members of my church and everyone was so very distressed. She has a daughter who is only 8, who has just lost her father. This made the holidays very bittersweet for our whole crew.
History: I am very sorry to tell everyone that Paul, Amanda's husband who we have prayed for so many times, passed away last night sitting on his couch watching tv. Let's pray for Amanda and her 8 yr old daughter, Abby. Let's pray for comfort, peace, strength, and the ability to get safely through the many stages of grief.
Amanda's Facebook Status December 2: I came home this evening and Paul had passed away on the couch watching tv. He has gone home to Jesus. Prayers appreciated.
Praise #2: Amanda and Abby seem to be handling the stress and grief well. Abby actually has been smiling so much at school from the idea of her Daddy being in heaven that she has gotten into conflicts with other kids telling her she should be crying more. I think it's sweet that she honestly would rather smile. :-)
Request #2: Then the last week of December, we lost one of our youth at church as well. He passed away on December 29th, after a Motorcross accident. Shocked and devastated would be a major understatement. Let us continue to keep Dylan's family in our prayers. He has a brother Matthew, a sister Kristen, as well as his parents Tony and Patty. Not to mention the many many friends and family to ask God to keep watch over. There were between 500-600 people that attended the visitation and funeral. This is from the email sent to us by the pastor:
History: Dylan's Passing...Once again, it's my sad duty to inform you of the passing of one of our fine young men.Dylan was working the FCA motocross camp in Georgia as a leader and had just finished leading morning chapel. He then headed to the track to do what he loved - when an accident occurred while he was riding. I, and many of Dylan's friends were at his side after the accident. Please pray for his family and visit Dylan's facebook page to see the outpouring of love for this young man of God.
Praise #3: As intense as this last month is, Dylan's brother Matthew, a student at UofL, has continued to come to church and even came back to work at the youth group last night. The enormous outpouring of support from the entire city helped I think, somewhat. Still please continue to pray.
Praise #4: Abby has just announced she wants to be baptized! This will be performed on March 18th!!!
Praise #5: Amanda and Abby have just bought a new house! They will be moving in around March 3rd if all goes well! This will be such a relief, for the sake of healing and for convenience. They will also need lots of help moving, so more info to come on that.
Request #3: Please pray for the group that is going on our church's upcoming mission trip to Honduras. Of the people we have been praying for above, Amanda, Matthew and his mother Patty are all going on the trip. This could be a very good time of healing for everyone.
Lastly, I wanted to share this email I got that shows a list of things they are trying to collect to take with them, and I thought if anyone wanted to send anything, you could contact me and I will get it to the church! The deadline is Feb. 17th.
Several members of Forest Park will be leaving on Saturday, February 18, 2012 for a mission trip to Honduras. They will be packing 6-7 check-in suitcases at about 50 lbs each with items of great need for the area. If you are able to help by bringing in some of the items listed below, please bring them to the next *think gathering on February 16th, or to church over the next three Sundays. We will be collecting the items in the small room off the fellowship hall. Also, if you have an old suitcase to donate, that would be greatly appreciated. It can be used to take items to Honduras and then left for other groups to use. Please let Derema know right away if you have a suitcase so Terry can quit searching.
Needed:
Reading glasses – dollar store ones are perfect
Used or new clothes – all sizes – especially baby and kids
Shoes – in really good condition
Dish towels
Towels
Wash clothes
Twin sheets
Toiletries
Children Chewable Vitamins
Adult Vitamins
School supplies
Balloons
Lollipops
Stickers for kids
Small portable CD player
Remember to keep praying and never give up!! :-)
"16 Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5 New American Standard Bible
iprayer Ladies Group
The Digital Prayer Group
"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)
