Not Forgotten

Eight years later it is still fresh in my mind and emotions. My heart picks up the pace and feels like it is rising in my throat every time I see the images. If it is still painful for me after all this time, what must it be like for those who actually lived through the nightmare at ground zero or who lost loved ones? I am praying for them today.

I have not forgotten that America still has enemies in this world who are plotting more evil against us. I thank God we have men and women who are fighting that battle every day. I am praying for them today as well.

Prayer Request

Earlier this week Ed's 25-year-old nephew committed suicide. Ed left a short time ago to drive to Wyoming to be with his sister and her family and for the memorial service to be held this weekend. Please pray for him as he travels and for his family as they grapple with the heartache and pain. I don't know if his family are truly believers or not, so that is my biggest prayer request. However, I pray they will be able to one day sing this song from the depths of their souls:

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Thankful for Food

As we were eating breakfast yesterday as a prelude to our Thanksgiving feast, I wanted and object lesson to help my children understand how incredibly blessed we are as well as remind myself. I read them an article about the food crisis in Zimbabwe where people are finding it harder and harder to find food. I don't know if they were impacted by it as we ate our way through a batch of cinnamon rolls, but I pray they will at least begin to understand and not take it all for granted, or worse, feel entitled to all that we have or all that they think they want.

I am praying about what we can do as a family to help those who are starving. There are many organizations, but I am praying God will lead us to the one He would have us give through. I want to not only help fill empty bellies but fill empty souls as well. Do you know of a reputable gospel-centered relief ministry that we could give to?

Photo: The kids working a puzzle of the African continent after breakfast Thanksgiving morning. (Our globe is so old we couldn't find Zimbabwe on it. Apparently it used to be called Rhodesia. I think it's time for a new globe!)

Remembrance Day

Today is the third annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. While I know a little something about pregnancy loss, as a family we don't overtly do too much to remember our babies. We have a framed picture in our hallway that is meaningful to us and we have a box we put in the Christmas tree each year, and I there are certain dates that will always remind me of children I never held. Mostly I try to be diligent in praying and being there for others I know who have lost babies, especially months later when most people have forgotten.

Today I wanted to share a blog that has blessed me tremendously. It is in honor of a little girl named Audrey Caroline who only lived for a couple hours, wonderful hours for her family. If you've heard of the Christian music group Selah, one of the singers was her daddy, but the blog belongs to her mommy. She's a gifted writer, and I hope you will be moved and inspired by her as much as I have been. The story begins last January, and to get the full impact of the story, you kind of have to start at the beginning. But even if you just begin reading today, I think you will be glad you did.

Heartache

My thoughts and prayers have been with Steven Curtis Chapman and his family today. They suffered a breathtakingly tragic loss yesterday. Their youngest daughter, five-year-old Maria, was struck by a vehicle and died of her injuries. Though he is probably best known as a Christian musician, he has also been a champion for adoption in many ways, setting up Shaohannah's Hope and themselves adopting three little girls from China. They have set up a blog to remember her, for people to share their condolances, and where you can view a cute video of Maria if you so desire.

I know I will give my five-year-old (and six-year-old) an extra hug tonight.