James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
We believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer. I think I could spend all day praying for the things going on in my life and the lives around me, and still not cover all the needs and praises there are. It's incredible to know that even without doing that, God knows each circumstance, and in so much more detail than any of us. Our pastor and his wife, Dan and Sue Michaels have been extremely important people in our lives as a couple and in Gary's life as a youth. Dan was Gary's youth pastor and a great part of who he is today was impacted by his faith that grew under Dan and his parents. The Michaels are also very close friends of the Bush's. Dan married us and the two of them as a couple have been mentors in our lives. We often find ourselves, when in struggle, wondering how the Michaels would respond. There are many other couples we look to as well, but Dan and Sue hold a special place in our hearts. It's a great blessing that even as we moved here, away from so many wonderful friends, we moved closer not only to family, but also the opportunity to grow and serve under Dan as our head Pastor at Grace Community Church.
Last Friday Sue was diagnosed with Leukemia at our local hospital. She was immediately transferred to Cleveland Clinic and on Saturday was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. She has been updating the past few days on our church website. The link is at the top of this page. Click on "meet the pastor" and then "family updates" to read her story. Please keep Sue in prayer. Also her husband Dan, son Kyle, daughter Deneal, and mom and siblings in prayer. I know there has been an outpouring of prayer from our church family- keep us all in prayer as well that God would lead us in the best way to support the Michaels family and that we would be diligent in prayer and petitioning God with thanksgiving. Sometimes friends can be closer than family, I know the Michaels are loved beyond what they know.
In family news I wanted to update on our Mansfield House. We had a roof leak a week or so ago, and this week we're getting an entire new roof put on. We're so grateful that our homeowners insurance will cover all or almost all of this expense. This will be a huge burden off of our shoulders to have it done and know we will no longer have to wonder at every storm if the attic is exposed! :) We're grateful to have wonderful renters in the house and pray they will be able to secure a loan to buy it from us in the near future. (the nearer the better!)
I am now 26 weeks along in my pregnancy and feeling wonderful. I get tired easily and have to really watch what I eat but considering all that could be happening, I"m feeling great. A little moody (ok, a lot moody) so pray for Gary on that one. :) I had an appointment today and got to hear the baby's heartbeat. There's less anxiety going in because I can feel her moving CONSTANTLY, but the joy is the same. Indescribable. I also had my glucose test so fingers crossed for NO diabetes!!! Three months to go and I can hardly believe it still....
Last weekend we joined some of our friends from college on a camping trip in New Castle PA. I hope to post more about it and photo's another day this week. We had a wonderful time and I LOVED having a cabin!
As you see in the post below, today is our wedding anniversary. It's now 2:00 as I write this and we've been officially married for 9 years. 9 years ago right now we were somewhere around the kiss in the ceremony. I can't put into words how emotional I've been today. So much has happened in those years and through it all I can clearly look back and see the Hand of God upon us. We never would have made it without His forgiveness and grace and His teaching us to be graceful and forgive each other! We've had lots of laughs and lots of tears. I"m ever so thankful that through it all Gary is still my best friend!
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