Prayers and Thanksgiving for All People

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2

God calls us to pray for all people.

Even those who hate us and want war instead of peace.

Thank you, Lord, for each person.

Everyone is valuable and precious in your sight.

We ask for your intercession that wars may cease and conflicts may end.

So your peace will cover the world.

And so all will live in godliness and holiness.

Worshiping you as Lord and King.

We Mention You in Our Prayers

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. — 1 Thessalonians 1:2

This weekend we thank God for all of those who have given their lives for our country.

We thank God for their service and their sacrifice.

And for the sacrifices of their families.

We continually remember them in our prayers.

Giving thanks to God for each person who died so that we may live.

Prayers for All People

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 

Today is election day.

We are so blessed to live in a country where we have the opportunity to vote for our elected officials.

What a contrast to the Soviet Union and other countries where dialog and differences are stifled and people are jailed or killed for their beliefs.

Even though our family mailed our ballots in several weeks ago, we'll find out the results this evening.

Most of them, anyway.

Despite the results, God calls us to pray for all those in authority, even when we don't agree with them.

We can still intercede on their behalf so that God's will might be done in their lives and in our country.

God calls us to give thanks for them and their service.

I especially pray for the poll workers, that He will surround them with His protection and peace.

That He will keep them safe and help us thank them for their service.

That we may live peaceful lives in godliness and holiness.

So that everything I do may glorify Him.

Night and Day I Remember You

I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. — 2 Timothy 1:3

Happy September!

The start of a new month and fall is almost upon us.

You would never know by the heat we've been having lately.

San Diego tends to be hot in September and October, just in time for students to go back to school.

We have had lots of answers to prayer this week.

My friend who has four kids was able to find a new place to live.

Her friends helped her move in - they organized their youth group to help her get her things from her old house to her new.

It's quite a bit farther away, but it was affordable and had room for them all.

She had been looking for the last two months so we are praising God for providing.

Nigh and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 

We Give Thanks to God for You

 We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers. — 1 Thessalonians 1:2

Yesterday I hiked Tecolote Canyon with some friends.

It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

Partway through, we came to this tree.

Suzy had to hang from it while we got a picture.

Then we all stood  near it for a group photo.

The flowers were blooming and the sky was blue.

The day started out overcast so it didn't get too hot.

We always give thanks to God for friends, including hiking buddies!

I Pray With Joy

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. — Philippians 1:3-5

I thank God every day for my friends and family.

In all my prayers for you, I pray with joy.

I am thankful for our friendship.

And for my Christian friends who partner with me in helping me follow God's Word.

I thank God for those who mentor me and my family.

Who direct us in the ways God calls us to go.

Here we are with friend ringing in the new year of 2020 at Yani's.

We are blessed.

 

Giving Thanks for You

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. — Ephesians 1:15-16

I am thankful for my friends who are praying for me and my CT scan today.

And for the nurse Bela who managed to get the IV in my arm after a couple of tries.

She even prayed when it didn't work the first time, and I joined her.

She told me about a doctor she used to work with who also prayed for his patients.

What a blessing!

I should have the results in a couple of weeks.

If everything is ok, they will send me a letter.

My doctor said I'm probably fine, but we just needed to make sure so we don't worry since I have a slightly swollen area in my neck.

I have not stopped giving thanks for my friends and family members and prayer warriors, remembering them in my prayers.

The Lord Is on My Side

With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can man do to me? — Psalm 118:6

Last week I met with an instructor at the YMCA.

They offer a fitness class for cancer patients, with your doctor's approval.

So I will start going there at the end of the month, twice a week on my lunch hour.

They will help me find exercises that will not cause lymphadema.

The class is limited to 12 of us so the instructor can help us individually.

The exercises will range from yoga, using their machines, swimming, and aerobics.

I'm looking forward to starting!

I have been jumping rope, lifting weights, and walking 3-4 miles fairly regularly.

My breath support has really improved since the chemo ended.

And I have my energy back, which is wonderful. Praise God.

All of the prayers of my friends, neighbors, classmates and family members have been heard.

God has sustained me through this journey.

He now uses me to encourage others who have family members or friends with cancer.

Prayers for All People

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. – 1 Timothy 2:1

Here are some more beautiful flowers I received on my birthday.

These are from my wonderful content team coworkers.

Together we provide the digital and marketing content for our website pages, emails, blog articles, print and digital ads, web banners, enrollment screens, mobile app, videos, and bill pay — all things content for the bank where we work.

Since I was working at home, they had the flowers sent there, and I was greeted by the delivery guy that afternoon.

Now they are gracing my table where I can enjoy them throughout the day.

God asks me to pray for all people, and I pray for my coworkers and my company, that we can all glorify Him with our actions.

They have filled my day with joy!

God Is With Us to the End of the Age

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:18-20

The great thing is that God has been with me every day of my entire life.

Even when I don't feel him near me, He is there.

He knows my prayers and thoughts before I even think them.

During this past year of cancer diagnosis and treatment, He was and is still with me.

He gave me, Kirk, and Abby the strength to get through this time and come out even stronger.

I am amazed!

As we grieved over the loss of Kirk's dad, God surrounded us with His love.

In the loss of our friends' dads, God comforted us in knowing that they are now with Him.

We can sing God's praises, knowing that Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us as we grieve.

Jesus is with us always. Wow!

More Than We Can Imagine

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!— Ephesians 3:20-21

God is able to do so much more than we can ask or even imagine.

In fact, he even hears our prayers before we ask.

But he wants us to talk to him in prayer throughout the day, relying on his wisdom rather than our own.

God's power has been at work in me throughout my chemo treatments, keeping me strong enough to work full time.

He has also been at work in my life as I share my story with others.

One of my coworkers this week called me an inspiration. Wow! How humbling is that.

Beautiful Flowers

"On the day I called,  you answered me, my strength of soul you increased." — Psalm 138:3


Saturday I received this gorgeous flower garden from our friend Lori.

The plants were surrounded by shells of various shapes and sizes.

She sent a cute card with this Scripture from the Psalms.

And she let me know that I'm in her thoughts and prayers. Very thoughtful.

I continue to do well with very few side effects. I can't do as many jumprope jumps in a row as I could back in January, but I'm doing well.

I am thankful.

Hospitality

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. — Romans 12:13

Rita and Gary were wonderful at practicing hospitality and making others feel welcome in their home.

It felt like family to enter their home or pool, even to new friends and neighbors and acquaintances.

Here's a photo from the summer of 2008 with Gary, Rita and the grandkids out by the pool.

One of our favorite places to be in the summer.

Thursday was chemo #4 for me. Just two more left. Everything went well. No pain, no nausea and out in 4 hours.

Thanking God and our friends for all of their prayers, support, meals and cards.

God Provides

The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. — Psalm 111:4-5

God is gracious and compassionate. He provides blessings for those who fear him. 

It is with great sadness that we announce Kirk’s dad's (Gary John's) passing. He died at his home in his bed at the age of 84. Dad was in reasonably good health, so this was unexpected. 

The photo with his niece Mary was taken at our home on Easter 2019. We celebrated with 21 family members and friends — a fitting farewell. 

We rejoice that he is now dancing with our Mom Rita, his mom Lucille, his brother Dale, and niece Lianne. We are planning a viewing at the San Diego mortuary in La Mesa (Erikson Anderson/El Camino Real) while Kirk’s brother and his wife are here on May 26. Service arrangements will follow this summer at First Pres. Church.

Abby has a final tomorrow night and another one Thursday. Her cousins Cam and Carly are also in classes this week. We are praying that they can finish well, even with this added stress.

Kirk and I took time off work today to begin the arrangements and make phone calls. We will both be back at work tomorrow and we will join Abby on Friday for her graduation weekend. We are looking forward to celebrating with family and friends.

Thank you for your prayers for dad and for our family.

God Has Done Marvelous Things

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. — Psalm 98:1

This is the card I received earlier this week from Mary and Gary, who have been praying along with everyone else.

Another perfect sentiment for the week.

The rain is coming down tonight, pattering on the rooftop, and tomorrow will most likely bring another rainbow.

I am blessed and overwhelmed with all of the prayers and support.

Thanks to all of my loving friends and family members who have been covering me in prayer.

Even when we can't feel God's hand, He is there to guide and direct us through life's storms.

Praise the Lord. He has done marvelous things!