Power of Prayer

This is sweet Lettie. I've asked for prayer for her a couple of times here, and thought it would be nice if you could put a face to name. So here she is. 

Tonight, and the coming days, please lift her and her precious mom and dad, Summer and Mark, up in prayer to our ultimate Healer. He will receive all the glory and honor for her healing. 

Right now, Lettie has experienced some setbacks. You can follow her story and leave Mark and Summer a comment to let them know you are praying for them. I know they appreciate them and are humbled at how quickly their story has been passed along.

I was talking to a friend of mine today, and she couldn't have been more right. God is waiting for the time to "show up and show off." He is a healer and performer of miracles. I have no doubts that the bigger picture in Lettie's journey is going to be amazing. Already, her story has touched the lives of many. 

It would be so easy to give up on God in a time like this. Satan is coming from every direction. Emotions are high and Mark and Summer are weary. Their faith in God has never wavered. God has shown His hand on Lettie's life in more ways than one since her journey to today and I don't think anyone in her life can deny that. I can't wait to see the day that Lettie is healed completely...able to tell her story about a God bigger than the universe that healed her little body. 

Thank you all so much for the prayers you have prayed for Lettie and her family. It's humbling to know how many people have lifted her up.  

Our plans are not always HIS plans

I'm still in the States.

Our flight was cancelled and rescheduled for Wednesday. The airport in Guatemala remained closed yesterday and is still closed today. Delta was gracious enough to work with us and put us on the next flight they had and that is Wednesday. So now we are praying that the airport re-opens.

Right now, it has been raining for about 6 hours in Guatemala. Mix that with all the ash and it makes for a MESS. These are the types of rains that cause mudslides in the mountains. I think back to La Pinada and remember the stories of the houses that sit on the side of the mountains and how they could easily be washed away in torrential rains.

Please be in prayer for those that are being affected by the volcano and the rains.

Praying for a flight

I leave tomorrow morning for Guatemala. I am beyond excited. Right now though, the airports in Guatemala are closed. Pacaya, an active volcano, erupted yesterday and has covered the city in about 2 inches of ash. Flights into Guatemala are cancelled for today but right now are at a go for tomorrow. Our team is driving to Atlanta tonight and will find out in the morning or later tonight if our flight is still on. Please be praying that we can get into the country and also for safety next week.

While we have already planned what we are going to do with the tremendous amount of things we are taking down (24 HUGE suitcases packed FULL of clothes and shoes for the people) God may have other plans. Several of the villages around the volcano were evacuated and lost everything. Pray for divine appointments next week. God knows that in our house alone there will be 3 groups there going out and sharing about Him. He knows the people there will be looking for answers...and the only answer is Him.

I'll be able to update here and there, so check back for updates! I'll probably update my Guatemala blog more so click here for that link :)

Guatemala 2010

My sweet boy, Edgar~2009

I am slowly preparing for my next trip to Guatemala. I was so blessed to be able to go last year and I am so excited that God has made a way for me to go again this year. I am looking forward to seeing my sweet little boy, Edgar, and loving on the children and people of Guatemala. They entered my heart a year ago and they haven't left it since. You can go back and read about my experiences on the blog I started before I left the last time {here}. (There are several posts that I haven't posted there yet, mainly because some of the things I haven't been ready to share yet. In time, they will appear.)

I am currently praying that God will provide for this trip. The cost is around $1,000 and so far I have about $300. I'm completely walking by faith here. I know that God will provide, everything will be taken care of, and His name will be honored through it all. If you feel led to give toward furthering His kingdom and would like to help out with this trip, please email me Emilyroach2@gmail.com

Your gifts will be used to witness to the people of Guatemala, to pave a way for them, and for them to hear and know the love of Jesus.

My trip dates are May 28-June 6, 2010. Please start praying now for the people, for our team, and for God's glory to be shown.

Edgar

This is my sweet boy in Guatemala. I miss him so much today. It's been a month since I've seen him. I loved on him so much for 5 days straight. I wish so much that I could have just brought him home with me. He was the most loving, sweetest little thing ever. Every day he would find me, and it would take everything I had just to get him to go back to class when it was time for us to change groups. We were both attached to each other. Diana and I had a chance to get some pictures copied so I copied a few of Edgar and I to give to him. When I gave them to him he grabbed them out of my hands and pulled them close to his heart. I told him to put them in his "mochilla" (backpack) in really broken Spanish and his eyes lit up and he took off running full speed through the play ground and clutched the pictures so tight to his little chest. Of course by that time, tears were streaming down my face.

This little boy, who only knew me as a 'gringo' loved me so much. He told me every day he loved me and that we would be best friends always. He hugged on me, kissed on my cheeks, and sat in my lap. On the last day, the kids knew we were leaving and wouldn't be back. Before we left, we literally climbed up my legs for me to hold him and buried his little face in my neck and I could tell he was crying. I was trying so hard not to let him see me cry but my heart was breaking for this little boy.

I knew and still know, nothing of his family. I don't know if he is loved in all the ways I'm loved. I only know that I got to love him and tell him about Jesus' love for 5 days. I got to give him three pictures that hopefully will remind him that I love him so much and that I'm praying for him constantly. But most importantly, I pray that they remind him of a God who is always there, always forgiving, and always loving.

Counting Down!

This time tomorrow I will be on a plane to Guatemala! I can't wait! You can read all about the trip {here} I can't wait to see what God is going to do in the lives of the people there! I know it is going to be an amazing experience! Please continue to pray for me and the others that will be going from Northstar!

I have been feeling much, much better. The medicine I'm taking for this nasty infection makes me a little nauseous if I don't take it with food, so I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do if I have to take it in Guatemala between meals. I just don't want to be nauseous while I'm there. I just have faith that God will keep me well!

I'm such a procrastinator... so far I've only packed shorts and a pair of jeans! Oh, and my hair stuff. I guess I need more than that to live for a week. I have all day to pack though so I'll get it done!

I was thinking today that I'm really gonna miss Paisley while I'm gone! I have only been away from her for one night since I got her. I've slept with her every night since then...she's a little on the spoiled side and loves sleeping on the pillow. I know Aunt Sam and Uncle Tanner will take good care of her though!

Please pray

As many of you know, I'm leaving on Saturday for a trip to Guatemala where I'll be there for 7 days. I need your prayers!

Monday night I spent several hours in the emergency room and after some tests was diagnosed with a kidney infection. After a shot in the hip and some antibiotics I was released. I'm taking the medicines now, but they are making me sick to my stomach. Please pray that God will heal me before I leave on Saturday. I will have to continue the medications while I'm there, but it would be awesome if God will make the nausea go away before then!

And since I've got you praying....will you pray for the rest of the team going? I'm sure they are having their fair share of attacks from the devil this week as well. And, would you pray that God's grace and glory shine through all of us when we step off the plane...and that the people of Guatemala will come to know Him?

Where has the time gone??

It's been weeks since I last posted. I've been SO busy! Life has been a whirlwind of things and I'm finally getting back in the old groove and settled into my never-ending-oh-so-busy life! God has truly blessed me with such awesome family, friends, and an even more awesome life!

Samantha and I are pretty much settled into our new apartment...and it looks amazing, if I do say so myself :) Hopefully I'll have some pictures posted in the next few days so you can see for yourself.

Church is great. Pastor Scott has had some really awesome messages the last few weeks. You can listen to them here. Northstar has really been a blessing to me. The people there are amazing and have such hearts for the Lord. I really feel like I'm at home when I'm at Northstar. I'm being used in the Children's Ministry on a weekly basis and am honored to have such a sacred job within the church. Those kids are the future of God's kingdom and I feel so blessed to be a part of their lives. To hear and see their love for Jesus is amazing. If you live in the Knoxville area and are looking for a church home I want to encourage you to seek Jesus in your journey and visit us at Northstar. We would love to see you!

Please be in prayer for the Smith family as yesterday was the year anniversary of the death of their sweet girl, Audrey. Also, be in prayer for Baby Stellan. A surgery may be in his near future, however God is a performer of miracles and anything can happen between now and tomorrow. Pray for rest for MckMama and her family, pray for Stellan's doctors, and pray for Stellan.

As for me, I'm great. I'm planning a trip to my hometown for this weekend and can't wait to have easter egg hunts with the baby, home cooked meals, and family time. School is going great and I'm really loving my decision to be a hairstylist. I love it! Paisley is great as well and is excited about showing off her new Easter dress this weekend!

Baby Easton

Please pray for a very close family friend, Emily, and her new baby boy, Easton. Baby Easton was born today at 28 weeks. He weighed 1lb 15oz and is stable in the NICU. Doctors told Emily and Justin that he probably wouldn't cry or breath once he was born but praise God he did both! He is only on oxygen through a nasal tube right now and seems to be doing ok, he's just really, really little. I'll keep ya'll updated as I know more.

Updates...In bullet form

Because I like bullet form and they make my life a little bit easier when I'm tired, yet not tired enough to skip out on a post because I feel guilty for not updating lately. So, without further delay, I give you....bullets:

• School is great. I'm scheduled to be finished by October 16. However, I must mention that is if I don't miss ANY days between today and then. So, my realistic date will be more along the lines of November 16, I'm sure!
• Samantha and I had some great sister time last night. A whole post dedicated to last night to come at a later time, like when I get the pictures uploaded.
• Work is going well. I'm still broke all the time but I'm learning to deal with that.
• Sam and I are moving in April. We're excited. And now, I have no motivation to really clean my house. I want to pack it all up and move right now. Our new apartment will kick butt.
• Paisley is still as sweet as ever. She's actually laying on my leg as I post this. So sweet :)
• I miss my family. I miss Greenbrier and I miss my babies. I struggle with the fact that some days I want to move back, but other days I want to stay right here. I love Knoxville and all my friends here, but I long to be close to my family again.
• I've recently noticed that my life isn't what I had it all planned out to be 3 years ago. It is still outstandingly wonderful in every way. It just doesn't reflect at all what I thought I was going to be doing. Nor does it reflect the many, many MASH games Courteney and I played in the 8th grade.
  
• Also, recently, I have felt the burden of something big on my heart. I don't really feel compelled to share right now, however, I would like to request prayer on it. God knows what it is.
• A friend of mine recently had surgery. It has bothered me that I haven't been able to help her in the ways that I want. She's remained on my heart and in my prayers though. And I know she can feel it.
• I was super blessed to be able to have dinner with Michelle and the kids on Wed. before church. I love her so much and I'm so thankful for her friendship.
• Wed. night again reminded me of what special kids we have at Northstar. I love them all so much and I feel so honored to be a part of their lives, even if it is only for a couple of hours a week.
  
• At the moment I'm reading Karen Kingsbury's Between Sundays. And it's amazing. I love her books. I've almost read them all.
  

And those my blogging and real life friends, are my updates for now. I hope you enjoyed. What are you doing these days?

Leaving the comfort of what we know

Our message at church this morning was about Jonah and his journey to Ninevah. Most of you all know the story. God called Jonah to witness to the people of Ninevah, Jonah was on his way, decided he didn't want to go, and was then swallowed by a whale. Jonah didn't want to leave the comfort of what he knew. Most of us are like that in our lives today. We're comfortable where we are, who we're with and what we're doing. Some are called to serve elsewhere, and many answer the call right away. Some wait a little bit longer until God really pulls at them. In our service today we were blessed to have the Masters family join us. They are missionaries serving in Asia. They had a remarkable story and I'm so glad I got to hear all about their journey so far. They have been living in our Mission House for the past few months and at the end of December they will travel back to their village in Southeast Asia. Please pray for their safe travels.

Tonight as I sit here close to family and friends, there is a little girl and her mom serving Nicaragua. The left out Friday and arrived safely. Mom Michelle and daughter Emma are serving at an orphanage for the next ten days. The most amazing thing about this story? Emma is only 11 years old. I have the privilege of being Emma's Grapple Team leader in our S.T.O.R.A.G.E class at church. This remarkable little girl has such a heart for Jesus. Each week she comes to me with a different prayer request and has such awesome examples of how we should live our lives for God. Emma's family had been going to Nicaragua and serving over the last few years, but because it is so expensive Emma never got to go. About a month ago, Emma asked the church to pray that they be able to have enough money so that she could go on the next trip. Her family pulled together, sold some things, and raised enough money so that Emma could go on her first mission trip. She was ecstatic. I'm telling you, this little girl has such a burden for people. If everyone had a heart like hers, our world would be a much, much better place. We received word from her dad that Emma is doing great. She and her mom are helping and serving at an orphanage. Emma is the youngest person there with the group she is with. The most exciting part so far? She's been asked to lead the devotional on Wednesday! I'm so excited for her. And it makes me be super proud to be her teacher :-)

This week, as your going through the hustle and bustle of your daily, ordinary life, pray for those that have given up the comfort of what they knew to serve our God. Pray that Emma and Michelle stay safe and have a good trip. Pray that Emma's eyes be opened to all the things God can do and will do if we serve Him. Pray for that Masters family, and other missionaries around the world. And pray for the children at the orphanage. Pray that they understand that even if they are without the love of earthly parents, they have a heavenly parent that loves them far more than anything they can imagine.

When you pray....

Please lift up the following....

• Nykia, waiting on heart transplant in Nashville. I haven't talked to Gary to know any more about her condition, but please continue to pray for her and her family.
• A sweet friend from church, Diana. Her father passed away early this morning and I know she is hurting. Pray God sweep peace over her and her family during this sad time.
• A girl I work with whose son is having breathing problems and a few other health problems. He's not yet a year old, so I know it's hard watching her son hurt.
  
• Adrienne and her husband were waiting to adopt a little girl. Recently, the birth mother has decided to parent her baby. I know exactly what this family is going through. From loving and becoming attached to a sweet baby to not bringing it home as thought. Pray for peace and pray for the birth mother as well. That she love and care for the baby like Adrienne and her husband would have.
  

Prayer

If you've been reading my blog lately, then you know about my awesome friend, Gary. He recently went through a heart transplant on September 11. He is doing wonderful so far!

From his surgery, he has met others waiting on the transplant list. Last week he met a girl who I believe he said is 18. She is waiting on a heart and will remain in the ICU at St. Thomas hospital in Nashville until a heart is found for her. Only about 2% of her heart is working. This is a very scary time for her and her family. Gary was able to visit her last week and witness and encourage her.

Please pray for this young girl. Pray that God watch over her, keep her out of pain, and find her a heart soon. I know how the power pf prayer works, because it's through prayer and God's grace alone that I still have my friend here with me today.

Two weeks worth of updates

I have been a horrible blogger the past two weeks. I just haven't had it in me. At all. Here are some updates, in bullet form, because today I'm still feeling lazy.

• School is going wonderful. I have worked on more clients and am getting the hang of things and learning something new everyday. I don't get near as nervous when I get a client now, and I have no problem asking my instructor to guide me through a haircut if I'm not sure how to do it. I'm super excited about getting to color and things like that. Speaking of color, I have colored my hair once again. Pictures on that to come later...
• I've been working more at Chili's, and getting home later, which is one of the causes of the lacking blog posts lately.
• Tiffany's wedding was beautiful. And interesting. I'm glad it's over. I'm happy for her, and hope she and Stephen have a long and happy marriage. I'll post pictures later tonight after work or tomorrow when I have more time.
• Life in general is great. I am still loving Knoxville and all my sweet friends here. I got a new puppy, Paisley, last week and she is absolutely wonderful. I have a few pictures here that I'll have to upload of her later as well.
  

Thank you all for the prayers concerning my Uncle Bill. While his death was something I was trying to prepare myself for, it still hit like a ton of bricks. He was such an influential man in my life, and I will miss him dearly. It is never easy losing a loved one. Please continue to pray for my family, as we have experienced another death this week. My great aunt Connie passed away yesterday morning, surrounded by many of her family. She had been sick for a while, and she is in a much better place now. She and my great uncle were married for almost 60 years. I can't imagine what he is going through right now. He was an emotional wreck yesterday, and I know it will get worse before he gets better. I can't begin to imagine what it is like for him now, to have gone to bed with the same woman for 60 years and not have her any longer. Please keep him in your prayers.

I'm off to work....but I'll post more later. I have lots of pictures to share!

Uncle Bill

Yesterday I lost someone very important to me. Uncle Bill. While I am completely devastated, I know he is in a much better place and not in any more pain. He has fought through a lot, and survived a heart-attack, heart surgery, and then fought a battle with cancer. I'm so thankful for the time that I got to spend with Uncle Bill, while growing up and a few weeks ago when I was in Greenbrier. I will never forget the things Uncle Bill taught me.

Please pray for my family, my Aunt Jean, and me during the next few days.

Changes and Updates

Hello all! Sorry for a brief absence in the blog world. I have been super busy and a little on the sick side this week. I still feel pretty bad today, so keep me in your prayers. I would really appreciate it!

First, I would like to thank you all so much for praying for Gary and his family. The spinal tap showed that the mass on his brain is not an infection at this time, and think that maybe the medicines he is taking for his heart have something to do with it and the seizures. Gary is now on more medicines to keep him from having seizures. He is home now and doing good. Please continue to pray for him and his family. His recovery time from the transplant is at least 6 months. At this point he is unable to leave his house, for fear of infection. So that means sitting at home for the next few weeks, unable to even go to church.

School is going well for me so far. I believe I still have a 100 average, and also made perfect scores on a roller set evaluation and perm evaluation. I'm loving school and can't wait to learn more. I may even start a new blog, strictly for hair and cosmetology :-) That won't be anytime soon though. I can't even keep this one up to date sometimes!

Speaking of keeping this blog up to date...I'm going to be changing the P.U.S.H. prayer post to Mondays, mainly because now that I'm working, I'm never home until close to midnight, and I don't want to keep missing it. I don't have school or work on Mondays, so I can take my time on it, and that's important to me. So, starting next week, P.U.S.H. will be on Mondays. Make a note, tell your friends, ect. And email me- emmylou924@comcast.net - with any requests you want included. Or you can post them as a comment on this post. Either way, I'll get them and post them Monday.

Work is going well. I've been working a lot of shifts this week and have been worn out, but at least I'm getting hours. I need them terribly so I'm thankful for the work. Next week isn't too promising. I work Sunday night and that's it. So money is going to be tight for me for the next few weeks. I have faith that God will provide though.

Sarah made mention about a possible 90210 discussion. That may just have to happen :-) I loved that show when it was on the first time around, and I'm loving it this time around too.

I'm interested in just how many readers I have, and where they are from. If you are a reader and have never introduced yourself, please, feel free to do so. I love hearing from new people!

Sidenote: Jamie, from Dreaming Big Dreams has made it to Haiti. Head over to her blog to read more, and keep her in your prayers!

My Uncle Bill is still doing about the same, but getting worse as days go by. Please keep him and my family in your prayers. I love him so much, and Aunt Jean too. I know it would be great to keep him here with us, but his home in Heaven is far greater, so if he leaves us soon, I know he will be in a much better place. I just really wish I could be there....

Hope everyone is doing well and wonderful. Head over to Sarah's blog and read her good news...

Please, Please Pray

Gary Wayne is back in the hospital. He was having seizures today and they had to admit him back in to the hospital. The CT and MRI scans should a mass on his brain. They will be doing a spinal tap tomorrow to see if it is just caused my his meds or if it is an infection.


Little background: Gary has been battling Muscular Dystrophy his entire life and just last year it was discovered that only 5% of his heart worked properly. Two weeks ago, prayers were answered and he underwent a heart transplant.


Please pray for the doctors to have the knowledge to discover what is causing the seizures. Please pray for Gary, that he gets the rest and strength he needs to keep fighting. Please pray for his parents, brother and sister-in-law, and his girlfriend.
This is such a stressful time, and they need all the love and comfort they can get!

Thank you all so much for your prayers!!

Emmy

P.U.S.H Wednesday

Sorry I did not post last week. I've been getting behind in a lot lately!

1.) Sarah and her husband are still looking for jobs! Kyle is hoping to hear back from the cable company. Sarah has started selling Mary Kay cosmetics, so hit up her blog for her website and if you don't have a Mary Kay consultant, hit her up! Keep their job hunt in your prayers this week.

2.) My friend Gary is doing well and I believe he has moved into a regular room at the hospital. Please keep him in your prayers. I'm not sure how extensive his recovery will be, but I imagine it won't be easy. A new heart in a different body can't be an easy recovery I wouldn't think. But God is in control, and nothing is too hard for Him.

3.) Whittani and baby Skylar are doing great. She had a doctor appointment on Monday and Skylar weighs 3lbs already! Please pray that the next ten weeks go well for Whittani and that she remains as comfortable as possible, and that when the time comes, she has an easy delivery!

4.)Jamie, at Dreaming Big Dreams is headed to Haiti next week, along with several others. Please pray for a safe journey. They will be taking supplies to the people of Haiti that were struck by the hurricanes. Please pray for the people there that they recover quickly and receive the supplies they need to rebuild their lives. If you would like to help, check out Jamie's blog and she has ways you can contribute.

5.) Unspoken for me. There are some things that I'm dealing with in my personal life. Please just uplift me and ask for God's strength on my behalf.

6.) My Uncle Bill is still very sick. It is not looking promising and my daddy said yesterday that he is much, much worse now from when I saw him two weeks ago. I hate death, and hate to know that Uncle Bill is hurting.

7.) Lacey will be traveling to Knoxville this weekend! I can't wait to see her. Pray that God keep her safe.

8.) Sam and Tanner are at the beach. Pray that they stay safe and have a good trip back on Friday.

9.)Kristen is also going to be traveling to Knoxville this weekend! I can't wait to see her and go to the game! Pray for a safe journey here and back home for her.

If you have any requests, please feel free to email me, emmylou924@comcast.net or post a comment. And spread the word! The power of prayer is an amazing thing!

Please Pray Today

A dear, dear childhood friend of mine is going into surgery today. He has been sick for quite some time. He is only 20 years old. He's needed a new heart since last year. This morning, around 1:30 am, his family got the call and there is a heart for him! He is in surgery now, so please pray that everything go ok, that the heart works well in his body, and that he recovers quickly. The new heart is an answer to a lot of people's prayers. God is so good!!

Also, please pray for the family of the donor heart. For Gary to receive another chance at life, another one had to be lost.

I'll update more later....

Another URGENT Request

You know the saying, "When it rains, it pours"

It is definitely pouring here at our house.

I just received a call from my Uncle Roger and my cousin Dana was in a bad car wreck over the weekend and had to be taken to a hospital here in Knoxville. The impact was so bad, the seatbelt caused bruising on her kidney and it was bleeding. They waited 24hours to see if the bleeding would stop on its own, however it didn't, so they moved on to the next procedure which was a radiation type treatment to try to burn the spot that was bleeding. So far the bleeding has stopped, but it will be another 24hours before they will move her to a regular room, just to be on the safe side.

Please pray. It seems everything that could possibly happen this week so far, has.