Sweet Hour of Prayer

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.   Psalm 30 :10

There are so many wonderful, faithful people praying for my sweet Eli.  I am so blessed by the number of people that tell me that they are praying.  Each and every prayer that is offered to God means so very much to me.  The day that we learned of Eli's problems, my daddy told me this.  He said, "God laid it on my heart to pray specifically for Eli this morning.  He led me to pray that no matter what we found out at today's ultrasound, we would give it to God."  This past week my cousin Beverly told me that God had led her to begin praying for Eli a couple of months before we found out about his kidneys. I know personally, I felt God leading me in a different direction with this pregnancy than he has the other three.  I will not say that I sensed there was a problem, just my prayers were different.  I can not really expain it.  Also, as I have mentioned before, God began preparing Jamie and me for this a long time ago.  All of these things just speak to me so loudly.  It is almost as if God is saying to me, "Know that I am here and that I am in control.  Have faith that I have always known about Eli and I will not remove my hand from him."  Jamie and I have given Eli to God.  We want God to recieve all of the glory and praise for this precious baby he has placed in my belly.  Although I worry and cry and have a hard time understanding, I know that there is a plan.  Tina, Jamie's sister has said to me that Eli has already caused so many people to fall on their knees praying and that is where God wants us.  That is so very true.  I will tell you that he also has allowed some very precious women to unite the faculty where I teach in sweet prayer.   All of this said,  I just can not say thank you enough for EVERY prayer, whether public or private, that is spoken to God for my Eli and our family. 

On a lighter note,  I am going to post some pictures in this post of the incredible snow that God sent to us today ( it has been since 1993 that we last saw this).  He allowed us to slow down during this busy tax season and have some family time today.  I have secretly prayed that while Eli is with us, God would give us a snow day.  He answered my prayer today and I give thanks to Him.

Today was more than I could have imagined.  We had such a wonderful time together as a family out playing in the snow.  My sister and her husband came over and it was just amazing.  Aunt Rachel, who picks on all my kiddos, got her play time with Eli today.  She got to get him with a snow ball.  Fear not, it was gentle and mama was well padded with clothing. The boys got him a couple of times gently as well.  I think we needed the togetherness today and I include Rachel and Josh in that.  Enjoy the pictures.

Love you all,
Jennifer