Below was my prayer journal entry this morning. I decided to share it instead of writing it all out again. There are a few things I’m taking out……..out of respect for my family. 🙂
Lord, this is a hard week coming up. I had trouble getting to sleep last night because I was thinking about everything coming up. I also kept waking up last night thinking about all of it.
I have an MRI on my lower back on Tuesday and then we find out the results on Thursday. That will tell us if the orthopedic surgeon can help with the pain, if I need physical therapy or if it’s just the cancer causing the pain and I need to work with Dr. Leung on it.
I’m also going to be calling around to find out about driving insurance rates for Sage……..Molly is going to get braces on before the end of the year as well…….
I am increasing my dose of chemo today. I will take 2 pills in the morning and 3 at night. This increases my chance of hand/foot syndrome and I’m scared about that. Lord, I pray You will keep that side effect away if that would be Your will. If not, I pray I will be able to manage it without too much pain.
I have to call and make my 3 month CT scan. God, please help this chemo pill to be working. I really don’t want to go on IV chemo again. (*Scan scheduled for 7/23 – results from the Dr. on 7/28)
America is falling apart. There are so many horrible things going on. COVID, fighting about wearing masks, the upcoming election, the Black Lives Matter movement with protests and looting and government and citizens not supporting the police. The list goes on and on. Please return soon and put an end to it all! Please give me courage to share the Gospel with others so that when You return, my friends will know the truth and be in heaven.
Tom’s work is so stressful right now….COVID is making thing things so hard for the restaurant industry. He has so much to do around the house because I am so limited in what I can do. I know he’s worried about my health and what will happen when I’m gone……Please help him to talk to me if I can be an encouragement to him, and if he does, please help me to be a good listener and not just add to the list of things I am worrying about.
And there’s a few things that seem trivial compared to the above – Sage needs shorts and a bathing suit. We are struggling to find ones that fit……..She’s tried so many on. We’ve spent tons of money and returned everything. We are going to try to make shorts out of some of her jeans that are too short. Lord, please help that to work today if that would be Your will. If not, please give us guidance on where to find these things. You know my physical limitations……
I unloaded all of this on Tom right as he woke up and I feel horrible about that. I’m sure that was not a helpful thing to do as he starts his work day.
Lord, overall, please help me not to worry. I don’t want worry to rob me of my joy in You. Please help me to remember that my joy is in You and my hope is in You. This is not permanent. Earth is not my final home. I want to enjoy the day and not spend all my time worrying.
Lord, please bring to mind verses of encouragement to me today as I rest and have time to think. Please help me not to worry. I know You are in control of everything and that You will only allow things to happen that are part of Your plan. Please help me to trust You and not worry.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
THANK YOU for caring enough to read this whole post. Please understand that the above was my prayer to God this morning. I am not looking for pity or for anyone to solve my problems. I would love for you to pray with us. And if you think about it throughout the week, I would love texts or emails with verses that have been encouraging to you during difficult times. No need to say anything else, just copy and paste the verse and hit send. 🙂 Thanks friends.
Here’s a few pictures from our staycation this weekend.
Jennifer – I read all your posts, but rarely respond… I do pray for you and your family, but probably not as often as I should. THANK YOU so much for sharing your prayers this morning!! It was incredibly encouraging and was such a wonderful help to my own prayer life! Thank you for the example you provide of prayer and depending on the Lord and opening your heart to Him and to those around you! I am sure you will never know in this life how many people you encourage and how much of a privilege it is to pray with you and for you! Love you so much….
Love seeing your family out enjoying your weekend. So much to pray for in our world. Thank you for sharing how we can pray for you.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Hi Jennifer. So happy you had a little staycation with your family. A verse. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7. Continued prayer for you all.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Thank you for being so transparent throughout this journey, sweet friend, and giving us specifics to be praying for. Love you BIG and covering you in our prayers!
Deuteronomy 33:27 “The Eternal God is your refuge and UNDERNEATH are the everlasting arms.
Praying SO hard for you dear girl and for your dear family. I am like your friend who doesn’t respond alot but you are ALWAYS in my prayers. I share your posts with Kathy and Jim Gill and they are mighty prayer warriors on your behalf. Thank you for being so open and honest in sharing with all of us. It helps us to know HOW to pray.
Praying for all your requests!!!
Thank you for encouraging me. My wife has been in Heaven 3 years. Thank you, thank you Jesus that you give us the comforter for times like this, for the sick one and for the family.
Thank you for sharing your heart dear friend! Joining the many other prayer warriors with the specific things you mentioned… love you so much!❤
Dearest Jennifer, I have you, Tom and the girls in prayer always. Thank you for your transparency today. I am your sister-in-Christ and your words touched my heart. I’ll share a few of my favorite verses in troubled times …
Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.
Psalm 121:1, 2 I will lift up my eyes to the hills … From whence comes my help. My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
Philippians 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your Word has given me life.
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jennifer, I pray one of these verses will grab your heart and calm the stress that’s chasing you. Jesus loves you soooo much. I loved the beautiful family pictures from your Staycation. May God continue to give you His strength and courage I see on your beautiful face. My love and blessings, Nancy
Praying for relief in your back , chemo not to give you grief, and stress relief so your can sleep . Praying for Tom and the girls. We all need pray to our heaven father for our country to come together without all this anger and destruction.
https://www.intouch.org/watch/faith/a-comforting-message-in-fearful-times#
Jennifer, thank you for sharing with us, you conversation with God. One of the things I am most thankful for in the life journey is that we can be totally transparent and honest with Him and He knows our hearts and our motives without us trying to explain it all. I read every post and pray for you and Tom and the girls. I too want Jesus to come back soon! I pray that He holds you throughout this week and gives you a peace that surpasses human understanding. He loves you all so very much. Of this I am confident. Hugs
The Righteous Will Never Be Moved
112 [a] Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved;
he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady;[b] he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;
he gnashes his teeth and melts away;
the desire of the wicked will perish!
I love you, Jen, You shine as one of the “…righteous who live by faith- Habakkuk 2:4.”
Jen, you have given me such hope and encouragement through your verses and how your tender heart trusts the Lord with all that is within you. You have been through so much, so many ups and downs, so much pain and sorrow, so much frustration and concern for your family and yet you cling to the fact that God’s mercies are new each day and whatever the day brings you know that you know God is with you. The way you share your heart is so beautiful. It’s OK that there are days that you cannot handle the way you would like because we, as your Godly family, are crying out to the Lord on your behalf. You know God never leaves your side and neither do your family and friends. None of us understand why all this has to happen, but the almighty, powerful, loving God does and that is what matters. Our sovereign heavenly Father reigns! Rest in His arms today and everyday. Prayerfully!! HE IS OUR ROCK!!
Jennifer, my daughter-in-law is tall she also has trouble finding tall clothing. Here is her reply.
I know Athleta carries tall swimsuits as does lands end I believe. I’ve never purchased One piece swimsuits from either of those as even though I am tall I actually don’t have a very long torso. Most of my height is in my legs so I don’t have as much trouble with that sort of thing. But I have purchased from both their other tall apparel. And I really like them both. All tall stuff would all be online only though. I also see that there is a site called swimsuitsforall.com that might be a good place to look as well. Prayers for your friend and best of luck finding a suit!
I pray this will help. Also. Maybe find someone who sees well to make shorts for the girls. I would volunteer but haven’t sewn anything in a few years and not sure my skills are up to par.
Praying for peace in your heart and no pain. Yes, and for Jesus to come soon. We all need scriptures to give us peace in these times. You hare a huge blessing to me. I get whiney over a few aches and pains and I have to repent of that, your posts stir me to pray more for you and to be thankful for what little pain I have. You are such a blessing to me and I bet to sooo many others. You touch lives with your honesty. God is using you mightily where you are.
I love you my friend. I’m lifting up all your prayers as my own right now.
What lovely pictures of you and your family. I’m so glad you all had a wonderful time.
Psalm139:17, Psalm 31:24, John 14:27, 1Peter 1:6-9 Phil. 4:6-7, Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 23
Praying!
Love,
Jan
Sweet friend, I adore you. I continue to surround you in prayer, and daily thank God for our friendship and the impact you’ve had on my life.
This one reminded me of you of the warrior you are!
2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
I love you Jennifer!
Thank you for sharing your prayer journal and verses that are a part of your life. Here are 2 of mine. It is difficult to just choose a few.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet Christ liveth in me: and the life which I live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10a
I have to remind myself that He is still in control!
Love in Christ,
Esther
Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass,that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Praying for you and your family.
Jennifer, you are on my daily prayer list. Sometimes I include Tom and the girls – especially Tom. I realize how hard all of this is on him. It’s difficult to watch your spouse suffer from cancer and feel so helpless to fix anything. Thank you for your posts because they always encourage me.