In need . . .

I am thankful that I was able to participate in a prayer and worship time for our friends, Emmett and Wendy Stallings, on Saturday night. Emmett is fighting cancer and you can read more about his story here.

I hardly have words to describe the experience, because I felt like it was a sacred, special time that only God could have orchestrated. It was originally planned to be held at the home of some friends, but on Saturday, Wendy and Emmett decided that they would be OK to have everyone in their home (knowing that they weren't required to have any "host" responsibilities). Having Emmett present made the prayer and worship time that much sweeter.

When we began our time of worship, Emmett was in his bedroom, and I assumed that he was not up to getting out of bed, but would be able to hear the music and know that we were there praying for him out in the living room. After we had sung a few songs and lifted up some prayers, Jeff began leading us in singing, "In Need". As we began to sing, I looked over and saw Wendy helping Emmett walk out to the living room to join us. Again, I hardly have words to describe those moments, but to be singing the prayer of those lyrics and seeing Emmett, in such deep need, it touched me deeply.

Here are the words to the song. It is my prayer for Emmett, and for all of us, who are in need of Christ.

In need of grace.
In need of love.
In need of mercy raining down
From high above.
In need of strength.
In need of peace.
In need of things
That only You can give to me.

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb,
My refuge strong, the Great I AM.
This is my song, my humble plea,
I am your child, I am in need.

(Copyright 1996, Ross King)

Spring Break Plans

Technically speaking, Daniel's the one who will be on Spring Break, but since he's going to be with his dad for the whole week, I've been making some plans to keep myself busy while he's gone (when I'm not working). As usual, I'll probably plan too many things and then will be tired and frustrated at the end of the week, but such is life.

Feel free to stop reading now, since one of my purposes of this post was to get things straight in my own head. I'm not going on any hot dates or flying to any exotic destinations. Just hanging out in Nashvegas.

But, if you're just curious or bored, here's my schedule so far:

Friday, March 12
Daniel will get to be with me for most of the evening, until his dad gets back from a business trip, so we'll get together with my parents, Jeanette, Russell and Erica for dinner. We love these informal family dinners together!

Saturday, March 13
I'm planning to get up and go to exercise class to get a good work-out in. After that, the day is pretty open until the evening. I want to go to the prayer/worship time for Emmett Stallings at 6:00.

Sunday, March 14
Should be a normal Sunday: church, home, book study, home

Monday, March 15
I'll work during the day and then go to exercise class that evening. Sometimes I go to Sweet Tea Diner w/ work-out friends afterward, but we'll see.

Tuesday, March 16
Meeting a friend from my former job for dinner at Friday's. It will be good to catch up with her. I can't believe it's almost been a year since I left Northwestern (I've seen my friends since then though).

Wednesday, March 17
Fun night at the Bluebird Cafe with ShawnMarie, Shirley and Sondra (I'll be the odd-ball person with a name that doesn't start with S). Paul Bogart, Lizza Bowen, Brandon Heath and Christopher Williams will be playing "in the round". Can't wait!

Thursday, March 18
Same as Monday, especially since I'm skipping the exercise class on Tuesday night. Gotta try to work off the food I'll be eating this week!

Friday, March 19 (evening) - Saturday, March 20 (day)
Scrapbooking at my house with friends. I love having people over and it's always fun to have time to work on my layouts.

Saturday, March 20 (evening)
No plans . . . yet. We'll see. I might need to have some "at home" time by then and get some chores done.

Sunday, March 21
Regular Sunday, but then, at the end of the day, I'll get to go pick up Daniel!!!

It won't be as exciting as going to the beach, but there's always next year for that!

Early learner

OK, we've known for a while that my son is blessed with academic abilities, but our conversation this afternoon proved to me that he's learning some other, more practical, "smarts" that will serve him well as he starts interacting more with the other "planet"

Here's how it went:

Me: I'm sorry for being such a pill today.

D: You weren't a pill.

Me: What was I then?

D: I'm going to have to be careful about this.

(Long pause) You were an agitated female!

Smart teenager!