Please do not skim,
it’s all too important in understanding
why I’m asking you to help….
As I’ve mentioned several times over the years,
when I began writing at our Place Called Simplicity,
I simply thought I would be writing a public journal
for our family.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought
that it would become something quite different.
The Lord’s plans surely surprised {or maybe a better word
would be ‘shocked’} this woman and I have been
humbled time and again by the enormous
responsibility and privilege
of sharing the truths of God’s word with a
few thousand around the world regularly.
Anyone who stops by often knows that
I am most passionate about a few things:
~living a life of reckless abandon for Christ
~the orphan
~adoption
~the power of fasting
~declaring regularly the faithfulness of Almighty God
~the joy of hearing our all-powerful God
whisper personally to us individually
~stewardship that honors the King of Kings
and
~the incredible beauty of large families
Actually this is the 2,014th post I’ve written.
And yes,
out of 2,014 posts,
I consider this post,
one of the most important.
Some background:
In the book of Esther,
there is a young Jewish girl who
became queen not too long before
a wicked man plotted to
annihilate the entire Hebrew nation.
The true story of Esther’s courage
can be found in the Old Testament
including how God used her obedience to
save the entire Hebrew nation.
Remember hearing this famous quote:
“Who knows,
but that you were born for such a time as this?”
These very words are from Esther’s story.
Actually
when the very real death threat to the
Hebrew nation was put into law
it was Queen Esther who called for a
national fast.
Queen Esther understood that God often moves
when people fast
together for one common purpose.
together for one common purpose.
Two times, that I can remember, I have called
for a group fast for one common purpose.
This is the third time.
See, the thing about Esther was it wouldn’t
have been a group fast, if the nation hadn’t joined her.
There is no doubt that Almighty God moves when
people pray and fast together.
Many of you can attest to the powerful
things God has
done after you have fasted and prayed.
So here we go…
I have a bloggy friend,
{and some of you who are my Facebook friends}
have been following the story….
My friend, Jennifer and her husband, Bob,
have a little treasure named
Joshua.
Joshua was in need of a heart transplant and last week
a heart became available.
Since Joshua was born with his heart
Since Joshua was born with his heart
on the other side of his body, the transplant team had to
have some creativity in placing the heart into his body.
The transplant went well, but about 5 hours
post-transplant, Joshua’s new heart
had a cardiac arrest at the left ventricle.
Joshua was then put on life support
in an effort to allow his new heart to heal.
Today Joshua’s new heart was given a test.
It pumped beautifully.
{All praise to the Lord.}
However, tomorrow Joshua will be weaned off
of life-support.
It is a very critical time in this process.
Personally,
my life is a bit overwhelming right now
and there are many serious concerns on my heart,
however,
there is not one thing more
overwhelming then putting myself in
the shoes of my friend Jennifer and
her precious little treasure Joshua.
Only a few in the entire world know
what it is like to have a treasured
child have a heart transplant,
followed by a cardiac arrest
and then be put on life support
and then have to wait for a few days for healing
all the while knowing that life can
change in a split second
and meanwhile
having to care for 9 other treasures as well.
having to care for 9 other treasures as well.
Joshua’s situation is enormous,
and we are so thankful that the
Lord goes before Joshua,
He is Joshua’s rear guard
and Almighty God is more than able.
So friends,
will you please join me in a group fast
TOMORROW
December 10th, 2013
for Joshua’s new heart to be strong
as he is weaned off of life-support?
So why are you needed?
Because for some reason,
{known only to God}
He delights in moving powerfully when
the body joins together in fasting
for one common purpose…
And tomorrow is Joshua’s day.
Would you join in?
Even if you have not thought of fasting
before or already have plans
for tomorrow…
Would you please move your plans
for Joshua and his family?
Would you be willing to even fast for one meal?
Tomorrow I will update as the day goes on
with specifics to pray.
Please would you join in?
Would you please ask any prayer warriors
you know
to join in as well?
I'm honored to fast and pray for them tomorrow.
Thank you Rebecca!
Yes I Will FastAnd Be In Prayer.
Thank you Lisa!
I will be fasting and praying and looking for updates!
Thank you lizzielou.
YUP!
Thank you Steph.
YUP!
I will join you.
Thank you Faye.
yes, #TeamJoshua!
Thank you Grateful. Love the hashtag. #TeamJoshua!
What an honor to fast for Joshua and declare it his day! All glory and honor to the King who made him and will be right there with him tomorrow as He continues His miracle!
Awww Mary, thank you for joining us tomorrow.
I was driving to my mom's house where I'm staying while she is in Rehab for knee replacement, & Joshua came to my mind. Obliviously, it was because he is still in need. I will be praying that God make Joshua's heart just fine for weaning tomorrow.
Thank you GA Foster mom.
I'm all in!!
Thank you my MO friend.
I'm in, too. And can we pray for my friend Whitney's little Lizzy who also is an adoptive heart baby. She has been in the hospital for a couple of months now fighting for her life and dealing with secondary infections. Se has another major procedure on Monday. https://iwillruntoyou.com/blog/category/blog/
Thank you Beccy. I have not heard of Lizzy, but my family will pray for her as well. I just am convinced that not much else matters, in the giant scheme of things, ya' know?
I have never fasted before but am feeling led to for Joshua. His face is forever etched into my heart. Praying for complete healing!
Oh Heather, I am so proud of you! Thank you for joining in.
I am in and going to recruit some prayer warriors!
Thank you lori, you rock!!
I won't be fasting (as I am 17 weeks pregnant with our treasure #7), but I will be fervently praying for Joshua and his family tomorrow. I am the proud Mommy of a special heart baby as well (she is now 4.5 year old), so we have walked a similar road. I will be anxiously looking for updates tomorrow!
Thank you for fervently praying tomorrow with us. Such a blessing. And yippee for treasure #7. =)
I will be joining you as well. Thank you for sharing this need with us. It is an honor to fast and pray for this boy.
Thank you Charissa!!
I will fast and pray for Joshua. May his new heart beat very well when he is taken off life support. Thank you Linny for telling us about this young man.
Thank you Wendy.
I have also never fasted before but for this little treasure I will. I'm in!
Wow Joy in Belgium – I am so excited you will fast {for the first time} for Joshua! Thank you so much!
It has been many many years since I fasted. However, I do know the importance and the power. I count it a privilege to join tomorrow.
Awww Martha, thank you for confirming the power of fasting and thank you for joining in.
Linny I will be fasting and praying for this little Treasure. I am half way thru the Daniel Fast. I am honored to be joining with you and praying without ceasing for beautiful little Joshua.
Blessings,
Suzane
Thank you Suzanne – you are a blessing.
Praying for little Joshua…why is it each time I decide to fast I wake up STARVING? Keep us posted on our little treasure. It is a snow day for us so no school, I'll be able to check in throughout the day. Love being apart of this big family of believers coming together for this little guy.
Blessings
Suzanne
I am currently pregnant, so will do a limited fast. 😉 I find it interesting that the fast has been called for the same day that my little treasure is having her cardiologist appt to check on her heart as well. Praying for Joshua and his family and we'll be thinking especially of them tomorrow!
Thank you so much Jen. You're pregnant?? Yippee Jesus!
Yes!! Found out early-September! God ALWAYS keeps His promises! I have felt all along that He wanted to bless us with another child through birth. Then I pray that God will speak to my husband about using that other dossier we have in China to bring home another treasure. One blessing at a time! 🙂
Well congratulations! What a wonderful delight. Autumn is due in June…so you're probably a bit ahead of her…what wonderful news!
Congratulations to Autumn!! Wonderful news!! I'm due early May, so not that far apart. 🙂 I will find out this Thursday if it's a girl or boy. Will send you an email when I find out. 🙂
Please let me know. Autumn can hardly stand waiting. She's at 12 weeks right now. And she looks adorable and has felt the baby move a bit.
I will pray and fast for Josua tomorrow. Thank you for sharing.j
Lori
Thank you Lori so much!
I'm trying to figure out how best to join in….I probably can skip one meal (need to make sure I can get through my longest work day without falling asleep on my students!).
Have been praying for them and will continue to do so…
Thank you Penny for joining in – one meal matters!!
Count me in. Joshua was in the orphanage with one of my heart babies, and our newly adopted heart baby just had her heart transplant exactly three weeks before Joshua's after two cardiac arrests and being placed on ECMO, followed by one cardiac arrest post transplant. I keenly feel Jennifer's pain and her hope for her child. She has been my great friend these past three years.
You are one of the few who "get it"…thank you so much for joining in. What a blessing you must be to Jennifer! May God continue His healing work in your sweet baby girl's life.
I will be fasting for Joshua…and for Rini, as well. (Rini is Drea's Baby Girl.) I have been praying for both children. Here is a link to Dea's blog: http://olsonfamily7.blogspot.com/ Sweet Rini needs many prayers, as she's one step ahead of Joshua. Linny, Thank You, for bringing forth the Truth of the Word of God. Love You. ~ Jo
Thank you Jo.
First time faster here too 🙂 will be thrilled to join in on little Js behalf.
I welled with tears when I saw that you, also, are a first time faster. Thank you for caring for little Joshua…I know it means a great deal to his mommy and daddy.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Been praying for this precious Treasure already…will continue to fervently do so! What a privilege! Thank you, sweet Linny! Praying for you and your beautiful heart of treasures! <3cindy
Thank you Cindy. Such a blessing you are!
Count me in! Your passion is sooo anointed, an honor to be a part of it.
Blessings,
Pat L. Va.
Pat, Pat, Pat. I am so excited to hear from you…although we share many memories of things like small group at your home…my favorite memory is when our two girls {Autumn and Laura were both little} and walked unbeknownst to us to the library…what a crazy and adventurous pair. Bless you my friend and please tell Jack we send our love! xo
Count me in. Your passion is so anointed,
Blessings
Pat, in Va.
How WONDERFUL that you are organizing this for Joshua! I "met" Jennifer on our heart moms (of kids adopted from China) group. I will definitely be fasting AND praying tomorrow AND having my seven blessings praying for Joshua (including my heart kiddo!).
Thank you Sandy…such a blessing to Jennifer to have her heart mom friends joining in.
I will join.
Thank you my sweet newlywed friend!! xo
Yes ma'am. You can count on me to be standing by your side in prayer!
Thank you Krista so much!
I will fast and pray. Believing for Joshua's heart!
Thank you my sweet friend. You are such a blessing.
Joining all in prayer for precious Joshua! Today (Tuesday) I was already fasting for our Treasur's court date and for His hand to be present in that courtroom. My heart breaks for that precious mom who is placing her child in His hands in such a way. I will storm heaven for this child who needs His touch and hand to be with those doctors as well. I know my God is able, and I pray He intervenes today so His glory can be revealed!
Thank you so much Dana!
Yes l am in!
Thank you Hanna – such a blessing!
Count me in. I have known Jennifer since we were teens and I know she feels so blessed to have this post written for Joshua. I am in awe everytime I think of her and her family and their life. Its just AMAZING! Thankyou all for being by their side!
I *love* when lifelong friends stand with each other…such a beautiful thing! Bless you Laurie!
I too can testify what your group and fasting can do with the adoption of our Russian baby 10 months of course I will fast and pray. I just seen this and had coffee early AM. But Wii fast today. Knowing God knows the desire of my heart. love you guys. Praying for Joshua.
Yes you do know the power of prayer and fasting Anne! Thank you being part of today!
I am in! Thank you for sharing the need for sweet Joshua! He and his family will be able to share the testimony of God's faithfulness, and how the body of Christ comes together, for years to come!!!
Thank you Joy for being part!
Oh, praise the Father I saw this just in time! I'm in, sister-friend!!!
Thank you so much my sweet friend. xo
Praying and fasting for Joshua and his family.
Thank you Leslie.
Have been fasting since last night but will have to eat soon to make it through afternoon/evening students. Will continue to pray of course…I feel privileged to join this wonderful group of prayer warriors!
You're awesome Penny. Thank you. God is listening!