Prayer Requests for Monday

It was very special for us to hear that some of you were able to join in our service via the Live Feed. I’m not sure why some were able and some weren’t but we will have it available for podcast soon.

We shared our hearts openly with our body at both services. I talked about what happened the day of the fire. It was very emotional. Our sweet church body loved on us so tenderly.

I was thinking about this:

Some people are overwhelmed thinking of adopting a child. Some are overwhelmed thinking of having more than 2 or 3 kids. Some are overwhelmed with the thought of homeschooling. Some are overwhelmed with the thought of adopting a child older than an infant. Some are overwhelmed with the thought of being a pastors family. Many have asked how I add to the mix being a chaplain for our police department and going on ride-a-longs at night?? Many have wondered how I find time to blog? Others have wondered how I find time to speak from occasionally?

That being said: I love what I do….I love having a boatload of kids, I love adoption, I love adopting kids that are older than infants, I love homeschooling, I love adopting two kids at once, I love that I am becoming a chaplain for the police department and I love being a pastors family and no, I am not overwhelmed with my life….well that is until we added a bit more to it…

Like sifting through the ashes of our home. Like making an inventory of everything that is identifiable in the entire house (it’s absolutely ruined with smoke damage or melted from the heat of the fire). Like finding things for each of us to wear. Like finding a home to rent that can accomodate 8 people. Like grieving a family pet. Like thinking of the things that were so treasured and were lost to the fire. Like finding furniture for our home that we need to rent. Like outfitting it (bedding, towels, kitchen goods, food….). Like buying new computers for the kids to use for their homeschooling….and for that matter finding out how to skip to where the kids were in the homeschool computer program without having to repeat nearly 5 months of work.

Anyway, because of Graham’s surgery we did not really start going through our home to make an inventory of everything (we have heard it takes months and months). Tomorrow we will do that. Please pray for God’s grace. I really am a private person (even though I love blogging – I get to choose what to share and you don’t have to see my cluttered house – you get to sit in your house (maybe cluttered, but then I don’t know that either)….and read about our life.

We have sweet friends who are coming to start help with the very long process….but it leaves me feeling very vulnerable. THEN there is the actual part of writing it down and throwing it in the dumpster. The thought of throwing it out is something I am dreading and I so far, have sobbed each time I think about it.

Several people have written and asked for specific prayer requests, so I will try to regularly post some. It is an unbelievable comfort to know that so many are praying for us.

Prayer Requests:
1. Strength for this marathon called “the after math when a fire destroys your home”.
2. Grace to do the things that need to be done.
3. A place to rent that would be a sanctuary.
4. Bonding for Elijah and Elizabeth.
5. Grace and peace for all the kids: Abby(Ryan), Tyler – as he depl*ys, Autumn, Emma, Graham, Liberty, Isaiah, Elizabeth, Elijah – as they sort through their emotions regarding the fire. Tonight Liberty and Isaiah were sharing their feelings as I was tucking them in.
6. Wisdom for the people who decide if our home is a total loss.

Thank you dear friends….and……

A special thank you to all of you who linked our blog to yours enabling the word to spread to pray for us….it meant more than words could ever explain.

And several of you asked if it was okay to link A Place Called Simplicity to your site…no problem….

36 thoughts on “Prayer Requests for Monday

  1. So glad you posted specific prayer requests! There is power in praying the same words across the nation and across the world!

    You two (you ten?) have been on our minds and in our thoughts and prayers. Those gifts you sent us from Africa have been our prayer reminders.

    I was so grieved to read the heartbreaking posts… yet I was reminded time and time again:
    Matthew 6:19-21
    “Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But keep on storing up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal, because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

    And I added “fire” to the things that can destroy our earthly treasures.

    I was shown that we will lose EVERYTHING when we head to our Heavenly home… It doesn’t make today’s grief any less (or unnecessary), but it makes me more determined to put my hope and treasure where it belongs.

    We love you dear friends.
    (and I actually linked up this morning to the live video, but unfortunately could not lipread… maybe Mr. Daddy can help me interpret a podcast? 🙂

  2. I am so thankful for your family – for your heart – for the faith you share here and that you are allowing us into your darkest moments as a family to lift you all before our Father who can and will do exceedingly great things!

    I too get the same questions – how do you do it all? By the grace and God! With His joy and the desire to have an abundance of it in our home and hearts. I love all that we do! Even the tough parts. I choose to simply say – How blessed be His name! Yes, LORD!

    I am here standing in the gap with you and if there is anything along the way our family can do to help you please let us know! It would be a honor.

    God bless you this day!
    Jill

  3. I will be praying for your specific needs. It is an emotionally draining process. But remember out of the ashes comes hope and your foundation is in the Lord with this all things are possible. Your belongings may be gone but the memories that they hold can never be taken away. It may be therapeutic to video tape your family sifting through ashes to talk about a certain item and the memories that it holds before discarding it. That way you have a video reminder of what it meant to you and members of your family. Praying for all the strength the Lord can give to you as you begin this trying time.
    Sheri Keys

  4. Linn-

    So wish I was there to help. but I know you are in good hands and that you have so many friends who will be there to get you through. And I thank God for each and every one of them. Including each person who has linked, who has shared your story, who has prayed. I am thankful for all of them.

    Praying for you dear one.

    Lots of Love~
    Amie

  5. Just read your blog for the first time this weekend and read of your tragic fire! We are praying for your family and that God will continue to bring healing to each one in your family as you go through this difficult time. He has always been right there beside you through everything and He will not stop now! He knows each and every need that you have and He will provide!!!! May you continue to feel His Love through the Body of Christ and know that many, many prayers are going up on your behalf!

    A blogger in Georgia

  6. Linn, I have been praying and my heart hurts for you as you enter the next phase of regrouping and taking inventory of the fire. Your spirit is still shining thru my friend. You know when we were going thru Andrew’s accident and other things last year I always relied on the fact God wouldn’t give us more than we could handle but boy their were sure times when I prayed to him “I think were getting close to our limit” I am praying that same thing for you now. You are showing so much Grace thru this all that I know your encourging others. I am praying for Jubilee as well. You know Rachel does know her well and when i showed her her picture she rattled off for 5 minutues in Chinese about her , I would love to know what she said. lol….. Please take care of yourself and rest when you can. You are loved, Kathy

  7. Linn,

    I am praying specifically for you. I am so thankful you are so vulnerable to let everyone know what you need. My other prayer is that those who help you sort through the ashes are senstive and loving during this very difficult process. Words are powerful, my prayer is that everyone respect this important time for you. I think taking a video of important things… and talking about why each thing was special to you… is a great idea. Talk about it, let the family share how special every single thing was to them. We love you guys. lv, jen

  8. Good Morning Linn~~~I was not able to get the link to your Sunday sermon to work, I tried from a couple different computers.
    My heart is with you, going through all that you are, and with your children as well. I stopped to think about my children asking to play with this or that, and it being gone. We do not understand the level of routine that we all have until it is taken away. You WILL find a new normal and I have great FAITH that in the end you will know why this has happened. We will all keep praying for your needs and for healing….Hugs to you and your family.

  9. I just read about your fire from another blog. My heart goes out to you. I am so very sorry for your loss.

    We lost our house to a tornado March 2007 in Georgia. God moved so big in our lives during such a difficult time. There will be days it doesn’t feel that way – His word was so clear and real during this time in our lives. We also felt his presence and love unlike we had ever known.

    The best advice we received was someone who had faced the same difficulties suggested we get counseling for us and the children. We found a great Christian counselor who really helped us – especially the children and me.

    It was all very difficult, however, I would not change what happened to us on that day. The greatest blessing has been how firmly our children KNOW who Jesus is – their faith is so strong.

    God is Good.

    Please know there is a family in GA praying for ALL of you.

    Blessings!
    Ashley

  10. I just remember reading your blog on journey to me 6 months ago. I live in Columbus GA! and I smile at the GOODNESS of God when I go to Barnes and Nobel! I need to catch up and hear about Africa!! I cannot wait to continue to see his hand in your lives.

    Ashley in GA

  11. i have just been jolted out of my own little world over here in vietnam. i could not believe it when i read your comment on my blog. my heart is breaking because i know what home means to us homeschooling, homebody moms. you amaze me. what a vivid reminder for me to dry it up with my wanting to be back in the US. i am getting on my knees right now. i love you. xoxoxo. jan (phoebe)

  12. Linn,I really am just having such
    a hard time finding the right words to
    say to you guys. My heart is just breaking for you!! And yes just as a previous post
    said we are storing up our treasures in heaven, it doesn’t make it any easier. That
    is one of mine and hubby’s favorite verses.
    Every time we add another child, a little
    treasure from God, we are adding to the kingdom of God. And as we know satan is not happy about that!!!
    I just want to pile my kids in the car and
    come help you! But I know you have a wonderful church and wonderful friends to help. Just know our family are praying for
    your family. We love you guys!! Was able to watch the church service, barely through all the tears!! Wish we could have been there!! Donita

  13. Praying specifically for the items you listed. Praying, just praying every time I think of you, which is almost constant. I will be watching the podcast as soon as it is available.

    Blessings and comfort from our family to yours,
    Julie

  14. PRAYING today, Linny. Praying for the specific things you listed!!!!! On my knees for the Saunders family this day. The Father has already gone before you my friend—He is making a way through this wilderness! He WILL be glorified.
    PLEASE update us as you have needs—we’re here for you, praying for you and interceding for your family.
    Adeye

  15. Thanks for the list of prayer requests. I will be praying through them often. Thanks for sharing at church yesterday. I was crying with you (literally) and feeling sad, heavy and burdened for you & your family.

    Still praying………….

  16. Linny, I didn’t even think about all your homeschool books, cds, computers…paper..pencils. I’m sure there is so much more we don’t even understand. I’m in constant prayer and thoughts for you all. Like Amie, I’m so thankful for the “Body of Christ” surrounding you and helping you through this. You now have 254 ‘followers’ and I know there are many following that have not signed up to the blog. You are loved, Linny. Hugs.

  17. Hi Linn,
    I was not able to view the service yesterday because the software on my mac was not compatible. I will wait for the pod cast. I was wondering if you have a management company in town who oversees homes that are not lived in year round. Many owners use house sitters. What an incredible alternative that might be for your family as you wait for your house to be rebuilt. Realtors may also have some info about house sitting. I will be praying for your requests. Love you,
    Lori L.

  18. I just found your blog… and I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your home in the fire…. oh my….. praying God's grace and strength just fills you all up right now.. He is more than able…. I have been touched by your blog….. we too are a homeschooling Christian family…. we have 5 kids thru the gift of birth and 5 thru adoption… each one a miracle…..
    God bless you as you reach out and minister and as you pick up the pieces of your life after this fire….. I am reminded of Job and all that he went thru… "shall we not take the good and the bad?"…… sometimes it's so hard to understand the workings of our mighty God, but working He is in your life… in the few minutes I have read thru your blog it is evident He is working. Praise His name.
    May God bless you & sustain with all your needs,
    gloria in Missouri
    http://homesteadblogger.com/inallthingsgivethanks

  19. Hi Linn, Matt and I would like to give a small gift to you guys, just a small step to starting over. Where is the best place to send it? The church? And if so, what is the address? We’re praying for you guys and love you.
    Matt and Sara McNutt
    Missoula, MT

  20. I walked into Sunday School late yesterday and sat down just in time for prayer. Prayer requests had already been made, and I was so pleased to hear our Sunday School teacher pray for your family. My sweet husband has followed your news daily and had already shared with our class. Please know that you have brothers and sisters in Greeley who are lifting you up.

    ~Linda from Northern Colorado

  21. Linn, your family has been in our prayers. My heart broke for you when I came to your blog (from Kathy’s). I will be praying for your specific needs, and I’ll share a link to your blog on mine.

    I’ve already fallen in love your family!

    Jill, mom to seven, including 3 from China

  22. Still praying God’s sweet and abundant blessings upon your entire family. As a homeschooling family, I can especially appreciate the impact the fire and loss of your house has on each of you. Praying that the Lord will help simplify the process. Please fill us in on where you are at with bringing sweet Jubilee home (are you awaiting TA?) Also, is she at PHF? Our youngest was blessed to be there. Praying and sending love from Oregon!

  23. when I was ten years old, our home burned to the ground. It is easily the most traumatic thing that ever happened to me (us). We still feel the loss at times because so many family keepsakes and baby record books were destroyed. But, believe it or not, we can now see that tremendous good did come out it. It brought some huge changes in our lives as well as a move across the country. It was all God’s plan. So take heart, not to minimize your pain in any way, though! I have just started reading your blog, and you have been in my thoughts and prayers!

  24. God bless you, god bless you, god bless you! What a difficult task you have ahead of you. Sometimes when I have been faced with an extremely difficult task I find that the Lord just takes over- I just do the things I need to do because even thou I hate doing them- I know I have too- the job needs to get done and I am the only one that can do it. Moving out of our beloved home because we had to and burying my mom and going through all her belongings that were wrapped up with all my memories of her.
    I do not envy you-I will so pray for you. Let God carry you through this- envision yourself giving this tragedy and the task ahead of you back to him- he will gladly take your burdens- just do what you have to do and try to move forward each day. Remember the poem footprints- he is there with you every step of the way.

    I know how much you just want your home back- God will provide- it won’t be the same but with your family there it will be home.

    I love all the things you do plus it keeps you young!
    God Bless you sweet girl
    Hey and thanks for being my first follower on “simplfy”!
    Jean

  25. Linn, I’ve been out of town for the last week. I am so sorry. I wish I could hug your neck. PLease know we are praying for you and your family as you recover from the fire, and begin to move forward… “My grace is sufficient for you!”

  26. How precious! I have never been to your site until I heard your story a week ago on a friends blog. I didn't have a chance to visit and read then (as I had 2 very sick kiddos). However, my friend had spoke volumes about you & how Awesome your family was!
    I saw that first hand this morning! Just the way you ended your post with other's prayer request. You guys are a TRUE picture of JOY.. Jesus first, Other's second, Yourselves last!
    Blessings you & your Precious Family!
    Love,
    The Walkers of GA.
    Keisha
    http://www.walkerwalker.blogspot.com
    http://www.blogsforbabies.blogspot.com

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