Friday, August 1, 2008

Some of this, some of that

Happy Friday y'all!!!

If you think to look at the time on this post....it's CORRECT!!!

That sweet puppy of ours, Pepper, came pouncing on my face at 5:00 am. And, yes...she is in the bed with me. The other night she fell between the footboard and the mattress. She just whimpered and cried and was practically standing straight up. She moves around alot at night, but she's still so small you can't ever feel her. She apparently got a little close to the edge of the bed!

She's beside me now. She's seriously chomping on some puppy food. Our other dog, Bailey, just looks at her like, "Ummmm....why is your food in my bowl." Don't ask either. The girl loves her big sisters bowl and Bailey is patient and tolerant of it all.

Here is our precious Pepper.....




I think I hear Pepper saying.."Play with me Bailey, play with me!"



And, the answer is...."I don't want to play. I'd rather go sit with that wonderful 'mom' I have!"



I was outside the other night and just kept thinking..."Thank you God for a wonderful week of VBS. Thank you Lord for these children." And, this beautiful sky was right beside me. He said, "It was my absolute pleasure."



I had asked you to pray for a little boy named Christian during VBS. Let me tell you about our Tuesday.

Our VBS is from 9-noon. He was not picked up that day and it was getting to be about 12:10. I was getting worried so I asked this precious 5 yr old little boy if we could call his mom. Now, let me tell you, this darling guy has NEVER been in our church before. I don't know them at all. They didn't come with any other kids. He was a true visitor to our church.

During the this time, Christian was so calm and so sweet. I kept thinking...there was no way my boys would have been so calm at this age if they were the last ones to be picked up. Anyway, we called his sister (he never mentioned mom) and she said "Oh, I'm so sorry. I have been at the Dr. all morning and the paperwork took too long and I'm just now getting my prescription. I'll be right there."

That was fine by me. I just wanted to make sure she wasn't in a car wreck or something and needed some help. Well, it got to be 12:50 and still no sister. So, I called again. I felt bad for calling again, but I did. Our town isn't that big so I was concerned that it was taking that long. She answered her cell phone and started apologizing again and again. She said..."I see the church now. I'm just 2 seconds away. I'll be right there."

Ok. I was just so glad that she was fine because at this point, you start thinking all sorts of crazy things.

She pulled in. She jumped out of the car and quickly met me at the door. She apologized 101 times and then looked at me dead in the eyes, all 17 years old of herself, and said...

"I have cancer. I had my 1st treatment today and it took so much longer than I thought."

My heart melted. I looked at that precious girl and asked what type of cancer she had and she has cancer that comes from HPV. I'm not up on my latest medical info so its either cervical or uterine cancer. She is so young to be going through this. We don't know where the momma is...they never said. Christian told us his daddy died. We don't know if this was recent or awhile ago. They don't have much at all. You can just tell. Their address is in a 'not so good' part of town. My heart kept melting. Is she doing all of this by herself???

I told her I would pray for her and that I would be anxious to see Christian again on Wednesday. That is when she asked me if our church had a shuttle service. Big gulp in my throat. The answer is "No, I'm so sorry. We don't." She told me that she had to get some work done on her car and she couldn't get him to the church. Big gulp in my throat again. I so badly wanted to say...."I'll pick him up. I'll come get him."

I hugged Christian goodbye and said "I'll see you Thursday!"

Oh Lord. Please take care of that family. They need so much Lord. They need so many things. I pray that Christian is safe and ok and will be able to come again on Thursday. I need to see those sad, but hopeful eyes one more time.

Well, he just would not leave my mind on Wednesday since I didn't see him. I just begged God to bring that darling boy back on Thursday.

After I had my morning devotional and prayer with the leaders on the last morning, I was standing out in the lobby area of the church and who do you think comes walking in??? Yes, he did. He was sleepy and half groggy, but my little Christian was here!! Thank you Jesus!!

His sister doesn't look at you much and seems uncomfortable and shy, but she took him upstairs where he needed to be. Then, our day began. And, Christian had one more day to be loved on and fed with the word of Jesus and His love.

The end of our day rolled around and we had all finished up in the gym with some pie throwing fun. The group that collected the most food items, for a ministry that feeds hungry children, was able to throw pies in the faces of two of our interns. How fun is that???!!! Not me....them!! :)

I saw Christian having fun, smiling, and taking every aspect of it in. His sister was there with her boyfriend watching too. She would smile every now and then. It came time to leave and I found Christian and hugged on him and told him I'm soooooo glad you came to VBS this year. He just grinned back and said nothing. I wished him luck in kindergarten and that was it.

The sister told me that her treatment is once a week. I told her that I would be praying for her. I don't know how she felt about that, but it was the honest truth. They walked out of our church and I knew right then that I may never see that child again. My heart melted again.

He had shown me all his "super powers" on Tuesday afternoon and I got to see the heart of a typical 5 yr old little boy. Everything about Christian is typical in being a 5 yr old, but everything about Christian is not typical in being a 5 yr old.

I'm not sure where his mom is. I'm not sure how recently his dad died. I'm not sure about anything in his home life. I just know that this sister needed a place for her brother to go for a few days and she chose our church. My heart melted. We could be so many things for them this week and it was a true joy and honor to meet that precious boy and his sister.

I'll always be praying for them. They are forever in my heart. It goes to show that you never know what is going on in a families home and in their lives. Whether you have known them for 5 minutes or 5 years, we should love them all the same. No judging. Nothing but love.

I'm mentally worn out after the week. So, I think I'll take a little trip North. Maybe go see this woman....




Yep. You guessed it!!! I'm heading to Louisville KY with some favorite gal pals and even meeting a couple of fellow Siestas!!! How cool is this??? Time for me to soak it all up!

God is everything to me. He taught me so much this week. Stay with Him girls. Stay in His word! I hope you have a fabulous weekend. I'm praying for you!

Hugs and blessings~

22 comments:

Denise said...

I love you, and your precious heart. I will be praying for dear Christian and his sister.

Patty said...

Fran,
I hung on your every word!! I can't even tell you how my heart goes out to Christian and his sister. VBS is such a mission field!! May God invade their hearts and their home life! I am glad he had you in his life this week.
LOVED the picture of the sky. How beautiful!
Pepper looks like she could play and play and play some more. Just like our Daisy.
I am excited that you are going to the Simulcast. Have a great weekend with your girlfriends and I will see you in 19 days!
Love,
Patty

Stacey said...

Fran,

I am touched by your heart for this family. You are so right that we need to be all about loving people and understanding that we really don't know the pain they may be going through.

Anonymous said...

Oh sweet Fran, I will pray for Christian and his family and I so agree with Patty that VBS IS a mission field (and small country churches too!) Have a wonderful time in Louisville (wish I was going :( ! Soak and rest and enjoy every precious Word He gives!!!
love you!
Teresa
Braden, TN

Unknown said...

Frannie...love love love you!

Have a blast this weekend. You just soak it all up my friend!

And Christian? Precious little boy. I'll be praying for him and his sister too!

beckyjomama said...

How can I possibly reply when I cannot even see the keyboard.

I need a minte.
Or, ya know, an HOUR!!!

Sweet Christian is in my prayers - as is his sister. Cancer - EEERRRGGGHHH!!! I cannot tell you how much I HATE CANCER!

Oh, and you are going to see my PBFF? I was supposed to go too, but the ticket getter didn't get em. And I am at a loss as to what to do.
*tear*
See, now I am crying again.
Take notes for me (on what she is wearing, her shoes, her hair ... and HER WORDS! Oh, that woman's words!!!!!), lots and lots of notes.

LOVE YOU!!!
Becky Jo

Michelle V said...

Fran,

I praise God for you and that God allowed Christian that time at your church! I know you'll have an awesome time at LPL! I'm jealous, but so happy you get to go!

Blessings
Michelle

Earen said...

Oh my goodness...I will definitely be praying for this family. Just breaks my heart...I'm thankful the Lord used you in their lives.

Dana said...

Thanks for sharing, praying for Christian!
Dana

Melinda said...

Oh Fran...thank you for sharing this portrait of our precious, intimate God. Is He not the absolute BEST?

It's amazing to me that I feel like we've been friends for a long time. Such is the incredible body of Christ! Just know that I have one (or twenty) big hug reserved for you in SA!

Love to you this day!
Melinda

Lindsee said...

That story is just heartbreaking. I can't even imagine being 17 and in that situation. Fran, your heart is so huge. I love the way you love people!

And that puppy of yours?! Oh my goodness. TOO stinkin' cute for words. I want one. :)

Have a blast this weekend and soak up some Jesus for us! Can you believe THIS IS THE MONTH that I get to hug your neck?!!! Ahhh!!!

Love you-

Lindsee

Momma 2...5 said...

Fran,
What and awesome opportunity God gave you this week. I think the reason you were so drawn to Him was because God led you to him.

That just challenges me more to pay attention to people around me, and I may never know what kind of impact I can have on someone.

lori said...

ohhh man...
I will say a prayer for them right now.

connie said...

Fran,
Christian and his sister and family will be added to my pray log... And your little pepper is so cute, he reminds me of my Simon, he is a schnoddle...
Oh and yeah I cna't wait to meet you at the Conf, we get to be there live!!!! See you in a few hours...
YOu are in my prayers...
Connie
GBU

Anonymous said...

"You are Awesome and glad God used in a way that truly pleases him." I will continue to pray for this situation.

I hope you can swing by for a visit!!
Blessings,
Jeannene

connorcolesmom said...

Ok I went from laughing at that darling little Pepper and Bailey to crying over Christian and his sister and then REJOICING for you and getting to go to the LPL conference - praying for GOD to Knock your Socks off!!
Love ya
Kim

Tanja said...

Fran! I'm going to be with you in spirit... I'll be watching Beth Moore via simulcast at a local church. Can't wait! We'll have to compare notes to see where God hits us both through Miss Beth.

Love this post. VBS is so great. Always worth every ounce of time and effort.

Linda said...

How sweet you were to minister to Christian and his sister with your love and prayers. I said a pray for him as well and will plead on his behalf as the Lord leads. Have a Wonderful time in Kentucky. I am Sooooo jealous oh did my spiritual self really type that? I meant to say "happy to hear you have the opportunity to go hear Beth Moore" :)
Can't wait to hear all about it.
Blessings,
Linda

A Stone Gatherer said...

Fran, what an amazing post! From that sweet little pepper to your awesome story! VBS can be exhausting, but exciting at the same time! Praising God that Christian was able to come back! What a name huh!! I believe seeds were planted! Praising God with you!

His Girl said...

a) that puppy? too too cute!

b) oh I am so glad you told this story! praying!

Alana said...

I bet you were such a light to that little boy. I know you showed him Jesus. Precious story. So glad VBS went well for you!

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

Oh my heart breaks for Christian and his sister---my daughter had same thing---and God healed through surgery. Will hold their story in my heart! I so hoped they would pan the audience of your simulcast! I got in at the last sec. Thought about worshipping our Mighty King with you and all the other bloggers at SF so soon. And PS - I did not mean for you to comment---you missed what I said! Didn't God just rain down through Beth!


I blog so you can get a glimpse into my life as wife, mom of 3 boys, and someone who simply wants to bless others along the way. Have fun and be sweet :)


Boy 1

Boy 1

Boy 2

Boy 2

Boy 3

Boy 3

Designed By:

Munchkin Land Designs Elements by Amy Teets


Get your own free Blogoversary button!