About that new blinkie

Hopefully you have noticed that new blinkie over there ~~~~~~~> in the right sidebar. That is Asher. His mom is Steph and I 'met' her several years ago in the digital scrapbook community. I was always drawn to her pages because Steph, like me, had two children very close together. Asher is only 11 days younger than Elizabeth. Steph's oldest daughter is only a week younger than Nin. I found out I was pregnant in March 2005 and then miscarried - right about that time Steph found out she was pregnant again. Sadly, she miscarried shortly after I learned I was expecting Annie. Then while I was pregnant with Annie, Steph found out she was pregnant again and she had another daughter. I emailed her earlier tonight because Steph is surprisingly pregnant again...I told her it really scares me that she's pregnant again since our lives seem to parallel one another in the reproductive arena. I'm thinking maybe Brad and I really do need to start lookin' at a mini van. (you've got to laugh!) Isn't it amazing how God draws you to people like that?

Anyway, Steph's son Asher has brain cancer. I've followed his blog for a while now and over the past several months have found myself praying for them daily - sometimes multiple times a day. I've even awakened in the middle of the night with Steph on my mind - and any time I wake like that, I pray for that person because I figure there is a reason I'm thinking about them in the middle of the night. I know that Steph loves the Lord. I know that she is trusting God through this; but I know it's got to be hard. I know that she is discovering how God provides the grace we need when we need it. Steph, if you happen to read this - I just wrote this to another friend of mine in a note (her son is having heart valve replacement surgery next week) -- and I want to encourage you with the same thing -- Craig Courtney has written a beautiful paraphrase of Isaiah 43 called "Be Not Afraid" (you can click on either his name or the song name to be taken to his page at Beckenhorst Press' website where you can hear a demo choir sing the song) and it has been on my mind quite a bit over the past few days as I have thought about what you and my other friend must be feeling.

Isaiah 43:1-2 says:
1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Verse 4 reminds us - You are Mine; you are precious in My sight and I love you. Imagine that...the God of Heaven loves you and promises to be with you. Steph, I pray that you, Scott, Asher and the girls will experience the love of God and know His presence with you in ways that transcend human understanding.

And to my other friends who read my blog - please pray for this sweet family.