Feb
24
Much in my head, much on my heart. A Whirly Wednesday post might just be in order.
Read the parts that interest you, skip the parts that don’t. Of course, you’ll have no idea which is which until you’re already too far in. Stinks to be you.
1. I sent the check to my publisher Monday (for the order I had to pay for before they’d release my Diapers books). Woohoo! As soon as it clears, they’ll send my 1100 books, and I’ll start shipping them your way!
2. I’ve been getting lots of questions about my Zoo Book lately. Like, “Man, this is taking a long time. When’s it coming out??” Oh, how I’d love to give you a satisfying answer, but things just aren’t going all that hot. For starters, we still haven’t found a publisher who’s willing to take a risk on it . But I’ve been reworking it and giving it a little more zing, and I’m for sure not giving up hope. More next week.
3. Speaking of promises I don’t keep (at least not in a timely fashion), I have NOT forgotten about the necklaces, apron and boas for Cambodia (and Kenya). We’re just about ready to go with it.
4. And speaking of just about ready, FUN NEWS! You know my NaNoWriMo novel? The one I said Gabe was going to make a website for and I was going to sell as an e-book and give 50% of the proceeds to missions? IT LAUNCHES FRIDAY. I know! Isn’t that fun? Basically, you’ll be able to read a section of it each day for the next 10 months. If you can’t wait that long to get to the end, you can buy the whole thing at once for $80. (or $8)
5. More fun stuff! Do you know Laura Wilkinson? 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Platform Diver? Well, she’s just an amazing, godly woman, and I love her to bits. I heard her speak at a conference a few years ago, and then we struck up a Twitter/e-mail friendship a few months ago (follow her on Twitter here). We had plans to meet while I was in Texas in January, but it didn’t work out.
ANYWAY. Gabe interviewed her for his podcast today, and you can listen to it here. She’s got lots of cool stuff to share about kids and sports, the Olympics, following your dreams and taking leaps of faith. Can you believe she got kicked off her high school diving team? Her coach said she was a WASTE OF SPACE. Well.
6. Before I forget, see those ads on my sidebar? When I started my new blog last year, Gabe put ads there in case we wanted to make a little extra $. And we have. Except mostly I forget to have people pay me or I let them have an ad for free because they’re AWESOME (and/or my relative). Anyway. There’s a new one. My cousin Jonna has started her own business as an educational consultant for Discovery Toys. She’s excited about this new opportunity and you can click on her ad for more info. (I do have one more spot if anyone’s keen to buy one. It’s like $2/year or something.)
Last thing–and it’s a biggy. If you skipped the rest of this post, please start reading here. A little girl in Ava’s school was just diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor this week. Her name is Faith, and she’s in first grade. Her oncologist is giving her six months to live. My heart is breaking in two for her and her mommy and daddy and two sisters (9 and 2). I know our God is a God of miraculous healing power, and I’m praying He heals her completely. But if He chooses to take her to heaven, I’m praying He does a miraculous work here on earth in the hearts of everyone who witnesses the next few months of Faith’s life.
EDIT (8:19am): I hadn’t seen this latest post from Faith’s mom, and I can barely type through my tears. The tumor is so aggressive that doctors think it must have just started a few weeks ago. They say that in six weeks, she’ll stop breathing on her own. Oh, Lord, please be merciful to your precious child!
Will you do me a favor? Will you write a quick note to Faith (and/or her parents) in the comments? Just tell her that you’re praying for her and that God loves her (or whatever He leads you to say). I’m going to print out your comments and send them in a card (they’re collecting them at school) for sweet little Faith. And just so you can picture her while you’re praying, Ava says Faith is about “this tall” (4′ 2″ maybe?), has white skin and short, black, straight hair.
Please put your first name and city/state (totally optional) so Faith can see that she has people all over the country praying for her.
Praying blessings on your day, friends! Now, go hug someone special and tell them you love them!
Praying for Faith and her entire family in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Some Scriptures that immediately came to mind were Matthew 21:22, Psalm 46:10, Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 41:10.
Praying,
Kaye
Praying for you Fatih…praying for you.
Faith, there is a wonderful story about Moses in the book of Exodus in the bible. He was a man who loved God very much and God loved him. God asked Moses to do some things that were hard and scary. Moses said he would do whatever God asked because he loved God, but he asked God to go with him so he wouldn’t be scared. God loved Moses so much he said not only would he go with him, but when they passed by scary places, he would put Moses safely in the cleft (space) in a rock AND he would cover Moses with his own hand. God’s hand is so big, Faith and when you are going to pass by scary things or places, God will carefully put you in a safe place and protect you with His hand too. He loves children so much because they bring Him such joy. You bring God and your family much joy. Even though you don’t know us, our family loves God and we will love to pray for you, Faith.
Jesus Loves you ….we are praying for you…praying He will comfort you as only He can.
Dy in NC
We are praying for you all. We will be sharing this with our LifeLike group on Friday night to increase the prayer support in the Buffalo, NY area.
Pete & Angela Northern
Dear Faith & Family,
Sending prayers to our big God on your behalf from Louisiana.
Love,
“Whimzie”
Dear Faith,
God’s arms are round you and your family. Emerse yourself in his never-ending love. We are praying for you.
Hi Faith,
We are praying for you to feel better, and for your family who is really sad that you are so sick.
I wonder if you realize how big your Christian family is?
Do you have a map of the U.S.A? (Or the World?)
You could track in how many States/Countries people are praying for you!
Prayers from Idaho,
The Collingwood Family
Sweet precious Faith,what a beautiful name you have. I am an America but my husband is Danish so we live in Denmark,I hear that you have not been well and are in the hospital. I know they are taking very good care of you but sometimes it is hard. I want you to know that I am praying for you. and your family too. You know JESUS Loves you very much and he is right there with you,watching over you. He knows every thing about you and your family too..I love you sweetie and I will continue to pray for and your family that you all might feel the stong arms of Jesus holding you ever so tightly and know many people all over the world love you and are praying for you too. Remember you are very special and your family,is too!God Blwss you Faith and your family too,
I’m asking for the miracle of a complete healing in the name of Jesus.
God bless you all.
Praying for Faith and family in Birmingham, Alabama!
Faith! People in Colorado are praying for you! We just want you to know you have people here who love you.
Faith,
I just wanted to let you know that I’m praying for you and your whole family. I have two little boys named Ricky and Sammy who are praying for you too.
Rhonda
Westport, Kentucky
Sweet Faith,
please know that you have friends that you have never met praying for you in knox, indiana. we pray complete healing over you. we pray that God will take away this tumor andleave the doctors baffled. we pray for sweet time with your family. we love you sweet girl.
sarah, james and emma, , knox, indiana
With tears streaming down my cheeks I am praying for this family and precious little Faith.
Sarah, Milford, New Jersey
Dear Faith and family,
You are in my prayers. My favorite verse for the year
Ephesians 3:20 Now to HIM who is able to do abundantly more than all we can ask or imagine according to HIS power at work in us. I pray that God will wrap HIS love around you.
Elaina from the Indianapolis area.
Precious Faith Angel,
My heart aches. But I am pleading to our Jesus on your behalf. Our Jesus is big. And strong. And mighty. And He loves you more than anyone on this earth could ever imagine.
Love,
Amber in Arkansas
Praying for you, dear Faith… May you be completely healed by the stripes of our Lord Jesus…..God bless you, dear…Vivek family, California
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me He who died, Heaven’s gates to open wide. He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.
Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me loves me still, though I’m weak and very ill, from His shining throne on high, comes to watch me where I lie.
Yes, Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so…………
My family is lifting your family to the Father!
I’m praying. Kay in Sierra Vista, AZ