Miracles and the Power of Prayer

It's one word, but it has many different meanings to many people. I for one, believe in "miracles" but I believe in Gods Will more. Today has brought to my attention a few things to mind and I would like to share what is on my heart.
While checking in on a few of my fellow bloggers, I came across the blog for the mother of a little girl who has become well known back home as a survivor. She is such a tiny little thing-but her heart is massive and her strength and courage is even more inspiring. Willamina has been a name that I've heard in passing, and through my home church in Danville but I never had the opportunity to really get involved in what is going on in her life. Today I did. Today I cried harder than I've cried in a very long time. As a mother-I just looked at a picture and lost it. I ask that you all pray for this beautiful little girl. She is in so much pain, and has been through so many trials that I feel horrible for each and every complaint I have ever made in my life. God is working through her, and as I learn more about her I want nothing more than to read the next posting "She is cured!!" but it's not coming. Her life could be described as a Miracle. But this little girl is working for Jesus, and she is not a miracle-she is an answered prayer on so many levels.
I have also spent some time talking, emailing and IM'ing my friend from Covington-Jennifer (Myers) Murray. She has always been a fantastic friend, and her husband is just as fantastic-but I never knew her entire story "post-high school". Jen and Brad are the parents of quads. 4 boys. 4. FOUR!!! They are 2 years old now and are as cute as can be. (Jorja will marry one, I am sure of this) After reading about her battle with infertility, high risk pregnancy and life with multiples you have no choice but to think "How on earth does this woman do it??" Miracle? Or did God have so much trust in Brad and Jen 's faith and love that he gave them this opportunity to have a very public life to spread the Word? I think choice B is accurate!
A couple from my small group battled infertility, miscarriage, and the ultimately a high risk multiple pregnancy as well. They are having twins, but their story is a little different. Emily went into the hospital over a month ago because her body was preparing for pre-term labor. Had the babies been born at that time, it would have been a very scary and heartbreaking journey. After MUCH prayer and faith and hospital meals-Emily has finally reached yet another milestone of 30 weeks and her body is REVERSING it's need to give birth!! The doctors say this never happens, and is himself a Christian and simply put it-Prayer did this!! Do you believe it? I do!!
I have several instances that come to mind of miraculous cures, and people fighting their way through cancer, disease and physical trauma. Instead of calling these miracles-I call these taps on shoulders. God is there just aching to be a part of our lives and he is showing us that we can do anything through Him.
I didn't start this blog to preach, I started it to keep everyone in touch with our family and what is going on. However, I find myself needing to pour my heart out and say what is on my mind more and more in a public forum with the hopes of touching someones heart. Continue praying everyone. Pray for our country, pray for our President, pray for the lonely, pray for the poor, pray for the hurting, pray for the angry....just pray!

Oldies, Hummies and Such

The past few weeks have been incredibly hectic for me with trips to see old friends from home (top left)and from PU (Bottom right), work, and being a "work from home mommy". It's not as easy as it would initially seem, but each day I learn new tricks to make life and work easier. It helps that I don't have to give her a bottle every time I turn around these days. That's right! Jorja has become a vegetarian. So far, she has had quite the variety of tasty treats-some tastier than others. Below is a list of her new favorite foods rated on the hummy scale. Yes, I said "hummy". Apparently Jorja likes to hum and sing when she is eating good food. 1=not so hummy 10=Super duper hummy:
Sweet Potatoes-9
Carrots-7
Peas-4 (has an initial "gives me the willies" factor at first, then not so bad)

Bananas-8 (has an initial "gives me the willies" factor but then it rocker her world)
Squash-8
Peaches-6 (has a very big "gives me the willies" factor then this is FANTASTIC!)
Just in the past two days she has rolled over, held the bottle on her own, sat up on her own, and unfortunately for our cat MaryJane-discovered fur. She was nice about it at first, but I just had to release a handful of unattached calico.

I spoke with Paris the other day and we are counting down the days until she comes to visit us for a LOOOONG summer stay. I cannot wait and have been planning and planning in my head. Zoo, camping, museums, camping....camping....: ) Maybe an airplane trip some where cool. I have always wanted to take her to NYC and have already broken 2 promises to do so. I am so excited to see the two girls meet for the first time. Jorja will be 9 months old by then but at least she will be old enough to really play with her big sis. That will be a sweet moment for Aaron and I-I get teary just thinking about it.

Prayer Requests: Thanks to God that my girlfriends 2 year old quad baby made it out of the hospital and they are all on the road to health after a long sickie winter. I saw Jen at a gathering of oldies this weekend and she is amazing and beautiful.
My friend Emily has reached week 29!!! This has been a prayer request for a few months for me and it is working!! Her body no longer feels the need to give birth and is actually going backwards which according to Dr.'s "never happens" Good thing God is in control and makes scientific things "happen".
My friend Anne has a little guy named Jackson who has been experiencing seizures. This in and of itself is hard to handle, but her husband has recently been laid off causing much unneeded stress. Pray that he is able to get a job soon and that the Doctors learn what is wrong with little Jackson and that they are able to cure him.

I have a girlfriend from back East who is one of my East Coast besties who is having some strange nervey things happening to her. Please say a prayer for her as she has endured a lot medically in her lifetime and it's time for some good stuff to happen to her. We should be getting some test results soon and I pray to God they are good news.