Young Ladies Christian Fellowship » Prayer

Silence and Noise

YLCF — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:05:51 +0000

by Kristen Lisemby

Not long ago, I was reading various passages and one little thing kept popping up–noise. It got me thinking. Have you ever tried to pray and then heard the phone ring? Or thought about something you forgot to do? Have you ever said, I’m going to sit down and read my Bible—really read it!—and then, when the time came, the TV from the other room was blaring or your brothers or sisters decided to play tag in the house? Noise. Noise. Noise!! I realized we get so used to the noise of life that, sometimes, we subconsciously crave noise and forget how to be silent. We forget what it says in Ecclesiastes, “to everything there is a season……a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” (vs.1 and 7) We forget that Jesus still speaks in that still, small voice.

It puzzles me why we beg God to speak to us and then we fill our lives with so much noise and distraction that prevents us from hearing what He has to say. It’s almost like asking God to call us and then having our music blaring so loudly that we can’t hear the phone ring. A bit silly, don’t you think?

While thinking on these things I penned these words…

Speak to me
In the silence, or in the noise!
Because Lord, sometimes I’m just not still.

Sometimes I’m just not still. Don’t you hate that? Though we don’t mean to, sometimes we tune God out. We get carried about by the bustle of the life we live. School, work, deadlines, homework, bills, activities, social events, church events, family outings, errands, chores…stuff has to be done! And as the clock ticks, we wonder how we’re going to squeeze it all in and we forget about the One thing our whole existence should be built upon–Jesus! We forget that we will be restless and unsteady inside unless we have our Cornerstone, our Rock, and our Foundation set and in place! Most times we long to hear the Lord speak to us, but there is too much noise ringing in our ears that it’s nearly impossible to detect His voice. We’ve got to learn to be still and be silent. We need to learn to put our relationship with the Lord first. When we learn to shut off the noise and center our focus (and our ears!) on the Lord, then we grow a little more and the lines are open to where we can hear His voice more clearly.

So remember to be still. Take the time to get alone with God every day and listen to what He has to say. Unplug the phone. Turn off the computer, the TV, and the cell phone. Go for a walk. Pull over on the highway and sit still. He has so many amazing things He wants us to know and learn…so many exciting adventures and treasures…and all we have to do is just sit still and listen.

In The Midst of Trial

Chantel — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:01:37 +0000

Father, in the midst of Trial
Keep My heart secure.
Resting, trusting fully
In your Promsise sure.
Through the waters of affliction,
Deep, forboding though they be,
When my dearest friend’s forsake me
Keep my heart, my eyes on Thee.
The world may take from me all I own,
It may scorn me for my stand,
Yet, Father, draw me nearer
Lead me with Thy mighty hand.
Father, you know all my troubles,
Mold me in your perfect way
Let my heart be broken fully
That I will find in You my stay.

- Chantel Harding ‘05

As I Knelt By My Bedside to Pray

Chantel — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:06:51 +0000

I knelt by my bedside to pray
One night as I was all alone.
I wanted to do what was right,
Surely He would show me the way.

I knelt by my bedside to pray,
To Him I gave all my dreams.
To fulfill, to lay aside-
His will alone I sought that day.

“I will lead you, I will guide your way,
I will be there each moment
I am by your side with you
As you kneel by your bedside to pray”
I knelt by my beside to pray.
I poured out my heart that night,

I asked Him to guide my steps,
To never let me to stray.

I knelt by my bedside to pray,
That He would stand by my side
To help me, to guide me
To teach me what to say.

“I will lead you, I will guide your way,
I will be there each moment
I am by your side with you
As you kneel by your bedside to pray”

-Chantel Harding ‘04

Photo of a Northern California sunset by Jennessa Harding Dizon, 2006

Top of the List

Elisabeth — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:00:10 +0000

At the top of my to-do list, as I’m racing through life:

LOOK UP

Along with a lightning-fast pain reflex designed to move me away from danger, I’m convinced that God has given me a worry reflex designed to rivet my attention on Him.

A.W. Tozer says, “Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.”

It reminds me of that wonderful one-word Psalm I found in a name-list in Chronicles:

Elioenai: “toward Jah are my eyes”

While in the grip of stress or some other strong emotion, do you ever feel like you’ve run into a very tall, smooth wall when you try to pray? Sometimes I do, and then I stand there feeling puzzled. But now…

I can just look up.

“We have no might…neither know we what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

Blessing from Suffering

YLCF — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:50:00 +0000

by Jennifer W.

For those of us who choose the road less traveled, our journey is through a harsh wilderness. This way is to the Tree of Life, following after the example of Christ. Most of us on this path experience obstacles along the way, but a few seem to suffer hardships and one setback after another through a good portion of their lives.

We may look at those who face an extremely challenging journey through life and wonder: why do they suffer so much? Why are they going through great trial and tribulation? What have they done to ‘deserve’ immense pain and adversity?

Our questions need not be left unanswered. We look to the Scriptures where we are shown that the righteous and wise Almighty Guide is directing the path of those in the midst of a hard journey with purpose. God is blessing His children through their suffering. Blessing? How can good come from pain and sorrow? God’s ways are certainly not like our own natural ways.

For whom the Lord loves, He chastens.

When someone is going through severe trial time and again, God is showing he loves this person. What caring father does not correct his children? What a joyful blessing it is to be loved enough by a Heavenly Father so that He tries us. (Prov. 3:11-12, James 1:2-4)

God will not try us more than we can bear.

It hurts when a person is tried – being polished, shaped, sharpened and refined by tools and fire. Is God too harsh to bring a person so near to a breaking point? No – He is merciful and just and will not give those He loves a trial greater than they can bear. Also, He will always provide a way to escape. (I Cor. 10:13)

All things work together for good.

Even though we may not understand how anything good could come from pain or sorrow experienced during times of trouble, we can be sure that all will work out for God’s glory in the end. A crown of life is in store for those who endure to the other side of the wilderness. (Rom. 8:28, II Tim. 4:7-8)

If we are following Jesus Christ, we are required to die with him so that we may gain the reward of life eternal, by God’s grace. Christ suffered so greatly in his time on the earth, even to death, but is now sitting at the right hand of the Father. We will also be rewarded for our self-denial and sacrifices. If we give up our lives to our Father now, we will gain eternal life in the time to come. (Matt. 10:39)

We can pray for and encourage our fellow-sojourners who seem to be fighting a tougher fight than we are, but we need not worry. We can be assured that those who are suffering from great and sore troubles are loved by God and have been given great strength (for their strength is made perfect in weakness). In the end, all things will work together for good. (II Cor. 12:9-10)

“Thou, which has shewed me great and sore [severe] troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.“ -Psalm 71:20-21

Photo of the Judean Wilderness by Natalie Nyquist

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Chantel — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:14:00 +0000

It was long ago when these words first fell from human lips. The disciples had just watched their Master, deep in prayer, and as He rose, they said, “Lord, teach us to pray…” Luke 11:1 That prayer that Jesus taught to His followers that day is one that still holds it’s power in our lives in it’s deep principles. While there is much that could be said about it, I want to focus on that request- Lord, Teach us to pray.

The Bible tells us that we don’t know how to pray as we should. Often our prayers are filled with selfish requests or, more likely, demands for the things we feel would make our happiness and fulfillment complete. They are often shallow, and more of a routine than anything else. Our thoughts may as well be a thousand miles away on some unrelated topic as we pray “Lord bless this food. In Your name, Amen.” Is this what prayer life is all about? Does it just go so deep and no farther?

Our Savior- the only perfect example we have, spent much time in prayer. This was His sustenance. This was the source of His strength and the depth of His comfort. As He spent time in heart to heart communion with His Father, He was raised above the things of this world into a higher place. This can be our experience too. The depth of communication that He had with His father, we may have with Him. Yet our vision of this experience is so shallow, so small compared to what it could be. These earthly things that hold but little value capture our hearts and minds, and the eternal seems so far away. Truly, we do not know how to pray.

So, this week as we bow before Him, let our hearts’ cry be, “Lord, Teach us to pray”. As You did, as we should. Then let our ears be open to His calling to us to come up higher, to learn what it is He wants us to pray for.

Dear Lord…

Natalie Nyquist — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:16:00 +0000

Please grant to me…

…the willingness of Mary
…the obedience Ruth
…the devotion of Esther
…the serving spirit of Martha
…the listening ear of Mary
…the hospitality of Lydia
…the faithfulness of Lois and Eunice
…the leadership of Deborah
…the trust of Hannah
…the searching heart of the Queen of Sheba
…the boldness of Priscilla
…the faith of Rahab
…the patience of Rachel

I want You, Lord, to be the perfume that I wear, the thoughts that I think, the song that I sing…

I am willing, even wanting, to be broken…if only You might be glorified.

I am your daughter and You are my King, my Life, my Sustainer, my All!

Please, Lord, make me worthy of the honor of being known as your Princess!

- by Elysse Barrett (pictured above)

Losing screws, not marbles

Gretchen — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:12:00 +0000

No, Merritt didn’t have some screws loose…but he did lose one this week! Thank you so much for your prayers. The surgery went well, and the 40 minutes in the waiting room seemed so brief in comparison with the long surgeries to put his leg back together last July. Merritt still doesn’t like hospitals, especially getting poked for IV’s, but it all went very well. And he just has two stitches this time!

The doctor’s hoping that taking out this screw will put enough pressure on the bone that the rest of the break will grow together, and a bone graft will not be necessary. So please pray toward that end. The rest of the hardware stays in Merritt’s leg indefinitely–the rod in each bone, and the two screws at the ankle. But he is already feeling a difference in his knee, and even his foot, having that top screw out. We’re so thankful.

We just celebrated our first anniversary, and it’s been almost a year since the accident. God just continues to show us His faithfulness…each and every day we have together…Thank you for being there with us throughout!

Intercession

Natalie Nyquist — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:26:00 +0000

Intercession is the hardest work in the world–the giving of one’s self, time, strength, energy, and attention to the needs of others in a way that no one but God sees, no one but God will do anything about, and no one but God will ever reward you for.

- Elisabeth Elliot On Asking God Why, p. 130

When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

- Matthew 6:6

Content but not Complete – Part Four

Jeannie Castleberry — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 06:49:00 +0000

Contentment While Single

Yes, it is possible! Not easy, but possible. Of course, the biggest reason we singles struggle with contentment is the same reason everyone does: it’s our sin nature. We all want things we don’t have. This is apparently true for married people, too! Everyone has the ability, through Christ’s strength, to be content (Philippians 4:11: “. . . for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”). It does seem especially hard to be content while waiting for marriage, however.

I think one problem is that we fail to understand the difference between contentment and completeness. In some senses, we will never be complete until we reach Heaven. But we singles have a special kind of “incompleteness” because half of us – our spouse – is missing. And when we fail to recognize that and separate the two ideas, we get frustrated because contentment seems to elude us. We still feel that something is missing. My personal analogy for this idea is a man who is blind. This man, through God’s grace, can be content, and can learn to live without sight. Other senses can compensate to a great extent – yet none of us would try to tell him that he is physically complete. It’s obvious that he is missing something he should have!

Singleness is a similar form of incompleteness. We were created to complement each other, and to become one flesh (Matt.19:4-6). If it is God’s will for us to remain single, He will give us the grace to live with that “incompleteness,” but we shouldn’t pretend it isn’t there. I believe that a single person is complete spiritually. It is not necessary for us to be married in order to be saved, sanctified, or blessed by God. But in some way – perhaps emotionally? I don’t know – we are incomplete until marriage. It seems to me that God’s original plan, now spoiled by sin, was for every man and woman to have a mate.

It’s okay to want what you were meant to have, but we must also live joyfully and contentedly in the present reality. This contentment while still reaching for something better is one of the paradoxes of the Christian life that is hard to grasp. But it is vital for us to learn to be content while waiting in order to live the way God has called us to. As Jim Elliot wrote to his future bride, “Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living” (Passion and Purity, pg. 160).

Praying Boldly

So how do we get from singleness to marriage? The number one answer is, “Pray for a husband!” I’ve been convicted over the past year that I don’t pray boldly enough. The tenor of my prayers is usually, “Help me to be content, to wait patiently, and to trust You. I accept Your will even if it means a life of singleness.” Sound like a good prayer? My real request is missing! I’m not asking for a husband. Philippians 4:6 says “. . . in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

And Matthew 7:7-11 is even more specific: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

God wants to hear our heart’s desires. We have to say “Thy will be done,” but don’t stop there! Pray boldly and with faith, believing that He is abundantly able to bring you a mate. The request for a husband is a godly one. Don’t be ashamed to pray specifically!

Finally, My Sisters. . .

. . . Be of good courage. It’s all too easy to become cynical about marriage as time continues to pass with no changes in our single state. But despising marriage or exalting singleness beyond its place is not the answer. Instead, let’s strive for contentment now, with hope for the future. Singleness can be a means by which we are drawn into increasing fellowship with our Lord as we learn to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

I hope this series of articles has been encouraging to you. It may have opened up some new ways of thinking about marriage in general, or you may have disagreed with things I have said. I don’t claim to have all the answers, or even most of them! My goal is just to encourage you, and I’d be happy to have you contact me if you have questions or comments. If there is a lot of interest, I may follow up with more articles. May God bless you as you continue to serve Him in marriage or singleness!

Click to read the rest of the series… Part One >> Part Two >> Part Three

A little update from Ashleigh

Ashleigh — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:43:00 +0000

You know, it can be oh-so-easy to focus on ourselves. Oh, you knew that? I seem to have forgotten.

I laugh when I read my little post on my blog last week about all of our “plans.” Those who read my blog probably laughed when they read it. I said in my little tag line, that we’d probably just be sent off to Japan or something in the next couple months. Yeah, well… I meant that as a joke, but, um…

No, we’re not going to Japan. In fact, we have little idea where/if/when the location would be if we/Troy and I/John go anywhere.

And you know what? I’m okay with that!! Shocking, no? But that’s today. You didn’t talk to me yesterday.

For many different reasons just about every major area of our life is up in the air right now. God knew I needed another lesson in that there school of flexibility! Yesterday, when I found out that we might be in for some much bigger changes than just moving across base, I was, frankly, scared, fearful and anxious. I kept busy throughout the day while we waited for the confirmation we thought we’d get at some point yesterday. But John finally called in the afternoon and said that the person on whom everything hinges is on leave this week. We won’t know the answer to the big question until next week. Soooo :deep breath:, that means we’ll just wait. And know that just as we will trust the Lord then, we will trust Him now, while we’re waiting.

At one point, in my mindless wandering throughout the day, I went through a mental checklist of the “BIG” areas of a normal life, and laughed to myself that there’s some sort of question mark next to each of them for us.

Then came reality. A little bit o’ perspective to make me see just how selfish I was to worry so much about things I could not control. God knows the end from the beginning… I don’t. He knows what is best for us… I don’t. And He has proven Himself faithful in so very many situations. How could I even doubt for a second that He would allow something that is not for our ultimate good? My fear is not a reality. It just isn’t. I’m worrying about something that I have no idea or control over whether or not it will actually happen.

I thought of little Ashley, who is in such great need of prayer today. Her daddy and siblings had to go back home, so her mama is alone again and Ashley’s having a hard couple days. That is reality.

I thought of an old, old friend who has just this week been put on hospice and is at home now, losing her battle with cancer. She is a pastor’s wife, with four children and a little bundle of grandchildren. She is tired, so very sick, and will soon be with the Lord. That is reality.

I thought of a very dear friend of mine, who is facing for certain nearly every aspect of the
things I am fearful of. She is still just trusting the Lord and continuing on. That is so very much reality.

I thought of Kelli, for whom so many blogging mamas pitched in to help and pray last week, and who has received some heavy news today. She will be going on full dialysis, having a shunt put in to her heart through her chest, going to the hospital 3 times a week, for 3-4 hours each day. She is still waiting for a kidney transplant. That is reality.

Today I read the entire story of a little girl I had prayed for, Emma Grace. By the end, my cheeks were wet and yet I was overcome by the sheer awesomeness of our Father. Even in the hardest of times, He has shown Himself faithful and more than we could ever ask or think. Emma’s mommy has been through more than I could ever dream of, and can still smile and praise the Lord for all that He’s done. That, dear sisters, is reality.

So I’m going to continue on in reality, whatever that is for us. Not in fear, not in stubbornness because I think I know what is best. Not in worry upon worry because I can’t see more than a day ahead. God has given me today, and that is reality.

Of Answered Prayer

Jeannie Castleberry — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:04:00 +0000

Sometimes it seems like God is just trying to tell me, “Yes, I’m listening to you! I hear your prayers!” That kind of confirmation is so encouraging, especially when they are “big” answers. But sometimes the smaller answers are even more amazing. Let me recount a few recent answered prayers, both big and small.

The most exciting one concerns my grandmother who was diagnosed with advanced terminal cancer in August. The doctors were unable to give her any hope for a cure (or even improvement), but suggested that chemotherapy could help relieve some of her symptoms and perhaps slow the cancer’s growth. After three rounds of chemo, Granny had another PET scan. To everyone’s amazement, it showed that her cancer is 60% gone! Praise the Lord! Thank you for joining my family in prayer for her. We are filled with hope and joy!

The other two answers will sound much less significant (as they are!) but they are answers nonetheless. Our family has been “dog-less” for a few years, and after a bad experience with our last dog, my dad was not in a hurry to try again. All eight of us kids really wanted another dog, and this spring Dad told Mom, “If we get another dog, I want to find an older, calm farm dog – one that’s great with kids and animals.” Mom smiled. “If someone had a dog like that, honey, they wouldn’t give it away!” A week later, we visited another farm family several hours away. They had two dogs, and one of them was the sweetest, gentlest dog I’ve ever seen. The mother of the family told Mom, “We’ve been trying to find a new home for Kes for over a year… we just can’t keep two dogs anymore.” Guess where Kes lives now? (Yes, many of us had prayed for a dog like him!)

“But we will not get a milk cow.” That was final. We already have dairy goats (and beef cattle), but my sisters and I fell in love with milking cows. Yes, I’ll readily admit I’m a little different! (Who else prays for a cow?) We wanted to be able to make butter and cheese, as well as have milk through the winter months when the goats produce sparingly, if at all. However, our parents’ word was law. As they continued to think about it, though, they began to see the advantages as well, and gave permission for us to look for a milk cow. And once again, God had the right one for us. God had the right one for us. That is not a typo – God blessed us with two
beautiful Jersey milk cows! Their names are Sunshine and Starlight, and we are enjoying milking them, making butter, and learning about cheese (that’s our next project).

So I’ve been encouraged to pray – specifically and boldly. Yes, we must remember to pray within God’s will, and be willing to accept an answer we don’t like (in other words, “no”), but I need to remember that God has told us to ask and we shall receive. He has told us over and over in His word to make our requests known. I’m taking Him up on that. Pray in faith today!

By the way, I’m praying for a cream separator now.

– by Jeannie Castleberry
November 14, 2006

A Letter from Merritt

Gretchen — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:12:00 +0000

Dear YLCF Readers,

I wanted to write and thank everyone for all of your faithful prayers. God has been so good, even through the trials of the past few months. The generosity we been shown has been incredible, and humbling to say the least. Thank you all for the cards and letters, we have been overwhelmed by the love we have received from you the readers. Many of you also sent a check along with your notes, please let this post be my heart-felt thank you, as most of you I’ll never meet this side of heaven.

I’m starting to feel better and I am off the crutches and using a cane now. Please continue to pray that the bones will fill in as I’ll have to have a bone graft if they don’t start growing soon.

Thank you again for all the encouragement and support you’ve shown to us. May God bless you all as you continue to follow Him.

Gratefully Yours,
Merritt

Prayer request from Gretchen

Natalie Nyquist — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 01:30:00 +0000

While talking to my sis today she asked for me to post a prayer request regarding Merritt. As of Monday he is to endeavor to put 50% of his weight on his healing leg. On October 18 they go back to the doctor. The key right now is that the bones of his leg continue to fill in around the rod. Right now this has not happened enough and a bone graft may be necessary.

Gretchen asks us to pray that the bone will fill in so that they can avoid the bone graft. Understandingly, the last thing they want right now is more surgery.

A final thank-you (for now)

Natalie Nyquist — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:20:00 +0000

Today I packed up a big pile of cards, letters, and well-wishes to send off to the Achesons in the little pink house. Mom tells me a few more arrived in Missouri though, so we must get those on their way to Gretchen and Merritt also.

Thank you for caring. Thank you for showing that love and care through your generous gifts, encouragement, and support. It has been quite a journey–and it’s far from over–but the road is not so steep when it is walked with friends.

Gretchen is online about once a week these days so it is good to have her updating more regularly. I’ll leave it in her hands to continue keeping us posted on how Merritt is doing. But as her friend, as her sister, I wanted to thank you all again. You have touched not only their lives but mine.

Caption: The newlyweds on their honeymoon, May 2006

A Post Card from the Pink House

Gretchen — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 20:06:00 +0000

It’s hard to believe that it was just four weeks ago, on a bright, sunshiny morning just like this, that I was clinging to my husband, giving him another goodbye kiss before I let him go. They were going to make bio diesel first thing that morning, he told me. And I watched him walk towards the shop, then raced after him for just one more kiss.

Hours later, I was holding my husband’s hand in a hospital room, waiting for the doctor to come get him for surgery. Just four weeks ago today.

Now, it seems normal for Merritt to be hopping around the house like a Narnian “Dufflepud” on one leg. (He doesn’t recommend carrying a cup of flour across the kitchen floor in such manner, however.) I won’t know what to do when my husband’s off his crutches and able to chase me when I tease him. And I’ve rather gotten used to bringing him breakfast in bed, dinner in his recliner. Some traditions, I suppose, we’ll have to continue.

But in many ways, life seems little different than it was four weeks ago. Everything still takes longer because Merritt can’t help me as much. And he doesn’t have to be out irrigating early in the mornings, so we can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and read the Bible together before we go work in the store. But I will be glad when he can carry those 25 pound boxes of fruit again.

Today, once again, is errand day. And thus, I can pop this virtual postcard into cyberspace when we stop in front of our local library. We can use their wireless internet access to check the latest Dell battery recall and order a few pictures of Merritt’s x-rays and our niece and nephews with my laptop, without ever leaving our car. A far cry from the old days on the farm, and the postal methods of the Pony Express, but we could pretend it’s old-fashioned.

Thank you to each and every one who has been praying for us. Merritt is improving so much each day—and when we think back to last week, or the week before, the change is like night and day. His stitches are out, the wounds are healing, and he even wore jeans, socks and tennis shoes to church on Sunday! Yesterday was the first day he worked in the store all day long, and his foot wasn’t nearly as swollen as we thought it would be. Merritt still gets tired out much more easily than my strong, energetic man used to—but his body is busy healing, and crutches, he says, are hard work. It is nice to have Merritt able to drive now. I am just looking forward to the day when his arms aren’t busy with crutches and I can hold my husband’s hand once again while we are shopping.

Mondays

Gretchen — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:24:00 +0000

It’s Monday. My favorite day of the week. The store is closed, no errands to do—it’s our one quiet day at home. And with no irrigation water to change, we can even sleep in.

Doughnuts for breakfast. A book on tape—Shane by Jack Schaefer. Brunch of eggs, sausage, and heart-shaped biscuits with leftover garlic gravy.

The breakfast dishes takes twice as long with my husband watching me. Every other dish is an excuse for running to give him a kiss.

It’s wash day. Bright sunshine and 99 degrees, the clothes dry faster on the line than they would in the dryer. I hang them carefully, letting the wind and the sun do as much of my ironing as possible.

Iced tea and lemonade. A game of Clue with my husband and brother-in-law. Tortilla chips and homemade salsa. Brownies and more iced tea.

The laundry is done. The bed made up with crisp, sun-dried sheets. The house still neat and tidy from having Bible study here last night.

Now it’s peach yogurt, watermelon, and a quiet evening with my husband. What a happy Monday.

I love having my husband home with me all day. I could get used to this, except for the pain he’s in. But each day we see such progress. And when I compare his leg to the pictures I took in the hospital, there is drastic improvement on the outside. We will get the official report from the doctor tomorrow when the stitches come out, but I don’t need any letters after my name to know my husband is doing better. He hopped around the house with broom in hand and swept the floor. He did the dishes twice, when I wasn’t here to make him go back to his recliner. And he’s reading a book without pictures.

Each day brings new blessings to count. When Merritt called the hospital about our bill, they gave us a forty-percent discount because we are with Samaritan Ministries. That means that Samaritan should be able to cover nearly everything. We are so thankful. Our family and friends have been so kind, and our new church family has been a special encouragement. Each day the mail lady brings a new stack of cards, reminding us how we are being prayed for. Truly, we have more blessings than we can count.

Though it seems strange to say, in many ways we are thankful for what happened two and a half weeks ago. Through Merritt’s accident, God has shown us His faithfulness in so many new ways. We have been surrounded by the family of God, showered with gifts of time and money, and covered by so very many prayers. It has meant so much to have people step up to the plate and help out Merritt’s family with the farm and store. We are overwhelmed at the generous checks we find in our mailbox. And every one who has told me they were praying for us—if only I could tell them how much we felt those prayers, holding us up, giving us strength when we had none. It was not something I would have chosen for our first months of marriage—but oh what a blessing it has been. Truly, great is God’s faithfulness.

From the pink house

Gretchen — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:21:00 +0000

I’m sitting here at my husband’s desk, with a cup of fresh black coffee in hand, watching the sun rise. Through the windowpanes, I see the tree—our tree—that we planted our first month home. The little red maple will match my hair this autumn, but right now it seems to be trying to look taller than it is, as it stands sentinel at the top of our driveway, the lone tree on our twenty acres. Our driveway, which I prefer to think of as “Lover’s Lane,” winds through the alfalfa field, with a little mailbox at the end of it. Our address is marked on the front in my husband’s handwriting.

A neighbor’s rooster signals that it is time to get up, but the cows across the road are already eating their breakfast. Three horses stand silhouetted in the morning sunshine. And my husband raises his head from the pillow to see what his wife is doing out of bed so early this morning.

I love my life. God has been so good to us. We are so happy here in our little pink house. (And we’re joking about actually painting it pink when we put siding on it, just to keep our identity.)

It has been nearly two weeks since Merritt’s accident. I’m seeing him improve daily now. He has a lot more energy, and has begun to “feel like himself again,” he says. The problem is keeping him down. His leg isn’t throbbing as much, but his foot starts to swell when it’s been down too long (whether it’s getting up to make us a milkshake before bedtime or maneuvering all around the tractor and baler to show a visiting friend how to work it when he bales tonight). Merritt is very much looking forward to getting his stitches out on Monday—I counted twenty-five stitches that seem that many times bigger than those of even a beginning quilter. But every time we change the dressing, his leg looks much “better” (where scabs and bruises are defined as better). And his arm, though missing its farmer’s tan, is looking much more pink, like just a really bad sunburn.

We are thankful for more time together at home these days. But strangely, I’m not getting the dishes done or the floor mopped any more often than I did when we worked in the store all day. Merritt’s looking forward to the day when he can stand long enough to do dishes—but it will be a while before I let him. Those first few days home, it was hard to adjust to being responsible for everything, without leaning on Merritt for the hard tasks. And then I would catch myself going to straighten his shoes, or pick up his work clothes for the laundry, and they weren’t there. Little reminders of how thankful I am that my husband is still here, that I will still have those tasks to do once he gets back up and around.

From the time I met Merritt, I knew that “no man is an island”—I needed Merritt to be complete. But the past few weeks have taught me that no couple is an island, either. Of course, I didn’t expect our island to be quite so populated during our second month of marriage. But the people that stop in every day or so to visit are much-needed reminders that we aren’t in this alone—we have friends who care. And my tearful phone call to my mom from the hospital room, “please come,” was proof that I will always need my mommy, even as a married woman.

Each day when we get the mail, we are overwhelmed by the kind cards, the reassurances of prayer…and the bills. We are grateful that even though we don’t have insurance, we are part of Samaritan Ministries, a group of Christians who share medical expenses. While we don’t know yet if they will be able to cover the entire sum, we have already been overwhelmed by generous gifts from others. I can’t tell you how grateful we are. (But we might mention that next time you choose between a trip to Hawaii and a visit to the hospital, the trip to Hawaii will be much cheaper.)

But most of all, we are so thankful for your continued prayers. They mean so very much.

Now my coffee’s getting cold, and the rooster’s persistent crowing means I need to fix my husband some breakfast so we can start on our day’s Expotition, as Winnie the Pooh would say. But I think Merritt will need more than a pot of honey for the long drive and errands we have planned. Our list, however, includes borrowing a wheelchair, so he can go grocery shopping with me. I’m so glad—his sister came with me on Monday, or else I wouldn’t have known what to do, I’m so used to having him along to push the cart and choose his favorite kind of yogurt.

But after we’ve discovered the North Pole and maybe even shot a heffalump or two, I’ll tuck him into bed with a half dozen pillows beneath his leg, and we’ll start on our latest piece of literature by A.A. Milne, The Red House Mystery. Before I discovered it at my favorite used bookstore, I didn’t know Milne wrote anything but Winnie the Pooh. But of course, if the book had been about Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, maybe the house would have been pink, instead.

From Room 923

Gretchen — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 02:03:00 +0000

July 22, 2006

Dear ones,

Our wedding thank you notes are not even half done, and I find myself with a much bigger thank you to write. Thank you for your prayers!

I cannot begin to tell you what it has meant to know we are being held up in prayer by so many. I don’t know all your names, but you know ours, and you are praying for us. And for that I can never thank you enough.

I had been hoping to write a group letter to y’all, but I didn’t intend to be writing it from the ninth floor of one of the oldest, largest hospital buildings in the state.

Most of you heard that on July 20^th, my husband Merritt was welding a small hole in a 250 gallon bio-diesel tank when it exploded on him. He had a compound fracture of both the bones in his lower left leg, and second degree burns on his left arm and shoulder. I’m not sure about my husband’s habit of only visiting hospitals by way of a helicopter (his first life flight was when he was run over by a tractor at age 4). But God has reasons we can not always grasp. He has been so faithful in sparing my husband to me.

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse, but I never imagined I would be watching closely as a RN dressed my husband’s burnt arm so I would know how to do it once we got home. Over the course of two surgeries, they pinned the two bones in his leg back together. Now we’re praying that he will continue to be in little pain, heal quickly, and that there will not be any infection.

When Merritt carefully explained every detail of his work to me as I tagged along these last 8 weeks—“this is how you start the irrigation wheel line,” “you don’t have to use the clutch on this tractor,” “always cut six rows of hay around the outside of the field so you have room to turn around”—I little guessed how soon I would be glad to know just how he did it. We are so grateful that the first (and biggest) cutting of hay is in, and that we were already finished with the second round of irrigation. Merritt can’t put any weight on his leg for 8 weeks, but thankfully meanwhile his dad and brother can take over the farm work, and we have had many people offer their help.

God is so good to us. Had the upper part of the tank exploded, I probably would not be sitting here in this hospital room checking my husband’s IV, straightening his oxygen tube, and feeding him chicken noodle soup. We have so much to be thankful for.

Even after the first surgery, every minute was precious, as I spent over an hour reminding Merritt to breathe every time he stopped. I’m sure that in the 55 days we’ve been married we’ve had more happiness than many have in 55 years—but I wasn’t ready for it to end yet. So I kept telling him to breathe until we got the pain medication under control. And now that he’s through the second surgery, he’s in much less pain. We have a long road ahead, but I’m just so thankful that I still have him to care for. I have informed him, though, that despite my promise to obey him, he will probably find me to be rather bossy over the next few months.

We’re looking forward to getting back to our home sweet pink home. It was such fun to work on our house together the two weeks after we got home from our honeymoon (to Yellowstone, where we met—where else?). I was glad Merritt didn’t have the house quite finished—I got to learn how to wire lights and paint concrete—and had a lot of fun with my husband in the process! The last five weeks we’ve had fun settling in (I love my kitchen!), reading Winnie the Pooh, and swinging in our hammock—in between working in the store, picking beans, and cutting hay. We are so happy. God is so good to us.

The next few months will be a new adventure. It’s a bit overwhelming at times. But we know that God will provide. And we are looking forward to the opportunity to be together even more. I am just so thankful that I still have my husband’s hand to hold.

Thank you again, so much, for your prayers. And please, continue to pray for us.

Praising God for His faithfulness,

Mrs. Merritt Acheson

Update on Merritt

Natalie Nyquist — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 03:26:00 +0000

August 2
Gretchen wrote a post!

August 1
Merritt returned home from the hospital a week ago and both he and Gretchen are thankful for all of the prayers and support. His leg is slowly improving though he will not be able to put any weight on it until late September (on his 23rd birthday as a matter of fact). I hope to update more soon…

July 25
Gretchen wrote us a letter on her mom’s laptop while her mother was with her this past weekend. See it and a picture of Merritt and Gretchen here.

July 24
Merritt is being discharged from the hospital this afternoon! He and Gretchen are thankful to be going home. Since the surgery he has not been in as much pain and when I talked with him he sounded good. What a big answer to prayer!

More soon…

July 22
7 pm: Merritt’s surgery went well and was successful. He won’t need a skin graft, praise the Lord! They hope to go home Monday or Tuesday. There is a lot to learn and do but they are very thankful.

8 am, Pacific time: Merritt just went back into surgery to set the fibula and clean up some of the infection. Gretchen’s mother arrived yesterday and that is a huge support to Gretchen. Both Merritt and Gretchen slept well last night–which was needed after more than 48 hours of constant activity.

Gretchen continues to say she can feel all the prayers–she is very peaceful and of course, being Gretchen, keeps asking how I am doing. Silly girl–as if that matters at all right now! But that’s just her–she’s a sweetheart.

There was a scare yesterday with an overdose of the pain meds they have Merritt on–Praise the Lord Gretchen was not leaving his side or sleeping. Her desire after this surgery is to get him off it onto a milder pain pill (versus IV) which they can’t do until his stomach will tolerate any kind of food. So that is a prayer request for today.

July 21
Praise the Lord…Merritt came through surgery all right last night. The following is the information sent out by Gretchen’s parents to friends and family.

“For those of you that haven’t heard yet, our son-in-law (of less than two months) was in a serious welding accident today, but God miraculously spared his life. A bio-diesel tank exploded, shattering the two bones in his lower left leg (fibula and tibula) and throwing him ten feet. Had the top of the tank blown out instead of the bottom, Gretchen would probably be a widow right now. But God is good, and He still has plans for Gretchen and Merritt together.

The accident occurred on the family farm in Colville, WA around 9:30 this morning. Merritt was taken by Life Flight to the Deaconness Medical Center in Spokane, WA. Gretchen called tonight after Merritt came out of surgery. The surgeon said it was not a clean break (as reported earlier), that there were many bone fragments, and that he didn’t even repair the fibula because it was getting so late. He had planned to keep the incision open until Saturday anyway in order to “clean things out” again, so he will go back in and repair the fibula at that time. He doubts that he will be able to get enough skin to close the wound, so he will probably need to do a skin graft as well.

The doctor stressed over and over to Gretchen that it will be a long road to recovery—at least a year before he will have the full use of his leg again, and a good 2-3 months before he will be able to drive. Not exactly what a farmer wants to hear in the middle of the summer, but Gretchen is just grateful to have her farmer still by her side, and even a smile on his face in spite of excruciating pain. (It takes me back 27 years to when Mark lost his fingers in a logging accident 3 years before we were married—I knew then and there he was the man for me when I saw how brave he was!)

We would ask for continued prayers, that the remaining surgery would be successful, that there would be no infection, and that Gretchen would get the rest and nourishment she needs to stay healthy and strong.

Great is His Faithfulness! (We sang the hymn by that title at Gretchen and Merritt’s wedding!)”

July 20, part two
Gretchen thanks everyone for their prayers–she says they are keeping her strong. She is amazing me with her calm, strength, and thankfulness to God. She amazes me. Merritt is in surgery as I type this–it kept getting delayed but he should be out soon. He’ll have another surgery Saturday.

Major prayer requests at this point:

That infection will be minimal. Merritt’s leg is broken severely in several places and infection is the biggest concern right now. Please pray that the surgery today and Saturday will make strides toward preventing such. Right now they are putting a rod in but won’t close the wound up until after the second surgery. Also, his left arm is severely burned.

Strength for Gretchen. Gretchen is on her own at the hospital as the rest of the family is attempting to hold down the farm. She needs lots of endurance.

Finances. This is what I’m asking you to pray for. Merritt and Gretchen have some health insurance with Samaritan Ministries but it won’t cover everything. Merritt will be in the hospital at least until Sunday and the expenses will be high. Gretchen knows that God is infinitely capable of providing–her trust in this is wonderful to see.

Merritt has been conscious the whole time, though in tremendous pain. He actually wanted to talk to me on the phone–he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. And his constant words were: God is really good to us. The accident could have been so much worse–and we are all very thankful for God’s mercy in sparing Merritt’s life and that the injuries are not more serious.

July 20
Lift up Merritt and Gretchen Acheson with me…

This morning Merritt was in an accident when a gasoline tank exploded. He was life-flighted to Spokane and is going into surgery now. His leg is broken in several places but it is looking like they will be able to save it–at first they weren’t sure.

Please pray for strength for Gretchen….and for the doctors to have skillfull hands as they seek to minister to Merritt’s injuries.