Prayers and an Invitation

Lindsay and I have been longing to update our friends and family for several weeks but the uncertainty made it difficult to know what to say. Madeline has been in and out of school with headaches and medical appointments for several months. More than likely we will be thinking of alternative school options between now and the end of the year. 

We also recognize we have two other incredible children, who have been kind and patient as we focus on Madeline's health and healing. Micah lives his life as a runner and completed his first sub-five minute mile yesterday (4:52)! Maggie is a true Tween and is chatting with her friends incessantly on FaceTime. We are doing relatively well as a family but can feel the tension of medical appointments; the fear of putting Madeline through another surgery; and the internal pressure to remain faithful to our day-jobs. We are grateful for two incredible places to work - Anderson University and Furman University.

But we do covet your prayers. The next weeks will be intense, so we pray for God's grace and mercy. We pray that we can dwell in Philippians 4 and trust that "The Lord is Near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

 

Invitation to Pray and Participate

 

Many of you have asked if you can help us during this time as Madeline approaches another surgery. You were incredible friends throughout this last year, and we remain grateful for the prayers, gifts, and support. You offered to drive our kids, visit us, and countless other acts of kindness. 

Some of you have encouraged us to find a way to invite our friends and families to help financially. One of our friends finally urged me to get over my pride and invite others to help. You can imagine the struggle. Yet it feels right to buffer the financial stress during this season, if possible. We often seen Madeline doing the math (which is a good skill to develop with the amount of school she has missed). 

If financial gifts are your love language or your spiritual gift, we would be grateful for your participation. Anything we receive will go to cover transportation costs to Salt Lake City or ongoing medical bills. We set up an account for those who would like to help: Madeline's Support Page

We also have an abundance of prayer requests: strength in our marriage; patience for Madeline while wearing a neck brace for several months; God's mercy upon Maggie and Micah as their parents and sister travel and they attempt to keep a normal schedule; logistics of traveling; self-kindness as we focus on our family while also fulfilling our professional roles; Madeline's alternative school schedule; family cohesion; and faith. 

Philippians 4 seems right for us in this season. We welcome you to pray along with us. We know our suffering joins with many of yours. Suffering is real and we need one another as we, together, face aging parents; illness; children facing circumstances out of our control; and many other circumstances. May the words of Philippians not try to fix but comfort.

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.