30 Days of Prayer for Christine

Dear Friends,

Some of you know my good friend who has struggled with her health for many years. Christine's five-year-old son, Jack, is John V's best bud, and she also has a two-year-old son, Sam. Pretty sure her husband, Matt, achieved saint status at some point, and Christine's continued faith blows me away. Christine has spent many weeks in the hospital struggling with a condition that is confusing, frustrating, life-altering, painful, and unbelievably complicated. I will be posting prayer updates from her mom, Mindy. Her current hospital stay has been... going on since before Christmas. Please join their family in prayer for 30 days for Christine! Below are the first days of prayer requests from Mindy.

Christine remains at Kindred Hospital while they try to find some relief for her. I am writing this because from time to time, I feel compelled to try to explain her illness. Christine has a congenital duct problem with her liver and pancreas, and her gallbladder, before it was removed. This was discovered by a world renowned surgeon a couple of years ago. Her body also over produces bile, especially when she is dehydrated. She is always welcoming new ideas but she is also ALWAYS trying new things. This is a very lonely illness...as most longterm illnesses are. When she has a flareup, there's really nothing to do but ride it out. Many, many doctors have been consulted and many continue to study her chart on s regular basis. This has been going on for years, some of it from birth. Some things complicated it in the past, but the underlying problem remains.

I have prayed about this post and feel the Lord has led me to share these things. I pray that no reader will be offended but will instead have a new understanding to the answer we so often give to the never ending question of what is WRONG with her. My answer to that is that only God knows and He will heal her in His time. Imagine having a stomach bug for 30 days, continuously vomiting and exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Or, not being able to tuck your children in for over a month. Or not getting to hang out with friends...or go to church...or lunch with friends. And when you are home, you can't function like you want to.

Well, because you love her and seek God's answer for her, will you join me in 30 days of prayer for my child? I am weary of having to answer my grandson who misses his pappy so much if mommy is going to heaven too. I WANT my daughter to get to be a mom...to live out the dream she has always had of being a wife and mother...and precious servant of God. I want for HER to be able to make Jack and Sams lunches...don't get me wrong...me and giggi will do it whenever we need to...but she loves to do that. She is blessed with an angel of a husband and in a world where people toss marriage aside for much less than this..Matt honors his commitment to Christine and loves her in the sweetest way.

She doesn't have a computer at this hospital because there's no wifi, however we will make sure she knows you are praying for her. She was so blessed yesterday by a huge sign from the kids and staff at YCW.

Her daddy's favorite verse and a prayer he prayed for so often for her was...

'but those who wait on the Lord will have their strength renewed, they will soar like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.'. Isaiah 40:31

I know that God will answer in His time...and if He's not ready, then the comfort your prayers will give her will be immeasureable. And we will continue to wait for His answer.

My grief over losing the love of my life is overwhelming...maybe I am being selfish to ask God for a miracle...but I want my Christine to be able to experience life in a better way...I know she is an inspiration to so many when they hear her story. Her faith is unshakeable...her strength is amazing...she is a blessing...

I know there is so much going on in this world, and many need our prayers, but will you please invite your family and friends to join me in a season of prayer for Christine...

Be blessed...

Day 1...Lord, please hear our prayers for Christine...You are good, all the time...my trust is in You. Thank you for blessing us with prayer warriors all over the country...

Day 2...praying that the Healer of all things will fill Christines heart with a renewed strength today as she is blessed by all these prayers. From a mama who has prayed for my children even before I knew they were coming, thank you for joining me on this journey...

Day 3...as her body fights, thanking you for her faith,which never waivers...wanting more, but waiting for Your answer...always.

Day 4....up at 3:30 am is kind of normal right now, but gives me sweet, quiet reflection time with the Lord. Praying today for Christine's tummy in particular...mechanically unable to process food...she might eat it at 9 am...and 12 hours later...comes up in the same form...she may be a candidate for a gastric pacemake...r in the future...gets the tummy working much like the cardiac pacemaker helps the heart...but for now, asking God to calm the storm in her tummy so that she can stop vomiting....and maybe sip some liquids...and thanking God for each of you who are praying for her, as well as Matt, Jack,and Sam...be blessed...