Christian Prayer Thread. Back to school and into Autumn

[Dutchoma]

As we were nearly at 1000 posts and TUO is both very busy and away today, I thought I might have a go at setting up a new thread.
I have looked back over nearly four months of prayers, of sharing, of support, of gladness and sadness and so much more. I think there are about 50 different people on the thread, some are there from beginning to end, some come in, are here for a few days and then don’t post any more.
Both are valuable, all are welcome, we share with you in anxiety and depression, in worry for others, but also in prayers answered, wonderful healing, good exam results and so much more.
But we also realise that life moves on, that the prayer thread was helpful for a while and is not so relevant now. Never be afraid to come back, we all need prayer and support.

So, like TUO I shall pick out a few names for the new thread, but leave behind some that have not posted for a while, hoping that they will come back and update us.
Specially thinking of: Anjelica27; I know how much this thread has helped you. Bsshbosh and wondering how she is now.

Whoagirrrrl, after her operation. Dizzydaffodil, Pandora37 and PeterSpots .

There are so many more names to remember: Alittleroom, Bluetinkerbell, DontstepontheMomeraths, Howtoapproachthis and several more.

And then the ones that are quite recent like:
ALittleFaith, Amberlight; BlackEyedSusan, Dontbesilly; EdithSimcox; FaithLoveandHope, Kaykat, Lightnessofbeing; MadHairDay; PositiveAttitude; QuestionofFaith; QuietIsland2; SESthebrave; TUO; Weegiemum; ZipadiSoozi

And if I have omitted any one, be assured that God never forgets and holds you fast in His love and mercy.

dont thinking of you today. xx Dutchoma is right about Christmas. Do the bare minimum.

forgot to add I have an appointemnt with dd's teacher re accomodations for her difficulties. could be a difficult meeting.

Oma, again my voice of reason. Reinforced by quiet too. It's as if you know just what I need to hear, using the right words and it is always just what I needed. Absolutely, thank you.

Scousequeen thank you also for your words. They are much appreciated!!

Tonight God gave us a Christmas present. Dads date for the operation. Christmas eve. I am absolutely scared but looking at it very positively. Ok this will be a different sort of Xmas but not the retail Xmas I had been stressing about. It's stripped bare and will be concentrating on the true meaning of Xmas, rebirth and fresh hope, family and what's important, really important. Yay.

I am handing it over to God as best I can and he knows that I am a grateful worrier who is trying hard to fully let go and trust but he loves a trier, so my mum says. I will hand it over to God it's the only thing I can do.

Also dh got a second interview for the job he applied for. Praying for it to be go well for him as a fresh new start would be great for him.

Hoping you are all OK while I have babbled on. I am still praying for everyone as it is a welcome distraction for me to pray for others. I walk the dogs and pray. Hoping my lips don't move as I go looking like a loony dog Walker talking to herself.

Anyway thanks for your prayers and kindness it's absolutely appreciated and I am so grateful for all of you

So good to hear that you are helped by my ramblings.
To tell the truth, I am really struggling at the moment as this is the time of Bob's last days before he died. They were incredibly difficult, nothing pleased him, things were so hard for him and it makes me immeasurably sad to think back. For some reason it is harder this year than even last year, don't know why.
But it is a comfort to know that I can still be of some support to others.
I'm so glad you have two answers to prayers Dont: the date for the operation and a second interview for your husband. Prayers continuing for a good outcome for both issues.

Bes you sound like you have too many sprouts on your plate at the moment. Hope the meeting with the teacher went well.

ScouseQueen glad you are recovering - liked your idea of praying for dont's Dad's surgeon.

My goodness dont - Christmas Eve. Be aware with emergencies it (the op) might get delayed. I hope for his sake it's not.
As my granny would say when anyone was facing a difficult time: 'Offer it up [to God]'

I have found recently that I find walking ideal for praying. I often think of my former boss (lovely man) and my school friend who have both passed away. I suppose it's time when the mind goes quiet and focuses. I don't have a dog to walk with so I suppose I look even more strange if my lips move!
Delighted your dh has a second job interview.

I love the Christmas names for MadHair and Dutchoma. Hope Tuo and family are recovering from that virus.

x

I think you are a tremendous support to all on this thread Dutchoma (and you don't ramble).
I think grief doesn't follow a prescribed path. You may have felt more prepared for sadness last year, as it was nearing Bob's first anniversary in January. You may be more tired this year so the grief is overwhelming you more. It is hard to be resilient all the time. You are much loved by us all...

Remember Dutchoma - your beloved Bob's last few days were only a tiny fraction of all the days he shared with you. He loves you so much (and please note Dutchoma I haven't used the past tense there - he still loves you). xxx

oma you do anything but ramble. You are such a consistent, wise and loving presence on this thread. What have you got planned for Christmas? And lots of hugs.
dont am glad you have a few answers. Please do as others say and leave the retail side to the minimum. You may have been putting yourself under pressure to make everything perfect as it it is something you can have a degree of control over at a time when so much seems out of your control. Remember God has it under control, he knows everything that will happen and he will be with you all the way.And for the rest - make a list of everything you feel you need to do for Christmas then go through and cancel out anything that isn't essential. No one will think badly of you and if they did, then well.......their problem! Try and give yourself a snippet of time every day to be surrounded by peace, I often go and sit in a church for half an hour when no one else is there when I need to quieten my brain and it never fails. The silence and peace and the presence of God penetrates me in a way it never does anywhere else.
Love to the rest of you, praying through

there can never be too many sprouts on the plate unless they are boiled to death... which I accidently did two weeks ago and still feel sick at the thought of them.

Hugs oma.

great news on the second interview and op date.

ds has decided he does not like breakfast. he is eating tea at breakfast time now so making extra and freezing. this is not the extra thinking I want to do.

I have to finish sewing the jumper. one little piece to sew but had to give up as I stabbed the needle into me so much it stayed in the finger dangling there which was intriguing. though it best for it to stop bleeding before sewing white/pale blue. jumper. ds decided he would like th eone from the charity shop so it is washed and drying on the radiator. (yay no sewing)

better go put the washing up. there has been extra due to party clothes in addition to uniform and now christmas jumpers in addition to uniform. grr. oh and play costumes coming home to be washed.

Thank you everyone for your advice. There was some outbursts of complaint from dd2 as we were not certain what Xmas day would be and she wants her Xmas lunch. In the end I finished my chores, walked the dogs and just went to bed, leaving dh to sort it out. Normally I would have done the sorting out of the situation but no, I went to bed. I felt a tad selfish as it's out of character but I just went to bed. Calm was restored, I could hear things being said and gradually dh sorted it out. Dads having a lengthy preoperative assessment today so hopefully that should go ok.

Oma, you never ever ramble. It's always only ever comforting, sensible, honest advice. You have the perfect mix of the practical and the spiritual in your advice and it's always exactly what I needed. I am so grateful, honestly!!!

I am so sorry that you are struggling too. You have recently lost your brother and this is the first Christmas, then on top of that you are dealing with your memories of Bob and the difficult times you faced at this time of year. There is a lot to process and Xmas can make it seem more difficult. Is there anything that gives you comfort in these moments of sadness, just to try to take the edge off it and help you cope? Please do let us know how you are feeling. Have you anything planned for today or the coming few days? Really praying for you for strength, peace and comfort.

QofF thanks for your kindness too. Your right about me putting myself under pressure and the control of Xmas too. I was thinking of popping to my local church this afternoon if it's open for some quiet time to think and pray.

Bes hope that the meeting goes well and the jumpers too. Tea at breakfast time, although a pain for you to organise, is absolutely fine. He's eating well, is happy and will arrive at school ready for the day. Ok it's topsy-turvy but there is no rule book on breakfast food. I admire the way that you just do it and go with the flow of it, although I know sometimes the flow is a torrent and you have plates spinning too.

Quiet how's your friends husband, any news? Is he out of hospital yet?

Yes, there is huge comfort in the internet. This thread for a start.There are not many places where I feel I can be honest. Reaching out and being reached out too is a huge comfort, thank you all.
I am meeting ds in town for lunch today, tomorrow I need to stay in as I have arranged re-delivery of two parcels, there is still one delivery missing of one of the books for dgrandaughter2, hope that turns up as well, then there is choir practice, Friday we are out buying a new car for dd, I hope I'm doing the right thing there as it is rather scary, Saturday is a free day, Sunday the Carols by candle light, Monday and Tuesday free, Wednesday the second instalment of buying the car and then dd +kids will stay on till Boxing Day. After that there is a great big hole, but that is a week away and several bits of excitement later.
Dd is taking dgd1 to a sleep clinic today, I hope the old car holds out for that and for her coming here on Friday.
Praying for your dad Dont and for all on this thread.

And good on you Dont for just going to bed and leaving the sorting out of arguments to dh.

Lurking and praying, praying and lurking

DO - you are a huge support to everyone and you don't ramble. Thinking of you.

Has anyone heard from Nickelbabe? For some reason she came in to my thoughts earlier today. Haven't seen her post for a long time and hope all is well. Of course, like me she may have changed usernames and still be here!

I think Nickel is ok, but come to think of it I haven't seen her on FB much either. I shall enquire.

dont My colleague's husband is still in hospital but has been given some treatment which has improved his condition a lot. Hospital care a bit haphazard and he needs support in the community before he can come home. I think he has a lot more time to spend with his dear wife which is great although his condition is not curable.

x

did you have a good lunch oma?

off to get the boy and play meltdown russian roulette.

Lunch was lovely. Really nice to have an hour to talk to ds withoout interruptions.

Dd is poorly though, so we may need to put off the car purchase till the new year which is not really what ai want to do.

you mean interuptions from the short people who live in ds's house?

Yes BES quite so. They are lovely these little people but uninterrupted talk with ds is also quite good.
I have been in touch with Nickel who says she is alright, posts on MN but not on the prayer thread. A personal message to Nickelbabe may reach her.

Quiet, glad your friends husbands treatment went well and its wonderful that they can send more time together. I hope that they share a wonderful Christmas together.

Oma, lovely that you had a nice lunch with no interruptions. Hopefully your dd will get better soon and the car purchase can go ahead. Just a thought, could you get a better deal in the January sales or is that not possible? You never know your luck.

Bes how did meltdown Russian roulette go? Or was it better than you expected?

hoiked out of the charity shop just before he cost me a lot of money in damaged items. he calmed down a little while waiting for dd and playing with friends.

he was shouty and grumpy. bathed early and calmed down and then early to bed. he was up a 5.55 due to the bloody hotpoint.

Reading, lurking (always, even tho I'm not supposed to), praying.

fuckityfuckity fuck. and a few more fucks beside. just got the new format for church.

What is it BES? Hope it works out ok.

Edith, it is very lovely to see you and you are often in my prayers.

Oma, dear one. So glad lunch with ds was good and praying dd will feel better and you will all have a good Christmas. Never feel you are rambling here. You give so very much and we all love you very much. you must tell us how you are feeling so we can pray for you and support you.

Don't, oh that is good but difficult too with it all happening so soon. Praying for peace and that Christmas will not be a stress for you but a beautiful place of rest and joy away from the consumerism and madness of it all.

Quiet, I hope things are ok with you, and with Tuo, and all our other prayer thread warriors.

I am healthy enough to be going out tonight to some silly Robbie Williams tribute band and cheesy disco night I got roped into! Looking forward to a bit of silliness and fun. It's all been too stressful of late.

Dontbe your words about Christmas stripped bare reminded me of a blogpost I wrote a few years back when I was in hospital, observing Christmas from the outside in. I hope it helps a bit.

Christmas De-Trimmed