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.

Edith excellent news, glad you enjoyed the service.

Kaykat more excellent news, I do hope the house sale goes through quickly in spite of your ex husband's attempt to delay the sale. Glad you feel able to walk away when he is nasty. And brilliant news of course about ds mending his ways. I hope it continues now he is back with his lessons and college training.
Prayers for a new day and a new week and for all little ones going to school for the first time today. My darling granddaughter is one of them.

Morning everyone. I read your messages of support and I found each one kind, reassuring and very sensible. Sometimes when you are in a situation and someone says something, that they truly think is helpful, and they are close to you, you doubt yourself. This person is trying their best but doesn't really know how to help. They used someone else as an example and it came out wrong. I just try to not engage with them too deeply about how I am feeling and try to keep it to myself. It is hard.

I don't know what is wrong with me. I am worse on a Monday and worse in the mornings. I am glad that the nights are drawing in as I can't wait to go to sleep. The downside is I wake up again and need the strength to repeat another day.

One thing my relative did say, was I need to embrace more, the time we have left and they didn't want me to have regrets afterwards that I wasted time being sad before.....anything happens. It's easier said than done. It takes so much energy to just not cry around dad. I pinch the skin between my thumb and forefinger hard as a distraction but it's not a real crying cure. My relative is trying to be kind, making cups of tea when I am sad and offering their kind words but I am probably oversensitive anyway, they are less so and more robust. I am a ricepaper cup and they are a big metal cup with an enamel coating.

Thank you all so much for saying such positive things, the right words to turn me round back to where ok and normal are, on the horizon.

I went to the gp with chest pain. Thought it was a heart attack or stress. After a minor procedure, I have a hiatus hernia and stomach ulcers. Probably not helped by the ibuprofen I am taking for headaches made worse from crying. The doctor isn't much of a sympathiser either when I explained. Just said to take daily medicine to stop the ulcers as they can often develop into stomach cancer. Well thank you Dr. I will close the door on my way out lol.

Then working tax credits. Eight weeks without payment. Aaagh.

And breathe because this too will pass.

Thanks for your sensible, kind, practical, spiritual and funny words. Each one was a huge help and I am so grateful!!!

Enid.....That's such good news and glad it was great. You deserve it!! Hopefully you will get to go again very soon.

Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping your all safe and well.

Thanks once again

Oh Oma how exciting and nerve-wracking for you all. Hoping she enjoys her school and wants to go again tomorrow. Apparently I went for the morning, went home for lunch and was gobsmacked I had to go back again for another eleven plus years.

Prayers that she enjoys everything. for you and her parents too.

Dont the medicine you have been prescribed should help quite quickly. It was definitely the right thing to go and see your doctor, even if he was a bit dismissive. This kind of stomach trouble is often the result of stress. I love how you try to look on the positive side of things and how hard it is for you to come to terms with your dad's illness.
One thing your relative said is true: don't spoil what you have by what has not yet happened. I'm also glad of the cups of tea she makes you.
I'll 'phone my ddil in a minute to see how the first handover went. She enjoyed nursery, but she is very young in her year and I know she was a bit worried about 'big' school.

struggling. ok monday is usually a bit of a wash out after a hectic weekend. however I am struggling with the changes with school homework... which may mean resurecting the complaint I made last year re ds getting punished as a direct result of his disability.

I am also hormonal.

Any news Oma on your little granddaughter. Hoping she really enjoyed her first day, although I bet it was an anxious wait for the home time bell. Bet she looked so cute and tiny in her uniform. That's usually the thing to start any tears flowing. Prayers for her school career to be happy and successful. Thanks for your words earlier. They are always just what I needed to hear and most welcome.

Bes. Poor ds. That's just not fair to punish a little boy due to disability! Some teachers just don't get it right do they. Hopefully things will improve this new year. I hope you get to manage the new homework changes. It's another thing for you to add to your to do list sadly. Hopefully the rehearsals went well and things are going to plan. As for the hormones they are pants, think that is half my trouble at the moment, it's my age

Kaykat, glad that things are starting to get a little easier for you. It sounds like you have had a rough time. Praying that you have turned a long awaited corner.

I just phoned ds and he thinks she has had a good day. She also had a home visit from her teacher this afternoon which went well. They are all in a new phase; dgd to a new school, ddil on a course for a TA qualification and ds, who had a new job a few months ago now starting at 7.30, so they felt a bit frazzled when I rang. Hope they have an early night and dgd sleeps through the night: she had them up in the middle of the night two nights running. Might have been school 'nerves' but that is no time for Mr Men stories.

Don't ...hope you are feeling more settled. No one can understand because no one but you has the relationship that you do with your dad. Don't try to fight it..its natural to feel devastated . But he may respond to treatment and you may have many happy times ahead still.
When my dad died suddenly I was beyond devastated and heartbroken ..my brothers less so and I felt I was taking it all so hard it was my 'fault' if that makes sense. I cried for about a year and had bereavement counselling. But my brothers weren't so close to my dad as I was and he was the person I loved and respected most in the world. When my mum died, I was sad but not in the same way and it sounds bad but I hardly cried and wasn't really affected ..I had lost her in other ways over a long period of time and never had such a close bond either. There is no right or wrong.. You care and so you are suffering that is why. It's normal. I hope God sends peace to you and strength Xx

just having coffee. it is very quiet. they are not up. I am off to wake them now. eek.

Oma wow what an awful lot of changes at once for your ds and his family. Praying for all of them for the new challenges ahead to go well. I suspect nerves may have had your little dgd awake at silly o'clock. I know sometimes my three dc used to come in our room in the night with little worries. It's so hard when they are unsure of something new and as parents you know that they have to do this scary thing. Prayers for her and her parents too, for things to go smoothly and successfully. Mr Men book are fab but in the early hours when you are feeling tired and expected to do all the funny voices there suddenly seems far more pages in those books than ever before and my dc always knew if I tried to turn over two pages at once...... Hopefully Oma you can have a slightly more relaxed day today and look forward to lots of happy school chatter soon.

Lightness. I am so very sorry that you lost both of your parents.

Thank you for your lovely helpful words. I am very close to my parents. Ok we don't always see eye to eye and we are no means perfect but who is? I am a sensitive person. I am too soft hearted and that's why I am unsuccessful in my business. I would be better placed in another role but hey ho.

I just fear that I am getting weaker and won't be strong enough and people in RL who have gone through this before (outsiders in day to day life, perhaps clients) won't understand. Dh recommended I think about myself more and it's ok to be 'selfish' sometimes.

I think I am remembering my grandads death which I struggled to cope with and that's affecting me too. I should have had bereavement counselling too I guess but don't remember any offers from gp when I went.

Your absolutely spot on with your advice and I need to be gentler on myself.

Thanks for your help. Hoping your ok too as you have a lot to contend with also.

That sounded rushed but dd is rummaging around for a certain top for sixth form. Her school year has lots of heavily made up super models in and some are a tad unkind. Looking her up and down and whispering to others. She wants to at least fit in but keep a distance from them too. So I am off to locate a needed new top. She has made everyones packed lunch. She is a superstar.

Dontbesilly your husband is right as is everybody else who says you need to be gentle with yourself. There is no need to fear that you won't cope, if (when) it happens somebody will do something about it, but it hasn't happened yet, you are still coping. Reject the thoughts of "I should be ...better, stronger, whatever. Replace them with thoughts of: "I did that really well,...what's next?"
I think ds' family are doing so well, thank you for your prayers. Dgd will go back to school today (apparently) because otherwise Oscar would be disappointed. .

My knitclub is starting again today, housegroup tomorrow, but choir practice has been cancelled as there were not enough people to sing on the following Sunday.

I think that the big new hospital has refused to take on dad. We think the useless hospital sent his notes over and they agree to the treatment. We are seeking a second opinion based on the spread of the cancer as London have expressed doubt.

Basically the useless people sent over the information we have doubted and the good hospital took it as true version and he is beyond hope, yet London disagree...

Aaagh. Some things are sent to try us and what doesn't break you makes you stronger and when things seem hardest hit is when you do not quit. When your going through hell keep going and women are like tea bags......that is my quote contribution of the day folks.

I am looking at it as because he is so worth it the fight seems all the more hard right now.

It's still pants though.......

Hello all. I'm at a long meeting (3 days) in a foreign city with no friends and almost universally hostile or unknown colleagues. Positivity of the weekend wearing off fast! On the upside, lots of time for reading in the evenings which is precious given my busy life. Thinking of you all.

to don't and Edith.

Hi all, thanks for the new thread Oma
Is lovely to have somewhere to come and share how it is, and ask for, and offer, both prayer and support
So, let's see, how is it here?

Well DC just back to school yesterday after a very busy summer, especially for them, with a variety of different activities such as DD doing the NCS programme throughout August, and DS doing a week of Youth Orchestra, and another week away with a friend's family. Also had a few days in sunny Norfolk on the beach with DC and DH. And a few slightly rainier days in Lakes on hostel trip with friends. A couple of weekends ago family and friends got together at seaside (again blessed with lovely sunshine) for my DM's 80th combined with a late golden wedding celebration for them both.
So, all in all summer has worked out pretty well.

Also I can't wait to tell you DD's fab results
She got 9 A's (with one A star) and 3 B's
So that's been very encouraging and something for her and us all to be happy about

However tbh I'm still struggling somewhat feeling very sad after the loss last year of my DNephew in tragic circumstances. I'm especially finding it hard whenever I see my wider family, such as at DM's recent party, but know everyone needs the support I - and others - can offer, and it's something we have to get through, very slowly, together.

I'm also open to getting another P/T job working with children (term times)
but do wonder rather where I'm going to find the energies to do this - both in terms of applying for jobs and actually doing one. I managed to work for 6 mths last year but unfortunately in the end, for various reasons, it didn't work out. Still it was an achievement to have done it and helped with last year's family finances. Also working with children and families is genuinely always both rewarding and a privilege

I have started looking and have an application form here for an after school club job which would need to be in tomorrow if I decide to apply. But tbh not sure I will go for this one as it's very near my last job (school next door) and feel a fresher start somewhere else might be better. DH will be slightly disappointed if I don't apply for it having printed it off for me (at his work) yesterday, but I feel that either way I've made a start, beginning to look seriously at possibilities. And I can look out for other after school opportunities

I even wonder if I might see my GP about how I'm feeling as do feel slightly depressed, tired, and also recently very achey, which with my past medical history/experiences makes me wonder about some kind of arthritis.

But I'm OK, things are manageable. Quite liking a bit of time to myself now the DC are back at school.

Sorry so much about me. It's always complicated isn't it? So much love to you all on the thread in all your different circumstances, joys, troubles, and challenges x
I will read through, catch up, and hold you all in the light (our Quaker expression)
Oh and one other thing, some nice gentle study opportunities coming up for me this autumn such as a Quiet day at our Meeting House later in the week

How wonderful to hear from you Juggling. Glad you had a good summer wit hthe family. It all sounds a bit hectic. What wonderful results for your daughter, clever girl. What is she doing now? A levels or college?

Not so happy to hear your news Dont. What does your dad think? Does he talk about it at all?

Oh, and Edith make the most of the opportunity to study and to be able to think. Sorry to hear about unsympathetic colleagues.

Thank you Oma. Sorry it was a bit long - as you say it has been a busy summer for us.
How are you doing? x

Oh and thanks for asking about dd - she's stayed on in sixth form. First day back was yesterday and today is first day of real lessons - making a start in each of the four subjects she's starting out with. So expect I'll be hearing all about that soon at school pick-up. (Yes, generally I do still pick them both up after school! - since I'm around ATM)

Hello all. I haven't been on MN very much after all the site issues. I thought I would have to re-register, but I haven't, and see that my old registration is still working.

There is a lot to catch up on but it is clear that this is a lovely supportive little community. Despite all our challenges, this is a nice little haven.

For me, things are moving on with DS getting prepared for uni. I am so pleased for him but I am dreading him going. I will miss him, and I am worried about how DH and I will get on when it's just the two of us.

I also had an interview for a new job with my present employer which I didn't get. I was very disappointed - I was well-qualified for it but I was 2nd. A few of my colleagues know and have been brilliant, which is great but I feel so demotivated. Apart from the disappointment of not getting the job, I was looking forward to a new challenge and something to fill my head when I am suffering from having my empty nest, and to earning a bit more money.

I know lots of people here have far worse problems than me and I will pray; I think of Don't and Edith in particular often.

Oma. Dad wasn't too bothered about the recent set back. There are other hospitals was his response. My mum is angry though. Thinks it's a postcode lottery as our local hospital is in the middle of nowhere and not really anything outstanding in comparison to the larger city hospitals. She is an ex nurse and it gets to her.

Been busy reading everyone's posts, it's lovely to read them all. Keeping everyone in my prayers.

Edith. Thinking of you on your long meeting and I am sorry your colleagues are hostile. It's their loss!!! Please try to enjoy the time relaxing and doing exactly what you like. Praying for your positivity to last and for another visit to be round the corner.

Briony sorry about the job. Hopefully something better for you and a better distraction will be not too far away.

Hello LoB, sorry to hear about the job. That sort of thing always takes a while to come to terms with. And DS going to uni will be a big change. Thanks for thinking of me. It's very slow progress but I am starting to think that it will all be ok one day.

Don't, thanks for your prayers too. Sorry you've had a setback with the local hospital; it all sound very trying and must be adding to your stress. I've been praying for you and your Dad everyday.

Oma I've been reading non-stop. My brain hurts. Right now about the theological differences that led to the split between the Roman and Orthodox churches. Loving the history stuff.

Thank you Edith, it really means so much. Good to hear your enjoying your reading and making the best of your long meeting away. Wonderful to hear that you think one day everything will be ok. praying for that day to come soon for you.