Unspoken Prayer Request

Have you ever been present at church, Circle, BSU, RUF (or otherwise) when someone mentions an "Unspoken Prayer Request"? I often wonder just why they mention it if it is unspoken? I mean, really, what does this mean? Are we not brothers and sisters in Christ and able to share all that burdens us? If your answer to that is "yes, we are sisters in Christ", then why is there the need to keep requests veiled from those that can bring your specific area of difficulty before the Lord? If your answer to that question is "no, we are not sisters in Christ", then I would first pray for your unbelieving heart. Perhaps that is what is at the root of someone listing an "unspoken" request...or maybe it's too much pride??

Often during prayer list time, I've wanted to blurt out..."unspoken? then why did you bring it up if you don't want us to speak to God about it?" He tells us to pray specifically...to name it by name. I don't mean blurt out all your personal business. But it would suffice to say, "There's a decision I/a friend is making" or "There is a relationship that is in strain" or "There is a sin I am struggling with" or "I have medical tests/problems I need you to be in prayer about that I don't want to go into all the specifics about" or whatever. But just to say "Unspoken" seems to superficial and unChristian.

I just don't understand what it will take for us as brothers and sisters in Christ to break down these walls that divide us and keep us from sharing our deepest hearts (at least with one or two of our closest Christian brothers even if not the whole lot of them). I'd be interested to know what your thoughts are regarding the "unspoken".

Sand-n-Surf

One Big Happy Family!

Pedicures at the Inlet Square Mall
Guess whose toes are whose?

Papa loves to take Jase out to ride his car!

Emma Grace says she took a nap in the stroller.

Mommy & Jase on the beach
Hmmm..wonder if I'll like the sand?

Bubba catches the football thrown by Jason--Necia gets in on the action, too! Emma Grace tries to play, but isn't successful.

Uncle Bubba and Emma Grace catching up on old times.

My family--beautiful, aren't they?!

Jase trying to keep out of the sand.

Mommy and Emma Grace at Atalaya Castle.

Monday morning sunrise--God paints masterpieces!

Lunch on the deck

Our family just returned last night from 7 nights and 8 days at Garden City Beach here in SC! It was such a needed vacation and one that we will treasure always!! I remember so many things from the week that I wanted to share, but I first went to our daughter Emma Grace and asked her what she thought I should share. She wanted you all to know that she L-O-V-E-D the ocean and getting in the water! Being 4 years old, she really went at this full force this year and even thought she could "surf" like Daddy and Uncle Bubba! Quite a funny girl!

The things I remember most from this vacation were:

1. Beach volleyball with Bubba and Necia
2. PEDICURE--my feet will thank Necia for at least 6 months or more!
3. Children sleeping through all 7 nights peacefully--such a blessing! (Thanks to Hannah and Chris for allowing us to use their extra crib!)
4. Reading out on the deck in absolute quiet. Aahh.
5. Making cookies with icing & getting Painter's Ice Cream.
6. Playing bocci ball.
7. Jase not liking the sand or water! BOO.
8. Watching the boys (Hennies, Bubba, and Jason) "surf" and throw the football.
9. Having the foresight to plan at least 3 meals ahead of time and take them with us. :) Frugal vacations are the bomb when you only have 1 salary!
10. Watching Bubba and Necia--boy, I don't miss dating at ALL. So glad that season of life is OVER. {{papa jeep coined the term "smackey mouth}}
11. Looking for seashells with Emma Grace.
12. No horseflies this year!!!! YIPPEE!
13. Watching Papa Jeep as Jase whines---he always thinks Jase wants to go out and play; he usually obliges and takes him out!
14. Lunches on the porch
15. Visiting Adalaya (castle) at Huntington Beach State Park.

We did make some fabulous memories and took some super pictures. We have come home charged up and ready to head into this fall season which begins Tuesday, by the way! And we missed our church family. So good to be back this morning worshipping with those who know us best! Better go fold some laundry (like 4 loads waiting for me) and get ready---tomorrow is coming and school will be back on!

Field Trip to Edventure & the Vein Specialist!

In the butterfly gardenEddy with Emma Grace and Madeline

Eddy's shoe

Inside Eddy's stomach

Madeline, Alex, and Emma Grace bulldozing the "brick" wall

Emma Grace and Madeline in the Fire truck at Dalmation Station

I've been meaning to post since Monday but our preschool has been taking up most of Jase's morning naptime and I'm barely getting a shower! We had a fabulous visit to Edventure! We went last Friday, August 28th with Julie and her two younguns--and we made several other stops along the way....when you go to Columbia about once a month, you have to combine trips! The visit went great---furthermore, we got in free since Jason's office (Fire Marshal's Office) hires the workers for Dalmation Station. Thanks to Miss April for allowing us to be one of her "friends"!! Here are some of the pics from the day. I think Emma Grace really liked "The Little Pig" grocery store they have best (wonder where she gets that from?)--we had to visit it twice along with Dalmation Station. Emma Grace learned to go down the fire pole by herself at Dalmation Station and was actually pretty good at putting back her grocery items she "bought".

I really enjoyed the Butterfly Garden; it's only there until the beginning of October, so you need to get there soon if you haven't had a chance to visit. There were SO MANY butterflies!! The first thing the "gate keeper" told us (it's extra to get into the butterfly exhibit and you have to have a time to enter/leave) was to be careful where you walk so we don't squash the butterflies. Ha! Nice!! Easy to say when you're not watching a 1 year old, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old! We did fine, though, and it was good to hear Emma Grace say, "Momma, is that a monarch?" She does learn something at home! Ha!

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I had my own little Field trip to the vein specialist in Columbia yesterday! Boy, was that a new experience for me. God bless all the plebotomists out there! I guess the moral to the story is "Vanity is not worth it!" No, really, I did find out after an ultrasound on my horrible looking calves that I do have medical necessity for work on my legs (insurance would cover the work I need done), but that 20% of $9000 is ALOT of MOOLAH (like $1700)! More than what we paid to have either one of our children!!

So, with having only one salary (and really even if we had two salaries), we still cannot afford to have this work done on my legs until they become everyday paining-me problems. I have cramping about once or twice a week during sleep, but generally they don't ache where I have to take medicine for pain. Now, this may become true as I get older, but for now, I will have to put the needs of my family above my own. Such is the life of a mother. I couldn't rightfully and willfully spend that much on myself!!! I'd have to sing the song, "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you" if I did that. Our 10th wedding anniversary is coming up next summer, so I think I'd rather see that $1700 go towards a nice week-long vacation somewhere really nice with my hubby than to think my legs sure do look great and feel great, but, eh, I'm stuck at home looking at them myself! There's always future years like when I'm 40 or 50-something (come to think of it, I was the youngest person in the waiting room yesterday!). They probably waited too and put the needs of their family first, too. Thank you, God, for this insight! I'll go lotion down my sleek legs now that I shaved for the doctor yesterday---special events, don't you know?!?