Monday, September 22, 2008

Courageous Warrior

"Courageous Warrior, Cody Spahr, receives a Hero's Welcome Home."


Early yesterday morning, Cody ran into the arms of Jesus while all of heaven cheered him on. I can imagine all the yelling and cheering for this precious, courageous man. I can also hear the Lord saying, "Well done, my good and faithful son."

Our hearts are heavy, our eyes puffy from all the tears. We hold on tight to the promises of God. Not only is God faithful to us, but we have seen the faithfulness of Cody and Amy.

Through these past 10 months, we have seen Amy and Cody walk so close to Jesus, with such courage and faith. They are the people that Hebrews refers to in chapter 11:13-16...

"These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. THEREFORE God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city."

Please pray for Amy as she continues to journey here...

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Prayers of the Saints...for the Saints

"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.....that He might be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3




This is our friend Cody. Follower of Christ. Courageous Warrior. Friend of God. Worshipper. Friend of the Poor. Joy Giver. Adventurer.

In October 2008 he married our dear friend, Amy Reece, thus becoming very dear to us as well!
Two weeks after their wedding, they packed up to head to Mexico as missionaries. By December, he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. Yesterday he was released from Stanford University Hospital to go home. They were given the information for hospice. His cancer has spread.
What started as a simple diagnosis, with a good prognosis, has become something very different.

Please pray for Cody and his wife Amy. They have been so courageous on this journey. They have remained hopeful, knowing that at any moment Father God could heal Cody. They are walking as the people in Hebrews 11. They have sung of His faithfulness and goodness. You can read about it at http://tribespahr.blogspot.com/

Would you just take some time today to wait on the Lord and to ask Him how you are to pray for this beautiful couple? They have made themselves so available to the Lord...willing to go where ever He sent them and so willing to do what He has asked them to do. All with GREAT joy!

I do think it is so important to ask the Lord HOW to pray. He says when we do not know how to pray, that we are to pray the Lord's prayer. God does not need to be "strong armed" into anything. Nor does He take kindly to manipulation, my goodness! He is Creator of the Universe, King of Glory, Lord of all creation! He is very aware of Cody and Amy's situation. He has walked with them through all of it. They testify to His faithfulness and His goodness. How much more do we, as spectators and encouragers, need to join with them.


Thank you, in advance, for your prayers.

Here are a few things to get you started...

*Thank you Lord, for your faithfulness and great love to Cody and Amy
*Cover them with your sweet peace and grace this weekend, as they adjust to being home
*Let them taste and see that you are good
*Give them sweet moments together
*Please alleviate Cody's pain
*Let them KNOW your presence

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Where are the legs?

Knowing I would have a very full day, I prepared a turkey breast for dinner. The smell of garlic filled the house as the turkey was roasting in the oven. As it came out of the oven, I was filling everyones plates with veggies and mashed potatoes. I put a slice or two on Jackson's plate. He just looked at me and pushed the plate away. He pointed at the turkey in the pan.

I explained that this is THAT turkey. He refused the plate and pointed at the turkey. Well, I thought, maybe he just wants turkey. I made him another plate with turkey only. He looked at me again...for being non verbal, he really has a way of communicating clearly!

Finally, he got up and went to the turkey with a new, third plate, in hand.

He looked at that turkey breast. He turned it around. He looked at me. He looked back to the turkey, flipped it around again.

Finally! We all got it!

He was looking for the legs that usually come with the turkey! (When we have a whole turkey, Jackson always wants a drum stick.) He took a knife to that turkey breast until he cut off a piece with bone in it! By golly, he was determined to use his "cave man" skills to eat dinner with his hands tonight!

I was laughing at our life. A little thing, like a turkey with no legs, can really throw us into a funk around here. (I am thankful that we did not have a huge melt down.)

As I explained this all to Todd, he said, "I am on his side! I bet you won't do that again!"

Both my guys like the whole bird!

Oh well, Ashley and I will have turkey sandwiches for a while!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Who Needs a Rooster?

Who needs a rooster to wake them, early on a Saturday morning, when you have Jackson?

Oh, I do not mind getting up early. It is a bit harder when you spent a late night before with friends...laughing, talking, creating and eating...well,

At 5:45 I heard the "wake up" call. It was the rustling of saran, the closing of cupboards and drawers, and the beep of the microwave. I came into the dimly lit kitchen to see that Jackson was warming pita chips and had cut his Jarlsburg cheese into cubes and put them onto toothpicks and plated them. (Did I mention that the entertaining of friends had happened at my house?)




Whenever we entertain friends, Jackson is at my side, taking in every thing. He wants to help in any possible way. It is wonderful, but I have to be VERY careful. It is very much a "monkey see, monkey do" situation. If I am not careful, he will be doing entertainment preparation at all hours of the day or night...case in point.


One morning, years ago, I awoke to the smell of a warm breakfast. It brought a smile to my face, until I rolled over and discovered that Todd was still in the bed! I jumped out, to find Jackson had gotten the baby fryer out, filled it with oil and was making chicken nuggets!!!!! We only use that fryer for fish and then we use it strictly outside. I was torn. I was so extremely proud that he knew how to fry chicken nuggets. I was so "errrrrr" that he had done this while the rest of the world was sleeping. DANGER!!!


I do have great joy in knowing that my kids enjoy preparing beautiful food items for others. (That apple does not fall far from the tree!) I definitely know that Jackson is a "Foodie." He has great culinary taste. He knows what he wants and how he wants it.



Here are a few more examples of his own culinary explorations from the summer.



making Great Grandma's watermelon pickles




double decker, white albacore on whole wheat potato bread


Thank You Lord...again!


We usually pray and ask the Lord to bless our food, then we pass the food around the table and each person helps themselves. If it is a "great" meal, in Jackson's eyes, we have to pray again. I guess it's his way of showing the Lord how grateful he really is. We all love it because we know he is happy with the menu!

Lord, I love that you love doing "stuff" with me. When I am by myself, may I do the things, that you have shown me how to do when we are together, in a way that pleases you and brings joy to your heart!

And may I always "doubly" thank you for all that you have provided for me!