Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Praying Continually....

*****Update at bottom*****


I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I don't think I've ever in my life, until these last few months (since Abbey was diagnosed) prayed continually throughout my days.  My thoughts are a continual conversation with God.  From the time I wake up to the time I lay my weary head on my pillow, I am continually praying over so many things.  You probably noticed the new "button" on the side of our page that says 'Praying for Abby.'  A couple days ago, a dear friend of mine e-mailed me this sweet family's blog.  After the kids were in bed that evening, Jim and I spent hours reading their story and praying for their Abby and our Abbey. Abby Riggs just turned 4 years old and also has leukemia.  They are at a very critical time in her treatment right now and their story will most definitely encourage your heart and bring you closer to the one who made these two sweet girls.  Here is their blog so you can read up on their story  www.riggsfamilyblog.com and pray for them (you can also just click on the button on the side of our page).  Michelle Riggs put a link to our blog under 'pray for our friends' and we know many new readers have come from their site to follow our journey.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read and for praying for our girl too.  It truly is amazing how God is using these Abb(e)y's to touch many lives.  I could never have imagined, when we started this blog a couple years ago just to update our out of town family and friends on what goes on in our lives here in Ohio, how He would use it to bind us to so many people around the country.  He has a plan in all things and uses the least expected things for His glory.... even blogs. 

In this post, I wanted to mention a couple other people that God has put in our lives in different ways that are also fighting cancer.  Please pray for Bella, a little girl who also has leukemia.  She was diagnosed a couple weeks after Abbey.  Ava and Leah are two little girls, right around the same ages as our Abbey.  They both also have cancer and undergo their treatments often right next door to us each week in the clinic.  Josh is a two year old boy that is also fighting cancer right now.  I went to school with his mom and was connected with them soon after Abbey's diagnosis.  Also, please pray for Divine.  She has a rare form of breast cancer and she is an amazing girl.  Lastly, Dan who is a very dear friend of ours from college is currently fighting lymphoma.  His wife, Laura is one of my very best friends so please pray for their journey and that God would continue to heal his body.  I have to get permission to put links to their blogs on our page, so be looking for them soon... Until then, as you pray for our Abbey, please pray for these others that are being affected by cancer.  It is amazing the whole new world that God has opened up to us these last three months.  I truly couldn't tell you one person that I knew battling cancer, and now I know many.  I am so amazed though and thankful to see how people come together in times like these to pray, help, encourage, love and support each other.  Let's encourage these others (be looking for the links hopefully today).

Also, if you know how to make a button for your blog, can you let me know in the comment section....  I would love to make one for our blog so others can put it on their sites.  Thanks :)

***Update***
Thank you so much MckMama for referring me to Jennisa to make a button for our blog :)  Jennisa has a great website that you can visit if you need help with anything on your blog.   She is 'for hire' and is very reasonable.  Her website is www.onceuponablog.org  if you'd like to take a look.  Isn't the button beautiful that she made for us?!  Please feel free (we would be honored and very grateful) to put our button on your blog.  That way your friends and family could click on our "Praying For Abbey" button and be directly linked to our blog so they can follow her progress and pray for our baby girl too.  Copy the code below the button and paste it on your blog.  If you need any help with it, let us know in the comment section and we will walk you through it.  Also, look on the right side down a little bit at the websites that I added under "please pray for our friends".  They are some of the families links that I mentioned above.

12 comments:

The Rigelsky Family said...

God bless you dear heart. You have a beautiful family, YOu are in my thoughts and prayers. -Sami Rigelsky
LaCrosse WI

Susie said...

Hi! Thank you for your post on Bella's blog. Your Abigail is so sweet and of course I have added your blog to my favorites and will be following your healing journey and praying for Abigail and your family. Of course you may include our button for Bella on your blog. I wish I could tell you how to make one, but one of my blogging buddies made it for me. Were in Michigan, so not too far from you. Blessings, Susie

Anonymous said...

I was led here yesterday from Abbey Riggs' blog. My husband & I sat last night and went thru both of your stories with tears in our eyes. We are fighting our own battle with my almost constant migraines. I've been off work/in bed since last April. We just want you to know what an inspiration you are. The Lord truely does honor and touch each and everyone of us who offers up prayers for each other. We'll be lifting up ALL of the little ones battle cancer every night. God is mightier than anything that is thrown at us. - The Armstrong Family in Illinois

Susie said...

One more thing, I am still on your blog site because I am so enjoying all your song choices. :)

Lisa said...

I just found your blog today in a round about way and am so glad I did. Our five year old daughter Delaney was diagnosed with ALL on Dec. 6, 2008. We are just a few months behind you in treatment and it has been a blessing to read how things are going for you. We just finished induction last week and have started phase 2. It is somehow comforting to read about the same chemo drugs, same symptoms, etc. We serve the same amazing God and you have been an encouragement to me today! Thanks so much.
Lisa Osmond
Ontario, Canada

p.s. here is a link to Delaney's facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36125336614#/group.php?gid=36801959535

Anonymous said...

We are just so continually inspired and uplifted by your family through this blog. We continue to lift up all of you, especially Abbey. Have a blessed day!

BethanyM said...

What a great posting, Shelley, thanks! I love how you talk about your days as being ongoing conversations with God. He must just adore that!

I'm continually amazed at how God is using this experience to grow you, draw you closer to Him, and to witness to others, to uplift and bless them.

Unknown said...

I "found" your blog through Abby Riggs' blog. I am now praying for both Abb(e)y's. You family is beautiful!

I only skimmed your blog, but your family and faith are amazing. May God continue to bless all of you - especially your sweet Abbey.

Kris

Unknown said...

Love the button. It's up and running on our blog.

Prayer Pals 4 Orphans said...

We have changed the link to your blog and added your button instead on our blog. We have also added links/buttons to your dear friends and are praying for them as well.

My kids have something that they would like to email to Abbey. I searched your blog for an email address and was unable to find one. Would you mind emailing me with your email address so I can send this to you?

aggielawler@yahoo.com

debi9kids said...

I came over here from Abby's blog. I just wanted you to know that i will be praying for your little Abbey as well.
my life has been touched personally by cancer, with two of my friends having their toddlers diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. (one can be found here: http://half12.blogspot.com/)
I believe as you do, that although it is horrible all that these little ones are going through, they have somehow managed to bring so many people closer to God.
They are miracles and truly blessed children.
I have put your button on my Through Him blog :)

Feynman Richard said...

I was struggling with my marketing plan assignment, feeling overwhelmed with the complex concepts and the tight deadline. Thankfully, I came across the Marketing Plan Assignment Help service in Australia. The expert team not only delivered a well-researched and customized marketing plan but also provided detailed explanations for every aspect. The clarity of their work helped me grasp the concepts better. I scored an A+ on my assignment, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the support I received. Highly recommend their services