Joshua, Caleb, Hannah-Grace and I hit the official Appalachian Trail. It runs about eight miles from our house. I am still prepping for them for an overnight camping trip and perhaps a log hike. So I put a pack on them with water, and various needed medications, and a stick. You gotta have a stick if you are in the woods -- it's a guy thing, or a kid thing, I forget which.

The grandmothers have purchased the grandchildren a playset for the backyard. I only mention it because of the size and number of the boxes that were delivered to our home via the internet. I need to have the backyard leveled and then to build a box around the set, construct the set, and then put mulch around it in the box. Maybe it will be done by the time they go back to school in the fall (ha, ha – so seriously it’s huge).

Hannah-Grace was introduced to the Frederick County Emergency Room the other night. All the children were going up to bed, and somehow going up the stairs H-G hurt her arm. My theory is that as she hung from my back jeans pockets she incurred a mild nursemaid’s elbow sprain.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/pediatricfractures/a/nursemaid.htm

She immediately complained of pain in her arm, but I could not imagine from what. She didn’t fall, and her brothers were no where around. But, she wouldn’t let me touch her arm, and all she wanted to do was lay down and go to sleep – she even wanted me to close her door (which is unusual). I waited for her to go to sleep and went into her room to look at the arm. Even asleep she was holding it and grimaced when I moved it.

So I told Kimberly what was going on, I carried her to the van and into the emergency room. We were blessed in that on a Monday night they were not very busy and we were in a room in about twenty minutes. She was very brave and after the nurse gave her some Motrin/Tylenol she began to be able to move it. They took x-rays and after about three hours she was given the “all clear.”

In between doctors, nurses, and a trip to x-ray H-G and I prayed that her arm would get better and to be honest I had actually forgotten that we did. But by the end of the night H-G bent her arm and said, “Look daddy, Jesus made my arm better!” And I said, “Yes He did, H-G, yes He did.”

It’s been about a week now and the arm is as good as new. Oh, the cast is just for looks! She really didn't need it, but the nurse thought it would help.

I also was able to get some good shots of the boys in their swim class.

I was up to past 12 last night laying everything out, packing snacks, checking and double checking that I had everything needed for a photo shoot (bobby pins, lipstick, hair piece, etc…) along with all the stuff needed for the boy’s swim lesson, and an infant.

I did H-G’s hair (it took me a few tries) and pinned and sprayed down everything. We got there a whole ten minutes early, but ended up having to wait forty minutes until our turn. So I had a little girl who was ready to dance, dressed in a spotless white dress with delicate flowers and a face full of makeup and lipstick. She was very active but was very good. I ended up with little lips on my pants by my knee, but that’s ok because I forgot that after you put on lipstick you are supposed to blot. Kimberly didn’t remind me of that during our practice round. Anyway after finally having her picture, I realized that I left the checkbook at home –oh no! The photographer was nice and said I could mail it in. swewhhh. Beside the check, I also forgot to pack H-G a shirt, so she kept her sweat jacket on all day.

I am glad that the minister’s wives retreat is only once a year!

Have you ever had someone you know that needs someone to support them, help them, guide them, but you just don’t know what to say. You know you should say something encouraging or even “spiritual” but everything you can think of to say just sounds cliché.

Psalm 20 gives us the words to say and even how to say them.

Psalm 20
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

² May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

³ May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Selah

⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

⁵ We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

⁶ Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

⁹ O LORD, save the king!
Answer us when we call! (NIV)

When a friend is in distress what do you say?

a. v.1 – the Lord hears you

b. v.2 – the Lord will protect you

c. v.2 – the Lord will send you help

d. v.3 – the Lord will give you support

e. v.3 – the Lord will remember all that you have done

f. v.3 – the Lord will accept your sacrifices

g. v.4 – What does your heart desire? What are your plans – the Lord will make them succeed!

h. V.5 – When you succeed, we will shout for joy for you – we will lift up the name of God.

i. We know God saves (this is your testimony) his called ones – he answers them from heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

j. We trust in the name of the LORD – our God.

k. We rise up, stand firm

l. Pray for them by name

How Do You Pray for Someone and Comfort Them?

a. vv.1-4 Confirm in their hearts (a through g above)

b. v. 4 Ask them what are their plans, what is the desire of their heart? Then pray for that (with them and later as well).

c. V. 5 Let them know that they are not in it alone and that you are looking forward to a preferable future

d. V. 6 Share with them your testimony “I know . . .” and where that help comes from.

e. V. 9 Pray for them by name – let them hear you say, “save _____________.” Let them hear that you stand before God together; “Answer us when we call.”

Every year Kimberly goes away for a whole 24 hours leaving me with complete control of the house and kids. This weekend it just so happens that Hannah-Grace’s ballerina recital picture is this Saturday. This means, I will have all the kids to get ready and leave the house (as normal) by 9:30am. The boys have a swim class, Isaac will be in the childcare, and H-G needs to go to her dance class. But this time H-G has to be in full costume, a bun in her hair (complete with flower), and make-up. And when the pictures come back she really needs to look good (so that I can remain alive). No stress. No worries.

Ok, I’ll be honest – I’m not so good with hair, so this afternoon I made Kimberly (and H-G) have a pre-recital pre-picture pre-make-up practice. I learned how to keep the hair from “flying away” and how to make “c” shapes with the make-up brush on her cheek. Can you ever really ever have too much hairspray?

Please don’t tell anyone, it will kill my blue steel persona. I'll let you know how it goes, and I'll post a picture as soon as I get one.