The effective prayer...

"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16b I (Jill) am so thrilled to tell you how this verse still rings true. First, Dade and I were shopping for Christmas gifts when it began to rain. Joel even called while we were waiting in line to pay to say that it was pouring hard. When we were ready to leave the store, we stepped out of the door to see the rain had just stopped! I was so excited, and as we dodged puddles (because the young man with me loves to jump into puddles!) I was telling him how wonderful it was that God stopped the rain so that we could get into our car. Dade in all seriousness and with little excitement said, "I know, I prayed He would stop the rain." Well, that shut me up! Dade wasn't a bit surprised that God would stop the rain for us. What faith!

The other news I have is that Aaron and Donna; after a couple weeks of bedrest, modified bedrest, and multiple contractions; gave birth to a beautiful healthy girl on December 27th! Alayna Nation weighed in at 5lbs. 3oz. and 19 inches long. The doctors say they cannot explain it, but we can! She is breast feeding and breathing and peeing and all those baby things. God is so good! Please rejoice with us as we celebrate God's mercy and power. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Prayer request

For the few who read this, I (Jill) have an urgent prayer request. My brother and his wife, Aaron and Donna, are pregnant. It's a girl! Alayna. The deal is her trachea and esophagus haven't divided like they should. If she is a candidate, she will require surgery within days of delivery. My brother will have to travel to Atlanta with her while Donna stays behind in South Georgia until she is cleared to leave the hosptital which will be 48 hours after delivery because she has C-sections. If Alayna has other problems that sometimes accompany this anomaly called TE fistula, there is a possibility that she will not be a candidate for surgery. If this is the case, there is nothing that can be done for her.

Please pray that God will give peace to Aaron and Donna during this time of waiting, and that the baby won't come until after Christmas (that will put her at 36 weeks) so her lungs will be developed. I'm praying that God will completely heal Alayna prior to her arrival. God is big enough, and I don't pretend to know His plans in everything. But I do know that sometimes we "have not because we ask not" (James 4:2), and I don't want to be guilty of this - especially with so much at stake. Dara keeps saying that, "It's okay if Alayna needs surgery, we just don't want her to die." I just tell her that I know God is the only one who can heal her, and I'm going to ask Him. Will you please ask Him with me? Thanks.