The Power of Prayer

"Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you."

Sneezing and coughing in our home. Ugh. Started with our oldest. All of our children got the flu shot - well, not our baby of course, so I'm hoping this is just a cold and not the more serious flu. I have the print outs of what to look for and when to seek medical care. I'm going to be a little crazy during this season. I think that's the hardest part about being a parent. I'm so worried about my family's health. Tom reminds me to just pray about it. I'm trying.
So today I am home with all 7 of our children. I'm a bit outnumbered. The laundry and general cleaning of our house might have to wait. What's the point? What's that saying? Cleaning your home while your children are still growing is like shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing. Something like that :o) I think they have every toy in the playroom out. Guess that is what a playroom is for. It's also not very quiet here. A few disagreements with some whining. I hear some coughing and sneezing going on too. I've already taken Lysol wipes to the tv remote, computer mouse, door handles, and phones. We've got the hand sanitizer for everyone to use before going near baby Jacob. I need to go buy some of the spray.
Jakey is going to spend most of the day in my arms - mainly because I feel ok and don't want anyone who is sick to touch him, but also because he wants to be entertained these days. We have his little seat inside his playpen with a musical toy attached, but he'd rather be with us. The paci keeps him happy if he's tired, but he cries the moment it falls out.
Jacob's getting social. He loves to smile and is just learning to Coo. Tom and I were at our Couples Bible Study Friday night. Jacob seemed to realize he could make noise during that meeting. He was looking at me and there was just this "surprised" look on his face when he made a little "k" sound. He did it a couple times then smiled at me like - "Did you hear that?" - then tried it a couple more times. He seemed very proud of himself and I was proud of him too. I am looking forward to watching this little boy grow up. It's amazing to think that a year ago I had no idea I'd have anymore children. I was focusing on having surgery on my legs. I'm so happy that God had other plans for me.
When I think even further back, about 1 and 1/2 years ago I was on medication and told that I had a condition that was pre-cancerous. I'd have to have tests done every year, have to remain on medicine forever, and needed to do something to make sure that I did not get pregnant. One night Tom was working late and I had all our children in bed and/or comfortable with a movie. I just wanted to take a warm bath. When I was done and out of the tub, I started to cry. I fell to my knees in the bathroom and just cried and prayed. I told God that I knew he wouldn't give me more than I could handle and that this was something I just couldn't handle. After a few minutes, I heard the big garage door go up. I quickly threw on my pj's, dried my eyes, and ran downstairs to greet Tommy, thrilled that he didn't have to work as late as he thought. But Tommy wasn't home. Instead, in my kitchen stood my mom and dad. Wow. First of all, they weren't planning to visit from Iowa until the next day. Second, they usually only stop by my house on their way to my sister's when they get in in the afternoon. Normally they would not stop by at night - it was after 8:00 - they'd call and come over the next day so they could see their grandchildren too. All that, plus it was the fact that they "knew" to just let themselves in that made me know that God had sent them during a time I really needed them. He was showing me that He was not going to leave me all alone through this difficult part of my life. He heard me. (I tell people my mom has a direct line to God.) Anyways, back to my health issue. I happened to see online that there might be a "cure" to my problem at the Mayo Clinic. I had been there before for 2 lung surgeries (I will have to blog about that later. That whole health thing was a blessing. It's how Tom and I really came together.) I called Mayo and they got me in. It happened to be at a time that my parents could come live at our house with our 5 children - Tom and I took baby Sarah with us. After a few appointments and tests, they found that I was misdiagnosed and taken off all medication. (Sarah had been on meds too - they suggested that we take her off hers when they asked why she was on it. We did and she was fine.) You know, before all of this I went to see one of the boys from Medjugore speak. We were able to watch him as he saw and spoke to Mother Mary. We could put prayers in a box there that he would give to Mother Mary for us. I put in different prayers for my family and loved ones. For myself, I asked for courage. I believe the courage I was blessed with is what got me to the right place and the right doctors.
On the way home, after all was done at Mayo, we stopped by a place where they were building a place to pray. It was built for praying especially for unborn babies. We spent some time there. It was beautiful. In the gift shop there were many beautiful and religious statues, jewelry, and other items. I ended up buying a simple little prayer card. Prayer for Health: O Sacred Heart of Jesus I come to ask you for the gift of restored health, that I may serve you more faithfully and love you more sincerely than in the past. I want to be well and strong if it is your will and rebound to your glory. If in your divine wisdom I am to be restored to health and strength, I will strive to show my gratitude by a constant and faithful service rendered to you. Amen. I feel so strongly that Jacob was/is a gift (All children are.) and that I can show my gratitude for my restored health by being a good mother to him and our other children.
I had made a CD of religious music that I love. I listened to it on our long drives back and forth to Mayo. I made copies for my Bible Girls and still hand out copies to those I feel need some "hope." Music (and prayer) helps me get through so much. I wanted to do something to help spread hope and God's love. I want my children to know the power of prayer. (I'm still trying to show Tom that praying to St. Anthony for lost items truly works.) The other night I was getting dinner on the table. Tom was working late, but I was still trying to get all our children to the table at the same time so we could eat together. Jacob was in his seat and was starting to cry. Everyone was in the kitchen and so I decided to start saying grace. We all said it together. When we were done Brandon asked me if I noticed that once we all started to pray aloud, Jacob stopped crying. I smiled at him and said yes, I had noticed.