Tag Archives: Prayer

Lord, Thanks For Giving!

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Psalm 69:30  “I will Praise the Name of God with Song, And shall Magnify Him with Thanksgiving.”

Gracious Heavenly Father…

Thanks for Giving Me…

All Your Promises…

Your Precious Word to Guide Me through this Life…

Your Beloved Son to Give Me New Life…

And Your Holy Spirit to Teach me all Truth!

For my Parents who Brought Me Up to Love You…

For my Husband who Works to keep us Safe…

For my Son who never ceases to be the Delight of my Life…

For Our Precious Siberian who Gives us Unconditional Love and Affection every Day!

For my Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins who Know How to Pray…

For Good Friends wherever we have Lived and Worked…

For Caring Believers wherever we have Worshiped…

For Helpful Acquaintances along the Path of Life…

For our Jobs over the years that have been Blessings from You…

For the Safety and Protection of our Home, Cars, and Finances…

For our Health in Body, Mind, and Spirit…

For Your Gift of allowing us to Retire to the Town and Neighborhood of our Dreams…

For Teaching us to Delight in You…

To Love Others…

And to see Everyone as You see Them…

To Minister with Grace and Encouragement for Your Kingdom!

I Pray Your Blessing on this Blog, to be a Powerful Ministry for You…

And that I Always Know how Very Blessed I Am…

In Knowing Who You Are!

Lord, Thanks for Giving…

I Welcome You Into My Life Always, Lord!

How And When Did You Meet Jesus???

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This is your post today!!

Your Comments will tell the story and witness to others…go for it!!

Was it anything like this???

Listen to “When Mercy Found Me”

by Rhett Walker Band

Here are the lyrics:

“Something had to give, something had to give…

‘Cause living my life so wild and free, finally caught up…

Oh, it left me broken, left me hopeless…

But that’s where I met Jesus…

In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…
All those days, all those doubts…
They don’t seem to matter now…
His Grace is all I need…
And the chains that I was in before…
They don’t hold me anymore…
His love has rescued me…
His love has set me free…
In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…
My mind found peace…
My soul found hope…
My heart found a home…
In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…”
Yes, it felt exactly like this!!  Amen!

Dear God…

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I need nothing…

But You…

Help my prayers to be…

Genuine…

Compassionate…

Loving…

Help me really see every soul that hungers for You, and feed them Your Word daily…

Jesus, help me see every thirsty person, and give them Your Living Waters to quench their thirst forever…

Help me see through Your eyes…

Help me be Your hands and feet…

Help me weep over my city and this world, as You wept over Jerusalem…

Help me feel the suffering You felt at the Cross for Me…

So I can understand Your amazing capacity to love…

Help me be more like You…

Holy Spirit, help me desire what You desire…

Help me delight in You…

Help me obey, when You call…

Help me go where You tell me to go…

Help me to minister to those around me…

I don’t want to waste my prayer time…

On the ordinary…

The mediocre…

The mundane…

Or on selfish and superficial folly

I want My prayers to You be as important…

As You are to Me!

How They Have Ministered To Me…

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Our Drama Team is my passion from God!!

Sometimes, I can’t even express…

How much of a blessing they are to me!

Here’s an English essay written by one of our newest Drama Team members, about practice at our church’s Warehouse…

He said,

“On Friday nights…

You won’t find me at home, but instead, at a Warehouse…

This isn’t any old, smelly Warehouse, but one filled with love, joy, and, of course, delicious snacks!

Every Friday night our Drama Team meets at this Warehouse…

This Drama Team is a church ministry, led by several dedicated leaders, including two teachers at my Christian school.

Along with drama, Improv is another thing we do that fills the Warehouse with laughter!

But, drama is not all fun and games.

It’s exercise and hard work…

But I’m enjoying it!

Drama Team practice provides me with Christian friends and fellowship.

It’s pleasing to God, because we minister to others, and praise Him at the same time.

Arrive early, so you can socialize!!

As soon as drama begins, a song is selected and played, which will start worship time.

Worship time is “God’s Time…”

It’s when we go to a spot of our choice, in the Warehouse, and individually praise God during the song.

Usually this is a tranquil time, depending on who gets to choose the song, and what type of song is selected!

After the song ends, we all get in a circle, and pray for prayer requests…

And we thank God for praise reports!

When we’re finished, we begin practicing for our human video drama.

In this type of drama, a person or group of people, performs silently to a song, and acts out the words with motions.

We need patience in order to learn the motions, because our leaders usually revise them, and revise them!

During practice it is important that we don’t disrupt our leaders.

In addition to these weekly practices, the last Friday of every month, also includes Improv…

Improv is spontaneous, unscripted acting…usually comedic.

I like this drama ministry for several reasons:

I find enjoyment by acting out the words of the song using motions, and I’m getting good exercise… 

I love meeting with other Christian friends…

Whether they’re home schooled, or from private and public schools.

           This drama ministry is pleasing to God…

And He led me to this drama team to minister to others.

We encourage believers and unbelievers, when we minister in our communities…

God’s pleased when I spend time with other Christians…

And when we praise Him during our community outreaches…

So, if you’re bored on Friday nights, come and meet us, and God, at The Warehouse!!

And while you’re there…

Meet our dedicated leaders…

Participate in drama and Improv…

Get lots of exercise…

Enjoyment…

And a chance to visit with other Christians!

Also, be prepared to minister and praise God.”

I love this, don’t you???

I’m blessed, right?

After looking back on all my years…

I know the Lord has given me the ability to see God-given potential in everyone!

I always find something I love about every person…

And I care enough to “water” (encourage) those beautiful “seeds” with love, to watch them grow for the Lord!

I treat all people (kids, teens, young adults…whoever) as if they’re sitting right next to me in a pew at church…

And I ask myself, “How would I treat them, there?”

Well, of course, I would treat them as Jesus would…

With love and compassion!

I believe visitors in church, may have come in with a crisis…

And need to be “loved on,” not judged!

I believe people in this world just don’t know yet who to turn to, with their crisis.

So we can’t respond to them with judgement…

We were in that same place once, also!

I can’t stressed that enough…

We were ALL there, too!!

We’re not better!!

We’ve been there…Done that!

And then, Jesus picked us up!

I know I’m the one God is sending, at the exact moment I meet them, to point the “Way” to Jesus!!

And many times…

Without even saying a word!!

So whether I’m teaching, writing, ministering, directing our Drama Team, working with little children, spending time with the elderly, praying for prayer requests, loving on family and friends…

It’s all about “Shining

So they can see Jesus!!

I’m confident in Him!!

That the “seeds” He plants will grow and blossom!!

You can be, too!

Bless someone to be blessed!

Go ahead…love on someone TODAY!

Make their Day!

Good Morning, Super-Size Me!

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Stop!  Listen to Mandisa’s “Good Morning”

Good Morning, God!

Help!

I pray this simple prayer today…

Are you there?

“Yes…”

I have Super-Sized dreams…

I need a Super-Sized God…

I need Super-Sized blessings…

I want a Super-Sized anointing to do Your work…

Super-Increase my influence for you…

I love you  Lord, give me a Super-Sized life in You!!

Amen!

“Done!!

Use My finger to write your life…your Super-Sized life!

If you’re searching for me…I’m right here…

For now and into eternity…

Your Super-Sized dreams are doable…easy for Me!

Your blessings will be Super-Sized…and your favor with others, also!

The anointing on You will be Super-Sized…and I’ll give you wisdom and understanding, too!

I’d be happy to Super-Increase your influence for Me…

Here Are My Words…”

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.  And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.  Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.  Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.  Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl… “ Deuteronomy 28:1-68   (ESV)

 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…”  Ephesians 3:20   (ESV)

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”  Psalm 23:5   (ESV)

Thank you, Lord…now, is there anything I can do for you?

“Yes!

Go!

Into all the world…

And have a Great Morning!”

Reasons To Try Church Again!!

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So…last week…my dear friend, hairdresser, fellow believer, and I were talking about Jesus…

As we do, non-stop, during each of my hair appointments!

And it occurred to me that as far as church goes…

My life seems to have worked out in twenty-year spans of time…

For the first twenty years, I grew up in church…

Loved God…But rode the fence…

During the second twenty years, I went to no church…

I slipped away…Burned-out on religion…My life became all about ME…

And, in life, we always live with the consequences of our own decisions…

Even after God has forgiven  us…And we’ve forgiven ourselves…

In the last twenty years, I came back to church…

It seemed cruel to raise my son in this world without faith…And it brought a deep desire to be closer to God each day…

Relationship, Relationship, Relationship!!

How about your life?”

My dear hairdresser said: My life has been very different.  I have not known the Lord my whole life.  I grew up in Catholic School, and  in a ‘non-practicing’ home.  I knew who God was, but I did not ‘know’ Him, I had no relationship with Him.  At 40 yrs old, and spiritually sunk, my younger sister lovingly said, ‘Maybe you oughta go to church.’  I didn’t know it then, but God was already working on my heart, and a few short weeks later, on Easter Sunday, I received Christ as my Lord and Savior!  WooHoo!  Since then (5 yrs), I have been on quite a journey growing in the Lord!  GOD ROCKS!!”

So, we decided to list our reasons to try church again!

My reasons to try a Bible-believing, Spirit-filled Church:

1.  It’s a place where the same language is spoken…God’s Love!

Acceptance and encouragement…Not rejection or judgement…

2.  It’s a place where fellowship with believers is an anchor…

Like a family during good times…And a support system during a crisis…

3.  It’s a place where we can hear from God…

It’s a sanctuary…And His still, small voice can get through to us…

4.  It’s a place where we can be discipled…

A new Christian needs guidance…And church is where we learn about classes, courses, conferences, and camps…

About dynamic spiritual leaders, and about being where spiritual experiences are welcomed, and most powerful…

About anointed worship music, drama, books, etc. to lead a victorious life…

5.  It’s a place to see miracles…

Where changed lives can, and do happen…Where physical, spiritual, and emotional healing occurs…

“But how can people call on Him if they have not believed in Him?  How can they believe in Him if they have not heard His message? How can they hear if no one tells them the Good News?”  Romans 10:14  (God’s Word Translation)

Her reasons to try a Bible-believing, Spirit-filled Church:

1.)  You can be introduced to Jesus there and grow closer in a RELATIONSHIP with Him.

2.)  Worship!!  Worship!!  Worship!!  Sing Praises to the King!  (Can you tell I’m a Worshiper?!)  We are all made to Worship the Lord!

3.)  To hear and grow in the Word of the Lord ~ The KNOWLEDGE of the Truth will set you FREE!!  FREE!!  FREE!

4.)  Fellowship with other Believer’s, and building relationships with others, where you can encourage, and you can be encouraged

5.)  Recharging your “spiritual” batteries….day to day life can get hard, so for me, it is a day to be RECHARGED!  “Stoking the Fire”

6.)  Your Gifts can be developed, and you can grow in your Destiny

7.)  Miracles!  I agree with you, I have definitely seen miracles, since I have been in Church……Go God!!  This is a definite Faith Builder!

Not all churches are “filled with hypocrites!”  Find a church with sincere believers of Christ, and become one of them!

Right,  I think if you asked everyone who loves “meeting” Jesus on Sunday Mornings (and/or nights) in their church there would be many more reasons 🙂

We need to grow up!  Let’s not be babies!  We can’t base our life on other people…

It’s about being followers of Jesus…

Do what God asks YOU to do…

I feel more free now than ever before….

The Spiritual realm is so liberating!

All my decisions are made with God…

That means I receive God’s favor…

I’ve found that:

No church=no foundation or plan…

No purpose in my life…

Because I wasn’t focused on God…

I was doing fine:  Married, teaching, had a house, cars, vacations, etc.

But, something was missing…

I lived a random life, like the little silver ball in a pinball game, constantly bouncing off things, and never really going anywhere…

There’s a special place inside of each of us that ONLY Jesus can fill…

I knew it, but fought it for a long time…

Maybe you know it, too!!

I read this article by Alex Bryant, who serves as college and young adults pastor at First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Fla., titled: “Pirate or Marine?”  In the Pentecostal Evangel dated October 1, 2012…here’s an excerpt…

Are you a Christian pirate or a Christian marine?

“When Christ sets us free, we should make it our life goal to see as many other people as we can (as a matter of fact, everyone we know) attain the same freedom!

What if you were out hiking with a few friends and all of you fell into a hole in the ground. You’re all screaming and calling out for help, then along comes a stranger and pulls just you out of the hole. Once you were freed from the hole and back on the path, would you run off celebrating, leaving your friends trapped back in the hole? Of course not! You would be happy that you were freed, but you would stick around and help your friends out, not resting until each of them was back on the path, free from the pit of despair.

The same is true with God. You have to understand that God wants you involved with His goal of reconciling others to Him!

“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!'” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NLT).

All followers of Christ who have been set free are called to represent Him.  We are free to act like Him and carry His message of reconciliation to the lost. Christ is making His appeal to others through us…Christian marines who know, His mandate is to ‘Leave No Man Behind!”

Are you living by that standard? Or are you too preoccupied with enjoying your freedom to think of others? Are you a Christian pirate who realizes others are still in bondage, but you’re too busy with your own life, and you’re living by the decree, ‘He Who Falls Behind Gets Left Behind?’ God help us!”

I’m urgently praying no one falls behind…I’m praying you’ll try again…

Jesus waits with open arms…

It’s all about you and Him, not anyone else…

 Ask, “What’s your plan for me, Lord?”

Then sit back and wait…

Watching His plan unfold…

Instead of constantly striving for  ourselves…

By ourselves…

Decisions made with God are better than those made without Him…

The Creator of the Universe is making my decisions…

His best decisions are for me and my family!

How cool is that?

And how easy for me!

You don’t NEED a church to find God…

You can find God anywhere…

All the time…

He knows who you are…

And exactly where you are at all times…

But…

His Church is the Bride of Christ…

There’s a wedding to prepare for…

Get ready…

The wedding is the beginning of forever with Christ…

Go back to church to get your wedding garments on…

And the oil of the Holy Spirit in your lamps…

The Bridegroom is coming back for a blemish-free, prepared Church…

Will you be ready when He comes?

Is there a reason not to be a part of His Church???

I’d be interested to know what’s keeping you away…

“Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure, for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’  And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’”  Revelation 19:7-9  NIV

I’m going to be at this wedding!!

I’m praying you’re there, too!

Fly The Friendly Skies Of “The Holy Spirit Airlines!”

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               Our Destination:  Heaven…

Who are we going to live with?  God…

Who’s on this flight?  Those who are saved and ready to go to Heaven…

Who has a ticket?  Everyone…

Who paid the price?  Jesus…

How did He pay the price?  He died for us…

This is a devotional about the Holy Spirit for our Drama Team that the Lord gave me, waking me up at 3 am to write it all down, as is His usual way of doing things!!  Ha!

Picture this He said:  “People are on a huge commercial airliner flying to Heaven…

I’m the Pilot…

I’m the Only Way to get there…

I’m going to get everyone there safely, but there’s work to be done on the way to Heaven…

In the Coach section are all those who are saved, those who have given their hearts to Me…

The First Class section, positioned right behind Me, are all those filled with My Holy Spirit…”

“Is there a difference, Lord in the two sections?”  I asked…

“Yes, there’s a big difference,” He replied…

“Lord, I’ve never flown First Class, I can’t afford the price!  But, if someone paid the price for me, I wouldn’t refuse it!  Why would I???

I wouldn’t chose to stay in the Coach section, where it’s more crowded, it’s loud, has only peanuts to eat, has tiny bathrooms, and no way to rest peacefully,”  I mentioned…

“I’d love to get an upgrade to First Class!  Where there’s more leg room, better food, more pampering, nice cozy blankets and pillows, peace and quiet, a joyful ride, a place to put your feet up and really relax!!

How can I do that Lord, when I can’t pay for it?”  I asked…

“It’s easy, I already paid the price, just trust your Pilot!” He said…

“Who are those on the ground, Lord?”  I asked…

“Those are the people who don’t know Me yet!”  He said sadly…

‘You mean sinners, Lord?”  I asked…

“I like to think of them as those who haven’t heard yet, how much I love them,”  He answered…

“They’re carrying so much baggage, Lord,”  I commented…

“Yes, I told them I would carry ALL of it for them, but they don’t believe Me yet.  That’s some of the work we need to do on our way to Heaven…

Go and tell them:  Leave your baggage at home…

No cargo space is needed on this plane that goes to Heaven…

No carry-on luggage space needed either…

Only the essentials are needed on board…that you know Me, My Father, and His  Holy Spirit…”

It’s a “No Brainer!”

I Believe In The Holy Spirit!

If someone wanted to bless me with a gift of a First Class airline ticket…what would I do…DUH!

Take it and fly!!!!

In Coach…I’d be comfortable, but would I be soaring???  I’d only be thinking about my own comfort, or lack of it!

In First Class you can roam around the cabin, socialize, fellowship, witness, sleep restfully…

You can even go back and talk to those in Coach…

You can encourage them…

That they, too, can get a ticket to First Class by being filled with the Holy Spirit…

Or, before you even get on the plane, you can inspire, and encourage, those still on the ground to lay down their baggage…

And board the plane to Heaven…

They may want what you have, but they thought they couldn’t pay the price either…

But, if they know Jesus, they can…

And, why just fly Coach, when Jesus paid the price for you to fly First Class…

Where you’ve been given the authority and power of your Pilot…

The privilege to sit up front closer to Him…

The safest place to be is right behind our Lord!

Where He can fight your battles for you…

Where you have boldness to witness to others…

In the right seat (position) to pamper (love on) others!

Get off the plane at the next stop…find out how to serve God…

He’s filled you to overflowing with His Joy…

Go spread some around wherever you go, to those on the ground…

And bring them back on board with you…

The First Class section should be the biggest section on board the plane to Heaven…

Coach should just be a holding station, ’til they too, are filled with God’s Holy Spirit…

No one should be left on the ground…

Everyone should come to know Jesus…

And get on board!

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift…

Don’t Return the Gift!

It’s a gift you “re-gift” by telling everyone else about it!

The Holy Spirit…moving in our churches for corporate worship, or in our individual lives for power…

The Book of Acts…tongues as of fire…a rushing mighty wind…

I believe in it all…because that’s what it feels like…that’s what it looks like!

I know from experience it’s for me today, and for you too!

Pray to God the Father for the infilling of His Holy Spirit…worship the Giver, and He will give you the Gift.

And because it’s a gift…just take it!  Jesus rose and went to Heaven, so He could send His Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth…He’s our Comforter…

Eccles. 4:1  “…I saw the tears of the oppressed–and they have no comforter…”

Why not want ALL that our gracious Heavenly Father has prepared for us?

His Son is our glorious Savior, we can be filled with His righteousness…

And His Holy Spirit is our Comforter and our Counselor…

Power to witness, to lead a pure life, and to be filled with His Joy…

Ask for it!  Receive it!  Live it!

It’s like being born all over again!

It’s a redo!

Starting from scratch!

Reborn!   To live with Joy now!

A changed life…a changed attitude…

In the blink of an eye…generational curses broken, weakness turned to strength, sickness turned to health, anointed to witness, with wisdom and understanding…

It’s crazy!

Yes, “Crazy Love!”  (****Read Frances Chan’s book, “Crazy Love”)

Be a follower of Jesus!  “Not A Fan!”  (****Read Kyle Idelman’s book, “Not A Fan”)

It’s having the ultimate Friend!    (****Listen to, “I Am A Friend Of God” by Israel Houghton)

With God’s Holy Spirit in you…you have it all…everything that Jesus has, you have…  (****Read John Bevere’s book, “Relentless”)

Upgrade…

It’s like your insides got a car wash!!  And your outside looks shinier!!

The beauty of this upgrade??

Free access to the Pilot (JESUS!) who’s taking you to Heaven!

Favor with God…pampering, healing…

How to receive this?  Accept it!  It’s a gift!

Tell the Lord, you’re movin’ on up!!

Relax, take your shoes off, put on your slippers, read, study, watch TV, stick in your ear buds and listen to your favorite music…everything has been prepared for you…so you don’t have to DO anything!

Someone else is carrying your load for you!

A pillow is placed under your head…cool beverages are offered…delectable treats are brought to you…

Then, have restful sleep, no annoyances, loud sounds, silly chatter…slip on Jesus’ robe of righteousness…be covered with the cozy blanket of His love.

Decide to take the First Class airplane ride to Heaven…Coach is good, and will get you to your destination, but First Class gets you there in style…

And, when you pray for the (First Class) Holy Spirit..know that it IS God’s perfect will for you!

For you to go up to the next level in serving God…

Bringing no baggage with you…

To change the world…

We need a larger First Class…

A smaller Coach section…

And less people left on the ground…

Get on!  Jesus is flying this plane!

And Oh, what amenities His Holy Spirit has provided for you!!

9/11 Emergency!!

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I want to remember 9/11…

We were having our house built here in FL, but we were still living in NJ at the time.

The day started like any other…

I was at work already teaching at the middle school.  I had a class first period, then I had a planning period.

As usual, at the end of class, I planned to grab my cup of coffee and walk upstairs to make a phone call, check my teacher’s mailbox in the office, use the restroom, chat with anyone in the teacher’s lounge, and return to my classroom for third period.

Nothing out of the ordinary…

Until my teaching partner came back from her planning period to tell me that she just heard in the office that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center!

“What!?!?!?”

My mind is racing…how can an airplane not see the Twin Towers????

That’s all she knew!

So I start down the hallway…shouted out “Hi!” to the English teacher in his classroom, who was listening to the radio on his break, and he said,

“Come listen to this!!  Another plane has hit the other Tower.”

I’m shocked by now, because I realize that it’s not a freak accident…two planes have deliberately rammed into the Twin Towers!!

We don’t know what we need to do…we’re quite a distance from NYC, so we weren’t worried for our safety, but my sister lived in Chelsea at the time…so I’m beside myself for her…

I’m trying to calm down…think rationally…continue my routine…

So I go to make my phone call, which is to my dentist, as I planned…

But, when I get the secretary on the phone…

She’s screaming…

“Oh, don’t you know what’s happened???  Doctor’s family lives in NYC, he’s left to go there…he’s frantic…I can’t talk right now, I have to leave this line open!”

So by the time I got to our school office…everyone was in an uproar…

I went straight to the teacher’s lounge where I found one of our teacher’s aides on the phone with her husband.  He works in NYC, and is calling her every few minutes…letting her know one tragedy after another…

We can’t believe what she’s telling us!

“Plane crashed in Washington DC…plane crashed in PA, one tower down, two towers down, firefighters lost, police officers lost, medical people from all over swamped with injured people, people walking the bridge to come over to NJ…”

We all go to the library where there’s a TV, and all I can see is a representative of the terrorist…explaining why this happened…

What???

My mind isn’t working…I rush back down to my room…try to call my sister…can’t get through…try to e-mail her…don’t get a response…I’m praying so hard for her by now…

And praying for all the other teachers, also…

Since, I start hearing colleagues say, “My brother and his wife work at the World Trade Center, my friend’s brother is over there, my cousin’s friend’s fiance was in the City…

We’re getting bit and pieces of the news…

My son attends school here , so I know he’s safe, but my husband’s been home all morning watching this unfold on TV…

So after he hears about the plane crash in PA, he comes racing over to school to pick up my son!

I see him in the office when I’m on my way to lunch…

And my heart stops because I think he came to tell me something happened to my sister…

He tells me he’s tried calling her all morning, but he can’t get through…

And that he wants my son to come home now!

Many other parents thought the same thing!!

So I go upstairs to the lunch room and quietly explain to my son (a 6th grader at the time), that  he’s safe, but Dad was here to take him home…

That something happened in NYC, and for him to pray that his aunt was safe, too!!

I’ve never felt more helpless in my life!

I called my church, and my pastor said that our church was going to be open all day for prayer…

I told him I was very concerned for my sister, and we prayed.

I kept trying her phone and e-mail…

And finally by the end of the day…

She responded to my e-mail…

She was devastated by everything…

But she was fine!

Praise God!

She said she was just about ready to leave for work, when she heard it on the news…so she stayed home…

Thank God!

She later found out that her boss’s brother was missing…

She and her co-workers, as soon as they could, posted fliers, searched hospitals, shelters, etc., but…

He was never found…

My colleague’s brother and sister-in-law, who worked at the World Trade Center…

Were never found…

We later went to their memorial…

Without bodies to mourn…

My colleague’s friend’s brother was never found…

My cousin’s friend’s finance was never found…

My cousin’s daughter was on her way to the City by ferry from NJ, but was sent back after the first plane hit…

She’s fine…Praise God!

I left school in a daze…I headed over to my church…I plopped myself in a pew…

And just breathed a deep breath…

I thanked the Lord for sparing my sister, and my cousin’s daughter…

I prayed for those who lost loved ones…

I prayed for those in harm’s way…

I prayed for NYC…

I prayed for our country!!

So many people…firefighters, policemen, EMS workers, doctors, nurses, etc…

And civilians…

Not military…not warriors…

Just going to work that ordinary day…

A day that turned the City into a war zone.

Though we were miles from NYC, Washington, and PA…

We felt the impact of the 9/11 attack…

It impacted us right on our doorstep…

When I see the beautiful 9/11 Ground Zero Memorial Fountains on the site now…

The majestic, flowing waters bring peace…

And I think it’s appropriate that every person’s name is forever engraved there.

May God heal our wounds…

But, may we never forget…

Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice…