Monday, June 30, 2008

Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Other News

Well, girls, I wish I had some exciting news about my weekend to give you, but unfortunately, I don't. As you know, George and I were supposed to go away this weekend. I think we had even decided to go to Kansas City. But, alas, we were unable to make it. Primarily because I didn't get out of bed until, oh, about 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. And, to be quite honest, I didn't actually ever leave the bedroom the entire day. It wasn't my fault, really. You see my body had been invaded. Invaded by the migraine monster. And, in case you aren't familiar with this body snatcher (and, seriously, I pray that you are not), he's a disco ball, strobe light, rock n' roll lovin' monster that likes to rock the boat. So, basically, he makes me nauseated, he makes everything look like it is a Picasso painting placed under some type of strobe light, and he makes me wish that the world was silent. Fun times, girls. Fun times. So, seriously, how boring was that??? I was so excited to go out of town, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. Not this weekend anyway.




Sunday was better. We went to church, gorged ourselves at brunch, and then took naps. Well, at least the adults napped. The soon to be eleven year old is too good to nap. He obviously doesn't know what he is missing, but he'll learn someday. He is, after all, his mother's son, and there are few things in life I love more than a good nap. And, last night we had a women's ministry event at church. It involved a few of my favorite things, chocolate, coffee, and some of my favorite girlfriends. We were able to purchase tickets to see the Beth Moore simulcast the first weekend in August. I'm super excited because not only will I get to see the simulcast in August with my good friend, Julie, but a group of my best girlfriends are also heading up to Minneapolis to see her in July. I really can't wait for that. I love taking trips with my girlfriends.




On a completely different note, I wanted to solicit some opinions about something God has put on my heart. Over the last several months, it has been my absolute privilege to pray for many of you. I also know that many of you have prayed for me, and I am forever grateful for each one of those prayers. I would love to continue to pray for you, but sometimes I'm not certain what prayer requests you might have. (Some of you are great about letting people know your prayer needs, and I love that!) I also know that sometimes it is difficult to ask for prayer. Maybe it's just me, but I have noticed a couple of prayer phenomenons when it comes to prayer request time in a group setting. The first thing I notice is that most people have "no" prayer requests. I, myself, have often fallen into this category. When I thought about why I have failed to share prayer requests from time to time, I realized two things: one, either I thought my prayer request was too shallow. You know, something not "important" enough to be prayed about, or two, I though it was too deep, too raw, and too personal for me to share. Of course, in hindsight, those were the things that I should have asked everyone I knew to pray about. The second thing that I have noticed is that the people who do share prayer requests often are asking for prayer for someone else. Now, I certainly do not want to minimize the importance of praying for family and friends, but I think this phenomenon may be related to phenomenon number 1.
Anyway, to make a long story, well, longer, because I'm not done yet, I've been thinking about starting some type of blogging prayer community. Nothing fancy and nothing too time intensive. I know we are all busy. I don't know if any of you have read the Yada Yada Prayer books, but I was thinking of something along those lines. Except that we won't meet face to face or visit each other's churches. So, on second thought, I guess it is nothing like that. Hmm. What I was envisioning was a message board of sorts where we could post prayer requests for one another. I would also want to incorporate some type of calendar function, or some way of recording when the prayers are answered. Obviously, I am still thinking all this through. However it would work out, I would want it to be somewhere safe. Somewhere where we can ask for prayer for the things we deem either too trivial or too deep. You know, where we can stop being the Goldilocks of prayer requests and start being real people. So, while I'm still thinking this through, I would appreciate any insight or feedback you could give me. For example, would you be interested in something like this? If not, is there something that you would be interested in? What are your biggest needs in the area of prayer, i.e. a prayer partner, a forum to make prayer requests, or whatever? And, what would be most beneficial to you?
You can leave a comment, or email me if you prefer. Either way, please let me know your thoughts. I have a hundred different ideas in my head, but I never know if they are practical. And, I have no idea if anyone would even be interested in such a thing. So, anyway, please let me know what you think. I love you!

13 comments:

Caroline said...

first thing heather.....i am sooooooooo sad that you did not get to leave on your little trip this weekend! booooooooooo for that! I hope that you feel better now. sounds like your body was telling you to STOP and just relax a little!

ok about the prayer community!!!!!! what a great idea. let me think on it for ideas ok! it would be cool if we signed up and then each week we had a different blog friend we focused on! That way it is not overwhelming.....oh i don't know...let me think.....but girl if he is laying this on your heart than do it!!!!!! love you!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the idea. I would love to be involved. Not too good at the planning though so have at it please!

Megan said...

Heather, I am so sad that you got a migraine this weekend. I know how horrible those can be! Did you take that medication we have been talking about? I am so so so sorry!
I think the prayer community is a great idea - I think Caroline has a great idea about having one blog friend we focus on each week - like a 'secret sister' or something like that, but not secret. Keep us posted, you have some good ideas!

Pam said...

So sorry the migraine messed up your weekend. They are the horrible and I have spent many a day in the bedroom the same way as you did.
I love the idea of a prayer group (love those Yada books too) I will be thinking and praying about it for you!

Kristen said...

Heather, I am so sorry you had a migraine! I had a pretty intense headache yesterday, but no nausea!! Bless your heart!
I think the prayer community is an awesome idea! I would definitely be up for participating!
Keep me posted!

Julia said...

I'm so sorry about your migraine...I'm very sympathetic. I promise that once I saw the chiropractor about them, he cured me!!! Your Sunday sounded fun though :) Long naps are the best! About the prayer community, I'd be willing to do that...very cool idea! Hope you have a great Monday!

Meredith said...

Heather--I hope you feel better. So sorry you didn't make it to your planned trip. I really like the ...well LOVE the idea of a prayer community. I mean I sometimes fall into that category you do as far as prayer requests. I think that the prayer community will help us bloggers reach out to one another even more. I confess, I am a little shy when it comes to certain things. Several people must be too, so this will help. I'll certainly pray about it too! Praying for you!

Megan L Hutchings said...

Heather ~ this is my first trip to your blog and I am loving it!!!! I am so sorry that you did not get to go out of town...grr!!! I am good friends with the monster you so sweetly described and he is so unpleasant!

I love your idea of a prayer community! I have a piece of paper in my wallet right now with all of my blogging friend's names on it and what I need to pray for for them. The community would rock!

Kelly said...

I'm so sorry about your migraine. UGH! I've never had one but I have heard they are horrible. I hope you are feeling better and I hope you get a make-up trip soon!!!!!!
The prayer idea is a good idea. I've never spoken up before for a prayer request for myself until we couldn't get pregnant. And it was so freeing to ask for prayer and well - I'm so thankful now that I had so many prayer warriors - because we will have a child to show for it! So I think it's so important to ask for prayer!

Leigh Ann said...

Oh, Heather, I'm so sorry you could not go on your getaway! Maybe you can reschedule soon???

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your idea of a prayer board. Count me in definitely!

petrii said...

Heather,
So sorry about your headache. Migraines are the worst ~~ YUK YUK YUK!!!

The prayer community website is a wonderful idea. I'm in sista'!!

Heather said...

Oh, Heather. I am so sorry about your migraine. I can sympathize so much. They are wretched and straight from the devil himself.
Hope you are feeling all better!
I love your prayer community idea!

Heidi Zawisza said...

Prayer.....hmmmm, I have to agree with you on the fact that "prayer requests" in public settings are less than let's say .....authentic.(not always.....but a lot)
I am not sure why that is.....but it is what it is. Therefore I love the idea of a prayer message board. For me at least it is easier to write my feelings, so it would stand to reason that I could communicate prayer concerns btter on paper as well.
Great idea!