A Wise Friend . . .

What a great time we had last night! I am so excited that our time of fellowship and prayer requests went so long. I really look forward to watching the second half of the video with you next week.

I can tell that next week is going to hit hard for me. I tend to have a lot of surface level friendships, but I have a hard time letting people in. I've been hurt in the past and sometimes it's just easier to put up a wall. The funny part for me is that my wall is almost invisible. I'd tell a complete stranger almost everything about me - I don't believe in secrets - I believe in who I am so very much of the time, I think even my surface level friends would have no idea that I'm not "letting them in". I'm excited to learn how I can put my guard down so bring on the conviction! =0)

Here are the prayer requests for the week:

Denise - please pray for John and Kelsey as they are not feeling well

Natalalija - please pray that she recovers from her cold quickly.

Tracie - Please pray for Gabriel, he is teething and his teeth seem to be bothering him a lot. She is looking for a church this week, please pray that things go well. Also, please pray for her husband Chris - he is significantly overweight and she is concerned that he will get sick like his mom due to his weight gain. Chris also has a side business and he is working a lot to get that up and running. Please pray that his side business would prosper so that he can quit his full time job. Please also pray for her sister, Trisha, who has recently started a business making cakes and decorating letters. She's had quite a few new customers, please pray that he business will continue to grow

Tiffani - she and mom are transferring their college credits to another college - please pray that everything goes well and that there's no issue with her financial aid.

Connie - please pray for strength for her daughter who is going through a separation from her husband. Please also pray for an improved financial situation for their family.

Crystal - praise report for my beautiful sister's positive attitude; just being around her last night was so encouraging to me. I also pray for a hedge of protection around her this week. I pray that people are loving and accepting of her as she looks for a church and also as she tries to launch her pampered chef business. please pray that we follow God when it comes to our family, church, and business. And ugh . . . I hate to ask for this or even admit it, but I am experiencing some overwhelming feelings of depression this afternoon. I KNOW that I will be able to do so, but I have an especially hard week coming up in two weeks and I don't even want to face it. It makes me physically sick to even think about trying to get out of it, but my attitude isn't even close to what it should be. Please pray for me.

Luisa - her brother-in-law's friend has eczema and the treatments are hurting her more than the actual eczema. Please pray that she is healed quickly and that they are able to discover if something like a food allergy is causing her issue.

Lynn - please pray for her friend Julio's salvation and also that he would be released from his addictions to alcohol and pornography

Kelly Jo - please continue to pray that the nightmares go away. They are lessening but they are still there. Please also pray for safe travel this week =0)

We are also planning to get together at the pool at my house on Sunday if any of you are interested in coming. Also, bible study will be on Tuesday for the next two weeks.

in His love,
crystal