Shopping sympathy, adoption, still medicating, reversal

Mama and Victoria went shopping in Wichita Falls for most of the day yesterday and by the time they got home her knee was bothering her pretty badly. She contemplated not going to church last night because of the pain. She went anyway. After all, if you can shop all day you can sit for an hour in a church service. Once we got there I would not let anyone give her any sympathy – but the ladies snuck behind my back and did any way.


We were both glad we were there. The pastor preached on prayer and the conditions under which we come to God in prayer; that our petitions are given to the Lord who hears every one. He then takes those requests to the Father, under certain conditions. 1) That they are asked in His name, 2) that they line up with his character, 3) that they line up with the Word of God, and 4) that they are Spirit directed.

Christ will ask nothing of the Father that goes against His character, as in asking to win the lottery or be successful at the casino. We are to pray about everything, but we cannot fail to realize that we are asking the Son to go to the Father on our behalf and in that capacity, He will not ask for those things that are contrary to the Word or will of God, to be consumed on our lusts and often times, just plain silly. It was a good message and very timely for Mama.

On the way home I brought up the subject of supporting one or more of the children in the orphanages run by the Murillo family in Guadalajara. I suggested that the effort be something dedicated to that purpose alone. I do not have any ideas on a separate task to earn the money but I think it should be out of our routine so that there is a specific focus on the child and the ministry.

I suggested that I could work the first hour of every Monday with the gift of supporting that child in mind. For Mama and Victoria it could be selling eggs or doing some craft or baby sitting, anything that would keep the reason for the gift in the forefront of our minds.

The focus then shifted to adoption. Victoria has stated several times that she would like to adopt. I asked her to consider very carefully. In essence, she would be a single mom. Granted, she is near Mama and Grandma right now, but who knows how things will be in the future. Taking on a lifetime commitment for which you are ultimately, and often solely, responsible is a little daunting. I think the way I put it sobered her a little on the idea.

It did not change Mama’s resolve in the least. She is still pursuing the idea of adopting; possibly an older child. That could be an interesting augmentation to our simple life.

Please continue to pray for our herd. The weather is warming up slightly and that will be helpful to the continued healing of the two or three that are still struggling to get well. One of those still a little snotty is a heifer. Since we have big plans for her it would be very upsetting to lose her, but we will take that as it comes. For now we are continuing to doctor her and her cousins – hoping for a full recovery.

Becky texted me last night to say that Charles had reconsidered. My guess is that he found out that a divorce is not free and based on the effort and expense required to follow through with his threat, slammed his attitude into reverse. Seeking for wisdom in how to pray for their situation will require more effort on my part than I have applied heretofore.

Other than for his salvation, I am not exactly sure how to pray.