My 29 year old sister died suddenly today. <P>She leaves a fatherless three year old son.<P>At present he is in the custody of my 71 year old mother.<P>Please pray for wisdom for our family.<P>My husband and I have considered taking him in, but this child's father lives near us and is an abusive drug user.<P>Thanks in advance for your prayers,<P>lizzie

Dear Lizzie,<BR>What a shock to read your post!<BR>May God give you strength to see you through this devastating loss. May He give you the wisdom you will need to make this life altering decision that lies ahead for you and yours.May all of us here at POAPW pray for your family to rest in our Lord.<BR>I'm so sorry for your loss.My arms are around you.<BR>Please keep us updated.<BR>Love and continuous prayers to you,<BR>Joynicole

Oh, Lizzie! I am so sorry! Please give my condolences to your family.<P>You know you have my prayers, you didn't even have to ask. <P>(((((HUGS)))))<P>Mitzi

P.S. Yuck- I don't like the way that "sounded"on my post to you: "Please keep us updated"- what I meant, Pearl,was to let us know how you are doing, when you are up to it.<BR>The Lord be with you.<BR>Jn

Lizzie, I am so very very sorry, my heart breaks for you and your family. Of course I will pray for you and your family. <P>Dear Father in Heaven, I am asking for Your comfort for Lizzie and her family. Please be with each family member during this time of sorrow. Help them to get through each day, each hour, knowing your loving arms are wrapped around each one. Lord, please guide Lizzie and her family in making the right decision for the care of her sister's son. Please carry each family member through this troubled time. In Jesus' Name I Pray, AMEN.

Lizzie,<BR>I'm so sorry for the loss to you and your family. I will be praying.

Thank you all. <P>My sister had multiple birth defects that had left her mostly housebound for the last few years. We aren't sure, but she may have had a stroke, or a bad reaction to interferon, which she was being treated with to diminish internal tumors.<P>A few years ago, she and my mom lived down here in the South near me. For a year my sister was able to maintain her own apartment. Along the way she befriended this guy who moved in and helped her with the bills. <P>Because of her deformities, she was very flattered to be approached sexually. Unfortunately, they had decided that the relationship wasn't working about six weeks before she discovered she was almost 5 months pregnant.<P>My nephew is an adorable, extremely active three year old. My parents are divorced, but have been sharing the work of raising him. The problem is, they are both 71 years old! Very healthy, but both recently retired.<P><BR>More later,<BR>lizzie<P>[This message has been edited by POGP (edited February 24, 2000).]<p>[This message has been edited by POGP (edited February 24, 2000).]

I am so sorry to hear about your sister. I know how hard this can be on a family. Father, place your arms around this family and comfort them. Guide them and give them the wisdom and strength they need to care for this precious little boy. Provide them what they need to get through this. Let them rest in your promises and have faith. Amen May God bless you and your family. Hugs, J

Dear Heavenly Father,<P>Please be with Lizzie's family as they suffer the loss of Liz's sister. Comfort them and keep them close to you. Lord, God, I also lift up the 3 year old to you, and ask you to minister to him, and to make a way for where you want him to be as he grows up. Give Liz's parents added strength, and energy, and restore their youth to them at this time. <P>Be with Liz and her husband, and especially her husband, that he will support the family, and give a special place in his heart for this little 3 year old. Create a bond there, that is unbreakable.<P>In Jesus Name,<BR>Amen

Hi, Im Chrissie, and I was very touched by your story, and I do know that God is with you. Sometimes we tend to let life get in the way of our ability to do the right things. I am sure if you pray about this, God will instruct your heart to make the right decision. <BR>You seem to me to be a good christian woman, do what Jesus would do in this situation. and do it unselfishly. Your rewards will be a blessing far greater than you could ever imagine... please read these scriptures... God be with you..<BR>Yours in Christ<BR>Chrissie<BR> <BR>Mark 9:37<BR>Matthew 19:14<BR>James 2: 14-26

I pray God's love and comfort to you and your family and that God's will for this young spirit's best interest and life will be revealed.<P>{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Liz}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Hi. We have scheduled our travel for the memorial service, we leave here for Massachusetts Friday morning and return on Monday.<P>Please pray that it all goes smoothly, especially that everyone will treat my husband well. I hadn't told my older sister about the nature of our problems, but when we talked this past week she said she had figured him out two years ago but wasn't sure enough to bring it up! ARGGH. <P>On the phone, they all seem like they will be fine with him since he is trying so hard and treating me very well.<P>My mom is determined to keep my little nephew for now, and we won't argue with her about it right now. With the loss of his mother, it is best that he not have any other radical changes right now. His mother had said that she wanted us as his guardians, but she never filled out the papers that I bought and brought to her.<P>I don't know when I'll post again. I am behind in my coursework and I don't even give a rip.<P>Yesterday my h. said "Time to plant flowers, and the whole family is going to do it together!" So sweet, since he knew it would lift my spirits. The yard will be pretty in just two weeks when everything blooms. Yes, I am in the Deep South!<P>Blessings,<BR>Lizzie\pearl<P>

I'll pray for you Liz! It'll keep my mind occupied outwardly.. I'm sorry about the new twist in your path, but as always Jesus was there around the bend before the bend occured, knows the end before the begining.. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge the Lord in all of your ways, and He will make your paths straight! AMEN<P>Lean on His Everlasting Arms, They are Strong for us in our weakness...<P><P>------------------<BR>Jesus is the only answer!<BR>His blessings, Cozy

Thank you all for being there to pray for us. We leave in the morning tomorrow and return Monday night. <P>Please pray that my family will be gracious and loving to my husband, who is trying so hard. I really am only concerned about my older sister, who can be very cutting with comments made under her breath, yet my dad or mom might slip up under the additional emotional load of the memorial and all...<P>thanks, <BR>lizzie

Hi. <P>I'm back home. Thanks for your prayers. The weekend went well, and the memorial service was very special. I saw many relatives and some old friends I hadn't seen in twenty years.<P>Thank you for praying that everyone would be gracious to my h. They were all very loving and no one mentioned the affair or even our marriage...which of course, would have been inappropriate anyway.<P>I am struggling with a fearful and dark heart, expecting more bad things to happen, as this has been a year of difficulty and sadness. Please pray that I learn to live in and enjoy the moments He gives, rather than looking for more trouble around the corner.<P>I will probably just lurk for a bit...I am tapped out of wisdom right now...<P>love to all,<BR>lizzie<P>------------------<BR><BR>"I have found the Pearl of Great Price"<BR>

Lizzie,<P>Glad you are back and things went well. You have been in my thoughts especially over the wknd.<P>I know you have heard this verse but I want to remind you of it, "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind". The only one who wants you fearful of the future is the enemy.<P>Its time for you to just rest in the Lord for awhile and let God "renew your strength". It seems like there is an epidemic going around of suffering saints. I can't remember a time where more of the people I care about were in tough circumstances. But then God says He never gives us more then we can handle.<P>Lord, give Lizzie Your peace which passes all understanding. Help her to keep her focus on You and not circumstances. Lift her spirits and allow her to experience Your joy in spite of the events in her life. Thank You that she has her husband to support her in the loss of her sister. Also for the answer to prayer in that her family was accepting of her husband during their visit. Shelter them all from the storms of life and give them comfort in Your presence. IJN

Father,<BR>I lift up lizie to You. She is weary and tired, Father. Reassure her through You Holy Spirit that You are there holding her up. Bring her clozer to You and refresh her with Your spirit. Father we ask that you cover her nephew with your love and for his grandparents that are caring for him. Give him an extra sweet spirit and flood him with Your love. Give her parents the wisdom to ask for help if he becomes too much for them to handle. Lord, if it is Your will bring him to Lizzie and her husband for raising. Keep lizzie in our prayers and give her peace, comfort and hope in You. Amen<P>I was saddened to hear of your loss. I don't know where I was a couple of weeks ago. You were in our prayers last night and you will stay there. Look forward to having you join us when you are ready.