Pray for Carrie and Kate

Carrie and Kate... two sweet friends who I love and am praying for fervently! Today, I am asking you to join in praying for them with me.

First, Carrie Chavers. Carrie and her husband Jason are in our Sunday school class. We have a weekly game night with our class and have really enjoyed getting to know them over the past 6 months. Last summer, Carrie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and underwent surgery to remove all of it. It was successfully removed and she had a clean check-up in October. Just last week, she had another scan and the cancer has returned. They are not able to do surgery again, so she will start IV chemotherapy this Friday. PLEASE be in constant prayer for her and Jason.
Here is a picture so you can put a face with the name you are praying for. Pray for peace that passes all understanding that only our Lord can give... pray for spiritual, mental, and emotional strength... pray for wisdom for all the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who will be working with Carrie... pray the Lord will heal Carrie's body... above all else- pray for God to be glorified! You can keep up to date with them through Jason's blog. Please join me in praying for Carrie. Here are just a few verses the Lord has brought to mind as I've been praying for them:

• James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
• Lamentations 3:22-23 - Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
• James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
• Isaiah 40:30-31 - Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• Philippians 4:6-8 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Now... I will introduce you to Kate McRae. I was first introduced to Kate last summer when she was first diagnosed with a brain tumor. (And by introduced, I mean that I found her story online. I have never met her in person.) I have been following her story daily since then. She has been through surgery to remove part of the tumor, IV and oral chemotherapy, and now she about to undergo an autologous stem cell transplant tomorrow. Part of the tumor still remains after all of this, but doing surgery again increases the chance for tons of long-term complications. Kate is only 6 years old and is having to learn lots of grown-up lessons at such a young age. They are from the Phoenix area where her Dad is a pastor. She also has an older sister, Olivia, and a younger brother, Will. This families' faith has taught me so much over the last several months. I encourage you to visit PrayForKate and follow her blog. Her parents, Holly and Aaron, are very transparent on their blog and really show what it is like to be going through such a difficult journey with their little Kate. One of my favorite stories that Holly told was about little brother Will (he's about 4) who prayed one night- "God, take the tumor and break it all into pieces and throw it into the toilet and flush the toilet! Amen." - How pure is a child-like faith. It reminds me of when people were bringing the little children to Jesus and the disciples told them to stop. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Matthew 10:13-14) I can imagine the Lord saying these words as Will said his prayer that night. As you can tell, I feel as though I know this family quite well even though I have never met them. So, all that being said... I ask for you to pray for Kate as she begins this next stage of her treatment. Here are a few pictures of Kate and her family.

Will, Kate, and Olivia before Kate's diagnosis

Kate and her beloved goldendoodle, Patrick.
(photo credit: ohsoposhphotography)

Beautiful Kate
(photo credit: ohsoposhphotography)

The McRae Family... Will, Holly, Kate, Aaron, and Olivia
(photo credit: ohsoposhphotography)

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.