Wednesday, December 31, 2008

On The Nightstand...

I have been tagged by DeeDee from Come Taste And See, on this, the last day of 2008. My first tag ever on my less than one month old blog. Okay, here goes.

The Rules!!
* Grab the NEAREST book.
* Open the book to page 56.
* Find the FIFTH sentence.
* Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your blog along with these instructions.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one; pick the CLOSEST.
* Tag five other people to do the same.

MY BOOK: Copeland Fair

Page 56: "I know you all are praying fiercely and I continue to ask you to lift us up. I pray constantly that the Lord would stir in your hearts and remind you of Copeland, which I know He is faithful to do. God has pressed upon my heart that if I will pray specifically, He will be quick to hear and answer. Before the last post, as I wept over her outside, I prayed He would fill her lungs with oxygen and cause her to breathe by whatever means necessary-I asked Him to make her cry. When we came inside, she was bundled, resting peacefully in my arms, and suddenly started screaming. [ I know He responded immediately to my prayers. I know He heard my words and mercifully answered the ache in this mother's heart. "] (This is a post on her blog dated Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 8:00 pm.) This book is right beside me at all times on my computer desk, and 25 inches closer than my Bible.

I could not leave the last two sentences out, it would not be right. This book was written by a dear friend I met here and had the honor of praying for her sweet daughter Copeland Fair, born with Trisomy 18. Boothe blogged her daily ups and downs as her baby fought like a princess warrior with the Lords help from her birth into her mommy and daddys arms on September 18 until the day she went to Jesus' arms, September 26, 2007. Boothe wrote a precious book and took the posts right from her blog she kept updated moment by moment. It was a truly spiritual and emotional time for them and for all of us who followed. I found myself holding my breath for those eight wonderful and heartbreaking days. My faith was stretched, I questioned God, I begged Him for a miracle healing, and I begged Him to keep her parents hearts protected from shattering. And I cried as my heart broke when I read of her passing on to heaven. I know that heaven is a wonderful place of no more tears, healing, freedom, sitting at Jesus' feet. And I look forward to being there when my days are over here on earth. But my heart broke for the ones who were left with empty arms and wanting their baby back!

I have witnessed this over and over as have prayed for so many babies whose lives were cut short here on this earth and are in heaven now. And I never get tired of walking along side of these families in prayer and encouragement; it is what I need to do and it is all I can do. The rest is up to God and His Plan, and I trust Him. It doesn't stop the hurting and it doesn't stop me from knowing He performs miracles every day, and I pray for the best each time. And I have witnessed His miracles.

Well I guess my "Tag" has kind of turned into my post for this New Years Eve. I have the grandkids doing a sleepover tonight so it will be fun. Tomorrow is the first day of a new year, and life goes on and people are still hurting and need prayer. I don't make resolutions, but I know I will continue to do what I do and pray for my friends. And of course live life to the fullest and continue to be grateful for all that I am blessed with. Blessings to you tonight and in the new year ahead. YOU are LOVED by ME.

Love and Many Hugs, Laurie

Oh, I almost forgot to tag five people. Kelli, Pam, Kristy in Oregon, Kristy Bolte, and Rachel. Anyone else is more than welcome to join in too. Some people don't like to be tagged and it's okay. I am new with my blog so I am game!

Okay, Bye!!

9 comments:

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Laurie, what a wonderful and inspiring post. And what a great book! It is so neat that you know the person who wrote this.
I am sending you much love and hoping for you to be blessed mightily in this coming year.
Love Nita

her said...

Laurie, I have not had time to read your testimony of sorts b/c we are building a new set/stage for our KidsQuest at church this week...but I will read nd comment soon.

I need to get that book about Copeland...b/c I also was one of the many bloggers who wrote to encourage and cried w/Brooke over her love and loss!!! You know her?
WOW! When I hear and know of these stories, I remember that God never allows us to take on anything that we can't handle. So she along w/Stephanie (my friends daughter) is just 2 of my heroes as I walk this life.

If you can put up some pics of you and the grands!!! Hope you have a wonderful New Years Eve w/them!

Joy, DeeDee

Linds said...

Laurie, I also prayed and read through the short life of little Copeland, and I still read Boothe's blog. I know just what you mean. I never tire of lifting people up to God in prayer.
What a perfect post for the end of one year and the start of another.

Happy New Year to you!

Rach said...

Hm, I'll see what I can do. :o)

Kristy said...

Tee hee - I know I'm supposed to do this on my blog, but I'm gonna break the rules a bit......

1/4 tsp. pepper

"Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook"

Ha!

Stephanie said...

Hey laurie!

You are amazing! Thank you for your continued encouragement. What a gift you have! I pray 2009 brings you great blessings. I am praying for a great year, too. I am on a post Christmas get away with Jason's family at the beach. We'll talk soon after we return!
Love and appreciation,
Steph

Dawn said...

Kristen was told that the twins' lives were in danger - one would have a chromosomal abnormality, the other was too small to survive. They will be a year on the 7th - absolutely perfectly wonderful amazing little girls, doing everything year-olds do except walking - but soon! I feel for those who don't have this result, and am in awe of those who handle it so well when they are given this huge challenge.

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

Laurie, I haven't forgotten about this, I am trying to get it done this weekend. Thanks for thinking of me, it will be fun.

Love you, Pam

Josh Bradley said...

www.trisomy18hope.org