Good Morning Sweet Prayer Warriors,
In the past week we have received so many letters from Mark where he shares with us his frustrations, all of the “unwritten” rules he faces, his apologies, and things he wishes he had done different but there have been some pretty incredible things that he has shared as well. The Lord is doing an awesome work in Mark. He is depending on the Lord for his strength, his peace of mind and the direction for his life. He is reading the Purpose Driven Life with a bunk mate and they have committed to the 40 days of reading. In one of his letter he said, “I am so thirsty for my purpose that it is hard to read only one chapter per day.”
In a thirteen page letter we received from Mark, he said, “I wish that I would have never changed and fallen off track sooo much that I lost touch with myself, my Father Above and my family. Words, sorries and wishes can never bring back the time that we lost and I am so very thankful that I am no longer lost, have a great family that never forgot that even when I was out of reach and touch – I was still a part of them that they have always wanted back. Well, here I am. The Heavenly Father has taken everything away from me but my roots, and with his nurturing and love, He will bring new fertile growth to this tree and guide those once barren, dead, lost branches towards Him in the sky. And with those firmly planted roots, he will bring new life to the tree, restoring its blessings and providing the nutrition it needs to become fruit producing, so those in His kingdom can eat and enjoy the fruit He made. I hope that made sense, it came from my new found understanding of Christ and the heart – He told me what to write, like Moses I guess. He must really love me to let me start over with him.” Wow…those words must be divinely inspired because it is not something that Mark would have said months ago. Praise God!
God is absolutely amazing. After almost a month of calling to see if Mark’s visitor’s list was approved, we learned Friday that we would be able to visit with Mark over the weekend… so perfect…so like God to work this out…perfect because Sunday was his birthday We had a wonderful visit, he looked good and we talked for an hour. It was a two hour visit that we split with his wife, Andria and his daughter, Michelle.
Your cards and letters have meant so much to Mark and we thank you for taking the time to correspond with, encourage and pray for him. Please continue to lift him in prayer, God is doing great things.
Blessings,
MaryBeth & Larry
Prayer warriors,
Thank you for petitioning the Lord for Mark earlier this evening. I was concerned after Mark's phone call but he called again a few hours later and seemed better...Praise God! He will receive his antidepressant this evening so he should be able to get some sleep. We will be able to visit with him for twenty minutes tomorrow (Sat) and hopefully he will be more clear headed There is one more huge Praise...Mark said he has been reading the New Testament and is now reading in Romans. Please pray for God's word to come alive and to speak to him and resonate to the marrow of his bones. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalms 138:8
With love and gratitude,
MaryBeth
Hi,
I heard from Marybeth while I was at work today. The word is W.A.I.T.I.N.G.
While she was waiting, the Lord kept her busy tending to Grand daughter Michelle.(Mark’s daughter)
102 fever, just not wanting to be put down, even sleeping on top of Gram. She’s starting to feel better, but not
All the way back yet.
Prayer for “release of any information”, the Truth coming forth would be greatly appreciated. (Suspecting someone knows).
While we are waiting, let’s Praise the Name of Jesus, the ONE who knows already the outcome!
Thank you for continuing to Lift up your prayers for Mark.
Love Julie
I talked with Marybeth yesterday. And to sum up our conversation Mark is in all out rebellion. He is not co-operating with the counselors, and was ready to check himself out (Which he can do at any point).
They are also having problems with the counselors communicating with them. They haven't done the things they say they do: MRI's, brain scans, reviewing Mark's charts to "know" him, including Mark in the treatment plan, communicating progress or set backs, and the list goes on and on. Larry was on his way to Dallas to see what was going on.
I will try and get an update today, but in the mean time I ask that you include the treatment center, and the counselors, and Marybeth & Larry in your prayers! And thank you for your prayers are like incense rising to heaven and the lifting of your hands like the evening sacrifice! A sweet, sweet aroma ! Ps. 141: 2
Hi Everyone,
Wow...I am amazed at all the responses. God is so awesome! He's covered in prayer.
Sunday was a little emotional for us. Dennis went to visit Mark and said that Mark wanted to come home....he cried....and the short story is he was a mess. Shortly after Dennis left, Mark called Larry and said he wanted to come home...he then called Andria and later that night he called me. He said that they had only given him 1/2 abilify and a vitamin and if that was all they would do to help him, he could do it at home. He said that they didn't give him a patch or nicotine gum to help with not smoking....he was using any excuse in the book. It was hard to hear him so aggrevated yet depressed and asking to come home.
Monday came with a little encouraging news....Mark's counselor Josh called and said he met with Mark for about 45 minutes today and discussed short term medication and long term medication and that Mark seemed accepting of it and then when the meeting was over Josh said that Mark apologized and said he was sorry that they got off on the wrong foot and that he knew they were only trying to help him.
I want so bad to be jumping up and down and woohooing everything and everyone but I'm so skeptical.... I feel like it's too soon and he's just telling them what they want to hear.....but this is where I should be trusting God and seeing his hand in this...there are dozens of people praying for Mark!
Ok...onto a little funny...my 3am prayer time wasn't hard the first night but last night...now... that was a different story. I got up easily with the alarm and went right to the dining room to pray...Andria was asleep on the couch so I didn't turn on the light. I knelt by the chair and started to pray...I'm guessing I prayed for about 10 minutes...then the next thing I knew I had pain in both of my legs....pins and needles....and I looked up at the clock and it was 3:45.....hahahaha. *Note to self....turn on light and get a drink....wake up before you pray silly girl!
Thank you for all you are doing for Mark, Larry and me...I love you.
Acts 17:26b-27
and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
We have had a great response for covering Mark 24/7 in prayer! We are so humbled and full of gratitude!!
Thank you every one!! I haven't heard any news on Mark, so I am trusting the Lord to sustain him!!
Right now the prayer chart is over 50% full! In addition to those committed for certain times, 14 responsed they would pray, either all day or through out the day.
This I know, Jesus hears them all!! And intercedes to the Father on our behalf!!
May the Lord bless you all for blessing us with your prayers!
Good morning!
We had a grand response to the call to prayer for Mark. 133 time slots on the chart have been filled. There are 336 total to cover 24/7. 40 % of the way there in one day! Praise you Jesus!! Five responses said they would pray everyday throughout the day, one response the whole family would be fasting today! And my blogger friends are making a prayer button to go on my blog. Mary Moss has a post on Lord teach us to pray. Perfect timing! Thank you Mary. God sure knows how to bless us!
Marybeth responded saying she was overwhelmed by all your responses….God is Awesome. Mark called Andria last night. He just kept saying “this is just so hard”. But that is all she said.
I have started a blog for Mark, where I’ll keep you as updated as possible; as we aren’t sure we’ll actually receive updates. www.nextaddition.blogspot.com. You can sign up to follow if you would like.
There is also a picture of Mark on my blog http://www.nanajul.blogspot.com/ you can click on that will take you to “Next addition”.
Marybeth has been praying Acts 26:18 To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
I have been praying
Ps 142:7a Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.
Ps 28:9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever
Thank you for your prayers!! You all are AWESOME!
Love,
Julie
Use the code below
to place this button on your sidebar.
Click Here for Help