Little Prayers with Big Faith

KIM UPDATE
After 6 long days in the hospital we finally got released yesterday! We weren't sure if they'd keep us longer because Kim fainted yesterday morning and they had to run a series of tests to make sure the pericardial fluid around her heart was not the cause of it. But they approved the release as long as we closely monitor her symptoms. If the fluid does not improve by Monday we may be looking at another surgery (pericardial window) - so please pray with us that this fluid issue would get resolved soon. That said, her 2nd round of chemo went great with no reactions to the Rituxan this time around. The kids were so happy to have mom home again and were crying when I had to go back on my word yesterday morning and tell them she was probably going to stay longer (that is what they told us initially). It makes us thankful for each day that we can be together.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LITTLE PRAYERS WITH BIG FAITH

Yesterday I shared one of the things that has really moved us this past month - the open and vulnerable sharing of your own lives and testimonies. But early this morning, I realized there is something else that trumps that. I happened to come across a clip of my all time favorite musical artist - Rich Mullins. He died many years ago (the same year I graduated college) but his music and his life has made a lasting impression on me. (If you have about 30-40 minutes watch the series of youtube clips (6 parts) called "Homeless Man: Rich Mullins" which is a moving tribute to his amazing life).

To get to the point, many of you have shared how your children are praying so faithfully for us - often times without even being asked and all throughout the day. So I was watching the clip embedded below and I was reminded of all these little children with BIG faith and I'm so grateful. They possess a faith that far exceeds many of us who are all grown-up and "spiritually mature". And I was reminded that God indeed "gladly bends just to hear them when they pray", because their prayers are so full of faith - faith that can move mountains.

So I guess this is just a simple "thank you" for all you parents out there that have shared our prayer requests with your little ones - who are bombarding heaven with their little prayers of great faith.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. -Mark 10:13-14

In His Grace,

Peter & Kim


NOTE: I just learned that little Madeline passed away 6 months after Rich Mullins did, and there is no doubt in my mind that both she and Rich are singing a chorus to Jesus and Madeline is enjoying sounds and wonders that we can only dream of on this side of heaven.

"Madeline fusses and Madeline laughs
The angel who watches says "Hey look at that"
There's your faith mountains will shake
Cuz God gladly bends just to hear Madeline when she prays

Madeline stretches and Madeline kicks
The angels in heaven say "Hey look at this"
There's your faith mountains will shake
Cuz God gladly bends just to hear Madeline when she prays

And the only angels that I've ever seen
Look like tears on the face of the sky
Though it sure breaks your heart to see heaven all streaked up
With sorrows like theirs still you know all the while
From where cobbles shine golden like emeralds shine green
From where gems stud the streets and the walls
God looks out a window at us just to see
If anything frail as a sparrow should fall

Madeline fusses and Madeline laughs
The angel who watches says "Hey look at that"
There's your faith (there's your faith)
mountains will shake (mountains will shake)
God gladly bends just to hear Madeline when she prays

God gladly bends just to hear Madeline when she prays"