Encouragement from friends and family

We are so thankful for all of the prayers for our family right now. We know how blessed we are to have families that are believers and understand the power of prayer. We are also so amazed by the prayer warriors we have in our church family and friends. We know how much we are loved and we hope that you all know how much we appreciate everyone of you. Keep the prayers up! God is the great physician and He is the great comforter. Right now, that is what Stephen and I need. Today, we got some comfort and encouragement from a good friend from church. One of the girls in the youth group, Emily, came over with her family today to pray with us. After having gone through a similar experience in their family, she felt a special burden to encourage us. She stayed up late last night, typing up some verses from the Bible that were encouraging to her in her experience. She read some of them aloud to us. One of them, though both Stephen and I have memorized, was especially meaningful today was Jeremiah 29:11-13:

"'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."