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July 08, 2005
July 8, 8:30 AM
i am on my way back to atlanta in just a little while. when i spoke to gloria last night she told me that the rain had quit and early in the evening she and hadrienne were able to take asher downstairs in the hospital and out into the garden. it seems that ever day there is another "first," for asher. it is extremely difficult to miss even one of them. as i am sitting here writing this, though, thinking about "firsts" has reminded me of each new day itself, that God creates brand new and is always filled with "firsts" from Him for us to both witness as well as be a part of.
many years ago, when i first started the widows ministry, and soon after a widow's prayer ministry was formed, most of whom were african americans, i heard them open their prayers with thanksgiving for the day itself and the privilege of being a part of it: "thank you Lord for waking me up this morning and letting me see a day i have never seen before."
at first (a first that i missed initially), i must confess, that i completely missed the significance of greeting God in this way each morning. to me, since these were all older women, i just wrote off what they were saying as a nice, quaint, traditional african american way to start off a prayer. then it hit me one day, and i was in awe of how profound their words were. what hit me was that every day that God wakes us up (not the alarm, etc) is a brand new creation that is not like any other day that has been created before or will be after. sure, it seems like every other day; the sun comes up, we wake up, get out of bed, hopefully, eat breakfast, go to work or school etc. the reality, though, is that thinking of each day like this is not only to take the day and it's significance for granted, but also the one who created it. God not only creates each new day for us to witness and to be a part of, but to also bring Himself honor and glory in the process.
each brand new day is a day that God has called us to worship Him through by offering sacrifices through both word and deed: the praises of our lips and the deeds that we do unto others (Hebrews 13:15-16). just as i am filled with anticipation for the "firsts" that asher will miraculously be able to do each new day, i also want to be filled with a desire to fullfill those "firsts" that God is filled with great anticipation for me to do as i worship Him by setting myself aside and placing the needs of others ahead of my own selfish desires, and to be able to still offer Him thanks, for all things, in the process.
please continue to pray for asher's healing as well as for God to strengthen his body, restore his mind, and encourage his soul. i would also greatly appreciate your prayers for my trip back to atlanta today.
several things that i would like to give thanks for are the provisions of 2 cars. one for me to drive back and forth to atlanta in for the next several weeks, as well as a car that is being loaned to gloria and hadrienne that is more adequate for their needs while they are in atlanta.
i also want to give thanks for a house and dog sitter. last week when i came home for the skate benefit over the weekend i was contacted by someone who was interested in house sitting and taking care of our pets ( 4 dogs, a cat and 2 fish). we met later that day and very thankfully she decided that all of our animals, especially the dogs, would not be too overwhelming for her to take care of. please pray for her. her name is kayb carpenter and she is a new art professor up at covenant college. she just recently came back from china where she taught art for 2 years.
along these same lines i also want to express thanks beyond words to scott and amy noll who have so faithfully been taking care of our animals since may 24, the day after asher's accident. scott has also taken over helping out with the mission teams that we have been hosting throughout the summer, and he has done an amazing job.
also, we are very greatful to denise porter, joni harber and susan boroughs who have been cleaning our house every week (lost of dog hair with 4 dogs, and yes we are nuts). there have also been a number of men who have been cutting the 5 yards that gloria and i cut every week (we have parents that live on both sides of us now as well as neighbors that have had some grass cutting needs).
finally, i want to also give thanks to all of those who helped sponsor the skateboard benefit competition last week: Ezekiel Clothing, DNA distribution, Eastern Skateboard Supply, Red Bull, Crunk Juice, Krew Clothing,
Coca-Cola, Oakley, Greyfriars, Rib & Loin, McDonalds, Mr. T's, Mojo Burrito, Tennskate.com and, of course, Chattown Skate Park. hopefully no company or business has been left out.
Lord bless and continue to keep you all,
praising God for whom all blessings flow,
andy mendonsa
| By Andy Mendonsa | 08:45 AM
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Comments
may GOD richly reward all those who bless you--
with love in CHRIST forever.
Posted by: grace at July 9, 2005 11:43 AM
i am so, so relieved and happy to hear of ashers change in condition. my mother told me a few days ago over a pay phone that he was in a stage 2 coma, and was partially aware of his surroundings, and i was so happy. but when i searched this blog on google and under the url saw the words ASHER IS NO LONGER IN A COMA, i was blown away. i am so happy for all of you, and i am still praying and hopefull that his short term memory will come to him soon. i am also glad to hear he is in a place where he can get outside, and not have to always be cooped up. the people i am in italy with will be so happy to hear this news, and im sure my family has heard it by now.
devon
Posted by: devon kronenberg at July 9, 2005 12:18 PM
