So, if you have been following my blog, you know what to pray for. I decided to switch it up a bit this week since I feel a need to get my focus off my glaring requests and onto some thankfulness.

1. I am praising God today for a godly husband who is willing to do pretty much everything around here since I am unable to handle things as I normally do. He has been pretty incredible these last 9 days. 
2. I am praising God that Lydia’s cardiology appointment earlier this week was uneventful and that the doctor doesn’t want to see her for another year. Wow. We thought we’d be going every 6 months for a few years. 
3. I am praising God that it seems like Lydia’s hearing is restored! Just this last week, her vocabulary has grown a lot. She has been trying new words and mimicking so much more. (Anyone else find it a bit ironic that Lydia’s hearing is repaired just as my voice disappears?)
4. I am praising God for our church and the new pastor we just hired (starting November 1st, officially) and for the next phase of ministry we will get to be a part of there. 
5. I am praising God for the people He put around us to support us–the meals that have been made (one was just dropped off by Julie a couple hours ago without warning—love that), the prayers offered, the emails checking in with me. I am so thankful for these relationships.
6. I am praising God that He is present, that He is active. I am praising Him for claiming me as His own. I am praising Him for being at work all around me and in me. I am praising Him for speaking softly to me when I should be smacked pretty hard. And, I am praising Him for speaking louder when I need it. I am praising Him for giving me a “time out” of sorts and the freedom to stop and think.

Click here to learn more about Thursday’s Things to Pray For. Pray for me–or give praise with me, for these things I list. And, leave me a comment to let me know you did if you don’t mind. It would be a great encouragement. And, I invite you to do the same on your blog.

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All prayers for recovery things this week…

1. Praise that my surgery on Tuesday is done! Pray that it really is successful and that my voice is fully restored!
2. Pray for alleviation of pain and discomfort–I’m feeling a lot better today than yesterday. I even took a shower–so nice. 
3. Pray for me and the family as I am still on complete voice rest–not a peep from me. No talking, no whispering, no nothing. The older 3 kids are pretty understanding since they’ve been through this before with me. But, it’s still not easy. And, Lydia is totally confused by it. Pray that the frustration of not being able to communicate with them is eased. And, pray that when I can start trying to speak this weekend, that it isn’t difficult.
4. Praise God for Mark who is working very hard to care for all of us. Pray for energy and patience for him as he does it all.

Click here to learn more about Thursday’s Things to Pray For. Pray for me, for these things I list. And, leave me a comment to let me know you did if you don’t mind. It would be a great encouragement. And, I invite you to do the same on your blog–haven’t had too many takers on this in weeks past. But, I still feel compelled to invite you to.

<center><a href="http://www.raudenbushfamily.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae240/mkraudy/Prayerbutton.jpg" /></a></center>

Grab this button above and add it to your blog post. All you have to do is highlight the code in the box above and paste it into your Thursday’s Things to Pray For post in the “edit HTML” tab wherever you want the button to appear.

Then, add your link to the list below. Just click on your own Thursday’s Things to Pray For post and copy the web address. That’s a direct link to the specific post (not just your blog in general). Then, paste that url address below. I’ll be sure to come by and pray for your requests too.

1. Praise that Lydia’s ear tubes surgery on Monday went well. She did just great–as did I! Pray that the surgery was successful in restoring her hearing. We have not noticed any change in her behavior or reaction to noise. But, given her age, maybe no change would be noticed by us??? We won’t have a follow-up appointment and repeat hearing test for 1-2 months. 
2. Pray for me as my surgery on the 12th approaches. We have some logistical things that have got to come together tomorrow–lab work back, doctors reports faxed in, etc. Pray that we work that all out quickly so that there are no issues on Tuesday with all of that. Pray that the anticipation of the surgery would not be something that causes anxiety for either Mark or me this weekend.
3. Pray for me personally — for me to let go of some things I hold too tightly to so that I can enjoy each day and be an encouragement to my family.

Click here to learn more about Thursday’s Things to Pray For. Pray for me, for these things I list. And, leave me a comment to let me know you did if you don’t mind. It would be a great encouragement. And, I invite you to do the same on your blog–haven’t had too many takers on this in weeks past. But, I still feel compelled to invite you to.

<center><a href="http://www.raudenbushfamily.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae240/mkraudy/Prayerbutton.jpg" /></a></center>

Grab this button above and add it to your blog post. All you have to do is highlight the code in the box above and paste it into your Thursday’s Things to Pray For post in the “edit HTML” tab wherever you want the button to appear.

Then, add your link to the list below. Just click on your own Thursday’s Things to Pray For post and copy the web address. That’s a direct link to the specific post (not just your blog in general). Then, paste that url address below. I’ll be sure to come by and pray for your requests too.

1. Lydia is scheduled for her ear tubes on Monday at 7:30am. We’ll be leaving the house at 6:15am. Pray for all to go well logistically (waking her up and getting her there on an empty belly). And, pray for the procedure to be successful and for her hearing to be restored.
2. Lots going on this weekend. My sister and her husband and 3 kids are coming up tomorrow as our my mom and dad (who wisely decided to get a hotel room. Guess the thought of 7 kids and 6 adults sharing 1 and 1/2 bathrooms just scared them away. I don’t blame ’em. I think I may ask for the room myself.) Pray for the visit to be a fun one with low stress!
3. Pray for me personally — again, for peace and rest and for endurance to do what the Lord has called me to do and let go of the things He has not called me to do.

Click here to learn more about Thursday’s Things to Pray For. Pray for me, for these things I list. And, leave me a comment to let me know you did if you don’t mind. It would be a great encouragement. And, I invite you to do the same on your blog–haven’t had too many takers on this in weeks past. But, I still feel compelled to invite you to.

<center><a href="http://www.raudenbushfamily.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae240/mkraudy/Prayerbutton.jpg" /></a></center>

Grab this button above and add it to your blog post. All you have to do is highlight the code in the box above and paste it into your Thursday’s Things to Pray For post in the “edit HTML” tab wherever you want the button to appear.

Then, add your link to the list below. Just click on your own Thursday’s Things to Pray For post and copy the web address. That’s a direct link to the specific post (not just your blog in general). Then, paste that url address below. I’ll be sure to come by and pray for your requests too.