Prayer: Our Weapon of Warfare!

Hi friends!

It has been a while since I came here in a call for prayer for our friend, Wendy-Woo; but alas, here I am and Team Wendy-Woo needs you! We need your hope, your encouragement, and your PRAYERS!

I found myself in a sea of tears tonight as I looked back over the years this blog wrote to you from the bottom of my heart, and over and over again, I was reminded of the vastness of the faithfulness of God. How He walked and carried and loved Wendy through that darkness in her life; how He used the power and faith of each of your prayers as a mighty weapon of warfare against the enemy. And here I sit, asking for that same power to be unleashed for her in the name of Jesus Christ.

It has been more than three years since Wendy rang the bell at Siteman in celebration of cancer's defeat! THREE YEARS, more than 1,200 days since we stood crying, smiling, laughing and oh, so proud of this girl we love in a sea of orange Team Wendy-Woo t-shirts. Since that time, so much good has happened, so much life has been reclaimed, and we are first thankful for God's hand on Wendy's life. But I know you are wondering why we are all here now...

If you have seen Wendy over the past several months, you may have noticed a pretty significant deterioration in her health. She has suffered greatly from a severe depletion of energy resulting in chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, chills, loss of appetite, and brain fog (among many, many other things). These symptoms are robbing her of her endurance to do the things she loves to do- to serve and care for her family, to serve Christ as fully as she would love, and to help people find their dream homes! (You will still find her in KidZone every Sunday and Wednesday, and in front of the kitchen window for Wednesday supper each week, so where there's a will...there's a Wendy!)

Over the course of some months, she has seen her primary care physician multiple times, and unfortunately, there is no real clarity yet over why this is happening. We know there is depletion of iron, Vitamin D, and thyroid levels, but none are responding significantly to the treatment thus far. For months, there have been visits, labs, supplements, new medications, more labs, more labs (if you remember anything from the "old days", it's that labs for Wendy are NEVER simple- more blood, please!), and more referrals. This is where we find ourselves today, with a busy week of tests, labs and appointments ahead, and a longing for answers that is like the worst thirst a parched heart has ever felt.

So when you've asked "What's wrong with Wendy?" and she, Andy, Ashlyn, Nancy, I or anyone else says, "We don't know!"- it's not for lack of wanting! WE DON'T KNOW! That's where you come in. We need your weapons of warfare TODAY more than ever before- your prayers!

Thank you for locking arms as Team Wendy-Woo yet again. Your prayers mean more than I could express during this time. Of course, there is frustration, anxiety, uncertainty, and even anger; but, we will lean on one another and, more importantly, lean on our VERY CAPABLE Lord and Savior!

So what can you pray for, specifically:

• Tomorrow (Tuesday) - Wendy will begin prep for a colonoscopy that she has scheduled for Wednesday. If anyone has ever had to do this prep before, it is difficult and unpleasant to say the least. Imagine that same fate with sore, weak muscles, and subzero energy. Pray that Wendy is able to tolerate the prep, and have the energy to care for her body during the night. Pray for Andy as he walks with her during those overnight hours. 
• Wednesday- Wendy will have the colonoscopy. The GI Dr. who is seeing her to evaluate her candidacy for iron transfusions (to help with the anemia and chronic fatigue) is requesting this baseline evaluation. There is no immediate concern regarding the findings of this exam, with the exception that everyone is still trying to piece together the "why" that goes with the "what". Pray for Nancy as she cares for Wendy before and after this exam. Pray that Wendy is calm, and that the procedure is painless and uneventful.
• Thursday- Wendy has a re-check scheduled with her primary care physician. This is a pivotal appointment, and there are many "what next" questions to be answered. This is extremely trying for Andy, Wendy, Nancy, Hal and our entire family. If you have ever walked alongside someone with chronic illness, you understand that nothing is ever fast enough, clear enough, or good enough to satisfy the longing you have in your heart for the one you love so intensely to feel better. Pray that they would have clarity of mind and peace that surpasses all understanding. Pray that there are "next steps" toward clarity, health and healing. Pray for her healthcare providers, as well. 
• Peace and supernatural rest this week over their family. Everyone is carrying a heavier load right now, and more than ever, they need to feel the strength of God's loving arms around them. Let's pray BOLDLY and in FAITH together for Andy, Wendy, Ashlyn, Taylor, Luke, Nancy, Hal, and the rest of their family. 
• Finally, friends, just pray for the things I didn't say. The answers we don't have and the ones we don't want. The things that are just hard. The things that are just ugly. The things that are too scary to ponder. The things that are deeply personal. The things I don't even know about myself. You don't even have to know what they are. Because He does. Just say Jesus.

This week if you can, wear your TEAM WENDY-WOO SHIRT, which will remind you to pray often! Feel welcome to text encouragements over the coming days! Please understand that there may not always be an answer - right away, or ever. Just know your thoughts and prayers are appreciated!!

I know many of you are already wondering what else you can do... stay tuned to the blog for more opportunities to serve their family in the days and weeks ahead. Right now, the authority of your prayer is EVERYTHING. Together, let us charge the throne of grace, asking our Jehovah Rapha- the God who heals- for the fullness of His mercy to fall on Wendy tonight. Healing is in His hands.

I give thanks for each of you. Thank you for letting me come back here- to share with so many of you who love. Who worry. Who wondered. Who asked. Who hugged. Who cried. Who want more than anything to see the vibrancy of life restored in our sweet, strong, servant- hearted best friend- sister- wife -mom - daughter - child of God. Many blessings as we find ourselves waiting together in HOPE for our friend Wendy-Woo. In all things, we know He keeps us by His love. 

Blessings- K