Prayer

Yesterday I received a package in the mail for me and Mary Graham. Opening it I found two beautifully hand woven shawls, a blue one for me and a yellow one for MG. I cried when I saw them. Also was a card from a sweet couple, The Millers (very good friends of the Sheppards). The Millers are from Texas and their church has been praying daily for Mary Graham and our family since this journey began. I have received numerous cards from them and have been so moved by their love and support....they are overflowing with the love of Christ. The shawls were made by members of their church in Texas and this is what was said about them....

The person who created your shawl prayed for you while knitting. That person may or may not have known your name or your circumstances, but every stitch was combined with prayer specifically for you. Whether in times of distress or moments of joy, let your prayer shawl be a reminder that God loves you. Remember when it rests on your shoulders that you are covered in prayer.

I have felt covered in prayer. Thank you to the church family at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church for taking the time to make these shawls and for praying for all of us, especially Mary Graham. These will be such a source of comfort and peace, especially when we are traveling and have long stays in the hospital. Thank you for the reminder of God's love through his people....the dedication and faithfulness of your prayers means more than you know.

God continues to use his people to bless us over and over. A precious friend, Kristin Prickett (who started a prayer pager ministry after losing her baby girl, Olivia, to SIDS over a year ago) gave me a prayer pager several months ago. When the pager number is called and we hear it go off someone, somewhere is praying for MG, and we don't even know who. My kids love it and every time it beeps they say, "someone's praying for Mary Graham."

MG is doing really well, getting better and stronger....your prayers and God's peace are carrying us through each day. We are so very grateful.

Mary Graham and her prayer shawl