Yesterday (Sunday) all five of us sat shoulder to shoulder at our church. What a great day! When our pastor welcomed Andrew back to church after such a long absence, many stood and clapped for him. That blessed us so much. I leaned into Andrew and whispered in his ear, "People love you, baby." Then our pastor directed his father (one of my favorite people) to anoint Andrew with oil and pray the prayer of faith (James 5:14-15). Praise was lifted, the Word went forth, the Body of Christ loved on us and our family was blessed!
I wanted a picture of the five of us back in church together but our oldest son was ready to go and already in the van and our daughter had driven herself and had already left for home. Oh well. Some things never change! A family picture of any type is always a challenge.
Last night as bed time neared, Andrew and I were talking and I said, "Wasn't it great to be in church this morning?"
His reply: "I was excited!" And then he added, "I enjoyed Pastor Randy's message."
The message was the first in a new series our pastor is preaching entitled, All Things Have Become New from 2nd Corinthians 5:17.
What a fitting theme for our family. ALL things have become new, indeed!
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Melanie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely picture!! Continuing to pray for Andrew and your family.
Have a Blessed day,
Dawn
I love that picture! How special. What a wonderful feeling that must have been to be surrounded not only by God's presence, but by fellow believers. I was just thinking and praying for your family this morning so I was so happy to see such wonderful post. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing Andrew at church, praise God. My prayers very much remain with you. I love you sis.
ReplyDeleteOh what a beautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteThank you FATHER for the many blessings you give us.
Melanie, I am praying without ceasing. (HUGS)
Sandra
Aww Melanie, My heart rejoices with all of you! What a great picture, also. Andrew looks soooo good! I love the part about the anointing and the praise rising up in the congregation! Alleluia!
ReplyDeleteOh Praise God...I love when my whole family gets together for church. It is soo rare anymore as they are all adults and have their own churches. But on Mother's Day they come and go with me as that is what I ask for on the day. It's a wonderful feeling. Continuing to pray, Debbie
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome day and what a reason to rejoice! Praising God right along with you as I continue to pray. Glad yesterday was so very special.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tracy
Praise God for healing! What a beautiful picture of the three of you! I can't get enough of Andrew's smile.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing this wonderful picture! I know you were blessed being in your own church, surrounded by your brothers & sisters who love you, & joining them in prayer for Andrew (who is looking SO good!) Still praying for all of you!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a praise!! We are continuing to pray for all of you! Thanks so much for posting that wonderful picture.
ReplyDeleteHugs
susan
Amen and Amen!
ReplyDeleteA JOY to see Andrew and you both with him in the photo.
GOD IS FAITHFUL!
It's so wonderful to see that big, beautiful smile of Andrew's! Continuing to pray for Andrew, and you all! ~hugs, Rhonda
ReplyDeleteHallelujah! What a beautiful picture of the three of you. Andrew looks so handsome.
ReplyDeleteI celebrate this joy with you, Melanie!
Wonderful picture Melanie. I know how wonderful it is to have the whole family together. Glad you had a blessed filled day at church. Andrew looks good....I KNOW sometimes we don't feel quite as good as we look...but he does look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteA GREAT BIG AMEN!!!
ReplyDeletePraising GOD with you!
Andrea
Thank you Jesus! You are ALWAYS faithful. I continue to pray for Andrew and the rest of the family.
ReplyDeleteAndrew looks so good! The photo is great of all 3 of you. Still praying for all of you. laurie
ReplyDeleteMy heart is warmed by the moment. Thank you Jesus for what you are doing in Andrew's life. Love you, B
ReplyDeleteLove this picture. Thankful for your church body and the power of prayer together. I also am excited about the "new" I see in your family. What a blessing you are to me. Thank you for sharing your life and your family online.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers,
Tiffany
Amen Melanie! What a blessing! You all look so wonderful there together! May the Lord continue to show his healing on Andrew! God Bless!
ReplyDeleteI will bless the Lord at all times! His praise shall continually be in my mouth! Thank you for this post! Martha
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ReplyDelete**Deleted my previous comment, as I put years instead of days. That would have been amazing!**
ReplyDeleteI grinned about your comment on the family picture. The first picture I have of my first born daughter, she is 3 days old. I was so much enjoying the moment, I forget to take photos. And not much has changed in 10 years! After the event, I always think I should have taken photos. But I love living the moment.
I'm so glad you lived that moment together and were blessed! May the blessings continue to come!
God is good! Great picture. So thankful that you all were able to be in church together again!
ReplyDeleteANSWERED PRAYER!!!
What a beautiful picture!!! Yaay for that SMILING boy!! Yaaay for our Awesome God!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust praising God with you Melanie and praying, still standing strong in prayer.
love you!!
And Kelly, I'm so with you on the pictures...my albums may be empty but my heart is sure full!! ;)
Oh, Melanie, I love that picture. I'm so glad you all could go to church. The applause and prayer for Andrew was wonderful I know.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful family picture even if they aren't all there. Andrew is and he looks so good! Continuing to pray for complete healing! I believe God has a plan for his life!
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord!!! Thank you Lord for the work you're doing in Andrew's life...the healing...the restoration. Praise the Lord. I love that picture of the three of you...it's hard to believe by looking at this image that you've been out in a storm. I'm glad you're under His wings.
ReplyDeleteAwww, that's so wonderful! Andrew looks so happy to be there.
ReplyDeleteI am so blessed to see this picture of you, Andrew and hubby, Melanie! Andrew is beautiful..what an amazing young man he is! Our wonderful Lord has heard your mother's heart crying out for His help...He has not failed you...His loving arms are holding your family tightly. You are an encouragement to any and all that might be facing storms in their life...God has purpose for everything!
ReplyDeleteLove to all of you!
Mary
A good Sunday message and Tony Hawk all in one weekend! God is surely something...
ReplyDeleteBlessings and peace and prayers for you all this week~elaine
Oh Mel----
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see this picture and to thank God for His faithfulness to you and Andrew.
I've been away on a missions trip to Mexico and then unraveling once I got back.
I am so glad to return and find this good news. Before I left I was praying mostly for you and your husband with all the adjustment to the "out of routine" of life that was becoming your normal. Doctors and traveling to strange places..... ups and downs of each day. But God has seen you through and you hung on to HIM for all it was worth.
I've been clinging to a short passage because of my own health issues: 1 Sam. 7:12
"Thus far the LORD has helped me [us]." [It's the Ebenezer standing stone passage]... a very powerful one when you are clinging to the garment of Jesus for healing!
Praise to God who has been good to you!
Love and prayers,Stephanie
[JESUS - the One I Wait For]
Giving the Lord the Highest Praise, continuously lifting Andrew before Father. Thanks for sharing your joy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing for you to be in church together again! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWHOOPEE!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear Andrew made it to church. He looks wonderful!
God is so amazing!
ove seeing Andrew at church, praise God. My prayers very much remain with you. I love you sis. Work from home India
ReplyDeleteThinking and praying for Andrew and your family. B
ReplyDeleteI've been off line for a few days, so decided to check in on Andrew. What a gift, the picture and post! Good to see you all looking so well and happy to hear you enjoyed your Sunday as a family in church together! So Awesome! Thank you, God. And thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture. Andrew looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou all are a beautiful family and an encouragement to us all. Still praying for all of you. I know that must have been a wonderful Sunday for you. Jackie
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