This afternoon I opened a long, hand-written letter (yes, people still write those) from a woman whose son saw our family, and has always wanted to marry and have a big family. It was thanking us for "giving him a tangible vision of what a family can be". "He wants it to be like yours," she wrote. How nice to hear this on a particularly frustrating day... Her son is 24 years old, and serving in Afghanistan. She said he often uses us as an example of what he wants for his family someday.

If you think of it, remember James Rushing in your prayers.



Also, pray for the family of Esther Elliot Longa, the sister of my sister in law's brother's wife, who reposed in the Lord yesterday. Yes, that is a mouthful, but their anguish is great. I didn't know Esther personally, but I have joined in prayer for her recovery and now am saddened by the mourning of her family.

Esther's newborn son, husband, sisters, parents, extended family, and many of our church who knew her will sing funeral hymns this Bright Week...remember your many blessings, reader.