How to be an Answer to Prayer

Question: “Emily, how are you doing?”

Usual answer: “I’m actually okay…”

Longer more complete answer:

My friend Kristen called to wish me Happy Birthday and ask about our usual birthday lunch date. We talked about Laura and how I’m having a hard time being away from her for any amount of time and somehow Linc came up and I told her that “yeah, I’ve been gone a lot and I’ve been pretty worried about him”. At first my niece was around but she went home, and Gabe is also around but he doesn’t help Linc with school. I told her I had just been thinking I needed to find someone to tutor him. “I’ll come over today, bring lunch for you and Laura, and help Lincoln get his school work done.” She came that day, and again two days later, and has come twice a week ever since. She wont let me pay her and she wont stop coming, and Linc LOVES IT and loves her!

A friend walked in the morning after a hard day with Laura in the hospital to hug me and see how she could help me. The cleaning ladies had just arrived and after talking for a minute she said “Do you need help cleaning up for the cleaning ladies” I said “yes, actually…” and she walked in the kitchen and washed a pile of dishes while I cleaned away everything else the boys had left all over the place.

Multiple friends stopped by and brought treats on my birthday. One stayed and chatted with me and gave advice on being a caregiver when someone you love has cancer. (She told me to find something creative to do for myself and here we are. Back on the ol’ Blog.)

A friend insisted on bringing dinner and when she brought it into the messy kitchen, she started helping me tidy up while letting me talk.

Laura’s friend offered to do my laundry but I wouldn’t let her. {But she was serious and would have really picked it up, like she has been doing for Laura, and brought it back folded. She was serious!}

A friend sent an Edible Arrangement from Utah, let me come stay at her house for four nights with twelve hours notice, cooked me delicious meals, watched Rom-Coms with me, and also calls regularly to check in.

A friend has made multiple batches of cookies and protein bites for Laura and I. Plus she brought me a bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs.

Two different friends called at the exact right time on different days when I need someone to let me sob to them over the phone. Other friends have called just to check on me and offer their love, support, and help.

My sisters who aren’t local regularly check on me.

Friends have reached out on-line to say they are thinking of me.

People I’ve never met, who follow my Book account on Instagram, have FASTED AND PRAYED FOR MY SISTER!!! (This one is very crazy and humbling to me.)

Several friends have brought dinner for my family. Delicious meals my boys have loved.

Several friends have brought treats, flowers, cards and chocolate.

A friend has been taking Lincoln for a weekly playdate.

People have given my kids rides to and from church activities and school.

A friend called at the exact time I needed her and took Gray to his orthopedic appointment to get a splint while I rushed to the hospital to be with Doug.

Seemingly millions of friends have prayed for me…

And people keep asking if I’m okay!

I’m probably not. 

But I’m doing a lot better than I have any right to be and I am so so so very grateful for the shower of tender mercies I’ve experienced in the last few weeks.

Thank you to all of you. I’m sure I’ve forgotten several kind things in my exhaustion and brain fog. But every single thing has been recorded in heaven and all of you kind people out there are getting straight in through the pearly gates. No questions asked!!

And don’t even get me started on the kind things being done for Laura. 

There is so much goodness in the world. And I am so so grateful!!