I need to say thank you to those that are praying for me and my family. On Monday, a person that I have never met face-to-face sent very inspiring words of support. She prayed for a family that she had never met, and reached out to her friends on behalf of that same family. While the distance of a country separates us, the love of Christ unites us. We intend to visit New York one day, and we will visit Sara when we are there. I will take her cookies and a hug as a reward for helping a total stranger. Thank you, Sara - I ask that God will reward you for your servant's heart.

I went to my church on Monday to get a ladder to repair a security light that I should have fixed some months ago. It did not occur to me that they would probably be in a staff meeting, but I am very glad they were. My awesome friend Tim was leading the meeting. I was going to try to find someone else to help me instead of interrupting, but Tim came out to see what I needed. When I told him about everything, he asked if they could pray for me. I can honestly say that I felt numb at this point. My body was going through the motions of life before I walked into that room. My soul had been ransacked, and I could not feel the prayers that were going on for me and my family. I felt like I had been thrown to the ground, kicked, beaten, and bruised. They gathered in a circle and prayed for me, and the effect was entirely amazing. I struggled to hold back tears, and tried to give off the image of strength. My spirit lay in ruins, and my heart struggled to have enough strength to accept the love that was being sent my way. That prayer circle opened up the window to my soul, and started to let the breath of Christ clean up the mess. I loaded the ladder and left in tears. I broke down as I pulled out of the driveway, and sobbed as I drove home. My God has blessed me with such tremendous family in my church. My family and I are so very blessed. Thank you, LFA, for your heart. I pray that God blesses you with all that you hope for or desire.

Yesterday, my cousin called me as I left from work. I had a tremendous conversation with her on Sunday morning, and I am thankful that she lifted my spirits before I knew that I needed them to be lifted. We both dedicated ourselves to prayer for each other through the week. She called to strengthen me with her beautiful words of support. If you have never heard Jackie speak, you would not know what I mean by beautiful words. Her voice is soothing, and her presence is lovely. I am so very blessed to have her in my family. Dennis is her husband, and he is a rock of strength. He is the type of man that never shows fear or worry (at least to me.) Their kids (Josh and Emmaly - I hope I spelled it right) are close to my age, so I grew up watching Dennis and Jackie be new parents. I can remember that their household went through some terrible times, but they never appeared to be falling apart. They showed me strength, and that strength is what gets me through times like these. Their kids are amazing, and I need only to look at them to see examples of how Godly instruction manifests in Godly children. I love them, and they love me. To the Modisette family - may God give you his riches so that you always see His provision. May He bless you with the love that you bless others with.

Last night, Amy brought my family pizza for supper. She blessed us so much with her generosity, and I honestly do not have words that can express the gratitude that I would like to. The only words that I have are "Thank You." I realize that this is not an especially eloquent utterance, but realize that it comes from the deepest part of my soul. You and your family are a strong point for me and my family when the waves hit us. I believe that God placed you in Longview, and I thank him often for doing so. You and Tim helped to wipe the blood from our forehead, and clean the dirt from our wounds. I am so thankful that I have friends that are compassionate and dedicated. I do not deserve to have that, but I am glad that God gives me what I don't deserve. I pray that God will light your path, and make it holy. I pray this because your path often takes you to people that are hurting, and hurting people need a holy place. May God bless your hands to that you can feel him work through you. May God bless your eyes so that you can see the love of Christ play out in front of you. May He bless your mind so that you can fully comprehend His purpose for you. May you always be blessed.

To the strangers that came across this blog and said a quick prayer - Thank you. Know that I pray for you as you prayed for me. Know that where a few are gathered, they beckon the attention of God. May God bless you with the safety and security that you gave me.

I could go on and on with the list of those that prayed for me. My parents, my children, my co-workers - they all have blessed me with kind thoughts. My mom walked around the perimeter of my property on Sunday night. She prayed for me and my family, and she prayed over my property. She rebuked satan, and she prayed for restoration. Her words were such a blessing to me. I am amazed at how much she still teaches me when I am willing to listen. She didn't have such a great childhood, but she gave me the best that one could ask for. Her and my dad are what I hope I can be like one day. She came back on Monday, and annointed my home with her prayer once again. She reminds me of Peter and Paul in the bible. I wish that I could speak to satan the way that she does. She is the visual representation of strength and confidence. My dad called on Monday night to wish my wife a happy birthday. He is what love is. His heart is pure, and his dedication is absolute. He shows me what grace and mercy are all about. I love my parents. Mom and Dad - I don't have the words, but you know.

My wife has been the strong point through all of this, and we will get through it because of the power of "we." That "we" includes our union - My wife, My God, and me. I can no longer survive on my own, because God joined our spirits. She is the completion of my thoughts, the cultivator of my hopes, the caretaker of my dreams, and the celebratory shout in my life. She is also the crutch when I am broken, and the medicine when I am sick. She is my strength, and I will not go through things without her. God taught me love when He brought her to me.

We find little things each day that remind us of the intrusion into our lives, and every crack or creak in the night brings fear. Every time that I walk from my room to check on my kids, I feel that I am robbed again. My peace has been shattered, and it will take a while to pick up all of the pieces. Please continue to pray for me and my family as God heals and replaces what was taken. We are not able to stand on our own yet, but I simply could not let another day pass without thanking those that have thought of us. The word of God tells that we overcome by the grace and power of God, and by the word of our testimony.

My word of testimony is this: Thieves may take the material possessions that I have piled up, but they can never take the promise of salvation that I have in Jesus. Satan will fight me, and I will be tempted to give in. He does this because he knows that there will be a day when he cannot even lift his head from the earth. He will be pressed and suffocated by the presence of Almighty God, and God's presence will fill the void that he so desperately tried to create. Nothing on this earth happens without the expressed consent of God, and I do not need to understand the meaning behind what happens to me. I only need to understand that Jesus is my salvation. God is my heavenly father, and He will always be my champion. The Holy Spirit is my comfort, and in Him do I trust. Praise the name of Jesus! His name has the power to save and heal. He alone can restore what satan has taken, and his restoration is complete and absolute!

From the very bottom of the deepest part of my heart, Thank You.