Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Needing a "Little" Bit of Prayer

It is time all tens of you know... I love me some FB.  I know it is probably not the most popular social media thingy, but it is my thingy, and I love that I can connect with family I do not see often, people I used to work with, people I went to school with, even friends I once knew when I lived in West Monroe (wayyyyy back in the day, like kindergarten)!  I love staying connected and seeing what is happening with people:  I can see their children, look at cute pictures of their pets, and even check out what they are eating for dinner (ha)!
One of the things that I love most about social media is if I am having a rough day, struggling in the trenches of mommyhood, or feeling sad,  I know that if I were to share my feelings in a simple post I would have at least 5 people respond in just a few minutes that they will be praying for me.  Now I know some people just say, "oh yea, I will pray for you" and they just go on about their day, but I have friends that will REALLY do it, like stop everything that they are doing and lift me up in prayer.  I sometimes do not even have to give them a reason of why I need it, but they will do it.  Some will even call me to pray, or even send a text to let me know that they thinking of me.  I immediately feel so much better about the situation.
It is an amazing cycle, because I can be that friend for someone else.  If they needed me to do the same... consider it done, and I will keep praying until well, whenever.
I pray over my friends that have lost family members, lift people up that are struggling with work or finances, friends that are having problems with family members, even car trouble, whatever.  It is the least I can do.
Tonight, I just thought I would ask for a "little" a lotta prayer for my friend Lora Little.
This is my friend...
Isn't she cute?  Back off people, she is taken!
This is Lora, and I have known her since we were in junior high, possibly longer.  I'm just gonna go ahead and say it... she was kind of a super genius and I was so not in her league!  She was in all things AP and I was in all things NOT AP!  I remember her to always be kind, quiet, smart, and beautiful.  Thankfully, because of social media, I have been able to connect with her and follow what has been happening in her life. 
(Just a random tid-bit, because I am an over-sharer (it is my thing) her husband has a brother and we dated for a red hot second (y'all don't read into that red hot thing... this is a PG blog friends), anyways, I always thought if the whole red hot second lasted a bit longer than we could have become sisters... crazy.  Totally coulda happened.  Except I met my man friend and love his face, and the brother met a lovely girl and they are happy too... so it all is how it should be!)  I digress... back to Lora
She and her husband Chris just celebrated 16 years of marriage (which is amazing) and they have 3 children.  Three!  They are beautiful children-
Last year, Lora was diagnosed with breast cancer (boo, I hate cancer)... stage 4.  She has had chemo and a mastectomy, and just found out (5 weeks post surgery) that she has a cancer recurrence on her chest wall.  Yesterday, she began a more aggressive treatment of 3 months of chemotherapy in addition to her 5 weeks of daily local radiation.
Y'all, when I saw her update yesterday with that news, I was just floored!  How can this be happening to my friend?  I mean, did y'all see her picture (no, literally, that is the picture she posted yesterday... she looks amazing!)  She has just gone through so much already, chemos, surgeries, traveling back and forth from home to her hospital in Chicago, and she does it with a smile on her face and is so very brave.
I immediately did all that I know to do for a friend that is in need, and that is to show them love by praying for them. 
I have been praying over her for months, and I am not going to stop.

I am sharing this, because I am asking that you too will pray for my friend, Lora.
Specifically, that the chemo and radiation will WIPE OUT the cancer cells that are floating around her bloodstream and lymph nodes.
Pray that with all of these aggressive treatments she will be going through that she will still have strength to keep up with her people!  They need her!
Pray for her family, I am sure they are weary, but I just pray for their physical and mental strength to help Lora.
Pray for the doctors and nurses that are working with Lora everyday.  Pray that the decisions they are making are wise and will help to defeat this cancer!
Please please pray for Lora.  I am sure that she is sooooo over all of this and ready to be healthy!  Pray for her continued strength and for her thoughts when she is feeling defeated.

I know that she will beat this!

FYI, I may have shared all of this without her knowing (guilty as charged, I am the worst)!  Hopefully, I will not be unfriended after this post.



8 comments:

Robin Egerton said...

I know Lora, too. The grace, poise and dignity she is showing is an inspiration to all if us. (It is a tad bit annoying that she looks so much prettier on chemo than I do on my best days . . . ). She is one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever met. She's the Real Deal! Praying here for Lora Little.

Caryn C. Foresee said...

Robin! She is such an inspiration, and she does look pretty amazing!

Unknown said...

My daughter is married to Lora's brother. We have all been praying for her from the very beginning, and like you, we won't stop. I look at all she has been through and all she is still facing, and I just am amazed. Lora has faced all of this and still continues to fight. All the prayers are obviously helping, giving her strength to battle this cancer. The fight is not over, though, and Lora, her family, and her oncology team need our prayers more than ever!

Unknown said...

My daughter is married to Lora's brother. We have all been praying for her from the very beginning, and like you, we won't stop. I look at all she has been through and all she is still facing, and I just am amazed. Lora has faced all of this and still continues to fight. All the prayers are obviously helping, giving her strength to battle this cancer. The fight is not over, though, and Lora, her family, and her oncology team need our prayers more than ever!

Cynthia said...

Prayers coming from Seattle for your sweet friend.

Court said...

So sorry to hear this news. I will be praying for your friend each day.

GiGi said...

I thought I had left a previous message, but don't see it! I will pray for Lora whether it is whispering a prayer now (which I have) AND OR whenever I think of her during the days ahead. I pray God grants our prayers and she goes through this with continued energy and the courage to endure it all and keep above the depression when it hits. As we are lifting her and her family, God is lifting them as well. Prayers are powerful tools and God uses them..I do believe in that power and when two or more are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst of them. Just keep repeating the Lord's Prayer Lora. each and every day. God be with you and your family.

Now Mrs. Caryn, I am one of your 10's that read your blog whenever you post. I love it and hearing about your escapades and family. Keep up the good work.
An avid reader in southwest Georgia
Glinda aka GiGi










0

Sugar said...

I will most certainly pray for your dear friend. Cancer is so awful. Evil, really. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to pray over her.

p.s. Good thing you said something so nice about Lora's brother's wife since her mom posted something!! LOL! LOL!