February 24, 2002 (Sunday)

Day 1

Today began early.  I started the day with a continuation of the night before. I went to bed at 2:00 so did not get a lot of sleep. Wanda called and I told her that I would not be able to attend the youth meeting. She suggested that Michelle could take my class to breakfast so I told her to go ahead. I was relieved that I had more time to pack. I sent an email to everyone and continued gathering everything. A few friends called to check on Jared.

William and Jared got up. I talked with William about taking Jared up to the church for prayer. I could see that I would barely have time to finish packing. (We had to be in Birmingham by 5:00 to check in to the Hope Lodge.) William agreed to take Jared and called Pastor Lynn. He told William they would pray for Jared at the beginning of church. They both got ready to go while I continued my packing.

Adam woke up and we all had quiche for breakfast. William and Jared left and I continued to pack. Adam helped me. William and Jared came back from church and Jared filled me in. He told me that everyone prayed, hugged them and then they left.

We hurriedly finished packing and Jared and I left at 11:30. Everyone was sad. It was hard leaving home not knowing when we would be back. We stopped for gas and then drove to Bay Minette. We stopped by Jared's grandparents (Tom and Dess) to tell them goodbye. We visited for a few minutes and then they waved us off. Dess had made a box of pralines for us to share. 

We were now on our way to Montgomery and arrived there at 2:30. My mom had lunch on the table so we all sat down to eat. We had a nice meal and I held both of my nephews. They are really cute. We stayed about an hour and then traveled the rest of the way to Birmingham.

We arrived at 4:59. (Not bad, huh?) We checked into our room and I unloaded the car. We went to our room and relaxed the rest of the night watching the closing ceremony of the Olympics. We talked about going out to eat but Jared was tired. We talked with William and Adam and then with Rhonda before going to bed.

*Jared has been tired most of the day. He enjoyed seeing everyone. I think he was encouraged by going to church. He was sad about leaving home but felt better as we traveled. Lord, I pray for your will during this time. Help me to be strong for Jared! I pray, Lord, for your protection around him. I pray that this experience will be easy for him. That he’ll be protected from the worst of the side effects (from all of the side effects). Have your way in his life. Lord, touch William and Adam and keep them safe. Draw them both closer to you. I pray for your will. In Jesus Name. Amen. 


Matthew 14:22-36 (The Message)
"As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night. Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.
 
But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."
 
Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."
 
He said, "Come ahead."
 
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"
 
Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"
 
The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!"
 
On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed."

Focus on Jesus not the circumstance.