psalm 34 ate cookies

our women's ministry had received a request from the prison ministry for homemade cookies, so lara asked if i wanted to come over and bake while we let the boys play. what a great idea! you mean we get to eat chocolate chip cookie dough and serve God at the same time?! is there a down side here?

this was such a cool service project! i mean aside from getting to eat cookie dough, i really did feel like we were making a difference in the lives of others. as instructed, lara and i prayed over the cookies while we were mixing and scooping and baking. at first we both thought it seemed a little weird... "God, please stir in the hearts of the prisoners who receive these cookies... let them taste and see the goodness of the Lord".

we even named our cookies psalm 34:8 cookies, although on my way home I decided we should have spelled it ps 34 ate cookies - i've got a copyright on that! don't you try to steal it! (psalm 34:8 taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.)

lara came up with lots of other clever prayers that had to do with the mixing and the baking. i tell ya, the Holy Spirit was in that kitchen! =)

and the more we prayed i think our hearts began to change... or mine did at least, which is exactly the purpose of prayer!!! so cool how this ties right in to the book we're both reading right now (celebration of discipline by richard foster).

in his chapter about prayer, foster says that prayer is the central avenue God uses to change us. in real prayer we begin to think God's thoughts after him, to desire what he desires, to love what he loves, to will what he wills. a big part of prayer is listening... something i still have a lot to learn about.

here's my favorite quote from the chapter: "if we genuinely love people, we desire for them far more than it is within our power to give, and that will cause us to pray." foster says that the inner sense of compassion is one of the clearest indications from the Lord that this is a prayer project for you. it's also a good sign that we're praying in His will.

so as we prayed for the cookies and in turn for the prisoners and other men who would get to eat them, my heart became more and more compassionate and i felt honored that God allowed me to serve them in this small way.

i plan on continuing to pray for mike and the other volunteers as they head into the prison on thursday to work with, listen to and minister to this group of men. if you'd like, please join me in praying that the prisoner's hearts would be open and that the volunteers would have the right words to say to them.

this was an awesome service project! the boys entertained each other (for the most part) while lara and i baked. and they even helped with stirring the batter a little! jonah liked using the beaters... and he didn't even make too big of a mess! it was really great as moms to be able to serve the prison ministry in this way without even leaving the house!

lunch time shenanigans...

tragedy and prayer requests

my prayers go out to the family and friends of michael argall tonight. on saturday afternoon, june 28^th, michael was struck by a car and killed while cycling. i didn't know michael personally, but he was a member of my church and so i grieve for those who did know him.

i did recognize michael's name when they announced it on sunday because i had signed up for a 5k training program through gateway (our church) for the keep austin weird 5k, which took place on saturday. michael helped coordinate and coach the group, which i'm learning was one of his passions. i wasn't able to participate in the program because of scheduling conflicts, but i got michael's emails weekly encouraging the group. his last email from friday around noon ended with "Best wishes! I look forward to hearing about your experience. -Michael"

the news of michael's passing was such sad news to me. it was such a sudden tragedy. it breaks my heart thinking of michael's girlfriend losing him and especially his three children losing their dad. and i suppose selfishly it's hard on me because it brings to the forefront my fear of losing my dear loved ones. i think the news of death does that for a lot of us. but especially since the experience of having my daughter faith born into heaven the reality of life and death has become much more vivid for me.

Lord, i don't know why this has happened, but i do know that we live in a fallen world. sadly death is a reality. i know that you don't choose suffering for your children, and in these times i know that you weep with us in the midst of our loss. God, when we are in those moments when we don't have any strength of our own, help us to realize that you are enough and that you have promised to be our strength when we are weak.

links:

• excellent article in the statesman
• another article in the statesman
• this guest book has been created as a tribute to Michael Lloyd Argall
• news and memorial information at rogue
  
• michael's coach listing on emerge multisport
• bloggers speak... put it on the list, a geezer running amok, jose gringo, maddock musings, austin triathletes
  

*update* *email from my friend kristen*

Gateway Family,

Please keep praying for Michael's loved ones. In addition to the ride being organized by Rogue (7/20, www.roguerunning.com/resources_events.php) there will a ride from Gateway in honor and memory of Michael on Saturday, July 12. We are asking everyone to arrive by 8:30 AM so Pastor Nate Echelberger can start the pre-ride gathering at 8:45 AM. The ride will begin around 9 AM from Gateway (7104 McNeil Drive, 78729) and will be a casual 10 mile out and back route on Parmer to Avery Ranch (<12 mph). After the ride, people can head over to Rudy's to continue the fellowship. I would appreciate your help in forwarding the ride information to others whose lives have been touched by Michael. This is not a ride for "cyclists" (however, we want everyone to wear a helmet), but for anyone who is grieving or wants to support those who are grieving. If you feel led, Rogue is collecting donations to set up a scholarship fund for Michael's three children or donations can be made to Helping Hand Home for Children or Mission Possible Austin's Camp Nikos Program.

Grace and peace be yours,
Kristen

i also am praying for my dear friend kate. she just had a pacemaker put in and it doesn't seem to be "taking". God, you are the great physician. please heal kate. give wisdom to the doctors and help this next and hopefully last surgery fix all of the problems with the pacemaker. please help it to do what it is designed to do. also give peace to kate's husband edward and daughter clare. amen.