From the Desk of Jill Keenon, Operations Director:
We saw the movie,
The Nativity Story last night. Seeing how Joseph and Mary learned to trust the Lord even though it meant much difficulty and people's judgment on them was inspiring. They knew there was a higher calling than everything going smoothly on earth. They still prayed for their needs, a place to have the baby, wisdom, and protection, but they knew deep in their hearts that there was an eternal answer to prayer going on right before their eyes.
The fact that God uses any of us is amazing. Let us keep our eyes on the eternal while still trusting God will take care of the here and now. It all goes together. Somehow, God thinks what we go through on earth has eternal value, so let's not minimize our daily experience as meaning nothing.
How we trust for everyday needs impacts eternity as well.COLOMA PLACE HOMEWe need to come to a resolution regarding Sue's children and their visitation at the home. There are some conflicts that need to be resolved. Pray for Sue and her children to receive healing from all the turmoil they are going through. Heal each of their relationships with Sue. Bring glory to God in all this pain.
Pray for the Christmas holiday to be a blessing to all in the home. QUICKS HOME- As house parents there is a fine line between our ideal and what the children are capable of because of their history. Pray for all of us to do our best to train and teach and to know when understanding and mercy & grace are needed. We want so much for all the children that some times it is hard to let go of what they are not ready to learn or are capable of doing. Pat is a hard child to keep this balance with. Pray for the Quicks as well as Pat.
- Pray for Christmastime in this home as well.
KEENON HOME- Pray for a miracle with Melissa. She needs Jesus to heal her. Her whole family needs healing. She has decided to quit work and go to school full time. This is a good thing in two ways. It means she believes there is a future and it will give her the chance to do her life's ambition, to be a herpetologist. Pray this brings about some physical (with anorexia and cutting) and spiritual changes.
- Pray for Joel as he finishes this semester and gets ready to go home for the holiday. He liked Biola and if the money comes in to pay for it he will be going there in the fall. Pray for provision for school needs. Pray he draws closer to his parents during this home visit.
- Carmen (our daughter) and her children are supposed to move in after Christmas but she keeps vacillating. She has great anxiety. Pray for her to find peace.
- Pray for God's provision this month for bills as well as Christmas for our family.
- Pray for Margie and her family this Christmas season. They have been having a much better time each time they are together. Make this Christmas one more positive milestone for them as a family in healing the past with Margie.
- Please pray for school finals this week for Jill, Hillary and Joel. Pray their mind will retain the knowledge needed for the exams.
ODFT BOARDA special prayer is for our board member Dennis Bentz. He is hospitalized with a blood clot in his lung. He has been on chemo for cancer and was to have his third dose this week. This will be postponed for a time until the clot clears up and his strength is regained.
Pray for Paul and me as we work through struggling with answers for the future of ODFT with the Board. We aren't going anywhere, but changes are in the future -one way or another. Have a great week.
In Christ's Service for the Community,
Paul & Jill Keenon
Open Door for Teens, Inc.
