Miracles, Prayer and A Makeover Party

I stood at the top of the hill and looked down at my daughters.  Ashley nanny's the sweetest little boy, and they were showing him the horse that Sarah looks after.  It was a beautiful day, and I couldn't help but notice the Lord's hand in the blessings that He had given to my daughters.

When I got home, I opened up my Bible and found the hand-written prayer requests that I had placed in my Bible some time ago.  Both prayers had been answered in ways that I could never have fathomed.  God is amazing, and His grace on surrendered requests always leave me in awe.

My daughter Ashley is studying Early Childhood Development.  She is a natural working with children.  Her prayer was to nanny a little boy in pre-school.  She chose to work in a Daycare center nearby, but left disappointed in how they were treating this one little boy.  She recognized that he needed more positive reinforcement.  Shortly after she left discouraged.  Then much to her surprise, the mother of that little boy contacted her and asked if she could be his full-time nanny.  The success for both of them has been remarkable, and in the process our whole family has fallen in love with him.

My daughter Sarah lost her horse Dapper and the grief that she had for this friend of ten years was overwhelming.  She prayed for a new horse, and the Lord blessed her in an amazing way.

She had been taking care of this gorgeous horse for a friend.  The horse is so similar to Dapper.  The horse is boarded at her favorite barn.  The woman had to leave the country to care for her sick father, and asked that Sarah look after the horse while she was gone.

So there she is with a horse that could be Dapper's twin at a barn that she has always loved, and is paid to watch and ride him.

And there is Ashley with this amazing little boy together.  After I took this photo this week, I put my camera down and stood staring at  God's Grace and I cried.  God seems to bless me with beauty, while I face the bigger adversities in life.

God cares about our prayers.  He answers our prayers in the small things as well as the big things.  The only thing required of us is to ask, and to surrender the outcome.  After years of doing this little exercise of writing down my prayer requests and putting them in my Bible, I have gained so much faith.  With each small request being answered, my faith for the bigger things in life has grown.

I learned how to do this exercise, through the teachings of Catherine Marshall's books.  In 1959 she married Leonard LeSourd, who was the editor of Guideposts Magazine.  Guidepost is one of the sponsors for A Miracle Makeover.

In honor of the Grady family, we were asked by Kelee, from Kadilac Shack,  to share an inspirational story.  Kelee is back and hosting another Miracle Makeover for a little fellow named Charlie.  If you to to Design Gives Back or to Kattilac Shack you will find links where you can leave your comments that will earn money donations for this family.

Her big reveal Miracle Makeover is shown on Design Gives Back, from August 12th through the 18th.  Won't you stop by and leave a comment to raise money through their sponsors.

It's a Miracle Makeover Party!  When you stop by Design Gives Back, you will find lots of links and likes on the web and Facebook, that you can do to help turn comments into donations.

Bev from How Sweet The Sound is participating with all of her Pink Saturday posts sharing inspirational stories.  If you leave a comment there, it will count as a donation also.



Beverly said...

Karen, I am so happy you receive these wonderful answered prayers. God does know us completely.

Thank you for participating in this very special Pink Saturday. I hope you will send your visitors over to comment and help us to raise more money for the next Miracle Makeover.

Anonymous said...

What a moving post, Karen. Your daughters are beautiful and I love how their prayers were answered...as were the prayers of the mom for good care of her son! God certainly placed them all together, didn't he!

The idea of writing down the prayers and placing them in your bible is a great one....and one I will start doing!

Happy Pink Saturday. L, Dana

Nancy said...

Karen, Your blog is always inspirational and especially so today. I love the story of your daughters. That little boy is so blessed! Isn't Miracle Makeover a wonderful cause to participate in. xoxo Nancy

Anonymous said...

this is a beautiful post Karen and I loved reading about your daughters. And if you don't mind I am stealing your idea of putting prayer request in my Bible. I like that! I wish I could write words like you do. That's a blessing for you. xoxo P.s. A blessing for me is meeting you here so long ago. Have a wonderful weekend.

mypinkprettiesaboutme said...

Lovely post. I'm glad your daughter's heart is healing.

Thx for sharing

LL

Tete said...

Lovely post and the most wonderful blessings that have fallen on your girls. Happy PS!
Hugs-Tete

LV said...

You did an outstanding job on your post today. We just never know when the good hand of God is going step in. Two great blessings.

Charlotte said...

I'm always amazed at the way God answers our prayers, so many times in unexpected ways. Thank you for sharing your prayers answered with us. And thank you for sharing in the special Miracle Makeover event.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Vee said...

Oh what a wonderful plan to write the requests down and note the answers. I can see how that would be a great faith-builder. The stories you've shared about both your daughters blesses me. The Lord is so good.

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Karen,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful and inspirational post. I love that you put your prayer request in your Bible - the perfect place for them.
Blessings,
Erin

Anonymous said...

Karen,

I have tears in my eye and God-bumps on my arms.

This was a stunning artful and spiritual post. The blessings your daughters have experienced speak of
all that is possible for our lives and how their loves --that came from positivity--were prayer spoken and unspoken worthy of fruition. Positive dreaming for the good of all... artful prayers from the heart of girls...girls and kids and girls and horses.

II know about both. I grew-up on a horse.... it how I spent the first 20 years of life. The depth of relationship with horses and pets is unfathomable to those who have never had them. I am so happy she has found peace with her new friend.

And , your daughter as angel for the dear boy. Perfect.

What an uplifting post. Thank-you for honoring Charlie and his family with this work of art!

Elegant Angel Wings to you!

Kelee

Robin said...

This is such a wonderful cause.

God bless you and yours and wishing you all a beautiful pink weekend

Cindy said...

Karen, first of all your post is beautiful. I loved reading this and am so glad that your prayers are answered. I so love the idea of writing down the prayers and into the bible. I received the lovely giveaway I won from you. Please read my post over at things about who, what, when, where, and why. It is a thank you to you. sending big hugs your way. Thank you again.

Marilyn said...

For my prayer time I started putting names on stickers and then put the stickers on glass gems in a small basket. I'd always be saying I'd pray for people, but easily forget to do so. Now I have something to hold in my hand which helps me remember. I like your idea of the actual prayer, too. God is GREAT.♥♫

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I loved reading your 'miracle' stories of how God sets things up in such cool ways. We started writing down our prayers...and then we go back and are amazed at how He really does answer.

elena nuez said...

music, pictures, I loooove all things here!!!
enjoy this happy weekend!!

elena

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Precious Karen.

This post is so rich in blessings, I cannot tell you. I love little boys. AND GIRLS TOO! I adore horses! The combination of the two, is an exciting and sweet picture of how God uses the most precious gifts to show us He is watching, listening, and READING our writing. Isn't that chilling? I think it is a great idea to write down our prayers so that we can go back to see what state our mind and heart were in, and to see how GOD responded. In this case, over abundance came. Ahhhhh....what beauty dearest, and your words to me are always of great encouragement. May HE bless every single day of YOUR LIFE!!!! Anita

THANK YOU FOR THE LINK!

Anonymous said...

AMEN! God is so good. Thank you for sharing your heart with us today.

Lynn said...

Hi Karen, I love reading of the ways the Lord answers prayers. I know very well from personal experience How Great Thou Art. What exceptional daughters you have raised. Reading your post, I see the results of a spiritual mother who has prayed for and with them all their lives. Behind you is the Lord. This is the way HE intended families to be. Blessings from my heart to yours.

Carrie said...

"His grace on surrendered requests always leave me in awe." I love this. This is what I wrote about in my Spiritual Sundays post today. God is amazing!
Carrie

Southwest Cottage Designs said...

Such a sweet post about your daughters and the little boy. I like the idea of writing down prayer requests. Thank you for your inspiration!

Dolores said...

Oh Karen.... I love this sweet story and to hear of answered prayers in a full circle for everyone.

Your daughters are so pretty and sound like very caring and loving young women.

Often I find that God doesn't answer my prayers the way "I think" they should be answered...... then afterwards I know that HE is answering my prayers the way they should be answered. I'm so glad I'm not in charge..... I'd sure make a mess of my life.

Beautiful post, Karen....

Unknown said...

Awesome write,Karen. And, your photos are very emotionally moving ... as well as beautifully captured.

Would you be so kind to (& tell your friends) comment on my BLOG ONLY (emails don’t count), for the Miracle Makeover fund drive. Charlie, 8 yr. old, & his story are fabulous. Every comment brings us a $1 for the next person that will be sponsored.

Have a beautiful weekend.
Hugs,
TTFN ~
Marydon
blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com

Charlotte said...

Your post today is very inspiring. I love those two examples you shared of God's amazing way He answered prayer...and the needs of your daughters.

It seems the daughter who saw the needs of the little boy has been called by God to that work; it takes the eyes of her heart being opened by Him to see a child as He does. God bless her.

And your other daughter being paid to take care of a horse and ride it...what a blessing!

Thank you for sharing these things, and the lovely pictures!

Charlotte

www.designgivesback.com said...

Karen,

Your support is gratefully appreciated, many thanks. We did a special thank you on our facebook page for our facebook followers to visit your blog and see how you supported our great cause.

Warm embrace,

Sherry, The Design Gives Back Team

Pamela said...

Sometimes God just spoils His children. I think He's loving your daughter's joy with her answered prayer. Thank your for sharing this with me.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your post is wonderful, Karen! Very inspirational. I am so happy thta your daughters prayers ahve been answered.

I posted a prayer/poem on Saturday ad i have been commenting on all the hosts blogs hoping they will reach their 5,000 comment quota!

Claudia said...

Sweet Karen
Thank you so much for sharing your stories of both of you lovely girls.

Of course they have the hearts of love -- YOU are their mother. What a lovely example you must be for them.

Both of the examples are ones of such beautiful love. I am so happy that the family of that young boy was guided to request your daughter. God does work in miraculous ways.

I dont get over here as often as I should -- but each time I do I am uplifted.

Have a lovely week my friend.
Hugs!
Claudia

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