July 1: Ferris Wheel, Quick Post, Prayer Update

"The most fun there is," retorted Fern, "is when the Ferris wheel stops and Henry and I are in the top car and Henry makes the car swing and we can see everything for miles and miles and miles."

Fern is a normal little girl, growing up, becoming a young lady.  Henry is now more interesting than Wilbur, and the biggest thrill of her life is the Ferris wheel.


This post is going to be quick.  My daughter is waiting to get her hands on my laptop.  My daughter is a normal little girl, growing up, becoming a moody teenager.  She knows how to throw a major meltdown if she doesn't get her way.

Tonight, I would like to give you an update on "Tara," the young woman I told you about last week.  I told you that she was having tests to determine if she had cancer.  Well, the tests came back positive.  Tara has thyroid cancer, and she is about to start her treatments, just before she's about to start her senior year of high school.

Please pray for Tara.  Pray for health and happiness.  She should be worrying about college admissions, not chemotherapy and surgeries.

Saint Marty is humbled by Tara, and she deserves all the hope and blessing in this world.

Amen, Padre.

June 24: Terrible Case of Injustice, "Tara," Prayer for Health

"I see no difference," replied Fern, still hanging on to the ax.  "This is the most terrible case of injustice I ever heard of."

A queer look came over John Arable's face.  He seemed almost ready to cry himself.

Fern is trying to save Wilbur's life.  She is passionate and emotional, and she touches something deep inside her father's heart.  As a father, I think I can speak for Mr. Arable.  He is gazing at Fern and wondering when his little girl grew up so much.  That "queer look" on John Arable's face is sadness and love.

Parenthood is an exercise in letting go.  You raise a child, and, eventually, you watch that child walk out your front door forever.  Hopefully, into a life of happiness and fulfillment.  This Sunday, I heard news about a teenage girl who might have a serious form of cancer.  The tests on "Tara" came back inconclusive, so more tests have to be done.

Tara is a beautiful, spiritual young lady.  She works in the church's nursery.  She's a counselor at Bible camp.  She picks up other kids on Sunday morning and drives them to church for Sunday school and worship.  Sure, she's also a teenager.  She starves herself for weeks to fit into her prom dress and then, after the prom is over, orders a pepperoni pizza and eats the entire thing.  Her life is about the Holy Spirit, and it's also about boys and Katy Perry.

I'm asking you to pray for Tara this week.  Pray that she receives good news soon.  Pray that she is healthy.  Pray that she has a great summer, filled with swimsuits, beaches, and sunglasses.  Pray that Tara grows up into a wonderful child of God.

Saint Marty, like Fern, wants justice.  Justice for Tara.  He wants Tara to have a long life full of promise and joy.

This is what Tara should be thinking about