<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0">Hi Yolanda, I am very sorry to hear about your jobs going out. It is a tough for lots of people these days. I will continue to pray for you and your family. Next, I looked up this passage of scripture because I think (I hope, mostly) it will encourage you. This is the Apostle Paul writing to the Phillipian people - encouraging them - (Phillipians 4) : <BR>
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</FONT><FONT COLOR="#800080" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"> <B>6</B> </FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"><I><U>Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. </FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"></FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0">Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.</I><BR>
8<I>And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and</I> <I>worthy of praise.</I> 9<I>Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.</FONT><FONT COLOR="#800080" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"><B></I><BR>
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT><FONT COLOR="#800080" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"></B></U><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"></FONT><FONT COLOR="#800080" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0">Now this part is not easy to understand/digest. I say this because most of us haven't had to go without anything we wanted or needed. (for the most part) See, Paul was an awesome brother. He went through some tough times after his conversion. Jail, beaten, shipwrecked, cold, hungry...etc., yet he maintained his faith in the Lord and his love for him through all things. He says something here that has helped me when times get tough in my house. It changed my thinking. It's not about me and my ability to take care of myself. It is more about how I think and handle the good times as well as the bad. (we all go through stuff) It is <U>all</U> about the Lord and my faith in HIM to take care of me in EVERY situation. (This is still Paul thanking the people for their generosity - they gave him offerings after he preached the gospel to them) : <BR>
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11</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"><I><U>Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I</I> <I>need. </I></U> </FONT><FONT COLOR="#800080" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"><BR>
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And finally Paul tells them, even though he had all that he needed right then, their gifts are appreciated and he assures them:<BR>
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19</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"><I><U>And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. </FONT><FONT COLOR="#800080" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"><B><BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"></B></I></U>(Holy Bible. New Living Translation)</FONT><FONT COLOR="#800080" BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FACE="Heather" LANG="0"><BR>
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Be assured Yolanda, that God will take care of you, your husband and those lovely babies. Have faith (and keep your faith) in God. The Lord is your strength. <BR>
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God bless you abundantly today and always!<BR>
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"Rev. Ev"<BR>
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