Unanswered prayers

This summer I have seen two people I cared about make some very unwise decisions.
I have cried more tears over this than I had ever cried before. It was as if this person, as I knew them died.

I prayed, of course I prayed. I prayed for miracles, for God to prevent this person from sinning further. But God didn't answer. I know that He answered in His way, but He didn't stop this person from sinning as I wanted Him too. He didn't work the miracles I had hoped He would. Why? Was it because of the free choice He has given? Was it because this person didn't seek to do otherwise?

Another person- another story- more tears shed and I tried to warn them of the downfall of the first. They thanked me for caring, and that was that. As far as I know they too have chosen to walk the path they had chosen. More unanswered prayers.

I find myself wondering if is really mattered that I prayed? Will it matter in the future? I KNOW that God answers prayers. I see Him answering my prayers daily. He works in all kinds of little ways in my life. But what about these big things? Why didn't He answer? Why didn't He keep these two children of His from sinning further? Was it because they didn't choose to please Him? I feel as if it is of no use to pray for a person who has decided to stubbornly follow their own desires over the best plan God has for them. It seems so useless. . . if a person so dear could so completely forsake all they knew as right.

James 5: 16b says, ". . . The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Perhaps I am not righteous enough? Perhaps I don't know how to pray well enough? I don't know. I am mourning over the people mentioned. I grieve over their choices. I wonder about the future and how to pray more effectively.

I don't doubt God's ability to answer, I just feel so disappointed.

Dedicated to Rachel

Hold On To Jesus- Erin O'Donnell

You're a little piece of heaven
You're a golden ray of light
And I wish I could protect you
From the worries of this life
But if there's one thing I could tell you
It's no matter what you do
Hold to Jesus
He's holding on to you

The world will try to tell you
That might is more than right
That beauty's on the outside
And being good's a losing fight
But remember what I've told you
Because the world will make you choose
Hold to Jesus
He's holding on to you

Hold on to Jesus
Cling to His love
Rest deep in His mercy
Whenever things get rough
Don't lose sight of His goodness
And don't ever doubt this truth
That when you hold on to Jesus
He's holding on to you

Hear me dear Jesus
Rock this little one to sleep
Keep her close when she's scared
And give her grace when she is weak
I know she'll stumble
But I know she'll make it through
If you hold to her just like
You said You'd do
Hold her Jesus
And she'll hold on tight to You

My Little Lamb

I had a little lamb,
its fleece was white as snow.
It followed in the ways of those who've gone astray.
I've lost my little lamb,
My heart has gone array.
I cannot stop the tears from running down my face.

Too excited

I can't wait to see you, Rachel, and Mom and Dad. I am bursting at the gills with excitment. I hope we have a wonderful time, I am sure we will. I wish Abe and Matthew were coming too, and Abe's family of course!!
I love you all!
Happy Birthday Matthew!!
What are you doing to celebrate?

A grandma

I wish Daniel had a Grandma here. It is really a shame that now families are so spread out that grandparents live so far from their grandchildren. If Janis' parents were living that would make a difference. In Latvia it seems likes grandparents are very involved. Very often they all live in one house. Our neighbors are like that, there are 4 generations living in one house. That sure comes in handy when one needs babysitters.
I have been wishing we had a grandma here. Someone who could go on walks with Daniel now and then, and teach him. Of course a grandpa would be nice too, so they could do all kinds of boy things.
So anyway I wish we had a grandma. . .

Super!

Wow, I like the title of this blog, the address that is. How true, that we will always be Lamberts. My last name isn't Lamberts now, but I still am one. How could it be otherwise? In my heart I will always be one :)
Great job with this blog Matthew!
Hey, why are you leaving so soon? Has your break ended already?
We are doing well here, though super busy. Yesterday was Janis' birthday. I surprised him with an Asian themed lunch, including sushi! We had that for the first time, it was ok, a nice one time thing to eat :)
Today has been a sort of day where you could feel it was a horrible, no good, very bad day. In other words nothing has gone the way I had hoped. Daniel has made so many messes, one of them was that he grabbed his bowl of broccoli and spilled it all over me, the tablecloth and the floor. What a day!

Love you all

Tonight

I'm here at home, you all. This is Elizabeth's idea... this blog is. It's a good one. I hope it's convenient for us. Rachel just left... I wish I would have got to see her more tonight. I have two more days here at home. Dad leaves for Bozemon tomorrow. It's been a good break so far. Elizabeth... you're funny... It was good to talk to you yesterday. I'll talk to you all later. Just seeing if this is up and running, and establishing the initial connection. Love you all. God bless.
-Matthew