Posted in Special Prayer Requests

I would like to ask you to remember my precious sister, Joyce, in your prayers.  Her husband passed away Thursday night.  They were married for several decades (around 50 years, I'm not certain of the exact number), and as to be expected, this is hitting her hard.  He had been going through kidney dialysis for the last year, and she's holding on to the fact that his body has now been made perfect and he is no longer suffering and in pain.  Hallelujah!  Thank you for your prayers.

There have been many other prayer requests given to me, as well, and they will be included in my next newsletter (which has been delayed due to so many upheavals in my own life lately).  I hope to have it out to you in the next week or so.  Thank you for your patience.

                                                                         Hugs,

                                                                         Cynthia Robin

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

Sadly, a body has been found in a crawl space in the apartment building where Leah Hickman lived.  It is not yet confirmed, but is believed to be the missing Marshall University student.  Click here for details...

Updates on Leah Hickman case

This just breaks my heart, although police aren't positive yet that it is her.  But it's somebody.  Somebody who was loved and cherished by her family, and my heart is broken over this.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this young woman, and I pray our Lord brings healing and a measure of peace and closure to their loss.

This does remind us that no matter where we live, or what time of the year it is, the enemy is running rampant on this earth.  Although they don't seem to be related, this makes 2 murders in the last week in this area (a man was killed at his home in Portsmouth, OH last week and his murderer is still on the loose, also).  This area doesn't normally see many atrocities of this kind, but when we do, the whole community rallies together in support.  There have already been 2 benefits held for Leah Hickman, including one last night.  Another is being held tonight, although they believe these are her remains that have been found.  We will continue to provide prayer and support for her family as long as they need us.  That's what neighbors are for.  And yes, the whole world is our neighbor.  May we all reach out to those around us when they need us the most, and be readily available at all times.

Hugs,

Cynthia Robin

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

It's been a week since Leah Hickman, 21 years old, has last been seen.  She is a student here in Huntington, at Marshall University, and just up and disappeared last Friday after 4:00 p.m.  To learn more about this, just click on this link:  Timeline and info on Leah Hickman  You will also find links on that page to other stories about this, including a link to the group set up on Facebook.  If you see this young woman, or have any news of her, please call the

Huntington Police Dept. at (304)696-4420. 

Please keep her and her family and friends in your prayers.

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

Once again, there are miners trapped underground, except this time the tragedy has happened in Huntington, Utah.  As I'm sure you've heard on your news channels, 6 miners were trapped when a mine collapsed, and they still haven't reached them. 

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/08/utah.mine/index.html

Also, work is continuing on the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the last I had heard, recovery is ongoing. 

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/08/bridge.collapse/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Please, keep the victims, their families, their loved ones, the officials involved, the rescue crews, and everyone having anything to do with these tragedies in your ongoing prayers.  We know that prayer changes things, and our Lord hears us when we cry out to Him. He is ever faithful, and we need to be faithful to Him, too. 

Paul told us to "pray without ceasing" and this is what we need to be doing.  Not only during times of tragedy, but all of the time.  There are so many prayer requests that could be listed, such as our soldiers, missionaries and Christians being persecuted around the world, starving orphans, homelessness, the AIDS epidemic, and on and on the list could go.  This is not the time to stop praying, even though it would seem things just continue to get worse and worse!  Our faithfulness is just that-remaining faithful to God and His Word no matter the circumstances, no matter how things "seem" to be, no matter how we feel, no matter about anything.  He comes first, and we need to keep this in mind. 

Please, fall to your knees and cry out to Him this moment, that He would keep His hand upon these specific situations, and upon each of us and our world. 

Bless you for your faithfulness this day!

Cynthia Robin

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

There have been quite a few disasters happening in my region during the last several days.  I'll begin with the most recent.  Here is the link to the news story about it:

7 Dead in Local Apartment Fire

I have spent much of this day in prayer for the victims who lost their lives, as well as the survivors who lost everything except their lives.

And then, one year after the Sago Mine tragedy that claimed the lives of so many miners (12 lost that day; 24 miners killed in West Virginia total in 2006), another mining accident, this one in McDowell County:

Two Miners Killed in Roof Collapse

Many prayers for the loved ones of those who lost their lives, as well as for the survivors.  Our Governor Joe Manchin has called for much reform in regard to mine safety as the House meets this term, and I pray that they do come up with many measures to insure more safety for our precious miners.

Just a few days ago, there was another horrible fire that destroyed a building housing several businesses, just a block down from my school:

Business Owners, Investigators Get First Look Inside Burned Building

It was so difficult at school on Thursday seeing the firemen and investigators still working on this building.  The reporters from the media were milling around off and on throughout the day, and the business owners were just devastated. 

Each of those pages have further links to more information about these disasters.  This has all been just too much lately.  A new year bagan, and already so much devastation.  Our local area is also under a flood watch until tomorrow due to all of the recent rain we've had.

But, you know, as bad as all of this is, it's nothing compared to the devastation seen by so many elsewhere.  Tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, wind-swept fires covering thousands of acres and destroying lives and homes, blizzards, avalanches, flooding, tornadoes, tidal waves...these are all even more destructive.  I also think of the homeless children, the victims of rape and incest, the victims of domestic violence, the victims of random shootings and murders, the victims of arsonists, the victims of hate crimes, and the victims of a loose tongue who have been deeply wounded by the words of another.  Then there are the victims who suffer in places like Somalia, Indonesia, and many other places, due to racial unrest, prejudice, and family feuding.  And the victims of religious persecution. 

Yes, this world can be a disastrous and devastating place to be.  The enemy is running rampant, coming to steal, kill, and destroy.  His only purpose is to take as many as possible down into hell with him, and we must ever be on our guard against him.  It is so important for Christians to put on their *full armor* each and every day (Ephesians 6:11-18), and to go forth and spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20)!!!  I do believe we are in the last days of this earth, and it won't be long before our Lord Jesus Christ raptures His church before the time of tribulation.  Are you ready?

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

Dearest Friends,

I have a couple more prayer requests.  I would appreciate your prayers about both of these.  The Lord honors the prayers of His precious ones, and I know He blesses each of us when we pray for others.

1.  Larinda's mother Eleanor:  went yesterday for a PET Scan to determine the cause of inflammation and pain in her upper back and shoulders.  The pain clinic is ruling out cancer. 

2.  Prayers for me:  I went to the ER via ambulance yesterday morn due to an inability to breathe.  After receiving oxygen, several tests (inc. those hateful nasal swabs - ouch!), X-rays, etc., it has been determined to be caused by Influenza Type A and pneumonia in my right lung.  My daycare is closed until next Monday, as ordered by the doctors.  I have been asking the Lord for more time to spend alone with Him, and I know He is turning this around for that purpose.  What the enemy meant for destruction IS being turned around for God's glory!  Hallelujah!

I will keep you updated on these as I can.

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

I have 2 prayer requests to ask of you...

1.  For my granddaughter, Cayla.  She is 3 yrs. old, and laid on the couch most of the afternoon and evening yesterday, complaining of a headache.  I gave her Tylenol, and it seemed to ease her pain.  At 6:30 p.m., her temperature spiked to 104 degrees, and I called her daddy.  He came and by the time he arrived, it was going down, so he took her home.  He called me at 11:30 to tell me he was taking her to the emergency room, as it was going back up, even after giving her more Tylenol.  I haven't had an update yet, but will post it here when I do. 

2.  For my dear friend Pam's son-in-law, Calvin.  He suffered a heart attack Thursday evening and was rushed to the emergency room and then into surgery to have a stint put in.  He had complete blockage in one of his arteries, and his blood sugar level was up to 400 (he's diabetic). 

I'm asking the Lord for complete healing of both of these precious ones, and also strength for the families.  Cayla's daddy's name is Robby (my son), and Calvin's wife's name is Mary.  I appreciate you standing in prayer with me.

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

                                                    ~James 5:15

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and has been assured of, knowing of who thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

                                                    ~II Timothy 3:14-15

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

                                                     ~Galatians 6:2

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

Every once in a while, we're blessed with the opportunity to help another in need, without it costing us any money.  That is the opportunity I am putting before you this day. 

EARLY DETECTION: DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS?

Each year, 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year.

If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.

The National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that women in their forties and older have mammograms every one to two years. A complete early detection plan also includes regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. Monthly breast self-exams are suggested in addition.

I have personally experienced the tragedy of a family member with breast cancer.  I have lost a dear sister as the result of this dreadful disease.  Please, click on the link below to go to the site and help fund free mammograms for women.

(Clicking on the logo at the beginning of this post will take you to the Breast Cancer site, where you will find plenty of information about this dreadful disease, as well as ways you can help in the fight against it.)

If you feel so led, please take a moment and pray to our Lord for all of those suffering and for Him to guide the scientists, doctors, and researchers trying to find a cure.

Thank you for taking your time this day to help another!

Hugs,

Cynthia Robin

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin is once again showing the residents of our fine state that he is a man true to his word.  On Monday he introduced legislation to the State Senate outlining reforms in the mining laws.  He wants each miner to carry a text messaging device to be used in case of an emergency, have GPS tracking devices on them at all times, oxygen stations throughout the mines with flashing lights on them that would enable the miners to find them easily and have access to more oxygen in case of an emergency, and require the state to be notified within 15 minutes of an emergency with the mine owners facing a $100,000.00 penalty for failure to do so, thus enabling rescue efforts to begin in a swift and prompt manner.  This legislation passed within 8 hours of being introduced.

Gov. Manchin and a team of delegates then took this legislation to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.  More about this can be found by clicking here.  I pray this passes and becomes federal law, to help insure the safety of miners across America. 

Posted in Special Prayer Requests

The bodies of the two missing miners in Anacoma Mine #1 in Melville, WV, have been found.  Don Bragg, 33 and Ellery "Elvis" Hatfield, 47 were found in an area close to the conveyer belt fire, but were trapped by heat and smoke.  My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these two dear men as they go through this horrible time of loss in their lives. 

Once again, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin stayed in the church with the families during this time of waiting, along with Senator Jay Rockefeller and Congressman Nick Rahall.  They made sure they were the ones giving the families information, and that it was absolutely correct, before notifying the press and media.  They have all been stalwarts to the grieving families, and Gov. Manchin has promised that they will have the full support of West Virginia during this time.  We are a close-knit state, and while often we go through tragedies, we persevere and come back whole and united.  Mining tragedies, floods, fires, drought...West Virginia remains one in love and unity, and I'm so thankful the Lord brought me to this wonderful *home* almost two decades ago.  I've learned so much from living here, and I'm thankful for this.

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin will be introducing legislation next week to improve mine conditions for our miners in the state, and will also be taking this legislation to Washington, D.C. to try to improve conditions across the country.  West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller and Congressman Nick Rahall are supporting this legislation, as well.  This has been another horrible tragedy in our beautiful state, and yet all of the men will not have died in vain.  There will be new laws set in place to provide stronger safety measures, stronger rescue operations, and better communication for our miners.  As Sen. Rockefeller said during the press conference announcing the deaths of these wonderful men, "We can talk to someone on the moon, and yet cannot communicate with someone 1,000 feet below ground in a mine."  I pray this legislation is passed, not only in the State of West Virginia, but federally as well.  For more information about this, please click here.