Nothing Clever to Name This Post

I have been plotting and planning a clever yet introspective blog post to wrap up 2010.  And then I took 509872 pictures of the snow we got and I was planning a cute post about that.  And then the tragedy happened in AZ and it just didn't feel right to be light-hearted.  And then I wanted to tell you my take on the shameful politicization of that tragedy by politcians and media on the left and right.  But now I have something serious and close to home that I need to tell you about.

I received news yesterday that a bloggy friend of mine, Joanne aka The Simple Wife, had a stroke.  She's 38 and has a husband and two young daughters.  If you've been reading my blog for awhile you may remember that I reviewed Joanne's book Misplacing God (and finding Him again).  While I've never met her face to face, I know someone who is close to her.  And while Joanne and I have only corresponded by email and blog comments I feel like I can call her friend.  I know it may seem strange that I can feel connected to someone I've never met but bloggers share a special kind of community.  While my blog certainly isn't on the same par as Joanne's she has always been gracious and kind.  We've talked about some difficult things that we share in common and we've prayed for each other.  But most of all she loves Jesus with all her heart and and that's a GOOD thing we have in common.  It makes us sisters.

Could you pray with me for Joanne?  For complete healing, for peace and comfort for her husband Toben and their girls, Audrey and Emma.  Pray for wisdom for the doctors and nurses.  Pray that God will be glorified through this.  I've shared on this blog before my reservations about the power of prayer and God's goodness after the loss of my niece.  In the last two years I have questioned everything I thought I knew.  God and I are still working things out but today, for my friend, I will boldly approach His throne and plead for her.  Will you go with me?