----- Original Message ----- From: Pat Ferguson<mailto:[log in to unmask]> pat: How neat that Brad and Brenda came to visit! What a nice surprise! I'm sad to hear about your mom. I will pray that Jesus will give her His love and that she will except it. I think the reason she doesn't like all this "loving stuff" is that she doesn't have love in her life, and maybe she doesn't love herself. How can she if she doesn't realize how big and marvelous God's love is for her? I know you are hurt and a bit angry, and I don't blame you. My advise, though, and it's harder to do than to say, is to keep praying she will accept what God did for her. People who try to make others miserable are miserable themselves. I'm sure you know all this, but it's just a friendly reminder that we all need from time to time. I'll also pray for this friend of yours. Love, Julie, who never gets tired of being called Loving To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 8:10 PM Subject: Some prayer requests and we met Brad and Brenda Dear Loving EChurch Family, First of all, I want you all to know that I'm praying for all your prayer requests, no matter what they are. I'm Praising God that on Saturday night, we had the neatest surprise! our door bell rang, I went to answer the door, and I said "Who is it?" The next thing I heard was: "It's Brad Duns from EChurch." I was so surprised! I opened the door and let them in, and I gave them both a big squeeze! Yes, it was the Loving Brad and Brenda Duns! I was so surprised, and so very happy to see them! We had a wonderful visit with them and I took some pictures of them, and Vernon took one of the 3 of us. Brad is just as we all know him! You know he's funny and sweet and loving! Yes, Brenda is a real sweetheart! I love her a bunch! Next time they will stay with us! Vernon likes them a lot, too! I'm Praising God they came to see us! Now for my few prayer requests. Please pray for Vernon's Sister-in-law's, Aunt Mary. She has cancer of the colon and it has spread to her liver and other places. They didn't get it all during the surgery, but they did remove her intestine and they told her she would have 2 years of quality life. Only God knows, and I pray for a complete healing for this loving lady. She is 86 years old. So far, she's doing great, and eating everything. Please pray that if she has chemo and radiation, that she will do okay with that, and have no problems. Please pray that she can stay in the same house that Vernon stayed in, so she'll be close to the hospital for her treatments in Mitchell. Betty, Dean's wife and the rest of Betty's family are very close to her. They have been taking her back and forth to the doctor. My next prayer request is about my Mom's and my relationship. Actually, it could include most of my family. You all know, unfortunately what rejection is like. I feel as though I've been rejected by my Mom and she'll see to it that everyone in my family is on her side. I'm very hurt about what I'm about to tell you. I called her Saturday night, before Brad and Brenda came, and I said the usual "Hi! Loving!" She said hi and then she said. "You know what Pat! I'm really getting tired of this loving stuff. Every Other word is 'loving'." I told her that's not true. I couldn't believe what I was hearing from her. She wasn't drinking, either. She said it in a really crabby voice which is so much like her when she's not drinking. I lashed out, and I told her that Harvey and Joe don't mind it, but Sherilyn, Birdie and her don't like it. I also told her that all my friends love me for who I am and that they love me unconditionally. I told her my friends love me more than my entire family loves me. Of course, she denied it. I started crying and I was really upset. We continued to talk about other things, but I was upset and didn't want to talk to her any more. I ended the conversation and told her that I loved her and hung up. I called her on Sunday afternoon and left a message on her answering machine and I apologized for the things I said. I've not heard from her at all. In other words, she has not acknowledged my apology at all. I'm not going to call her for a long time. I did ask for God's forgiveness for what I said to her. I should have worded it different. I'm so tired of rejection from my family. I actually thought things were getting better, but it's obvious that they only put up with me because they feel they have to. I do all the calling, and they never call me very often. I doubt they will even call me on my birthday. Please pray that I can deal with this rejection and that she doesn't turn the whole family against me. I think she'll probably do that. Thanks much for your prayers and for listening. All your advice is appreciated. I could write a book about this stuff, but I don't think you want to hear it. I love you all so very much. Thanks for always putting up with me and for being my friends. Love and Blessings, Pat Ferguson