Karen Gass and I were business partners on a couple of ventures a few years ago.  Karen’s plate became full and she needed to let some things go and focus on the things she really cared about – so, we parted ways.  But, we did remain in email contact, especially as prayer partners for each others’ family.  In the summer of 2008, I believe, I needed to make a run from Texas to Missouri for my nephew’s high school graduation.  I chose to take our oldest daughter with us, and needed a nice spot to lay our heads on our adventure.  Karen and I had already been working together so it just seemed right for me to ask her to put us up for a night on our way north, because we were making a side-trip to a dear friend’s house in Branson and Karen lived in Joplin.  Well, we didn’t make it to Karen’s on our trip north because it was very late and she wasn’t answering her telephone that late at night!  On our return trip, though, we WERE able to make it, and Karen and her husband Mike were very gracious hosts to my daughter and I.

This week on Facebook, I found out that Mike has been diagnosed with an inoperable liver tumor.  So very sad for all of their families, but especially for Karen as she truly found her life’s partner in Mike.

I didn’t take any photographs of Karen or of Karen’s family, but I did take a couple of photos of her beautiful flowers that had such lovely blooms and amazing scents:

Mike had made us a fabulous dinner and we sat around the living room eating and visiting about our families, our work together and our lives.  But prayer always came first, to both of us.  We prayed for the good, the bad and the ugly in our worlds – we always prayed.

At this time, Karen and Mike are in desperate need of all the prayers they can get.  HE can heal Mike, if that is the path He has set out in His almighty universe.  HE can heal Karen’s heart.  HE can heal a family that is built on love and respect.  HE is worth of the praise for this (and SO MUCH MORE) small part of a life but a big part of the family and friends of Mike Gass.

Praying is enough….but, there’s more that can be done.  Mike’s boss set up a fundraising page for the expenses for Mike and Karen as they travel in this unknown territory of their future.  If you are able to send them any amount of money, please do so.  Lift them on high through prayer and lift them more through your donations.

Thank you, from this quilted heart.