Prayer for Paula

Paula and I at Hershey Park, 2018

No matter how many times I type and delete this post asking God to give me something better or more eloquent to say, about how amazing and wonderful Paula is, nothing better is flowing out of me. I do not want this post to be about me but about Paula. With that said, here it goes!

Paula and I first crossed paths in January 2008 in a fundamentals of Physical Therapist Assistant course at Central Pennsylvania College. To say Paula was NOT a very big fan of me would be an understatement! As Paula told me yesterday she thought I was “loud and annoying.”

The next class Paula and I together was an oral communications class with like six other people. Paula had NO choice but to hear my “loud and annoying” voice (yea God!). Through this class, Paula and I became friends.

As our classes advanced Paula and I became study partners. Now you have to understand, I am NOT science nor math minded at all! So, to help me learn the origin of muscles, their insertions and primary functions, I made color coated poster board charts of each region of the body and then tacked them all over the walls of my townhouse. The first time Paula saw my work of art all she said was “overachiever!”

What I appreciate the most about Paula and her husband Mike is their heart for Jesus. Paula, Mike and I over the years have had many beautiful, hard and at times heated talks on what it means to live for Christ.

Paula and Mike’s daughter was born on September 17, 2011. It still excites me that Katie and I have the same birthday! (I was 30 when she was born. Less than two years later Paula gave birth to Chris). In November 2011, I found out my dad had stage IV lung cancer. Paula and Mike rallied around my family praying for us. Paula was constantly checking in to see how we were doing. I cannot express in words how much this meant to me!

Paula is one of the most authentic, real and optimistic people I have ever met in my life. Paula is consistent, loyal, funny, a real salt of the earth woman. There is no fakery with Paula. She is who she is. Paula never compromises her faith, nor does she shy away from calling sin, sin. I am SO thankful for my friend Paula!

In the beginning of 2018 Paula was diagnosed with cancer. Paula has been a warrior and fighter for her husband and her children, enduring chemo and radiation. Paula has never waivered in her faith and her love for Jesus. On Monday September 21, 2020 Paula was in the hospital with liver failure. As of yesterday, September 23, 2020 Paula was sent home from the hospital on hospice.

Only Jesus knows what the future looks like for Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris. With tears in my eyes, I humbly ask that you would keep the Weimer family in your prayers.

Father God, thank You for Paula. Lord God, I ask that You surround Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris with Your Presence. Lord God, give the Weimer family peace. Holy Spirit, thank You that when we do not know how or what to pray, that You make our prayers known to the Father. Thank You Jesus for interceding on our behalf. Lord God, I ask that You comfort Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris. Remind each one of them that You know them and that You see them and that You will not abandon them. Lord God, give Paula and Mike courage. Lord God, I ask for Your grace and mercy to be upon each one of them. Lord God, keep the Weimer family in perfect peace. May we never take our time with our loved ones for granted. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Blue Collar Theologian

My name is Mandy Sweigart-Quinn, I live in Lancaster, PA and I am a “Blue Collar Theologian.” I love Jesus! I am passionate about His Word (The Holy Bible)! I come alive when I can encourage others in their walk with Jesus (whether by writing or speaking). As a “Blue Collar Theologian” it is my aim to live/practice/work out my Christian hope with sincerity, authenticity and genuineness. As a “Blue Collar Theologian,” I strive to meet people right where they are (“Incarnational Theology”). I graduated in May 2019 from Capital Seminary and Graduate School with a Master's in Biblical Studies. I am a passionate, excited and enthusiastic person! I love flowers, sports and sunsets. Since January 2, 2018 I have had the privilege of being married to Nathan.

50 thoughts on “Prayer for Paula”

  2. Mandy my heart is hurting for you at this difficult time, your pain is very real and your Father God feels it too by His Spirit. He is right there with you Mandy, by your side. I will be praying for you as well as our brethren in Christ the Weimer family. May you all experience His Peace.

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  4. Awe, Mandy. I am so sorry. On hospice, Paula will/is receiving “comfort” care with laser focus. Obviously she needs that dearly. I am now waiting for a phone call I don’t want. One of my childhood best friends is currently dying from ALS. He’s been on hospice for some time now. He is up in Green Bay, WI & I am in Dallas. I feel helpless because I am not there. He has only a few days left. You are right, prayer is a must for Paula and her family, and for you. One thing to remember, Mandy….you made a difference in her life by your special touch. At this time in her days left, this is in the front of her mind, no doubt. You are loved, and that makes the difference in your days. God’s grip & Texas hugs – Alan

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    1. You words have spoken life to my sad soul. I am praying for you with your friend. I do not live nearly as far from Paula as you do your best friend. I pray that your friend knows the Lord. I know that he knows you care about him because that is the kind of man you are. You are also loved Alan and I am sending you lots of love and hugs.

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      1. Yes, he knows our bond very well. I did forget to mention he is a mission pastor up in that area. He planted a small church there and it still holds strong. I am grateful that he and his family have their church family there with them. As for you…from what I know about you, you will walk with her through this stage each step of the way as allowed. I trust that about who you are.

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  6. Mandy, may GOD give you strength too. Having a close friend who is experiencing like that also grieves you but do not be weary, GOD is always there beside your friend. Toss it up to GOD because there is nothing you can except surrendering it to Him who can do miracles in His time, His sovereign will, plan and purpose; take your burdens and give it to the Lord. Expressing this through your blog is away of releasing it to GOD as your blog friends pray for her. Praying also for you, Mandy.

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  7. Mandy, thank you for bringing Paula before us for prayer. Corinne and I will be praying for her and her family (and friends). The Lord is our loving Shepherd on the hilltops and in the valleys.

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  8. Dear Mandy, what a difficult post to write. I know bc I wrote several about my brother Paul, my best friend, dying like precious Paula.
    Last post, “I Could Not Help Him Die”.
    This is hard to say bc many will reject it: sometimes the most unselfish thing we can do for a dying beloved is encourage her as her life ebbs away. Her children will be loved and raised in Christ, she will never be forgotten and most of all – open the word of God and refresh her confidence in meeting God in glory.
    Praying for you all sister, may the Lord reveal Himself in greater measure.

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  19. Wow you have a course through the book of James! That’s so neat! Sounds like you also have studied up the impact of the book in history and also the church’s uneasy history with the book of James! James was one of the early books I read before I became a Christian since someone said my name Jimmy is James and I should read it lol. I really do appreciate James’ practical thrust and a good reminder that Christianity is practical and should have implication for Christian life. I too think James is the brother of Jesus though I know there’s been a lot of ink spilled on authorship. The book is short enough for all believers to read and direct enough with applications right away. While there’s incredible discussion about James 2 about works and relations to faith and debates about that I feel there’s little insights within the book that while not always explicit does hint that there’s more grace than works-righteousness for salvation and Christian life. The book only mention grace once in James 4:6 and it gives the prerequisite for grace on our part is humility. So grace is something we need from God. Grace for the Christian life is also hinted at in James 1:5 in which God gives wisdom generously. James’ theology of Grace (that is, God giving things not based upon our merit) leads to James 1:17 where James state that every good thing given (again the theme ‘given’ is mentioned suggesting grace) from God. I take it as God’s common grace goodness outside the direct area of salvation and sanctifiction too is a gift from God and then in verse 18 he zooms in and states God’s grace (“giving”) also extends to our fruit of holiness which is according to His will through the means or instrument of the Word of God being used. In the next chapter James 2:13 states mercy triumph over judgment, again the theme of Grace! James 3’s discussion about the characteristics of the right wisdom must be understood in light of James’ previous reference in chapter 1 that “wisdom from above” is that from God

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    1. That’s great commentary on grace. My mind keeps going to mercy triumphing. If you want an edifying exercise note the similarities that James has with the Sermon on the Mount. Personally, James in my mind is an exposition of the SOM! Please say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your daughter from Nathan and I!!

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      1. Ah I heard that before about James being an exposition of the Sermon of the Mount; but never pursued it further! One of these days I need to do a deeper study on James. And thank you for the birthday wish for my daughter!

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  20. I am so sorry…I just read your latest post and then this one…without a doubt Heaven gained a beautiful one❤️
    I laughed about the “loud and annoying”…I can relate because I’m sure people have thought and said the same of me!!😂 How beautiful though what God can form even amongst loud and annoying…I’m so thankful you had the opportunity to form a friendship and memories over the years…peace and comfort to you ❤️

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