Prayer requests

Since I know there are people reading who will say a prayer if asked, please say a prayer for the following people:

• John
• He has an inoperable tumor and chemo or radiation will be starting soon.
• Diva and Ojash
•  Diva is one of Joe's co-workers.  She and her husband are from Nepal and her son's name is Ojash (pronounced O Josh). Ojash is 1 month older than Kate and has been at 2% on the scale for height. While Diva is rather short, his doctor did some tests and discovered his brain doesn't handle growth hormones correctly. Before starting him on medication, he needed an MRI because of a pre-existing heart murmur.
  
  While at the MRI, the tech started taking lots of pictures and then left to get a doctor. Turns out he has an Atrial Septal Defect (heart defect where there is a hole in his heart between the right and left atrium). Due to the location of the hole, they've been told the only option to fix it is open heart surgery. He will need it fixed before puberty or he will likely have a heart attack in his teens. The doc is recommending they fix it sooner than later. To add to the stress of the situation, Diva is due with baby #2 in less than a month. Current plan is for Ojash to have surgery in April or May a few weeks before Diva returns to work from maternity leave.
• Lori
• A co-worker of mine who I have been fortunate enough to work closely with the last 5 years. She works remotely from the Denver area. She has recently starting having a stalker (recently release from prison, trying to regain visitation rights with kids) and has a lot of fear about the situation. She's taken a self-defense class refresher and has significantly altered her schedule.
• Mike
• Another co-worker of mine who has Atrial Fibrillation which puts him at high risk for a stroke. He is planning to have a procedure done, but is investigating new technologies. The AF has been becoming more bothersome the last few months.
  
• Leanne
• Yet another co-worker who has recently had back surgery and is hoping to be back to work this week.
• Karen
• Co-worker who's starting to earn the nickname "The Plague". She's had bronchitis for weeks and her coughing sounds painful.
  
• Ryan
• A boy who's step-dad is a former coach and teacher at my high school. Last fall he was severely burned and is still in the hospital. Caring Bridge link.
• Melissa
• Friend who's experiencing a lot of frustrations in her 1st grade classroom. Lots of tears and venting her frustrations as it's a difficult class who still needs to learn how to "do school".
  
• Jeanne and Jeannine
• Friends who just need good listeners.
• Tom
• Co-worker who's dad (John) passed away this weekend after a number of years dealing with dementia/Alzheimer's.
• Pastor Jack
• Change is coming and he's in the midst of the toughest challenge he's had in his 30+ year ministry.
• Osseo United Methodist Church
• See the aforementioned request for Pastor Jack. Also, I'm part of a small group of younger leaders who are starting to meet with Pastor Jack about moving our church forward and creating a vision.
• Joe and I
• Joe is attending his first ever church Men's Retreat. After a very recent conversation, I'm really excited for him to be going. It'll also give him a chance to get know others a bit better.
• I have a Ladies' Mini-retreat this Saturday and have some anxiety about it. Sunday is UMW Sunday where the women of the congregation lead the services instead of Pastor Jack (due to Men's Retreat). My friend Erin and I are doing the sermon again and we're ready, but I'll take all the help we can get.

When I started writing this list, I didn't realize it'd get this long. Thanks for your prayers!
Sarah