Put Prayer Into Practice

Her name is Barbara, and she is one of the truest friends I have ever known. This woman would stop whatever she was doing to be there for me, and that's just the kind of person she is with all of her friends.

We met in September of 2005, when Gage and I moved to Fort Hood, TX. She was the very first female friend that I made and we hit it off instantly. We both felt very special because our husbands would ask us to to go with them to "guy's night" while all of the other wives were not invited. There was never a dull moment when the two of us were together. I was the Maid of Honor in her wedding, our husband's worked together... I had hoped that our families would stay close for years. Unfortunately, time and circumstances have taken that dream away but Barbara Maier is forever a dear friend to me and even with her miles away, I still carry her in my heart.

Because she is so special to me, my heart is breaking over all that she has been going through. I wish so badly that I could be with her right now. But since I can't, the best that I can do is beg everyone for their prayers and support. Barbara has suffered with a lot of different health issues for as long as I have known her. The most recent development is the return of her brain tumor, which has grown larger than the last time. The following link is a note that she wrote, explaining her situation: http://www.facebook.com/barbie.maier?v=wall#!/note.php?note_id=448056517163 .

As you can see, her oldest son Payton is also struggling with some health issues. I can remember the day my mother-in-law and I drove straight from the airport to the hospital because Payton was rushed there for seizures. This was almost 5 years ago and he's still having them. He is such an awesome boy. The whole family is. They are a beautiful family and wonderful people.They need our prayers, and I as their friend am asking you to take a moment out of your busy life to do so. Her husband Michael is a wonderful man, and I admire him for all of the support and love he has shown his wife in these hard times.

Barbara has a fund raising page for anyone who can afford to donate some money. If this is something you would be interested in, please visit the site: http://pages.lightthenight.org/sctx/AustinL10/BMaier#home . If you can't afford it, please at least continue to pray for them.

Barbara, I promise you that the moment I have enough money for a trip, you will be the first person to know. I love you, girl.