I could use some prayer folks. My wife left me with my two young daughters a week ago. I work third shift, which has put me in a place of sending my kids to friend's houses overnight, so I can go to work. That is going to only go so far, and it looks like I am going to have to quit my regular job long before I was prepared. This will mean finding another manufacturing job. I have been working for a long time to find a way out of the manufacturing rut.

I don't want to get into all the details of my marital problems etc. on this forum, but could use some prayer.

I'll pray for you chester and your daughters, your daughters will suffer the most from this, my prayers are with all of you

That's such a sad situation. I'm so sorry for you and your girls, and I will definitely remember to pray for you and also, for your wife.

Things happen for a reason ... but sometimes it's hard to get from Point A to Point B, but God has a plan for you and you need to believe that.

Hang in there, and stay faithful ... and things will all work out.

God bless you all.

Oh, Chester, I am so sorry to hear about your problems. I will definitely shoot up some prayers for you and your family.

Praying hard for ya buddy.

Keep your chin up and hopefully Clowning will keep your mind at rest. When times seem tough around here, I know I can always count on my Clowning to help me forget, even for just a little while, (sometimes that's when I get my best ideas). Clowning is my escape.

and your Clown character has really come around recently,

and hug those daughters! They need their Daddy at times like this.

~Sam 8-)

My prayers are with you & your girls Chester.

Chester,
You've for sure never let on for all your troubles. Your girls are lucky to have such a strong dad! I'm sure all forum members will be praying and thinking of you in this trying time. God will keep you strong and help you find a way.
Sara K.

So sorry about your difficulties; it must be tough, especially with little ones. I'll pray for you too. I especially hope that God will give you peace.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. The girls do miss their mother and ask from time to time when she is coming home. I don't know when or if that will be. I don't want a broken home for the girls. I went through that. It really really stinks.

I'm not that strong. I am really coming unglued, but am slow to trust most folks. I am an outgoing introvert. I can be a clown and thrive on it, but you will never know if anything is bothering me, or much personal about me unless I know you and trust you. That does not mean I drop the silliness when you get to know me. I just let folks in a bit more.

Chester,
I am so sorry to head about your troubles. Keep asking God for help to get though all of this, and we will be doing the same for you and your family.
God has a plan for each of us. We just have to listen for His leading.

Glad you feel you can open up to and trust us, Chester. We're all here for ya.

Prayers from across the pond Chester.

Tickles

Chester we'll keep you and your family in our prayers.

Just a quick update. My wife has been caring for the girls at night while I have been at work, and staying away during the weekends. Last night she told the girls she was suicidal and scared them terribly. I honestly believe she is trying to get me to relent on some of the things I have asked her to do. She is not communicating with me today. I have located councellor, but without her onboard that isn't going to help. With her talking like she is, I can't let my daughters be with her over night. I am going to have to call in tonight, and maybe have to abandon my job and find another that works with their school hours and allow me to be with them.

So, things are looking very dark right now. I have faith that the Lord can help. Please, keep praying.

OUR HOPE ENDURES - NATALIE GRANT:
Lyrics to Our Hope Endures :
You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here
Oh, but sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear?

But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged

How do we comprehend peace within pain?
Or joy at a good man's wake?
Walk a mile with the woman whose body is racked
With illness, oh how can she laugh?
Oh, 'cause sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear?

But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged

Emmanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
We never walk alone
And this is our hope

But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged

--------------

Shackles :Mary Mary
Lyrics to Shackles (Praise You) :
Whoo!
It sure is hot out here
Ya know?
I don't mind thought
Just glad to be free
Know what I'm saying, uh!

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
(What'cha wanna do?)
I just wanna praise you
(Yeah, yeah)
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
(Uh feel me?)
And I'm gonna praise you
(What'cha gon do?)
I'm gonna praise you

In the corners of mind
I just can't seem to find a reason to believe
That I can break free
Cause you see I have been down for so long
Feel like the hope is gone
But as I lift my hands, I understand
That I should praise you through my circumstance

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
So much pressure fell on me
I thought I was gon lose my mind
But I know you wanna see
If I will hold on through these trials
But I need you to lift this load
Cause I can't take it anymore

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

Been through the fire and the rain
Bound in every kind of way
But God has broken every chain
So let me go right now

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you
[repeat x3]

Take them off
What'cha gonna do, yeah

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

------------

Chester, I, too have endured some rather dark times, but it's the Storms in life that are the true test of our faith; anyone can row in calm seas. The lyrics from both songs above helped me hold on and weather the storm. The Storm will pass, but it may take time. Do what is best for those precious girls of yours and know matter what the outcome, you'll have no real regrets.

Your brother in Christ,
Dusty B / Bogie / Jeff

I believe in miracles from God. And I believe with all of us praying for you that you will keep your faith and God will guide you in all this mess. We are all here for you Chester.

I wish there were something I could do. It sounds like your wife is depressed. She is probably honestly suicidal and asking for help. I thought LuLu was lying, too, until a couple weeks ago when I realized she was serious. Your wife needs medical help. Before it's too late.

My wife turned up after nearly 48 hours being MIA. I had called the police and they put out an "attempt to locate" on her. She finally called me from the psych ward of the hospital. She had checked herself in. I have an appointment with her and her social worker tomorrow.

I talked to her worker this afternoon on the phone. She agrees with me, that the whole suicide thing has been a gigantic temper tantrum. I don't mean to seem uncaring. That is not the case. We have been down this road before, though not to this extreme.

They plan on releasing her on Monday. What happens on Monday, whether I allow her to come home or not depends on her attitude and frame of mind. She may be staying at her mother's for awhile. I can't have her scaring our daughters, nor can I have her get vindictive and do something fateful.

That said, I am glad she is being forced to get help. This will hopeful lead to councelling for both of us.

Thinking of you and yours during this hard time. God is wise and good. He has an ultimate plan. Wishing you the the best.

count me in - so sorry about the situation - here's hoping things resolve in the best way for all, very soon.... until then, may you have strong friends to help carry you, and may you learn to lean on the One who saw this coming and specializes in making beauty from ashes...

Hey how you doing Chester. Your wife sucks but you need your children and you should fight for their custody.

LuLu used to have those "temper tantrums," too. Then she did mean it. I know I sound like a broken record, but she needs help. Now. Before its too late.

Chester,

Just wanted you to know that your in my prayers. Just keep the FAITH!

Chester,
I'm praying that all of you gets the help that is needed.

Update: My wife is home. She is on anti-depressants (heavy doses) and anti-anxiety medications. Her attitude is much better in many ways. We are starting marriage councelling and she is going to do some follow up with a mental health care professional. While I still believe this was a temper tantrum, this is going to lead to the both of us getting some professional opinions and help, and will result in us working to resolve some of our long-term issues. In the end, I think this is more of an answer to prayer than it would initially appear to be.

Unfortunately, I have been working 12 hour shifts, and I am totally exhausted, so arranging councelling has been going slower than I'd like.

Chester just hang in there. You know God answer prayer, we just don't alway see it, until later. Years ago my husband lost his job in the Mill and we had a tough time, but now I look back and thank God, He's a supervisor in another field, secured job, and the mills are now all closed, It would be awful starting over now. So Just hang in there and we'll all keep praying for you.

God has blessed you with another chance Chester so he will see that things work out. If they don't then you can split knowing that you gave it your best shot and tried your hardest to make things work, so that you won't have any guilt feelings. Things are hard sometimes..God never promised us an easy road..he is testing our faith by doing things like this...So be strong for your kids if nothing else and others will notice and the Lord will continue to bless you. You will remain in my prayers for strength and guidance and look to the Lod for your answers! You are right ...this could be an answer to your prayer already!

8-) Praise the Lord ! 8-) We will continue our prayers for your family.

Thanks for the update Chester - I know this is so personal for you.... Glad you'll all be going for counselling - may God arrange that you get just the right professionals for the sakes of you all.