Balloon lands prayers for soldier in Iraq

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ill. -- A silver Mylar balloon sent aloft in July in Furnas County, carrying requests for prayers for the safe return of a soldier named "Liz," landed in the hands of an Illinois farmer whose Bible study group is honoring Liz's mother's heartfelt petitions.

Nicole Moss wrote in an e-mail to the Gazette that her father, Dan Weger, found the balloon while hunting. The handwriting on one side of the balloon reads: "Some days life is really hard." The other side reads: "7-25-2006 My daughter Liz is a soldier in Iraq. Please pray for her safety. Furnas County, Nebraska."

Nicole's mother, Marianne Weger, wrote in subsequent e-mails to the Gazette that the farm that she and her husband, Dan, own in Lawrence County, Ill., is approximately 825 miles from Furnas County, Neb.

"I am so excited to let the parent's of Liz know that their balloon was found and that we honored their requests for prayers for their daughter," Marianne wrote.

Marianne shared the story of the balloon with her Bible study group. "Last night, our prayer group met at our house," she writes. "We all stood in a circle, and each had one hand holding the balloon and we offered prayers up for the safety of Liz in Iraq."

Marianne said that she also sent an e-mail to sewing friends who live in a tri-state area, "and they are all praying for Liz and her safety too."

Marianne writes: "Amazing how one little silver Mylar balloon can bring so many strangers together for one cause ... praying for the safety of Liz."

Marianne concludes one e-mail message with this: "Most of all, we want to let the parents of Liz know that their balloon was found, and that we are honoring their request of praying for the safety of Liz."

Anyone with more information about Liz is encouraged to call the Gazette, (308) 345-4500, and connections can be made with the Wegers.

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