I think we have similar estrangement situations. Our ED (age 23) left home. 2 1/2.years ago. She gave up family, friends, and all good people. Since then she is on her 3rd bf. She was engaged to the second one. I am sharing this to say that all things can change. They did not set a date you said so the engagement could be a long one or not result in a marriage. God is greater than their plans.

We keep praying for God to have His way. Our ED is doing things her way. Enjoy your daughter and her engagement time. God bless you.

Focus on the daughter with whom you can celebrate. Yes, not being involved with ED will hurt but just try to focus on the daughter you do have. As above, an engagement doesn't always lead to marriage and it could be a very long time, time enough for things to change drastically. So we pray, have faith and ask our heavenly Father to take care of the situation. I know that is so hard and I try every day but some times fail miserably but God understands that tool Peace and hugs

Hard as it is - definitely focus on the daughter with whom you can celebrate. And as others have said, perhaps the engagement will not turn into a wedding. Turn our ED over to God.

So sorry for this feelinghelpless. It is such a terrible feeling for something that is supposed to be happy and exciting to be sad and upsetting instead. I am happy for you that your other daughter is close to you and that you can celebrate with her in her engagement. As the others said, they may even break it off. That is what I'm praying for my ES too.

Thank you for your replies. I am going to start praying for them to break up. I've been praying that since she left. I'm afraid if they get married it'll be even harder for her to come back.
I'm going to try very hard to focus on my other daughter. Sometimes I get stuck and wonder if my ED will get engaged and I'll miss out on this with her and now I know I am.

Neither of my ED's are in my life. One got married in May and I wasn't invited or even a thought but the groom's mother who sexually abused him was there and in the pictures-BUT I know God has a plan and it includes me NOT being around my kids now. Please pray for HEALIING not a break up for your daughter. Concentrate on the daughter you do have a relationship with and consider yourself very blessed to have her in your life.

I agree with Texassunshine. It is important to focus on healing. Pray for their marriage to be strong, so that your ED will be happy. My guess is that if she's happy she'll come back.

I remember the pain of having my son leave our state, marry against our wishes and without us present. As a cancer survivor, I can tell you I'd t
rather have cancer than suffer the pain of estrangement from a son or daughter. In time, God fixes things. He saw fit to bring us reconciliation. We called our son and we said we were sorry..we loved him and let's move on... They were polite, homesick and accepted us. It is not perfect. It takes time for things to feel natural. We did great for years, and they (ES and wife) even came closer to the Lord. They are a bit out of God's will and we are back to walking on eggshells... But I trust that the God that started this good job will be faithful to His promises. You know your child and how you brought her up...In time her eyes an heart will be opened and she will need you back. I pray for patience and faith and peace and joy for you..and me ...and all of us here. God bless.

I don't think it's wise to pray for her to be happy. As long as she thinks everything is going well as it is, she'll be less likely to come back to God or me. She has to be "feeding pigs" before she'll think about changing. I hate to wish her ill will, but she has to be flat on her back before she'll look up. Also, since bf and his family seem to be guarding her marriage will make it even harder for her to get away.
My biggest prayer is that God will be using this so that when she does come back she'll be a strong Christian with the ability to help others.

feeling, I tend to think that our ED must hit bottom before she will look up. I do not know how God is working but I do know that He is in control of all things. He is greater than any of our plans or the plans of our EC. One of my Christian friends pointed out how God may even put a Christian in their path to speak truth to them about God and family. Our part is to pray.

definitely a good and proper prayer...that if necessary to get as low as the prodigal son ..do as to realize what has been lost...been there...totally agree. Be ready to welcome them as the Father welcomed the prodigal..in His time...not easy...

I was that prodigal, and certainly wouldn't wish that pain on my children. For me, I pray that God will protect them, and draw them to him without them having to go through a great deal of pain. We each must deal with this in our own way. For me, I pray for their happiness and protection. My own grief does not need to spill over onto them.

I do consider our ED to be a prodigal ever since she left home at age 20 ( now 23) and based on the way she has lived in rebellion to God and family. All of our EC are different and are at different ages and stages in life.

One thing I know is that we are all loving and caring mothers who see the value in praying for our EC. Our desire is to see God change their hearts and turn their lives to God, then family. I do not know how God will work but He calls us to pray. In the Bible the prodigal had to reach bottom. For some EC it may not be. Each one of us are led to pray in a different way which is the beauty of our relationship with the Holy Spirit. God will work His way in each EC's life.

It is a blessing to share our burdens and prayer requests with each caring parent here.