Many of you are familiar with my surprise visit back to Spokane for my brother’s wedding. Let me just tell you how reenergizing that week was for me. I have been on the field for almost a year now, and I didn’t realize how good the trip would be for me until I got there. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz was right when she said, “there’s no place like home.” Nothing like a good meal, strong cup of coffee, and endless conversation. I love the mission field, I don’t want to lead you on otherwise, and I am a motivated person. But when I was home I realized how sleeping on the ground, mats, eating the same diet, really wears on my physical body. Not one night did my back hurt. It felt awesome.
The night before the wedding, I really felt the Holy Spirit telling me to go and pray over my brother (the groom). At that time, he was sleeping, and I knew any waking him up, and he might not get back to sleep. So despite the persistence in my spirit, I let him sleep. As soon as I woke up the following morning, Cole asked me to go with him to Prayer Rock, which is overlooks our house on some cliffs. He constructed this monument, using 23 rocks from the local river, each one representing one of the children in my family, and at the top of the monument is one representing my parents. It is awesome in its symbolic simplicity. Just like Joshua took the 12 stones out of the Jordan to remember God’s faithfulness, so I am reminded that He is faithful to my family as well. Cole and I talked and shared and prayed for each other that morning. I cannot tell you how blessed and full my heart was to be apart of blessing and celebrating what God had put together.
Also, this last week was my grandpa’s 80th birthday. He is in excellent health, and also what a blessing to see how the Lord has been faithful to him in his life. From WWII in Holland, to 6 children, 40 some odd grandkids, and numerous great grand kids. He has had a life full of pastoring churches, chaplain the military, and ministering to professionals. He and his beautiful wife (whom he has called ‘Her Majesty’) celebrated 58 years of marriage this weekend as well.
Not only that, but I was able to connect with really good friends and see the house I will be living in when I come back. It is so awesome how the Lord is teaching all of us the same lessons at opposite ends of the globe. How He is uniting our hearts and visions, so that He may be more magnified and His name echoed louder.
Enough said. I think you get my drift. It was an anointed week. And the dove definitely came down. Thank you to all for your prayers and support. I still have $1,400 left to raise until I am fully supported!
I am so excited to finish out my last few days in India, and then head off to Thailand for debrief and ministry to the women trapped in the sex-slave mess.
Yeah! Rejoice! Keep your eyes focused on the Man walking on the water, and not on the waves!
