A Treasured Story Where our Family Began

My children love to look at pictures. They want to see the selfie we took immediately after we took it. They want to sit in front of the computer and look at their baby pictures. They want to hold photo albums and flip through the pages of pictures. The girls have really been interested in our wedding photos lately. A couple nights ago Maiesha also discovered a box in the coat closet marked “wedding keepsakes”. It was taped closed so I know it has been at least 4 years (when we moved to Arkansas) since we have opened it, but probably more like 8 years (when we moved to Evansville, IN). We cut the tape and began to look through the treasures inside. Most of it was uneventful. There were extra copies of our invitations, programs, and napkins. There were some old bows. They really loved seeing my hand made tiara and the Isotoner slippers I wore down the aisle. It was fun for me to remember those wedding moments, but the best thing I found in the box was a copy of an article my Grandma Keppeler had written and published in one of the local newspapers back home on January 16, 2001 – just about 8 months before our wedding. They had been married 54 years at the time she wrote it. This was especially nostalgic since Grandma just passed away a few months ago. Grandpa left us in 2009. I want to share that article with you. It is beautiful! The title is “I Didn’t Even Have a Picture of Him!”

As a normal teen, I thought of love and marriage and I prayed for the right man to come along someday. Our family lived west of Hicksville [Ohio], just into Indiana, and I was busy with school, music, parties and work.

But I was getting impatient with God.

On June 21, 1945, when I was 19, I came home from work and Mother…with a big smile on her face… said I had a letter. It was from Marvin Keppeler, a GI who I didn’t know; except that he was my brother-in-law’s brother. But somehow I knew he was the man for me. I had no picture of him. All I knew was that he wrote letters like a gentleman.

Marvin was in the service. And, as you may know, that could be a very lonesome place to be. World War II was over, but they had other things in mind for him. They must have thought they were going to turn him into a medic. He was stationed at Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver when he happened to remember that his sister-in-law had a younger sister. So he had asked her if her sister was available and if so, what was her address? That was how it all started and why he first wrote to me.

After that, I didn’t know where his letters would come from. He was sent to Bushnell General Hospital in Brigham City, Utah, where he helped nurse the wounded and even helped with a surgical procedure. Then he was transferred to Camp Crowder, Missouri and then to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Letters went back and forth very steadily until he came home on furlough in September.

Golly! When he came to my door, there stood the most handsome man! I was nearly tongue-tied. And for me, that’s almost impossible! My brother-in-law, Marion Monosmith, had just returned home from the front lines in Germany and he was over at my brother’s house. Marion had also been Marvin’s next-door neighbor, so we both wanted to see him. And that’s where we went on our first date.

We also saw some movies and went to the Dekalb County Fair before he had to go back to active duty. In early December, he was sent to Cairo, Egypt, where there was little to do except keep out of trouble. Then in January, his father passed away after suffering a heart attack. This upset Marvin very much, since he was the one who had been most involved in farming with his father and his father had been upset when the government had taken four of his six sons into the service. Marvin put in for a discharge so he could go home to manage the farm. There was nothing for them to do in Egypt because there were disagreeable people there. There were even riots in the streets.

Finally in April, Marvin was given his discharge and he flew home with a group of other soldiers. We dated all summer, and on August 3, 1946, he came to see me and said his brother Roy had told him that if we were going to get married, we’d have to do it right away because he’d been called into the Army. That was Marvin’s way of asking for my hand in marriage.

At that time, prospective brides and grooms had to have blood tests to see if they had syphilis or gonorrhea. So, since I was living in Indians, we went to Ft Wayne on Monday for the test and to buy a dress and hat for me and a suit for him. The test results came in the mail the very next day. (Can you imagine that?) On Thursday, I went shopping for a minster. And it wasn’t easy. You see, all but one of them were at conventions. The one who wasn’t happened to be from the Church of God in Auburn [Indiana] and by coincidence, Marvin’s family attended the Church of God here in Edgerton and they had even owned the ground on which the building stood. We got married that Saturday…August 10, 1946…and then went to his aunt’s home in Chicago.

We went to church on Sunday at the Tabernacle, then took a drive past many places of interest. Then we went window shopping, trying to find a sink which we hadn’t been able to find at home because of war-year shortages. On Monday, we went back to the store where we’d found the sink and had it shipped home. Then we were off for our honeymoon to Wisconsin to visit the Dells, then to Iowa to meet more of his relatives, and then back to my home. Then I went to his home to live…and that turned out to be the first and last move I’ve ever made.

Our first child, Linda, was born on September 4, 1947. Then came Sharon on September 14, 1948, Garold on February 19, 1953, Gayle on April 24, 1958 and Lee on March 13, 1959. We now have 13 grandchildren...

At Christmas this year, nearly all the members of our family were here and we had a house full indeed!

I thank God for answering my prayers. (published Farmland News, Archbold, OH Tuesday, January 16, 2001 Wedding Guide)

My Grandma was the last of her 9 siblings to leave this earth. One of my Grandpa’s 5 brothers is still alive and living in Wenatchee, Washington. This will be our first Christmas without their generation in attendance to hold us all together. They have left behind their 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way) to carry on their legacy that began with that first letter in 1945. I miss them so much, but I love these little remnants for their life together that help us never forget them.

Not Finished Yet

Where am I today? Who am I today? I stood in front of the bathroom mirror this morning and saw my reflection, but it is different than the image in my head. I don’t like that wrinkle above my nose between my eyebrows. I still see a 22 year old kid in my head. I see a 26 year old first time mommy. I see coach of high school kids. I see an athlete. Although I struggle with the image of me, I am joyful about the person I am becoming. A woman crafted in the image of my Savior. Worn by the trials I have faced but better for them for they have allowed me to draw nearer to the God who loves me and gave himself up for me. I am empowered. I am fierce. I am more patient and compassionate. I have a God-given vision for my life and a little of it rubs off on everyone I meet (Some refer to it as “The Lynette”.) I know where I am going even though I don’t know how my story will end.

I am listening to “In the Morning Light” by Yanni (showing my age there) as I write this. In fact it is what inspired me to start writing this. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkCX5xp_Crg

I am instantly transported back to my wedding day. This is the song that played as I walked down the aisle to marry Tyrone 14 years ago. I didn’t really know much that day. I knew I could spend my life with him. I knew I loved God and Jesus was my Savior, but I really don’t think he was Lord of my life yet. I was carefree yet fearful of what other people thought of me. I lacked wisdom, but I thought I knew it all. I didn’t know what it would really take to honor those vows we exchanged that day. There was no direction or purpose to me as far as I can remember. There was a champion in me however. I knew what it took to win. I knew how to compete. I knew how to love. I knew how to be reckless. I knew I wanted to be great but at what was the mystery.

In January 2010 I discovered my life verse. Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.” There have been approximately 1,700 days since then and I have prayed this verse back to God more than 1,300 times. I kind of take it for granted, unfortunately, but sometimes I stop and realize just how much God has answered this simple prayer. I can’t begin to describe all the answers, but I know he is answering this prayer by the way he has expanded my territory over the past 5 years. He has entrusted me with 4 children and taught me how to disciple, pray for, and build relationships with them. He has entrusted me with the job of leading children’s ministry. That means helping children and families find their place in God’s story to become fully-devoted, world changing followers of Jesus. He has made my dream of going to Africa come true and given me the privilege of teaching others about him on platforms I could not have imagined. He has walked me through becoming the wife that my husband needs and carried me when I just wanted to give up. He has given me a voice to speak into the lives of countless college students and young adults which is only preparing me to be the mom of my own adult children someday.

Thank you, God that you had a path marked out for me long before I found it. Thank you, God for being faithful when I was faithless and only focused on me. Thank you, God for knitting me together in my mother’s womb with specific skills and talents that blossom as I mature in you. Thank you, God for answering my prayers and revealing more and more of yourself to me as I walk in step with my Jesus. Thank you, God for teaching me humility in the face of my mistakes. And most of all, thank you, God that you are not finished with me yet.

Do Life Big - A story about my Grandma

I am a person who often sees the value of a situation best in hindsight. I don’t know if that is good or bad, and it could just depend on what the situation is, but I love to start at the end of a story and work my way backward to see how the “finish line” was reached. I also love a good story. I love to hear a person share stories from his/her own life. I love the details of a story that make it come to life for the listener. I love to tell stories especially to illustrate a point or a lesson I have learned. 

The past couple weeks have been lived in hindsight. They have been sad and sweet as I have looked back at a lifetime of memories I shared with my Grandma, Margaret (Hart) Keppeler. She went to heaven to be with Jesus on June 2, 2015. It was somewhat unexpected. She was taken to the ER a couple days earlier for some pretty extreme stuff that was happening to her body. By Tuesday night she seemed to be stable and her doctor had decided to send her back to the nursing home where she had been living for nearly 2 years. While my mom was sharing all of this with me over the phone, my dad received the call from the hospital on his cell phone that she was gone. She died peacefully in her bed at the same age that Grandpa was 6 years ago when he passed – 89.

My mind instantly began to recall all of my favorite things about my grandma. I remembered things that I had not thought of in years. I grew up with her. My Dad and Grandpa farmed together ever since my Dad was 4 years old and he drove the tractor for the first time. We spend our summers in the barn playing. We were at their house all the time for holidays, family get togethers, and just to grab a piece of hard candy from the dish during baling season. We sat at the piano with her countless times and sang Sunday school songs and two of her favorites – “This Old House” and “I’ll Fly Away”.

Grandma was feisty. She always spoke her mind, but it was out of love. She always told jokes and silly stories. She always laughed and smiled big. Joy radiated from her. She was a little crazy sometimes too, but was just part of who she was and what made her so special. She sold door to door Avon for nearly 25 years and she told my aunt Christine once that the only reason she did it was so that she could visit with people. I could write for days about all the things she did.

In my hindsight view of Grandma, I realize that I am a lot like her. My boldness to talk to strangers (so they quickly become friends), my lack of housekeeping skills, and my love for a great story come from her. Most recently I have been more focused on looking for joy in every situation (Check out “Fight Back with Joy” by Margaret Feinberg), and that's what my Grandma did. You could not help but smile with her. My love for Jesus and his saving grace have a lot to do with time spent with her.

I was given the opportunity to speak at Grandma’s funeral. My role was to kick off the time of family remembrances. It was a perfect funeral (if I dare say that is such a thing) and she would have loved it. Cousin Frank played old hymns on the piano just like she would have – cords only and loud – and he spoke of how she and her sisters (his mom and aunt) encouraged him to keep banging on the piano keys. We laughed together as we all shared. My husband Tyrone even stood up and shared a story and credited her with being the most joyful person he has ever met. Cousin Shirley spoke of a generation that has now all passed. Grandma’s sister Annabelle was the first of her 8 siblings to die when she was 16 years old. She spoke of their reunion now so many years later.

As God always does, he gave me a song for this occasion. It was perfect and inspired me to speak at the funeral. Some of the lyrics from “Do Life Big” by Jamie Grace are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XziPUuptdOQ

It’s like a new day. Woke up to hear You say

I came to give you life so spread your wings and fly

Now go and show no fear you are enough to change the atmosphere

So go and do life BIG

I wanna do life BIG

I wanna love, I wanna live every day I live

I wanna do life BIG

I wanna love, serve, and give every chance I get

I wanna do life BIG

That was Grandma. She loved big! She served her family, friends, and community big! She lived with no fear and changed the atmosphere around her because of the big heart and passion for people that God placed in her. That’s how I see my grandma in me. I wanna do life big to honor her memory and carry on her legacy to my family, my community, and to the ends of the earth.

Pastor Fred closed his message about the hope Grandma had through Jesus Christ with a question. If Margaret had one more minute with us what would she say? Then he pulled up the song “Bushel and a Peck” from the 1955 production of “Guys and Dolls”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tfA0LokYuo

This was one of Grandma’s favorite things to say/sing to all whom she loved. We laughed and cried as we listened knowing that is exactly what she would say. “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. You bet your pretty neck I do.”

 

I read Psalm 78:5-7 a month earlier (there’s hindsight again), and it fits here with Grandma’s story.

 It says,  

 For he issued his laws to Jacob;
    he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
    to teach them to their children,
⁶ so the next generation might know them—
    even the children not yet born—
    and they in turn will teach their own children.
⁷ So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
    not forgetting his glorious miracles
    and obeying his commands.

I wept and worshipped God as we closed by singing “Amazing Grace”. I raised my hands to heaven in that little country church thankful that God is faithful and he has redeemed me through the blood of Jesus. I am thankful he has done amazing things in and through my family and it’s my turn to teach my children so they will take their place in God’s story to make his name great so every tribe, nation and tongue with know and worship him.

 

 

 

 

Blessed to be a Blessing

Do you ever sit and reflect back across your life to see how you arrived at this moment? I am compelled to do this during difficult times, but even more so in times like right now when I sense the Spirit of God moving and bringing my dream into focus. If you have never dared to dream, take some time, find an inspirational spot and ask God to help you dream about the purpose he has planned for your unique life. He just might blow your mind! And once he blows your mind, be brave enough to trust him and follow the path he has laid out for you.

Think about Abram (We know him better as Abraham). He was just chillin’ one day – at the age of 75 - when the God of the universe dropped in and said I choose you.  God said,

“I will make you into a great nation

and I will bless you;

 I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

 I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all people on earth

will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)

Abram was a regular guy. He did know God and desired to serve him. Genesis 15:6 says “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Abram made plenty of mistakes even after this declaration of Abram’s salvation by the Lord, but it is clear he did love God and was willing to obey him even when it didn’t make sense. God changed his name from “exalted father” to “father of many”, and we are the product of the covenant God made with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob – we, like them, are blessed to be a blessing.

I am closing in on my 37^th birthday and a few years ago I was concerned about this aging thing. I was so impatient and scared. While still in my 20s I would wonder why haven’t I “arrived” at the BIG thing I am supposed to be doing? I would look at other women who were doing things I thought I should be doing and asked why not me yet? I was jealous. I couldn’t really be happy for their success at being a blessing because I was so concerned about my thing and why I wasn’t being used in the gifts and talents God had clearly given me. We had a 4^th child and if I am honest, I was concerned that that would only set me back. As my children get older we face challenges in parenting that on the surface are just nuisances and bring out my insecurities and fears which I certainly don’t want anyone to see.

Now here I sit on my couch thousands of years after Abraham’s epic story, and I am beginning to wrap my brain around how God is blessing me so I can be a blessing to all nations. God has positioned our family here in Fayetteville, AR to understand our place in His story and be completely sold out to it. My God dream isn’t coming true on accident. It isn’t happening in spite of anything. It is coming true because of His faithfulness and fierce love for me. It is all coming together because of a clear choice to spend time with God developing a relationship with him as he has designed. It is coming from the answered prayer that God make me teachable and useable. It is born out of obedience and learning to surrender to His will. It comes from an understanding that when I die to myself and allow Christ to live, I am more me than I ever could be on my own.  It is happening through transparency with our children and allowing God to refine me through parenting these beautiful gifts he has entrusted to us. The dream is coming into clear view as a result of being content with where I am and trusting that God will continue to work out every detail.

This song beautifully explains where I am right now and I couldn’t be more excited. I have never been so happy to be patient and so giddy about the future. Every day I am more alive thanks to God’s covenant with Abraham that he was blessed to be a blessing so that I can now take my place in His story and be a blessing too.

“In Over My Head” by Bethel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv3-TDdD1pM

More specifics are coming soon!

Our African Adventure

Where do I begin? Our trip to Ethiopia and Kenya was beyond anything I could have ever hoped or imagined. God showed up in big ways and I could talk for hours about his faithfulness and provision. From beginning to end, I wouldn’t change a thing. We traveled for 23 hours to get there and 26 hours to get home. We lacked some of the “modern conveniences” of home. We learned to trust God when we were tired, scared, sick and unable to talk to Daddy and little sisters. We saw beautiful things and sad things. We experienced worship in a difference language but it was clear God was the same. We were encouraged and inspired by the joy and contentment of Ethiopian believers. We taught Weave’s The Big Story training to provide them with new tools to use in their homes and classrooms. It was incredible to be a part of equipping believers to help them raise up the next generation of Ethiopian believers who will help fulfill the Great Commission.

We couldn’t help but notice the extreme poverty all around us, but there was a pleasant and joyful nature to most every person we encountered. We didn't want to fix it we just wanted to experience life with these beautiful people. The people were generous and warm hearted. There was an intimacy from the way they greeted one another (and us) to their hospitality. The landscape and simplicity of life was refreshing. I had to stop and remind myself often that I was standing on the continent of Africa. I remember stepping out on our balcony to watch the sunrise our first morning in Ethiopia. I had only slept for a few hours but I was awake and alive like never before. I was so overwhelmed by God's faithfulness to bring me to this place. We tasted new foods and went a little overboard. In my enthusiasm for "fitting in" I ate a little too much new food. The bread and spices did not agree with me but I credited it all to having the complete experience. I never once thought to complain about my digestive issues. 

 

I remember our first year living in Arkansas and how difficult it was. I was so sad that I had given up teaching and coaching. I didn't know when or if those things would ever come back to me. I realized this as I stood in the church at the training one day. It seemed like such an easy choice now. I was teaching again and not just teaching, but teaching people about God's word in Ethiopia, Africa. You talk about God giving me pearls when I was holding on to a string of plastic beads. (Google the pearl necklace story.) God's plans are SO MUCH BETTER than ours. I never could have imagined this would be my opportunity to teach again. The icing on the cake was that I was able to include Jeremiah and Maiesha into the lessons I taught. I shared stories from our lives that connected to these Ethiopian believers and helped them better grasp the material. Wow! That all I can say is WOW!

At the 2 day training we taught in Ethiopia, we met a 3 year old little girl named Roi who attended the training with her mom each day. Roi will be 4 in May and she was the Ethiopian version of our Lydia. She was full of energy and was always talking and smiling. She was such a blessing to us. She spoke a little English and would say “com’on” each time she wanted to play. We are friends now on Facebook so she and Lydia can meet and so our families can stay connected.

Jeremiah and Maiesha were amazing. About 36 hours after arriving in Addis Ababa they took a cab 40 minutes across town with Amy, our guesthouse manager, to an elementary school while I went to our first training day. They jumped into English and Math lessons with 1^st and 3^rd graders. I was nervous to let them go without me, but knew I couldn't deprive them of such a great opportunity. We went to an orphanage in both Addis Ababa and Nairobi – each very different but in both they were so excited to serve. They played games with kids their own age that spoke no English and cuddled with babies who will hopefully be reunited with their mommies one day soon. We called Jeremiah the baby whisperer. They participated during training with some of the activities and talked to kids in a Sunday school class about God’s mission and sharing Jesus with kids. They kept the energy high and even cooked scrambled eggs for everyone each morning at the guesthouse. They made a lifelong friendship with “uncle” Menge – our host and ministry partner. Jeremiah has really struggled being home. It was as if he discovered what he is designed to do. He became Ermias (air-me-as is Ethiopian for Jeremiah) and was learning the language. He loved it every time someone asked if he was Ethiopian. He bonded so quickly with people. I know this is just the beginning of his world travels for the sake of God's mission to reach the unreached. Maiesha loved this experience, but she did go through some homesickness and even altitude sickness. She started rough and finished strong.  

 

In Kenya we had the opportunity to take a little adventure to Hell's Gate National Park. What started as a drive through safari to look for wildlife turned into a grand adventure. We decided to take a 15 minute hike into a gorge. A few minutes in a young Kenyan boy named Dennis was leading us on a climb down into the gorge over slippery rock walls and past hot springs. Keep in mind Maiesha and I were wearing plastic flip-flops and I had on a dress. It didn't matter - I wasn't about to miss this. After our hour and a half hike we finally found giraffes after seeing lots of buffalo, zebras and warthog plus a few other animals. We drove by Naivasha Lake the home of over 5,000 hippos. On our way back to Nairobi we realized we were only a few 100 yards away from the Logonot volcano. (It erupted about 100 years ago and shaped the landscape of the park and was responsible for its name.) It was in the Great Rift Valley and we were supposed to be driving up on the rim. We took off across the valley on a dirt road (Google maps called it a hiking trail) to make the climb back to the rim. It was 3 miles of the roughest terrain I have ever been on but it seemed normal for an afternoon adventure in Kenya.

 I know we will be sharing stories from this trip, our first international experience, for the rest of our lives. These stories will become illustrations in Bible studies, lessons, and conversations. God is good! Thanks again to everyone who supported us throughout this great adventure. We couldn’t have done it without you. I hope we have inspired you to continue to serve God through praying, going, sending, welcoming and mobilizing so that God’s name will be made great so that every tribe, nation and tongue will know and worship him.

 

May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. Then the earth will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will richly bless us. Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him. Psalm 67:5-7

Africa - my #Goddream come true

I have been on one mission trip in my life. I was a junior in high school and we flew to Arizona to help on a Native American reservation for a couple days then we explored Arizona for the rest of spring week. It was a valuable experience but it didn’t “cost” me very much. The couple who led the trip paid for pretty much everything so I didn’t have to raise support. Our service project was great. I remember helping to build a sidewalk and visiting with a few people. I remember eating a meal with some of the Native Americans – real authentic food they prepared themselves. That trip gave me a love for Arizona and exposed me to people who were different than me.

Fast forward about 20 years and I am sitting at Loafin’ Joes with Carissa Potter discussing children’s ministry for the 2014-15 school year. She was sharing about her adventures and world travels with her job as the Director of Weave (www.weavefamily.org). She is one of those people that is so passionate about what she does that you can help but “get some of it on you” when she talks. So I seized the moment and asked if she would ever consider taking me with her on one of her international adventures. She quickly answered yes and seemed excited about my interest. I also mentioned how I thought my big kids, Jeremiah and Maiesha, would want to go too. She was excited about that too.

Rewind to my third grade year of elementary school. I remember missionaries from our church sharing about their lives and ministry in the Ivory Coast (western Africa). I sat in the back of our Alliance church sanctuary and wrote down as many notes as my little hand could write. We still did show and tell at school so I took all my new found knowledge to school and shared it with my class. I think I even made a map. I was fascinated. Africa was this place that I had touched through someone else’s life and stories. Ever since then Africa has been on my heart. There has been a growing desire to encounter the people and cultures of Africa.

Fast forward to September 2014, Carissa and I are having lunch again to talk children’s ministry and get more details about her trip to Ethiopia and Kenya (east Africa) in the spring of 2015. She had a shell of a plan and some specific ways that I could be a part of her team. She had also thought about how Jeremiah and Maiesha could play a role and serve – not just tag along. Tyrone and I had already talked through it and I gave him the new details. He was a bit nervous, but was onboard with it. I remember driving to pick up Lydia and Chloe from preschool after lunch that day and praying, “God is this really something you want us to do? Is this really my dream coming true?” I just started crying and the only word that would come out of my mouth was “Yes!”

Since that day we have purchased passports and lots of stamps. We have mailed letters and made contact with more than 125 families in at least 6 states to ask for their financial support. It will cost about $6600 for us to make this journey. The plane tickets were purchased. The living arrangements have been made. The service projects are being ironed out. The training material is being written that our team will teach. The daily devotions have been written and I have chosen which ones I will use to lead in my small groups. We have scheduled our first of 4 meetings as a family with Carissa to prepare our hearts and minds for all that we will experience in this foreign land.  The plan is coming together. I am so excited I can’t stop telling everyone I meet about it. As each piece is put in place, the reality of what we are doing is actually setting in. This is just the beginning of a life of following God for Jeremiah and Maiesha. It is a dream come true for me. This is all the “easy” part. Saying yes to this was the easiest part. The greatest test, the biggest stretch, the hardest part has been trusting God to provide this seemingly insurmountable amount of money.

You see we started our Total Money Makeover one year ago on February 1. We don’t use credit cards. We are working hard to eliminate all of our debit. We have a plan to finish that (except for our mortgage) this year. How will we pay for this if the support doesn’t come? Some days I am just scared, and that makes me grumpy and short tempered. Some days I question whether I am really supposed to be doing this now. “W.A.I.T. just one minute,” God says when I get stuck in those hopeless thoughts. He says remember that day when you said yes. You said yes to me and I don’t make mistakes. He says do you believe I am in control or not? Do you believe that I listen and answer your prayers or not? He simply asks me to trust Him even when it is hard and looks impossible.

God is faithful, and he is providing. At our church we were challenged to read through the entire Bible this year. I am using The One Year Bible Plan on the YouVersion app. The very morning after I send out the first of our letters my daily reading spoke directly to my fears and gave me instruction on how to pray.

Psalm 5:1-3 “O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”

It said wait expectantly! Not fearfully. Not doubtful. Not disbelieving. EXPECTANTLY!

God has provided encouraging words from friends and coworkers who have been through support raising campaigns. Their words and stories bring new energy and peace to our journey. He has provided friends who are excited about what we are doing and want to be part of it through prayer and giving. He has provided financially for our passports and stamps through our budgeting habits. And today I received the first giving update, and after just 2 weeks, he has already provided some generous givers. We have a long way to go, but looking at this through God’s lens is the lesson I am learning yet again. I have so much joy when I rest in him. I have so much peace when I praise him for what he has accomplished. I have no worries when I stand on his promises. I can say, with confidence, bring it on because I will follow God wherever he leads.

“Let the Waters Rise” by Mike’s Chair https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIkQ7YVys_A