TENDER GRASS SPRINGS FORTH

IN THE SPRING, SEEING THE TENDER GRASS,

ALWAYS MAKES MY HEART REJOICE.

HIS FAITHFULNESS IS A BLESSING

 FOR EVERYONE ON OUR EARTH.

CAUGHT UP IN THE CLOUDS

I LOVE IT HERE, 

BUT

I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO BE THERE AND SEE HIM!

FOREVER!!

HE IS MY LAMP

THAT'S WHAT I COUNT ON..

FOREVER AND EVER!

GRACE AND PEACE TO COME

ANOTHER "COUNTING ON IT FOREVER" MOMENT.

MIGHTY POWER, GLORY, VICTORY

AND THAT'S WHAT I COUNT ON,

DAY BY DAY,

THAT WHEN BOTH HERE AND IN HEAVEN

WE ARE IN HIS KINGDOM!

HIS MERCY AND KINDNESS

AMEN!!

[AND THANK YOU MY DEAR LORD.]

HE IS UPRIGHT, MY ROCK

I KNOW THIS WORD,

AND I BELIEVE IT,

AND I DAILY WORSHIP MY LORD.

AND I TRULY REJOICE ANY TIME I SEE ANY ROCK...

TALL OR SMALL.

BUT ESPECIALLY THIS ONE

MY HEART-LOVING ROCK.

WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND JOY

IN THE 28-1/2 YEARS I HAVE KNOWN MY HUSBAND,

I HAVE SEEN HIM AS A MAN COVERED WITH AND 

FILLED WITH WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND JOY.

HE IS A SERVER, A CAREGIVER, A TEACHER.

A WONDERFUL HUSBAND,

A VERY GOOD STEP-DAD,

A GREAT GRANDPA.

TO SAY THE LEAST, I LOVE HIM DEARLY.

SHINE BEACON LIGHTS...

ONE OF MY GOALS IN LIFE.

HOLDING OUT THE WORD.

JULIUS DIED... FIRST RESPONDERS

Today we went arrived at a very busy portion of Omaha -- for info to you who know Omaha, it was at 23rd and Vinton.  While driving in and out of the neighborhood, I remembered being up on the main street nearby a couple years ago when a murder had taken place.  Hard so often when we're looking around and about the town and are passing murder sites.  Makes my heart shudder with sorrow.

Today a number of people connected to Julius arrived.  Family, friends, people who had been encouraging him to leave the gang and grow in the Lord.  They'd helped him prepare for a job,  gave him wisdom.  And a number of us simply connected to First Responders and his family and friends came.

The prayer time was amazing.  Filled with blessings.  Oh, and a few of the police that arrived to keep a safe eye on us, which is their standard now, got out of the cars and came to our circles and prayed with us.  That happens occasionally and is a real blessing.  Partly, because the groups who have lost a member don't trust the police, and after these prayer times it begins to enter their hearts that they can trust the police.

A couple had left already.

At the end, I had a blessing.  I was able to get a couple of the prayer shawls out of my car and one was given to Julius's mother, but she was not with us, but the shawl would be taken to her by one of her family members.  The other shawl was given to

Julius's aunt, and she was with us, and I was asked to  "shawl" her and pray for her.  I handed my camera to a young fellow and just asked him to take a few.  He did.

 

So now you've see a number of photos of the carers, the prayers, the encouragers... and you've seen me.  

And I came home very tired, very cold, very physically/ mentally challenged... but filled with joy, because I know people were filled with the Lord, filled with peace.

BLESSING THE LORD, ALWAYS...

INTENSELY AS LIFE WAS DURING THAT STRETCH OF TIME,

 I WAS ALSO BLESSED BY THEIR JOYFULNESS.

NOW, THERE ARE SEVERAL GRANDKIDS FROM THEM,

AND DAVE AND I ARE REJOICING,

 AGAIN AND AGAIN,

 EVERY DAY.

AND THANKING AND BLESSING OUR LORD.

FLINTY FACE

While reading Luke 9,  I was drawn to the verses that talk about Jesus "setting his face" towards Jerusalem. Isaiah 50:7 refers to setting a face like flint. It reminded me of the times when I actually have that same sense and I know the Lord has called me to do something outside my normal pattern, my comfort zone.

When the "flinty face" happens, my understanding has grown that it is God's way of telling me I'm headed into a tough situation or onto an unfamiliar path and I must not let fear, or other interfering emotions, deter me from "following my face."

Two examples:
  

In September, 2003, He laid it on me big time to go to Soroti, Uganda, to help in the rebel/IDP situation . I felt very insecure at first. Not the "going", because I'm nearly always ready and willing to do that, but having no idea how I could help in a war zone. I'm definitely not a medical person, which was the obvious need. From the beginning of the "call" -- so intense and specific -- I could, at certain times, feel my face becoming "flinty". Occasionally, during the stretch between the "call" in early September, until my arrival in Uganda in mid-November, if someone told me they disapproved of what I was planning and they didn't believe I'd heard correctly, I felt my face tighten and harden ... and it wasn't because I was torked at the person who was challenging me. It was simply because the Lord was making sure I didn't let anything, or anyone, interfere with His instructions.

When I reached Uganda, while resting and prepping and hanging out with my many Ugandan family and friends at a ministry location, a hundred miles or so from Soroti, one of the organization's leaders told me I seemed "too determined" and he couldn't guarantee they would help me or allow me to help them. While he was talking to me, I felt my face tighten, and I, basically, told him whether they approved or not, I was going, because that was what God had called me to do. Period. Within a few days he had "caved" to my desires and for part of my time, I did work with and for them. My time in Soroti was one of the hardest -- if not THE hardest -- ministry stretches I've ever faced, even though I met many wonderful pastors, international aide workers, and locals. I returned home in mid February and had PTS for several months. However, not once did I question whether I was in the right place at the right time.  I knew -- and my husband did -- that this was where I was called to be.  Period.


Then, in July, '09,  "flint" occurred again. The Lord called me

to drive a truck from Omaha to New Hampshire for a lady was moving there and her physical issues could not be part of this.  She would fly out when I had dropped her household items off. Now, I had never driven anything diesel; I had never driven anything that long or large. I had never driven through much of that part of the country. And, when driving, I had several scary driving situations due to weather, my inexperience, other folks' popping their cars around the truck and startling me. "Help me, Jesus" was hollered hundreds of times, I'm sure. And, if He hadn't responded, not only would the household belongings in the truck have been damaged, but quite possibly my body. Also, while driving, I could sense that not only was I crossing "state" lines, but crossing spiritual lines. The spiritual discernment gift of mine that's a little on the weak side much of the time was greatly sensitized. Knowing these things really kept me on constant alert. After 3 very long 12-to-15 hour driving days, I reached there in good condition, other than exhausted, and, miraculously, nothing in the truck was damaged.

Quite often I "feel" the Lord wants me to go somewhere and I prepare for the trip. Next week I believe I'm called to Denver.  Gotta prep, gotta go.   During the prep time, I usually move cautiously to make sure I'm not just in a mood to "run away from home" -- away from the frustrations and everydayness of life.

And, over the years,  there are those a number of times ...  those amazing times .... when my face turns to flint.  Comes and goes depending on the seriosity of the situations.  The Denver one will, as a side event, put me in the Bhutanese refugee area to meet ones who plan to come to Omaha.  Probably ain't easy, but absolutely necessary.  My "flint" will be based on getting around Denver [which I'm not good at] and doing what God has called me to do, even if I ain't comfy. 

OH, and just for your information, my husband prays over me and sends me off as he knows God has called me.  He can't do more than his jobs here, which are ministries, of one kind or another.  So, we miss each other dreadfully, and love each other much. 

THE HEAVENS DISPLAY...

WE OFTEN LOOK AT THEM.

WE GRIN,

WE REJOICE,

WE  KNOW!

FULL OF PRAISE

  

TRULY WAS, TRULY WERE, TRULY IS.

FOREVER AND EVER.

STRENGTH AND SONG

 MY EVERYDAY JOYFULNESS...

SPIRITUALLY GROWING IN STRENGTH,

 AND SINGING FOR HIM

AND OF HIM AND TO HIM.

BECAUSE HE SAVED ME.

GLORY OF THE LORD

WE EARTHLY PEOPLE MUST TRULY BE FILLED.

[MY HEAVENLY, HEAVILY DESIRE OF MY LIFE.]

HE EXALTS AND BRINGS GLORY!

YES, HIS GLORY IS WHAT IS POURED INTO OUR 

HEART, SOUL, SPIRIT,

INSTANT-BY-INSTANT.

 AND MAY I EXALT HIM, INSTANTLY, CONSTANTLY.

[AND MAY YOU, TOO.]

PATH GUIDING

TRUSTING HIM TO GUIDE.

THAT'S ALL I CAN DO. 

EVER, EVER.

JOY BURSTS

YES, JOY RISES AND I DO BURST OUT

IN GREAT PRAISE TO MY LORD.

MY HEAVENLY FATHER,

MY SAVIOR.

 

EVERYTHING-- EVERYONE-- EVERYWHERE --PRAISE HIM

 YES!

 HEAVEN AND EARTH DO PRAISE HIM.

ALL FISH, BIRDS, ANIMALS, 

 UNDER AND OVER THE SEA,

 MUST PRAISE HIM.

AND EAST OR WEST, AROUND THE WORLD, WE MUST, TOO!

EARTH AND HEAVEN

YES. AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY.

AND WHAT I CAN COUNT ON.

[FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN!]

JOY WILL OVERFLOW...

WHAT WE CAN COUNT ON!

OVERFLOWING JOY IS A TRULY WONDERFUL

 GOOD EVENT, A GOD EVENT!

THE LAST NIGHT IN SOROTI

My most important ministry during that 3-weeks -- praying for her and her children, as she was dying.  She died two months later.  I heard from Pastor Joseph-Baptist.

The last three weeks in Soroti, early-to-mid-January, 2004, I was alone much of the time when working.  Usually, I had no help in the office as I reached out to help pastors and others.  I was a bit frustrated, to say the least, because I was running out of money -- both the ministry's and mine. Saw so much that should be, and could be, done, but I couldn't do it.

Sometime my pastors would pop in. Pastors Job, Joseph-Baptist, Joseph-Anglican, Justin, and George, either together or separately.  We would encourage each other.

Another blessing:  God used me to purchase some malaria pills for George.  He was very sick, but coming to a meeting at the office, and had NO MONEY.  I rushed to the nearby drug store, got pills and gave them to George, and it made a huge change in him almost immediately.  I LOVED being used by our Lord.

Even though I did have good ones occasionally, the last evening was the most wonderful I ever had in Soroti,

I had been invited to dinner at the home of a lady I had met downtown during the lunch hour several times. She saw me filled with tears, often, while eating, and saw my health reducing significantly.  She had been

helping people through the Anglican church with a variety of food available to those who were in need.  I dropped in there a few times, and loved that place!  When she knew it was my last night, she heavily suggested that I come to her home, spend time with her, and would help me gain strength.  I was there by about 6, close enough to YWAM so I could walk there.

It was about 8:00 when I got a phone call.  Pastor Job said that he and my friends were coming to YWAM in his car and would be there soon.  I had to hurry over.  Gave the lady a hug and expressed great appreciation and then hit the side roads, walking fast.

They arrived just as I did.  Pastors Job, George, and Justin wanted to pray with and for me, since I was leaving very early in the morning.  [Joseph-Baptist was picking me up about 5 AM to get me to a bus.]  These wonderful men who I loved dearly, laid hands on me, HELD my hands, prayed over me, and gave me sweet and gentle hugs before they left.  They expressed their appreciation for me over and over again.

Would love to have photos of all of them!

 One of the sorrows in my heart ever since then is that I have "lost" them.  I truly, TRULY, miss them!

HEAVEN AND EARTH

HIS WORD, HIS INSTRUCTIONS, HIS ENCOURAGEMENT

TO BE MEMBERS OF HIS GREAT FAMILY.

F O R E V E R.

OUR FATHER...

IT WAS A BLESSED DAY, 

FILLED WITH

LOVING AND TRUSTING AND WORSHIPING

MY HEAVENLY FATHER.

AND I DESIRE TO LOVE, TRUST, AND WORSHIP MY FATHER  EVERY DAY, 

DURING EVERY MOMENT OF MY LIFE ON EARTH. .

HELL'S HALF ACRE

What a surprise.  Had no expectation of something like this to drop into my trip to the Northwest.

 The day before, on June 30th, my grandson Dyllon and I left Omaha.  We went 600 miles to Casper, Wyoming.  The goal of the next day was to reach Yellowstone NP, about 300 miles, while stopping right outside of Cody to go to the Buffalo Bill Dam, which is really amazing.  I wanted Dyllon to see things and enjoy his day, especially when reaching the Yellowstone.

Leaving Casper, I went on a side highway that I'd never been on any other time while in Wyoming.  The area was high, was dry, somewhat rocky, few towns.  I was going as reasonably quickly as possible; had my hours to get to the National Park in my brain.  Then I suddenly saw a sign that said, "Devil's Kitchen"...and I thought, "WHAT?? A terrible restaurant!"   THEN, suddenly, and quickly, I saw a sign that said "Hell's Half Acre" and, when I glanced, I saw a side section with cars, a bus, and lots of people and a big fence.  No one was behind me, so I hit the brake, turned left and found a place to park.

I jumped out of the car with my cameras, of course.  Dyllon, for some reason, just shook his head and stayed in the car.  I walked around and about, saw the caves, the ravines, rock formations.  Now, I'd been at a number of places similar to this in Utah and Arizona.  The difference was that there was no way to walk out very far.  There was a large fence, the kind you see at jail or prison or lack-of-exit/entry places.  I gradually began to understand that the reason was because people had fallen off, or the stairs and openings had been broken down.  I wouldn't have wanted to walk too close to the edge, any time. I'm an anti-fall person.

About 20 minutes later I went to the car and told Dyllon that he really needed to see this.  So, he came out, and walked around and really liked it, and then he surprised me.

I had noticed, while walking around, that there was one place where a entry hole had been dug under the fence.  Well, I sure wouldn't have crawled under.  And, I didn't notice a lady was out there, but HE did.  So, when she came back, he said he wanted to go.  I just shrugged; figured he'd only go out there if he felt safe.  When he slid under the fence, I forced him to take my camera.  He walked quite a way to the "seeing" portion of the rocky area.  And took many photos from my camera and his phone.  Another guy, much larger, seeing him, crawled under the fence.  They both had a good time.

When he was coming back, I told him to give me my camera FIRST, and I would be taking a picture of him sliding under the fence.

So, he did and I did.

We left very shortly after that.  And stopped a number of other times to see areas... huge lakes by dams, for instance.  He went down long stretches of hills, and rocks.  I took photos, but I couldn't risk falling.

Our day was filled with activity.  We got to Cody, went to the dam, went to Yellowstone, reached our motel HOURS later than I had anticipated.  But we did have a goooood day.

And, Hell's Half Acre was one of the most amazing.