Jesus, Bring The Rain

Today the weather has been a bit wonky. 


Started out as a beautiful sunny morning with a nice slight breeze, just enough to blow the humidity around.


Then it quickly darkened up. The clouds rolled in and hid the sun. Then the sound of raindrops. And more raindrops.


A downpour of water. 

I went back to my chore, and when I looked out again, the sun was shining brightly. 


I listened and heard no raindrops, but rather the singing of the birds. 


I chuckled as to how quickly things change. 


A few moments passed, and the rains returned. Everything was drenched with water. 


Moments later, the sun peaked through again. 


I got a text from my youngest son. I needed to pick him up from work. He couldn't do his outside job in this rain. I told him it was sunny here, but he assured me it was non-stop rain where he was working.




Before we are finished texting, the rains returned here. I went out into the rain to get to my vehicle. 


I only got a few miles and the sun started to shine again. The edges of the ol' country roads showed pools of water collecting, creating big fresh cool bathing puddles for the birds. 


As I continued to drive, I thought of how the sudden change in weather is comparable to our experience in life. 


One minute we're enjoying the sun, soaking up it's warmth, basking in good times. 


All is well. 


And in an instant the trials, the "rains", come. We're not prepared. We don't expect it. We run for cover and just want to hide. We can do nothing about it but sit and watch and wonder "how long is this going to last!?". 


We all experience it at one time or another. Some more than others. 


But what happens when the sun comes out again..... you realize the little downpour of water was a good thing..... it gave the earth a drink. The flowers and plants appreciated it. The animals appreciated it. The rains didn't last forever; they were just here for a time. 


Same with our trials. They don't last forever. They may seem like they last forever. They may last a few minutes or a few months or years; they may last your whole earthly lifetime. 


I used to really dislike when I would hear people talk about how they thank God for their trials; how the trials made them stronger. I didn't want to hear about that. I wanted to hear how God could teach us to be faithful during the good and easy times!


Now, I'm realizing that's not really possible. Just like when you exercise.... it's not effective without some pain and effort. You don't build those muscles while lying on the couch eating potato chips.


And our lives are the same. We don't always learn much when everything is going along with great ease. 


I cannot tell you how much I have disliked the trials that we've experienced, in the last number of years most especially. And I cannot tell you how I really don't want to keep enduring them or go through them again.


But I can tell you that when I look back, I do thank God for them..... [did I really just say that?]... for they have taught me more about who I am, who I want to be. They've taught me who and what is important in my life. I've learned to appreciate the little things more.... the most simplest little things. 


Would I have learned all of that in the sunshine?  Not likely. I had to be out in the rain. In the downpour. Getting wet. Getting soaked. 


But the sun comes out again. And it's a richer sun. A brighter sun. A warmer sun. 

More rains will come. And the sun will not be far behind. In fact the sun is there, behind the clouds.


More trials will come. And the Son is there for me. Not behind a cloud, but He is there for me..... and in me... and all around me.... and through me.


And I'm slowly learning to understand the concept of "Jesus, bring the rain".

Never Let Go

There are moments in this life when time seems to stop,

when your breath catches you,

when you get that knot in the pit of your gut,

and then it turns to a sick churning in the deep of your stomach,

when your heart physically feels like each chamber is breaking, being ripped apart.

Every parent feels it when they hear the news.

It doesn't have to be your own kid because you instinctively put yourself in the parents' position.... knowing in your head, knowing in your heart, that one day it could be you getting the phone call, the policeman at the door, the doctor walking the long hall.... to tell you your life is about to change in the blink of an eye.

To tell you your loved one is gone.

Gone from this earth.

All that's left is the body. In this case, a body that couldn't survive an automobile accident. A now broken body. Another boy tries his best to revive the motionless broken frame that lies limp on a roadside.

As humans, we do what we can. Sometimes we can wrap our mouth around their's and blow life-giving air back into their lungs; sometimes we can manipulate their chest and make the heart believe that it's still capable of more years of beating.

And sometimes we can't.

Sometimes no matter what we do in our mortal flesh or in our spirit's outcry to God above, the decision has been made by our Maker that one's time on earth is finished.

That we will no more walk this earth.

That we now come face to face with God our Creator, Who had our lives planned from beginning to end before we were even created in our mother's womb. Our frame was not hidden from Him, for He knit us together; we were woven together in the depths of the earth. All the days ordained for us were written in His book before one of them came to be.

And October 1st, 2010 was the last earthly day that a young eighteen-year-old boy would live here on earth.

Left behind is a mother and father and sister. Ohhhh, as a mother my heart feels the mother's writhing pain. As I watched them hug their son in his casket, the tears filled my eyes and literally gushed down my cheeks along with others in the sanctuary, hundreds and hundreds of students and friends and adults and family watching.... feeling the pain..... shedding their own tears... feeling their own hearts break.... knowing that this mother's heart could never ever hurt more than at this moment.

Stories are told of a kind boy who wasn't afraid to every day verbally share his love to everyone he knew with three simple words.... "I love you". How those words will be missed from the curly red-haired, freckled-faced kid.

I can imagine his mother telling him those very words as she leaned onto his lifeless body and gave him her last goodbyes.... not wanting to let go.... not wanting to let go of his body, to let go of her baby....

As his casket is closed and driven to a cemetery and laid in the ground, she must feel her arms are empty because she's had to let go of him in the physical sense, never to feel his freckled skin again.

Sometimes we have to let go. We may not want to, but we have no choice. In this instance, we cannot hold onto the body. We must let go.

However....

the memories,

the pictures,

the stories,

the conversations,

his favourite toy,

his favourite shirt,

a video of him laughing and talking......

these things we have in our possession, in our minds, so that we never have to let go. These things stay etched in our thoughts and in our hands and in front of our eyes and in our hearts so that we never have to let go.

We have a Saviour Who never lets go of us. He carries us, He walks beside us and before us and around us. He never lets go of us when we're hurting or sad or in pain. Even when we're happy and content, He still doesn't let go.

He surrounds us and lives in us and lives through us. He is there to lift us from the pits and help us through the valleys. He protects us in the dark shadows. He knows what we're feeling, He understands our pain and even our anger that we sometimes direct to Him in times like this. And He still never lets go.

Friend, I would encourage you to call on Him. Be honest with Him about how you're feeling, about your pain, about your confusion, about your anger, about your hurt. Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to comfort you. Ask Him what you can learn from this tragedy and how you can make a difference to help someone else.

He promises that He will never let go. Ever.

Below is a video with a song called Never Let Go. Before listening to it, please scroll to the very bottom of the page and hit the PAUSE button on the blog's music. Then return to this spot and hit PLAY.




Never Let Go - David Crowder Band






Our very deepest condolences to Kathy (and Barry & Ian), Bill (and Rebecca), & Kaitlyn on the loss of your son and brother. Never let go.

God bless.

Tyler McConnell

May 13, 1992 - October 1, 2010

*Photo from Ethan Todd's Facebook Photo Album (Thanks, Ethan.)


He Listened
by Joseph Bayly
Written after he laid three of his sons in the grave

I was sitting, torn by grief. Someone came and talked to me of God's dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave. He talked constantly, he said things I knew were true. I was unmoved except to wish he'd go away. He finally did.

Another came and sat beside me. He just sat beside me for an hour and more, listened when I said something, answered briefly, prayed simply, left. I was moved. I was comforted. I hated to see him go.

Your Faithfulness

Through the trials we've experienced the last few years, we naturally have many questions as we go through them. We don't like the trials and tribulations because they can bring us pain physically, mentally, emotionally.....

But in going through these difficult times, I have learned what others have said about going through trials... that you come out stronger and closer to God. And when I say stronger, I refer to relying on God's strength. You sure don't feel strong in the middle of your trial, but if you continue to reach out to God and rely on Him to help sustain you through those tough times, He gives you the strength to get through them and you come out stronger in the end.

The battles that we face don't just usually have an affect on one person, but on anyone surrounding the one(s) going through their war. Take Blake, for example. He is the one battling the Crohn's Disease. It's his body that hurts and aches and suffers in a physical sense. It also wreaks havoc on him mentally and emotionally as well. But his battle with Crohn's also affects others: me, his Mom; and Jon, his Dad. It affects his brothers, Jake & Jared. It affects our homelife and the way we try and lead our lives. It affects the grandparents and the aunts and uncles and cousins. It has reached out it's long arms and affected Blake's friends, co-workers, church family, school mates, teachers, community folk.........

The one thing that remains constant through the trials is God's faithfulness. He is always with Blake.... always..... even times when the rest of us can't be there for him. God has His plan for Blake's life, and for our lives. We don't know what tomorrow brings for us. Realistically, we don't know what is going to happen an hour from now.

But God does.

And it is up to us to reach out to Him and fully rely on Him whole-heartedly.... to know that HE.IS.FAITHFUL no matter what tomorrow holds.

On August 22, 2010 Blake took his spindly little body up to the platform at church, grabbed his guitar, and played and sang a song as a testimony that is possibly one of the most beautiful songs I've heard.

I want to share that song with you.

Unfortunately, I do not have a video camera that I could tape Blake singing it. But I did get some photos of him. In the video below, you will hear the voice of Brian Doerksen singing the song "Your Faithfulness". I have posted the words under the video, which I encourage you to follow along while Brian sings. There are no pictures in the video, only sound.

Blake.... you don't think you can play the guitar very well, and you don't think that you can sing very well (and we all disagree with you!); but I will tell you that the Holy Spirit moved in you that morning and blessed many many people. I can't listen to this song without shedding tears as I think about the struggles you have been through. I am thankful that at such a young age you are able to rely on Jesus to help you through your battles. I've said this before, and you've heard it in The Isaacs' lyrics: "there's not a battle that I cannot win, we've already won the war". Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. We're so proud of you.







[Please scroll to the bottom of the blog page and hit PAUSE on the blog music before starting the video.]










YOUR FAITHFULNESS
Sung by Brian Doerksen


I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing or filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness



I don't know if these clouds mean rain
If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?
I don't know what the future holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness



Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness



I don't know how or when I'll die
Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?
No, I don't know how much time is left
But in the end, I will know your faithfulness



When darkness overwhelms my soul
When thoughts and storms of doubt
Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful



Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness



I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Stamp of Approval - Blake Health Update 2010/09/03

It is with great pleasure.....









for me to officially announce......










that Mr. Blake Found......









after approximately 11 months of numerous phone calls, paperwork, prayer, and even the odd time of some hair-pulling........









has received.......









word from his Specialist's secretary......









at 8:55am......










on September 3, 2010......










that funding for his miracle-drug Remicade......







is........








finally.........







[hold onto your seat....]
'
'
'
'
'
'
'

We have been notified that, not only will Blake's cost of Remicade be covered but, he is also able to receive his medications when he is out-of-province while attending college in New Brunswick. This means we do not have to cart him back to Ontario every eight weeks for his infusions.

Today, I am one extremely happy Momma.

Just yesterday morning I had a conversation with the Specialist's secretary. She explained to me that I had been misinformed by a few people with regards to Blake's situation. For almost a year now, I seem to get a different story from absolutely everyone I talk to regarding Blake's situation.

I had been told that Blake could, once approved, receive his meds in New Brunswick as long as it was shipped from Ontario to New Brunswick. I spoke to TWO different gentlemen from the Trillium group on TWO different dates who both confirmed it was no problem. I also spoke with a special pharmacy who deals in dispensing Remicade, and they confirmed that it could be shipped in a special refrigerated package and that it must be used within three days.

Our Specialist's secretary said she called Trillium and the pharmacy and was told that it was illegal to ship the meds from Ontario to New Brunswick. She also said she was told that it could not be shipped because it needed to be refrigerated and that it needed to be used within 24 hours.

I don't understand why we are being told completely different stories.

Then the secretary said that Blake would likely have to change his province of residence to New Brunswick and then apply for health coverage there.

Huhhhh??????

Ummmm.... how about NO!

It all sounded very suspicious to me.

Anyways, she called this morning at 8:55am to announce that coverage for this medication will be provided to Blake and that he may receive his infusions while attending college in New Brunswick. They will call him with the date and time of his infusions.

She confirmed we are covered for one year, and at that time she will fill out paperwork to renew the Section 8 coverage and that I am to continue to renew the Trillium coverage.

Yes. I can do that!

Just yesterday, after my phone call with the secretary where we discussed all these contradictory statements given to me, I was frustrated because I had worked so hard on my phone calls and keeping good records of conversations, etc. I had spoken to so many people, including politicians offices who were, by the way, of no help to me. I felt like I had beaten my head against the wall. I had gone out later that day to cut the lawns and I could feel myself getting somewhat angry for all these delays and road blocks.

Then it was like a light bulb came on.

...."praise God anyways".

So I pushed out the negative thoughts and said, "Lord, I'm gonna praise you anyways. YOU know the situation and You have a plan. It's not going well here, but You have a reason why. I'm just gonna praise You anyways".

I continued to cut the lawns, row after row, and then the angry thoughts would creep their way back into my thinking. Then, I would hear, "praise God anyways".... and so I'd starting praising Him all over again. I kept pushing out the angry thoughts, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work.

"Thank You, Lord. You're watching over us."

"Thank You, Father. Your Word says you'll never leave us nor forsake us."

"Thank You, Lord. You have a plan for this situation. You're in control."

"God, You are good. You are so good."

"I will praise Him, I will praise Him, praise the Lamb for sinners slain. Give Him glory all ye people, for His blood can wash away each stain."

And then, 18 hours later, I get the call.

And just how amazing is THAT!?

'

I've had my "God moment" for today.

'

So tomorrow we leave to take my little boy back to New Brunswick. He's gained almost thirty pounds back since June. He's feeling better, looking better, sounding better. Like The Six Million Dollar man, he's stronger... better... faster. Well, OK, I might be stretching it on the "faster" part, but you get my drift.

'

He has spent the day packing, running last-minute errands, and tonight is relaxing with his best bud Billy. They are downstairs now attacking the XBox360. It gives my heart happiness to hear them laughing and hollering at one another down there.

'

Please remember us in prayer as we travel all day Saturday. My brother-in-law, Brent, is able to go with me, and I'm very appreciative of that. The van is almost all loaded up and we strike out early morning.

'

Also remember in your prayers to thank our Lord for His many blessings. What a trial these last few years have been; but we come out victorious because we go through our battles in the name of the Lord.

'

There's not a battle we cannot win; we've already won the war! Hallelujah!

As a footnote, I'd like to include this video. It was posted on another blog that I follow. The lady with the hat in the video passed away this week to be with Jesus after a battle with cancer. I thought this was a beautiful song, sung in a "round"; it's message seems to fit what I was just writing about. Enjoy.

[Remember to pause my music at the bottom of this page.]



Hearts Uplifted

STILL MY SOUL BE STILL

Don't you love it when God knows you need something.... and then He sends it?

I needed this video's message...... and He sent it.

[Please remember to hit the PAUSE button on my music at the very bottom of the page before you click PLAY on this video.]

"Still my soul be still
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow
God is at your side
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow

God You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone

Still my soul be still
Do not be moved
By lesser lights and fleeting shadows
Hold onto His ways
With shield of faith
Against temptations flaming arrows

Still my soul be still
Do not forsake
The Truth you learned in the beginning
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise
As stars appear when day is dimming"

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

Are You In The Fire Today?

"No weapon forged against you will prevail... " - Isaiah 54:17 NIV

If you could talk with the three Hebrew children about their experience with the Lord in the fiery furnace, perhaps they would describe it this way: The fire was all over us. Our robes were ablaze, yet amazingly, our skin was untouched. We had no idea what was going on. Then something moved among the ashes; we were not alone. Suddenly, out of the smoke came a shining, gleaming person! We never got His name; He never said it. He never said anything. But just knowing He was there brought such comfort. His presence protected us in the midst of the crisis. Now, we do not mean to say that the fire went out, or that the heat was reduced. No, it still burned, but the brightness of the flames was eclipsed by the brightness of His presence.'We never saw Him again; He showed up only when we needed Him. One thing is sure however, looking back, we are glad they dragged us from the presence of the wicked king into the presence of the Righteous One! In His Company we learned that, "No weapon forged against you will prevail. You will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord."'Are you walking through a fiery trial today? If so, you are not alone - God is with you! Take courage! When He brings you out you will know Him better, trust Him more, and have something to say that will make others want to listen.

From The Vine (July 9, 2010)
"Are You In The Fire Today?"
The Word For You Today - Bob Gass

There's Hope For Me Yet

Sorry, gang.....

Days without a blog post again!

Yesterday we were without internet connection.... we THOUGHT because of the winter storm we're experiencing.

This morning we still had no access. Blake said Skype was working, but nothing else.

So I phone Kingston Online Services and chatted with a very kind gentleman in Technical Support who informed us that we needed to unplug our wireless router and then plug it back in, so as to re-set it.

And....

VOILA!

We then had internet connection.

I am without my computer because last Thursday night we were invaded with viruses. Last count said that I had 34 viruses. Yikies! I immediately shut the computer off.

I have phoned a computer guy, but have had a terribly busy week and haven't had the chance to get my computer to him.

I've been borrowing Blake's computer, so hopefully mine will be fixed within the next few weeks before Blake takes off for the east.

Yes, he's determined to head off to college for January. I normally wouldn't be too worried, but now that he's battling this disease, I'm a little more afraid to cut the apron strings.

Who is going to watch my baby out there????? Hmmmmm??????

I must remember to have Blake set me up on Skype so I can SEE him and see for myself how he's feeling, even if it is only via a computer screen.

I suppose it's one of those times that God is whispering in my ear, "Michelle.... time to completely trust Me.... 100 percent....".

[sigh...] "OK God. I hear ya."




So, I mentioned earlier that we're experiencing a winter storm here in Th' Coun'y.

Yesterday Jacob and Jared got the day off school. All buses were cancelled.

We thought they'd cancel them again this morning, but nay-nay.... no cancellations. The boys went to breakfast in Cherry Valley at our friend's restaurant. I was worried letting Jake drive to the restaurant and to school in this kind of weather... the tires on his truck match the tires on my car.... BALD!

I asked him to drive carefully, and I hope he did! He was able to keep it on the road, and arrived home safely this afternoon after school.

Jake hates that I always say, "Drive carefully" when he leaves the house. I told him to get used to it because I am 42 years old and my mother STILL tells me the same thing! He was NOT impressed.



Today I was not feeling very "Christian-like". I had major attitude with a particular person. I am tired of dealing with all the crappy paperwork with Blake's meds. I am tired of hearing different things with every single person I talk to. And one particular person feels she has the answers to everything until I explain to her that I was told something by someone from Trillium which is opposite to what "she" says, and THEN she says, "Well, I don't know, I'll put you through to the social worker". Then she proceeds to tell me AGAIN things that are opposite to what Trillium tells me, and when I explain things again (or rather TRY to explain things.... she won't let me finish a sentence!), then AGAIN says, "well, I don't know, I'll put you through to the social worker".

HMMPH!!!! FIRST she tells me NOTHING happens until it FIRST passes through HER desk!!!!! THEN she tells me this and that. THEN she says she doesn't know. So when I tell her what I'VE been told, she tells me that "I" am wrong, yet in her next breath she says, "I don't know".

Lady, quit talkin' outta both sides of yer mouth!!!!

If she were my employee, I'd completely smack her!

I just recently attended a Bible Study where we studied a book and video by Beth Moore of Living Proof Ministries. One of the things Beth talks about is how we deal with "Testy"..... those people who we have relationships with who "test" us or get under our skin.

I think today I chatted with one of my testy's.

I must figure out a way to deal with this, or it will drive me nuts. She is someone that I must deal with in the future, so I need to 'love' her as the Lord does.

[must I REALLY do that?]

[sigh.... again]

I guess I must "love her in the Lord", but I will tell you right now, I don't think I really like her all that much.

I spoke with someone regarding her unprofessionalism on the phone with me, and I was told that "she is going through something right now". I said, "You know what? That's OK.... I understand that. We're ALL going through something. And if not right now, then we'll be going through it down the road. But that is NO excuse to be blatantly rude to patients. "I" am going through something right now with MY son.... a son that was dying before my eyes! But that does not give me license to be rude to anyone ELSE!"

So...

now.....

in saying all this, I must now apologize to you for venting.

God loves this lady just as much as me and died for her too, so I need to "suck it up" and be the grown up here.

Guess I've still got some learnin' and growin' to do. I don't need to be her doormat, but I do need to be a door.

Jeesh, I HATE it when I have to be all mature..... [she said as she pouted and stamped her feet].

And now it's after midnight, so I must close this post. As the wind howls away outside, and the snow continues to blow, I must bow before our Lord and ask Him to soften this very hard, dry heart tonight.

If I could just "check my attitude at the door", I might not be such a terribly bad person after all.

Either I'm one of those misfit toys on the Rudolph-The-Red-Nosed-Reindeer cartoon, or I'm Peter, from the Bible, who just kept messin' up over and over. But Santa didn't give up on the toys, and Jesus didn't give up on Peter.

Maybe there's hope for me yet.

[Yes, folks, now would be a good time to pray for me. :O)]

Until next time..........

Time To Put Things In Perspective

Well I suppose it was just a matter of time, but my computer has been attacked! The viruses came with a vengeance. My call has been placed to a computer geek and hopefully the damage will be rectified without too much trouble. In the meantime, I am using Blake's computer to type this post.

The last few days have been very busy..... I can't believe December is upon us already. The Christmas programs and parties have begun. I headed to Whitby on Friday to have my passport processed. I can go to Scarborough and pick it up on Monday, December 14th. Blake has asked Jon and me to take him to New Jersey later that week to pick up his girlfriend from Brazil. She will be visiting family in Jersey and then coming to Canada to stay with us over the Christmas holidays.

Last night I had Jon at the hospital. He was working in Griffith on his cousin's cottage when he started feeling symtoms of cellulitis..... it's something he's had about six times before in as many years, and it attacks him quickly. It is considered a mild form of the flesh-eating disease, but is manageable with meds. For some reason, the antibiotics are taking longer to start clearing things up.

Last night (Friday) Jake and I drove north of Napanee to Roblin to meet Jon and his cousin. Doug (Jon's cousin) and I switched vehicles... I got in with Jon to bring him back to Picton hospital and Doug got in with Jake. Jake is going on to Griffith to help Doug finish the roof of the cottage.

The doctor put Jon on an I.V. antibiotic, which is the only thing that will settle down the infection. We assumed he'd be on the pills alone today; however, they requested we return to the emergency department today for another dose, and then they requested he return again this evening. I just returned home from one of Jared's hockey games tonight and Jon said that the doctor on duty tonight wants him back to the hospital by 7am Sunday morning. She had given him Flagyl tonight because the infection doesn't look like it's going down at all.

I don't know why Jon keeps having trouble with this cellulitis, but when it attacks, it comes very quickly with little warning. I'm sure by tomorrow, things should be turning around. Goodness! If it's not one thing, it's another, eh?

Which brings me to the point of this post.

As I reflect on things like my computer problems; plans to travel to Jersey; passport preparations; this weekend's hockey games; Christmas festivities; preparations for Christmas gifts, foods, guests; and so much more;....... I can become overwhelmed with all of these things.

But then I receive an email that helps put things in perspective.

This week my sister, Wannett, sent me an email requesting prayer for the Bishop of the Free Methodist Church in Kenya. I was so moved by it. It made me stop what I was doing immediately and lift this man up before our Lord.

Here's Wannett's letter that she forwarded to folks she felt would pray for Bishop Nick:

Hello Friends

I am forwarding a request for prayer from Bishop Nixon Dingili in Kenya. As most of you know, this man is a new but very dear friend to me. I love this man and his family. A threat has been made to his life as you will read in the email below. Please forward this on so that we can have a huge prayer umbrella for Nick and his family (wife - Neddy, son - Leslie, daughter - Kelsey). Thank you, in advance, for your prayers and for forwarding this on to others. I will give you any and all updates as I get them.

Wannett.

And here is Bishop Nick's letter to folks that he felt would cover him in prayer:

Pray with me, I received a terrible phone call on Tuesday on my way to Kericho for Bible school. I was with my family in the car when someone by the name of John Maina called and told me that he has been hired and paid in full together with his group to finish me. He says that his boys are fully armed with guns and they will accomplish their mission soon. I asked him why he was sent and by whom? He refused to tell me and he hanged his phone. During the conversation, he told me that he will not hide his identity on phone neither will he hide his name. In my private findings, I have found out that both the name and number are genuine. He says he is not scared even if i report the matter to police. I reported the matter to Kericho police station and the Criminal Investigation Department is following up on the matter and they will get back to me. I will appreciate your prayers.

Blessings,

Bishop Nixon Dingili

Free Methodist Church of Kenya

Does that just not force you to look at things from a different perspective?

Please take the time to lift up Bishop Nixon and his family before the Lord. Wannett has not received any updates as of today (Saturday night); but, we know that the Lord is watching over his flock constantly, 24/7, and no action can come to Nixon without first passing through the hands of our Lord.

Oh how we need faith like this Bishop.... we have no idea what it's like to have someone literally hunt us down like an animal. This hitman obviously has no fear, as he boldly calls his victim with no fear of giving up his identity. I prayed that the Lord would confuse this hitman so he would not carry out this threats; and then I prayed that he would have a clear enough mind that the Holy Spirit would move in his life and convict him of the decisions and actions he's making.

Please keep the Bishop in your prayers.

Here are a couple of photos of Wannett and Bishop Nick in Kenya in September 2009. Wannett apologizes for the quality of the photos.... she doesn't understand why there is such a glow around them....... I'd say perhaps they were being covered by the Spirit. :O)

Please pray right now. And remember, over this very busy season, to keep things in perspective. Don't get caught up in the hub-bubb. Rather, remain steadfast in the Lord and continue to draw near to Him and HE will draw near to YOU!

Inconvenient Gratitude

It's easy to be thankful, isn't it?..... when all is going well, when we have what we want or get what we need, when everything lines up perfectly and works out to our advantage?

But what about the times when things are NOT going well, when we DON'T receive what we want or get what we THINK we need, when everything does NOT line up perfectly or when it does NOT work out to our advantage?

Are you thankful in those times?

The following article was written a few days ago, and I just couldn't help but copy it here. Please just take a few moments to read it over.




Inconvenient Gratitude

Am I thankful?
Sure I am. As long as it’s convenient.
As long as the gift-giver is within ear’s reach of my thank you. And as long as what I’m thankful for is good, comfortable, pleasant and smells great.
I never thank anyone for rolling over my toe with their cart in the grocery store or thank someone for an unkind word. And I never thank God for struggles.
I mean, how stupid would I sound:
Thank you, God, for NO MONEY to pay the mortgage today.
Thank you that my seven-year-old has emotional outbursts every morning before school that reduce her to a pile of unbrushed auburn waves and tears on the bathroom floor.
Thanks for spilled apple juice, dried and sticky on the floor.
Thank you, God, for the rejection of friends and that crazy mean email last week. Thank you for the tears it cost.
Thank you for the argument I had with my husband last night. Thank you, God, that he doesn’t understand me.
No.
We are usually thankful for blessings.
Gifts. Encouragement. Provision.
We send thank-you notes to mothers and cousins for baby gifts and Christmas packages. We call our pastors and thank them for the sermon. We are grateful for warm beds and fireplaces that glow in our family rooms.
We are thankful because it’s easy and expected.
But the sweet times, the easy-flowing happy times are not what shape me. I am comfortable and will stay the same if everything always goes my way.
Discomfort is the only way I grow. And I am never grateful for sitting in the valley of hurt and pain. I’m never thankful when things don’t work out like I planned.
I stamp my feet instead and no-fair God. I tell Him He doesn’t know what it's like to be me.
I’m not changed in the lots-of-money, kids-are-well, husband-adores-me days.
But I am changed in the I’m-fat, second-argument-this-week-with-my-mom, worried-about-my-kids days.
This is when I’m moved to trust. I have to because nothing else works.
These are the days when God comes in and under-girds my heart with His own, turns my head to refocus my attention and then asks me to trust.
And I should be grateful that He thinks enough of me to carefully craft difficulty to edge me toward beauty, kindness, and grace with pressure.
I don’t want to just be thankful for the easy. I want to be grateful for the hard. And that involves a choice...one I'm making today.
Will you join me?
by Sarah Markley

When the author wrote, "Discomfort is the only way I grow.....", those words just jumped off the screen at me.

Why does it have to be that way? Why does it have to be uncomfortable or hurting or painful? Why can't everything just be going along jim-dandy and tra-la-lah and carefree.....?

Well, God didn't promise us a rose garden..... not here, anyways. ....Along with the sunshine, there's gonna be a little rain sometimes.... (remember that song?) He does promise us that we'll have a wonderful life in Heaven as we spend eternity with Him, and He also promises that He'll never leave us nor forsake us while we are here in our earthly form. I am thankful for that!

But in the meantime, down here on planet Earth, the pain and hurt and discomfort and inconveniences that we experience... well, to put it plainly, I think it just stinks! HOWEVER, those times of pain and hurt and discomfort and inconvenience, including those "catastrophic moments" that suddenly jump into our every-day lives, will help us to grow; they mature us in our walk with Christ; they strengthen us, through Him, so that each day we learn more how to trust our Lord and feel His Almighty Holy Presence.

HOW do people get through each day by not having a relationship with the Lord? I simply do not have that answer. I don't know how they cope. He's able to keep me going. I don't understand it all, so I must lean on Him. I told someone just the other day, "my needs are being met", just as He promises.

Did you get that? My "needs" are being met; not my "wants", but my "needs". Matthew 6:31-33 says, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

My needs are met.

I am in a growing season.

I am learning to be thankful.....

......even in the "inconvenient" times.

To read Sarah's article at "(in)courage", please click here.

Lost and Found

Update: Technical difficulties with the video seem to have been corrected. Hope it works for you now. Enjoy!

Video - Lost and Found - Sung by Robin Mark


Lost and Found

When the rain falls, and it some days will,
And the pavement under my feet
Sparkles silver and gold in reflected light
That I otherwise wouldn't have seen

And when the storm comes and the strong wind blows
I will bow my head to push through
And every step that I take I will watch and pray
And be sure my foothold is true

Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I want to walk that sacred ground
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found

And in the dry place in the wilderness
When Your Word seems so far away
Oh I will think of my life and I will bless Your name
For Your promises never have failed

And when the night falls at the end of day
I will lift my eyes to the heavens
And we will shine like the stars for eternal days
In Your presence forever and e'er

So Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I want to walk that sacred ground
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found

Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I want to walk that sacred ground
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found

Lost and found, lost and found
I am but a lost and found
Can there be a sweeter sound
Than singing with the lost and found

Lost and found, lost and found
I am but a lost and found
Can there be a sweeter sound
Than singing with the lost and found

So Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I want to walk that sacred ground
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found

Sometimes the words of a song just say it all. And how appropriate these words are for us.

I hope you are blessed by this song as much as I have been.

Fresh Water and Green Grass

Good morning.

I was just checking emails and decided to check the blog to see what I wrote yesterday. I am getting really tired sometimes when I'm typing, so when I re-read the posts the next day, it's almost like I'm reading it for the first time.... and I WROTE the bloody thing! hahaha. (Oh... should cool it on the blood jokes! haha)

I was thinking that maybe some of you might be scratching your heads at the part in my last post where I talked about praying for Blake to be nourished with fresh springs of water and green grass as he passes through this valley.

I remember hearing a sermon a long time ago about trials. None of us want to go through them, obviously. Reference is usually made to us being "in the valley" when we go through dark times.

But the person giving the sermon made the comment that being in the valley is really a good spot to be. He said that in a real valley, animals can quench their thirst in the streams of fresh water and there's an abundance of good healthy green grass for them to feed upon.

What he was saying was that when we are going through a trial and feel that we are in a valley, the valley actually is the best spot to be. Don't you all notice that when you're going through a hard time and there's nothing you can do about it, who do you call upon? The Lord. Would you maybe be calling on him as much if everything were going along hunky-dorey? Maybe, but not as likely. At least I know that's not the case for ME. I have not called upon the Lord more at any other time before than I have the last two to three years. Why? Because I, along with Jon and kids, have been in a really tough trying time, a trial.

But I can also tell you that I probably have never felt as much peace as I have in these last few years. No, it hasn't been easy. My heart's been broken a few times. But in the valley, I have been learning to feed upon the "fresh water" and the "green grass".

So if the true nourishment is in the valley, one would wonder why we're always trying to get out of the valley to try and climb that mountain, eh? Frankly, right now, I'm too tired to climb any mountains. I think this just might be my time to get nourished in the valley.... a time for me to grow stronger in the Lord by relying on HIS strength. I mean, really..... there's no way I can control this situation at all. I can't make Blake better. It's out of my hands.

So while we go through our valleys, our trials, we'll take the time to feed upon what's supplied in the valley. That will give us the strength to some day climb the mountain.

But let me tell ya, sure as shootin', when I get to the top of that mountain, I'll be staking a flag with a huge sign that says, "THE FOUNDS WERE HERE! WITH GOD'S HELP, WE MADE IT!"

Don't be too anxious to scramble out of your own valley.... it's where you're gonna get fed.

Giraffe Kissing = Major Trust

Wannett has always been the "tough" sister.


Don't mess with her.... EVER.


I, personally, have always been known as the bossy sister (oldest... of course we're bossy!).

Danielle's been, what we call, the spoiled sister (youngest is always considered spoiled, right?).



And Wannett is.... "THE MIDDLE CHILD".



She's rough.



She's tough.



Don't mess with her.




But even as tough as Wannettie actually is, I never dreamed in my life that she'd be daring enough, or even have the wants, to travel to Africa.



And never in my WILDEST dreams did I EVER imagine Wannett locking tongues with A GIRAFFE!!!!!

Wannett smoochin' with Mr. Giraffe - Kenya 2009



OK, OK, so they weren't "kissing" really.....



Apparently she put some food between her lips and then the giraffe took it out. Now, I do this ALL THE TIME with our youngest retriever, Duke; and everyone is really grossed out over it. (I think it's a rather special act that I taught him, thankyouveryMUCH!).

Doing this with Duke took time and a bit of trust.... hoping that he wouldn't nip me while taking food from me. (By the way, Duke has NEVER nipped at me, not even once, while taking food... he's SO gentle! It's SO cute!)

Wannett feeding Mr. Giraffe - Kenya 2009

HOWEVER, a big honkin' ol' GIRAFFE..... well now..... THAT's a whole other story! Her HEAD would've fit nicely inside his MOUTH!!! Any of you pastors out there lookin' for a sermon about trust, well, there's a picture for ya!



I still can't believe she did that!



And I'm just glad she got a picture of it, or I never ever would've believed her story.



Giraffes have always been my most favourite wild animal, along with lions and leopards. I have to wonder if I would've been brave enough to do that.




Next time I feed Duke that way, I'm gonna pretend he's a giraffe.




Wannett, you're one tough ol' adopted kid for sure! hahaha


(Inside joke, folks! She's NOT adopted......)



.... or IS she?..... Hmmmmm..............