July 1, 2012: My Personal Journal Entry: God answers my prayer for our family to reunify under the same roof

Dear Elohim, after three and a half years of living apart, our family is once again reunified.  I would never have imagined our new life together would begin in a trailer park located just outside of Los Angeles. Yet, from the moment we pulled into the park, my heart practically burst from excitement. I could barely contain my eagerness to help my husband set up camp. I swiftly asked, “What do we do first?” as he began to attach the sewer line and electrical cords. LeeRoy sweetly responded, “I got this honey. I don’t want you to get dirty.” Like a little child, I had to fight the urge to fidget while I stood by his side offering words of encouragement.

With nothing better to do, I looked around and took in our new surroundings. Right away, I noticed two new neighbors. The two women, living in the neighboring campsite, kindly greeted us and welcomed us to the park.  Within a few hours, we were all set up and settled in.

Soon it was time for supper. Since it was our first real night spent around our new dinner table, I prepared some warm home comfort food: pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn, and applesauce. Our 7-year-old set the table. My husband took his seat while I made his plate. Then, I set his plate in front of him. Without hesitation, my husband humbly said, "This is so nice." Then, he reached out both of his hands, palm side up. We all held hands and my husband began to pray, "Lord Jesus, there are no words to express how grateful I feel right now. Thank You for this meal and for bringing my family home to me." My head slumped over a little further as tears fell like rain.  

In my heart, I said a little prayer of my own. "Thank You LORD for answering my prayer to reunify me with my husband under the same roof. In Jesus' name. Amen."

June 19, 2012 My Personal Journal Entry: Following Jesus takes Courage, Trust and Faith

Father God Almighty. I want to thank You for today. You know my heart so well. You know my every thought and You care about my feelings. Just when I had begun to experience feelings of sorrow and loss, wondering, why You might lead me from our closest friends and church home, You responded.

I was on my way to the local grocery store to pick up a few groceries. Just as I started to leave, a woman stopped me. She said, "Donna? I just wanted to tell you that you made a difference in my life. When you shared your story with me 3 years ago, I was feeling hopeless. But then, I found my way back to God. I just wanted to tell you that." I sobbed as I hugged the woman. Through many tears, I thanked the woman for allowing You to use her encouraging words to touch my heart.

Lord, I’m ready to trust Your plan for my life. I understand now why I must leave this wonderful town. There must be additional broken hearts waiting to hear about the hope I have found in You. Lead me LORD. I will follow You. Thank You for the gift of Your perfect Son, in whose name I pray. Amen."

"Comfort, ye ministers of grace,

Comfort the people of your Lord,

Oh! lift ye up the fallen race,

And cheer them by the Gospel word.

Go, into every nation, go!

Speak to their trembling hearts, and cry,

Glad tidings unto all we show;

Jerusalem, thy God is nigh.

Hark, in the wilderness a cry,

A voice that loudly calls, Prepare!

Prepare your hearts, for God is nigh,

And means to make His entrance there.

The Lord your God shall quickly come:

Sinners, repent, the call obey;

Open your hearts to make Him room,

Ye desert souls, prepare His way.

The Lord shall clear His way thro’ all,

Whate’er obstructs, obstructs in vain;

The vale shall rise, the mountain fall,

Crooked be straight, and rugged plain.

The glory of the Lord displayed

Together all mankind shall view;

And what His mouth in truth hath said,

His own almighty hand shall do."

Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems (Bristol, England: Felix Farley, printer, 1742), page 1.

Rest (Bradbury) William B. Bradbury, 1843

June 13, 2012: My Personal Journey. Sharing the Grace of God over a piece of BBQ Corn on the Cob.

Dear Father God, today, I took my young son to a local place of attraction. Since I am not sure when we will be returning to our beloved hometown, I figure we should enjoy one of our favorite spots one last time.

As usual, we were excited to pull up to the country style barn. I could smell the sweet fresh baked pastries from the parking lot. At first, we followed the aroma straight towards the sweet shop. But along the way, I noticed that the barn happened to be selling BBQ-ed corn on the cob. Yum! We took a detour and found our place in line. When it was our turn to purchase the corn, out loud, I praised God. Suddenly, the man standing in line behind me smugly praised the Native Americans. But before his words could reach my heart, the vendor reached out to hand me my delicious treat, smiled and said, "Amen." I smiled. “Could he be a believer too?” I wondered.

We walked around the buildings for quite some time. We even ran into some dear friends from church. Later, we started to walk towards our car. All of a sudden, I felt compelled to approach the man selling corn a second time. So, I walked over to the corn stand. I shared my testimony with him. With tears in his eyes, the man shared that he had just lost his wife and home. I swallowed a long swallow! Afterward, the man said the sweetest thing. He said, "Today, I gained a sister in Christ." My eyes welled with tears as I humbly walk away. 
In my heart, I said a little prayer to You. "Dear God, with a trembling heart, I approach Your throne of grace. I know that I am not worthy to serve You. Yet, in Your mercy, somehow, You allow me to touch the hearts of others. LORD, Please accept my gratitude for using me today. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, my Emmanuel. Amen."