December 19, 2011 Journal Entry. How God led me to write

Precious Savior, the stories of my life have become so incredible that I fear no one will ever believe me. Yet, through Your Word, You repeatedly remind me to write about all the good You have done. Each time my Bible continually falls open to the book of Job and I read, “Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book!”  Job 19:23 KJV  I feel compelled to write. Perhaps no one but me will ever read about the events of my life. Even so, I will have done what I felt You instructed me to do. And, I'll have a record of my journey with You and a reminder of Your constant, unfailing and faithful guidance!

Today, I find myself writing about the events of this past week, that have once again, filled my heart with joy.  It all started one day when our now seven-year-old son, Travis blurted out, "I miss my friend." I knew right away that he was speaking about a teenage foster girl who used to live down the street from us. Each day, the beautiful thirteen-year-old girl walked up the street to our home and brought with her all the squealing excitement of any typical teenager. Within a few visits, she had become family.

For hours, the young girl and my son would sit right next to one another while playing video games and watching television shows. After several visits, we began to anticipate her arrival after school. Each day the same routine. She’d enter our home, offer hugs and kisses, open the refrigerator, get a snack and plop down on the couch, remote in hand. Her laugh was contagious! Travis and I couldn’t help but giggle too!

            Sadly one day, the young girl said she was moving to a new foster home. Troubles had mounted at her current home. Then without notice, she was gone without even a chance to say, “Goodbye.” We had lost a good friend. Months passed since we had seen the sweet young girl. Although I had heard that she moved north. But, I wasn’t told where. So, I prayed her where, hoping that one day, we’d meet again. This week, Travis mentioned how he had grown lonesome for his friend.

Simultaneously, my husband called home to announce his next weekend visit. During our conversation, LeeRoy described a longing of his own. Our rescued Chihuahua, Grace, had been spending long hours alone in our new trailer. The demands of his workload had mounted.  “Perhaps we should consider rescuing another dog as a companion for Grace.” I thought as I began to search online for possibilities. Sticker shock! Maybe this was a bad idea after all.

Unsure of Your will, I said a prayer asking for guidance. “LORD, could You be leading us to adopt another dog?" Soon, my mind occupied with thoughts of bringing another homeless puppy into our lives. I had almost completely forgotten about how my young son’s heart was missing that sweet foster child.

A few more days of searching online and soon I had found a puppy in our price range. When I called the number and spoke with the owner of the dog, I immediately felt at ease. She said, "We provide foster care to dogs. My husband and I work with a program called 'Heaven Help Us.' You can see the dogs we have up for adoption if you want. Our home is easily identifiable by the Nativity Scene on the front lawn. We're believers."  Happily, I made an appointment to choose a puppy.

On the day of the appointment, the woman and I shared a few laughs and some tears as I shared my personal testimony. While we spoke, a gentle small and frail puppy approached my side. I picked her up and cuddled her as I spoke to the woman. By the end of the conversation, I just knew. I didn’t have to choose a puppy. The puppy had chosen me.

            As we said our "Goodbyes,” the woman spoke about their other ministry as foster parents to children. She said, “We currently have one teenage foster child, but she will be leaving soon. She is returning home to live with her grandmother next week." I blurted out, "Is her name…?" Amazed, the woman asked, "How could you have known that?" I told her, "God brought the young girl into our lives too and lately, we’ve really missed her. I know I’ve only been walking with Jesus for a few years now, but He seems to orchestrate incredible moments just like this all the time!"

I couldn’t wait to share all that had happened with Travis.  For a couple of days, we waited in suspense to return to the foster home.  Our sweet joyful friend answered our knock upon the door. She immediately threw open her arms. Tearfully and joyfully, we reconnected with the foster child and received our new puppy. 
“You never cease to amaze me Father God! Your ways are so far above my ways! Thank You for this day! And thank You for the sweet new companion for Grace. Your concern for all of us is a very special gift indeed!

November 23, 2011 Journal entry. God's Plans are Always Perfect!

Dear God, You are essential, absolutely and exceptionally good! What a day it has been!  While my husband and I bathed like ancient kings and queens in the park’s free heated natural springs, our youngest son, Travis played for hours in his own warm 90-degree pool. Doves, many doves, perched and cooed in the palm trees above where we bathed. Such a sweet sound to my ears! I lost count as to how many of my favorite feathered friends had drawn near.  At one point, my heart became so overwhelmed with Your goodness, I thought it might burst. Under my breath, I quietly whispered, “It’s too much Father. Your love is too much for me to handle! I can barely soak it all in.”  

Then, as if to lavish even more love, You had my husband offer to take Travis and me for a ride in a dune-buggy. “You’ll have to visit the natural caves nearby.” The dune-buggy owner exclaimed as we signed the rental agreement.

Soon, we arrived at the caves the man had spoken about. My imagination began to run wild as biblical stories seemed to come alive. As I stood before the large natural rock dotted with shallow caves, I just knew that You were offering me an unforgettable experience!

In that moment, I shared with LeeRoy and Travis that Your only Son Jesus was more likely born in a cave rather than in a wooden manger. To my surprise, the two of them swiftly ran to one of the caves and curiously began exploring together, while I remained by the buggy staring at a series of caves along a cliff face. Swept up by the moment, I began to envision wondrous bible stories where dens and caves served as dwellings places of refuge and as ancient tombs. I shook my head, as I realized I could never have planned a moment such as this. All of our hearts stirred up for You simultaneously? Truly You have plans for our lives together. Plans to bring us closer together as we try our best to follow You.  I love You Lord! Thank You for this day! 

Happy Veteran's Day to all of our Soldiers. You are in my prayers!

I woke up early this morning to our little Chihuahua licking my face. I wondered, "What time is it?" I glanced over at the clock on the Charter Cable Box. 6:00am? That can't be right! I took a second look. Wow! As my military husband would say, "It's O'Dark Early!"

Almost immediately, I remembered today is Veteran's Day, September 11. I began to create my mental to do list. So much to do today. I have to remind people about the book launch so that I can raise relief funds and help out our local troops returning from war. I want to bake a cake for the homeless family I met yesterday. But most of all, I need to spend some time with my own family. My husband wants to go to Apple bees for a free military meal. I hope I can fit it all in. I started to pet our family dog for a few minutes. Then I kissed her cheek and brushed her aside. I was ready to begin my day.

Unlike usual, I checked my email before grabbing my bible and a cup of coffee. I figured, "I still have plenty of time before anyone wakes up." In my email box, was a daily bible verse. Today's verse was 2 Corinthians 2:14. The verse spoke to the Victory we faced when obeying God's will. I thought, "Maybe I will be Victorious today with the book launch. Surely the Good Lord knows my heart and how hard I have tried to please Him with this effort."

Next, I read a disheartening email from Samaritan's Purse about a bombing to a refugee camp in South Sudan. Suddenly, I thought of of our young men and woman out in a desert surrounded by bombs and my chest began to hurt. As God would have it, I instantly recalled a documentary I watched over a month ago. The film makers relied on behind-the-scenes footage from front-line soldiers in Iraq. What broke my heart while watching this program was a comment from one particular soldier. He said, "I don't believe in God anymore. I prayed everyday that He would keep us safe, and then I lost a few of my buddies to road side bombs! So, why should I pray?" I remember thinking, "If I could only give this soldier a bible, then God could answer those questions directly. Then, HOPE would stand a chance!"

crying soldier

Suddenly, my daily to do list was replaced with concerns that were no longer about me. I decided that today, I would spend some extra time on my knees in prayer. I would pray for the Soldiers who had given up on believing in God. I would pray for those who have lost all hope.

In the past, when God answered my prayers, it was just after I had poured my heart out to Him. So, I promised myself today, what when I prayed, I would pray with a mother's heart, because I have taken on the roll of mother to a soldier whose family lives in my apartment complex. I will pray as a wife, because I am a wife of a soldier. I will pray as a daughter, because am a daughter of a military father. And, I will pray as a granddaughter to two Veteran grandfathers. But mostly, I will pray as a BELIEVER, because I trust the Lord when He says, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive (Matthew 21:22)."

With all of my heart, I wish a Happy Veteran's Day to all of our Soldiers. You are in my prayers and will continue to be!

 

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