August 28, 2013

just finish


Running the Spartan this year helped me prepare for the wrapping up of our furlough. This is how I feel:

Just finish.

We have been so very, very blessed this summer in so many ways. We are thrilled that we are so close to meeting our financial goals. We are self-supporting independent missionaries. What that means is that we don't get a paycheck. We don't have church funding. We don't have any income. We share the needs we have and are supported by those who feel  impressed to support our project and our family. To those people we are so grateful.

But blessings come in many different forms. Some people have blessed us by opening their homes to us. Feeding us. Encouraging us. One of the biggest blessings is when people pray for us.

Our project benefits also, as we have hundreds of Bibles that have been collected in the Seattle area. These Bibles will be shipped to Guyana as funds are available and will go into the interior to people who would not have access to Bibles otherwise. We can't wait to share the Bibles in the jungle.

We can't say thank you enough to everyone involved with supporting us.

We have only 2 church visits left, and then our summer of travel, speaking, and presenting is over. We would love to return to the jungle as soon as we are done, but we still have some hurdles to jump. We covet ongoing prayers in this matter.

It is to wonderful to be back in my hometown of Walla Walla! So many friends and family we don't see often enough. And I've said it before and and I'll say it again - Walla Walla has some of the most beautiful sunsets on the planet. I feel so blessed to be able to experience them again.

Thanks again everyone. :) Blessings!
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August 9, 2013

dance, little one



My Dearest Millie,

Life is very short. I have you for an such a small amount of time and then you will be spreading your own wings. My heart hurts tonight. What a wretched world we live in. If I could make a world for you, it would be so lovely. We would swim instead of drive, eat yogurt for every meal, and you would have a whole closet full of sparkly tutus. You would dance instead of walk. You would dance whenever your heart needed to let of your sometimes explosive energy. If I could make this world safe for you, you would never have to wait for me to catch up to you so you can cross the street holding my hand. You would be able to take nature walks to explore all that your heart wishes -- at your own pace. 

Oh dear one. There is so much hurt in our world. So much anger and spite. So much evil. If I could protect you from it you would never know the injustice of having something taken from you. You would never know the violation of someone breaking in and rummaging through your earthly treasures. You would never know heart break, or pain, or fear, if only I could protect you. 

Take heart, small one. Someday all I hope to shield you from will, in one way or another cause you to want to stop dancing. You will learn that trust can shatter and your heart is more fragile than fine China. People won't only disappoint you, they will wound you to the core of your soul. But take heart, my love.

This world is not only a place of nightmares. Our world, ugly as it can be, is a stage for the most beautiful ballet. Just when it seems all hope really is gone forever, remember the beauty of what lies inside your heart in that one little chamber no human can reach. That place that Jesus claims as His own inside you. When you throw your arms out, dizzy from spinning, remember His arms. 

Once nailed to a piece of timber, His arms are still open wide. Ready to embrace. Ready to take the lead. This is what will prepare you to dance in Heaven. Learn to follow Him through the forest of trials and soon, sweet one, you will follow Him home. 

Love you forever and always,
Mama
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