Providence

So, the trip.

It was as excellent as any trip could be.

Today I will share some logistical things that just really shows how God had his hand on me, provided for me every step of the way, and put me exactly where I needed to be in miraculous ways.

I’ll share other things about the weekend in later posts.

We (my dear friend K, her mom and I) flew out on Friday morning with basically no delays. This in and of itself is a miracle as I found out later that there were so many delays later on in the day due to the weather there in San Antonio. The Lord put us on the right flight at the right time, Hallelujah!

As we landed I found that I had a voice mail. It was from my friend Beth who I was supposed to spend Friday and Saturday nights with. She is currently pregnant with TWINS (YEA!) and her message said that not only was she having some difficulty which was causing her to be on some bed-rest this weekend, but her one year-old was also sick.

I had already been concerned about them having to come downtown to get me and trying to get back downtown early in the morning, etc. In fact, I had emailed a Siesta from the LPM blog to see if I could catch rides with her. But at the moment that I got this voice mail from Beth, I knew that I just needed to not stay with them on Friday night and began praying and believing that the Lord would provide so that I would not have to add the stress of a house guest for Friday night on them and that any transportation issues for Saturday would be taken care of.

He abundantly provided.

I called my man and gave him the task. He was up to it. He’s so good that way. Using points, he was able to get me a room there at the Marriot Rivercenter where my friends and just about everyone else from the conference were staying. It cost me a grand total of $15. And I had a room with a king sized bed all to myself.



I don’t have to tell you… it was a blessing.

Then, after wandering around the mall and finding a super cute blouse on sale at Macy’s, I hung out back in my room, all by myself, for a while. Lo and behold, I had an email from Siesta Lori Anne that she did, in fact, live near my friend Beth and she could absolutely give me a ride. So I called her, told her of my change in plans and we then made plans to meet up and I could get a ride from her out to Beth’s house on Saturday afternoon.

He abundantly provided!

Well, back up a little to a couple of weeks ago as I was finalizing (or so I thought) my plans. By the time I finally had time to think about this trip and the Siesta Fiesta, I had missed out on signing up for the PJ party that some of them were having on Saturday night.

So, although I would have loved so badly to hang out with some of you playing games and gabbing all night on Saturday night, I played with Beth’s one year old son and gave Nick, his dad, a little bit of a break. I got to play “Aunt” Donna and laugh when he misbehaved because, hey, I’m not the mom. Woo hoo! It was a blast. And he is just a doll! I also had the privilege of cooking for them so that they could have a meal for a day or two. It wasn’t much, but I think it helps a little and that was definitely where I needed to be.

He so abundantly provided!

Travis Cottrell told us on Saturday afternoon that he would be at Oak Hills Church at Saturday evening and Sunday morning services leading in worship. Their pastor is someone you may have heard of before… Max Lucado. He was going to be preaching this weekend, which he doesn’t all the time. And it just not so happens that Beth and Nick live, oh, 10 minutes from Oak Hills Church. So, I went this morning and was so incredibly blessed.

And yet again… He abundantly provides!!!

My flight home left on time in spite of weather. And a woman, who obviously needed to talk through some religious issues made it on to the flight and sat next to me. I wasn’t sure at first how the conversation was going to go, but it was good. And it showed me that I could depend on Jesus and the Holy Spirit to give me the words that needed to be said. Whatever I did say didn’t seem to turn her off, because we talked for the entire flight. A divine appointment, to be sure.

So the point of this story (*gasp* there is a point?) is that God provided for every logistical detail so that I would be where I needed to be when I needed to be there.
And to quote Beth Moore from this weekend:
"Providence is the FACT that God works as powerfully in the every day as in the miraculous."

The weekend... it was providential.

Update on Mom and Dad for Miracle Monday

I was really touched by the story my dad told about his recent ministry experience and felt that it was a good story to post as a true miracle this fine Monday.

For the sake of those who read here who do not know my whole story, I'll give just a little back-ground. My parents left in January of this year to minister in South Asia for 2 years as part of a program for retirees through our denomination's international missions organization. My dad has, for many years, ministered in prisons and has done a bit of globe trotting doing disaster relief work. In other words, when I really stop and think aobut it, it is not surprising that the Lord would call them to this task.

Side Note: Forgive me if any of this is confusing. I am omitting all names of people and places as I cannot give specifics of their location or anything for their safety.

My dad recently posted a story on their own website that really touched me and confirmed for me why they are where they are.

As I said, my dad has ministered in prisons for years here in the states. First through a large para-church prison ministry organization. And most recently just in a prison located locally near where they lived. So, it made sense to him that the Lord would want him to continue that ministry no matter where in the world he was and he believed that Holy Spirit had put such a desire in his heart.

He began to explore possibilities and found that Hindus and Muslims were effectively ministering in prisons where he is. But no doors were opened to him.

Then, he got word from the states that a Christian brother had been imprisoned near him and he was asked to make a "pastoral visit" if possible. He did so and I'm certain that he was a huge comfort and encouragement to this man who could only sit there and wonder, "Why has this happened?"

On one of these visits he took with him a local pastor who he thought might be able to aid in the man's release. This did not work out, but in the course of the prison visit, the local pastor found that he was long time friends with the Assistant Superindendent of the prison, who is also a Chrisitian. They had a nice reunion and they were told that they could come any time to lead in Christian worship and pass out literature.

The man my dad had originally visited in the prison has been released and is back in the U.S., but we have seen the answer to his "Why". My dad and his pastor friend recently led worship in that prison, freely preached the gospel and passed out Bibles and tracts. They also have opportunities openning up to them in other prisons nearby, including what he has heard to be the largest prison in their country.

God truly works miracles. And when difficult times come for us, we never can tell what may happen as a result or how others may be blessed because of our faith.

Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good fo those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

If you think about them, please pray for them and pray specifically for this area of ministry for my dad.

Also as a side note, there have been some localized bombs being detinated in their area over the weekend. Please be in prayer for their safety as well.

For other Miracle Monday stories or to share your own, visit Beth at A Mom's Life.

Miracle Monday

My miracle today is something that happened just this weekend.

I have been sick recently with that I have self-diagnosed to have been Fifth Disease. Many of us think of this as a childhood virus, but anyone who has never had it before can get it. But it's kind of like chicken pox... once you've had it, you've got the antibodies and won't get it again.

Can I get a Hallelujah?!?!

As adults one of the symptoms that gets reported along with the tell-tale rash (according to the CDC) is joint pain and stiffness. I got the rash last Tuesday evening and began having the joint pain/stiffness very mildly on Wednesday. By Thursday, I felt like my joints were swollen and, in fact, I could not even get my wedding ring on my finger (thankfully I take it off and I'm not now telling a story of having to have it cut off).

Finally by Friday evening, it hurt to simply try to roll over in bed and I got very little sleep that night. Saturday morning, I couldn't hardly move to get out of bed. I took some Tylenol and finally got moving and things loosened up a little, but it was painful. All day long it was painful.

Then it hit me... I was supposed to try to play handbells on Sunday morning. With joints that won't move, I was supposed to try to play handbells.

This is when you start praying and calling your director to start praying.

If you've never played handbells before, then maybe this makes no sense to you, but it's an entire body instrument. At least for me it is. From the biggest hugest bells (that require both of my hands to ring just one) to the teeniest bells (which I play 2 in each hand). I'm standing, tapping my toes and stepping to the beat. I'm lunging and feeling the music. I'm using my entire upper body to ring, damp, table damp, and martellato (banging the bells on the table).

It's fun. As long as your joints are all working properly. Which at the moment, mine were not.

You know, it's interesting, I've always acknowledged that any musical or artistic talent that I have has come from God. I've always done my best to give Him the glory. But I can't remember ever feeling like I had to fully rely on Him to make it to or through a performance. I mean really just trust that He's going to show up or it's not gonna happen. That's how I felt on Saturday morning as I was doing my quiet time. I knew that God was gonna have to SHOW UP in a mighty way if I was going to be able to play on Sunday morning.

So, Saturday evening, my dearest husband goes to the store and comes home with my miracle in a bottle.

I was able to get to sleep easily and woke up Sunday morning without the slightest pain.

Here's the thing though... I believe it had so much more to do with God SHOWING UP and making a way (He's the WAY-MAKER) for me to be pain free and be able to play handbells to His glory on Sunday morning. He wanted His Son's name glorified...

All Hail the Power of Jesus Name,

Let angels prostrate fall.

Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of All.

Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of All.

Amen and Amen!

The words of Psalm 5 (NIV) resonated so loudly with me this weekend as I read them in my quiet time:

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord,
consider my sighing.
2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation
...
8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies -
make straight your way before me.

Do we really wait in full expectation of what He's going to do? Do we really ask and expect Him to make a way?

I know I don't always do that. But I did this weekend. And GOD SHOWED UP!

You can read other miracles and post a link to your own miracle at A Mom's Life.

Miracle Monday

Miracle Monday at A Mom's Life

My miracle this fine Monday is fairly shallow... I'll admit that right now, up front. Don't be looking for a deep post today.

God bless Dillard's.

And God bless their ladies swim-wear buyers.

As some of you may know, I have been searching for a new swimsuit since January. My difficulty in this task is on many levels. For one thing, I have strong feelings about modesty in swimwear with regard to "the girls." And, with respect to them while we are speaking about them, "the girls" have issues of their own after 2 babies and need some extra support. But, I want something that's cute and functional for everything young children require while in a pool or at a beach.

Yes, you could say I have high standards.

But I'm entitled, right?

I had all but given up, though recently. I was too unsure about ordering something online because I hadn't found anything in-real-life that was even close to fitting properly without too much cleavege showing.

Also, the choices that I was finding online that met my needs size-wise, well, I'll just say that they assume that someone who needs that bra-size must want to purposefully wear something that is ugly. There's no other explanation for it.

And, what a hassle to order something, wait anxiously for it to arrive only to have to send it right back because I look in the mirror and cry in horror, "HOLY COW!"

So, after making a plea and having it answered by a Swimsuit Edition of Fashion Friday over at BigMama, I had new-found inspiration as to what I needed out of my swimsuit. And on Saturday evening, by myself in that little Dillard's dressing room, all my swimwear prayers were answered.

Of course, I heard little 20-somethings in the background saying to each other, "Are you sure this doesn't look too trashy?"

Um, honey, if you have to ask....

I find it to be a miracle that someone in the ladies swimwear purchasing area of Dillard's decided that underwire support was important enough for swimwear to purchase a wonderful array of choices for those of us needing help in that area. AND that for those of us whose cups... um... runneth over, they even have cute options in our size as well.

It is such a miracle that I found a swimsuit that I liked (and that M liked) that I went back today and bought 2 more in different colors. And since they were only $39 each, I could afford it!

God bless Dillard's. That's miracle enough for me today!

Miracle Monday

My miracle this Monday for "A Mom's Life's Miracle Monday" (http://beth-amomslife.blogspot.com/) happened this past August. It was a hot, hot, Texas summer day...

Nathan and I went to Costco and got back out to the car. Being what felt like 1000 degrees outside, I got him in the car out of the sun, turned it on and closed the door. I went back around to the back to load up my groceries and it was locked. All the doors were locked… with my baby inside. I froze. I called Mike and could hardly even get the words out I was so panicked. Then the Lord provided an Angel (in my opinion) in the form of a young mother with two young children who went inside and got help for me.

After the police showed up and began to assure me that he would be okay since the car was running and the air was on, I started to calm down a little. Then, it became comical as the fire department and EMS showed up with axe in hand ready to smash in a window. I couldn’t tell if I was laughing or crying at that point. They were so funny as Nathan was playing peek-a-boo with them through the window. They asked him if he could reach the black nob to unlock the door. And as any good 2 year old would say, his answer was, “No.” They even tried offering him money – which is funny since the only currency Nathan deals in so far is M&M’s.

The wrecker finally showed up and got the car open, the EMS checked him out and I immediately took him out of the cool car into the hot sun just to hold him.

So my miracle came in the form of a woman with two small children, who I am convinced was an angel sent by God because as I was pulling out of my parking space, she and her two little ones emerged from the store with no cart or groceries in hand, just in time for me to thank her.

Miracle Monday

As I have considered my involvement in "Miracle Monday," I believe the Lord has truly tried to reveal something to me. You know, miracles aren’t always huge things. I have certainly been personally touched by some miracles of great magnitude. However, for me right now, it's just about seeing God's hand in the everyday circumstances and seemingly little and mundane things of life. This one, He revealed to me this morning as I was, of course, in the shower.

I was so frustrated on Saturday. Trying on dresses was becoming as much of a pain as swimsuits. I was looking at what I had in my closet to wear for Easter Sunday, and was not really thrilled about any of it. I mean, I’ve lost about 25 pounds since I bought some of those skirts and dresses. I have reclaimed my waistline (kind-of) and don’t mind showing it off. So, why on earth would I buy a new dress with a high waist and a tie in the back that makes me look pregnant???

Seriously. I’ve been pregnant - 4 times total and 2 to full term with big fat belly and all. We have decided that we are done with the pregnancy thing and have taken measures to keep that from happening. I don’t really want to look like it again unless it is truly a miraculous conception. Apparently the current batch of designers out there haven’t been in my shoes.

So needless to say, out of 4 different stores on Saturday afternoon, I didn’t buy anything for me other than 3 blouses that allowed me to use the rest of a gift card at SteinMart (love that store!). I was disappointed.

Then I realized this morning in the shower that I should be glad I didn’t find that perfect dress. March has been hard on the checking account for us and I didn’t need to spend any extra money. With Daisy’s vet bills, tickets for the school auction, our class’s auction project, tickets to see the musical that Sarah is in, and the list could go on and on… we’re just tapped out this month. Beyond tapped out actually.

So, my miracle this Monday is that the Lord protected my bank account from further depletion because of my own selfish vainity.

Miracle Monday

In doing some cruising this evening, I found this blog and she's starting a thing she's calling "Miracle Monday." Take a look...

I think it's a good idea and encourage each of you with a blog to participate. I go back to my original assertion way back when I began this blog. WHAT IF we shared what God was doing in our lives?

If you don't have a blog and would like to share your own miracle, feel free to email it to me and I'll post it here.