Ah Family

What lies ahead? Oh time to reflect has taken place all day, We ran into "Auntie Joan" when we were getting things together for camp, to be with some of our "FAMILY." Then after catching up on her children and their families; their visit with Beth just last weekend (yesterday returned), preparations to be with Brent and His bride, Kelsey to help them in their new relocation and their new season this weekend, and the prayer requests for Scot and his family and all the ER runs in the midst of everything for them. We stopped right there and had a prayer coverage for the Peace the Lord can grant to all of them recovery in health, safety in relocation and other requests in His will to be made clear. Like I said reflection with her brought many memories of our past with her family "The Irwin's" over the past twenty two years. AMAZING to be able to pray over her children and now their families like their family so often did for ours, all because we have become family.

Never take "family" God gives you for granted! Since ~ Summer 1988, we are changed; our lives wrapped forever in family ties through Christ. Because we became grafted into other families that became instrumental to our heart beat - literally and how sweet it is! To see Joan this morning enjoying simple pleasures like a smile, laughter, listening to her concerns, her excitement, and reflections - ahhhh JOY to the soul. I LOVE FAMILY that one becomes when connect to the Love of Jesus Christ! I really do. Because of that connection here is how the girls are enjoying the love of family around the world.

Mya, twenty two years later is beginning that new walk also of discovering "family". Interning in DR is sweet to see the connection to others who are becoming her family in Him. SWEET!!!

Tia, Laughing and enjoying "family" with friends this Memorial Day because of being grafted in also to the family of God.

Faith, Enjoying a picnic with a friend because they are with the body - "family"

Emily, laughing with a friend she led to Jesus who brought her mommy to Jesus later and they are with their "Family - small group".

Yes, "FAMILY" in Jesus is the sweetest thing every and they are part of our lives tapestry and we consider it wonderful to be among "FAMILY" who are One in the Spirit!

A week

Wow, what a week it has been! AMAZING! Arrivals, preparations, departures, thoughts, sleep, phone calls, messages, wondering all in the PEACE and JOY of Christ! He has kept this soul from trepidation and from becoming weak! All week has flown by so quickly! I just LOVE the thought of the gospel being lived out in the "daily" become one week.

A week belonging to the kingdom!

Rick B. says:

Rick gave a "There is VICTORY" in his status report. I am STILL asking for prayer coverages!

Concern

Hello Prayer Warriors,

Today Mya called @ 1:02 for eleven minutes. it was so very good to hear her bubbly voice and the news of what is going on there in the Dominic Republic. They arrived in San Cristobal around two in the morning, tired but safe due to delays on the last flight departure.

They sorted the teams supplies and totes early yesterday morning to get busy with their work ahead last night and today.

Updates for Prayer:

Pray for Satan to be Thwarted in the lies he is attempting; to stop the work there with The Bernard's! For the lies of child prostitution at the orphanage. For the Lord to avenge the people working in His name to care for the orphans and the old, sick and poor of San Cristobal at the area churches, La Pan De Vida, the Projects and all churches! The gospel to be preached and heard clearly! Strength to stand in persecution during court hearing.

Mya's shoulder (that was hurt in the car wreck Friday March 16, 2007) is hurting extremely bad with pain. Pray for healing and full use of the arm without damage to the shoulder, shoulder blade. Mya's health to be 100% for the work during her stay in DR!

The Orphanage and the Pan De Vida: Someone reporting them in for being a child prostitution ring house. They were turned into the government and today May 27, 2010 at 9:00 had a court hearing against Pastor Juan and Maria as well as Rick and Carie being asked NOT to appear because of how it would look. Now the government is involved with the orphanage. Juan & Maria Antonio are not allowed to reside in the orphanage they are to live in their own residence.

Prayer for the proof to be evident of children not used for trafficking. However they do not have birth verifications due to literally being dropped off at the gate of the orphanage many times.

Prayer for the government to believe what is being presented as truth. For wisdom for Rick and Pastor Juan A. and the voice of the Holy Spirit to be heard clearly. Government to see them as humanitarians and the Glory of God to prevail.

Prayer for the "Projects" (where the refuge camp is located.) They are going there this afternoon to minister and work.

Prayer for the medical clinic that took place this morning and for the construction of the new building on the entrance area. They cleaned away all the brush with machetes and this morning mixed, poured and laid the foundation for a new building for the growth of the orphanage.

Prayer the children they are numerous - they have to turn away many due to no provision available for all of them. The Children are begging to come in, learn and eat yet they have to tell them there is no room for them. Their rations of food today (May 27, 2010): One large handful of rice, a slice of tomato and a slice of cucumber. ;-( Mya broken cried upon bus to return and "eat" with food abundance back at the intern/and missionary house.

Prayer: Mya and interns moved into the "inter house" down the street and around the corner yesterday morning. Safety every night as they have to walk by themselves as they are "Americans" 4 interns and Humbles (3) who are in charge of them. June 8-10, four more interns will arrive.

Praise: The children remembered Mya (with braces on) and they worked to teach her Spanish asking her to teach them English yesterday and today.

Praise: The team there now (Debbie D./Jessica W. team) are a return team and hard working. They are a very good team and experience was there working today during the court hearing going with Pastor Juan, Maria and the Bernard's.

Next chapter

Dropping from Nest at an accelerated speed, spread wings, lift, thrust, wind beneath the wings ~ now Soaring! She is Soaring among the clouds in the blue sky, thousands of feet above the earth!

Her New Chapter is being written, Adventures begun, with only a few tears because of what we have already walked, crawled and climbed through, it is time. She is on her way, for now it is the season to allow her to fly on her own! It can't be described. It all seems so ethereal, so dream like, like one of my favorite scene from the Lord of the Rings series. Trying to awake then opening the spiritual eyes and knowing and believing in PEACE that the time is right and has really arrived.I expected floods of tears (LIKE ALWAYS!!!) but only a few fell when the embrace to release her took place and then when I grabbed the hand of my lover but we knew and know in JOY of the LORD she is in HIS hands. She is ready to be fully released. TRUSTED FULLY. I know without any shadow or doubt she is FINE because HE allowed us to nurture her to release her back to Him eighteen years later. Only two days after watching her accepted her diploma, walking across the stage and descending down the steps, as the caps flew, the hands clapped with thunder, the voices raised with praise ~ We have come this far to end this season to release her to this mornings departure in the airport with anticipation.

The release of confidence, excitement and trepidation of the unknown, yet there is JOY!!!

He has "called her" and now she is "going" with our Blessing to whatever unknowns lay in her path. The stretching He will lead her through, the laughter, the quiet, the hard and difficult ~ she will persevere!

Here are just a few shots into my soul through the eyes of my lens and my heart. Love you Sweet child of ours! Enjoy your journey for it is yours!

Looking to one another to assure each other she has been prepared all her life for today.

Much Love Now and Forever; "I'll Love You Forever, I'll Love You for Always ~ as long as I'm living, for your Mommy I will always BE!"

I will sing praise

Song of Praise. I will sing Praise to Lord all the days of my life. For there is ALWAYS JOY in all circumstances, and ours happens to be One Graduating, One Sweet Sixteen, One Exiting Elementary and another the Immersion of Jesus Christ! All with FAMILY here!!! Praise, Praise, Praise!

I Love the joy of Life, even when it is with a sense of strain to turn the tide into another chapter of my Life. The joy of it all comes with continued love and praise while the girls are flying and soaring. Oh there is ache right now (sniff, sniff) but life is not easy. Here in the western culture though we have it "pretty darn good". I have known struggle in different ways but there is still joy. Joy because it is a dependence on the Lord. Joy because I LOVE HIM with all my being. Joy because He sustains me. Joy because he assures me of HIS PRESENCE in everything, yes EVERYTHING. I cling to Him with a death grip since I've discovered him, especially right now the past few weeks. At present, with all these closing chapters and the beginning of new chapters yet to be written, I lay my life upon his lap and soak in the moment to feel his presence in my life! Life, it is all that I possess and it is yield to him now more than ever. The month of May 2010 has been a whirl wind and I will sing PRAISE to the King of Kings who truly LOVES me as well as those who desire to follow Him. Where is the future? Where? IN HIM, therefore I will sing PRAISE! ;-)

still needed

For those of you who are prayer warriors, my friend just got a hold of me. ;-( She is so distraught. PRAYER is my only deep answer, I didn't know how to help her, I don't know how to relate. Maybe you can pray for her with me, without me disclosing her name. She said she is very "alone" and "suffering" from a marriage shock. She doesn't know how to go on. She also mentioned I could ask for help from other prayer warriors, "as long as I won't mention her by name or location." I will allow her to trust the Lord with her trust in me. So here it goes. Her husband and her have sadly drifted a part. They have children and they need us, the Saints to uphold them all. But especially her marriage which is in serious danger if not submitted fully over to Jesus Christ as their healer.

I only know her side of the version, but they both need to communicate. She said she doesn't know if she has any love left and that she feels betrayed; ;-( I was speechless. We prayed! Won't you along with me pray for healing, LOVE and true forgiveness from both of them for one another to take place? They still have a need to realize what brought them together. I know they still LOVE one ANOTHER they just need to both come to the cross. How? No other than prayer, can we lead them both to RUN to Jesus Christ. She said they both 'know' him as their Savior; so warriors, begin the prayers for their marriage there. She also conveyed, "help us, ME ~ please! What do we do? I want to LEAVE, get a divorce. There is no trust left for us! Where do we turn? What do we do for the kids?" We prayed again! Implore the throne of God for HIS Grace, they both need to turn to God for his full shinning glory and to begin with the compassion of the Lord!

The truth of God's LOVE for them both is still needed. I don't know how to help her; either o them, their family other than PRAYER, so won't you join me? That is still needed.

much

The week has so much wrapped within it. We received our family with open arms and great joy! It has truly been wonderful~! My precious first born had her reception with one of her small group friends and it to was very delightful. The two glowed. Family and friends came from everywhere and to tell you the truth it came through so smoothly. So much to experience. So much joy. The precious little yielded her life to Jesus Christ in immersion that same day. Again much joy. The sweet sixteen of another Much blissful joy. And another "Exciting" one monumental step to enjoy the horizon of another level of education. So much to reflect upon, so much to be thankful for.

Yahweh deals in the "MUCH" and I praise him for the opportunity to live it with HIM!

friend in need

There's a dear friend in need, Her name I'll keep left unsaid to protect her; She shared with me how she has been hurt very deeply by her spouse several times throughout their marriage.

I've PRAYED for her to find comfort,

I've pleaded her to rediscover trust,

I've explained to her to forgive.

My only desire is that she would turn her entire heart over to Jesus Christ. That she would lean on him 100%! He can help her only if she is willing. She has expressed how she has been crying endlessly, sobbing uncontrollably, and trying to protect her children - Oh that she would discover the Hope in Christ.

Won't you pray with me for her? She is having deep sorrow in her marriage, and she and her young husband have wonderful children who are still young. They need all prayers possible to help them reconstruct their marriage. This is my request for my precious Friend in need.

I'll be continually prayer for her and for THEM as one, won't you join me?

Ecc. 3:

How can it be described

Trust . . . how does one define it? Is it something we gain or have from the beginning? How many times does it count when a soul has been severely damaged and needs guidance to trust again? How long does it take to regain trust that has been lost multiple times over the course of a lifetime? What does one do when that trust has been broken by someone they care about deeply? Where does the comfort come from fully, really?

Trust is granted from the Lord. ;-) Yes we all mess up, however the graciousness of the King is the ONLY way to trust again. As people we tend to let one another down. But with TIME there will be healing and trust will come soon with Him as the only focus. when one leans FULLY on the Love of Jesus Christ ALONE because He is trustworthy! He is the Hope to help a soul trust again. PTL!!!

So even when one is hurt so desperately RUN to the KING OF KINGS and He'll allow you to cuddle in His arms and find discovery to trust again. He really will get this dear one through it TRULY. Jesus is the only way.

Time flys

Where does it fly to anyway? Where is the beginning and ending destination? Is it a round trip or a ONE WAY?

Friends, what is your take on "Time Flies?" Just curious

Lately, I feel so busy yet not sure where to start or end!

Who'd a THUNK?

I love OUT OF THE BOX IMPOSSIBILITIES!!!

It was already being taken care of BEFORE we whispered the need for her flying solo adventure called life in a new season!

ALL GLORY goes to Him for HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY, HIS PROVISIONS!!!!

UNIMAGINABLE by mans' standards, impossible in such a short time. But by the way, what is

T - I - M - E in the hands of the Lord? HIS AWESOME GLORY revealed

remember he owns the cattle on a thousand hills, not a sparrow falls with out his knowing and he KNOWS the number of hairs on EVERYONE!

Who'd a thunk? Not mankind standards but my heart sings All PRAISE and GLORY is a SHOUT OUT TO YAHWEH!

THANKS

Just when you have a conversation on your lips of Trusting . . .

His provisions are huge and OVERFLOWING!!!!

THANK YOU LORD!!!

The wonder of

It seems to always amaze me when I begin to ask "WHY?"

The girls are growing so quickly. It seems like only yesterday the girls were born. Only a moment when the all began to laugh, smile, even cry with their first fall. The wonder of the girls in my life. The questions, "Mommy did you ever want a boy?" my response was always, "I have wanted a boy, however I LOVE THAT he gave us YOU!!! I'll get boys later ( ;-) ) in life" I Love each of them intensely. They are so uniquely different than another.

The wonder of Girls, is amazing. (Guys . . . I empathize with you.) Change of minds, swings of moods, some are flashy, some are quiet. Some are so incredibly amazing at what they see, hear and do all at the SAME TIME. Some are so mysterious it is fascinating. I know that I am a "girl" however, I have been learning so much while trying to raise five of our own. I have been stretched in so many ways that it has created an awareness of the awesomeness of the Lord.

The wonder of Girls ebbing and flowing like the tide. As different as the colors of the sky. Amazing to view like the sunsets and the sunrise. Some refreshing as a cool breeze, some as bright as a sunny day, some as soothing as a soft rain, some as some as quiet as the soft whisper of the wind, some as fresh as a crisp drink of water from a stream, some as joyful as a bubbling brook running through the mountains, some as melodic as the birds singing in the spring. On and On the story goes. The wonder of Girls . . . a moment of pause. Captivating as they walk with the Lord. Rich with the tenderness of realness like a kiss on the forehead. The wonder of girls, my girls I am blessed five times over to sit in wonder of girls.