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!"