An unlikely opportunity or God's Plan........

This week I was with a friend when we got into a fender bender. Here in Mexico when you get into an accident, typically you call the police, and both insurance companies who send out an agent to the scene to estimate the cost and begin your claim. It seems like a great system but can take a lot of time. Once my friend's husband came on the scene I knew I needed to lay low so I sat down on the sidewalk and struck up a conversation with Danielle, a second grader who was one of four children in the other car on her way to school. We began talking of school and where she lived. She mentioned that she lived near the church she attends and the conversation continued like this.
Danielle: "I live real close to my church where I learn stuff."
Me: "Really, what kind of stuff do you learn?"
Danielle: "How to have good behavior and clean my heart."
Me: "How do you clean your heart?"
D: "By having good behavior."
Me: "Did you know that only Jesus cleans hearts?"
D: "No.
And I was able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with her. How awesome that God can turn an inconvenience of a car accident, into an opportunity to share Him with a second grader. When I was done, Danielle said "oh, cool." (chido in Spanish) and skipped back to her mom. I don't know what kind of impact it made on her, but God planted a seed. It was fun to be apart. Praise God.

This is Ben, our eldest son

He is now 11 years old however when he was just a baby, I remember he was having difficulty getting to sleep one night. He cried and cried. I knew that he would fall to sleep however I needed to put it in God's hands. I wanted to go and rock him to sleep however I was trying to teach him to fall asleep on his own. There was nothing I could physically do for him but give my hurt to God and know He knew what was good for him. He soon learned to sleep well and we all benefited from it. However I remember the Lord nugging my heart and saying this won't be the last time you have difficulty giving me things you have no control over.
Recently I have had a burden for things I have no control over. Friends who have struggled with illness for more time than I can keep track of, a marriage that is being threated, a teen who can't find a way to love herself enough to allow others to care and love her, a church going through the difficult of all circumstances....... Sometimes it seems like sadness and evil prevails. Sometimes it seems that we can't tread water, it just keeps coming.
John 16:33 says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, But take heart, I have overcome the world."
I don't know how all these things are going to turn out. Quite frankly if I think on them too long they can depress me. At times like these I find myself on my couch, with my Bible in my hand and I pray the many promises of the Lord. He has overcome the world. He knows what we are facing. None of this surprises Him. He promises us the following and I shall hold on to these
-answered prayers -life
-change -love
-comfort -peace
-completion -presence
-courage - purpose
-deliverence -strength
-forgiveness -victory
-grace -wisdom
-guidance

Praise God. As I am praying for those things I am burdened with today, I pray for any of you who might be experiencing these things as well. "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6

God is so good.......

I have so many photos in my mind from yesterday. I could share how Naomi ( a four year old) was enjoying her taco lunch during recess on her third day of school. She is one of many kids at the Rio who get to attend school because so many have followed God leading to give money to make this happen.
Or maybe the crowded hospital of so many hurting people waiting to hear about their loved ones. We went because Lee Ann (Meme's granddaughter) was really sick and they didn't know what to do to help her.
Or when my heart sank as I saw hurting people trying to search for other things to fulfill them. The prostitute walking the street. Or the drunk man who had his truck door wide open as he passed out in the front seat.
Or how God cured my nauseating feeling headache that I had before finding out I needed to take Meme to the hospital. What seemed so debilitating one minute that was taking me home early from a date with my husband vanished as my prayer warrior husband prayed for me all night.
I am aware of God's work that He is doing here and the evil presence of how Satan plays with people's mind. I am rest assured that Christ has the victory but realize that we as Christian can't just stand and watch. We must be praying. Praying for our loved ones who are fighting. Praying for the sickness in this world. Praying for protection for the ways of Satan who lies awaiting like a wolf to lead us away from God. Praying in and for our weakness. Praying that others can see Jesus in and through our lives. I am a little tired as I am a long time from my middle of the night college days. I pray I made sense. Praise God and pray, pray, pray.....

More fun photos from vacation

Great time with the Huffer clan

God blessed us with a special time with the Huffer side of the family. We enjoyed playing games, enjoying the pool, going to the beach, going to the Tampa Bay Bucs training camp, a day at Disney, taking turns cooking, and enjoying family. God was so very good to us. Thank you for your prayers. I think we'd all be hard pressed to say we are rested with all the activity, however we had a rest from our work and thoroughly enjoyed our time together.

Great time with the Shipley clan

The Lord blessed us with great time with the Shipley's (Cathy's side of the family). There were 28 of us, swimming, taking turns cooking, talking, playing, and dancing. We even had a talent (or not so talent show). God is good to us.

8-8-08 A Call to Action.......

Today is the day that B2B has set aside to encourage people into action for our ministry. People were encouraged to write 8 people and tell them about B2B, prayer for the ministry and staff, etc....
After some prayer and reflection today, I'm reminded that the Lord calls us into action daily. To take up the cross and follow Him. To give up control and trust and obey. To put on the armor of God. I'm reminded each day we are called to action.