Patience and prayer

My women's small group just finished up "The Power of a Praying Woman." In the last chapter Stormie Omartian writes a wrap-up letter of encouragement and inspiration. There were two paragraphs that jumped out at me.

"Don't be discouraged if things don't happen as far as you would like them to. They never do. God wants you to learn patience. Our perspective is temporal. His is eternal. So don't be concerned if your are not seeing all that you want in response to your prayers. You will. If you draw close to God and do what He asks you to do, if you worship Him in spirit and truth, if you love others and give of yourself to them, if you speak God's Word in faith and pray, you will see God's blessings poured out on your life.

I believe that we are denied certain things for a time because God wants us to fervently pray and intercede for them. That's because He wants to do something great in response to our prayers. Do you remember how Hannah prayed long and fervently for a child (I Sam. 1:1-28)? When God finally answered her prayer, it wasn't just any child who was born. Samuel was one of the world's greatest prophets and most influential judges in Israel's history. If she had not prayed so fervently, that might not have happened. There may be things that won't happen in your life unless you are praying that long and fervently too."

So once again the "P" word (patience) crops up. I wish I'd hurry up and learn all I'm supposed to learn about it so I can move on... :)

Amazing life

I am blessed. Every time I think about posting an update, my mind is full of ideas and wonderful things to share. Is everything always wonderful? No, of course not, I'm still human (though not forever!). I choose to focus on the things that bring me joy and peace, and here are a few of them.


Todd Jr. was home for Christmas break, which was wonderful. Now that he's gone back to college, the house is a little quieter and a little bit emptier. I miss the frequent piano concerts, the long talks, and the "perfect" cup of coffee. I find great joy, though, in watching him live out his faith each day as he seeks after God's direction for his life. Ashley came to visit for a couple of days while Todd was home which was really fun. She is a wonderful young woman with a quiet confidence. We went to Bella's together, played Blokus, and shared her with our friends. Can't wait to have her visit again!





Adam is in his final term of high school. He's counting down the weeks. He is on two different indoor soccer teams that start this week, so we'll keep busy with those. He's working on his fundraising for his Kenya mission trip and looking forward to college life. He makes me laugh, sometimes way too hard, especially at myself, and I love our talks about serious things or nothing much at all. He went to Stardust last Saturday which is a girls-ask-the-guys dance with Lindsey who is a close little sister kind of friend. Our families know each other well, and so it was quite funny to show up to take pictures with Marc (Lindsey's dad) decked out in his camo attire with his shotgun. Lindsey is, after all, a freshman, and this was her first "date." Camo, shotgun, enough said. We had document it with a comical picture.



Daniel... If you haven't already, you just have to meet him and spend 10 or 20 minutes talking to him to know what a remarkable young man he is. His wisdom is beyond his years, and he keeps us all on the right track. He has the capacity to love so deeply and unconditionally and has a heart for his classmates that get "left out."



Todd. Where would I be without Todd? He gives me such love and encouragement. He loves to play Blokus (NOT), and has found a new best camping friend (ask him about him). I love to just spend time together, working on projects or just hanging out. He's a man's man and tackled that 250-lb oil tank in the basement this weekend and it is now in pieces on the driveway waiting to be hauled away. We now have a new place for coats and shoes (probably not too exciting for you, but it doesn't take very much to get me excited!). I am blessed to be his wife of 21-1/2 years!



Family... The more I live and speak to other people, the more thankful I am for my extended family. Wonderful parents, in-laws, brothers, sisters. God is so good!


Friends... We met Tom and Kerrie 12 years ago when we moved to Berne. We've shared times of joy and times of sorrow. It's so nice to have a friendship that it solid and secure. There is such freedom in our relationship to be who we are, together or apart, and know that there is always who is praying for us! I have acquired a whole new set of girlfriends over the year and a half who are in my small group. We just finished up "The Power of a Praying Woman," and are having a pajama party this week and then will be starting "Battlefield of the Mind" next week. It's a wonderful group of ladies, young and old, that God has brought together for this season. We laugh, we eat, we cry, we pray - we're women, what else do you expect?


Thank you, God, for my MANY blessings!

The Gift of Life

I just have to share this amazing testimony! We have had the privilege of praying for Owen for the past year and a half. Owen turns 1-year-old this month, and is the grandson of the children's director at our church.

Owen was diagnosed with spina bifida while in utero, and the doctor's prognosis was discouraging. He was also diagnosed with a cleft palate and possible genetic issues. From the day of the diagnosis, Owen's parents rallied the troops in prayer and learned as much as they could about his condition and treatment options for him. Over the past year, Owen has been through many surgeries and hospitalizations, and the doctors have admitted that he has far surpassed their expectations for him.

I had the privilege of seeing this precious little boy on Sunday, and his smile lit up the room. He is a living, breathing miracle!

Now for part two...

I received this e-mail from our children's director yesterday:

Our daughter received this email today and when I got done crying (I) just had to pass it on. God even works through little babies.

Subject: you helped me make the right decision

my daughter was diagnosed with spina bifida last friday. i was leaning towards terminating the pregnancy, but was very unsure. in a moment of desperation i did a search for spina bifida on youtube. i wanted to see what these kids really looked like. your video of owen 0-6months popped up and i watched the whole thing and cried my eyes out. then i watched it again, then made my husband watch it with me. i just want you to know that you and your beautiful little boy have inspired me and have helped me to see that my baby is not a freak of nature. she is a perfect little girl. and i am keeping my baby. god bless you and owen.
lola

Here is the link to her ultrasound video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXUuGsNLjWA
How cool is that! You never know what God will use.
Jen (Owens's mom)

We serve an amazing God!

December Wrap-Up

I realize it's been far too long since I have posted. December just kind of got away from me. So I've decided not to belabor the issue and get back on track with a top-10 list for December, from where I left off on my last post, in chronological order:

10. Todd Jr turned 20. I know, it's so hard to believe, especially since I look 29, but yes, it's true! Where has the time gone?

9. Adam signed his letter of intent for Huntington College. He will be playing soccer with possible majors in Youth Ministry or Recreation and Sports Ministry. He also found out that he has enough credits to graduate after three terms, so he'll be done with high school in March and then will work, and then graduate with his class on June 1st. http://www.huntington.edu/athletics/msoccer/0708/0708Results/McLaughlin_sign.htm

8. Daniel's on again, off again middle school Christmas program. The weather kept us guessing, but we finally caught a break and got to see it. My favorites -- the recorder band and the 12 days of Christmas - 4th grade style.

7. Todd came home from Bethel. The piano has had a work out, and the house has been filled with music. I've enjoy heart-to-heart talks and shopping trips.

6. Mom was able to come and spend two weeks back here. She arrived on Christmas Eve, and left earlier today. It was a wonderful visit!

5. Christmas was, of course, wonderful! If you haven't played Blokus, go get it. It's fun and addicting!

4. Bella's Restaurant on the lake. Come visit us, and we'll take you there!

3. Jigsaw puzzles. I helped mom with one at our house. I think she did about four over at Jeni's. She's a pro.

2. Not being a public speaker by nature, I survived presenting a 3-minute update on our prayer ministry at our church without passing out! Don't tell anyone, but I kind of enjoyed it!

1. New Year's Eve at home. Rachel came over to hang out with Adam, and Tom, Kerrie, Josiah came over to hang out with us. Although I did doze off briefly around 11:00, we decided to bring in the New Year with communion, and thanksgiving for a blessed year. Then we watched the ball drop... and were in bed by 12:10. We are party animals!?!

And so wraps up 2007. God is good!

Heat and a friend-filled week

Praise God we have heat - not that we didn't have heat before, but now we have new efficient-gas boiler-reliable heat. Yes, I'm not even the least bit sad to say that our 1940 coal-converted-to-oil, monster-sized boil now sits in pieces in the driveway waiting to go to scrap metal recycling. Thanks to a lot of hard work by Todd and Tom (where we would be without Tom), it is finished. I laugh when I think about the "adventure." It began on e-bay (yes e-bay), where we found a smokin' deal on a top of the line boiler, and now we have every-room-of-the-house heat.

Enough about the heat... Todd and I attended a small group leader Christmas party Friday night at the Rock office, and that was a lot of fun. We had a white elephant gift exchange, which is always exciting. I eventually ended up with a mini toy motorcycle which Daniel is thrilled to have, and Todd came home with a remote-controlled electronic whoope cushion. If I only had video of him playing with it (by himself) and cracking himself up, I'd post it. I'll see what I can do... He's going to take it to work tomorrow and have some fun with it, and then he's returning it to (Pastor) Jeff. I laugh more at him playing with it than the toy itself.

Last night we had the opportunity to go out to dinner with (Pastor) Jeff and Linda. It was so nice to have them all to ourselves! It made us realize how much we miss hanging out with them on a regular basis. Instead of sharing them with 30-40 other people from the church launch team, now we have to share with about 400, which is a wonderful problem to have, but we miss it just the same.

Daniel spent Friday night and all day Saturday with Josiah, some at their house and some at our house. Josiah turned 10 on Saturday and they celebrated with a group of boys. A good time was had by all!

Adam and I went to Huntington University on Wednesday and talked to Coach Russ. It's official (pretty much, unless God changes the course), Adam is headed off to Huntington to play soccer next year with a possible major in Recreation and Sports Ministry. Hard to believe - where has the time gone? He's ready - I'm not quite, but I still have a little time.

Todd had the opportunity to meet Ashley's parents and grandmother on Friday night and it apparently went well. They ate at Logan's (We ate there last night with Jeff and Linda) and had some time to talk. Todd said that I would get along well with Ashley's mom (Joy also) - we can't wait to meet them!

Weather-wise, this week we've had snow, rain, freezing rain, sleet, ice, lightning and thunder. Is it time for spring yet? By the way, with all of the rain, snow, melting snow, etc., we discovered that when we had our sewage drain replaced this summer, it disrupted, uncovered, created some cracks in our basement wall, so that was Project #1 for Todd today. He has almost everything patched but a small area. He went to the hardware store in town which is usually open from 2-4 on Sunday, and it was dark (you've got to love small towns!), so that will wait until tomorrow...

Famous Dave's and a Christmas Concert

Saturday Todd, Adam, Daniel, Rachel and I traveled up to Mishawaka to visit with Todd Jr and had the privilege of meeting Ashley. Todd and Ashley have recently started dating, and it was wonderful to see the two of them together. Ashley has a sweet, gentle spirit and a beautiful smile. As we pray for them and their relationship, we, in agreement with them, pray for God's best in their lives.

We met at Famous Dave's which is about the best BBQ you'll ever find. In fact, we've already talked Mark and Midge Hinshaw into attending the Christmas concert with us next year after a stop at Famous Dave's.

The Christmas concert put on by the Bethel Music Dept was beautiful. The acoustics were amazing, and the whole concert was outstanding, at least all that I remember. Picture this - A big meal at Famous Dave's, an afternoon concert in a warm, dimly lit concert hall, angelic music - I think Rachel was the only one who made it through without even a snooze. She's my hero! Daniel was asleep before the concert even started and we woke him at intermission. He takes after his mom. The lady in front of me dozed and must have had one of those "falling" dreams and nearly threw her program across the auditorium.

After the concert we said our goodbyes and headed out. There was a winter weather advisory and we wanted to try to get most of the way home before dark. The roads were a beautiful solid sheet of ice from Mishawaka all the way to Fort Wayne. We spent much of the way going about 30 mph. I was so thankful Todd was driving. People were crazy. I guess there were over 50 accidents reported in Fort Wayne alone Saturday afternoon/evening.

Anyway, praise God we made it home safely and with a wonderful day tucked safely in our memories. God is good!

Pie with the Pastor

Sunday night was pie with the pastor. Once a month there is a signup, and for the 14 people who get their name on the clipboard first comes the privilege of going to Jeff and Linda's house for pie and fellowship.

Jeff and Linda - we've known them for three years, but it feels like a lifetime. When God tugged at our hearts three or four years ago to get involved with the church plant in Portland, we jumped in with both feet, not really knowing what we were getting into, but knowing it was going to be good because God was in the lead. We figured it would be hard, and it has been much harder than we imagined. We figured it would be good, and, like only God does, He has blown our socks off. We knew we would meet new people and make new friends, but we had no idea how treasured our new friends would be and how God would weave us altogether.

Back in the planning stages, as God revealed His plan for the Rock, the "theme" started out as being "out of the box church" and eventually we just said "what box?" Church is the people - wonderfully imperfect and quirky, yet created in God's own image. Think of all the facets of God that we are all created in His image. I'm so thankful that He has allowed us to be a part of the Rock!

So back to pie with the pastor - We introduced ourselves and shared what we would like to find under the Christmas tree this year. Todd said tools - go figure. I was thinking maybe a new mattress for our bed - Jeff said if you cut away enough branches on the bottom that anything would fit, so who knows... but truthfully, I am blessed beyond measure and need absolutely nothing. Thank you, Jesus!