Lilyana

I just wanted to draw your attention to a new link on the right. It's for Lilyana. She's been in the hospital for a month now this time around. She is getting stronger, but has a long way to go. I'm so proud of her parents, Chris and Jenna, and their love and unending faith and hope for this precious little girl. Please keep Lily and her whole family in your prayers. God has huge plans for all of them, and prayer support is definitely needed and appreciated!

Graduation Season

It's that time of year once again. Sunday, May 4, we traveled up to Mishawaka for Ashley's graduation from Bethel. We had the pleasure of meeting her parents, siblings, and several extended family members. They are such warm and genuine people, and I felt like we had known them our whole life. It was a really nice day.








Here is Adam, Jim and Taylor's graduation party invitation. We had a sunny day in between all the rainy ones to snap a few pictures. This was our favorite!! My plan is to have announcements and invitations in the mail by Friday. We'll see how it goes...

What is YOUR Jericho?

We were at a conference this weekend, and someone shared an interesting perspective about the story of the Israelites marching around Jericho that I hadn't thought of before.

In Joshua 6, before the Israelites ever marched around Jericho, the Lord declared that He had delivered Jericho into their hands. Then He told them to march around the city once for six days, and then on the seventh day to march around Jericho seven times and then when they heard the long blast from the priests' trumpets, they were to shout, and the walls would fall down.

I had never really thought about why they marched for seven days. Did God need seven days to prepare to make the walls fall down? Not a chance. Perhaps the seven days were for the Israelites, so that day after day as they were walking around they could see the enormity of their problem, and that by day seven, they would know without a shadow of a doubt that if the walls were going to fall down it would have to be a supernatural act and not one of their own doing.

On day seven, then, after marching around seven times, what was next? Did God say charge the walls? No, He said, "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city..." In other words, praise, celebrate, worship, let the party begin!

I think we can apply the story of Jericho to our lives. What Jericho are you marching around? Finances, family relationships, job situations, school situations, church situations... Is God just wanting to let you suffer where you're at, or perhaps does He want you to realize how big the situation is and that you can't do it on your own?

And then on the seventh day, what did He have them do, He said, "Shout!" We already know the victory is ours, just as he promised the Israelites that He had given them the city. We know that He desires for us to live abundant lives, not victims of our circumstances, but to rise above them.

So, turn on your worship music and shout and praise Him for the victory to come! It is the enemy of our souls who strives to take away our hope. We have EVERY reason to be hopeful as children of God, and if we are feeling without hope about a situation, then we are listening to the lies of the deceiver.

II Corinthians 10:3-5 says, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

So that's what I'm pondering this week. Any thoughts or further insight, please share with me your comments!

For your enjoyment...

Home again

We're back from Phoenix and returning to a "new" normal life. We were blessed to spend time with so many family members from the McLaughlins as well as we were able to spend some time with my parents and brother John and sister-in-law Kathy. The funeral and surrounding activities were ones that truly celebrated Bruce's life, his love for his family, people and God. We realize the days and weeks to come will have their challenges, but we serve an amazing God of peace and comfort and lean on Him for strength.

I'll post pictures later, but I want to put our a prayer request for our great niece Lilyana. She was born February 29 with three major heart complications. She underwent open heart surgery within days of her birth and has suffered a set back. She has been taken back to surgery today for another six to seven hour surgery. Lilyana was at the funeral and spent the evening with us at Betty's house. I was able to hold this precious little girl and pray words of life over her. Would you please pray along with me for her? She is a very sick little girl. Her parents are Chris and Jenna, and she has two big brothers. They can all use our prayers as well. And while you're praying, please pray for Betty and the rest of us McLaughlins as we adjust to life without Bruce? Thanks so much for your prayers, and may God bless you richly.

I'll be in touch...

Home in Heaven

I know, it's been a long time, and I'm sorry for that. I promise I'll catch you up on all the latest happenings soon.

It is with a heavy heart that I'm sharing the sad news that Bruce McLaughlin, Todd's dad, suffered a fatal heart attack at home last night. The news is sad for us, of course, but we rejoice that Bruce is celebrating his first day of eternity in heaven with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We'll be joining our family in Phoenix this weekend and would appreciate your prayers for Betty and the rest of the family that God's comfort and peace would envelope each one. Thanks!

Announcing...

The latest addition to our family, of the four-legged variety.





Meet Darcy... She's a 3-year-old labradoodle, and we love her already! Kerrie and I picked her up yesterday and after a very thorough cleaning, she's adorable and smells a whole lot better. She loves to go on walks and is way past the whole puppy stage, which is really good for my mental well-being.

She came from a home of ten children and had to find a new home because she wouldn't stay out of the neighboring pay-to-fish pond. She's easy going and is a quick learner, and we're happy to have her!