Friday, March 2, 2012

i believe that God listens to me

Ok.  Before I post anything else about anything else...I must tell you all the good news!!!

WE HAVE OUR INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT!!!!

The details are not quite figured out as of today.  But that will soon happen.  We don't know about our housing situation, our exact date of departure, who our mentors will be, our possible responsibilities, etc...  We do, however, have a tentative idea of when we will move, which will be sometime during the month of August.   Although it's not in New England...all the rest of our wants/desires have been met!  Praise the Lord!  It's so bittersweet...but to be honest...right now it feels mostly sweet!

We are headed to Northridge Church of Rochester, NY.

You have to check out THIS VIDEO on their website (when you get there, scroll down to find the video).  It's honestly amazing, isn't it?  It causes my heart skip a beat; to know we will be able to be a part of this work for an entire year!   Doesn't it make you want to come along with us???

I have been telling people that I can't believe how blessed we are.  (Not about our placement...although I won't deny that it's a huge blessing).  But Mike and I are blessed in another way.  As interns....  

How many people get to be paid, to move to a thriving church, in order to simply learn for one year of their life???  

What an opportunity of a LIFETIME???  I'm so humbled by God right now, that it literally blows. me. away.

Because...why us?  Why not you?  I don't understand the ways of God, nor pretend to, but I'm gonna relish and roll in them, if you don't mind!

And now...for further encouragement....

I believe in the power of prayer.  
More so today than I did 2 weeks ago.

Now, believe me when I say that I pray.  I pray everyday.  For a number of reasons.  Continually.  Always conversing with my Lord.   And I pray with conviction.  But I'm going to confess something to you.

I don't always pray with 100% conviction that God will hear and answer.

I'm not sure why.  But it's the truth.

Example #1:  About 2 weeks ago, Mike was away on one of his business trips.  And I was alone.  Which makes this Sanguine lonely.  I struggle, to say the least, because I love being surrounded by people!

So, two very dear and sweet friends, whom I love to death, made a surprise visit Wednesday night.  They just showed up!  (Ok...I may or may not have put a remark, resembling a desperate plea for company, onto Facebook.)  Needless to say...they took it upon themselves to come over for ice cream, a movie, and some pretty amazing convo...ain't that right girls???

But here's the best part:  right before they left (happily much too late into the night) we had a "prayer pow-ow" for each other.  We sat around and lifted each other's burdens to the Throne of Grace {because all three of us have some pretty heavy/serious transitions about to unfold - or already have unfolded - in our lives}...sending sweet smelling savors into the nostrils of our Lord.  We bore our souls.  And we wept for the pains we each were holding.

And He heard.

The next day...the NEXT DAY...Michael calls me to say we have a placement for internship.  An internship that is going to be absolutely perfect!  

Shut. the front. door.  (!!!!!!!!)

Example #2:  We had our SWF monthly meeting for March last night.  It's always a great time.  But one aspect I enjoy most is when we share our hearts with each other.  We share the burdens of life and the praises of blessings!   All the while, focusing on God as the source of both.  We then go to Him in prayer as we exalt Him, thank Him, and petition Him.  And a particular petition was for this current season of my life:  my daughter's potty training adventure.  I didn't really feel the need to pray for HER...because I know she'll get it.  Someone wise once said, "You've never seen a healthy & normal functioning 21-year-old wearing diapers."  So the pressure I felt wasn't from her possibly not ever learning to use the toilet.  The pressure came from my ability to cope and to handle the stress of her learning to use the toilet.

And He heard.

The next day...the NEXT DAY...she sat on the potty and she went.  IN THE POTTY!  

Shut. the. front. door.  (!!!!!!!!!)

Francis Chan once said, "He doesn't listen to everyone.  But He listens to me....you gotta look at me and admit that there's something going on with He and I.  Because this doesn't just happen...so explain these answered prayers to me.....All you need to know is that I'm a man.  I'm a human being just like you.  And what I do is I open up that Book, I open up the Bible and I read it for myself.  I study it.  And I say, oh man, I think I should do that.  And I pray to the God of that Bible.  And crazy things have happened throughout my life to show me that that God in heaven listens to me.  And it's such a rush to know that I'm in love with Him."

I believe He hears.  I believe He answers.  I believe in the power of prayer.  And my conviction level is closer to 100% today.  And with each passing day....each passing answer to prayer...that percentage will continue to rise.  And I'm hoping one day, my sinful-self will move out of the way and allow my soul to know what it feels like to have faith in Him 100% of the time.  I'm thankful He's more faithful to me than I am to Him.  What a wonderful God we serve....



44° and cloudy

11 comments:

  1. Anonymous3/02/2012

    I seriously just want to weep when I read this. For real. I love you and love our Big God.

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    1. I love you too, JB. And honestly, it was hard not to write it without the fresh burning of tears!!! God is amazing. I don't care what the critics say!!!!

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  2. Eeek! I'm so happy for you guys!! Praise the Lord :)! Looks like a great place and a good fit for you (just by checking out that video).

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    1. Thanks, Lanni!!! Your opinion and joy mean SO much to me!!! xoxox

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  3. So very happy about this! You are so close to New England, too!

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    1. Thank you, Gail! And although I we don't "know" each other..it blesses my heart to know that you were praying alongside me!!! So grateful we serve the same amazing God together!!!

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  4. Yay! So excited for your family and can't wait to see all that God has in store for you guys!!!!!!! :-)

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    1. Thanks, Jenna! We can't wait either! It's nice to have you along for this journey via my blog!!! It makes me happy that no matter where we go...you and I can stay connected!!! I enjoy reading about your own journey and pray for you when I think of you!!! xox

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  5. OH MY WORD!!! One of my closest friends growing up goes there!! How exciting for you !!! I can't wait to keep up with your whole adventure on your blog and I will greatly miss your smiling face and stories and laughter and ... SO happy and excited for you!

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    1. Thanks, Julie!! (and I can't wait to meet your friend!! I have connections, already...wahoo!)

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  6. I'm so happy for you!!!! I can't beleive it and I know you guys will learn so much and be wonderful people! I know it's just what God had in store for you and your little family will thrive!!!!! Can't wait to be updated on how everything is going!!!!! Wish i was there to haer you talk about it and chat about all the details. But this post will due :)

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Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer's year - it brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul. -Unknown