Sweet Communion

With some trepidation I ventured out tonight to a home church being held in the neighborhood! Wondering what I would experience,

Realizing I'm a little nervous and hesitant but wanting to experience Jesus

with His Body.

Just like He said we should.

I've been lonely for Him and for sweet fellowship where He is the center.

It was warm and welcoming

A table loaded with goodies beckoned me

Friendly faces and warm hugs.

A place saved for me.

I was tucked in and loved.

Thank you Jesus.

Worship and sharing and prayer.

A recorded teaching on communion. So good.

Followed by real communion.

The Eucharist.

The Body and the Blood.

Laid down and poured out for me.

For the remission of sins,

For healing and deliverance,

There is Life in the Blood.

I ate and I drank... so grateful, tears of realization

The cost so great and I simply take it in.

Feeling like I still understand so little.

It is a profound mystery and a beautiful connection.

His life flowing into mine,

Oneness...

mirgrations and emotions

It's the first of February!

Absolutely delightful to be out of January for some reason.

Even though it was a good month in so many ways.

It was cold of course.

But my dear daughter was still home, warming the days with her sweet presence.

There was work to be done for all - routines were recommenced and there is comfort in that.

There were emotional upheavals galore.

And there continue to be.

Each day brings something new and there are fresh feelings to be explored and discussed and worked through.

Just imagine.

Three beautiful young women all in the midst of some sort of relationship transition.

One entering in with uncertainty and excitement mingled with disappointment.

Another in the throes of a sudden harsh conclusion to a long friendship causing one very broken heart.

And a disappointing attachment that came after the fact, resulting in so much sadness.

So there were many discussions, tears and prayers.

And there continue to be.

We are all delighted with the presence of the doggies to lighten the mood with their wild shenanigans and chicken chases.

They migrate around the house after me.

Ladybug at attention, behind or before me, following closely and staring, waiting for my next move. Those beady brown eyes gazing at me with intense attention. Oh that I would be so faithfully watching my Master and moving where He moves and stopping where He stops...

She leaps happily on the bed when I finally settle in and finds a comfy spot to continue her watch.

Moose migrates more slowly.

After we settle in I will hear the steady clipping of his toenails on the hardwood as he joins us. His heavy breathing commencing as sleep overtakes him again.

Steady Eddy. He is so beautiful.

And there was the "snowbird migration" with my dear daughter heading south to California to continue her Bible studies.

I am content with this even though tears filled my eyes as I drove away after dropping her off on that incredibly snowy day at the end of January.

It's the best place for her right now and I am trusting God with her beautiful heart that is growing more like His as she choses Him again and again.

I'm incredibly blessed.

Miracles Rain Down

Got a call this week

Didn't know I was waiting for it

But at some subconscious level I was

And my heart soared

At my friends miracle

My miracle

God's miracle.

It suddenly doesn't matter

How many years we prayed and waited and waited

and cried and waited.

The answer came,

So swiftly it almost took our breath away.

There are going to be more calls

I just know it.

And I'm going to be making some of them myself

You bet i am.

Phone calls declaring salvations and reconciliations

and healings and more.

Because He is a God who answers.

He never comes to early or too late.

He fills our mouths with His prayers

So we can pull His Kingdom down

onto earth

out of those heavenly places

In our lives,

Our families lives,

In our churches, neighborhoods and cities.

For all of His promises are Yes and

Amen.

This past week

The middle of winter

So much snow

Cold cold.

But warmth has invaded my life

in so many ways this past week.

Gatherings with dear friends

Not one, but many!

I feel fed, with the richest of fare

Fellowship of the sort

that makes the heart fat and glad.

Mothers and daughters

meeting over Roti at Mad Mango.

Those moments that fold you in layers of pleasure.

Mothers meeting as friends, confidants

to share the life lessons that keep us on our faces

before the Beautiful King.

He lifts us up so that we can gaze upon Him

because those who look to Him are radiant,

their faces are never covered with shame.

Spontaneous gatherings around the kitchen table

with house mates and friends and laughter.

A birthday lunch for a friend

whose presence and insights were a very bright light

in the middle of a long winter.

And of course the little white desk

in the back room at the school where young students

delight my heart with their smiles as the riddle

of words is slowly unraveling.

Afternoons spent by the fire with a friend

Hands busy with crafts and hearts filled

with comfort.

My dear daughter's presence has been a treasure.

Hard places worked through.

Honesty and love and grace, so much grace.

His beauty revealed in her spirit.

She won't let go of Him.

Years of prayers are raining down now

and will continue to.

Because He Is Good.

He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Words just don't suffice.

So I will say thank you and thank you and thank you.

I love You. You are my life.

Even when I forget, You don't.

The New Year Begins

I have been swept up into this New Year starting with an amazing last night at the One Thing Conference. Hours of worship and prayer with thousands of other believers was hard to top. And in His great kindness the Lord pretty much knocked me into some lovely ethereal zone during worship so that when they called for healing prayer I was not able to run for the hills as I might be apt to do in this season of my life. I could barely speak or lift my hands as the glory of God rested upon me. I just sat there in a very weak far away state thinking...."I'm terrified..." but before I knew it Mark had knelt beside me and he kept watch as the prayers swirled over and around me for a lengthy time. I felt cocooned in prayer and worship - it was quite heavenly at some points when the worship would continue and this ring of voices whirled around me surrounding me with the amazing, tangible, powerful love of God.

I felt very very loved.

And I felt so much love for God.

So much love.

When I finally regained my strength I lifted my arms heavenwards and called out my love to my Creator again and again and again.

It was overwhelming and amazing and I was touched by the circle of people who spent a long period of time interceding on my behalf and filling up that cup that one day will be poured out over me.

The worship continued until midnight and the floor shook as the worshipers danced the night away shaking off chains and proclaiming freedom and joy in Jesus.

New Year's Day was spent flying from Kansas City to Toronto, barely making the flight to Vancouver and then driving back to Kelowna.

All while fasting.

It was somewhat grueling but we discovered a marvelous antidote to severe lethargy was full on intercession from about 1:00 am. to about 3:00 a.m.

Amazing how the Lord filled us with energy as we prayed and we got safely home by about 3:30 happy to fall into our respective beds.

Since returning I have been processing what I learned at the conference and am wanting to press in and learn more and "live a life worthy of my calling".

Praying for God to strengthen my inner man to this end.

ONE THING

This time in Kansas City at the One Thing Conference was truly orchestrated by God. I began to wonder when I would see my young friend struggling with the pain of his divorce, having such trouble focusing. I felt like the four days of sitting under so much teaching would be too much, especially with my friend feeling so tormented.

But God

Broke through.

We have been so impacted by the teaching and worship.

By the call to be a real Christian - one who does what the scriptures teach. To fast, to pray, to spend our lives pursuing Jesus and doing acts of mercy and justice.

To give generously and spend time, much time discovering the pleasures and beauty of Jesus and His passionate love for us.

The worship has been unbelievable - so many voices joined in one accord, lifting up the Name of Jesus together. Thousands upon thousands.

Literally.

Apparently 27,000 people have registered for this conference and the facility is massive.

My dear friend from YWAM who lives 5 hours from here drove down to spend about a 28 hour chunk of time with me. We delighted in each other's company, praying and laughing and sharing together. So good to reconnect and love Jesus together. It was so lovely.

When I was buying some books one of the cashier volunteers recognized me from Christmas letters I send their family every year. They were visitors in our home about 15 years ago when she was around 5! What an amazing connection. Now she is pouring her life out for Jesus in prayer and service. So beautiful. The rewards will be eternal.

So there is one thing, ONE THING worth wasting my entire life on.

The pursuit of Jesus.

I want to learn to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

I am committing to do this in a far more intentional way.

This is a good way to close out this year.

Knowing the best is truly yet to come and there is so much HOPE.

I will be going home with fresh vision, with resources and with courage.

His wind is at my back.

(and it has certainly been windy here in Kansas!)

The tornado of Jesus' love will sweep me up and take me to higher ground.

I'm in Kansas!

The rest of Christmas was wonderful, wonderful!

Brunch at our dear friend's home with our three families mingling and loving on each other big time. The food, the laughter, the gifts, the games, the hugs and happy smiles.

So much good. Friendship and God and the hope that brings.

Little foretastes of glory divine.

Our family celebrated over turkey on Boxing Day and my favorite part was watching the hilarity of the dogs chasing frantically after a crowing stuffed chicken. Their nails clawing cartoon fashion on the floor trying desperately to get a grip on the slippery surface so they could be the first to grab that chicken and run. I've never seen them fight over anything like this chicken - it drives Ladybug right over the edge. She sits quivering and crying, then begins leaping and barking as I hold the google eyed bird over her head. The family laughed so hard and it was good.

It was so good. Being together. Family.

And the next morning I rose early to pick up my young friend and we began about a 17 hour journey to Kansas City. A beautiful drive through the snow covered mountains, two plane rides, a delay in Denver and a shuttle bus brought us to our hotel here in downtown KC at about 2:00 a.m.

Now we are off to see the city before our conference begins.