Heather, Anna, Maeve and I hiking White Oak Canyon in Shenandoah, VA.

A Head Start

I was blessed on Saturday to spend the majority of my day with this friend of mine. During one of the quiet moments when we were able to sit and talk, I was reminded that I had a head start...I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that...and when I asked, he told me that I had to be patient, I had a four year head start on him. I believe this is why the Lord has allowed me to be his friend, to be a prayer warrior for him, to walk along this road with him. I have had a head start, I have gone through the trials, the discouragements and more than all this the incredible healing...so with this head start I have to have patience, a love that is not one I have ever known to this level...a love that is learning how to believe, hope and endure all things, to look beyond the circumstances, to continually look to Jesus for guidance...a love that can not give up, one that is meant to encourage and endure.

You know this morning I was dealing with negative feelings again and the Lord sent me a verse Isaiah 43:18 "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing..."

It is a battle to release the things of old, to look on everyday as a new day, entrusting that God will do a new thing, but He promises to do a new thing, He promises that He will continue to perfect us until the day of Christ...and being that I have had this head start, I have experienced the truth and power behind His work, I must continue to have patience and long suffering as my dear friend experiences these things for himself.

What excitement...Maeve standing on her own...but who is more excited Mr. Scott or Maeve?

Evie and I traveled to Maryland to have a part in suprising Olie for his 85th birthday. Hollie flew in from Oregon and he had no idea she was to be there...all but one of his grandchildren were present for his celebration. What a great weekend.

Can't give up

The past 2 months have been pretty tough...as I look to the Lord to change me into His image there is such pain at times with the answer. Learning how to love with longsuffering and patience. To love with expecting nothing in return. Loving selflessly. To give all I feel I have to give and yet called to continue to give more. To endure, endure, endure with all hope that at some point, any moment the situation will change, the hand will grasp ahold of our Father and never look back again.

Several months ago I wrote of a friend who was in turmoil and he has been walking in the darkness for awhile now...over this time, I have been called to be vulnerable, calling to encourage even if it means there wouldn't be an answer or a returned call, dropping off sermons even if they are never listened to, loving despite silence, helping out when allowed with projects even if it is "idle work", sharing Christ's love by just being there, and continually interceding.

I have grown weary several times, each time I take this to the Lord, sharing my heart with Him, my discouragement, and sometimes feelings of hopelessness, He encourages me. He reminds me of His enduring love for me, He reminds me of His faithfulness to me...and at those times when I truly feel I can't continue, that I have to "let go and let God," my friend calls, he reaches out for a life line...and I am encouraged to continue...loving, fighting, enduring.

This week has been a really tough one for me as my brother's deployment date approaches and I have really felt as if there is nothing left in me to give. Again I cried out to the Lord in regards to this friend and the absence of the friendship I once knew with him and laid it in the Lord's hands again. And this morning he called...not just a call out of obligation, but one out of concern...with a message from our Father...that He loves me. For the first time in weeks we were able to speak of spiritual things, he was encouraging me in the Lord and the ways of our Savior.

Father, thank You for the change in my friend, for restoring his joy. I pray that he would hold fast to Your hand, that he would not allow the enemy to draw him into isolation. That he would recognize the wiles of our adversary, that you would strengthen his will to fight against them. Give him discernment into the friendships he has. I ask that you would increase his courage for this race, that he would be able to comprehend your ability to free him from all the residue of his past, that he would believe in this and pursue you for this. Father, lastly I ask that You would deliver him back into the fold...he has been a lone sheep for too many weeks now, making himself easy prey. Thank You for your enduring love, for the example You have given me. For giving me the privilege of being a friend to this man. For entrusting me with the hearts of so many that You hold dear. I love you.

The Great Shepherd

As I have been worried about my friend, seeking the Lord to rescue him, to bring him back to the fold, He has been faithful to remind me of who He is. He is the Great Shepherd...in Ezekiel 34:11-16 the Lord reminded me that He will go after His sheep that have been scattered, He will bind up the broken. He also reminded me that it is He who will perfect, confirm, and strengthen us through our trials (1 Peter 5:10). And it is through many tribulations that we enter the kingdom of heaven (Acts 14:22b).

I have no reason to fear for my friend, the Lord is faithful to perfect him until the day of Christ, He will go and seek Him out and return him to the fold, He will bind him up and heal him. Just as He did for me and many others I know. It is through these trials that I have become confident in who my Lord is and His abilities and unconditional love for me.

A new role

I wrote a while back about my friend John and his going on ahead of us to be with the Lord. Well, the Lord has blessed me to come alongside his wife and daughter. I moved in with them on the 8th of October. And the role that the Lord has for me is far beyond anything I could have imagined. I will be taking care of Maeve when I am off of work, Friday afternoon through Monday morning. I know I am called to be an encouragement for Rachel through this season, as a friend, a sister, a helper...a joining cord as the Lord brings healing to this family.

I pray that the Lord will give me strength, compassion and endurance. My life is taking quite a turn, one I embrace and am excited about. I have always desired to hear the sounds of little ones in my home, I never thought it would come about this way, but it is such a sweet blessing.