For the past month or so, I've had to keep things under wrap. Keeping this exciting news of how God is moving and using us. And how blessed we are by His grace and goodness to us.
How despite the illness: the stomach flu, and earaches, the RSV and oh, yes... did I mention yet that I have shingles? How through this we see the enemy attacking but we also see God surrounding us.
We've seen Him covering us. Keeping us in the midst of the craziness.
This whole thing kind of snuck up on us. I suppose somewhat like my son's shark teeth. "Woah... what is that inside your mouth?" I asked. "When did that happen?" We knew that it was getting close to time for Diego's permanent teeth to appear. But we were expecting the long, drawn out wiggling and wriggling of loose baby teeth first. Instead of a surprise! "We're here but not in the place you expected!" they seem to say as I look at them in awe.
Much like that, Jesse's job appeared. We knew that Jesse was called to ministry and would one day start occupational ministry. But, we thought it would be a long road. That he'd have to teach for a long time, eventually start seminary and then one of these days... maybe around the time he turned 50? He'd start ministry. I helped Jesse fill out application after application for teaching jobs. I submitted my heart to helping him fill out applications for places that were further and further away from my family and a church family that we've grown to love. Trying to do what we thought God might have for us.
And then right before our eyes, God performed a miracle. And now, Jesse is in ministry (and gets to study simultaneously!) right in our church! A miracle, a huge God thing that we couldn't dare to ask or even dream... far, far better than we had ever hoped for. Our God is big and merciful and gracious to us... and although we feel like the enemy is putting up a big, stinking fight--he's losing and it's so apparent, it makes me smile.
We've all been going around singing Tomlin's "I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind, the God of angel armies is always by my side." And it's true! And He is holding us in His hands right now.
That's not to say it's all easy. It's not, it's been a rough past month and a half with all the illness. But we have a confidence in Him, and we can turn to Him for help in our ever present need.
So, Jesse is now the Deacon of Service Outreach at
Journey the Way. And we are excited about that and still learning all of what that entails. But long-term, the goal is to plant a Spanish-speaking branch of Journey. Right now, we are working with a lot of people who are so very dear to us but many of them are struggling. Through Christ, they are victorious and I so admire their strength and determination to cling to the cross in the midst of great trial. They are such a blessing to count as my brothers and sisters in the Lord and we are so grateful to Jesus for allowing us the privilege that we have. Please, if you think of us. Pray for godly wisdom, protection for our friends and family, and boldness, love, and humility while sharing God's love.
