This week went "swimmingly"...

As you might expect, the middle of July was plenty warm.  It was perfect for some swimming.  Anyone who knows me well, will know that I love to swim.  The water, being in the water, being by the water, listening to the water, walking by the water, is my happy place.  It was an incredible blessing for me when Gwen and Tim got a swimming pool.  I have been able to swim more than any other summer.  Now that their kids are older, it is especially fun for me.  This past week, Gwen and Lia were off at the National  Youth Gathering from their church.  Tim was home for this one, so I was just needed during one day to be with the younger three kids.  While the day started off raining and storming, the sun came out in the afternoon and we had a wonderful couple hours in the pool. These kids swim like fish and they spend a lot of time underwater! I managed to snap one picture while they were (mostly) above the water!

During my regular time with Grace and Jimmy, I set up their small "splash pad/pool" in the backyard.  This is the perfect size for Jimmy since you can walk right into it (a wading pool has to be "stepped" into and most times little ones fall or step on the sides and let the water out).  

As you can see, Grace brought over her small slide and it made a perfect splashdown in the small collection of water in the middle of this splash pad.  Needless to say, it provided lots of cooling fun for Grace and even kept Jimmy mostly occupied for over an hour.  I put my feet in the water spray and enjoyed just sitting in a chair, watching them splash around.  

Another way this week went so well, was an unexpected email I received.  During the month of July, I am doing a 31 day intensive focused prayer program.  Part of the program includes spending time each day praying for countries around the world.  I began the program praying for any county that I had a personal connection to.  As I have blogged in the past, I met and befriended a very special Kenyan woman named Lucy in 2004 when I visited Kenya on a Mission Trip.  I lost touch with her somewhere around 2013 when her ministry really expanded.  She is a radio host, founder and leader of a large Ministry, has an orphanage that she founded and oversees.  I have continued to follow her (from the internet) by watching some of the weekly Facebook events that she posts.  Most of the time, they are not in English so I don't understand much of what is said.  But for me, it is so good to see just how far the Lord has taken her and her family.  After just a week of praying for Lucy, I got an exciting email.  Lucy was trying to connect with me and had lost my contact phone number.  We have exchanged emails over the last week and I am certain I will be speaking with her soon.  Isn't prayer amazing?  Jesus can really do seemingly impossible things for us, if we just ask.  So for me, this 31 day prayer program has taken on a whole new feeling.  I am much more connected to my prayers, to Jesus and my faith has grown.  I am believing to see many miracles from this 31 days!  I am sure you will hear more about it in the weeks to come.  

Spending this July swimming, being with the grandkids, helping out my kids, being outside in the sunshine, and concentrating on prayer, has made this a truly wonderful summer.  I have been working on my 2019 scrapbooking.  As of now, I have only printed pictures up to Easter.  It has been sort of bittersweet to actually "see" from the photos, how Ken's illness was progressing.  Hindsight  tells me I should have been more aware, but I also know that we were just praying for his health to settle down.  I am just so thankful for all of the photos I have as well as all of the places and people we visited.  My encouragement to everyone is to stop the busyness and see those friends.  Go to those places on your bucket lists.  Plan those trips, in spite of the gas prices.  Take the time and GO SWIMMING!

Jesus, thank you for the sunshine and the warm weather.  Holy Spirit, remind us that people are more important than things.  Keep our focus on you, Jesus.  Remind us to pray when we lose sight of your plan.  Give us all the ability to have fun.   Remind us to live each moment knowing your provision for us, and your plan for our life.  Thank you Jesus for summer days filled with laughter.  Amen

 

Walking in the footprints.....of Kenya

Today I received a wonderful email that included several pictures of Hope-Lyn's 9th birthday. Hope-Lyn is my namesake! This is Hope and her mother, Evangelist Lucy Wa Ngunjiri.  Lucy is the founder of PBB Ministries and a radio personality on Kameme FM.  PBB (Prayers Beyond Boundries) ministry is a large prayer focused ministry that is a grass roots prayer movement.  They are currently in week 13 of concentrated prayers for Kenya. Large crusades are held all over Kenya and people are saved and changed through this ministry every week.  Every week she ministers to Kenyan people, all over the world, through her radio broadcasts.  They sponsor a children's home (orphanage) and school that has cares for and educated many, many children.    Yes, Lucy is one of those people that have really solid and deep footprints that I am walking into.

I know that I have blogged in the past about my relationship with Lucy.  We met in 2004 when I visited Kenya.  She was my translator when I spoke to children and teachers and shared that Jesus had a plan and destiny for each one of them.  Something happened in that meeting - it was certainly a God thing - and Lucy and I just "connected".  I was just a regular women from the United States and Lucy was already quite a well known radio personality.  One thing is certain, Jesus had a plan and destiny for us to be in relationship.  I have been so blessed and encouraged and, quite frankly, challenged by Lucy's faith and trust and wisdom.  If you would like a peek into her ministry, take a look at Lucy's Facebook page.

When I met Lucy, her husband was working in Sudan.  It was not a safe place to be.  He was working in the refugee camps and there was a war going on.  Yet, she seemed so calm about this.  She told me it was where Jesus wanted him to be, so it was going to be alright!  Her trust and faith in Jesus were so clear.  I have had several opportunities over the last 10 years to see Lucy.  My family got to meet her and her husband and Hope-Lyn and I was blessed to have her in my home for a visit. Lucy is convinced that I need to return to Kenya and that there is something for me to accomplish there.  I am just trusting that Jesus will reveal His plan to me!

But here is the thing, I can't really believe that Lucy feels that same connection!  I am always surprised that she remembers me, thinks of me and prays for me and my family.  She is one very busy lady that has much on her plate.  And I know that, other than my prayers, I have nothing to offer to her.  Yet she still calls me her friend.  That is how I know our relationship is God-ordained.

Her email today included this line....."I am dedicating Psalm 20 to you and your beautiful family".

 1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;

    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

² May he send you help from the sanctuary

    and grant you support from Zion.

³ May he remember all your sacrifices

    and accept your burnt offerings.

⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart

    and make all your plans succeed.

⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory

    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

⁶ Now this I know:

    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.

He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary

    with the victorious power of his right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,

    but we rise up and stand firm. 

⁹ Lord, give victory to the king!

    Answer us when we call!

What a powerful blessing to know that she is praying this for me and my family!  Sometimes the biggest surprise about these footprints is how deep, how firm and how strong they are.  And another surprise is that we don't always CHOOSE the footprints we walk in!  Sometimes the choice is made for us!  I believe that I will be spending some time meditating on these verses.  Then I will continue to walk on in those footprints!  

Jesus, thank you for you plan that brought Lucy and I together.  I know this is one of those times that I just don't understand fully what you are doing, but for today, I am just so thankful for Lucy and Hope-Lyn.  Help us all to see and appreciate the people that YOU have brought into our lives.  The ones that we know have to be because you planned it.  Holy Spirit, open our eyes and give us ears to hear you speak to us as we look at the people around us who have shaped our lives.  Thank you for encouragement that comes through email.  Thank you for friends and family.   Amen

A new meaning to "family"......

 

April, 2007

 

Yesterday I confess, I wasn't feeling very well.  In fact I had a high temperature and spent part of the day in bed.  I feared that I was getting one of those really nasty things that have been going around at work.  This would be bad, on so many levels.  I need to spend Monday with Gwen, helping her with the kids.  I need to be at work on Tuesday.  You know, all of those regular, normal things.   I was really feeling in a funk.  And then my phone rang.

 

When I glanced at the display I couldn't believe it.  My friend from Kenya, Lucy was calling me.   I haven't talked to her in quite some time.  With the recent death of her sister-in-law she has been on my mind and in my prayers.   I am always so thankful for Facebook.  I can stay in touch with what is happening in her ministry and I always know what her prayer needs are.  It was so good to hear her voice.  As usual, we had a bit of a phone connection problem.  But who can complain when you are talking half a world away!  As I was waiting for her call back, I was thinking how amazing it is that she would call me.  Lucy was quite clear.  The purpose of her call was to make sure that I knew the details about the death of her sister-in-law Florence.  She said "you are family to us".  That took my breath away.   Since the first time I met her, I realized that there is something quite special about Lucy.  She commands attention where ever she is.  Her radio program, aired live on Sunday mornings, is listened to by Kenyans around the world. Her crusades bring thousands together to hear the Word of the Lord.  Her ministry "Prayers Beyond Boundaries" focuses on sharing Jesus with the people of Kenya.  The goal is not just to change the people, but to change Kenya.  She is a mover and a shaker, that is for sure.  What a blessing it is that she calls me family. 

I am so thankful for my family.  And today I am thankful for my "family".  All of those that have become my family through our connection with Jesus.  I am so thankful for the many, many friends that I have on Facebook - some that I have never met face to face - that pray for me and share their concerns and joys with me.  And I am incredibly grateful that a chance meeting brought Lucy and I together in 2004.  I love the picture above from April, 2007.  Ken and I had the privilege of hosting Lucy and her husband Lameck and Hope-Lyn in our home.  They met our kids and we had a great dinner.  It was a great family time.  And then Lucy visited again in August, 2008. 

Yesterday I blogged about sisters.  And Lucy is indeed my sister.  And just as I miss my sister Julie, I also miss this special sister-in-the Lord, Lucy.  And it was such a pick me up to actually talk to her yesterday.   Yes, my definition of family has changed a little today.   And I feel blessed.

 

Jesus, thank you so much for Lucy, and the way that you make us family.  Holy Spirit, thank you for knowing exactly what we need.  Jesus thank you for your provision in all things.  For restored health, for home, for family.   Bless Lucy and all of her family.  Jesus, be the provision for that family in their time of need.   Thank you for my family and for enlarging my perspective of family. Help us all to see those around us with your eyes, Jesus.   Amen



Reflections of "snow years" of the past....

Well............we have had more snow.  I mean MORE SNOW!  I woke up to 3 to 4 more inches this morning and then when I came out of work, there was another 3 or so inches on my car.   Okay, enough is enough!  I was flashing back to the winter of the picture above.   I have blogged about this winter one previous time.... but I just can't help but reflect on that winter - 1978-1979 again.  That year I was pregnant with Gwen and it seemed that every week we had another 5 or 6 inches.  Notice the yard (I use the term loosely) since it is just a snow pile. I could not lift the snow up to throw it on the yard.  Remember I was pregnant!   You can't tell in this photo, but Ken had been up on the garage roof more than once to shovel it.  The weight of the snow was dangerous on the roof.  Yes, that was a bad winter.  And now for the really bad news.  We did not start getting all that snow until January.  And this year the snow began to fall in December.  Yes, It does cause me to worry!  The good news is that NOW we have a snow blower!  And Ken is also home to take care of the snow! 

I've been thinking about this year - 2014.  I was reminded this morning on Facebook by my dear friend Evangelist Lucy Wa Ngunjiri, that the number 14 is significant.  The number 7 signifies spiritual perfection and the number 14 is DOUBLE SPIRITUAL PERFECTION!  Boy, did I need that this morning.  What a wonderful, positive way to think about the year that we are in.  I love this.  I have not had this on my radar at all as I was looking ahead.  So this is the first of many "unexpected" things for me.   I am going to be looking for that double spiritual perfection.
Lucy included this in her Facebook post today......

I therefore declare and decree year 2014 to be a Year of Hope & Divine Perfection. God will PERFECT- His chosen ones spiritually, in health, in establishing them plus many more. Can we therefore make a U turn from other ways and focus ONLY on God to remain the chosen of God?

I receive that and agree with 2014 being a year of Hope and Divine Perfection!  And I will be continuing my journey of drawing closer to Jesus.

Jesus, thank you for all of the amazing people you have placed in my life.  Bless Evangelist Lucy and enlarge her sphere of influence.  Holy Spirit, cover us with the hope of Jesus and keep us open and pliable to all that Jesus is doing in us. Thank you for warm houses, reliable cars, snow plows that keep our roads passable and the sun that breaks through the clouds and brings us hope.  Amen

PS Thank you to Ken for a wonderful end to this snowy day..... hot cocoa and cinnamon rolls! 

Timing is everything....

How many times do we hear "timing is everything"?  Last week there was a post on The Elijah List website, by Dutch Sheets.   (See the entire post here Don't miss God's perfect timing)   I loved this paragraph....

Stay the course. Don't abort the process by letting weariness or frustration set in. Your harvest is being made ready. There is an appointed time for you to reap. Be faithful in the mundane. Don't despise the day of small beginnings. Don't lose heart in well doing. Never give up. Your shift may be closer than you think!

I think this spoke to me because I have been feeling weary and frustrated lately.  But in the last couple of weeks, I have also seen little glimpses of things starting to break and come together. (I know that sounds a little ridiculous - breaking AND coming together - a paradox.  But isn't the Bible filled with paradox?)

Early last week, I connected with a women from my daughter Gwen's church.  She has a passion for a ministry in the western area of Kenya near the town of Bungamo.  She has helped to bring the Heifer Project and also helped to build several wells around there.  Currently there are several ongoing projects in that area, with a Pastor and his church - including providing school uniforms for the children.  When I first heard about this ministry, I wondered if there was any way that my friend  Lucy Wa Ngunjiri might be of assistance.  I was somewhat skeptical that Lucy would be able to help because the majority of her work is in the Nairobi area - quite a distance from Bungamo.  I was able to provide a contact with a Kenyan man (actually Lucy's brother) in the United States who may be able to provide some guidance on these projects.   OKAY - HERE IS THE TIMING IS EVERYTHING CONNECTION. 

On Thursday, I was on Facebook and noticed that Lucy had posted some new pictures.  This picture is of a Prayer Rally that Lucy held, in May, IN BUNGAMO!  Apparently she had never posted any pictures of this rally and people had been asking for them.  If she had posted these pictures at any time BEFORE Tuesday of last week, I would never have noticed the name of the town.  She has held meetings all over Kenya and this town is not a place I knew.  Needless to say, this answered the question I had about Lucy being at all connected in that area.  You know when Yahweh has a plan and purpose for connecting people, He sees to all the details.  Even the posting of pictures on Facebook.  

So today I am feeling much less weary and frustrated.  When the words "Stay the Course"  make us shutter and we are so tired of "hanging on", we can take heart.  Yahweh has a great plan that includes his perfect timing. I just love how a small thing, like this picture on facebook, is really a very big thing in Yahweh's playbook.  It let me know that I am, somehow on the right path. 

Yahweh, thank you for your perfect timing. Thank you for the ministry connection you have made between Fellowship of Faith and Kenya.  Bless all that is being accomplished, in your time, through this connection. And especially thank you for weaving me into this connection.  Thank you Jesus for Lucy and her ministry.  I pray that you would continue to bless her and enlarge her tents.  Thank you for the little things that bring such encouragement to us.  Amen

Abide in Him

Yesterday was one of those days that cause me to sit back and think, "wow - did that really just happen to me?"

 A little bit of a back story...... I have been a part of a ministry called Cyrus Ministry International since 1991.  The founders and directors of this ministry have literally traveled all over the world, sharing the message of Jesus.   In 2004 I was able to go with them to Kenya and Uganda.  It was a life changing experience for me in many ways.  A little over a year after returning from this trip, I received a phone call from Lucy, a women I met in Kenya.  She had been my translator as I ministered to several large groups of children at her church.  I hadn't realized it at the time, but the fact that she was there, was amazing.  Lucy was in fact a rather, well known radio DJ and a favorite among the people. She was not normally someone who would be doing translations.   Only Yahweh could have caused our paths to cross.   The phone call  was to announce that she was in Atlanta, GA and had just had a baby girl.  This baby was a miracle!  While we were in Kenya, my friends and I had prayed for her to be able to concieve a baby.  She and her husband had been trying to expand their family for more than 7 years. Yahweh heard our cry and here was little "Hope-Lyn", born in September of 2005.   I was touched and amazed that she and Lameck, her husband, choose to name that miracle after me.  Lucy said that my words from Yahweh gave her the ability to hope and believe that she would have a child and then there was Hope-Lyn.  Even as I write these words, it seems incredible that something like this would happen to me.   And  as I was soaking in the miracle, Yahweh spoke clearly to me ....... HOPE, LYN!   Not many people know, but during this same time frame, my daughter and son-in-law were trying to start their family.  And it had been many months.  While I was outwardly not very concerned, my prayers had been, "Please Lord".  And that day, I heard so clearly that I needed to HOPE - and not despair. The very next week, my daughter found out that she was pregnant with my sweet little Lia.   I went to Atlanta to be with Lucy and meet Hope-Lyn as she was dedicated to Yahweh.  And Lucy, Lameck and Hope-Lyn visited with us in 2007.  Both Lucy and I know that Yahweh has a much greater purpose for our connection than we are seeing in the natural. 

Which brings me to yesterday....  My cell phone rang with an international number.  I answered and was greeted by an amazing 7 1/2 year old  Hope-Lyn!  She wanted to sing to me (which brought me to tears) to recite a memory verse (actually verses -John 15:1-10 - in English) and to pray for me.  Yesterday morning, before this phone call, I was singing the song "You are the Vine and We are the branches".  Apparently Hope-Lyn heard the same thing from Yahweh, because that was the idea of her song also!  And that song is from those very verses in John.  Isn't Yahweh just so great!  I am so blessed and so thankful to know that around the world, in Kenya, I have friends - both young and old- who are thinking of me and praying for me.  

I can't help but think that these two amazing 7 year olds have not met by accident.  Yahweh has a divine plan and purpose for their lives that will be wonderful to watch unfold.   And Lucy is now an ordained evangelist. She has a very large ministry, Prayers Beyond Boundries, based in Kenya.  Her ministry includes an orphange that serves over 75 children. Take a look at her facebook page - Evangelist Lucy Wa Ngunjiri (Official).

And, yes, I am spending some time meditating on what it means to "Abide in Him".