What a ride!

You would think that things would slow down a bit after the holidays. Not in my life. It has been busier than ever. Life has had a constant hum of activity that you could not wrangle into a schedule or write neatly on a calendar.

Hannah came to visit for two short weeks this month. What fun we had visiting friends, eating, playing games, shopping, talking and eating some more. Hannah fixed many of her favorite meals that have ingredients not readily found in Puerto Rico. Hannah got caught up on all the happening here in Washington and we got to see pictures and here of all the people who grace her life in the tropics. All in all time flew by and she was on a plane heading far, far away.

It would have been so sad to see her go BUT, we have a few angels out there who wanted to make sure we got down to see Hannah while she was in Puerto Rico. Our whole family now have airplane tickets to visit in March. We are so excited. We really thought we would not be able to go. What a blessing!

What a ride this life is! I have heard said that the Christian life is stiff and boring. Well, I guess those people have not lived it. I have not had many boring moments in my life. Life has been a constant motion of activity of one sort or the other. It is exciting to see that in the midst of sorrow our unseen God has picked me up and given so much grace it is unimaginable to the human mind. What seems to the world as tragedy or loss has been so much gained and taught me lessons not found in books written by human hands. These experiences have brought me to a better understanding of life itself. In the end joy has triumphed in the midst of sorrow. Can yah get that from any other life?

And our Church, what a motley bunch of people who love God and want to follow His ways. They have brought so much life and color to our lives. They have been so transparent in their lives that it would be impossible to have a boring moment. Not only them but all the people who have come to our church to be ministered to and have gone on there way. Not one the same, not one without a story. When I tell people that we have a potluck every Sunday and we are at Church from 10am to sometimes 7pm, they don't get it. Well, we enjoy each other, we listen to each other, we care about what is going on in each others lives. How else do you really know others unless you spend time with them. Our lives are entwined in the word of God and in each other. It is because of this we are willing to sacrifice time, resources and our hearts to give to each other. It is a blessing!

I am not saying we are without flaw. Oh, I couldn't even begin to tell you. But we are in this together and that is a wondeful feeling. God is good!

May God bless your day with the unimaginable grace of out Lord!
Lori

Why?

Why? Why so much heartache? Why so much pain? Lord, Why?

This past week has been a myriad of sad, bad news. Your people in so much pain. Why?

I know you care. I know you love beyond what we can even fathom love is. I know you have our lives in the clutches of your hands. Like clay you are molding us into what you want us to be. Help us Lord to stand strong. Help us to endure what this world throws at us. Help us to be like soft clay that you can mold us into the children of Your kingdom. All this hurts right now but it is only for a little while. If we keep our eyes on You we will see You soon. This life will seem like a small speck in Your heavenly scheme.

SOS prayer requests
Maddie Lester, three year old hanging on a thread of life in the ICU.
Luke Searles and family, sickness and lack of sleep.
The Johnson Family, battling CPS and Sonia's ex for her children.
Tara, car accident leaving them with transportation/finance worries, and family needs.
Hallerlake UMC church, loss and sickness in their midst.
Our family to know what to do with our Houdini dog (I know this one seems shallow but it is a pressing matter and serious at this point)

For every sad news and heartache there are always things to be thankful for.
I am so thankful to have had the privilege to pray for little Maddie. I can relate to the struggles her family is going through, in some ways this has been very healing for me.
I am thankful that I have been able to get a glimpse of the great faith through struggles and triumphs of the Lester family and the Searles family. It is an inspiration.
I am thankful that God has brought the Johnson family into our little group and that we have the privilege of walking with them through their time of need.
I am thankful that Tara is unhurt and that I still have her as a dear friend. That we can share together our lives even when they are not going well. I am thankful for the bond God gave us.
I am thankful for all the people who I grew up knowing at Hallerlake church. As many of them are going on to be with the Lord I am thankful for knowing them as they will always be a sweet part of my memories. I am thankful for the support, love and prayer they have shared with my family especially my parents.
As far as Houdini dog goes I can't find a thankful thing at this moment.

In my experience in life I know that the "why's" of life are not always answered. I also know that in time I get to the point that the "why's" don't matter much. To trust that God will never leave us or forsake us. To trust that this too shall pass. To trust that these trials only strengthen us and make us better children of the Heavenly Kingdom. This brings peace. This brings rest. This brings the comfort amidst the storm. As Winter Johnson (5 years old) said "Jesus is bigger".

Keep looking to Him!
Lori