What a Day!

I’m Semi-Speechless.

Today Randy and I got up and went to church like every Sunday. We got there early to greet the visitors. Nothing out of the ordinary happened except we were given our new Life Group Leader badges. We were looking very official in the hall. As we were waiting there to meet new people I shouted with joy (out loud) when my eyes saw Ray & Christy. I think it’s possible that Randy and I were the happiest to see them today. We have some history with them that goes back to our first year at KLF. Christy was a wonderful example to me of what a Godly mother was like. She loved people and both her and Ray knew the Word like no one I knew. Anyway, when they left our church my heart really hurt for a long time. Even recently I was talking to Randy about how much I would love it if they came back to our church. I had not seen them for years so when I did today I was filled with excitement! We ran over to them and hugged them and told them how happy we were to see them. I hope they stay.

So, anyway, Ray gave his incredible testimony about the miracle God did in his body. I was hanging on his every word…that is when I wasn’t laughing at his unique humor. I felt like I could have listened to him all day. Everything he said I could picture in my head. I’m so hungry to hear about real encounters of healing and the super natural.

Then Bryan got up to preach and I think it was the most powerful sermon I’ve ever heard him preach. Well, maybe the Easter sermon this year, but today was so good. It was full of passion and wisdom. He was talking about how we cannot be offended at God. I loved how he talked about Ray and when he wasn’t sure if he was going to live he asked his daughter to trust God if he lived or if he died. That was so powerful. Bryan was talking about how past disappointments cannot be a barrier between you and God. As he was talking about these things I was searching my heart to make sure that I was not offended at God about how long it has taken for Miles’ healing. I was feeling good inside but a part of me was worried that other people around me were concerned that I was holding up Miles’ healing because of my own heart. As I was praying and asking God if he was pleased with me in this area Bryan called us out and said that he was so pleased with us. In front of 300 people he said that if this was in Bible times that he thought that Randy and I would have been on the pages of the Bible. Oh my gosh, I broke. Something in me was released and affirmed. I really left there feeling 20 pounds lighter. Bryan was so kind to us and talked about how proud he was of us for going through what we’ve gone through with Miles and still chosen to love and serve God. I cried so hard. It felt so good.

Then, as if that wasn’t good enough…Brandon got up at the end of the service, mentioned us again and everyone gave us a standing ovation. Man, that was amazing! I felt so validated and loved. I loved seeing all the people who have stood with us during this whole time. Again, I was over whelmed with how loved and supported we are. Everyone goes through things that are hard. I don’t know of anyone who has as much love and support as we do when they’re going through it. Thankful doesn’t cover how blessed I feel by so many people.

I kept thinking today, “Wow, that was unexpected!” I mean, who in the world gets a standing ovation unexpectedly? We didn’t have to sing or preach or anything really but show up and worship our Lord the way he deserves to be worshipped.

I don’t think I did today justice, but I wanted to get something up here explaining how thankful I feel!


AND, on a side note: Besides the standing ovation, that’s hard to beat, but Randy got a great offer on the house he’s building! It looks like a Go on that! We’re thrilled! Also, Randy’s sister Sheila stopped by the house for a little while and she gave me $100 for Miles skating party! It looks like we get to have the birthday party that I really wanted for him! And, let’s not forget the fancy life group leader buttons we got today! The last day of my twenties was a very good one!