Feels like home. . . .

We pulled onto Baines Blvd. in Hubbard at 6:43 tonight.  We have been on the road for 377 days, travelled 16,652 miles, connected with over 65 churches and mercy ministries, pumped well over 3,000 gallons of vegetable oil, and hopefully brought His kingdom with us everywhere we went.  We have witnessed countless miracles, let alone what God has done in our own hearts, have seen lives changed, again, our own as well.  Our friends and family have welcomed us back to this little piece of the world with a loving embrace, and it feels nice – thank you.  Our only prayer is that we can be vessels for our merciful, wonderful, and amazing Lord to continue to use us to impact His kingdom for His glory alone.  Amen.

the latest and greatest on MSM

This weekend was our first opportunity to share our stories and what we have learned at one of the home churches (Community Bible Church) who have followed us and supported us on this journey.  Summing up our year of traveling and ministering around the States into one hour was a challenge but we were very happy with how it turned out. Many significant stories and Truths were communicated and were received well by CBC.  Ultimately, we were available for the Lord to use us and I have to believe He did.  For Andy and I, it was helpful and healing to put our thoughts and memories together.  Again, we are amazed at how much the Lord has taught us and brought us through in 3 years!

Before we left and as we have traveled, many folks have asked us what we are going to do when we return to Oregon.  Over the last few months God’s plans for our family continue to unravel.  We still have our house, our hearts have been stirred for our little community in Hubbard, and we continue to see vision in seeking out the lost and broken by using the tools and revelations He has given us on this journey around the country.  The latest and greatest is that Andy has now applied for a half-time teaching position at Woodburn High School (where he was previously working before we left Oregon).  The position seems promising, the hours are perfect, and it gets him plugged into the community.  Please pray with us as we keep walking through open doors, that we stay focused on Jesus and listen to His voice.

We have also been so encouraged by friends and family back home who are more than willing to help us get back into our home.  Coming home with a huge welcome wagon of people happy to see us is overwhelming and refreshing after traveling the States just as a family.  Please be praying with us that our hearts and minds stay clear as we settle into our house again and that we would be able to take time to rest and enjoy the beginning of this next season.

Details will continue to fall into place as His light is shed on our path.  We are confident of His provision for our family and ministry.  Thank you for joining us in prayer as we continue to run after Him, may you all be encouraged by all that God has done with Mustard Seed Ministries so far!!!

And the baby is. . . . .

Healthy!  Adjusted due date: October 2nd.

If you had Anatomy 101 you might be able to figure out the sex.

Revealed with Fire

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Much of our journey around the States has been for the purpose of building.  Jesus building on what He started many years ago, in Andy, myself and our family.  Our foundation has been laid and He continues to add more and more as we seek His Kingdom.  Many times we have tried to take over and be the builders which has turned out to be harder and much less worthy.  As Andy and I have reflected on the past year we both (if we were to do it all over again) would be even more patient and take more time to pray and wait for HIS guidance.  We found ourselves making plans at many times without even asking the Lord what He thought.  And granted, He always used us, always came with us and never abandoned us.  However, because of our building skills, we probably missed out on some opportunities that God had planned for us.

This verse in 1 Corinthians has caused me to be more aware of my own ways of doing things versus God’s way of doing things.  I don’t want to get to the Big Day and find myself escaping the flames of the fire that burnt up all my work.  I want my work to survive the Fire that reveals and brings glory to it’s True Nature, Jesus.  That is what it all boils down to; does my life point to Jesus?  Am I letting Jesus work through me?

As a part of the Body of Christ, I must ask the rest of the Body; are you going to be escaping your flames or will you be able to stand and watch as the flames reveal Jesus?

As a follower of Christ, I represent Him to the rest of the world.  My work is with the Kingdom of God and for the Kingdom of God.  By God’s grace my foundation is being built and I am learning how to become an expert builder.  I know there are many more times that I will try and take the hammer from Jesus and totally bif it again.  Fortunately, Jesus is the Gracious Teacher.

Blessings on all of you who continue to allow the Lord to refine you with His Fire before the Day comes.

Burn, baby, burn!