Sisters are a special gift... God has blessed me with three wonderful sisters... There is a seven year difference between myself (the oldest) and Jessica (the youngest)... We are close... It is fun to send and receive little notes or packages here and there to say hello across the miles... These pictures (as well as some sweets, children's book & Compassion Art CD) came from my dear sister, Priscilla, who is raising her three children practically by herself as her husband serves our country in Afghanistan... As you take a glimpse at some familiar images from our Christmas in Virginia together, please be in prayer for my sister and the hundred others like her who struggle and sacrifice daily for our safety while their spouses are away at war... a war on multiple fronts... physical and spiritual... As John Piper is famous for saying (my paraphrase), "Prayer is not a domestic intercom in which we phone the butler for more comforts in the den. Prayer is a walkie-talkie in times of war." Let's be prayer warriors for our military families... not to mention families in general!
Another gift of sisters... may my three girls grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and continue to grow together in unity for His glory...
Cousins... may James and David Isaac grow in the wisdom and stature of our Warrior King and consider how they may stir one another up for the kingdom in the days they have been given...
Heavenly Father, bless these three precious ones as they miss their father overseas... Guide and protect them as they grow... May You, O Lord, grant them peace and understanding at early ages of Your All-Sufficient Grace! Abba, may You make my sister's arms strong for her many tasks... fill her up each day to the measure of all the fullness of Christ Jesus as she not only tends her family, but as a chaplain's wife, loves the Body and her neighbors for Your Name sake...
When I began to put this blog together, this was not the direction I was initially planning. However, I believe God is revealing my own need to be more faithful in prayer... Oh how I fall short each day! I'm reminded,
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7)
Please also be in prayer for my newlywed sister, Jessica, (husband, Rick) who are currently serving at two separate bases - one on each side of the country. They are pursuing joint assignment for obvious reasons. :) This is a complicated process, however... Speaking of the 'immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us', these beloved ones of mine met while concluding their 15 month tour in Iraq... A turbulent place where, in the midst of battle they were "lured in the wilderness by a Soft Tender Voice" and both began to return to the Lord... Now as they face a likely deployment to Afghanistan, an assignment they would selflessly and honorably accept, they would prefer to do it together - no longer apart... May our Gracious God make His face to shine upon them for the glory of His Name as they seek Him... May the God of peace fill them with His peace that surpasses all understanding as they wait upon Him... May we, the Body of Christ, faithfully lift up our soldiers standing in harms way...
My sisters are a special gift... they each challenge me in different ways, spur me on toward love and good deeds, lift me up in prayer, share laughter and tears... What a blessing to have three sisters who are seeking the Lord... My sister, Amanda, is preparing for her first overseas mission trip this summer... I'm so excited for her! She serves at a church in her community, as well as a wife and mother of a one year old absolutely adorable little girl... May our Glorious Savior continue to equip, protect and use her & her husband together to make His Name great!
Thank you for your prayers... May we believe this, pray this and walk in this,
"For the grace of God (Jesus) has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)
Our little Titus... what can you say?
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