Seasons of WOW!!

WOW. 
The colors of Autumn have been amazing! 
BREATHTAKING!
So much vibrance...as if the earth is breaking out in celebration of the glory of the Lord! Vibrant reds. Yellow too bright to look at in the sunlight. Even the subtle shades of the evergreens seem to be stepping up their game. 
LOOK at what He has made me to BE. 
Glorious.

Our son and his fiancé, in all of God's glorious fall color! 

WOW.
It has started. 
The season of rest, wonder, wandering, has come to a close. Through a difficult waiting time, God's spoken, and plugged us in. Again we will carry the banner for missionary care, but this time the GO isn't Global Outreach, but Global Outfitters. I LOVE it! God's persistence in planting us at New Heights is finally "paying off" in getting to serve there. The past 2 weeks have been full of great meetings, sharing experiences, encouraging words, exciting optimism for the future. I feel as if I'm in step with Mark, and WE are in step with the Global Outfitters as they have been encouraging and sustaining their global workers (aka: missionaries) on the field. Tonight was great, in that I was introduced to the Global Coaches as a fellow worker - I get to be their biggest cheerleader!! WooHoo!! YAY!!

WOW.
The people that showed up were great! Young and old, all connected to one of the workers overseas. I got to share a little about me, and encourage them by sharing a prayer resource for them to use NOW. Then I got my socks blessed off as another woman came to share about the ministry that God's given her: "1 - 1 - 12" - getting people to pray one hour a day, one day a month, for 12 months! AH-MAZING!! She's already had such amazing changes in the fields where her missionaries are utilizing this formula, ministries coming to life, spiritual strongholds broken, and those 31 prayer partners are getting to see the fruit from their prayers!! I LOVE it!! How beautiful and amazing the way He gave her this vision, this plan, and how exciting to see the Global Coaches take the prayer sheet that I shared, and her plan for 1 - 1 - 12 and put them together. She's even going to include it in her "welcome" packet for her ministry. 

* that they will live a life worthy of the Lord that will please Him in every way * for them to have adequate prayer support from prayer partners who do not forget to pray for their needs * for spiritual protection *  that they will be growing in the knowledge of God and His will *  that they will give joyfully to the Father * for all spiritual wisdom and understanding * that they will have great endurance and patience * for increased faith * against discouragement * that God will open the door for the message of Jesus Christ to be shared * that they will be able to share the message clearly so it can be understood by those who hear * that God will give them the appropriate words to speak as they have the opportunity to share the message * for them to be a reflection of Christ among the people whom he/she is serving * for them to be delivered from wicked and evil people who wish to do them harm * for God to give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they will each know Christ better * for the word of God to spread rapidly - for numerous new believers * that the message will be honored - that people will believe the message and enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and His church * that they will declare the message of God fearlessly in love * for perseverance * for the incomparably great power of God in each one of them * against discouragement * that they may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured * that whatever they do or say, it will all be done in the name of Jesus Christ * for endurance and strength * against spiritual attacks from the enemy * for diligence * for power * for steadfastness * against fear * against opposition * for God’s guidance in their future plans * against discouragement * 

WOW. 
THEN you could almost see the lights turning on over people's heads - "I need to get people to pray for ME using this formula!" And yes, I want to have 31 people praying for ME too!! :)  I'll follow her plan, so I can send out prayer requests, etc. but if you are interested, please let me know so I can include you!

WOW. 
I still have boxes to unpack, but it's getting done. I still have not put a drop of paint on one wall, but in time it will happen. I still have so much to do - but it will keep. For now, I just want to relax in His glory, in all He is doing all around me. Life isn't perfect (when is it?), and I'm not perfect, but I'm really learning to be content in these circumstances. I really love seeing this house get used for His glory. Love the young college girls that He has put in my life to love on, pray for, and mentor around the edges. They are amazing! I LOVE the things He is doing with my ONE friend, the one that I've known for 20 years now, and how we are getting to serve together at Souls Harbor in Rogers - a residential facility for men. I love how He is drawing her closer through this, how it's filling her heart to be able to use the gifts and talents that He has given her. WOW. I get to be a part of it, and a witness to it! He is SO good. 

WOW. 
My heart feels so full. I feel so blessed. The community of believers at New Heights is so caring. I'm seeing what Lee (one of the pastors and GO leader) means when he said that folks at New Heights are RELATIONAL. It just took me a bit to find the circle that my "relations" would be in. Well, He's led me to it now!

Thanks for bearing with me in all things. For praying against discouragement and praying for friendships (not yet...but I'm hopeful). I could use more prayer - against these hives (5 days in a row now...all on my back..not fun), for equipping and encouragement for the GO team and coaches, for good timing with Mark's schedule, my schedule, and a sweetness in our marriage. That we would be salt and light, and that we would bring Him glory in all areas of our life. 

WOW. 
thank you. 
i'm humbled.