My Journey Toward A Trusting Heart

Reflections on our week

I felt my remarks connected to Connor's misfortune deserved a separate post...so...

We had a great week last week. My folks and our daughter were with us Sat-Tuesday. They had to move along, so then it was just Mark and me and our boys. We had a good two days together, time at the pool, then a few minutes "shopping" at Bass Pro. The boys got some new toys, so they were happy.

Thursday evening we were blessed by the company of our DEAR friends Jeff and Kim Smith. The Smiths joined us on staff at Northview Christian Life Church in Carmel IN about a year after we had gone -- so probably in 2001. They have recently taken the Lead Pastor role at a near-by church, Genesis Church, in Westfield/Noblesville IN. It was exciting to hear what God is doing there, and to sense their excitement about what lies a head, by faith, in the heart of God's people at Genesis.

Jeff and Kim are wonderful people. If you ever get to that area of Indiana, I'd STRONGLY urge you to look them up and visit Genesis Church...you'll LOVE it, and them!

We left Branson Friday morning, heading for St. Louis. StL is our 1/2 way mark from Branson to home...so its a reasonable drive time coming and going, and we made plans to stay overnight there....we'd had hotel reseervations, but were invited to stay with a friend of Mark's. Rusty Lewis, and his wife Andrea, were so gracious to open their home to us. We arrived at about 5pm, got acquainted (I'd never met them) and then we eagerly left the boys in the care of their teenaged kids (13 and 15), and the four adults went out to dinner at a very nice place near their home.

It was a delightful evening and we enjoyed the company so much. We had more-than-comfortable accomodations, and the boys were thrilled to have so much room to roam....the Lewis's have a BEAUTIFUL home, on three acres, in Wentzville MO. They are a neat family -- who also love the Lord, and have the gift of hospitality.

Rusty is a consultant for a Capital Stewardship company called "Generis". He helps churches coordinate their campaigns for raising money for new buildings, or whatever. SO, if you are ever in the market for someone in that line of work, let me know....we can put you in touch with the right guy!

On Saturday morning, we were moving by about 8:30...on to the home of another dear friend in the St. Louis area, the Ereharts. Don and Ann were the youth pastors at Northview (not sure how many years!?)...they have three beautiful children -- Katie, and Ellie, and Payne. Payne was born on July 4 -- just like Colton, about 3 hours earlier than Colton. They are great pals. We are determined to keep them in touch as much as we can. They play so well together...its truly a blessing.

Don and Ann are now the youth pastors at a large E-Free church in Manchester MO. They really love it, and I know God will do great things through them there. Don and Ann have a passion for young people that is hard to find....they are "seasoned" in ministry and in life and are commited to leading people to Christ. Mark and I are ALWAYS blessed when we spend time with Don and Ann.

This trip, however, Don was not home. He was on his way from a missions trip to Mexico -- we missed him by about 12 hours! We spent a couple hours with Ann and soaked up the sunshine that she is!

Anyway, we love Don and Ann and thank the Lord He has allowed them to be part of our life and our family....

Mark and I are hoping to coordinate a week's vacation with Don and Ann and Jeff and Kim and our families -- maybe next summer!? We adults agree that it'll be a blast...so we're going to set our sights on working that out.

Mark and I talked about the value of these friendships in our lives -- and our LIFE as a family...we truly felt it was "iron sharpening iron" -- except that honestly, I think it was one-way.....WE were sharpened, encouraged and inspired by each of these families. Our faith was built by listening to the Lewis's story of God's provision in an uncertain job transition...we were blessed to watch Jeff and Kim glow with excitement about the opportunity they have to take a church through an important transitional time. We were blessed to hear about the new relationships they are finding, and the new ways to use their gifts to serve God and this congregation.

We were so moved to hear Ann share her passion for "their kids" at this new ( for them) church....they have already pegged some strong leaders and Ann was so excited for what she is seeing develop in their lives and is so passionate about Don's and her role in mentoring these kids for service in the Kingdom.

My prayer now, after seeing these wonderful friends, is that "I" would be open to allowing God to do in me all the things they have allowed Him to do in them...each of them are in places in their lives that are unique from each other, but unquestionably they are commited to Christ and to fulfilling His call on their life. They are content with this season -- but all of them know that God could change their pre-conceived course at any time -- so none of them are holding on too tightly...

It was probably the most encouraging vacation we've ever had....only because of the THREE families we got to spend time with. It cost us about $300 in gas, but it was worth every penny!

Find people who will fill your heart and life the way these people have filled mine...better yet, BE a person who will be this to someone else...Ask God, who gives liberally to all...