A Funny Thing Happened

…on the way to doing it my way.

Original post 8-16-2016

I had contacted everyone I knew by phone and on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram, and Brett’s favorite place, YouTwittFaceGram.com, yet all my efforts seemed to hit a wall. As I looked at my computer with dread, trying to find another way to write and share our story, I heard the Lord say, “Rest.” 

“Seriously, God? Rest? May I take just a moment of your time and remind you that we have a budget that we need to come up with? May I also remind you that people are asking the extremely important question of, “when are you going back,” every Sunday? And! I remind you, I am ready to go back?! And now you’re telling me to rest?! What?!”

Now, before you judge me on my questions to God, please take a moment and think about the last time God told you to do something that you didn’t understand. Yep, hold that feeling right there! LOL!!

I love God, His mercy and grace, and His many chances with me! He lovingly, and I personally believe, there was a grin on his face when he said again, “Rest.” Well, okay. Exactly what does that mean? “It means rest. You’ve done all that you know to do to fundraise. You’ve done all that others have told you to do. You’ve listened to others’ ideas and opinions; now rest and listen to Me.” 

So, with this word of the Lord in my heart, I have rested. I have sat in His presence. I have listened as He has filled my heart with goodness about who He is and who I am in Him. I have not written a letter to anyone, but Him, and I have filled my journal with sweet moments between me and my Rock. I have rested and in the midst of resting….

A funny thing happened!
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Brett and I got news on Monday that shocked us and filled us with joy. We got the news that Chris and Kacy, our South African country directors with Children’s Cup, are stepping down with ‘Cup. This was the shocking part for us; yes, there were some tears. However!! God has spoken with Chris and Kacy about planting a church, which has filled us with great joy! You can read all about it here. We love this family and know that they are hearing and doing the will of God for their lives! 

To answer the question that could be running rampant through your head now…YES! We are staying with Children’s Cup! Believe it or not, they like us and want us to be a part of the ‘Cup family!

As the day progressed, I had a doctor’s appointment to talk with the doctor about my skydiving injury. Okay, I wasn’t skydiving, but jumping in the pool. After an x-ray, it was determined that I had fractured my ankle. I didn’t break any major, weight-bearing bones but a tiny bone that attaches to a ligament. What does this mean you ask? This means a beautiful, fashionable black boot for the next four weeks. (It could have been worse!) The boot is for standing only and for short periods of time. The doctor wants me to continue using my incredibly stylish and fast scooter to give this ankle time to heal. Brett has been remarkable in making sure that I take care of myself. After thirty-one years of marriage, he very sweetly nicknamed me Turbo! 

Needless to say, this had been an emotional, teary-eyed day. Things are changing in South Africa, we’re not there yet to walk it through with Chris and Kacy and I’m all laid up in this gorgeous, fashionable black boot….and then….

A funny thing happened!

God reminded me of exactly who He is and how He’s got this. As we sat and chatted with our son, Michael, Brett’s phone vibrated. Don’t ask me why, but I reached over and opened the email that had come in. It was an email from a pastor that we had met for lunch, visited the church twice, and had a ten-minute interview with their missions team. When we met with the missions team, I did not feel good about how it went because they didn’t ask questions! He told us he would email Brett later in the week to let us know yes or no. We already knew that this pastor has Monday off, so we weren’t looking for an email until later in the week. This church has partnered with us, and the amount is fantastic!

A funny thing happened!

As I sat there and read the email, I could feel God looking at me with a big ‘ole grin on His face, saying, “Daughter, I told you, rest and watch what I do.” And then it happened….tears of laughter and joy began to fall. I sat there and laughed at what God did and is doing on our behalf. He is opening doors, and He is making the way! And what am I doing? I am resting in His presence, listening to His voice, and reading His word with greater understanding. Did I mention that I’m resting? 

A funny thing happened on this journey called life…

I rested from doing, 

God showed Himself faithful, and then…

We laughed!