Test Me in This...

Last Sunday at church I bout jumped out of my chair when we read Malachi 3:10. About a year ago, when we started our FUNdraising, the Lord really encouraged me one day when I was a little down b/c things weren't going the way I thought they should! It was from this verse, and I heard loud and clear, "Test Me now in this and see if I do not throw open the floodgates of heaven for you and pour out so much blessing until it overflows."
It was on that day, that I was reminded that my trust needed to rest in God, and not man. I have often looked for that verse over the past year, but could never find it... until Sunday. So when I said in a very excited voice, "There it is, that verse!" and realized I said it aloud b/c everyone was laughing at me, I knew that it was for a reason.
Later that day, we went back up to the church to meet with the Missions Council to show them our new DVD from Ecuador and give them an update.
They asked us, so how much more do ya'll need in order to reach your "Outgoing Expenses?" Larry and I said, "We'd have to check on the exact amount, but somewhere around $4,000-$5,000." They smiled and then slid a white envelope across the table and said, "I think we can help with that." It was a check, that covered the rest of the amount of our Outgoing Expenses!!!!!!!!! We were SPEECHLESS!
It has been an incredible journey to see God do things beyond what we could have imagined or done in a way, that we could have never dreamed up. It was as if God was saying... "See?! I told you I would provide for you... if you would just trust ME!"
Thank you Lord, for blowing my socks off once again, and for blessing us beyond what words could ever say or express. You are holy, and we continue to be amazed and in awe of you!

"I'll love you always..."

Those are the words my Mom wrote on a daily calendar that she had given me not too long before she passed away. She wrote, "I'll love you always and will be near you now and forever and ever."
I was driving to church this morning and thanking God for the amazing women He has placed in my life. I know that God always provided a Mom right when I needed her. Like, to take me shopping for a prom dress, or buy school clothes, or fill out college application forms. He always provided someone to listen as well as give Godly advice.

And as I look back now, I realize that I have now lived as much of my life without my Mom as I did with her. And although I will not understand on this side of earth, why things happen the way they did, I have come to realize that the Lord has been so good to me. He has been so very good to me...to have put these amazing women in my life right when I needed them the most, even though I didn't always realize it at the time-which brings me to today.

It was another great time of worship today as I continued to thank Him. But something unexpected happened at the end, something I wasn't quite prepared for. As we bowed our heads to pray, a Mom (who happens to remind me so much of my Mom) came and stood beside me. She wrapped her arms around me and just hugged me as we prayed. I wish I could describe the peace I felt as I did everything I could to just keep the tears from running down my face. Afterwards, I looked at her and smiled with big ole teary eyes and told her thank you. She hugged me tight and said, "Your Mamma would be so proud of you."

Well that did it, there was no use in trying to hold the tears back anymore. You see, on the way to church this morning, I wondered..."What would my Mom think right now, if she could be here with me today?" And was God not so incredibly good...to let me know?!!!

So today, I thank all the women who have ever wiped a tear or lent a listening ear. And today, I want everyone to know how thankful I am for the wonderful Mom God gave me for the 15 years that He did. She taught me all I really needed to know. I love you Mamma...now and forever...you will always be near me this I know!