Dreams Fulfilled and Heartbreaking Losses

Hello friends,

I apologize for neglecting you. Life has been too busy and I haven't made time for that "one more thing" as I should have. Here is a quick update on life and how I could use your prayers.


November was NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The goal was to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I did it!! I wrote a book with the working title, Through the Valley: A Story of Strength and Love. It is a fiction novel based quite strongly on the lives of my grandpa Marlowe and grandma Margaret Siler. I completed the book, but I have much editing to do. I will be attending a writers conference in May and I would love to have my book edited by then so I can bring it with me and see if anyone would be interested in publishing it. Please pray for time, energy, and brain power to do that!

On December 1st my grandma Jean (mom's mom) passed away.  She had been so sick for so long that it was a blessing for her to go home and be with Jesus; an answer to prayer, really. That being said, we of course miss her terribly and long for the day we will be together again. She loved Jesus and I rejoice in the fact that she is no longer in pain, and that she is with our Lord. I can't even begin to imagine the joy she is experiencing right now!

Just a couple of weeks ago we had to take our precious bulldog Harley back to the breeders. Long story short, no matter what we tried allergies were getting worse instead of better and we couldn't keep him. He was the coolest dog and we miss him terribly. However, he is so incredibly happy to be back at his first home and is doing great. The breeders regretted selling him and are thrilled to have him back. He has other dogs to play with, horses to watch, lots of land to play on. He's one happy pooch and for that I am thankful.

It's always special when God plants a dream in your heart. It's even more special when He fulfills that dream. Eight years ago I took the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course when I was attending Seminary in South Carolina. Even though I grew up in the church, attended a Christian college, trained for full time ministry, and traveled the world on short-term mission trips, my "perspective" of God was radically changed when I took this class. I wanted my friends and family back in Western Wisconsin to be able to experience the same life change, but there was no class anywhere in the area. When God played a game of fruit basket upset with my life I found myself back in Menomonie and doing ministry at my church. Perspectives was still on my heart and I soon discovered others who had the same dream of bringing the class to west-central Wisconsin. After five years of prayer and planning, the first class in the Chippewa Valley is being held right now! I can't tell you how exciting it was the first night of class to watch person after person walk through the doors with the same excitement and uncertainty that I had eight years ago. It was with great joy that I listened to class discussion and heard the murmurs of excitement as people began to see God's Word in a way that was new to them. Through this class lives are going to be changed. Worldviews are going to be challenged. New dreams are going to be birthed. God’s fame will spread and His great Name will be proclaimed from our neighborhoods to the ends of the earth because we are blessed. Blessed to be a blessing! As much as I love this class, it takes a lot out of my physically. My role on the coordinating team is as one of the class administrators. I've had a lot of work to do upfront and it's tiring. I am hoping that in another week or two my part will settle down a bit. Classes are Wednesday nights from 6-9pm, then I have staff meeting at work at 9:30 the next morning every week. The late night followed by early morning (for me!) has equated to lots of caffeine to keep me going! 

I would appreciate your prayers as God continues to work in my life and in this class. One thing that I have been surprised by (though I really should have seen this coming) is the fact that my desire to "go" has been greatly stirred up! As you know, for years I prepared to be a missionary overseas and when I got sick, I had to stay in the US. God has used me in incredible ways here, through working at my church as well as my involvement with Broken but Priceless Ministries. However, my desire to go is just as strong as ever and I'm having to work through that. When we had to give Harley back, it triggered quite the emotional and physical reaction in me. It was similar to an experience I've had at my doctor in Nebraska going through treatments. It was really good for me and my healing process...though it was quite miserable to go through! I spent most of that night crying and praying and mourning so many past losses that I never allowed myself to mourn. It was very much a Psalm 6:6 moment: "I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears" (NLT). It was exactly what I need to do to get better physically and emotionally. I would appreciate your prayers as I continue to heal. Pray that I would keep working through emotions and letting myself feel things. I am learning to just let myself be sad some days, and not try to suck it up and move on. That has been very freeing!

So, there you have it; my last four months in a nutshell! Thank you for praying for me and being a part of my life. Y'all are the best! 

Psalm 67 (ESV)
May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face to shine upon us, Selah

that your way may be known on earth,
    your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!

 

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you judge the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase;
    God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
    let all the ends of the earth fear him!