We brought our first donkey, Bobo, out to the farm here almost 4 years ago. Ginny and Lulu followed shortly afterward. And to pull up the lead, Blackjack was born June 2008. We have really enjoyed having them here. Even with having to fix the fence in the middle of the night, walk them home from way up the road, and daily throwing hay to make sure they are nourished, they have been enjoyed. But I can't see trying to leave on a missions journey on the back of four donkeys. Not really the way that I would like to travel. I misted up as they left, but I knew it was God letting the donkeys lead the way. His path is opening up and it is just another part of the process of getting there. They will hold a special place in our heart.
It has been a long week here, already. My daddy's 82nd birthday was Sunday. Wow! I hope that I have just half of his energy when I am his age. He still works full-time cutting hair, on his feet all day. He is a good man. I am proud to call him my daddy.
What started as a good week with my daddy's birthday, quickly went a little darker. I got the phone call late Sunday evening to pray for one of my cousins. She passed away later that night. It was suicide. My family had lost another cousin to suicide, just a few days before my daughter died. What a sad way to go. It really breaks my heart. I know now that when you are at that darkest place, satan attacks you full force. He knows the weakness of our minds and dwells in there if we allow it. Depression is something that haunts my family and that can be a scary thing. Without a faith in God and the strength to rely on Him and allow Him to pull you out of the depression, there doesn't seem any hope at all. I hate seeing the heartbreak that it leads behind. It makes me even more passionate about finding the ones that are hurting and leading them to this awesome fellowship with Christ.
I know that God is steadily lining things up and teaching me. I received an email today from someone who is contemplating suicide. She feels as though that may be her only option. She has sought out my trust and prayers. I am thankful for that. I pray that God will use me and give me the words that He wants me to say to her. I know what depression is like and I want to help her learn how to pull herself out of it. But first, she has to learn to reach out to God.
There is death. A beautiful little girl in the community was killed this week in a tragic accident. I'm not sure that her parents are believers at all. I know how hard it is to survive losing a child, knowing that God has a plan. I can't imagine losing a child without that knowledge. A friend from church gave my number to her brother-in-law and told him to make sure that she calls me. I pray that God gives me the right words at that time, too.
There is life. A precious little boy was delivered Sunday out in California. He has spina bifida and underwent corrective surgery today. Things are looking good. His family has a strong belief in God as our Master Healer. I am so glad to know that this is the walk that they are on. Having God at our side certainly makes the journey easier.
My passion is increased by seeing the people who are suffering without God in their lives. I pray that I am able to show God's love and speak the words He wants spoken in order to lead them to Him. Gaining His eyes makes your heart even more passionate to the mission.
I hope that you have had an amazing day. I have. Every day is amazing to me because I am blessed with another opportunity to do my Father's work. And my, what work He has in store for me! It's going to be a busy few months, I imagine.
Have a blessed night tonight. As you lie down on the pillow, close your eyes, and feel God wrap His arms around you. If you are quite enough, I'll bet you can hear Him sing you to sleep!
Be Blessed!
