Wednesday, January 17, 2007

It has been such a blessing for me to have Deanna write these past two days. I found my rest in her enthusiasm. The joy she brings to this place is such an encouragement.

She remains home as her school continues to be closed due to the ice that grips this area of the country. It has been a delight for her to be home. She has enjoyed her time away, and it has been good for her. She has found much to do in settling into this home. Her glee overflows as she talks about it. We are so thankful to have this place of our own.

It is very intriguing to me how the Lord affirms to His children the decisions they make. There is no doubt that we sought His wisdom in the process of what kind of house to buy. Our home has emptied its contents of youth. We both thought that we would look for a small home as a result.

As we began to look at home after home after home, it became clear as we prayed through it, that we were to look for a place that was similar in size to what we have had. We felt like this would be waste. We struggled to come to the conclusion that this would be right. However, as we narrowed the field of possibilities, this home that we initially rejected without physically seeing, kept rising to the surface.

Once we had been inside, we were quite taken by it. We did not like the outside. We were unsure about the area it was in. We nearly avoided it altogether. The charms of this home uniquely fit us and our needs.

The subtleties of how uniquely equipped it was to host us did not all emerge until we moved in. Little by little we would discover nuances that drew us in and served to reflect our Savior's genuine love for us.

It is always our desire to include the Lord in each of our decisions. Sometimes, we fail to actually wait and listen to that input. Each day He seems to reveal to us that His hand was in this. We are very thankful.

Yes, it has been our belief that we would no longer need much space because we no longer had children at home. Incredibly, the Lord has blessed us, even at that very point. We have been wrong.

Since moving in, our home has been host to many young people. They are not children in their own minds. They are certainly adults from the perspective of taking on Kingdom responsibilities. But to us, they are our sons and daughters. They are our family. They are welcome here.

We have been blessed to become a stopover place for students from around the country. A place they can come and share a meal, take a nap, catch a shower, and just fellowship in Jesus Name.

We do not take this for granted. We have been granted this privilege, because of our loving Savior.

The joy that fills our home has been birthed from pain. The joy that fills our home has its roots in obedience and sacrifice.

Deanna received a picture frame for Christmas that resembles chiseled stone. Etched deep within its recesses are the words, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

We are twice blessed, and doubly compelled to share that which has been given to us, from that which was withdrawn.

dad


A young lady named Katie spent this last semester as a missionary in Peru. Upon her return, she has taken ill with undiagnosed issues. Her brother, Kevin, walked with our Lauren through the six weeks BJ was in the hospital. Yesterday, Kevin took his sister to meet their parents, and they headed to the hospital in Wheaton, Ill. where they live. The issue is not respiratory in nature, but the concern needs our prayer support. Would you please lift them up?

7 Comments:

At 10:04 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I lift prayers to Katie, Kevin and their family and to the Awestar family. I lift you and Deanna, also, as this news has to bring back some difficult memories.

I am so thankful that you feel blessed in your new home. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed your home with His children to "minister" to you, also. God is so GOOD!!

 
At 10:34 AM, Blogger natenamy said...

We will be praying for Katie and her family! Must be difficult for everyone as they (and you too) wait for a diagnosis yet unknown.
Deanna, so glad to hear that you have been able to have some time to "move in" to your house and have special time to make it home!
We love you both loads, and miss you loads too!
Stay Warm,
Nate and Amy

 
At 10:40 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Uncle Brent,
I am glad that you are getting settled into your new house. I liked it a lot while I was there for a short time. It has been a great blessing to be able to read and hear about what God is doing in your lives. It was also great to hear from Aunt Deanna the last two days! I'm glad she's enjoying her time off. I hope y'all stay safe. In Texas right now they are cancelling school and stuff because of ice-what a rare thing for that part of the country! I am here in Lima and it gets about 80 or 85 degrees everyday!
I hope that God Blesses you in great ways this week. It is awesome to be able to read about how everything is going for you. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Love you,
Derek

 
At 11:36 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praying for Katie and her family. \o/

 
At 6:08 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

As the fear of the unknown is one of the greatest fears, I pray for Katie and her family, as they struggle with this illness. May they lean on the Lord for support and strength.

 
At 6:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praising God for the comfort of your new home.

Lifting Katie and her family up in major prayers!!! I know how much this must hurt you, the sickness and the lack of answers, and I know you know how those parents feel too. May God bless and fill all of you with peace.

Agape~
Linda Anderson

 
At 12:30 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

praying for Katie!!!
love you guys!
Mary

 

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