How lucky we are...

I work at an elementary school. Some days I feel like I should be IN elementary school. Those days are when things go wrong...my hands and voice hurt from signing/speaking too loudly, yes it is possible to sign loudly. Then there are days like today...days when a little ray of sunshine can be found in a little girls eye. When children play together nicely and my job is sweet and full of beautifully composed ASL sentences.

These children teach me more about the love of my Heavenly Father than I would have ever thought. Some of them are dirty, smelly and have no way to get anywhere. Some of them are abandoned, live life with out parents and are yearning for attention. Some of them are defiant and down-right mean. Day by day I find God showing me one more "grown-up" characteristic in each of these children.  The tattle-tale will probably become the town gossip when they grow up. The cry baby- the person who always gets their feelings hurt when you don't talk to them immediately. They are smaller versions of who we become. Smaller versions of those people who have hurt me in my life. Smaller versions of me.
So how in the would can they melt my heart so quickly? How can I not care about their dirty clothes when I pull them in for a hug? L.O.V.E.

Each day I get to plant little seeds of the Father's love in their hearts. Most days, I'm happy to go to my job. Happy to come home empty, happy to be filled up with more love, so that I can give it out.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll remember this when I encounter the "grown-up" versions of them in my "not at school life"....

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² now, and what we will be. Beloved, we are God’s children has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears^[a] we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ³And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." 1 John 3:1-3

"When Heaven....

..Invades Earth..."  

 

                               I just started reading this yesterday. For some reason, I started in the back of the book. I never, ever do this. I always like to read things front to back and never out of sequence. Ever. 

Jeffrey had to read this before he got to Bethel.  Already I've learned a lot. Like how God wants to change the way we think about life. How we are suppose to walk in the Spirit everyday. and how new, will always be just that new. God loves us, but let's face it. He's God. There's no way we'll ever understand Him or the order of things He does.  We can't even figure out why He gave us a gallbladder that we sometimes don't need.... He's God. As much as we would like it, He's probably not going to call you and give you a heads-up when He starts to do something new. 
                              Revival is always looked at as new, and sometimes strange. The key to true revival is that it should live in your hearts and lives. Not just in a church or just in a meeting. In our hearts. Everyday.  
How cool would it be if we walked with the Holy Spirit everyday, in everything we did. I'm an interpreter. I completely believe that one day people will request me, because they'll know my God can heal. Can you imagine?? Divorce lawyers who help their clients restore relationships? Psychologist who can pray and deliver clients in a few hours? Medical doctors who can raise the dead? Florist who can prophesy over their clients? Fashion designers who point the world to God.
This is what my generation desires. This is who we are. This is who we are becoming. This is Heaven...on Earth. God in us. the hope of glory.
 

Revealed

At least once a week I get to listen to an amazing revelation that Jeffrey has heard in class, or from one of his housemates and Oh how I have learned!  Much to J's chagrin, I get to learn the good stuff, without sitting through all the "boring stuff".  In the past few months I have slowly began to learn about how deep the Father's love is for me. I grew up singing "Jesus Loves Me",  but somewhere in there, I think we should add a verse..."yes, Jesus loves me-no matter what I've done. Yes, Jesus loves me, He tells me I'm His one. Yes, Jesus loves me, through His grace I have won..."  The love that the Father has for us is far more imaginable than anything  we could ever hope to know. 

And speaking of love...Just about two weeks ago, I got a beautiful symbol of love from that boy of mine. Handcrafted and made just for me. Much like we are crafted and made for God, one of a kind. 

Wedding date is pending, but I can't wait to wrap myself in white(or ivory) and walk down the aisle to start my Great Adventure with Jeffrey at my side. 

If you don't understand the kind of love I'm talking about, ask God to show you. He will, He delights in it.

Healer Dude

That's my J.  He's a healer dude.  It's pretty cool. I like it when he calls me and tells me stories about seeing people healed.  Like the guy that had a stroke 2yrs ago that couldn't use his left leg so good...and then he walked away without his crutch.  Or the guy that had a fever, and 5 minutes later the fever is gone.  My personal favorite- the 8 year old boy who got poked in the eye by his little brother- eye is all bloodshot and red, after 2 prayers, perfectly fine.  

I"m really excited for all he's learning at Bethel.  And for all the nifty books he's readin', I'm not so sure how he feels about that! :-)

In May, he's trying to get to Ecuador, to see orphans that are healers too. And to just be a big hugger for those cute kiddos, and to visit dudes in prison....

If you wanna help him get there- you can!  Just visit here

He would be stoked! And so would I!! PS. You can take it off your taxes...
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,^[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Matthew 10:8