"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." ~ Hebrews 12:2a
This verse has been in my thoughts the last two days. As I pray for my husband, I pray his eyes will be set on the Saviour. As I lift up my children, I pray they too, will set their sights on Jesus Christ. As I walk, cook, drive, rest I am consciously focusing on Him, who is the founder of my faith, the One who is perfecting my faith.
Our life as faith missionaries has been good. I wouldn't trade this lifestyle for anything. As I coach our daughter in writing a prayer letter and in assembling a list of family and friends to contact, I realize this is new to Caylea. She has grown up with Mom and Dad doing the presenting, the prayer letters and the thank you cards. But now the Lord has chosen this faith adventure for her.
Every picture and word, Caylea was selecting with utmost care. But what to entitle her newsletter?
She thought of incorporating our heading "Regina and Beyond" and then adding "...the Next Generation." I thought that was clever! For now, she is just keeping it simple and will come up with more details later.
At supper, she gave thanks for the work we got done and for the names the Lord brought to mind for her list. And she was thankful for her mom's help. And she asked for His provision.
She is learning to look to Jesus for herself, to grow in trusting the Lord for her needs.
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Daniel drove up to our house on Saturday, just as we also were pulling in the driveway. He waited for us to get out of the car. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking a little impish. Before we could even get up the front steps, he declared, "Here, Dad. For Father's Day!"
Handing a wonderfully crafted stainless steel bi-plane to his Dad, this young man looked like a grade-school boy, waiting for his Daddy's approval. Walter - and I - were amazed at his skill in welding the parts and buffing it to a shine. What a sweet gift!
As Daniel finishes up his fourth-year apprenticeship, he has heard that his company has been laying off workers. With a mortgage to pay and a special girl in his life, his journey of faith is being tested. Daniel needs to learn to trust the Lord for his needs, as well.
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The long-distance number showed up on the phone display. Quickly, I clicked the "talk" button and then the "speaker" setting so Walter and I could both take the call. Mark was checking in, seeing what was new and engaging in a number of topics he deemed worthy to discuss. Amy was busy, but normally she joins the speaker-phone conversation and it's lots of fun. They are enjoying their own home. God has given Amy eighteen or so piano and voice students to teach. He has also supplied plenty of work for Mark's boss and the concrete crew. The weather has already been quite hot and I'm sure Mark is getting back in shape after a winter off work.
Along with some of the responsibilities in his "pastor-in-training" experience with their home church in Gladstone, Mark has been asked to do pulpit supply in neighbouring towns, and enjoys preaching, just like his Dad. Amy has been teaching middle school-aged girls in Sunday School. She's been excited for months to plant a garden and work on the yard. Mark hopes to build a nice deck and have space for a BBQ.
They have been through their fair share of disappointments and grief. We see their faith being challenged and continue to pray for His healing in their lives.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." ~ Proverbs 3:5
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