Greetings from Me and My House,
8 years ago a man of God came to town and took my “right arm” away, our firstborn daughter. It hurt, but that was what she had been raised for. We wondered where God would take them, and have been blessed that he planted them right here for a season as our Associate and Worship Pastor.
It has been my joy to catch each of my glorious grandgirls as they emerged into life on this earth, to watch Mitch and Dani develop in ministry, in their marriage, and as parents. We’ve been able to share every holiday and birthday together, as well as just everyday life. It has been great.
Today this season of their life ends, and a new one begins. God has a new place for them to grow for a season. For my sake, I am glad he hasn’t called them as missionaries to Africa. Not this time. They are only moving 3 hours away to take a Senior Pastorate. They are extending their tent pegs, taking on new challenges, and growing in the things God has created them for. This is what we raised her for, and prayed over her life daily. How can we be sad? But it still hurts. We love them greatly. They are our very life.
But they are not our only life. God has blessed us with much opportunity for our lives to be spread abroad. It is not only Mitch and Dani that are extending their tent pegs, but ours are extended as well, as they are a part of us. As each of our 10 children goes into the world, it is my deepest prayer that the Kingdom of God is extended further – even to Africa. That they go forth, in the Name and the Power of Jesus, that they learned on my knee.
My prayer continues, that they raise their children for the glory of God, daily teaching them of Him, as they rise up, lay down, walk along the road, and sit in their houses. That they develop in them God’s way of looking at and living life, and most of all God’s love. That my grandchildren all become children of the Book, in every area of life. For then God’s Kingdom will be spread even further, and our tent pegs stretched out greatly in the earth. May His glory fill the whole earth, and may I be an instrument He uses for that purpose.
Mitch and Dani, Jaci, Chandler, and Robin, we love you dearly. We will miss you greatly, in the day to day things of life. But we release you to spread the Kingdom, as far as God sends you to do so. May you always seek only Him and His ways. May you build, not a tower of greatness for the praise of men, but a temple of living stones that cry out of the greatness of God, and shine forth His beauty, for it is His love and His Word that draw all men unto Him, not the glitz and strategies of the world. And may you always walk with your feet planted on His solid Rock, your minds fixed on Him, and your hearts in His Kingdom. Godspeed, my loves.
Love, Mom (Me-mo)
At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa
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