Strangely, or maybe not so strangely, last week's blog was focused on prayer and it really turned out to be a week in which we came to realize how much prayer we need. Last Tuesday began with my blog that shared some prayer initiatives and prayer requests. That blog was followed by a last minute doctor appointment as we continue to work on diagnosing our daughter's mystery illness, and a fire in the electrical panel of our stove. The next day was followed by struggles with the manufacturer over getting the situation resolved which was an exercise in frustration. We have been cooking out of a slow-cooker as we continue to wait the the parts to fix the stove, and it just seems that every day brings with it one or two other things that just don't seem to work out quite right, throwing a monkey wrench into an already fragile schedule. The only thing to really do is laugh, and if you have read my blog posts over the last week you would see that that is what I have tried to do. Have a look if you missed them:
Read Here
or
Here
As much as I have had a laugh at it all, it would be a lie to say that it has not been trying and that there have not been moments of discouragement as well. Perhaps the most amazing thing, however, is how God has been gracious throughout. I don't think that it is a coincidence that these things happened after our request for prayer, nor is it a coincidence to see how God has seen us through. At the last minute on Tuesday evening I decided not to go out to a meeting that I had been invited to and so was here to put out the fire. We have also had other God moments. The morning after our most discouraged moments my reading of Matthew had me in chapter 14, where Jesus walks on water. I found encouragement in the story of Peter, who seeing Jesus walking on the water, responded to Jesus' invitation to come out of the boat and walk on the water himself. We all know how the story goes, that Peter gets out and walks on water until he is distracted and frightened by the wind and begins to sink at which point Jesus needs to save him. We feel we have stepped out to respond to the call of Jesus and are encouraged to keep going after this discouraging week and not to doubt or be afraid. And there have been other moments of God's graciousness and goodness this week. I would invite you to read some thoughts that my wife has shared on her blog:
Zoo-ology.blogspot.com
All in all, this week's update is less of an update on Hamilton than it is a praise of God's graciousness in the midst of turmoil. I suppose it goes without saying, but we would like to thank you for your continued support and prayer and ask that you would continue to pray for us and our new work.
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Continue to pray for you guys. What a week! Always seems that it happens at once.I've learned a lot in the last year about the challenge of following God's leading.Up front it always seems like discerning what He is asking and then taking the leap to follow is the hard part. But then the tough reality of what He's asked sets in, economically, emotionally spiritually. What I continued to be encouraged by is your faithfulness through the journey and not just hearing the 'God called and it was great' oversimplified testimonies, while nice, I find the guts of the journey more honest and encouraging. Plus I love you guys like crazy, so love keeping up. Thanks for the posts! Much love to all of you, Jenn
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