A Word.
Worst kept secret: I love words. I really really love words.
Even more worst (hmm) kept secret: I love my husband. I really really love my husband.
Worst worst (time to stop) kept secret: I'm obsessed with Jesus. Totally obsessed.
There is nothing greater than the combination of the three.
And that was what took place Sunday morning. Mother's Day. Such an unexpected gift.
Saturday night, we went out to eat. Late Saturday night, Coralynn and Chloe began their fight with food poisoning. Sunday morning, I got to deal with their illness while Tony and Camilla headed off to church. (Carson was away at camp missing all the fun.)
I was so disappointed because Sunday was elder ordination Sunday, and Tony was going to become an elder of the church. He's been a deacon before, and I don't pretend to understand the nuances between the roles. What I do know is that this was different. Early in the week, I got a real sense that this wasn't just a committee thing. Or a we're-supposed-to-so-we-do kind of thing. I was fully expectant that the Holy Spirit was going to show up big.
And I was home with pukers.
Happy Mother's Day to Me.
I sent my dear friend a message asking her to take a picture of the ordination for me. But, she's Becky, and she wasn't just taking a picture. She took multiple pictures and sent them to me "live."
*********************
For those who don't really understand, here's what happens:
Rich, a missionary in Panama, and Pastor Bill prayed over each elder. Oh, and Rich's son, David. As they pray, they ask for the Holy Spirit to give them "words" for each person. Those words are encouragement and edification. They also can confirm what the Lord has already shown you. Make sense? Perfect!
(Neither Rich or David know Tony, and Pastor Bill has only really known us for a few months.)
*********************
When it was Tony's turn to be anointed and prayed over, Becky sent me the words that were being prayed:
"Tower of strength"
"Humble strength"
"Wisdom for decisions"
"Total peace"
"God is breaking down all limits now."
"Bringing others into the fold."
"Great freedom."
"Fountain of Truth"
"No barriers."
"Eyes are toward babes in Christ."
I was totally in awe. I cried. These words speak to whom Tony is, whom he desires to be, where the Lord is taking us. A person who had never met him spoke some of these. The Holy Spirit was moving!
I wondered what Tony would have to say about the whole thing when he got home. You know, he can be on the mellow side. (worstest kept secret?) But, he wasn't. He was as excited as I was which, of course, made me even more excited.
In the past three years, we have walked a spiritual journey that is hard to describe, but I'm so thankful to still be walking it. I just can't get over how good this God is. How sweet His Spirit. And the unfailing nature of Jesus' love? It brings me to my knees. We're so unworthy, but He's so worthy.
Words about Tony from the Holy Spirit.
Definitely the best Mother's Day present ever.
(And the girls are all better.)
Even more worst (hmm) kept secret: I love my husband. I really really love my husband.
Worst worst (time to stop) kept secret: I'm obsessed with Jesus. Totally obsessed.
There is nothing greater than the combination of the three.
And that was what took place Sunday morning. Mother's Day. Such an unexpected gift.
Saturday night, we went out to eat. Late Saturday night, Coralynn and Chloe began their fight with food poisoning. Sunday morning, I got to deal with their illness while Tony and Camilla headed off to church. (Carson was away at camp missing all the fun.)
I was so disappointed because Sunday was elder ordination Sunday, and Tony was going to become an elder of the church. He's been a deacon before, and I don't pretend to understand the nuances between the roles. What I do know is that this was different. Early in the week, I got a real sense that this wasn't just a committee thing. Or a we're-supposed-to-so-we-do kind of thing. I was fully expectant that the Holy Spirit was going to show up big.
And I was home with pukers.
Happy Mother's Day to Me.
I sent my dear friend a message asking her to take a picture of the ordination for me. But, she's Becky, and she wasn't just taking a picture. She took multiple pictures and sent them to me "live."
Tony being prayed over.
*********************
For those who don't really understand, here's what happens:
Rich, a missionary in Panama, and Pastor Bill prayed over each elder. Oh, and Rich's son, David. As they pray, they ask for the Holy Spirit to give them "words" for each person. Those words are encouragement and edification. They also can confirm what the Lord has already shown you. Make sense? Perfect!
(Neither Rich or David know Tony, and Pastor Bill has only really known us for a few months.)
*********************
Tony being prayed over.
When it was Tony's turn to be anointed and prayed over, Becky sent me the words that were being prayed:
"Tower of strength"
"Humble strength"
"Wisdom for decisions"
"Total peace"
"God is breaking down all limits now."
"Bringing others into the fold."
"Great freedom."
"Fountain of Truth"
"No barriers."
"Eyes are toward babes in Christ."
I was totally in awe. I cried. These words speak to whom Tony is, whom he desires to be, where the Lord is taking us. A person who had never met him spoke some of these. The Holy Spirit was moving!
I wondered what Tony would have to say about the whole thing when he got home. You know, he can be on the mellow side. (worstest kept secret?) But, he wasn't. He was as excited as I was which, of course, made me even more excited.
In the past three years, we have walked a spiritual journey that is hard to describe, but I'm so thankful to still be walking it. I just can't get over how good this God is. How sweet His Spirit. And the unfailing nature of Jesus' love? It brings me to my knees. We're so unworthy, but He's so worthy.
Words about Tony from the Holy Spirit.
Definitely the best Mother's Day present ever.
(And the girls are all better.)
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