GO LSU!!!!!! There's some celebrating going on at my house tonight!!! Yay!!!!
January 7, 2008
January 6, 2008
The One Thing Conference!
Snow!
The guys!
Cold!
Awesome women of God!
Happy!
I wanted to share about the conference… by the way, let me know if you guys are still out there. I haven’t had a comment in a long time ;^). (sniff, sniff) No, seriously, just wondering…
Anyway, about the conference… Every year I look so forward to attending. Now let me be clear that I realize that there are no “Meccas” in the Christian world. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit and God resides within us. So we don’t need to go somewhere to meet with God. We are capable of meeting Him wherever we are…in the car, washing dishes, at work, at church, etc. But I think it is wise to take the time out of our busy lives and to steal away for a season from the ringing phones, responsibilities and distractions to meet with our God and to focus on Him and to hear what the Lord is saying from other members of the Body.
This is my third year to go. The Onething conference is put on by the International House of Prayer which has been going night and day nonstop 24/7 with prayer and worship for eight years! The conference is one of many hosted by the International House of Prayer and it bases it’s title and theme from Psalm 27:4 which says,
“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.”
And when Jesus confronted distracted Martha and said to her in Luke 10: 38
“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
This is no little ‘feel good’, entertainment conference. It’s serious business. It is geared towards the younger generation (ahem, yes I know... but I went anyway ;^) They major on God’s love, which we’ve got to get a foundational understanding of so our service to Him will be from our heart and not out of a religious mindset. Our inner calling is to love Him and to be loved by Him… all things will pass away but only love, our relationship with Him, will remain. But they balance it out with the call to live holy and blameless before Him. There is also a constant reminder that we are at the end of the age and Jesus will be returning sooner than we think. There is a clear call to “Wake up church!” I was stirred once again with the urgency that there is a lost and dying world out there and although Jesus delighted to save me, He also didn’t do it just for me to sit on my behind and keep Him to myself.
The last day, there was The Call with Lou Engle. Oh my! I have never been so convicted and stirred. The Call is to fast and pray for our nation! Every year millions of babies are aborted. He likened it to the Holocaust. It horrifies us to think of what went on then and we think we would have tried to prevent it had we been alive during that time. But where is our horror now? Here we, the Church sit, mainly silent, with a crisis at our doorstep, as millions of children are aborted each year. The blood of these millions of unborn ones cry out to heaven for justice. It was sobering to realize that there will be judgment at some point for America. It was a solemn time. Thirty thousand saints crying out together for God to end abortion in America and crying out for God’s mercy. Powerful! I so esteem Lou Engle’s ministry, The Call. He pleaded with us like one of the prophets of old. You could see that his heart was breaking, pleading with the urgency of the hour. He shared how we, as Christians, have got to vote, not along party lines necessarily but to vote for candidates that are pro-life. Yes the other issues are important, but millions of murdered babies a year, gets heaven’s attention more than any other issue. That is paramount. That has to sway our vote more than the economy, more than the war, more than health care… who will stand for the unborn? There is no greater issue. He didn’t endorse any candidate. He just asked us, as Christians, to not be yoked with those who would sanction the death of millions of unborn babies. And to fast and pray! I encourage anyone reading this to please- whether you are Democrat or Republican- it doesn’t matter- just please vote pro-life. And please pray for God’s man to be brought into office. Pray for the Supreme Court judges. We have got to get more pro-life judges in there. Prayer accompanied with powerful fasting will be key (check out an earlier blog of mine titled- "One of God’s WMD’s" which is about fasting.)
All this and I haven’t even mentioned the worship! Oh my! I feel like I was just transported into the heavenlies with the high praises of God. We came home with lots of new songs for the worship team to learn ;^). These heavenly songs are birthed in an atmosphere of 24/7 prayer and worship. No wonder they are anointed! I don’t mean to sing the praises of the conference… I came back singing the praises of my God. He touched me. I got adjusted and refocused on the only One who really matters, who I exist for. I needed that. I can't explain it... but I was changed...
Anyway, about the conference… Every year I look so forward to attending. Now let me be clear that I realize that there are no “Meccas” in the Christian world. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit and God resides within us. So we don’t need to go somewhere to meet with God. We are capable of meeting Him wherever we are…in the car, washing dishes, at work, at church, etc. But I think it is wise to take the time out of our busy lives and to steal away for a season from the ringing phones, responsibilities and distractions to meet with our God and to focus on Him and to hear what the Lord is saying from other members of the Body.
This is my third year to go. The Onething conference is put on by the International House of Prayer which has been going night and day nonstop 24/7 with prayer and worship for eight years! The conference is one of many hosted by the International House of Prayer and it bases it’s title and theme from Psalm 27:4 which says,
“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.”
And when Jesus confronted distracted Martha and said to her in Luke 10: 38
“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
This is no little ‘feel good’, entertainment conference. It’s serious business. It is geared towards the younger generation (ahem, yes I know... but I went anyway ;^) They major on God’s love, which we’ve got to get a foundational understanding of so our service to Him will be from our heart and not out of a religious mindset. Our inner calling is to love Him and to be loved by Him… all things will pass away but only love, our relationship with Him, will remain. But they balance it out with the call to live holy and blameless before Him. There is also a constant reminder that we are at the end of the age and Jesus will be returning sooner than we think. There is a clear call to “Wake up church!” I was stirred once again with the urgency that there is a lost and dying world out there and although Jesus delighted to save me, He also didn’t do it just for me to sit on my behind and keep Him to myself.
The last day, there was The Call with Lou Engle. Oh my! I have never been so convicted and stirred. The Call is to fast and pray for our nation! Every year millions of babies are aborted. He likened it to the Holocaust. It horrifies us to think of what went on then and we think we would have tried to prevent it had we been alive during that time. But where is our horror now? Here we, the Church sit, mainly silent, with a crisis at our doorstep, as millions of children are aborted each year. The blood of these millions of unborn ones cry out to heaven for justice. It was sobering to realize that there will be judgment at some point for America. It was a solemn time. Thirty thousand saints crying out together for God to end abortion in America and crying out for God’s mercy. Powerful! I so esteem Lou Engle’s ministry, The Call. He pleaded with us like one of the prophets of old. You could see that his heart was breaking, pleading with the urgency of the hour. He shared how we, as Christians, have got to vote, not along party lines necessarily but to vote for candidates that are pro-life. Yes the other issues are important, but millions of murdered babies a year, gets heaven’s attention more than any other issue. That is paramount. That has to sway our vote more than the economy, more than the war, more than health care… who will stand for the unborn? There is no greater issue. He didn’t endorse any candidate. He just asked us, as Christians, to not be yoked with those who would sanction the death of millions of unborn babies. And to fast and pray! I encourage anyone reading this to please- whether you are Democrat or Republican- it doesn’t matter- just please vote pro-life. And please pray for God’s man to be brought into office. Pray for the Supreme Court judges. We have got to get more pro-life judges in there. Prayer accompanied with powerful fasting will be key (check out an earlier blog of mine titled- "One of God’s WMD’s" which is about fasting.)
All this and I haven’t even mentioned the worship! Oh my! I feel like I was just transported into the heavenlies with the high praises of God. We came home with lots of new songs for the worship team to learn ;^). These heavenly songs are birthed in an atmosphere of 24/7 prayer and worship. No wonder they are anointed! I don’t mean to sing the praises of the conference… I came back singing the praises of my God. He touched me. I got adjusted and refocused on the only One who really matters, who I exist for. I needed that. I can't explain it... but I was changed...
And the prayer room! At IHOP they have a prayer room that (as I already mentioned) goes 24/7 with worship and prayer going on continually. They somehow brought the prayer room to the conference center and as the conference was going on, you could go to the prayer room if you wanted to skip a session or something. I think for many of us, the times in the prayer room were our favorite part. Wow. To be in that atmosphere, saturated with 24/7 worship and prayer... oh my! I know God is in us, but can I tell you there are levels of His presence we've yet to know! And in the prayer room I met with Him in a deeper way...
In addition to the awesome teaching and worship, I think the fellowship with my precious sisters and brothers was so rich. The conversations on the way home in the van were meaty and as anointed as some of the sermons I heard… Robin Waites and her children, my sister Cathy, my son Max, Mary Klumb and Will Lapointe all went. It was so much fun! And it snowed! We were so excited! But it was SO cold!!! I was NOT prepared! Ankle socks don't cut it in the snow! Thank God my sister- who is like a Boy Scout, prepared for any situation (and her large amount of luggage testifies to that fact :^) loaned me a scarf and some warmer socks... And as cold as it was, Robin forgot her coat! Thankfully Max had an extra jacket that she borrowed and he decided that she looked like a Jedi Master with her white hood on. It's been a while since I've laughed as hard as I did on this trip. Mary got us all going one night when we were tired and delirous singing rhymes back and forth... You had to be there. But it was hilarious...take my word for it... :^)
Okay, I’m done for now. I plan to share some of my notes once I get them compiled. (Hopefully I can read my own handwriting :^)… But I want to encourage everyone, at some point, to get away from your routine, your home and get off somewhere, anywhere, with God, whether it be a conference, or a quiet time alone in a cabin with just you and Him. With this busy, crazy life we each have, it’s so easy to get caught up in the world’s way and to forget that we aren’t of this world. We are only in an internship here, preparing for eternity. We had better wake up! And getting away sometimes does that to us. You and those in your life will be better for it. :^D God bless! Love, Kayla
In addition to the awesome teaching and worship, I think the fellowship with my precious sisters and brothers was so rich. The conversations on the way home in the van were meaty and as anointed as some of the sermons I heard… Robin Waites and her children, my sister Cathy, my son Max, Mary Klumb and Will Lapointe all went. It was so much fun! And it snowed! We were so excited! But it was SO cold!!! I was NOT prepared! Ankle socks don't cut it in the snow! Thank God my sister- who is like a Boy Scout, prepared for any situation (and her large amount of luggage testifies to that fact :^) loaned me a scarf and some warmer socks... And as cold as it was, Robin forgot her coat! Thankfully Max had an extra jacket that she borrowed and he decided that she looked like a Jedi Master with her white hood on. It's been a while since I've laughed as hard as I did on this trip. Mary got us all going one night when we were tired and delirous singing rhymes back and forth... You had to be there. But it was hilarious...take my word for it... :^)
Okay, I’m done for now. I plan to share some of my notes once I get them compiled. (Hopefully I can read my own handwriting :^)… But I want to encourage everyone, at some point, to get away from your routine, your home and get off somewhere, anywhere, with God, whether it be a conference, or a quiet time alone in a cabin with just you and Him. With this busy, crazy life we each have, it’s so easy to get caught up in the world’s way and to forget that we aren’t of this world. We are only in an internship here, preparing for eternity. We had better wake up! And getting away sometimes does that to us. You and those in your life will be better for it. :^D God bless! Love, Kayla
P.S. I plan on transcribing and posting the prophetic word Keith gave this Sunday morning at church once I get the CD.... so stay tuned...
January 5, 2008
Happy New Year!
Hey all. I just recently returned from the annual Onething conference held in Kansas City, Missouri every New Years. I have gone the last three years. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to go this year but thankfully I was able. As time goes on I will be hopefully sharing some of the things I gleaned from the incredible teaching we received there. So stay tuned… Anyway, I wanted to say Happy New Year. I enter this new year with a lot of hope. Hope in Him! For He is Good and His mercy endures forever! God bless. Kayla
December 17, 2007
Our Personal Savior...
It’s been quite a while since I posted anything… I wanted to thank those who have prayed for my friend Kelli. She’s doing really good after her surgery and says thanks to all who prayed for her. God provided miraculously and she was able to have the surgery she needed before any more damage was done to her spine. She did not have to pay a cent! The Lord moved on the hearts of people to meet this need. It was a great example of the Body of Christ, here on earth, extending His love through human hands.
We also have been in need of His provision lately. Bills have come in here at Christmastime that we didn’t expect, needs have come up that couldn’t be avoided… There were a few days where all I could do was put my head in my hands and say, “Lord how on earth…?” I spread my bills out before the Lord and like King Jehoshaphat when he was up against insurmountable odds, cried out, “Lord, I don’t know what to do…but my eyes are on You.” I am not going to pretend that my faith has never wavered. It’s hard to explain how it feels to KNOW in your head the truth that He loves and provides but to be so overwhelmed in a fog of circumstances and emotions that you cannot lay HOLD of it. It’s as if I say to the Lord, “Yes, but…” as if He hadn’t encountered a problem quite like mine before!
It’s oftentimes easier to have faith for others, than for yourself. When I’m objectively looking at a friend’s situation, I can easily see how much bigger our God is than their problem and can easily see Him loving them and providing for them whatever they need. But with my own issues, it’s not quite so easy. It’s like I have no problem believing He CAN, it’s just a matter of believing that He WANTS to! Nobody knows us, like we know ourselves (except God of course), so it’s often hard to believe He’d do a great thing for us… I’m becoming more and more convinced that the major revelation that most Christians need, in order to move forward with God, is a revelation of His love for them. Yet, despite our lack of faith in this fact, He still proves it over and over again… Despite me, and my tiny faith, He has been showing me that He cares.
It’s funny but it’s when God answers little personal prayers, about non-Kingdom things, that my faith grows and my heart grows warm with His love. It’s also great when He answers BIG prayers, but Big prayers usually benefit lots of people… it’s when those silly little requests that mean something to only me are answered, that I am the most encouraged and I see how this great big God who created the universe, really does notice and care for me… God’s love, demonstrated to the great big world, isn’t generic and impersonal, but specific and personal to each of us.
So all that to say- my family and I have been the blessed recipients of several demonstrations of God’s provision this Christmas season. It’s as if He’s been saying… “See, it’s going to be okay. Quit worrying. Daddy’s gonna take care of it.” Unfortunately I can’t give details because it involves Christmas gifts, ;^) but He has surprised us again and again with His creative and generous Spirit. Very specific things, that have amazed me and shown me, how much our great Father sees and knows and cares. He has inspired and moved through others. Some who may not yet know Him. It has encouraged me and has strengthened my faith and given me the desire to look for opportunities to be channels of His blessing to others.
During this holiday season, when things can get too busy and stressful and distracting, lets find some time to sit still before our Father and to just meditate on His great personal love for us and to remember all that He has done for us, large and small. I promise, it won’t take you long to think of something. Start at the manger… and go from there.
He IS the only reason for this season… He is everything we need! He can be trusted! Come! Let us adore Him!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Kayla
We also have been in need of His provision lately. Bills have come in here at Christmastime that we didn’t expect, needs have come up that couldn’t be avoided… There were a few days where all I could do was put my head in my hands and say, “Lord how on earth…?” I spread my bills out before the Lord and like King Jehoshaphat when he was up against insurmountable odds, cried out, “Lord, I don’t know what to do…but my eyes are on You.” I am not going to pretend that my faith has never wavered. It’s hard to explain how it feels to KNOW in your head the truth that He loves and provides but to be so overwhelmed in a fog of circumstances and emotions that you cannot lay HOLD of it. It’s as if I say to the Lord, “Yes, but…” as if He hadn’t encountered a problem quite like mine before!
It’s oftentimes easier to have faith for others, than for yourself. When I’m objectively looking at a friend’s situation, I can easily see how much bigger our God is than their problem and can easily see Him loving them and providing for them whatever they need. But with my own issues, it’s not quite so easy. It’s like I have no problem believing He CAN, it’s just a matter of believing that He WANTS to! Nobody knows us, like we know ourselves (except God of course), so it’s often hard to believe He’d do a great thing for us… I’m becoming more and more convinced that the major revelation that most Christians need, in order to move forward with God, is a revelation of His love for them. Yet, despite our lack of faith in this fact, He still proves it over and over again… Despite me, and my tiny faith, He has been showing me that He cares.
It’s funny but it’s when God answers little personal prayers, about non-Kingdom things, that my faith grows and my heart grows warm with His love. It’s also great when He answers BIG prayers, but Big prayers usually benefit lots of people… it’s when those silly little requests that mean something to only me are answered, that I am the most encouraged and I see how this great big God who created the universe, really does notice and care for me… God’s love, demonstrated to the great big world, isn’t generic and impersonal, but specific and personal to each of us.
So all that to say- my family and I have been the blessed recipients of several demonstrations of God’s provision this Christmas season. It’s as if He’s been saying… “See, it’s going to be okay. Quit worrying. Daddy’s gonna take care of it.” Unfortunately I can’t give details because it involves Christmas gifts, ;^) but He has surprised us again and again with His creative and generous Spirit. Very specific things, that have amazed me and shown me, how much our great Father sees and knows and cares. He has inspired and moved through others. Some who may not yet know Him. It has encouraged me and has strengthened my faith and given me the desire to look for opportunities to be channels of His blessing to others.
During this holiday season, when things can get too busy and stressful and distracting, lets find some time to sit still before our Father and to just meditate on His great personal love for us and to remember all that He has done for us, large and small. I promise, it won’t take you long to think of something. Start at the manger… and go from there.
He IS the only reason for this season… He is everything we need! He can be trusted! Come! Let us adore Him!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Kayla
November 11, 2007
Two Crybabies
If you are like me and babies and dogs twang at your heartstrings, then you will love this video. Enjoy! Kayla
October 14, 2007
From the Riverbank...
My eldest daughter Haley has turned 20. This means that I have been a mother for TWENTY years! That's half my life! (give or take a couple of years :^) That’s hitting me hard. Not because I feel old but mainly because I’ve entered into a new season of my life and I don’t feel ready for it. I don’t feel completely willing for this transition to take place.
Normally I would have waited until I had already made the transition to blog; when I had a nice neat sermon typed up, cataloging all of the deep revelations and conclusions I’ve formed. Well I’m not going to wait until then because I have no clue how long it will take. Plus I’m tired of communicating only from a standpoint of closure. Life is rarely like that…all wrapped up, summed up, with a nice pretty bow and filed away with a neat little label. I’m rarely at that place. I’m usually where I am now- in the middle of sorting something out. And having never been here before, I am feeling my way as I go.
Being a mom has defined me for so long. Having always homeschooled, I’ve been with my kids more than anybody else. Every thought and dream and plan has always included and considered the children; considered us as a family. I almost don't know who I am without them. They captured my heart from the moment I laid eyes on their little faces. Even in the other things I have done with my life, being their mother has not been something I've done... it's been entwined in my marrow, in the very depth of who I am. I couldn't separate myself from that anymore than I could change my DNA.
I am fulfilled as a wife. Although my relationship with Keith has grown through the years, the very nature of our relationship is well definied and will basically stay the same. Not so with my relationship with my children. I don’t know how to be a mother to an adult. I know of course, that I can’t mother Haley like I did when she was younger. Yet I’ll obviously always be her mother. That mother thing burns in your heart and it is a love that is stronger than death. It’s not something I can turn off now that we’ve entered a new season. Everything that involves my children, interests me still- as much, if not more than what concerns me. My heart is bound up with them and it always will be. But I have to learn to express it in different ways. Yet something in me mourns at that change. I realize that is selfish. That is focusing on me and my desire to mother like I want rather than on what THEY need… but I’m just trying to keep it real here. This is where I am. But I know that I will work through this... I always do… (just taking you on the journey with me :^)
I wonder if it will get easier as each one leaves the nest? Will I become an old pro like those people in the commercial who wave at their son as he drives off to college and then before he’s out of sight, they joyfully dismantle his room and turn it into the bonus room they always wanted?
I seriously doubt it!
I am SO proud of Haley. I rejoice with her growing into the Godly young lady she has become. She’s found a wonderful young man who she’ll be marrying sometime next year. He is so like Keith. Josh will treat her like a treasure, just like Keith treats me. I am so thankful for their relationship. But I miss her already. It wasn’t an overnight change but the transition has been happening slowly over the last few years. So slow that I barely noticed it. But it is upon us now.
When I was so stressed out with toddlers and babies, why didn’t I treasure the time more? Everyone who’d gone before me told me that they grow up in a blink of an eye. But like the young mothers I tell that to today, you just cannot see it when you’re in it.. Maybe you’re not suppose to. Someone once likened it to a cowboy fording a swollen river with his herd. He doesn’t stop in the middle of the rushing river to take a photograph. He has to get them safely to the other side. He can reflect on the journey then. I guess that’s what happens. I guess I’m on the other side with Haley and I’m looking back and I’m sort of sad. How did I come to get here so quickly? But I know... in time...that will be replaced with acceptance and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. As for today, I treasure every toy I trip over. I know that Spiderman and Barbie's days in my house are drawing to a close. That makes me profoundly sad. But I will adjust, I know I will. I'm just "at where I'm at" today.
This side of the river that I'm on as a mom is unfamiliar ground. Haley is 20 and will marry this year, Max is 17. The twins will be 13 on their next birthday. I don’t have little kids anymore. I never will again. BUT the end of one season is also the beginning of another one. I have no idea what that entails and what the blessings and challenges will be this side of the river, but I am here, like it or not. What I DON'T want to do is to keep looking back at yesterday and to miss the season I’m in today. I don't want to miss the beauty of this new place by gazing across the river at where we've been... Some Moms seem to transition into this seamlessly, but not me. It's a painful transition. But all I hear all over the Body of Christ is- TRANSITION! SHIFTING! So I guess I'm not transitioning alone! But bear with me. Pray for me. And any of you who have gone before me on this journey, please share your photographs from the riverbank with me! I need all the help I can get! :^)
God bless.
Kayla
Normally I would have waited until I had already made the transition to blog; when I had a nice neat sermon typed up, cataloging all of the deep revelations and conclusions I’ve formed. Well I’m not going to wait until then because I have no clue how long it will take. Plus I’m tired of communicating only from a standpoint of closure. Life is rarely like that…all wrapped up, summed up, with a nice pretty bow and filed away with a neat little label. I’m rarely at that place. I’m usually where I am now- in the middle of sorting something out. And having never been here before, I am feeling my way as I go.
Being a mom has defined me for so long. Having always homeschooled, I’ve been with my kids more than anybody else. Every thought and dream and plan has always included and considered the children; considered us as a family. I almost don't know who I am without them. They captured my heart from the moment I laid eyes on their little faces. Even in the other things I have done with my life, being their mother has not been something I've done... it's been entwined in my marrow, in the very depth of who I am. I couldn't separate myself from that anymore than I could change my DNA.
I am fulfilled as a wife. Although my relationship with Keith has grown through the years, the very nature of our relationship is well definied and will basically stay the same. Not so with my relationship with my children. I don’t know how to be a mother to an adult. I know of course, that I can’t mother Haley like I did when she was younger. Yet I’ll obviously always be her mother. That mother thing burns in your heart and it is a love that is stronger than death. It’s not something I can turn off now that we’ve entered a new season. Everything that involves my children, interests me still- as much, if not more than what concerns me. My heart is bound up with them and it always will be. But I have to learn to express it in different ways. Yet something in me mourns at that change. I realize that is selfish. That is focusing on me and my desire to mother like I want rather than on what THEY need… but I’m just trying to keep it real here. This is where I am. But I know that I will work through this... I always do… (just taking you on the journey with me :^)
I wonder if it will get easier as each one leaves the nest? Will I become an old pro like those people in the commercial who wave at their son as he drives off to college and then before he’s out of sight, they joyfully dismantle his room and turn it into the bonus room they always wanted?
I seriously doubt it!
I am SO proud of Haley. I rejoice with her growing into the Godly young lady she has become. She’s found a wonderful young man who she’ll be marrying sometime next year. He is so like Keith. Josh will treat her like a treasure, just like Keith treats me. I am so thankful for their relationship. But I miss her already. It wasn’t an overnight change but the transition has been happening slowly over the last few years. So slow that I barely noticed it. But it is upon us now.
When I was so stressed out with toddlers and babies, why didn’t I treasure the time more? Everyone who’d gone before me told me that they grow up in a blink of an eye. But like the young mothers I tell that to today, you just cannot see it when you’re in it.. Maybe you’re not suppose to. Someone once likened it to a cowboy fording a swollen river with his herd. He doesn’t stop in the middle of the rushing river to take a photograph. He has to get them safely to the other side. He can reflect on the journey then. I guess that’s what happens. I guess I’m on the other side with Haley and I’m looking back and I’m sort of sad. How did I come to get here so quickly? But I know... in time...that will be replaced with acceptance and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. As for today, I treasure every toy I trip over. I know that Spiderman and Barbie's days in my house are drawing to a close. That makes me profoundly sad. But I will adjust, I know I will. I'm just "at where I'm at" today.
This side of the river that I'm on as a mom is unfamiliar ground. Haley is 20 and will marry this year, Max is 17. The twins will be 13 on their next birthday. I don’t have little kids anymore. I never will again. BUT the end of one season is also the beginning of another one. I have no idea what that entails and what the blessings and challenges will be this side of the river, but I am here, like it or not. What I DON'T want to do is to keep looking back at yesterday and to miss the season I’m in today. I don't want to miss the beauty of this new place by gazing across the river at where we've been... Some Moms seem to transition into this seamlessly, but not me. It's a painful transition. But all I hear all over the Body of Christ is- TRANSITION! SHIFTING! So I guess I'm not transitioning alone! But bear with me. Pray for me. And any of you who have gone before me on this journey, please share your photographs from the riverbank with me! I need all the help I can get! :^)
God bless.
Kayla
September 18, 2007
I Can Only Imagine...
Our valiant friend and brother, George Waites.
Keith and George "hunting". :^)
The Waites family
This past Thursday morning, September 13th, our precious friend and brother George Waites, who battled pancreatic cancer for almost two years, in his own bed at home with his family, stepped into eternity.
It's amazing to think that the Jesus we sing about and we live for, that George is actually looking at Him right now! George actually sees Him, he hears His audible voice. George can touch Him! Wow! It reminds me of that song, "I Can Only Imagine". I wonder what George is feeling? What is he thinking? What is he doing? I can almost see him high-fiving the apostles and jumping, running and dancing! George was a character with a tremendous sense of humor. So quick with a witty reply. So I certainly can see him laughing and cracking jokes right now! It all reminds us that this life on earth is just a dress rehearsal for eternity. Death is not an end, it is a glorious beginning if you know Jesus. For those who don't, sadly, it's another story.. We are preparing for our real life- eternity- right now! And George has arrived! He is receiving his eternal reward RIGHT NOW!
I think that no one who knew George or who has followed his story through his blog has been untouched by his life and death. I was thinking of how George was not famous, he was not a big name minister, yet this one life, yielded to Christ, made such a huge, eternal impact. I don’t think any of us will ever be the same. Keith said it in tears Thursday morning, as he called me on his way back from the Waite’s house that morning, he said that George knew what life was about- loving God and loving people. He did it with gusto. He treasured each moment. He appreciated and valued each person. But most important, he appreciated and valued his God and remained faithful to Him despite his suffering. This has made me think of the Greatest commandment- to love our God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength- and to love others as ourselves… That’s what it’s all about folks when you boil it all down! And George knew this. I want to know this too. So thanks George.
George’s memorial service was something I don’t know if it can be described. It wasn’t a dreary acknowledgement of death, but a victorious celebration of life. George was honored and Jesus was glorified. I don’t think I will ever forget it. The church was bursting at the seams with people who wanted to come pay their respects. I think many probably came to encourage Robin and the kids but left encouraged themselves. But the most important guest who came was God Himself. His presence was tangibly felt as He came to honor His friend George. God was the focus, as George would have wanted. He was worshipped and praised. When we left around 11:00 pm, people were still there. I don’t know how long they stayed, but nobody wanted to leave. God’s peace and presence were still there. . On Saturday George was buried in the "Garden of Valor". I cannot think of a better place for George. He was victorious until his last breath.
I have been going back and reading George’s blog from the beginning. I encourage ya’ll to do this.( http://shadowofalmighty.blogspot.com/.) Robin is going to compile it and put it in book form. I am thrilled to hear that. There are treasures in George’s writings. To have the opportunity to vicariously experience the valley of the shadow through George’s unique uplifting perspective has been a privilege. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to have read his thoughts and to have heard his heart. He opened himself up and allowed us to be a part of his journey. There are many who we may not know of for years to come, that he blessed through his writings- his honesty, his transparency, his humor, his ‘realness’. George was everyman. He related to anyone and everyone. He brought Christ to those who probably would never set foot in a church, just by being himself. Himself + Jesus.
We watched a program the other night where two men were interviewed who had died, gone to heaven and had come back.... Their description of heaven was so exciting, so comforting. They said it was like just walking from one room into another. They were at home. They didn't want to come back here to earth! So George is FINE! But we on earth who will miss him, need your prayers. Especially his family. But the joy, faith and strength that the Lord has given Robin and George and their kids throughout has been such a testimony to the faithfulness of God. They have proven that there is a God over and over as we've observed their lives. I know that He will continue to be with them in the coming days. But please remember them, especially in a few weeks when the loss of this incredible man of God begins to really be felt.
They are so strong. I have never seen such strength in my life as I’ve seen in Robin, Lauren and Bryan. The Lord carries them still. It has given many courage to see God’s grace surround His children during their walk through the valley of the shadow. They are still praising, still standing- even in their grief. I want to be more like them. Our walk with God has gone deeper observing George, Robin and their kids. As we've contemplated their words, observed their attitudes, as we've prayed for and with them, as we've searched God's word and dug deeper within, we've grown as a church and individually. God seems closer than ever before... How can that be? But it is!
I pray that God helps each of us to live this life, however long or short it may be, always in light of eternity as George did. Because eternity is where life REALLY begins and it is a certain reality for each of us. I heard this in a song recently, “I am here for one moment, I am here for one thing- just to praise You”..And that’s what George did, that's what his family is doing now.
George… We love you and we miss you. You have made an impact on our lives, on our church and on everyone who knew you. Your legacy lives on in Robin, Lauren and Bryan. We still see and hear you in them. You’ve taught us that our individual lives have great impact and influence. You knew that, and you were faithful with the life God gave you. And He is rewarding you right now! Wow! Thank you George.
Job 19
25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth at last. 26 And after my flesh shall be destroyed, yet in my body I will see God! 27 I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!"
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