Everyone Says Thanks

Happy November beloved! I recently read an article by Al Mohler on Thankfulness, and I was so encouraged by a practical apologetic. When someone says I am thankful for x-y-z, a great follow-up is: 'to whom are you thankful?' In the Psalms alone, the word, "thanks" comes up 50 times in 49 verses (NASB). Everyone says thanks, but not everyone directs their thanks to God (even Christians): "Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples" (Psalm 105:1, NASB). This month Husband and I would like to share three items we are thanking God for. 

(Conference: The Church, 2022 - An Urgent Appeal to Strenuously Contend for Our Common Gathering)

First, we are thanking the Lord for giving us the green light from our church to travel to Rome January 9-23 to visit a new mission's agency and team. We are excited to meet the brethren serving in Italy, their families and local church. Husband will attend their 3-day men's conference, and we have the opportunity to serve with hospitality. A women's workshop has also been added, and I am eager to meet the sisters. As the Lord continues opening doors, please continue praying for discernment and direction, before, during and after this trip. Our eyes are on Him for wisdom and provision, confident in His leading and enabling.

(Presenting new church members 2021)

Second, we are thanking Yahweh for our church. I remember when Husband and I first visited in October 2019. I was not too fond of the worship (but I am now :). Even so, I remember looking to my husband after hearing the message taught from Genesis - yes, I believe this is our new church. In November 2019 we visited with the boys, and by December, we submitted applications for membership. While there are a few reasons we began looking, two priorities were to be discipled and shepherded with a heart for full time ministry, namely, missions. In the last two years: Husband and I have been blessed by meeting about once a month with our missions pastor, learning so much about the importance of being sent out by a local body; I have been discipled by a seasoned god-fearing woman, and husband has been similarly; and all of us have learned the importance the gospel plays in the daily life of a believer. 

Third, we are thanking the God of all power and wisdom for choosing to use and prepare us for His work. Who are we, and what do we have to bring other than what we have received? As the almighty has continued stripping me of myself and "strength," it has been easy to get discouraged and question the path before me. But praise be to God, many sisters have faithfully prayed and encouraged (gifting books and sending texts at the right time). And the word continues cutting to my heart. Recently, after praying for the Lord to send Husband to Rome alone or with someone else from the missions team without me, I read through Galatians 4:13: "...but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you..." Never has this verse spoken so directly to my spirit than it has this month. He continues reminding me that he has chosen me for a good work, in spite of my insecurities and understanding. 

Fourth and not least, we are grateful to the I am for developing godly relationships. Both of us have had the privilege of going through various books studies in various groups. In going through the word together, slowly, sharing truths, a depth has begun with others in our local church and neighborhood. Even more practical, the way Husband and I relate to one another as spouses and to the boys as parents is being transformed, dramatically - God is the one true God; He is our comfort, hope and all; and when there is an offense, it is toward the Father - yet that is when He stands with even more mercy and grace, not shame or punishment. These god-fearing brethren continue pointing us back to the cross, and we could not grow, apart from His grace.

While we do not know whether the Lord will confirm a call for us to the field in the future to serve as missionaries in Rome, we thank Him for sending His son for us and the opportunity and ability to obey Him, today. We look forward with excitement for our trip in January, continued growth in our church, stronger godly relationships and for however he will continue using us. May we, His children, see all received as a bounty from our gracious and generous Father, stirring up praise and acknowledging His presence in our daily lives with thanks. Please join us praying to and thanking Him in advance for all He has done and will continue to do in you and in us. "...the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16, NASB). What are you thanking God for, today? :D

Praise Reports:

1. Husband purchased our tickets to Rome, submitted his first problem passage paper and had a "prayer summit" (you can ask him, lol)
2. Our family hosted our second "Wilbursgiving" in our courtyard, and two neighbors attended; there was a lively conversation about the Holy Spirit and the Bible
3. Hacob shared part of his testimony of what the Lord has been doing in his heart at our Church's Thanksgiving service
4. Zachary appears to be making friends and enjoying attending youth group at Cornerstone

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

1. Continued direction/balance with ministry (+ faith, patience, wisdom & obedience), especially as Husband continues bible training 
2. Faithfulness in our current season
3. Unity in marriage & family 
4. Physical healing for me (ongoing fatigue, sleep & COVID residuals) & our ability to conceive
5. Continued provision &/or direction for me with work 
6. Zachary's salvation
7. Trip logistics and financial provision, traveling to Rome January 9-23 - please click here for specifics