In Awe

Today's verse:  "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.' "  Isaiah 30:21

 Last night was a big event for our family.  It was our first fundraiser for Alyssa's missions trip to Mexico next summer. With 350 tortillas, 23 lbs. of ground beef, 3 pots of refried beans, 7 containers of sour cream, and olives, tomatoes, onions, and chips coming out our ears, we opened the doors and were ready to feed tacos to about 110 people.  It was a fun night that probably deserves another blog entry all on it's own, because our church family pulled together in a beautiful way; in helping set up, provide food, make decorations, and then open their pocketbooks to help Alyssa, and her friend Shreela, make money for this opportunity.  What a blessing to behold for sure!  My heart is full this morning, for sure.  Thank you, church family!

Even beyond the beauty of that, I loved watching the beauty of our daughter.  I know I wrote a little bit about this a couple of weeks ago (you can check it out here if you want), but I just couldn't get by without writing about it again today.  Alyssa and Shreela, basically ran the entire program of the dinner, standing at the microphone with great confidence and brilliant passion for their trip.  I was in awe.

For the first time, I got to hear Alyssa share about how God prompted her heart to apply to go on this missions trip.  She's been a bit quiet about sharing her decision process with her parents.  She just came home one day and said she was going to fill out all the paperwork and see what happened.  But last night, in a clear and concise way, and with great depth, she replayed how God spoke to her, and led her to think about going to Mexico.  I could see how God is living and active in our daughter, and how He is leading and guiding her in beautiful ways.  I was in awe.

I pray that, throughout the rest of her life, Alyssa will be in constant tune of where God is leading her.  College choices will be coming soon. Career plans, who to date, a marriage partner, financial decisions, ministry opportunities, will all have important ramifications to her life.  I pray that she will always be sensitive to God's voice, and the whisper in her ear saying "this is the way; walk in it".  Some decisions she has to make will seem small, but some will hold great impact on her life, and on where her feet land, but if she follows God's  leading, she will always be right where she needs to be.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do in Alyssa's life this next summer.  I think I will always be in awe of seeing Him living in her.

And speaking of awe...our church gave over $1,400 for the girls trip last night!  God is good!

Oh Lord, you are so good.  You are the maker of heaven and earth, and you are the designer of our days.  What an amazing thought that you are a God who loves us intimately, and you want to speak to us in such a way that we can hear your voice say, 'This is the way; walk in it.'  Lord, be Alyssa and Kyle's greatest guide and loudest voice, spurring them on to the things you have planned on them.  Oh, how I pray that they will always live for you, and in the center of your will for their lives.  I look forward to watching your work in their lives, and how they live for you.  May they love you deeply, trust you wholly, and stand firm in obedience to your leading, reflecting you with their lives.  Lord, I am in awe of you, and seeing you in my children.  Oh Lord, you are so good!