Another First. . .
Well, Sunday marked another first in my life as a parent. You know the ones I am talking about. Those "firsts" in our children's lives. The ones that can be so exciting, but so emotional. The ones we look forward to and the ones we dread. The first time they raise their sweet heads, the first time they crawl, the first steps, the first time they sleep through the night, the first time riding without training wheels, the first day of school, the first time they pray, the first sleep over, the first lost tooth, the first skinned knee, the first hurt feelings, the first day of Jr. high, the first time we see them come to the realization of their need for Christ, the first day of high school, the first time they drive, the first date, the first dance, the first day of college. . . I could go on and on. You get the picture. Those "firsts" that come and go all to quickly in our lives and the lives of our children.
On Sunday, June 3, 2012, our son Andrew took a huge step of faith and another first. He and 9 other young men and women (Team Nepal) boarded a plane that would take them from LA to London, to India, to Nepal where they will serve for the next five and a half weeks. They will be working with an organization called Tiny Hands International. http://www.tinyhandsinternational.org/. This organization ministers to those who are hurting, less fortunate than we are, those who are orphans, street children, and young women who are victims of the sex-trafficking industry. I was so excited for him, yet so anxious. I am so proud of Andrew and his heart for Jesus! He loves the Lord and loves to serve others. I love him so much and I praise Jesus for allowing me to be his Mom.
Just the Monday before, the group was told that the missions trip was going to be cancelled or rerouted due to political unrest in the area where they would be going. If you are a Mom, then you can imagine how this news felt. I began to question Andrew, question the Lord, question the school and I wondered if this was the right thing to do. My husband and I began to pray and ask the Lord to give us a peace. We prayed for the school and for Team Nepal to have wisdom and clarity. We prayed for doors to open or close. On Thursday, we found out that they were still going to Nepal. Andrew and the team was so excited, however I was still concerned. Finally, the peace came. God is so faithful! I knew that he was supposed to go, but I was still wrestling with letting go.
Sunday evening was so difficult. We talked on the phone and had prayer as a family. One thing that I have come to cherish through the years. Then Andrew called Tom (my husband) and I separately and talked for awhile. We said our "See you laters" (instead of good-bye) and when I hung up, I have to admit, I bawled like a baby. My heart was aching and so full all at the same time. I didn't know when I would hear from Andrew again. I had to completely trust Jesus on this and lean not on my own understanding. I prayed, read and finally collapsed from exhaustion. The Lord loans us our sweet children when they are born. I know that Andrew is His and He created him for a purpose for such a time as this, however in my flesh it is still so hard to let go and trust completely.
I just wanted to share some scriptures that the LORD spoke to my heart that evening. When I was worried about Andrew's safety and didn't think I would be able to sleep, he gave me Psalm 4:8, "I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." I knew He had this and He loves Andrew even more than I do. I could lie down and sleep in peace. Then as I was about to close my eyes, I thought of the vast ocean that Andrew would be flying over all night long. Yikes! A still small voice whispered, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you (Andrew); I have summoned you (Andrew) by name; you are mine. when you pass through the waters (that vast ocean), I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." (Isaiah 43:1-2) THANK YOU LORD!!! Aahhh, and then, sweet peace! Peace, peace, wonderful peace coming down from the Father above. His sweet Spirit was so strong and as tears steamed down my cheeks, they were tears of joy! I love Jesus! He is so good and so faithful. Why do we ever question or doubt? Lord, forgive me for questioning your plan. Your ways are higher than mine. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you and to listen to your still, small voice.
38 hours later, I was praying for Andrew and Team Nepal and I asked the Lord if He would let me at least know that they were there safe. All of a sudden, I heard my phone make a funny noise. It was a viber text from Andrew!!!! I was so excited! I fell to my knees and thanked the Lord. . . more tears of joy! :)
This morning, I woke to a picture of my precious boy and a sweet text. Thank you Lord for your protection, mercy, grace and love! Thank you for technology! :) This is Andrew at Monkey Temple looking over Kathmandu Nepal.
I am so thankful to family and friends who have joined Tom and I in praying for Andrew and his team. We are so blessed! Thank you to the many encouraging words, scriptures, prayers, texts, phone calls and facebook messages. It means the world to us! Thank you most of all to our Heavenly Father who has us all in the palm of His hand. He upholds us, strengthens us, loves us, forgives us, has mercy on us, and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. HE is the FIRST! "I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13)
Please join me in praying for Andrew and Team Nepal over the next several weeks. Pray that the LORD will speak to their hearts, pray that He will work in and through them, pray for their safety and protection, pray for their health, pray for the street children that they will come in contact with, pray these children would find a home, pray for the work against human trafficking, pray for team unity, and pray for the Holy Spirit to move amongst the sweet people of Nepal.
I am humbled and blessed to call you friends! To GOD be all glory, honor and praise!!!
Enjoy this new day and each "first" that it brings,
Elisabeth
On Sunday, June 3, 2012, our son Andrew took a huge step of faith and another first. He and 9 other young men and women (Team Nepal) boarded a plane that would take them from LA to London, to India, to Nepal where they will serve for the next five and a half weeks. They will be working with an organization called Tiny Hands International. http://www.tinyhandsinternational.org/. This organization ministers to those who are hurting, less fortunate than we are, those who are orphans, street children, and young women who are victims of the sex-trafficking industry. I was so excited for him, yet so anxious. I am so proud of Andrew and his heart for Jesus! He loves the Lord and loves to serve others. I love him so much and I praise Jesus for allowing me to be his Mom.
Just the Monday before, the group was told that the missions trip was going to be cancelled or rerouted due to political unrest in the area where they would be going. If you are a Mom, then you can imagine how this news felt. I began to question Andrew, question the Lord, question the school and I wondered if this was the right thing to do. My husband and I began to pray and ask the Lord to give us a peace. We prayed for the school and for Team Nepal to have wisdom and clarity. We prayed for doors to open or close. On Thursday, we found out that they were still going to Nepal. Andrew and the team was so excited, however I was still concerned. Finally, the peace came. God is so faithful! I knew that he was supposed to go, but I was still wrestling with letting go.
Sunday evening was so difficult. We talked on the phone and had prayer as a family. One thing that I have come to cherish through the years. Then Andrew called Tom (my husband) and I separately and talked for awhile. We said our "See you laters" (instead of good-bye) and when I hung up, I have to admit, I bawled like a baby. My heart was aching and so full all at the same time. I didn't know when I would hear from Andrew again. I had to completely trust Jesus on this and lean not on my own understanding. I prayed, read and finally collapsed from exhaustion. The Lord loans us our sweet children when they are born. I know that Andrew is His and He created him for a purpose for such a time as this, however in my flesh it is still so hard to let go and trust completely.
I just wanted to share some scriptures that the LORD spoke to my heart that evening. When I was worried about Andrew's safety and didn't think I would be able to sleep, he gave me Psalm 4:8, "I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." I knew He had this and He loves Andrew even more than I do. I could lie down and sleep in peace. Then as I was about to close my eyes, I thought of the vast ocean that Andrew would be flying over all night long. Yikes! A still small voice whispered, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you (Andrew); I have summoned you (Andrew) by name; you are mine. when you pass through the waters (that vast ocean), I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." (Isaiah 43:1-2) THANK YOU LORD!!! Aahhh, and then, sweet peace! Peace, peace, wonderful peace coming down from the Father above. His sweet Spirit was so strong and as tears steamed down my cheeks, they were tears of joy! I love Jesus! He is so good and so faithful. Why do we ever question or doubt? Lord, forgive me for questioning your plan. Your ways are higher than mine. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you and to listen to your still, small voice.
38 hours later, I was praying for Andrew and Team Nepal and I asked the Lord if He would let me at least know that they were there safe. All of a sudden, I heard my phone make a funny noise. It was a viber text from Andrew!!!! I was so excited! I fell to my knees and thanked the Lord. . . more tears of joy! :)
This morning, I woke to a picture of my precious boy and a sweet text. Thank you Lord for your protection, mercy, grace and love! Thank you for technology! :) This is Andrew at Monkey Temple looking over Kathmandu Nepal.
I am so thankful to family and friends who have joined Tom and I in praying for Andrew and his team. We are so blessed! Thank you to the many encouraging words, scriptures, prayers, texts, phone calls and facebook messages. It means the world to us! Thank you most of all to our Heavenly Father who has us all in the palm of His hand. He upholds us, strengthens us, loves us, forgives us, has mercy on us, and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. HE is the FIRST! "I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13)
Please join me in praying for Andrew and Team Nepal over the next several weeks. Pray that the LORD will speak to their hearts, pray that He will work in and through them, pray for their safety and protection, pray for their health, pray for the street children that they will come in contact with, pray these children would find a home, pray for the work against human trafficking, pray for team unity, and pray for the Holy Spirit to move amongst the sweet people of Nepal.
I am humbled and blessed to call you friends! To GOD be all glory, honor and praise!!!
Enjoy this new day and each "first" that it brings,
Elisabeth
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