This is the day the Lord has made, right? So I am going to rejoice in it.
We dressed in our best as we headed out the door. We had just a small idea of the treats we had in store.
Laura Lynn was adamant I not go up to the Third Floor of the church till she said I could. And since when have I ever listened to her? Well, today. Today I listened. :)
Gee, I wonder what she has been up to...
My eyes were filled with such goodness and love. Breakfast galore. Notes and presents. And this....
Such LOVE! My sweet Callie painted this beautiful sign on a sheet. I couldn't have loved it more. It's still one of my favorite things.
I gave strict instructions that under no circumstances were they to stand up and speak about me - they absolutely didn't listen to a thing I said!
Laurel and Callie spoke and gave me a rope bracelet with charms on it from the youth group. One says - You are so loved and the other has three pictures on it - a heart, and cross, and an anchor sign. They said the Heart is because I love them, the Cross is because I point them to Jesus, and the Anchor because that is what I have been for them.
Slay me.
Lord, your goodness is overwhelming.
And one detail on the rope bracelet - they could have never ever known in a million years that I had asked Jeremy for that same bracelet months ago. NEVER EVER! I even asked him and the girls, so did Jeremy tell you I wanted one? They had no idea!
Jesus knew though.
They also made a video of pictures and holy cow...they are all amazing. The video is three minutes long and I can pretty much sum up my whole ministry with those pictures. They have been a true joy to love and serve...even when the times were tough, and Jesus was stretching us, it was still the best.
Today we hugged those who stood in line to wish us well.
Some had tears.
For some this will be the last day we see them on this side of Heaven...our paths won't cross and we will lose touch. But for our deep friendships, those will remain. They have been the ones right by our side this entire time, their notes of encouragement and love will sustain us as we heal, and we will march forward in the love and grace from our Lord. He has this. He always had it.
To My Class- there won't ever be a day that you don't cross my mind. What the Lord did between us was good - he wove together a group of people where the common thread was Him. It's can't be broken, only duplicated. Go out and allow Him to weave you in a tribe of people He wants you to shine a light to, bringing good news of the Gospel on your way. Let your attitudes be that of Christ. Allow Him in the mess and mundane of life. Listen intently to His voice - remember you are the sheep and He is the Shepherd. That also means He isn't going to leave you or turn His back on you. I am here, but He is everywhere. My love for you isn't going to change.
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