Happy Father's Day!

What a Father's Day! 

Our morning began with two precious children who love their Daddy, waking up ready to make "Lemon Muffins" and his coffee.  The oldest was confident in his "recipe" for Daddy's coffee..."pour some coffee grounds in here" (where the water goes) and "I think he puts a tablespoon of sugar in that same place too"!  Ummm...let's leave the coffee making to Daddy & we'll get the muffins together...

Muffins and Father's Day cards were enjoyed at the table as we prepared to go to "Sunday School"! 

Scott stayed home to prepare to "preach" tonight, as he is filling in for the missionary pastor that will return from the states in two weeks.

My heart was filled with praise just thinking of my earthly father & how thankful I am for him....

As the children & I arrived at the church, I saw a 12 year old girl sitting on the porch with her head against the wall.  She looked so very sad & alone, I just had to check on her. 

As we spoke she began to tell me of her life in a "foster home" with many other children whose father's had died.  Her father was not dead, but was not present either.  The last time she saw him was once when she was 8 years old.  The "Sunday School" children had all made Father's Day cards last week to give to their father's or to a "father figure" in their lives and she was so heartbroken she had no-one to give her card to.  In fact she didn't even bring it with her. 

I was so broken for this precious little girl...longing for a father, for someone to care for her, comfort her, lead her, listen to her, celebrate joys with her, hold her when she's hurting....a father to show her how a young lady should be treated...a father to give her an earthly picture of our heavenly father.....

Only our great God & Father could offer her the comfort that she truly needs, but He did allow some words of truth & (hopefully) comfort to flow from me....and I was so thankful for that...

I was able to tell her that it was ok to feel sad, that this is not how God designed it, that it was NOT HER FAULT that her father was not there, and that ultimately our God is THE FATHER that never fails her, never leaves her, never let's her down, never harms her, truly loves her & WANTS her...His love as Father never fades and is PERFECT! 

She was still sad to have made a card & have no one to give it to...so I told her to keep it, hang it in her room & every time she looks at her own picture--say out loud, "God made ME and God loves ME!"

We have spend time in Passport (missions focus at TCABH), and even in our family praying for children across the world without fathers, but today...there was a face...a really sad, hurting, broken-hearted face put to that prayer. 

I could not help but continue in my heart to offer praise to God for my father...my Dad, George Asbell, and for my father in law, Bob Johnson who, by God's grace, have been the father's to Scott & I that this little girl has never seen. 

Two father's who have encouraged us, loved us, cared for us, protected us....We are so truly thankful for our fathers & for their love for us. 

As our day continued we made lunch for Scott, Gary & for a voluteer that was here, Kip!  Scott, of course, is here with his babies, but Kip & Gary are serving the Lord here, and away from their children in the states...so my kiddos celebrated them as fathers too!

The night ended with Scott preaching & a humbling moment when....his daughter, after falling asleep while he was preaching, let out a loud yawn for ALL to hear!  She was soooo tired! :)

While my heart still ached for my sweet new friend without a father in her life, my heart rejoiced at the work of God in my life.

 HE has given me a husband who loves our Great God more than ANYTHING...and who loves me & loves our two children selflessly, unconditionally, and with his whole heart. 

A few years ago, there was a story written about our family (of 3 at the time) in the AJC (Atlanta newspaper) about our firstborn & his "early" start.  The title of that article was: His Father's Son.

That is the father I'm blessed to be married to....the one who desires & labors for his children to know his FATHER....King...Redeemer...Creator...THE ONE TRUE GOD.

Praise God for fathers throughout the "Body of Christ" who truly have "no greater joy than to see their children are walking in the truth"! 

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Bob, Scott & to all the Men out there "Shepherding their children" for His Glory!

Super Sunday!

Disclaimer:  This post began as one big random account of our first week as a missionary family making our way to the "harvest field" God has led us to! Then it turned into an account only of our "Sending off Super Packed Sunday" and a bunch of thank you's!

If I say making our way...I must mention a group of people who absolutely made the moving process happen:  Our Small Group.

Saturday: From bringing breakfast & drinks, packing us, physically moving us, bringing a truck to actually do the moving, even bringing their older children to run items to "the giveaway spot"...that day happened much faster than I ever imagined & it was absolutely because of God's grace shown to us through our amazing small group faith family.

Sunday was a day that had so much packed into it..it was wonderfully amazing!  It began with the baptism of our son, who gave his life to Christ in November of 2009.  (I will post his testimony soon)
He wanted to truly show "the church & all the world" that he is a Christ-follower & I believe that absolutely happened that day.  He asked his Daddy to baptize him & had family, friends & faith family all there to witness that act of obedience & encourage him in his walk with our great, merciful Savior!  I praise God for His gift of salvation in our son & brother in Christ!

The day continued with a super special small group time with our family & friends joining us in studying, commissioning, encouraging...and...Praising our Great God for who He is!

A very humble THANK YOU to RD Self, our small group leader, for sharpening, loving, teaching & encouraging us in the Word...and most importantly for his love for God and passion for His glory to be made known in & through His people! 

This day ended with a fellowship lunch served & provided by (have I mentioned them before) OUR SMALL GROUP!  We had such an amazing time of loving, laughing, eating, praying, saying goodbye & rejoicing in the goodness of God! 

A second humble thank you to our parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sister, brother, neice, Nan-Nan, Big Sis Sarah, teachers/Sisters from MLES, and precious sisters & brothers in Christ who shared that day with us..you gave us an eternal gift of love & sweet memories along with a sustaining joy that reminds us of the "body" of Christ we will spend eternity with!  We love y'all to the "Son" and back!

That day is forever etched in our hearts and we Thank & Praise God for His Church!