My beautiful sisters met with me before I set out on my spring journey across the southern states. We took a quick snapshot in front of a restaurant that has become our meeting place. I keep it on my dashboard to remind me of "home," and who God has knitted my heart to serve alongside this season. I included the photo to the left and of course the "222" on my mileage. I can't recall how many 222 moments I had but they were confirmation that God was opening and shutting doors along the way. I've since put 12,000 plus miles on ole Bluto (my metallic blue PT Cruiser). To say I was homesick during this journey is an understatement. I've never been homesick and ready to return anywhere. Honestly, I thought if given the chance I'd travel non-stop. I tend to be a visionary and I had hopes of meeting in living rooms and igniting revival fires all over the south. God’s plan unfolded quite differently. He tested my faith as I stepped into new waters. It was a beautiful time of facing hard things, repenting, renewal and refocus. He pulled me closer to Him and showed me the level of faith, integrity and character I needed for this next season. I felt such inadequacy. I realized this was just where He needed me to be, pliable as clay in His hands. There were challenges along the way and He was with me through every one. Some days I honestly didn’t know if I’d make it to the next destination for lack of resources. I can't tell you the provision there was from people randomly giving me meals, fuel, and cash. He confirmed things in my heart. I met many beautiful people over the past several months. There is not room to share every story in this blog, so I'll just highlight a few. Growing up on the east coast, my family ate at Shoney's. There was one just over 30 minutes from our home. My mom and I had an annual birthday tradition to eat their famous hot fudge cake to celebrate. They've since closed most all locations on the east coast and I always missed that tradition.
As I was coming through Tennessee, I began to see a few. Being the chocolate lover I am, I began to crave the cold ice cream sandwiched between moist layers of chocolate heaven and with warm fudge overflowing. I tried to convince myself I didn't need it. I had packed a cooler and food for the journey. I felt an okay in my spirit to go so I pulled off at the exit anyway (lol). I placed my order and shared my story with the waitress. She'd worked with the company for years in different locations but was so touched by the family memories created. Business was slow as it was afternoon, so she called over the other servers to share in the nostalgic moment. It was an open door to tell them about the goodness of God and how He cares about the details of our lives. I prayed for them. Suddenly, I was full after a few bites. Oh, but they hit the spot and the taste still lingers. I said my goodbyes to the staff, got in my car and made the wrong turn. I ended up in school traffic. I called my mother to kill time and share the moment. As the traffic kept moving, a cemetery was to my left and I noticed a lady putting flowers on a few graves. I immediately knew this was the reason I'd taken the exit and wrong turn to meet this woman. I quickly ended my phone call and parked my car. She was a little nervous at my arrival. "You have family buried here?" she asked. I replied, "no, ma'am. It's just that as was was driving by, the Lord highlighted you to me." I introduced myself and we had a simple conversation. She said "I knew something was up with you, because this is a family cemetery and you don't look like us!" Yeah, try keeping composure at that moment. I couldn't and so we laughed. As she continued to put flowers on the graves, she proceeded to tell me about each family member. It was at this moment I began to see things about her through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As I shared with her, she teared up. She'd been pouring out and feeling unseen. Although she had been in church her entire life, she felt abandoned by God. Everything was done out of tradition. For a moment God was able to meet her in the midst of her doubt and pain. She allowed me to speak truth, share the word and pray with her. She asked for more of the Lord! Getting out of the cemetery was quite the challenge and she offered to direct traffic. I tooted my horn and was on the road again.
I stopped and visited family and friends along the way. I wish I had the time to mention everyone. This newsletter is already too long but this one story, I must share. I started a conversation with a man in his 80's at a popular beach area. He told me stories of being in the Air Force and the neat places he'd seen. He and his wife were active members of a local church. I told him a little about myself and left him bewildered. Hey, it doesn't take much. I admit, I am a peculiar breed. He was confident he didn't need anything from God but wished me well. The next week, I run into the same man again. I said "you know God is not coincidental. He is intentional. He cares for you and wants to speak with you." He laughed it off. He said he had never heard God speak. Heartbreaking! Again, the Holy Spirit began to download as I shared what I believed God was showing me about him. All of the sudden he opened up and shared his journey of faith. At one point many years ago, he'd felt the call of God and wanted to share with others about this Jesus. He was fearful and his peer group found his faith weird and revolting. He did what many do and blended in to the religious norm still feeling empty and needing more. Secretly he was bitter toward the church because of all the division. I empathized and talked about what drew him to Jesus in the beginning.
He still couldn't grasp how to live out the kind of faith I was talking about.
I'd shared a bit of my story at this point and I think he found it hard to believe. That's okay, most do. I prayed for him and we went our separate ways. Then again, yes again I run into this man. He said "I believe you are right. This is not a coincidence. Let me buy you lunch." This time his heart was open and ready to receive. He had almost 3 weeks to process what we'd been discussing since our first encounter. He shared he'd talked to his wife about it and she was amazed. A new sense of "awe" had sparked a little flame in their hearts. She too had felt like him, yet they were carrying on with life as usual. I felt a boldness come over me as I said "this is a transformation moment for you. It's a restart. This is your invitation to say yes to Jesus." He said "I don't know if He can use me at this point. I don't have a story like yours. I want to tell others but I don't know if I can do it." I led him through repentance and broke fear and religion off of him. He was overcome with tears. Then I challenged him to start right then at that moment and share Jesus with someone.
I did hold a few meetings and teach Bible study in living rooms but the majority of ministry was one on one in depth talks with women and men over age 70 who were active members of their churches. God is on the move. He is calling out sons and daughters to rise up. He hasn't forsaken you. His plan for you is perfect if you are willing to say "YES" and take a step of faith. There are no limits to what God can do. Families are being restored. Revival is happening. It starts with you in your heart.
I thank all of you have supported through prayer and sacrificial giving. I don't have a massive number of salvations or healings to report. However, many seeds were planted. Lives were revived. There was a salvation and one baptism of the Holy Spirit to be exact. It is worth it ALL for the one, hallelujah! I'd do it again and again. He cared enough to come relentlessly after me and you! I am honored that you care enough to partner with what God is doing. Everyday He amazes me. He is so faithful!
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