Just a Taste

It's been over a month now that our first long term guest out of prostitut!on has been here, and in three days we welcome a new guest that is set to stay with us through the end of the year.  As I type, not only is Valentine here, but Lovely is visiting us for the week (Lovely is the 15 year old that came to us last summer and gave her heart to Jesus).  In addition, sharing Lovely's room is a 17 year old that is with us for a couple days--she is part of our church and is like family to us.  All of these girls filling up the rooms with love and LIFE have been giving me a taste--a good taste--of the things to come.  

Although I had my dreams of how this home would run once filled, of course I really didn't know what it would be like.  As of right now I can say this : I'm seeing dreams fulfilled the way my heart always desired.  

Rooms are filled 
with young women waking up early and staying up late--studying God's word.

Girls are cuddled 
in corners as they work their way through their Bible study together.

New friends
are being made, girly girls staying up late to talk & talk & talk...and paint their nails...and do each other's make-up...girl bonding at its best.  

Our home is being serenaded
with song--as an overflow of what Jesus is doing in our HEARTS.  All throughout the day, at different times, voices are heard praising our God, humming along to heavenly tunes.    Whether it's while vacuuming or cleaning or cooking, you can hear it.   You see, our souls are being fed with the richest of fare.  

We are meeting 
each morning at 8am to pray and discuss God's word.  I am surrounded by young women that LOVE Jesus with pure hearts, and that pray with fire and passion and simplicity and power.  I sit, I stand, in awe. 

Our family has become 
e x t e n d e d.  Mom and Dad and Brother and Sister now have Big Sisters that chase and hug and play and love.  

We spend quality time
with one another. We drive in the car and soak in the beauty of the countryside around us.  We talk deep, sing songs in unison, and have simple, silly fun.  We go for walks; we share meals together.  Our hearts are beating to the same drum.  Jesus is our center, our focus, and He shows up in the most mundane of moments.  We're experiencing, we're LIVING...life together, in Him, and 

It.  Tastes.  GOOD.  

And I have a hunch full of hope that this is just a foretaste of the things to come.  This is just the beginning.  And I am humbled to tears at the goodness and faithfulness of our great God that I get to take part in this dream come true.  

Thank YOU, as well, for being part of our God-given journey.  

Important Update:  

Consider Valentine's engagement extended!  She is not getting baptized on Easter as we had planned, due to weather--the lake is iced over and the ground covered in snow.  Her new "Marriage Date" is set for Monday, May 20th.  

Engaged

It was late at night, and while most of the house was in quiet slumber, she had been in her room alone--with Him.  I knocked on her door and she welcomed me in.  She was sitting happily in her chair, Bible and journal open before her.  Her eyes and face shone as she exclaimed, 

I'm engaged!  

My eyes wide-eyed in wonder, I wanted to know the story. With the passion of a madly in love school girl, Valentine shared how it had happened.  

It had started earlier that day when she'd gone on a run in the countryside.  She saw a gray, heart shaped stone, and passed it by.  Then, as if He wanted to make sure she got the hint, she saw another bigger, heart shaped stone--but this time with a reddish hue.  She then received what was like a personal text message from the One she was falling hard for:  

I LOVE YOU

Hours later, sun already long gone, she was moved to the mirror in her bedroom.  She looked intently.  Instead of shame, she saw beauty.  She saw herself the way He sees her, and she believed it--she believed Him.

She said,

It was like Jesus 
took me to the mirror,
and said,

"Look how beautiful you are!
 I love you!
 Will you marry Me?"

And I said, 

"Yes, of course!"

A fallen woman.
A dirty woman.

Now dressed in white,
in the splendor of His Glory.  

Once muddied, 
now fit to be married.

The Big Day will be on Easter Sunday.
Valentine's getting B A P T I Z E D ! 

"And until that day, 
 I want to prepare myself 
 to be His bride."

Glorious! 
and still every bit of 
A S T O U N D I N G 

...

"My heat is stirred 
  by a noble theme
  as I recite my verses for the King:

  At Your right hand is the royal bride--

  Listen, O daughter,
  consider and give ear:
  Forget your people
  and your father's house. 

  The King is enthralled by your beauty;
  honor Him, for He is your Lord.  

   All glorious
   is the princess within her chamber; 
   her gown is interwoven with gold. 
   In embroidered garments 
   she is led to the King."  

    --from Psalm 45: 1, 9, 10-11, 13-14