A gift in so many ways...

The last two weeks of July my husband and I were in Denver Colorado at the Family Foundations International School of Ministry.   A couple from our church had generously paid for us to go and we are so thankful for this gift.  We had never heard of FFI and didn't really know what this school of ministry was all about but really sensed the LORD wanted us there and so we went without really knowing what we were in for.

I myself was quite hesitant about this venture but was willing to go with my husband where he felt the LORD calling us.  And so I said to the LORD that I would go with open hands and a willing heart to receive and walk where He called.  We were to stay at the Colorado Christian University in the dorms, I was kinda nervous about that, what were the dorms like and would we be sharing rooms with others, all these fears start to kick in.  Also, I left my camera at home, something I never leave home without, especially when we're travelling.  But once we had decided to go I really felt I needed to lay that down and be free of it for the two weeks.  So any pictures I have were taken with my husband's phone.

We arrived at the university Saturday afternoon and were shown to our residence for the week.  It was a three bedroom, two bath residence with a living area and full kitchen that we would be sharing with others.  I walked into our bedroom and it had an ensuite, I smiled and looked at my husband, he smiled back.  I was blessed, it may seem like a little thing but to me it was God saying, "I see you Tina, I know you, you'll be safe here, I've got you."  That was huge to me and set the stage for the two weeks.  I know it's only a bathroom and I'm fine to share but this was a special touch from God to my heart :-)

Two songs that spoke to my heart personally during my time in Denver were Oceans...the lines, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me.  Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Saviour."  And also the song No Longer Slaves..., "No longer a slave to fear."  I so much wanted to have a trust in the LORD that was without borders, knowing deep in this heart of mine that He held me and that I could live without fear and go wherever he called me to go.

And so I prayed, "LORD, I want to have a trust in you that is without borders, I want to live this life of mine fully for you and without giving in to fear.  I don't want fear to be my master."  In asking for for these things I am tested.  Each day we are tested in these areas...

Will I really trust my LORD with all of me

Will I follow my LORD wherever he would call me

Will I allow him to be LORD of my life...all of my life

Will I give up self preservation

Will I allow myself to be vulnerable

Will I lay down my need to be comfortable

Will I live in the knowledge of knowing that I am his vessel to be poured out

Will I say as Christ said on the night he was betrayed, "Yet not as I will, but as you will."

The two weeks in Denver tested me in these areas and my LORD met me, I was safe in the shelter of his wing.  The testing and stretching didn't always feel good and there was fear but my trust grew and in that the LORD can move and he can transform me.

A year and a half ago I sensed the LORD saying to me, "Tina, will you let me love you."  I had to think about that, I knew I loved the LORD and I knew that he loved me but there is a difference between knowing and letting.  It was true I did struggle with letting God love me.  Yet over the two weeks in Denver there were many times where I could see that God was loving me and I was letting him, I was accepting what he was pouring into my life.

I met so many beautiful people...each a gift and a blessing.

People from around the world...Singapore, Guam, UK, Canada, and from all over the US...blacks, whites, asians...it was a tiny glimpse of heaven.

So many of these people were truly the hands and feet of Christ to me.  They spoke words of life, truth, blessing and encouragement into this heart of mine.  I was guarded when I first came, quiet and protective of this heart and yet they loved me and saw me.  And I'm so thankful to each one of them, they hold a special place in my heart.  As Olga said, "This is history."  To me it was a defining moment, HIS story in each or our lives.

Things to be thankful for...

1052. Cooler morning, great for a walk with my neighbour

1053. Chat on the phone with Charissa

1054. Charissa settling into her new place

1055. Matt playing hockey

1056. Another cool morning

1057. Fellowship with believers

1058. Watching birds at the bird feeder

1059. The variety of birds

1060. Our neighbourhood

1061. Mosquitos aren't as bad today

1062. Dinner out with my husband

1063. Chat with Jocelyne this morning

1064. Cleaning the front of the house with my husband

1065. Refreshing swim

1066. Chat with Will and Charissa

1067. Quiet day with my husband

1068. God's Word, His truth

1069. Knitting

1070. Matt had a good camping weekend

1071. Refreshing swim on a hot day

1072. A swim with my husband

1073. A new day

1074. Cool morning

1075. Quiet, cool, bug free morning doing chores

1076. Beautiful afternoon and evening with friends at a cottage

1077. Peaceful lake

1078. Delicious meal

1079. Neighbours working together

1080. Seeing Charissa, Will and Amy as we head out to Denver

1081. Safe travels to Denver

1082. Amazing views from the air

 

1083. God sees and knows me

1084. Majestic tree

1085. The majesty of the mountains

1086. Morning walk with my husband

1087. Beautiful black and white birds flying about

1088. Great message, being a part of our home church online while in Denver

1089. Great talk by Craig Hill

1090. Delicious meals

1091. My husband's love and perseverance in the pursuing of my heart

1092. God's love and grace for me

1093. Choosing life in broken areas of my life

1094. God's timing

1095. People who are the hands and feet of Jesus

1096. Affirmation and kindness from people

1097. Awesome teachings

1098. Prayer time - being blessed

1099. Being given the Hebraic blessing

1100. Good chats with people

1101. A fun game of NERDZ

1102. Laughter

1103. Stories shared

1104. Refreshing morning walk with my husband

1105. Words of blessing

1106. Kindness

1107. Snowcapped mountains in the distance

1108. Heart to heart with my husband

1109. Fellowship with believers

1110. Rest & peace deep inside

1111. Beautiful weather

1112. Words of kindness

1113. The sound of crickets in the evening

1114. Beautiful morning walk

1115. Bird songs

1116. God knows me and sees my heart

1117. Knowing that I am precious to Him

1118. Being seen

1119. God is sovereign

1120. Blessed with the vulnerability of others

1121. Once again God's deep love

1122. Powerful words of blessing

1123. My husband who honours and protects my heart

1124. Good nights sleep

1125. Beautiful hearted people

1126. A new day

1127. Road trip, worship song and good conversation and laughter in the van

1128. Amazing trip up Pike's Peak, scary on the edge at times

1129. God's majesty

1130. Gorgeous views

Dream big hunny...

"Then Job replied to the LORD: I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted."

Job 42:2

1131. Beautiful clouds

1132. Garden of the God's...gorgeous

1133. Picnic supper

1134. Beautiful evening sky

1135. Peaceful morning walk

1136. Meeting so many beautiful people

1137. Beautiful cloud filled sky

1138. Swallowtail butterfly fluttering past me

1139. My husband

1140. Beautiful sunset

1141. Good nights sleep

1142. Coffee with my husband and a beautiful lady

1143. Fellowship of believers

1144. Laughter at the dinner table

1145. Breakthroughs

1146. Gorgeous cloud filled sky

1147. Coldstone ice cream with friends

1148. Good conversation and laughter

1149. Another beautiful evening sky

1150. Beautiful Spirit filled people

1151. Words of blessing

1152. A bit of heaven on earth

1153. Words of wisdom from a man from Singapore

1154. Laughter

1155. My husband, a good man

1156. Delicious Shabbat dinner

1157. Blessing one another

1158. Bittersweet good byes and hugs

1159. Safe flight home

1160. My own bed, home

1161. Seeing Matt

1162. Morning chores, seeing Amadeous and Daytona

1163. Worshipping with our church community

1164. Chatting with Charissa, Will and Jocelyne

1165. Coffee with mom and dad

1166. So thankful to my parents, my niece and the neighbour girl for helping looking after the place while we were away

1167. Good conversation at church

1168. Great nights sleep

1169. Rain through the night

The last Friday at the University they started demolishing this building.  I thought it was very symbolic of the things that God was doing in our hearts, tearing walls down...lies we believed that kept us trapped and replacing those lies with his truths.  

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

Jeremiah 6:16