A Marked Life

Our vehicle, marked ... spray painted in bright pink for the world to see.  And I'm happy, delighted  really.  Yes my mind is still in tact.  And yes, every time I step into drive, the bright pinkly labeled tires bring a smile to my face.

Shouldn't we live like this, marked for the world to see.  An enormous can of spray paint, hold the button down long enough for me to turn and twist and cover myself.  Marked.

Marked by radical obedience.  Marked by lavish love.  Marked by exuberant joy.  Marked by crazy grace.  Marked, like the hands of a Son turned carpenter, nail pierced hands.  His disciples recognized His marks.  The world will someday as well.

Will they recognize mine today?

Our van, marked because we were living love out loud.  Being there for a friend, sitting in a hospital emergency room, hospitality in our home, no time to pick up the van before the spray paint hit it.  They only marked it to make sure we moved it before 24 hours.  We did.  No ticket.  Just a beautiful pink reminder to live my life marked.

My husband asked if I wanted him to spray paint over it in black.  Absolutely not.  I hope my tires stay marked forever.  My life as well.

Impossible Turned The Key

"Impossible is one of God's favorite words."  - Max Lucado

Sitting here staring at a chunk of of metal ... a key.  How can a simple chunk of metal bring such utter joy, tears of thankfulness and squeals of elation ... simple, insert God.


When God shares its time to buy, we trusted.  When our credit score came back at 0 (yes, you read that correctly)  we continued to trust.  Insert God.


When the housing market began to soar, houses falling off the listing page in less than 24 hours, multiple offers, investors swooping into our part of the world,  offers tens of thousands above asking price.  Insert God.


Finding a beyond amazing home.  Breathe.  Putting in an offer in faith, before even stepping foot inside.  A yard for baseball dreams.  A home with extra rooms for butterfly gardens.  Every little touch I had dreamed but never asked out loud.  Insert God.


A simple offer to get our foot in the door, waiting to play the bid and bid again game.  More than ten showings in a single day.  Countless offers, many beyond ours, all cash.  Insert God.


Advisors telling us it could be a long wait, six to nine months to hear a final word.  Countless hoops to jump.  Doors needing to open at exact times.  Insert God.


Two months from our offer to the key.  Our family is singing a melody of perfect grace.


For those who have ever heard the word impossible mumbled over a dream.  For those of you stuck anywhere in anything.  For anyone with a dream, unrealized as of tonight.  For hearts burdened and longing for something more.  For friends who face a wall of impossibility.   Remember the key.  Insert God.

Of Celebration and Things to Come

Bright eyes, early morning. Rubbing sleep away, joy overtakes my thoughts. It seems like just yesterday, we stepped out in faith. Once more, letting God lead us to a new place. From the mission field back to our home country.

Simple faith to lay down our dreams for His. To trust that as always He would be our Jehovah Jireh and His provisions would be seen. To step out of the boat onto the crashing waves as He called us to come home.

Tears well up in these sleepy eyes. Tears of joy for all our God has done in us. Leading us into a time of refreshment, rest, and rejuvenation. Of strengthening and showering us with His love and blessings.

We came back to change the world. Our passion for reaching the lost and teaching the truth of His love and grace only grows stronger. Our God, faithful always.

Be encouraged today. Wherever you are as you follow your dreams for your life, trust in Him. We have forever been ruined for the ordinary and look forward to the extraordinary days ahead.

Of Artichoke and Christmas

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

Wrapped in a season of celebration, stop and notice the little bits. The gifts that a loving God adorns with bows of everyday. I am learning. I am looking. I am finding.

Over a year after returning from the mission field, we celebrated the gift of family and friends. Opening our home, we welcomed them with laughter, cherished our time, celebrated the goodness of our God.

With so many I wanted to create a evening of joy right down to the artichoke jalapeno warm spread. As people came and came, filling our home with smiles and friendships, I danced in the gift of hospitality. Sharing, welcoming, hugging, greeting, I glanced and noticed one dip was dwindling. More food abounded, no lack, yet I simply wanted everyone to enjoy well, everything. Without a worry, I simply continued to host and enjoy our time with family and friends.

A few moments later, I glanced across the kitchen to notice a friend filling a bowl to the brim of freshly warmed artichoke jalapeno spread. She had brought it to our celebration and arrived with the warm gift from a Jesus who cares even about the little things.

In that moment. In a simple act. The hand of my God providing for my every need. Giving me the desires of my heart. Answering the whisper under my breath. Wrapping His gift in warm artichoke.

It may seem trivial to some. Yet this sweet reminder, one in countless, reminded me of a God that sustains the world with His Word, sends His Son to bring me life abundant, and cares about the minute details of my life.

I can trust Him to provide for me. I can rely on His grace to sustain me. I can rest in His goodness. And when the last guest leaves, I can scoop up warm artichoke spread and smile.

What gifts (small or grandiose) has God wrapped for you this Christmas season?

And rejoice with me in 70% of our water buffalo to wrap for Jesus this year!

(We are splashing together to bless a family in India with a gift this year for Christmas. Simply click to donate as all funds will be donated to Gospel for Asia)

Shout it, LOUD!

Confess it, say it, proclaim it, scream it, shout it, whatever it takes, get the WORD in you.

As I sit here, realizing all that has changed, transformed, renewed in my life over the past few months. From leaving a way of life I loved, missions, people, rainforest, to settle once again in the desert. Along the way, a path of learning, soaring, singing, dancing the happy dance.

Raw, real, I promised to share my path, step by step. One of the major steps, the starting point, simple, profound, the WORD of God. Seriously, no joking. No magic bean to swallow and transform over night. We had seen our marriage in the light of truth, our family, lay down all ministry, focus on His Word. The truth transforms.

Like a seed, planted, words bear fruit. They are wrapped in faith or fear. And they produce a harvest after their kind. Faith filled words hand you victory. Fear filled words lead to defeat. I had enough of fear words in my life. Time to plant some faith words. But where to start?

"So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God." -Romans 10:17

Hearing it, means someone has to say it. And you know what, I tend to believe my own voice over anyone else's. I took the step to the tune of the music. Not just reading God's Word, saying it, out loud. Starting my day with scriptures of victory, love, hope, faith, joy, all wrapped in promises for me.

When the enemy roared, I had life in words to cling to. Over and over saying them, defeating him with every syllable. Continuing, change began. My heart hearing my words began to believe and faith grew. Today, I continue, getting more of His truth, the WORD in me, saying it, shouting it, speaking to the mountains the power of the Word of God.

Imagine the dancing that goes on around here as I watch a mountain crumble into dust at my feet.

Crossing the Line

I've crossed the line in my life. Crossing over from hope to faith. With each step, with every faith filled word that speaks from my mouth, faith takes deeper root in my heart.

As a Christian, a missionary for goodness sake, I thought I understood faith. I thought I lived it. I thought I walked it. I certainly talked it. In reality my words were hope not faith.

I always hoped for the best. Hoped for God's promises to become true in my life, some day. Hope focuses on the future. Faith is now. I had mixed up my words and my heart.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him:" - Hebrews 11:6

Pleasing God, bringing a smile to His face, my life goal. Going after faith, studying in depth, digging deeper, what does the Word say? He's placed the ability to walk in faith in my hands. He says I need it to please Him, so it must be attainable. A realization that the responsibility rests with me whether or not I have faith propels me forward.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God." - Romans 10:17

Simple, but the greatest truths always are. Hearing God's Word, the real stuff, straight from Jesus' lips, the Word made flesh, not relying solely on other's teachings. Whatever need I have, the faith to receive my answers comes from hearing the Word of God.

No more if prayers (if this is God's will ...) No more doubt filled words. The prayer of faith, speaking the Word over any situation, changes things. My old words of "if" simply a badge of doubt I refuse to wear any longer.

Determined, I am feeding upon the Word continually. Meditating on the Word, speaking them, the truth sinking down deep. Taking root in my heart, the abundance will produce a harvest of faith. Circumstances around me, won't matter. I know I have all that God has promised me. I am seeing my faith grow, and with it my ability to receive the promises of God to His children.

I know Jesus smiles on me and I'm finally getting it. And the sand on this side of the line feels delightfully squishy between my toes.

Anyone want to join me in this faith splashing journey? Will you splash us today with how a promise of God has unfolded in your life or words of faith to drench us in God's goodness.

FATHE

Our Joshua digging into His Bible (age 3) in Thailand

I'm asking myself a serious question tonight. Why do we adults make things so difficult?

Faith, like a child, Jesus told us to get it, to find it, to hold onto it. Simple.

My Joshua (in his journal) describes faith this way

The word

fathe works

acts 20:32

is full of power

fathe comes by hearing

fathe pleases God

we have God we have hope

be free

the Devil kills steals and Destroys

take the Bible

he tells us what to do

Simply put. The essence of faith. Notes scribbled quickly during an adult Bible study. A little boy's penmanship. The truth of God's Word coming through his faith filled blue eyes.

I am not seeking after religious doctrine, a hierarchy of fancy terms, more head knowledge to puff up my life with pride. No, my desire, fathe like a child. To take every word spoken by my Jesus, and to simply believe, accept, walk in His truth. Simple, beautiful, powerful, world shaking fathe.

Favor Flavor

Mommy's chocolate kisses, my favorite flavor

With the splash of summer lingering around the corner, my thoughts turn to scrumptious ice cream. Everyone has a special flavor that sends your tastebuds into a tizzy. For me, homemade sweet cream with mixed in blackberries. And the favor of the Lord. Tasting His favor flavor.

My handsome husband, a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream scooper, splashed in God's favor. After moving back to the US, then stepping out of full time ministry, the search began for a new career. Needless to say, the economy happens to be in a bit of a slump. Nothing competes with God's favor as my love started a wonderful new career path.

My Josh, a gooey chocolate with caramel sauce prince, walked smack into God's favor. As the youngest contestant in a bible trivia game show, his team was fast at their buzzers. Entering into the final round in the lead, they calculated the math incorrectly and his team waged the wrong amount of points. If any of the teams answered correctly, they would lose. As the answers were revealed, only Joshua answered correctly. His prize, a Wii game system, a sweet favor gift from His heavenly Daddy.

And for me, favor flooded down in the form of this computer. Our computer randomly stopped working, only blinked a question mark, nothing else. All of our pictures, data, everything stored inside. I sat down and typed into the computer "NO LOSS, NO LACK, NOTHING MISSING, FAVOR" a few times. When it was taken to the computer store, my boys and I spoke the same thing into the store. All of our data, safe. They fixed everything. And of course they upgraded it to the newest of everything, absolutely free.

Definitely the favor flavor of the month. ...And it's just the beginning. Now, sweet friends, what ice cream flavor do you enjoy? My spoon is ready.

Sippin' Sunshine

Hugs of thanks and squeals of joy splashed our day as we moved into our new mission field of sunny Arizona. We're unpacking and settling the dust as we venture into a new realm of ministry to equip a generation to reach the nations.

Sweet friends, thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement. You have blessed my heart beyond measure. I had to share with each of you, just can't keep it inside. We serve an amazing and faithful Lord ... read on.

With just 9 days until we moved to the US, God provided in amazing ways. We have a house to rent beyond my wildest dreams. 2 months ago, the Lord led me to a sweet time of surrendering Costa Rica, our life, my little home, furniture for the first time ... And truly began to rejoice in obeying Him.

I was free to dream. Hand in hand I began to sprout wings in my heart and soar into the possibilities. He took me to this house that I had been to once in my life. My dream come true wrapped in His love. I knew God was using it show me that He could provide and that he would. I never envisioned what He had in store.

During that time, I also was studying the name of God Jehovah Jireh, God Will Provide. It fit our situation. The first time this name was used was when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son on the altar. It wasn’t just his child, it was the fulfillment of God’s promises to him. We were in the same situation. God was asking me to lay it all down on the altar, trusting Him to provide.

Our friends emailed us and said that they wanted to rent one of their houses to us. Not just any house, THE house that I had been dreaming of with God.

We were amazed and in awe at the provision of our Lord. Then I saw the address of our new house. I gasped, covered my mouth as the tears came.

The verse that God spoke to my heart a few months ago, when I was dreaming with Him. It was when I was studying His name Jehovah Jireh. That very same verse is the one that I put in my prayer journal to pray over us, to increase my faith, and claim God’s perfect provision.

“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” - Genesis 22:14

Our home address literally signifies mountain. On the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided.

God has shown us that He provides when we step out in faith. He provides the ram when we lay it all down and say, I will go Lord, wherever you ask, even back to AZ. I will lay down my dreams of serving on the mission field, to reach the nations your way, not mine. I will surrender our little home in Costa Rica on your altar.

In childlike faith, I was looking for the ram. I have seen it it caught in the thicket of His faithfulness.

My Walk Up the Mountain

"Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. ... So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided." - Genesis 22:13-14

Godly wisdom counseled me this week "Loosen your hold to this world dear friend and grab onto the hem of His garment." My heart's cry, to be close enough to my Lord to simply reach out in faith and grab His cloak, to know Him that intimately.

Embarking on a new study, I began to dig deeply into the wealth of treasure hidden in His names. God led me to study Yahweh Yireh - The Lord Will Provide. My faith will never be the same.

Many of us know this name, we use it, we quote it, but my heart did not have a tight grip on this promise. As I delved deeper into the character and nature of my God, my faith bubbled over and His name washed away my doubts.

Abraham walked to sacrifice his son, the fulfillment of a promise God made to him. His faith astounds me. His obedience overwhelms me. His God amazes me. Because Yahweh Yireh provided, as all hope was laid on the altar.

In a sense, I am on that same path, sacrificing my life of ministry on the mission field, a fulfillment of God's promise to my life. Walking down the path to my mountain, I will board a plane to a new mission field, my hometown.

I serve the same Yahweh Yireh. Why would God ask for such a sacrifice? As we place something dear to our hearts on the altar, sacrificing it to Him, we acknowledge that He is God and we are not. In this act of worship and surrender, we experience His provision for our lives as Yahweh Yireh.

I have called out to Him. He has answered, asking me to lay down my dreams, all of His promises fulfilled in my life here in Costa Rica. To surrender them and place them on His altar.

I have grabbed his cloak, knowing He alone is my Yahweh Yireh and I'm expecting with joyful childlike faith the ram of His provision.

Little Boy, Big Splash!

Daddy sharing from God's Word

Son sharing from his heart

The hug that waited for his big brother

What words could I possibly use to express my heart. I have none. I will let my Joshua's own words splash you today, the words he shared with 65 loved ones who came to celebrate this special day with him.

Hola! My name is Joshua and I'm 7. I live in Costa Rica with my family. We're missionaries.

I have a strong relationship with Jesus. I love him. I talk to him. He speaks to me and I hear his voice. And he loves me.

I will follow Jesus my whole life. Because he's the son of God and I'm going to do what God tells me in the Bible. (this part he actually sang as we memorize verses to music) "For God loved the world so much, that he gave his one and only son. Anyone who believes in him will not die, but will have eternal life." - John 3:16

The Bible is my favorite book. My favorite books in the Bible are Joshua, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. I have read all of the gospels and Acts. I stopped in Romans because there are hardly any stories. So now, I'm reading all different parts of the Old Testament. There's a lot of good stories there.

I asked to be baptized because I want to follow Jesus with all my heart, soul, body and strength. So I want to do what Jesus did and be baptized.

I'm saying to the whole world that I'm going to live for Jesus, my whole life.

Thank you for coming to celebrate this wonderful day with me. I'm really excited.

For those unable to come, we wanted to share a little video we made and shared at his baptism celebration to highlight the amazing ways God has already used our Joshua's life.

Death Has No Sting

I savored the privilege and the honor of being with my Gram as she went home to dance for eternity tonight. Miraculous describes the past 48 hours. From the miracle of getting us here (with the cheapest international ticket prices anyone has ever seen) to the sweet time of singing and dancing with the Lord in a hospice room, ushering her into His presence.

Too many amazing things and I'm a bit tired, exhausted really. But tonight is a night to celebrate and carry the torch from her heart to mine.

So many thoughts, emotions mixed with awe swirling in my mind. How can I possibly capture in words the events of this day? I close my eyes and can only see one picture, a wrinkled sun spotted hand, gripping a child's gift of love.

My boys made a foam cross for my Gram and we sent it. The envelope arrived in time to bless her hospital room. We had no way of knowing she would fall when we sent it, God's timing. The pictures and verses we sent greeted me on the hospice wall when I arrived weary from a day's full travel.

She held the cross throughout the past few days. This afternoon someone put it back in her hand. Loosely tucked in her fingers, Gram couldn't communicate but her spirit was rejoicing.

We realized after she went home for eternity that the cross was still in her hand, but she was gripping it tightly. Her other hand lay limp.

She held on to the cross, a beautiful symbol of the heritage of Christ that continues on through her great grandsons!

All praise to God. Death is beautiful, there is NO sting, thank you Jesus!

The tears are finally spilling. I will miss you Gram. Thank you for the life you lived for our Jesus. Thank you for dancing with me to bed so many times. It was a joy to dance with you tonight.

Until we dance again,

Sarah Dawn

On His Path

"The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going?" (Proverbs 20:24 The Message)

Today, I am on a path. A path set before me by my Lord. Sometimes, I get stuck in the muddy circumstances that appear along the way. I battle and struggle without letting God rain His glory down. But this week, a wall of impossibility loomed in my path. I knew God had provided a miracle, but it was on the other side of the wall!

In His perfect gentleness, the Lord led me to speak His promises of favor over the situation, shouting them at the wall. His Word brought me peace and 2 hours later the wall crumbled. I was a bit amazed, but I shouldn't have been.

Walking along, another wall appeared. I started to climb it in my own strength, slipping and falling with tears of pain and frustration. Then, my knight prayed and I heard my Abba's heartbeat. I knew it was time to proclaim His promises and rest at the base of the wall. I will not struggle in my own strength, but rest in His.

He's the best at knocking down all the walls in our lives. I am looking forward to what awaits me on the other side.

The God of the Impossible

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” - Matthew 19:26

At times, the process of adoption seems overwhelming, almost impossible. Always remember, we serve a God of the impossible. When God places a dream in our hearts, He provides the wings and teaches us to fly.

As a young family, we dreamed of serving on the mission field.

Impossible with Bible college debt, a toddler and a baby on the way. Wings came as God canceled our debt, and gave us our little Caleb right before our missions training. Impossible to go as a family to Thailand 7 days after the Tsunami to share God’s love with the ravaged nation. God used our little ones to minister His grace and love and to be in a remarkable place after a tragedy.

Impossible to leave for the mission field full time with little financial support. We bought our tickets with our tax return and God has provided the rest. We have been serving in Central America for almost 5 years now.

Impossible to lead a team of Costa Rican missionaries to Kenya for an international outreach. Our family gave our tickets and God multiplied the money just like the fish and the loaves, providing for new tickets for us and the extra expenses of the team.

Impossible to adopt a child from Ethiopia while living in Costa Rica. Yesterday, we received official word that we have been accepted to adopt from Ethiopia.

We serve a God of the impossible. Thank you Lord, for giving our dreams wings to fly and teaching us to soar.