Hold My Hand...

What a great realization to think about. God wants each of us...to "Hold His Hand." Today, as I read a devotional from Sarah Youngs book called: Jesus Calling, I was gently reminded of the importance of holding his hand.

She says,

"Hold My hand, and walk joyously with Me through this day. Together we will savor the pleasures and endure the difficulites it brings. Be on the lookout for everything I have prepared for you: stunning scenery, bracing winds of adventure, cozy nooks for resting when you are weary, and much more. I am your Guide, as well as your constant Companion. I know every step of the journey ahead of you, all the way to heaven.

You don't have to choose between staying close to Me and staying on course. Since I am the Way, staying close to Me is staying on course. As you focus your thoughts on Me, I will guide you carefully along today's journey. Don't worry about what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on enjoying My Presence and staying in step with Me."

Wow, what amazing truths about God's desire for us to rest in him.

Today our family is resting in him as our heart are heavy for the precious family Ashley Nanny's for. Today, would have been the Mom's birthday, and Ashley is certainly feeling the stress and tension that surrounds this sad day. (How do people get through tragedies like this without the Lord?)

This past weekend, the Dad's Mom was here (from Iowa) to watch the kids (girl-5, boy-2) and was there yet this morning when Ashley arrived. This sweet...sweet Grandma bought Ashley a gift for her Bible to take with her as she returns to YWAM in September. (Ashley's had the opportunity to have a number of conversations with the G-ma to know that she is a believer)

Through the Grandma's tears, she expressed her heartfelt Thankfulness to Ashley for all that she's brought to the lives of this family through her love, care, concern, and disciple for the children.

Ashley has truly brought structure, and order, and the gospel to the hearts and souls of these precious little people. The little girl "T", LOVE'S Veggie Tales, and she dances and sings all the songs. So today, Ashley is taking her to the christian bookstore to buy her a few DVD's, as it's hard to watch these amazing videos on the computer.

Weekly, on Wednesday nights, I've had the blessing of watching the little boy "B", so that Ashley and Andrew could attend Youth Group. We found this adorable little kid's worship CD, and I began teaching "B", all the motions to songs such as "Zaccheus was a Wee Little Man", "I'm in the Lord's Army", "Oh be careful little Eye's what you see".....and the list could go on..and on..and on. All "B" has to do is hear the first note, of a song and he RUNS to our kitchen, and sings his little heart out as he does all the motions.

I often wonder what the Dad thinks when "B" dances around singing, "I in da Vard Arme....Yes Sir"!!!

Our pray, is that as Ashley leaves in September, and my husband, Andrew and I now continue on in caregiving (occassionally) for these children until Ashley returns, that God will continue to help us plant seeds of Faith into their lives.

Today, our family is practice "Holding His Hand", as we prayerfully seek him as we reach out to this family. We know that God has brought this family into our lives for such a time as this, and we know God wants to lead this family to the foot of his cross to find complete healing, and wholeness!