June: Our Spiritual Grandmother

Dear Readers, this space will only hold five SEEDS interviews in the queue at a time. If you want to read older SEEDS vignettes please visit http://seventypalmsseeds.blogspot.com/  

 

June Redding

 

This SEEDS vignette will depart from our normal formula. This one occurred so naturally I just decided to use it as it happened. I employed very few modifications.

Occasionally I meet someone who just quietly carves out a corner in my heart. Love for them just grows easily and I wonder when I didn’t love them.

SEEDS has been designed to highlight women God is using. Ordinary women doing extraordinary things. SEEDS is a place for stories to be shared. Narratives of what God is doing in the spheres of everyday life. Through these stories I am learning that sometimes the extraordinary is really just the ordinary fleshed out with compassion and excellence.

Often I think about the women who followed Jesus during and through his ministry. Women who ministered quietly. Women who did what needed to be done, using the resources available. These women were no ordinary force to be reckoned with—they were the last at the cross. And first at the tomb. These ordinary women carried the Gospel message on this side of the cross first. They were the first to share the Good News.

Women carry the Good News still. Women I admire. Women I watch. Women I read. Ann Voskamp. Liz Curtis Higgs. Beth Moore. Donna Gaines. Priscilla Shirer. Kay Arthur. We live in an extraordinary era of God doing wonders, and these women are documenting the movement of his hand through their books, their blogs and their conferences.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

You have seen photographs of icebergs. Great snow and ice mountains complete with all the crags, cliffs and precipices. But beneath the chilling waters, underneath the broken shards of ice the underside of the mountain floats. And the underside of the mountain is larger and broader than the topside, but not readily visible.

Many of the women featured on SEEDS live on the underside of the iceberg. Rarely seen. Visibly hidden. But God is working through them; he is using them to move the kingdom forward. Inch by inch.

I want to introduce you to one of the women who lives on the underside of the iceberg.

The Young Adult group mentioned in the Chambers’ post Don’t Play Church recently gathered and visited someone incredibly special.

June Redding is the precious community grandmother of our church. June lost her sweetheart, Dan, last year to cancer. Dan and June were a beautiful team to watch. They were servants. They were an interesting contrast: Dan’s gruff to June’s sweet. But after a while you realized gruff was just the exterior of Dan. His interior—gentleness. And beneath the sweetness of June’s exterior runs a cord of backbone steel. I loved to watch them together. In the last year God has used that steel backbone to enable June to walk through her days. To stand up under daily life absent of Dan and his enormous presence.

 

Dan and June Redding

 

I did not give June the normal list of questions prepared for SEEDS women. Actually I hadn’t planned to, but you see God decides things and then clues you in on his plans. This time thankfully I was listening to his plan.

The Young Adult Group visited June one Sunday night. About eighteen of us piled in cars and drove the nine miles out to June’s farm. These wonderful kids rolled and unfolded out of the cars and carried enough food in for a Thanksgiving feast: meatloaf and chicken, corn pudding and green beans, salads and pasta, pies and cakes.

We told June to do nothing in preparation. Nothing. (She didn’t listen. Her apple upside-down cake sat warm on the stove.)

June greeted every single person; if she didn’t know their names (and many she did) she asked. She patted and loved and welcomed.

We prayed and she filled her plate first and sat down in the middle of the open living room, her plate piled high, and watched. Her sweet face displayed the joy in her heart. Missing Dan overwhelmed her that week, and I believe part of the joy in her eyes came from knowing what Dan would have thought about having all these young people in his house.

After dinner the group gathered around June’s tilted-back recliner. One of our leaders asked June to share with the group.

“What do you want me to share?”

“Anything you think we need to know.”

For the next forty-five minutes June talked to the group. There they (we) sat in a semi-circle around June. Some on the sectional, some on the fireplace hearth, some in chairs and some on the floor. And they listened. And some even asked questions.

“What do you think is the secret to happiness?”

“Well, I’ll tell you.” June counted the answers on her fingers. “Love God first. This is the most important. There’s not anything more important than this. Love each other. Be kind to each other. Take care of each other. Go to church.”

June shared stories of how she and Dan met, how they decided to get married, their work in the Red Cross. Her smile broadened when she recollected getting off an airplane in Texas and seeing Dan. Apparently he was extremely handsome in his cowboy hat.

More than once the group laughed. Out loud. More than once June told stories no one expected.

We left that day far richer than when we came. We left that day far wiser than when we came. We left that day understanding a little more that life with Christ is anything but boring—it is an adventure.

Before we left someone rephrased the happiness question.

“What is the most important element in any relationship? What advice would you give?

June didn’t miss a beat. Those precious fingers counted off the reasons once again.

“Love God. That’s the most important. Nothing is more important than a relationship with him. Love each other. Be kind to each other.”

June lives out her answers.

On Sunday mornings she arrives far earlier than anyone else. She stands in the kitchen with an apron looped over her neck and tied behind her neck. Patiently and methodically she stands and stirs the scrambled eggs. Pan after pan. For a long time she carried Nanny her coffee in a green mug long before Nanny even asked.

June is a servant.

June does things no one sees.

June loves the young people of our church.

We talk a great deal at our church about Love Does. Love doesn’t just talk; it’s not just about words. Love Does.

June does.

 

 

Beth--An Intrepid Spirit

Beth Summay--An Intrepid Spirit

Beth and her husband Jeff

This SEEDS interview is more difficult because I haven’t seen this woman in years. She lives across a vast expanse of water. We have corresponded sporadically over the years: kept up with each other randomly through Facebook, email and friends and family. But when I thought about doing the SEEDS vignettes I knew this woman would be on my list.

When I was a young mom our family made a life-changing move to another city to work in a fairly new church plant.

My goal was to stay home with my two young girls (2 and 3). In order to make this possible I babysat children in my home.

Eventually I would keep four children besides my own, but my favorites were two beautiful little boys named Will and Ben (who are now men grown).

Through them I came to know their mother. She was very close friends with a mutual friend I went to college with (another woman I am hoping will be featured here on SEEDS in the future). We were all involved in this new church.  

We were a strange trio. My memories are fogged by years and perspective, but I distinctly remember being so awed and intimidated by these two women.

Beth was so full of verve and life. A free spirit, bound by little convention. She dropped her boys off in the mornings and as she drove away I experienced this feeling of being frumpy and dull next to her. She seemed to live this out loud kind of life. Confidence oozed from her and she handled life and situations with what seemed like such ease and chill. With years now under my belt I realize that some things are never quite what they seem.

We were young. Young mothers. Young wives. Young leaders in church. Young disciples. At that time I didn’t consider us young, but we were. Very young.

We are no longer young. We are touching the half century mark.

And yet.

Yet Beth’s energy still amazes me. Her ability and willingness to embrace situations and circumstances that were and are far outside her comfort zone remains. Couple this intrepid-ness with Beth’s sincere compassion for people and you have a very unique and beautiful combination.

God’s combination. And He is using this combination to touch lives.

I want you to hear Beth’s story.  Beth’s story has many facets. She fought a fierce battle with breast cancer. Fought hard, and was so achingly beautiful in the midst of it. She is in a place of daily dependence on the Father for her health, for her interactions. For language. For direction. I want you to understand this (or something similar or comparable) could be your story. If you are willing to move out of your comfort zone.  

The story of how they arrived in this place just shakes my heart. As I always say these interviews are long, but please take time to read them because they are so full of the move and hand of God. These women are filled with wisdom and spiritual insight.

Every time I read and format these SEED interviews I feel like I have been to a mini Women’s conference! 

 

Beth and Jeff have been married for 28 years. They have four children: Rusty-26, William-24, Ben-23 and Becky-21 and Becky’s husband Tony! According to Beth these are the greatest kids ever!

Jeff and Beth are missionaries in Bosnia.

Beth went on a short term mission trip to Bosnia in June 2000.  Here’s her account of that trip:

As crazy as it sounds, I knew the moment my feet touched the tarmac at the airport in Sarajevo, our family was supposed to live in Bosnia at some point.  Knowing one cannot make a giant, life-changing decision based on feelings, I decided to pray about it and ask God to show Jeff what His plan was for us.   

 

In the fall of 2000, Jeff went on a short term mission trip with some men to Bosnia for a work project.  I fully expected God to blow Jeff's mind and rock his world.  I really thought Jeff would return and say, 'We are moving!'  This did not happen. 

 

Throughout the next two to three months, we visited church with our parents, went to a Franklin Graham rally as well as small group and our own church.  Each and every sermon illustration and story was taken from the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18. Jeff felt much convicted and knew God wanted his obedience in going to the mission field.

 

We prayed and visited TeamExpansion (our mission organization in Louisville).  Jeff felt there was no way they would have a need for us since we did not have Bible college degrees and we have four children.  After talking with them, they shared how Jeff had the exact skill set they were hoping to find for the team in Bosnia.  They very much believed God had called our entire family to Bosnia, not just Jeff and I.  

 

1.      In this current season what would be your most comforting and your most challenging Scripture verse or passage? 

Most Comforting and Most challenging Scripture passages: One and the same for Beth.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.      2 Corinthians 10:5 

 

2.    With the Scriptures a given name two other books which have contributed to the increase, growth and challenge of your faith?  

Green Leaf in Drought by Isobel Kuhn.  It challenges me to evaluate myself when all comforts are taken away.  When there is suffering, how will I respond? 

When I Lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent.  This book reminded me God is faithful, even in the most terrible circumstances. I learned that each day, I have to lay my children before God; they are his. He loves them more than I do and He has a plan for each one. As young adults, they are responsible for their relationship with God and God does not need my interference or help.

 

3.      If you could have a conversation with your twenty-one year old self what would you tell her? 

Find your identity in Christ and nothing else.  See yourself only through the lens of how you are viewed by God.  Seek God deeply and allow Him to fulfill the desires of your heart.  Stop comparing yourself to perfect ideal you think you should be, whether you have built that up in your mind or it has been placed there by others or the world (Notice the pattern that is emerging in each SEED woman’s advice?).  Nothing can separate you from God. 

 

4.      What do you think are your two strongest spiritual gifts and how is God using them to minister to his Body?

Compassion and Giving.  Giving is one thing in which I think Jeff and I are equally matched.  We both know that all we have is not ours, it is God's and we are just the stewards.  I cannot take a thing with me when I die and if it helps another person, or furthers the kingdom, then I will give it away.  

 

I have been told I am a compassionate person.  I hurt when others hurt and, even when I have no idea what to say, or have no way to practically help out, I will want to just 'be' there.  My heart hurts with those who are hurting.   

I am involved in church planting training with two believers and it is really, really challenging.  God continues to humble me through speaking a foreign language.  I am spending more and more time meeting with Muslim women in our city and getting to know them on a deeper level.  I have committed more time to prayer and have been organizing prayer weekends in our city. 

5.      What one piece of encouragement would you offer the women reading this interview? 

 

       Find your identity in Christ alone. Don't run away from difficult circumstances, embrace 

       them. God uses these to grow and build our character and mold us more into the image of

       Christ.Allow God to use those difficult times to show you strongholds in your heart. God is

       good and He has good things for you.

 

           

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cathy—A Warrior Princess

Cathy Smith--A Warrior Princess

Cathy and Gordon

Allyson, Cathy, Haley and Gordon


We decided to meet for a mid-morning breakfast at The Cairn. We sat at a small table pushed against a column and pulled our chairs close to one another so we might hear. The coffee shop boomed with music and laughter and the quiet under hush of conversations. We hadn’t seen each other in years. We hadn’t engaged in real or lengthy conversation in over a decade. And yet there we sat. We somehow had managed in a strange way to keep up with each other. Our daughters were friends years ago—playing with American Girl dolls and having tea parties. They spent nights at each other’s houses. They are all grown now. And there we sat—both of us in new roles. In new places. Unexpected places. Our minds reeling from what God had done in us. During that hour and a half we talked non-stop. We laughed. Tears puddled and slid down our cheeks. The noise around us faded as we listened to what God had done and is doing in our lives. I wish I had brought a camera. I so wanted to capture her expressions and her animations. The lighting and her hair shadowed her face, played on the curves and structure of it. Later I wanted so much for others to see the beauty played out there—dancing through her eyes. The sweetness of it. She’s tall and strong and there’s a power that emanates from her. It’s a gentle power. Unassuming. Non-threatening. But I recognized it. Cathy is gifted. God has gifted her with administration and leadership. And I wondered—were we, at this table, sitting at a modern day Tree of Deborah?  Deborah intrigues me. I read her story often.  In Cathy I saw a vision of the judge of Israel. We discussed women and ministry. We talked about feminism and the roles women play. Cathy explained that she did not desire for anyone to hear her roar. Yes, she is a woman. She is a leader. This is evident. She is moving in the realms of her giftedness. Cathy’s desires are for women to understand that they are not weak damsels in distress. They are not women waiting in a tower to be freed or asleep waiting for a said-kiss. Women who belong to God are princesses she explained. But not the Disney versions. God’s women are warrior princesses. Daughters of royalty who are engaged in the battle of the ages. Women who stand in the gaps and fight in the flanks. And her ministry, her desire, is to communicate this two-fold truth to us. Cathy wants us to understand what it means to be a warrior princess. Reluctantly we parted ways that day. I didn’t want to leave. The morning felt like walking into a refreshing oasis after being in the stone cold, dry dessert. How incredible it is to see someone walking and moving in their place of God-giftedness. What a delight to watch someone move in the places God has designed them to be with no excuses or explanations—just this is who God made me to be and what he has asked me to do. I left The Cairn encouraged. I left ready not to roar, but to strap on my armor and enter the fray. I left ready not to feel entitled, but to embrace the responsibility I (we) have as daughters of the King. We tend to downplay our gifts God has given us—sometimes out of false humility and sometimes out of fear. But, like Cathy, we need to learn to embrace and exercise our gifts. When we do we will glorify him and build up the Body.       Cathy and Gordon will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year! And a celebration it is! There’s a lot of love and laughter in their home especially when their two incredible daughters, Allyson and Haley, come home and share their adventures. Cathy and Gordon both serve in the ministry of a local church (Cathy is the executive minister and Gordon a teaching and pastoral minister). Cathy is also a breast cancer survivor!  Both Cathy and Gordon’s mothers are widows and their daughters grown, so as Cathy says, “we are definitely a part of that sandwich generation. Again, please remember that these interviews are long. Please take time to read them. I continue to be amazed and inspired and convicted by these women’s words.   All italicized and parenthetical statements are comments Tamera has emphasized.     1.  In this current season what would be your most comforting and your most challenging Scripture verse or passage? Most comforting: Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Although I am wired by God to be a “fixer” and it is my natural tendency to try and make things right for those who hurt or need help – I take comfort in this verse time and time again.  My inner peace is foundational only through Him and in times of anxiety or struggle – my heart hears this verse and the words from the hymn “It is Well” resonate in my head.  I can’t change the circumstances most of the time but I can change how I respond to them (Reread that piece of wisdom).  My response affects those around me and I’ve learned that even though it’s a tough day – tomorrow has new mercies. Most challenging: Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  I am challenged by the exhortation to make the most of EVERY opportunity!  I know God lays before us opportunities each day and it is our choice whether we recognize them, seize them and act on them.  In our daily routines – we can be so busy “doing” that we stop “being” and I am certainly guilty of that.  I hear Jesus whispering to me to “slow down – look at what I want you to see – have conversations and relationships with others.  You need them and they need you to be a part of their life at this time.”  I can be so time/task driven that I miss this.  I believe I was more of a “Martha” early on in my life but God has moved me into a “Mary” season.  I’m not really sure when that happened, but He did it when I wasn’t looking or expecting it (Now, isn’t that just like God!).  2.      With the Scriptures the given name two other books which have contributed to the increase, growth and challenge of your faith? Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership – Ruth Haley Barton. This book caught my eye but then I realized while reading it there was a much bigger story for me to hear.  It deals with seeking God in the crucible of ministry.  My husband and I both serve in ministry and it can be easy to think you can handle it.  The book helped me to develop spiritual practices and disciplines to nourish my soul and to connect with Jesus in a way I had never done before.  Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers:  I normally don’t read a lot of fiction and this is the ONLY book in my life that I have read more than once!  (it’s that time/task issue – I know how they end – why read it again J)  However, this book made me laugh, cry and weep openly for the characters she brought to life. It inspired me to read Hosea in the Bible over and over again.  Redemption is more than we can imagine and this book plays it well.  I lead a class of 11th grade girls on a regular basis and I push this book on them.  The grace shown after failures and the example of trials in one person’s life bring home the reality of all of our struggles.  3. If you could have a conversation with your twenty-one year old self what would you tell her? At 21 I was young, ambitious, getting married and thought I could conquer the world….I would tell myself I could be the warrior/princess I desired to be but to choose WHOM I would be serving first.  Success is not measured in dollars and materials possessions, it’s measured in relationships.  First and foremost with our precious Savior and Lord – second with our family.  I would also tell her: —It will all work out – maybe not the way you (I) designed it to be but God’s plan will prevail     and will be so much better than you can even comprehend. —Don’t fret about the small stuff. —Laugh at yourself more often. —Love even more than you dare. —Take more time take more time with your dad – he’ll be gone sooner than you know.   4. What do you think are your two strongest spiritual gifts? Discernment and administration.  My discernment is strong and with God’s grace it has been used in ways I never thought of.  This ministry coupled with my past work experience and environment helped me see where Jesus was leading me to serve.  I’ve learned so much about the ministry of Administration in my current position of Executive Minister.  It took me several years to accept that what I was doing WAS ministry.  I see the open doors and the way to speak gently into someone’s life now.  Learning that process was hard at times and I made many mistakes along the way.  I’m thankful for encouraging words from others to stay the course and for being able to discover how God wanted to use me.  It’s still a new journey every day and I love what I do, but I love the journey even more.   5. Our God has called you to a minister to his Body with these gifts. Where and how does God have you feeding and caring for his sheep? Being a woman in ministry is hard at times and even difficult at others.  I have never been one to stand on a hill of “I am woman – hear me roar”’ because that’s NOT who I am.  Pride can get in the way of ministry so easily and I see that happen often.  I don’t want my ministry to be about me being a woman – I want it to be about me being a follower of Christ. (Amen, amen and amen!)  God is opening doors for me with other women and in trying to value where they are and how they are serving.  He has confirmed to me and through others that it’s okay to lead…but to lead like Jesus would.  6. What one piece of encouragement would you offer the women reading this interview? Take chances – put aside your feelings of insecurity.  Satan uses those feelings against women ALL the time.  What you need to hear is “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Taking chances will not always get you into trouble and God is there if you do - but maybe, just maybe by taking chances you might open up a wonderful world of love, adventure, ministry opportunities and stronger relationships blessing you and others. (Precious Women, did you hear this?)

 

Dawn--A Precious Gem

Dawn Cox

Dawn and her beloved David and their four children.

She was my extroverted and animated college roommate. The only one I ever really loved. She was most certainly the only one I ever respected and considered emulating.

God used Dawn to teach me an invaluable lesson. One I am still implementing today. Through her God taught me about faith.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NAS

Dawn’s faith was and is a remarkable thing. During college I didn’t know anyone (other than my youth ministers and a few others) with a faith like hers—the kind of faith that permeated one’s life. Faith that was woven into their very identity. For Dawn Christianity was life rather than a lifestyle. Until that point in my own history I thought Christianity was a part of your life; I didn’t understand Jesus called us to make it our life.

But Dawn did.

I didn’t understand this until years later when God had matured me a little (I tend to be resistant at times holding on to childish things), when I had encountered a bit of suffering.

Dawn taught me that following Jesus was more than proclaiming to be a Christian, more than going to Bible college and more than going to church.

Dawn’s faith was tangible. I witnessed strong faith in my youth leaders, in the minsters in my home church and in some of my professors, but in Dawn I saw a remarkable faith in an ordinary, everyday young woman. That doesn’t sound like a compliment, but I certainly mean it as such.

In my neck of the woods radical faith was for ministers and missionaries. Anyone who included Jesus in their everyday talk and dealings was fanatical. Jesus had his place, but you didn’t allow religion to alter your common sense.

Dawn prayed with faith about every little thing. She prayed about things I never considered presenting the Lord. Dawn prayed with an assurance I didn’t understand—she prayed as if things were already done and she was just having to wait on them.

This blew my mind.

Dawn taught me that radical faith really is just normal fare in the kingdom.

One of my most favorite memories of Dawn was her ministry of sending care packages. She would hear about someone having a hard time or someone would just be on her heart and she would pack up a goodie box—filled to overflowing with the useful, the beneficial and the fun, and it would be mailed.

She was and is an incredible encourager.

I learned from Dawn. I wish I had learned from her sooner.

I wish I had told her sooner how much I learned from her example.

We haven’t seen each other in years. Not face to face.

Yet she still teaches me. We correspond through Facebook—brief tidbits. Inevitably we will have a message volleying between us and she will comment about something going on in her life and the Spirit will say to me, Latch on to this, Tamera. Pay attention. Do you see her faith?

As you will read, her faith was tested. She had to wait a while, a long while, for some things she asked for repeatedly. She struggled. She battled. But her faith was honed and polished like a precious gem—Peter says that this gem is of greater worth than gold.

I ask you to pass Dawn’s message forward to women, especially young women. Her message is filled with hope. For those who are asking God for great things, but have yet to see his answers Dawn is living proof that God gives good things, especially himself, to those who will wait.

Please pass her story along.  

When asked to describe her family Dawn says, “We are a family of six. We say I love you often and I’m sorry, please forgive me as needed. Some would call us late bloomers having our four children in our thirties, yet we know all was in God’s perfect timing.”

Dawn and her husband, David, have been married 21 years and have one daughter and three sons. David has been the Associate Pastor with his home church for twenty-four years. Dawn has been a stay-at-home mom who cares for children in her home to make ends meet.

1.      What is your most comforting and most challenging Scriptures?

Comforting Scripture: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank him. Psalm 28:7 (Dawn has a beautiful, beautiful voice)

Challenging Scripture: Sow with a view of righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness, break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until he comes to rain righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (Needless to say I will probably be spending some time with this verse—break up your fallow ground? Ouch.)

2.      What books, other than Scripture, have had a profound influence in your faith walk?

Believing God by Beth Moore. Dawn said she read this years ago and is now rereading because of Beth’s recent free downloads)

Our Covenant God by Kay Arthur. (Also another one Dawn is rereading.)

3.      If you could tell or give your 21 year old self advice or encouragement, what would you tell her? (This is a long entry, but so worth every moment it takes to read it.)

I have to give a little background. I was a bridesmaid six times before I was a bride! I yearned to be a godly wife and mother, yet feared many times that it would not happen for me. I wanted a man fully committed to God, with a sense of humor and love for kids. At times I waited patiently, and at other times with many tears and cries to God (He is more than big enough to handle that!) 

Between my sophomore and junior years of college I interned with a small children’s home for the summer. This home was in southwestern Indiana. While there we visited the First Christian Church in Sullivan, Indiana (Tamera says, pay close attention). We went to present our work to this church who had supported the children’s home for years. After the service there was a pie night and a handsome, young man came up to me. My first thought was that he was really cute, but I will probably never see him again. Little did I know…

We were both in Bible college in different states. We had NO contact during the next two years. We both graduated and ended up working in the same church in another country 2500 miles away from where we met. Needless to say we were surprised we crossed paths again (Tamera wasn’t surprised. God certainly wasn’t). We served together that summer and became best friends. By the end of the summer I was well on my way to being in love—my beloved had not made that discovery yet. We both returned stateside to raise support so we could return to Canada and serve again.  

We ended up at the same church, six hours south of the first one! After 14 months of serving together we then spent a year apart. There was no doubt in my heart and mind that he was who I wanted. I went to Vancouver to help with a church plant and he went home to Indiana and was hired by his home church. During that time away from each other he missed me. Yes! Seven years after meeting him, I walked down the aisle of our very meeting place (First Christian Church in Sullivan, Indiana) to become his wife (I, Tamera, was a bridesmaid in this wedding!). 

Was it my timing? Not even close. The timing was God’s and therefore perfect. The name David means beloved, and my beloved was worth the wait. I’m still crazy about him. The Lord has blessed us beyond what I could have dreamed (and I had a few dreams). I love life and doing ministry with this incredible man—who is a gift.  

My message to my 21 year old self? Keep trusting the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own limited understanding!  

4.      What are your two strongest spiritual gifts?

Hospitality and giving.

5.      How is God using these gifts through you?

Our home is open to kids and adults alike. For a meal. A place to stay (three days or three months) or just for fellowship. The gift of giving for me is more of a time and energy investment, although I do try to share in a material way when possible.

6.      What would you like to say, what bit of encouragement would you give, to the readers here at seventypalms?

I have spent way too much time and energy feeling like I wasn’t good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, thin enough, spiritual enough, talented enough etc. etc. I would say to you, You are enough. God loves you deeply and will use your unique life experiences, gifts and talents for His glory when you surrender them to Him.