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Hello! It is Saturday, April 30th, 2005 at 12:15 am Central Standard time in Nebraska. I have a bit of a story of what God has been doing here.
I am "tent-making," as I call it. . .(translation): I am working in Omaha, Nebraska taking emergency roadside assistance calls for AAA. It does drive me a bit nuts sitting at a computer in an air-conditioned building infront of a computer all day, but I am working my way for SBS, probably in Montana.
So, back to the miracles that God has done in my life...
Upon arriving back in Nebraska after my DTS in Kona, HI and outreach in China I, at first, was happy to see my family and friends, but missed the action of life outside of Nebraska.
I was trying to hear God's voice on where I was to go and what I was to do. All I could hear was to stay put for now and put off SBS...I thought I heard to move to Omaha and get a "normal" (not having anything to do with my degree) job. So...I searched and took two jobs - one at Hallmark and the other at AAA.
Anyway...at home over Easter I had the best conversation with my mom and brother, Mike. We were talking about the meaning of Easter, grace and forgiveness. Mike said, "I keep asking God to forgive me, I wish He would forgive me..." basically he felt such remorse for the sins in his life that he wanted to pay for them himself, which by the way, he had been unsuccessful at (obviously). We talked for a long time and he was beginning to understand what grace was, but I could tell he was still needing to think and discover revelation.
Next, after I had moved to Omaha and had moved into my apartment, my mom came down and went to church with me. Because she had never been to the church, they gave her a free copy of "The Purpose Driven Life." She was really excited and got me to start reading through it with her.
A week or so later, lightning struck my brother Mike's house and blew up his tv. He and my mom went to Walmart together to get a new tv. In the check-out line of Walmart was "The Purpose Driven Life" book. Mom was excited and bought it for him. All three of us were now going through the book. Mike had called me and my mom several times to talk over the chapters.
On March 13th or 14th (can't remember which now) Mike called my mom and said, "mom, I think I'm one of those born-again Christians; I'm born again." When he hung up he said, "God bless mom, I love you."
A couple days later ( it was one or two) Mike had a heart attack and massive stroke. The doctors said they had never seen anything like it before. He lived in Norfolk, Ne and they life-lighted him to Omaha. My mom, brother (Matt) and I got there that night. He was unresponsive but would move a little when we held his hand and talked to him. He moved on to be with our God the next day.
Needless to say, it is a huge loss and in a certain way my heart is broken right now, but I am in awe of God claiming my brother with His perfect timing. I'm not saying it was God's plan to take my brother, but He DID know it was coming and He is faithful and answered my endless prayers for my brother just in time to claim him for eternity. I am so thankful for this miracle...from putting me in Nebraska for this time though I didn't want to be, to an Easter conversation, to my mom coming and getting a free book at my church, to Lightning striking his tv, to a book in the Walmart check-out to the salvation of my brother. God does miracles even in Nebraska and I see there can be purpose for me here...even if it was for this one purpose. He knows what He is doing.
God is good. And thanks to everyone who has been praying for me and my family in this time. It means so much, really. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I miss and love you all and look forward to when we can talk again and hear what God is doing with YOUR lives.
God's blessings upon you in His ministry through you.
So...yes, and another thank you to those who have continued to keep my family in your prayers. It means so much to me because they are effective!
That's all for tonight....sweet dreams, don't forget to say your prayers! Good night!
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