I’ve been sitting here reading everyone’s reflective Facebook
posts on 2013 and thinking about the past year in our own lives. Anyone
who knows me, knows that I don’t tend to be the reflective type. This has less to do with my nature and more
to do with my memory. Or lack of. Remembering what we had for breakfast is at
times a true challenge. But given all
that God did in our family during the past 12 months, it seems almost neglectful
not to recall our blessings in some small way. (Joshua 4:6-7) So here goes -
2013 was the year that God gave me a mentor. We began meeting on January 1st
and I’ve never been more challenged or encouraged in my daily walk. She’s been a wonderful friend, who loves me
unconditionally and has allowed me the safety to be who I am, warts and
all. She hasn’t, however, allowed me to
wallow in my fear, doubt or pain. She didn’t
pretend to have the answers, but instead repeatedly pointed me to the One who
does. And my walk is stronger for
it. Thank you, friend. I am blessed by you and your obedience to
take on a mess like me. (Titus 2:3-5)
2013 was the year that God sent my husband and my baby girl
to a foreign country without me. He
taught them a lot about loving unconditionally and trusting Him. He reminded Randy that Sydney isn’t ours, but
instead belongs fully to Him. We are
only stewards of hers (and Seth’s) life here on Earth. He taught me about faith and fun, giving Seth
and me a week alone together to pray for Daddy and Syd, while going on a road
trip. God used the trip to Belize to
break something deep inside Sydney. She came
back to Alabama begging to go “home” and praying every day for her friends and
family in a country where Jesus became her Lord. He was already her Savior, but she came back
changed forever understanding what many of us may never truly know. (Romans 10:9)
2013 was the year God taught us about His provision in His
way. As of December 31st, God
has provided us with the funding for all of the mission work He has directed us
to. He didn’t hand it to us, but instead
made us work for it. But He made sure we
knew it was from Him and not by our hands.
For example, we had 34 families donate to a yard sale that raised the EXACT AMOUNT of my plane ticket to
Thailand. It was a beautiful testimony
to Him. (John 21:6)
2013 was the year that God sent me 9,000 miles away to open my
eyes and completely break my heart. He
taught me that, with Him, I am stronger and braver than I ever thought I could
be. He taught me dependence. (Ezra 8:22)
He taught me that 29 women united for
Him are a force to be reckoned with. He
taught me about true depravity and how it is made palpable by the allure of
money. (Jeremiah 5) Did you know that 2 MILLION women are trafficked through
Thailand each year? How about the fact
that 4,000 women, children and men work in the sex bars on Pat Pong each
night? No? Well, did you know that 3,000 – 5,000 women,
children and men are sold in the bars of Nana District each night? Or that 98% of Thai men have extramarital
affairs and over 80% visit the sex bars in Nana and Pat Pong each year? Can you believe that 60% of the male tourists
to Thailand are traveling there specifically for sex? All this is overlooked because of the $1.2
BILLION that is generated annually.
And what’s worse is that I didn’t have to leave my backyard to find the
same sin, the same brokenness. Here’s
one for you – I-20 is known as the “Sexual Slavery Super Highway”. This is the same I-20 that runs from
Birmingham to Atlanta and back. But God
is good and allowed us to see the fruit of our labor in Thailand as one of the
precious girls we met and fell in love with has since been rescued and now
works for Rahab Ministries where she hears about Jesus daily and is loved on by
women who truly love her and love Jesus.
Praise the Lamb. (Psalm 27:13-14)
2013 was the year that God sent Randy and me back to Belize
on a medical mission trip. He solidified
Randy’s love for this country and gave me a heart for the people there and the
ministry of David and Karen Rhodes through Kidzkonnect4Jesus. He showed us a great need and is challenging
us to pray through our role in filling this need through His provision. To say that I didn’t expect to fall in love this
completely is a total understatement.
But as I sat in the airport on the way home, eagerly anticipating seeing
my own children in Alabama, but at the same time grieving those I had to leave
behind, I realized that His plans are so much more than I could hope for or
imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
2013 was the year that Sydney learned true discipleship from
dear friends, Ami and Laura. Thank you
for pouring in to her and for challenging her to be comfortable in whom Christ
would have her be. I love you both. (Titus 2:3-5)
2013 was the year that we saw over 20 boys at SafetyNet
Academy turn their lives over to Christ and follow Him in baptism. He allowed us to witness His Holy Spirit speak
TRUTH through a 17 year old boy who has known more pain than 20 other men that
I know combined. God is good. He also allowed us to see a boy graduate who
continues to call and desires to be with those of us who have invested in him
over the past few years. This is a sweet
blessing that was totally unexpected and is greatly appreciated. (Matthew 9:37)
2013 was the year
that Randy and I continued to build our marriage and our family on the
foundation of Christ. It wasn’t always
easy, but we have learned more and more that with Jesus as the Cornerstone, the
foundation can withstand more than you could ever imagine. (Isaiah 28:16)
2013 was the year that Seth and Randy read through his Bible
for the 2nd time. He loves
God first and others before himself. We
are blessed. (Psalm 119:11)
2013 was an amazing year.
I’m leaving out so much; it’s the memory thing again. I’m humbled and thankful that God would
choose to use such a broken vessel as myself for His work and to bring Him
glory. May 2014 find me making much more
of Him and much less of myself. (John
3:30)
And for those of you who know how quirky I tend to be, 2013
was also the year that I left the Christmas tree up all year long. And sometimes, I even turned on the
lights. (John 8:12)
If you don’t know the Jesus I speak of, please let me
introduce Him to you. I’m not a Biblical
scholar, but I can share everything He has done for our family. His love is real and so is His
salvation. Please don’t let another day
pass, we are not promised tomorrow. (Revelation
3:20)
Much love from our family to yours.
Leigh
“The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy. I have come so that you might have life and
have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
Sweet friend, I cannot wait for all God has in 2014!
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