Christmas Traveling Time and End-times

Well, the Isaacs clan will be hitting the road soon to spend Christmas in Texas. We would love to see as many friends as possible, so if you are reading this from Texas we would love to visit you. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. Hehehe... just joking. But, really, we do want to visit everyone and I'm just not that great at coordinating and organizing these sorts of things. So, if I haven't yet spoken to you or I haven't narrowed down a day... then please send me a comment, an email, or give me a call!!!!

Here at IHOP we have been studying the book of Revelation and the End-times. It has been great and I have learned so very, very much. The national Onething conference will be dedicated to these topics this year. So, tune in via webstream for free. www.IHOP.org It is the last few days of December.

One thing that I have learned is an overall basic understanding of the book of Revelation which for years I felt was impossible for me to learn any time soon. We have been participating in pop quizzes at every service. Young and old have been challenged to learn to recite the basic outline and information of the book of Revelation in around 3 minutes... ya know... the Seals, Trumpets, Bowls, symbols, etc...

So, check out www.ihop.org website for free notes and outlines with more information than you ever thought that you would need.

Go and eat the scroll!

Go buy oil.

Jesus exhorts us to “buy oil” or to engage in the God ordained process of acquiring intimacy with God. We do not earn it but we invest ourselves in a costly way to position ourselves to receive it.

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich… (Rev. 3:18)

The most substantial way to acquire oil is by regularly feeding on God’s Word. This positions our heart before God to freely receive. These activities do not earn us God’s favor.

39 Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard (encountered) His word. (Lk. 10:39)

Does God Sleep?

After two and half months, it's time to blog yet again...

Personally:
The Lord has been doing some great re-arranging in our family's life as a whole. It began about the time that I stopped blogging. I silently (and, really, unknowingly) asked the Lord how I would be able to spend deep, quality quiet time with Him. I thought/said, "Do I have to get up at 3am, when the kids are asleep, to have this time?"

Well, that was it, and His answer came at 3am when I was woken up by our 2 year old. (This was not at all normal for her to wake me up at this time of night.) So, after I took care of her, I went into the living room and prayed and read the Bible.

Since that time, I have had some wonderful times with the Lord and I've also hit "Snooze" too many times and slept. My flesh is weak, but the Lord loves me and gives me great grace.

A month ago (thanks to my nephew Stephen's example), Wade, the boys and I have began heading to the prayer room at all hours of the night. The boys take turns different nights and head to the prayer room with Wade anywhere from 10pm to 2am. I try to be there 5 nights a week from at least 3am to 6am.

The Lord has really put this on our hearts, called us to this, and then in turn, when we said "yes", He has given us the grace to actually re-arrange our lives and show up to seek His face and sit at His feet.

On a contemplative note:
The Father first draws us to His Son. Jesus said, in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." I like to think about the grace and mercy that even drew me to Jesus and then saved me, not to mention the same that is given to me to continue to seek out Jesus.

So, I count it a great privilege to be drawn and given the grace to pour out an offering of my time to the Man who "poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors" (Isa 53:12).

God is gracious and merciful.

My Lesson: Be careful when you ask God to draw you deeper. His ways are not our ways, nor does He ever sleep!

Extravagant Devotion: Simple, Radical Christianity

What is it? Well, its my aim to find out. Mary of Bethany is the picture. That is, pouring out your worship, your love to Jesus.

Picture Mary at His feet, is that you? What costs you the most? Do you, can you, give that to the Man Christ Jesus?

Do you give Him the nooks and crannies of your life, your left over time? Do you carve out 1-2 hours every morning for Him?

Or, do you drip with the oil of intimacy? I desire to spend so much time with Jesus that I am oozing His very presence. At that point, you no longer speak or act out of your flesh.

This love, this intimacy does not naturally increase. The opposite actually happens. As days and weeks go on, love grows cold.

We must strive. We must violently fight for this devotion. Beloved, that is radical.

The First Commandment

Seriously, why is the "First Commandment" first? Did God just place them in random order? When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, was He just pulling our leg?

So, what is the greatest thing that I can do as a human being? What is the one thing that I can know without a doubt I have been called to do above all else, above what I was raised to believe and above what the world tells me is great?

To love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength.

Everything else will flow from this. In fact, the second greatest commandment even flows from this first one... so, I will love my neighbor as myself.

If I give my all to loving God, if I give my heart, soul, mind, and strength to this one thing... then I will be a better wife, mother, friend, and neighbor.

I will be poor in spirit, I will mourn, I will be meek, I will hunger and thirst for righteousness, I will be merciful, I will be pure in heart, I will be a peacemaker, and will be persecuted for righteouseness' sake.

Lord, let us chose the one thing, the greatest thing. Awaken love inside of us. Stir our love for you. You said that this was the greatest. Let us stop and sit at Your feet. Let it be in our lives, let our lives be a fragrant, costly oil poured out for You.

Where am I anyway?

Sometimes there are times and whole days like today that I just ask God, "where am I, what is this place that You have brought me to?" ....'cause its just so amazing!

I must say how proud I am of our housemate, Nate. He has begun to lead the Jr. High ministry here at IHOP. He gave his first message tonight and I thought that the Lord really spoke through him. We feel privileged to support him and our nephew Stephen. They are blessings from the Lord.

So, Garrett and Raven went to their first Jr. High service. I think that having Nate and Stephen as housemates and Jr. High ministry staff is such a blessing to the boys. It has already helped the boys feel as though they belong. Praise be to the Lord Jesus!

Sermon on the Mount

"If God is not with us, we do not want to continue. If the Sermon on the Mount is simply impractical, our mission work is hopeless. We have no backup plan. We have nothing but Him." --Heidi Baker

Amen, sister! Here at IHOP, we are specifically, radically called to live a Sermon on the Mount lifestyle. We love Jesus, we pray, we serve. I, myself, have a ways to go still.

A quote from Mother Teresa:
"The world today is hungry not only for the bread but hungry for love; hungry to be wanted, to be loved. They're hungry to feel that presence of Christ. In many countries, people have everything except that presence, that understanding. That's why the life of prayer and sacrifice comes to give that love. By being contemplative, you are to be that presence, that bread of God to break."

Lord, let me be that presence, that bread of God to break.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

What day is it today anyway?

The last intense 21 days of the 40-day fast followed by driving 8 hours with 4 kids to Gainesville, TX, followed by 2 days of bridesmaid dress, hair and makeup, followed by driving 4.5 hours with 4 kids to Houston, followed by driving back 4.5 hours with 4 kids to Gainesville, followed by driving back 8 hours to Kansas City, and then summed up with another day of fasting and prayer watching TheCall DC.....
..... I have no idea what day today is.

Thursday, Wade's parents arrive to stay three nights. Friday morning, I will serve at weekends at IHOP then I will help get ready and then pull off a "not-so surprise" surprise birthday party for our neighbor/friend Shawn. Saturday, I will serve lunch for weekends at IHOP. Sunday, Wade and I start a marriage class. And, in between everything, there is life and planning Gabi and Raven's birthday party.

But, I am trying my best to be a "Mary of Bethany". I long to sit at the feet of Jesus, to pour out my worship fragrance unto the Lord. I choose this one thing, this one important thing. I choose to love the Lord with all that I have and all that I am. I will choose every moment of every day to do this one thing. Lord, I say that I am sincere and that I am lovely to You. I am Yours. There is no turning around.

back in KC & bloggin'

Its good to be back in KC. The kids and I arrived back on Thursday night.

We are trying to get back into our routine. Today was TheCall DC. We all went into one of IHOP's auditoriums and watched via GodTV.

I hope to post some photos of our trip to Texas and some of our house here in KC too.

God is good. He brings restoration and makes all things new.

Day 19 of 21 last day in KC

I didn't blog on the 19th day, but I am now. We spent yesterday getting ready for the trip to Texas.

I was sad in the prayer room. It will be hard to be gone for a week. The presence of the Lord is so great in that place. The praise, worship, and prayer never stops. Everyone is pressing in during the last few days of the 40 day fast.

But, the Lord has called me back to my hometown. I will end the last of my time in the wilderness among those that I grew up with, among those that only knew me when I did not know the Lord. Then, I will break the fast with the wedding party at the rehearsal and then the wedding feast the next day.

Jesus, I pray:
..the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22:17)

Day 18 of 21 three days left

Three more days left. The kids and I leave for Texas on Thursday. I have a wedding rehearsal Friday night after I break the fast. Then, Saturday is the wedding.

Wade started back to work this afternoon. Thursday he will start his new schedule of 4pm-midnight.

The Lord is good and gracious. His ways are perfect and beyond our human wisdom. All that He does is done in order to cause us to love Him more. At times, He removes things that are hindering our love towards Him. I pray that we would all love Him with all that we are and will be throughout eternity.

Day 17 of 21 four more days

The end is in sight. Thank you Lord for Your amazing grace!

Wade got his job back. So, praise the Lord we will have regular income. We still plan to go through the Intro internship and join staff part time. I pray the Lord's will be done.

I had a great night at home group and received great prayer. I feel really refreshed.

Right now no day has been easy. I constantly pray for grace. God has really been revealing how much He loves me and how pleased He is with me. He has told me that I am stronger and more mature than I think that I am. He has been reminding me of previous words of destiny that He has spoken over me. This encouragement is very precious and invaluable to me right now.

Day 16 of 21 the home stretch

Today a peace has overcome me. Thank you Lord Jesus!

I had a good time of prayer in the prayer room last night. I just told Jesus that I needed Him to carry me the rest of the way if He would.

We spent a lovely evening with our neighbors/friends, Shawn and Angel. They are great to hang out with and just talk about God and business ideas.

We should find something out about Wade's job tomorrow.

Praise the Lord its only 5 more days!

Day 15 of 21 tough, tough day

Today was really tough. I felt attacked on all sides. Its like I stirred up a hornets nest. Everything was pretty tame and docile, but then BAM! Its like the darkness didn't mind my fasting much until day 15.

I heard a teaching here a couple of weeks ago that I think applies. Lou Engle said that the enemy doesn't mind holding on for a few days of fasting. On an extended fast, areas of darkness or things that need to be broken off can't hold on though. Also, to move into a new level of authority and anointing the enemy has a right to test our sincerity.

Overall, we are on a 40 day fast. I felt the Lord lead me to push in more during the last 21. So, while doing a Daniel fast like I have before, I did not encounter such opposition. While pushing in harder these last 15 days, the opposition has become like running into a brick wall.

I guess I'm doing something right though.

Day 14 of 21 losing track of time

I'm starting to lose track of time and whole days. So, yesterday was okay considering it being so many days now.

I helped check in visitors attending Weekends @ IHOP. We had a lot of people and a large amount from Texas actually. So, if you haven't visited yet and you are from Texas... well, obviously you are missing out.

Have you ever fasted? I highly recommend it. Here are some books that teach about the different aspects of fasting...

Rewards of Fasting by Mike Bickle
The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting by Mahesh Chavda
Fasting by Derek Prince
Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting by Derek Prince

13 of 21 No Call, No DC

Looks like we will NOT be headed to DC for theCall. So, the kids and I will probably be in Texas from the 7th to the 14th. I am in a wedding on the 9th.

Its seems that Wade will be back at his job very soon, so he will not come to Texas with us. We have been on a roller coaster for a month now. Again, I'm not sure what the Lord has planned. Thankfully it looks like we will be having steady income though.

I am reading a book by Rick Joyner entitled When God Walked the Earth. I love it so far and would recommend it. Also, its really small and costs about $9 new... so you really have nothing to lose. For those who loved The Final Quest, he does have The Harvest.

God Bless you and yours!

Day 12 of 21 An even more interesting turn of events

Today Wade was asked to fly to Washington D.C. and install a phone system for the US Senate. He would be gone for two weeks and be there for theCall DC. So, when he asked me, I said, "The senate would be a great place to go and pray, go for it!" The kids and I would then drive up and stay for free and all go to theCall.

Then, he was told that he wasn't going because he would be returning to his job here. Then, he spoke to his own boss and..... I think that he will be going to DC.

So, this is our life. God is so good. I pray that we can all go to DC and then Wade come back to his job here.

The fast is going well. Nine more days to cheeseburgers and cheese fries!

A question to ponder:
If you knew that when you prayed for someone that they would be healed of cancer, or blindness or paralysis, how would that change every day of your life from now on?

Day 11 of 21 interesting turn of events

Well, Wade may be getting his job back. So, I've just been asking God, "What are you doing now God?"

While our lives have totally changed for the better, what lies ahead? Our family has really grown closer to God and closer to each other. I just don't want that to change.

With the Lord's help, Wade may be able to work, do the internship with us, and join part time staff.

So, we'll see. Thanks for all of your prayers!!

Day 10 of 21 difficult day (please pray)

Please pray for Abi. She severely smashed her right hand tonight and I just finally put her to bed. She can move all of her fingers, so that's good. I put ice on it for over an hour and I think that she will be okay overall.

We closed the sell on our house in Hickory Creek, TX today. Good news: we will not be making that payment anymore (which is great timing!). Bad news: I thought that we were going to be making at least twice as much as we did. So, we don't really have any cushion financially going into our new chapter of life.

God has again positioned us exactly where He wants us. So, we are "all in". This is it. We will now be living on faith and part time sporadic work that Wade gets. We will humbly begin raising support as intercessory missionaries. It is scary and exciting all at the same time.

Any prayers that you feel led to pray for us would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you, thank you for even reading this! God bless you...

Day 9 of 21 fun lunch party!

Still going strong by the grace of God! Wade and I actually feel some extra grace poured out on us right now.

The message this morning at Forerunner Christian Fellowship (FCF) was really good. I will get a copy of it and make a compilation with other teachings and can send it to anyone who wants one! Just reply in the comments or email me.

On to the lunch party... We fed six young adults lunch today. I used all new recipes for the following: deviled eggs, baked cheese sticks, layered lettuce salad, and twice baked potatoes.

They all enjoyed it. I really prayed that they would be blessed and feel loved and just part of family and a community.

The hit was the baked mozzarella sticks. Here's a link to the recipe (if the link works..) http://www.recipezaar.com/82001

Day 8 of 21 long but good day

Its midnight and I just finished making food for lunch tomorrow. After the second service, we are having 5 single missionary friends over for lunch. I went all out (compared to my normal) to serve these guys tomorrow since they are all away from family and serving the Lord long hours every day.

Earlier today I served lunch for the Weekends @ Ihop program. It was great but tiring... same thing goes for preparing a special lunch for our special friends.

I lost a whole day though. I thought that today was day 7 of this marathon.

Last night the Lord gave me another great dream. I believe that He was showing me what battles that I am stilling fighting for during this fast. Some include low-self esteem, lack of openness with my extended family and parents, and a few issues of insecurity. But, He did show at least one area that was broken away. Glory to the Lord Almighty!

So, I have fresh encouragement, fresh manna, fresh zeal!

Day 7 of 21 a little better actually

(First of all, I want to catch up any readers who are behind. I am posting everyday during the last 21 days of our 40 day fast. The Lord has intensified the fast for me, so for my own sake at least I am just sort of documenting what is transpiring.)

Today was better than the last two days. I think that the Lord poured out more grace upon me today. But, I found an analogy for what I feel. I constantly feel like I just finished running 5 miles in the heat and my endorphins have not kicked in... so I never get that "gee I really love to run" sort of feeling. I pretty much feel the "why am I torturing myself" sort of feeling.

The boys came back from the Signs and Wonders camp today. Surprisingly, Garrett had a good time. He said that he even prayed, raised his arms, and sang along in worship. (this is really, really rare) Raven wants to be a helper at next years Signs and Wonders camps. They each made friends too.

Illogically, I have an intense desire to cook during this fast... even though it seems like pure torture. So, Sunday we have invited some young, single friends over for a meatless, sweetless lunch. Salad, baked potatoes, deviled eggs... I have begun dreaming about these! Last night I couldn't fall asleep because I kept thinking of them!

So, until tomorrow.... love, pray, serve, sleep and repeat.

Day 6 of 21 very, very tough day

I am depleted of all mental and physical energy. But, I know that things are happening in my spirit. Last night, I had a dream in which I believe that the Lord was telling me that I was going through testing but that I am covered by grace. I am being refined in this fast. Praise the Lord!

Quickly, I want to finish something I started a few days ago...

Reasons we are "dark yet lovely"-

Reason #3
We have a willing spirit. At the new birth, the Holy Spirit put a "Yes" in our spirit that cries for God. (2 Cor. 5:17-21)

Reason #4
Our eternal destiny as Jesus' bride. God sees us through the lens of who we are and how we will live for billions of years in the grace of God as the enthroned Bride of Jesus. This is a significant part of who we are in God's sights. We will be perfect in obedience.

So, why is this important? Well, first of all, when we blow it and sin, we do not have to run away from God in shame. Also, we need to know that we are lovely by the grace of God and not by our own church attendance, giving, or leadership. This helps keep us from the trap of self-righteousness and false grace. For example, we one might say, "well I go to church and home group every week and give my 10%, so I can go out and get drunk with my friends and God will still love me." No, God loves us and we are lovely to God, but we are also dark. Most importantly we are only lovely by the grace of God and not by religious activity. Its not because of us, its because of the Slain Lamb and the grace of the Father.

Day 5 of 21 very tough day

Today was a tough day of the fast. I have really no energy left.

Good news, the boys are at camp. We saw them at the prayer room this evening and they seem to be doing fine.

Bad news, our house in Hickory Creek was set to close tomorrow... and it looks like that is not happening. Maybe Friday or maybe next week. God is really trying to teach me and my realtor Nancy a thang or two I guess!

Right now, I am trying to focus on Jesus and the rewards He has in store for us. In the book of Revelation, Jesus speaks to the churches and tells them rewards for which they should reach. Those are for us too.

When you are hungry and tired and delirious, the Great Reward Himself and those heavenly rewards which He desires to give us.... they are what keeps you holding on.

I am dark yet lovely. I ravish His heart with just one glance. He is overcome by my love. In times of testing and struggles, my glance overcomes the King of Kings. Oh, how He loves us. I love Him because He first loved me when I was yet a sinner.

Day 4 of 21 quick update...

So, what else is going on with the Isaacs besides intense seeking of the Lord during the 40 day fast?

Well, it doesn't look like Wade will be returning to full-time work any time soon. We feel that God has called us to attend the Intro to IHOP internship as a family. It will be a 12-week radical course that will change all of our lives and set us on a course to be intercessory missionaries here at IHOP-KC. This will require a ton of faith and the provision of the Lord. Sounds just right for us!

The boys are going to attend a camp the remaining days of this week. It is called Signs & Wonders. I pray that the Lord will dramatically encounter them!

Wade is volunteering in the Media department. He films and mixes sound for the worldwide broadcast of the prayer room. He loves it! He also hopes to volunteer outdoors doing some grounds keeping at IHOP retreat center.

I began volunteering with something called Weekends @ IHOP. It is a program for visitors to come and experience IHOP and receive teaching and ministry. I will be helping check in visitors and serve lunch.

We received our first support as intercessory missionaries this past week from two supporters. The Lord is good and gracious!

Day 3 of 21 "dark yet lovely" part 2

To continue from last post...

How are we "dark yet lovely" (Song of Songs 1:5-6)?

We are lovely before God even in our weakness for four reasons.

Reason #2 The Gift of Righteousness

We receive the beauty of Jesus' righteousness as a free gift. Our loveliness comes by receiving the gift of righteousness or the same beautiful righteous garments that Jesus possesses. Sinful people are made lovely in God's sight because of what Jesus did, not because of what we do.

Scripture for meditation:
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor, 5:21)

Day 2 of 21 the beginnings of "dark yet lovely"

I am dark (in heart), but lovely (to God)... my own vineyard (heart) I have not kept.
Song of Songs 1:5-6 (parenthetical info. added)

This is the paradox of grace. We are dark in our heart yet lovely to God. Both truths must be held in tension to understand who we are before God. Some people emphasize how sinful we are (darkness of our heart) and others emphasize how beautiful we are to God (lovely in Christ).

We are lovely before God even in our weakness for four reasons. For today, reason one:

Reason One- God's personality

God's personality is filled with tender loving emotions for His people. God sees us through His heart that is filled with tender love. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Scripture for mediation and further revelation:

Do not look at his appearance... for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7)

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him... for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts...," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isa. 55:7-9)

Day 1 of 21

Our fast has intensified for the remaining 21 days of the 40 day fast. I plan to write a short blog every day simply to record my own journey.

Today's revelation is this...
Realize now that your life is not your own. Just give IT ALL to God now.... this avoids one wasting time is this life. God will pull out all of your props, everything that you are using as a crutch. Its easier to give it away to God now than have Him rip it away from you while you scratch and grab and reach and hold on to it all for dear life. Decide now... is it food, money, friends, routine, traditions, false safety, beauty, reputation. God wants all of you and all of your love.

You were made to love Him and be loved by Him. Run to Him, down the path to mature Love.

Major Accomplishment for Garrett

My son Garrett has very mild autism which can be seen in various areas of his life. One difficulty he has lived with is really poor balance. So, he has never been able to ride a bicycle. But, praise the Lord, the day after he turned 13, he rode a bicycle for the very first time! My parents then promptly took him to the store and bought him his first bike.

I never thought that I would see him ride a bike. Today was a great day! Thank you Lord Jesus!

Still on Track

Our rental property in Hickory Creek, TX is still set to close very, very soon. We are finishing the final repairs requested by the buyers. Praise the Lord!

My parents are visiting for 5 days, so our fast has had a little bit of a curve ball thrown at it. The Lord has been good though. After 8 years of salvation, my parents went to church with me for the first time, and God blessed them with a message from Lou Engle, founder of the Call.

Lou preached to the IHOP family a message of encouragement for the 40-day fast. We were on day 14 and he was still on water only. I'm sure that my parents were pretty unfamiliar with this type of message, this type of living, this type of everything (I mean what kind of people go without food and pray night and day?). Neither have a relationship with the Lord, and if you know Lou, you know he can preach an extremely intense message. So, when he walked up to the pulpit.... I thought, "Oh Lord, Lou Engle?" (I personally absolutely love Lou and love hearing a message from him.) I just knew that my parents were going to be blown away and assume that we had joined a cult! But, I felt that the Lord said to me, "I am bigger then all this and your parents will hear what I need them to hear."

On a lighter note, today was Garrett's 13th birthday! We picked blueberries at a U-pick your own type farm in the morning and finished the day at the Cheesecake Factory. (That's one major curve ball to the fast!)

And, finally, there is no real word on Wade's job. As far as we know, he will still get his next paycheck.... so, yes, he is still on paid vacation. My parents leave on Thursday, and then we will step-up our fast a notch with a renewed hunger for King of Kings. So, we are still on track by the Grace of God.

So, I've got time to photo!

With Wade at home, I've got some time to spend on my photos. Here's a simple shot from our backyard.

Second House Set to Close!!

Praise the Lord!
We got word on Wednesday that our second house is set to close by the end of this month... but possibly even as soon as 10 days!

Wade is still at home and waiting word as to whether or not he can actually go back to work. It all has to do with his company not being as forgiving as our Lord and Savior. In other words, they don't like his background check.

We are not worried though. God has a plan.

The entire IHOP family is on the 12th day of a 40 day fast. The Isaacs are mainly doing a Daniel fast. God has given me the grace to spend the majority of the days on a water only fast.

So, God's got me right where He wants me. No food, no guaranteed income, new city with no family and a only a few friends. Trust me, its a good place to be if you are hungry for God. And, believe me, I AM HUNGRY!

Prayer Needed

Wade lost his job this week. We are not really worried. God brought us here and we know that He will not forsake us. Maybe this happened so that our whole family could be involved in intercession and ministry here at IHOP.
I plan to get a website up with my photography and begin having art shows soon as a way to bring in some support.
Please pray for provision for our family and clear direction from the Lord as to the future.

One house down!

Thanks for all the prayers! We had tenants move into our house in Denton... which is the larger of the two mortgages.
Pray for the housing market, please! Our house in Hickory Creek is still not sold or leased out. It is in a contingency with some buyers now. If they sell their house, then they will buy ours. But, they are now interested in doing a lease-to-own.
We know that God has everything under His control.

International House of Prayer (IHOP) info

Anyone wanting more information on IHOP or wanting to see what is going on here, check out http://www.ihop.org/

Every Friday and Saturday night a free teaching service with worship is webcast. This Encountering God Service (EGS) runs from 6-8pm. To view, go to http://www.ihop.org/ and click on "Media". Then, scroll down to "EGS & FCF Services". Choose a speed and whola!

KCMO

This first post is long...

We have been in Kansas City, Missouri for about three weeks. God has already blessed us with wonderful neighbors/friends. Our neighbors prayed for friends and prayed for wonderful neighbors... and they got both in us! So, we have become friends and get to hang out together in a nice little Jesus communal way. This is such a blessing in a new city and state!

In praying about our next step, we feel that the kids and I will go through the Intro to IHOP internship in the fall. It is a 12 week program with separate teachings for the kids. We have heard testimony that the children programs are life-altering. So, of course we want that for the kids!

After the internship, I plan to apply to join staff at least part-time. This would mean a 12-hour per week commitment to be in the prayer room (with the kids) and a 12-hour per week service commitment.

In the meantime, I have already become involved with the artist group here at IHOP. It is still in its infancy and I am really excited by what the Lord has in store. Personally, the Lord has been speaking to me about my art and making a deep commitment to spend a large portion of my time worshiping and glorifying Him through producing art.

What's up with Wade you ask? Well, he is working. God blessed him with a great job that keeps him busy... so Wade got exactly what he asked for! He does make it to the prayer room weekday mornings from 6-7am and other times throughout the week. He is looking into taking a 7-week course and then joining prayer room staff with a 12-hour a week prayer room commitment.

Regarding our houses, we are still paying both mortgages out of pocket. We believe that the Lord will soon deliver us in this arena too!

Well, if you read this far, may the Lord bless you exceedingly! I plan to update at least twice a week. So, check back often and let me hear what you think!