Announcing a Courtship!!!

On January 20th, 2010 my Dad gave Patrick permission to court me! What a day of rejoicing that was, and every day following continues to be!

L-R: Leah, Patrick, Michael

Leah, Michael, Patrick

Patrick

My brother Michael and I met Patrick on our mission trip to Las Vegas in July, but we barely got to know him. Later on, my Mom, Michael and I joined the social network called, Facebook, to keep in touch with friends and family. Soon we had friend requests from Patrick. It did not take long before we began to notice his love for the Lord Jesus in his posts and comments, it was refreshing to meet a believer who sought the Lord with all his heart. Over the chat we all became good friends and had wonderful times of fellowship encouraging each other in the Lord. From time to time Patrick would call to talk with Michael, and eventually the calls became more frequent. In time he made plans to visit us, and finally made his way up from Ohio to meet the family. And the rest, as they say...is history! Someday I am sure I will share more details....but now you all know why I have been quite absent from this blog. I had a good reason this time! :)

I am very blessed to be courted by such a godly young man! His fervent love for Jesus is very evident in his walk and talk. The Lord is so good, and His mercies are beyond comprehension!

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, 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. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Praise the Lord for His wonderful works among the children of men!!!

A hairbreadth away from Glory?

Yesterday morning my Mom and I, were at the Building For Women in Duluth MN, to plead for the lives of unborn babies (sidewalk counsel) with Jim Tuttle of Pro-Life Ministries of Duluth. I saw a lady walking toward the building, who I figured must be a client. Before I could talk to her or approach her with literature, she snapped open a knife. She waved the point at me saying, "Don't come near me!" I stayed where I was and said, "Please don't kill your baby, fear God." She walked past into the courtyard, so I moved to the fence corner to continue counseling. She then turned around, came up to me and held the point of the knife at my throat! The thought flashed through my mind, "What if she stabs me?" and then, "That's ok." God gave me great peace as I looked into her angry eyes and said, "Fear God. You need to fear God Ma'am." She turned around, and began to walk through the court yard again. My Mom, Sarah, who was standing at the other end of the fence, called out to her, "We love you, and care about you, don't kill your baby." The women turned and waved the knife at her yelling, "I'm certified crazy, that's why I'm doing this!" She then went into the building.

Jim Tuttle called the police and they arrived very quickly, seven squad cars strong. Several went immediately into the building, and shortly came out with the women in handcuffs, she was crying. They interviewed us, had us write reports, and told us that this is a felony offence. My Mom told two of the officers that we feel very sad for the women who did this, and we will be praying for her. One of the officers looked shocked at that.

A local TV newsman showed up and interviewed us. We were able to give glory to God for His protection and testify that God says, "You shall not murder." I explained that we are living in a culture of death, and if they believe it is fine to kill babies in the womb, what would be the difference killing someone out of the womb? He wanted to know if this would change my mind about coming out to talk to the abortion clients. I said "No, not at all! I am excited that God protected me." My Mom told him that we care about the women who did this, forgive her, and want her to know that if she came to Jesus Christ and was saved, God would completely change her.

God allowed this all to happen for a reason, and I greatly desire that His name be glorified through this incident. Our God is worthy to be praised! Psalm 91 was going through my head... "He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." (Psalms 91:1-2) Praise God for His mercy, not only on me for protection, but also in the fact that this lady still has her baby!

As the police were leaving, a young women ran into the building very quickly. After a few minutes she came out onto the sidewalk, and seemed to be waiting for someone. My Mom talked to her, and she turned out to be the friend of the women who had just been arrested. Not knowing what had just happened, she had come to support her friend, but was told that her friend had left the building quickly. They didn't even tell her why or in what state she had left! So we were able to minister to this women, her name is, Melissa and her friend, who had been arrested is Michelle. My Mom shared the gospel with her, gave her a Bible, and asked if we could visit Michelle in jail. She agreed that it might be possible.

Please pray for these two women. I do forgive Michelle, and pray that she will be saved, she needs Jesus. Only God knows what He will do with this situation, we pray that He will be glorified!


EDITED to add:

Here are some news articles covering the incident:

LifeSiteNews: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/nov/09112603.html

WorldNetDaily: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=117119

LifeNews: http://www.lifenews.com/state4602.html

NorthlandNews: http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/72989782.html

Spared from Destruction!

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed for destruction. Proverbs 31:8

On October 28th last year, a little girl was appointed for destruction. Her mother had been lied to and believed her to only be a blob of tissue, yet this precious girl was fully formed and only needed time to grow. She never guessed that within a couple of hours her life would painfully be snuffed out. Yet God intervened. He sent my Mother and Lori, another Sidewalk Counselor to talk with Dana, to show her pictures, proving that her baby is a person. Dana changed her mind about getting an abortion and on May 21st gave birth to her little girl...

Taylor LeAnne

God has a purpose for this little one to be alive, we pray that He will use her to glorify His name. This was the first time our family has been able to hold a baby that God has directly used us to save, we are so thankful and we are praising God!

Two weeks later...Dana, her son Nolan, and Taylor

"He that goeth forth and weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Ps. 126:6

Dana seems to be seeking the Lord, and we are praying for her salvation. Those of you who pray for us should know that you have a part in this as well. God is answering prayer!

My brother Michael also wrote about this Here.

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
(Proverbs 24:11-12)

(Pictures used with permission)

Birthday

It is my twenty-first birthday today, it's kind of scary getting so old. :-)

My dear family gave me some beautiful gifts:

I love to collect books for my future children to read. Except for the red one whose title you cannot see, these are all books that I have read and loved as a child, the hidden one is "Jack Archer" by G.A. Henty. I LOVE the rolling pin, it is an older one, which makes me very happy!

Close up of the watch.

My meditation today:

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5)

As I read these verses today, the question arose, why does experience give us hope? I think is because, through experience we learn to trust the faithfulness of God. When we go through hard things and He proves Himself faithful, we now know through experience what before was only head knowledge. We then have hope for the future, that He who has called us is faithful and will keep our whole spirit, soul and body preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Thes. 5:23-24)

From Pilgrims Progress: Christiana... "Our only fear for the future, is that we will forget how God hath led us in the past."

The BEST 10 Min. Video I Have Ever Seen!

This is truly amazing and left me weeping for joy at what our God has done!

I am sure you will want your whole family to see this - It is 10 minutes 31 seconds

Trevor's Story

Friday we went back to the Duluth Skywalk system with our witnessing team. We handed out close to a hundred tracts and had some really good conversations.

Several months ago a rough looking man walked past Steve and Josh as they stood outside at the Holiday Center in Duluth, he cursed and swore at them and continued to do this every time he walked by. So on Friday when Steve saw this same man walking towards us in the skywalk, he thought "oh boy, here we go again." But as Trevor (name changed) passed by us, he quietly said, "Thank you for what you are doing." Steve was surprised but managed to ask, "Are you born again?"

"Yes"

"When did this happen?"

"About a month ago."

He seemed to be in a hurry but later sought us out and took a tract. He stood near us reading it, then Steve began talking with him and Trevor's story unfolded:

A month ago he had come to the very end of his rope. He was going through a painful divorce, was doing drugs and drinking and had hit rock bottom. He took a gun, put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger-- it did not fire. He put the gun down, looked up at the sky and said "I've never talked to you before" and there, weeping, he found grace before the throne of God through Jesus Christ. He told Steve "Jesus is all I have, no one else can help me."

Please pray for Trevor, I wish I could paint for you the picture of that serious, sober look, that was in his face and eyes. I have not seen much like it.

Do you see the power of God in this man's life? Oh, how our God loves to use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and the weak things to confound the mighty! Where is the disputer of this world? has God not made foolish the wisdom of this world? Praise God that He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy and whom He will He hardens!

To God be the Glory!

Please watch this Street Preacher's video: This is Kevin from Cry to God, --- this video is the best street preaching I have heard yet!