Brush with Death

We had a beautiful weekend here in North Dallas: The sun was shining, birds were singing a new spring song, the breeze caught your hair and the underside of your shirt and pulled them up toward blue skies. After a morning of shotgun/clay shooting with his dad, Nick had lunch with me at The Hope Center (where I was attending a Biblical Counseling Institute seminar on suicide prevention). He was so pumped up about the morning of shooting, about the weather, and he had an itch to test drive motorcycles. I didn't see the point as we would not be able to afford one for several more years, but he was so excited I didn't want to steal his joy of the ride.

I finished up my conference at 5pm. I thought about swinging by the mall to treat myself to a pedicure and manicure: the weather was calling out for a pair of flops and cute, pastel painted toes! Something told me, "no, go home." So, I did. I got home excited to hear about the rest of my husbands fun-filled man day. When I got home, I saw him on the couch with the first aid kit out. I could tell something was wrong, but I joked, "what, did you fall down the stairs?" "No," he said, "I wrecked!"

I can't begin to tell you all of the thoughts and emotions that went through my mind! As he recounted the story of how the bike threw him, how he watched as the concrete came to meet his face, and of how onlookers just sat by, I was so grateful for his life, for each breath he took as he retold his story! My husband just had a brush with death!! I could have been a widow 8 months into marriage! We could have so quickly lost our dreams of a long life together, of raising a family together. But I wasn't widowed. There was still hope of our future. Thank God he is alive!

Psalm 91:9-16: The LORD Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety, and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home. God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones. You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes. The Lord says, "If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe. When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you. You will live a long life and see my saving power."

I am so thankful that my husband knows Jesus as his personal savior. Had he died this weekend, I know he'd be in heaven awaiting my arrival, praising the King of Kings for all eternity! I'm so grateful, that the Lord spared his life, though, that angels softened the blow of the concrete, that not a bone was broken in that wreck! The Lord has great plans for Nick, of this I am sure (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.").

We have been accepted to the CARES team and will be placed in an apartment community in order to build relationships, build community, and share the gospel of Christ. I am sure God has a great harvest in store for Nick and I and I look forward to what our future holds.

Over the next few months, please pray for us in the following ways:
1) That the Lord would be preparing an apartment community for us where we can build our ministry and build our family. Specifically, we need a 3 BR apartment in a community that accepts large pets (for Charlie the dog)
2) That the Lord would be preparing a harvest, preparing the hearts of those who are there at the apartment community. That the Holy Spirit would be moving in their hearts, that they would be open to building relationship and hearing the good news
3) That the Lord would be preparing Nick and I's hearts and fortifying us as we venture into a new and exciting ministry opportunity--I am so wanting MORE of the Holy Spirit, of the Lord, of church and of fellowship. I am so thirsty right now!
4)That the expenses of the motorcycle crash not be more than what we can bear financially, emotionally, etc
5) That my caseload at Christian Counseling Associates and Burson Counseling continue to grow and expand so that they would be able support our financial need without my having to keep this 3rd job (Activities Coordinator at Skyway Villas)
6) That the Lord would be healing my body/mind/heart and preparing my body/mind/heart for pregnancy; that we would be blessed with a healthy, happy baby (babies) in the Lord's perfect timing!

Thanks friends! We love you and are so thankful for you! (1 Thess. 1:2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers)