Once upon a time, in a land far away...

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God reminded me today of one of the most profound things He has ever done in my life. Maybe I have written this account here, maybe I haven't. If I have, please excuse the fact that I just have to tell the story one more time

The year I turned 49, I had the awesome pleasure of spending that very day in Patate, Ecuador.

As preparation for the trip, my co-workers gave me cards to open everyday while I was away. It was great. Included in the bundle was one from my friend Kim Hautamaki. As a matter of fact, I couldn't leave work until she returned with hers. When she handed me the envelope, she explained that out of desperation she finally just opened her Bible and placed her finger on a passage after praying and praying for God to give her a verse.

Maybe not the most theological way to give encouragement. But you know what!? that was all God needed - a willing finger!

While we were there, we heard stories of earthquakes that had destroyed many things that once stood on the mountainsides where we were assigned to work during the week.

This was the location of my groups daily visit. Someone in the village gave this land. We tore the house down, a church stands there now.

Well, me being the "granny" of the crew, there wasn't a lot I could do. One thing I did daily, was walk around the property and read scripture and pray over what was yet to come. As the children ran and played around me, I prayed over them, believing they are the

future leaders of the church in that village, claiming all that God has for them.
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I opened Kim's card on Sunday, read it and tucked it away. The week after returning home, I opened it, read it again and almost passed out!

This was the portion of scripture covered in her card...

LORD, You are my
God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have accomplished
wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
2 For You have
turned the city into a pile of rubble, a fortified city, into a ruin; the
fortress of barbarians is no longer a city; it will never be rebuilt.
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Therefore, a strong people will honor You. A city of violent people will fear
You.
4 For You have been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the
humble person in his distress, a refuge from the rain, a shade from the heat.
When the breath of the violent is like rain against a wall,
5 like heat in a
dry land, You subdue the uproar of barbarians. As the shade of a cloud cools the
heat of the day, so He stills the song of the violent.
6 The LORD of Hosts will prepare a feast
for all the peoples on this mountain — a feast of aged wine, choice meat, finely aged wine.
7 On this mountain He
will destroy the burial shroud, the shroud over all the peoples, the sheet
covering all the nations;
8 He will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will
wipe away the tears from every face and remove His people's disgrace from the
whole earth, for the LORD has spoken.

After reading it for the second time... I almost passed out! I almost cut a cart wheel (well my spirit did)!

It was kind of like hearing a sermon on Sunday and thinking it doesn't apply to you, then realizing, it was straight from the heart of God to you!

Read verse 6 again.

If you know the story, I hope it excites your heart again too!

You see, our last day in the village, the villagers prepared a feast for us. Their finest foods, collected from all the village families. It felt like God, Himself had prepared this place at the table for us. As we sat there, the village elder came in with his finest bottle of home made wine.

It was there, that i realized this very day was indeed my birthday.

As we pulled back into the camp, there suspended in the sky was the biggest, thickest brightest rainbow I have ever seen.

It was like a kiss from heaven... just for me.

It wasn't until I was home that I realized God fulfilled that verse to the fullest.

So my friend, whatever you may be going through... know that God controls more than you can see, more than you can know. Just know THAT HE IS... and that is enough!

Thank you Lord, that You love each one of us enough. Help us to take the time to look back and see where we have been with You, what You have said, and what You have provided. To know that that scripture was for this day in time.... mmmmm I love you so Lord!!!

You bless my heart much more than I deserve!