How can I approach this day of love with anything less than words from The ONE who loves me the most and is the reason I can give and receive love? So I begin this day with...
"In this is love, not that we have loved DAD but that HE loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if DAD so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen DAD; if we love one another, DAD abides in us and HIS love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:10-12
WOW...not sure about you but reading these words causes me to fall prostrate before My Dad in awe of HIS Love and grace for me! Today HE reminds me of HIS Command to us that we must love one another. And listen to that promise when we do...HE abides in us and HIS Love is perfected in us!! Are you kidding me? Why do I struggle with loving some people when HIS very Words promise me that when I choose to die to my selfish flesh and choose to love everyone the way HE does...HE abides in me!!! And HIS love is PERFECTED in me!! So simple right...yet I am such an idiot at times in the way I act out of my flesh and make the conscious choice to love myself more than I do other people! DAD, forgive me of this...I want you to abide in me and make Your love perfect in me!
And what an ocean of people that HE has placed in my path to love...and are easy to love because they are so much like HIM!!
I start with my amazing parents!
For those of you who have never had the privilege to know Ken and Ann, if you know My Savior then you have seen my parents. I am not worthy of the blessings that are the two of them in my life for the past 33 years! How many people do you know would give both of their daughters to HIM when they were young, teach them HIS Truths, model HIS behavior, and once they finally get it and accept it...tell them that they are M's wherever they go? Two people who only want to see HIS Name glorified, that's who! Two people more concerned with HIS Glory than their ability to see their daughters on a daily basis or even talk to them weekly. Two people who have sacrificed so much of themselves to give their children a better life and yet find joy in telling people about their two economically strapped daughters (1 who finally got married...the other who is still a dependent at 33), living in a dangerous 3rd world country, depending solely on HIS heavenly provisions...all for the sake of HIS kingdom! YOUR love has been made perfect in me because you gave me two parents that anyone would love! Thank you DAD for both of them...fill them today with Your HS, Your grace, Your wisdom, and Your love! I love you, Mom and Dad...
Dad, I hope you take Mom out to "my favorite" little restaurant we always go to...Happy Valentines Day!
Next, one of the most beautiful and humble women of MY DAD that I have ever met...and she is 5 1/2 years younger than me! Kerri Allison Faust...it took me about 20 years to actually like her but she had all my love since the day she was born! Abandoning everything for the sake of The Call (a little shout out to my neighbor SCC), Stacey and I packed her bags the night before she left on this amazing journey with Our Dad. Not knowing what she had in her bags, what HE had in store for her, nor how to speak Spanish...she obediently went. 3 years and 1 husband later, this true American girl is still giving it all up to follow hard after Her Savior! An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels! And that is so true about my little sister...a Dad fearing woman, a respectful daughter, an iron-sharpening sister, and now the Proverbs 31 wife. Happy Valentines Day, BBM! Thanks for being my Aaron...holding up my arm when I did not have the strength nor the will! And yes, cunetica...I love you too and thankful for you as well!!
And for my Hur(s) who have faithfully held up my other arm individually at times and together as a group (because I have been working out with Shawn T and his insanity and these guns are rock solid!!)
April, Jota, and Stacey...three of the most amazing people you will ever meet!
April has been my best friend for about 10 years now and HE brought us together because of our love for HIM and the passion to see all people come to know HIM! It has been an amazing 10 years of laughing, crying, being on a boat, serving, worshiping, and now celebrating as HE united her with Larry P. April, you have been my constant and faithful friend. You have carried me to HIM day in and day out. And when most people would give up on a friend whom you cannot talk to for 5 months, not you. You remained obedient in your love and support of me on your knees and for that I can never repay you! Larry P is lucky to have you!
Jota came into my life when I was barely keeping my head above water and HE sent Jota to rescue me and put my feet upon THE ROCK. How can you not love someone who taught you how to communicate, stood by your side as you followed HIM to places that on the HS can take you without fear and trembling, and held you accountable to keep your focus on HIM and obediently following HIM no matter what is thrown in front of you. When your eyes are focused on HIM, nothing else matters...thank you for allowing HIM to use you in my life to remind me of this simple truth day in and day out. Thank you for restoring my faith in the power of HIS WORDS and HIS SPIRIT and allowing HIM to perform miracles through your love and radical obedience to The One Who Created Everything! You have shown me HIS Love in a new way...and most of the time without words
Kenny Ann, you started as my youth leader, my supporter, life partner, and now OLD adopted sister. I have not met many people with a true servant's heart...you are one of a kind (in more ways than one)! You constantly amaze me with your selfless service and love for me...when I definitely do not deserve it. You are a friend to all and love without question...well not too many questions! You have stepped in to our family and filled an answer to Kerri and my pryrs...you have given my parents another daughter to love, someone to care for them, and most importantly someone who will pry for each of us. I hope this is your last valentine's day as a single rider but know you are preparing yourself for HIM and the HUGE wedding HE has planned for you!
Oh and who could forget my Granny and new adopted Grandma Betty. Just thinking about them and the blessing that they have been and are in my life...I am brought to my knees and to tears! Oh my gracious and loving DAD, you really outdid Yourself when You created both of these precious women. Strength and dignity are their clothing. They open their mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on their tongue. Many women are excellent but these two surpass them all. Speaking only with HIS WORDS, smiling with a joy that comes from a love relationship with Their Savior, and leading their families by actions...
these two women have helped me become who I am today (whether they have liked it or not.) Oh to make them proud by living a life behind My DAD just like they have and bring HIS Love/Wisdom to everyone they meet. I am thankful that my Granny is with HIM now but HE knew that I still had a long way to go...so HE gave me another Grandma who has picked up right where my Granny left off!
I love you both...thanks for making it so easy to love you and for HIM to abide in me!
Do I stop here? For time, I will stop here but that does not mean that these are the only people who have made it easy for me to love and through that HIS love is being perfected in me! Countless others of you have loved me, shared your lives with me, stood beside me, served alongside of me, mentored me, and glorified The One and Only through your lives! And I fall more in love with HIM as HE replays these blessings in my life that are you guys...
Eric...we have seen first hand the redemption power of Our Great Dad and I praise Him for you!
Al and Cap...adopted me as a daughter, feed me meat until I explode, and pry for me without ceasing. Who could ask for a better bunch of yankees in a girl's life! I love you two!
Paul's...we started this journey together and HE has used you to refine me and sharpen me into a better instrument for HIS Kingdom...not to mention you feed me when I have no food!
Lowe's and Gundersen's...you adopted me into your families knowing the ugly, crazy sinner that I am and yet you love me, support me, and pry for me consistently...and trust me enough to call me Aunt!
LLPOF...you are the exact opposite of me and it is so beautiful to watch HIM work through our friendship
Leigh...you might be my greatest compliment ever...your boldness in speaking TRUTH is contagious
Michael G...in 3 short months, you challenged everything I had ever believed about My Creator and showed me the power of HIS HS through your transparency!
Jenkins...passion and purity ooze out of you when you speak of your love for The Alpha and Omega
Tommy and Jean...you practically raised us and yet you still love me unconditionally. You two are always giving to others and taught me what true selflessness looks like here on this side of heaven.
GHBC WOM...your pryrs are what gets me out of bed each and every day with a renewed Spirit and desire to see HIS Name glorified here in Colombia. Thanks for partnering with me on this journey!
Price's and Ammars...you have supported me and my parents in whatever, wherever, however...and done it with such love
John David...you are one of my oldest friends and I praise HIM for your heart and love...your intensity when it comes to HIS Gospel is infectious and so needed in our city right now! Thank you for your obedience!
Julie...What a blessing it is to know you, serve along side of you, pry for you, and be sharpened by you. Your entire family is a huge blessing to me and I cannot imagine life here without you!
Faith...your name says it all and your spirit of encouragement has gotten me through some rough times!
I know I have missed thousands of you and it is not because I do not love you nor am I not thanking HIM for you! I challenge you, today on this commercial love day, to tell those around you how much you love HIM and praise HIM for HIS Promise in 1 John 4 of HIS SON, HIS Abiding in you, and HIS perfect love in you! We serve a mighty DAD, WHO is worthy of every ounce of our being...may we be sweet smelling sacrifices that are pleasing to HIM today through our praise and worship of His Holy Name!
I love each of you...really! Dad, help me to love them more and more like you do!
"In this is love, not that we have loved DAD but that HE loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if DAD so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen DAD; if we love one another, DAD abides in us and HIS love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:10-12
WOW...not sure about you but reading these words causes me to fall prostrate before My Dad in awe of HIS Love and grace for me! Today HE reminds me of HIS Command to us that we must love one another. And listen to that promise when we do...HE abides in us and HIS Love is perfected in us!! Are you kidding me? Why do I struggle with loving some people when HIS very Words promise me that when I choose to die to my selfish flesh and choose to love everyone the way HE does...HE abides in me!!! And HIS love is PERFECTED in me!! So simple right...yet I am such an idiot at times in the way I act out of my flesh and make the conscious choice to love myself more than I do other people! DAD, forgive me of this...I want you to abide in me and make Your love perfect in me!
And what an ocean of people that HE has placed in my path to love...and are easy to love because they are so much like HIM!!
I start with my amazing parents!
For those of you who have never had the privilege to know Ken and Ann, if you know My Savior then you have seen my parents. I am not worthy of the blessings that are the two of them in my life for the past 33 years! How many people do you know would give both of their daughters to HIM when they were young, teach them HIS Truths, model HIS behavior, and once they finally get it and accept it...tell them that they are M's wherever they go? Two people who only want to see HIS Name glorified, that's who! Two people more concerned with HIS Glory than their ability to see their daughters on a daily basis or even talk to them weekly. Two people who have sacrificed so much of themselves to give their children a better life and yet find joy in telling people about their two economically strapped daughters (1 who finally got married...the other who is still a dependent at 33), living in a dangerous 3rd world country, depending solely on HIS heavenly provisions...all for the sake of HIS kingdom! YOUR love has been made perfect in me because you gave me two parents that anyone would love! Thank you DAD for both of them...fill them today with Your HS, Your grace, Your wisdom, and Your love! I love you, Mom and Dad...
Dad, I hope you take Mom out to "my favorite" little restaurant we always go to...Happy Valentines Day!
Next, one of the most beautiful and humble women of MY DAD that I have ever met...and she is 5 1/2 years younger than me! Kerri Allison Faust...it took me about 20 years to actually like her but she had all my love since the day she was born! Abandoning everything for the sake of The Call (a little shout out to my neighbor SCC), Stacey and I packed her bags the night before she left on this amazing journey with Our Dad. Not knowing what she had in her bags, what HE had in store for her, nor how to speak Spanish...she obediently went. 3 years and 1 husband later, this true American girl is still giving it all up to follow hard after Her Savior! An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels! And that is so true about my little sister...a Dad fearing woman, a respectful daughter, an iron-sharpening sister, and now the Proverbs 31 wife. Happy Valentines Day, BBM! Thanks for being my Aaron...holding up my arm when I did not have the strength nor the will! And yes, cunetica...I love you too and thankful for you as well!!
And for my Hur(s) who have faithfully held up my other arm individually at times and together as a group (because I have been working out with Shawn T and his insanity and these guns are rock solid!!)
April, Jota, and Stacey...three of the most amazing people you will ever meet!
April has been my best friend for about 10 years now and HE brought us together because of our love for HIM and the passion to see all people come to know HIM! It has been an amazing 10 years of laughing, crying, being on a boat, serving, worshiping, and now celebrating as HE united her with Larry P. April, you have been my constant and faithful friend. You have carried me to HIM day in and day out. And when most people would give up on a friend whom you cannot talk to for 5 months, not you. You remained obedient in your love and support of me on your knees and for that I can never repay you! Larry P is lucky to have you!
Jota came into my life when I was barely keeping my head above water and HE sent Jota to rescue me and put my feet upon THE ROCK. How can you not love someone who taught you how to communicate, stood by your side as you followed HIM to places that on the HS can take you without fear and trembling, and held you accountable to keep your focus on HIM and obediently following HIM no matter what is thrown in front of you. When your eyes are focused on HIM, nothing else matters...thank you for allowing HIM to use you in my life to remind me of this simple truth day in and day out. Thank you for restoring my faith in the power of HIS WORDS and HIS SPIRIT and allowing HIM to perform miracles through your love and radical obedience to The One Who Created Everything! You have shown me HIS Love in a new way...and most of the time without words
Kenny Ann, you started as my youth leader, my supporter, life partner, and now OLD adopted sister. I have not met many people with a true servant's heart...you are one of a kind (in more ways than one)! You constantly amaze me with your selfless service and love for me...when I definitely do not deserve it. You are a friend to all and love without question...well not too many questions! You have stepped in to our family and filled an answer to Kerri and my pryrs...you have given my parents another daughter to love, someone to care for them, and most importantly someone who will pry for each of us. I hope this is your last valentine's day as a single rider but know you are preparing yourself for HIM and the HUGE wedding HE has planned for you!
Oh and who could forget my Granny and new adopted Grandma Betty. Just thinking about them and the blessing that they have been and are in my life...I am brought to my knees and to tears! Oh my gracious and loving DAD, you really outdid Yourself when You created both of these precious women. Strength and dignity are their clothing. They open their mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on their tongue. Many women are excellent but these two surpass them all. Speaking only with HIS WORDS, smiling with a joy that comes from a love relationship with Their Savior, and leading their families by actions...
these two women have helped me become who I am today (whether they have liked it or not.) Oh to make them proud by living a life behind My DAD just like they have and bring HIS Love/Wisdom to everyone they meet. I am thankful that my Granny is with HIM now but HE knew that I still had a long way to go...so HE gave me another Grandma who has picked up right where my Granny left off!
I love you both...thanks for making it so easy to love you and for HIM to abide in me!
Do I stop here? For time, I will stop here but that does not mean that these are the only people who have made it easy for me to love and through that HIS love is being perfected in me! Countless others of you have loved me, shared your lives with me, stood beside me, served alongside of me, mentored me, and glorified The One and Only through your lives! And I fall more in love with HIM as HE replays these blessings in my life that are you guys...
Eric...we have seen first hand the redemption power of Our Great Dad and I praise Him for you!
Al and Cap...adopted me as a daughter, feed me meat until I explode, and pry for me without ceasing. Who could ask for a better bunch of yankees in a girl's life! I love you two!
Paul's...we started this journey together and HE has used you to refine me and sharpen me into a better instrument for HIS Kingdom...not to mention you feed me when I have no food!
Lowe's and Gundersen's...you adopted me into your families knowing the ugly, crazy sinner that I am and yet you love me, support me, and pry for me consistently...and trust me enough to call me Aunt!
LLPOF...you are the exact opposite of me and it is so beautiful to watch HIM work through our friendship
Leigh...you might be my greatest compliment ever...your boldness in speaking TRUTH is contagious
Michael G...in 3 short months, you challenged everything I had ever believed about My Creator and showed me the power of HIS HS through your transparency!
Jenkins...passion and purity ooze out of you when you speak of your love for The Alpha and Omega
Tommy and Jean...you practically raised us and yet you still love me unconditionally. You two are always giving to others and taught me what true selflessness looks like here on this side of heaven.
GHBC WOM...your pryrs are what gets me out of bed each and every day with a renewed Spirit and desire to see HIS Name glorified here in Colombia. Thanks for partnering with me on this journey!
Price's and Ammars...you have supported me and my parents in whatever, wherever, however...and done it with such love
John David...you are one of my oldest friends and I praise HIM for your heart and love...your intensity when it comes to HIS Gospel is infectious and so needed in our city right now! Thank you for your obedience!
Julie...What a blessing it is to know you, serve along side of you, pry for you, and be sharpened by you. Your entire family is a huge blessing to me and I cannot imagine life here without you!
Faith...your name says it all and your spirit of encouragement has gotten me through some rough times!
I know I have missed thousands of you and it is not because I do not love you nor am I not thanking HIM for you! I challenge you, today on this commercial love day, to tell those around you how much you love HIM and praise HIM for HIS Promise in 1 John 4 of HIS SON, HIS Abiding in you, and HIS perfect love in you! We serve a mighty DAD, WHO is worthy of every ounce of our being...may we be sweet smelling sacrifices that are pleasing to HIM today through our praise and worship of His Holy Name!
I love each of you...really! Dad, help me to love them more and more like you do!
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