Last night I had the incredible blessing of being a volunteer at the first ever Night To Shine held here in Davao City.
Each guest is given a gown or barong to wear, a tiara or crown, a gift bag of items to remember the night. Each guest had a buddy to help them around - some of the guests were in wheelchairs, on crutches, blind, deaf, downs syndrome....but all so happy to be dancing and dining on great food.
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God's love, for people with special needs ages 16 and older.
It is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. What a blessing to dance with these kids and see their happy, joy-filled faces.
This girl's joyful exuberance captures the heart of the night and
the fun the kids had. Tears were in my eyes often watching and
interacting with these young adults. To see their joy and happiness
is beyond words to express.
This boy loved dancing and the happiness on his face captures
the heart of the evening...treating these special needs young
people like kings and queens. Such a blessing.
Read more about the Tim Tebow Foundation and Night to Shine outreach at https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/index.php/stand-with-night-to-shine/
Just this morning in family devotions we read about waiting and how often God directs us to wait.....
God had taught me much about waiting and resting in Him when I was caring for Jerard. Deep in my soul I know it's better to just wait and rest for His timing to occur.....
but....there are moments waiting seems difficult......
we've been here nine years with no real furlough...
and I'm looking forward to getting back to the states to visit family and friends; to help my daughters adjust to life in the USA culture, help them learn to drive, take Kirsten to visit some college campuses,; start singing in the church choir again, etc....
but there is paperwork we need to complete which requires sending our passports in for....
and paperwork from the USA that we need to file I thought would soon be on its way to us has been only as of today started in the USA side...
another delay.....
another opportunity to wait on His timing.....
then we can file paperwork on our end and hopefully it will be processed in a few months.....
but we can't do that til some paperwork arrives from the USA....
then once all that stuff is processed, then we can purchase tickets for the USA.....
so this morning finds me reflectively in prayer....my anxiousness to purchase tickets and know I have a day to be flying to the USA tempered with His still small voice reminding me to wait....
I will listen.....
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Genesis 49:18
I wait for your salvation, O Lord.
Psalm 25
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.......
O my God, in you I trust;....... none who wait for you shall be put to shame;.....Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long......Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.......
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins........
May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
one time as I held Jerard, my Abba spoke to me and said,
"just as Jerard leans in to you, lean in to Me. Rest in me."
Yes, Dad, I rest in You!
Let Your Heart Be Broken
Let your heart be broken for a world in need:
Feed the mouths that hunger, soothe the wounds that bleed,
Give the cup of water and the loaf of bread
Be the hands of Jesus, serving in His stead.
Here on earth applying principles of love,
Visible expression God still rules above
Living illustration of the Living Word
To the minds of all whose Never seen or heard.
Blest to be a blessing privileged to care,
Challenged by the need apparent everywhere.
Where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place.
Be the means through which the Lord reveals His grace.
Add to your believing deeds that prove it true,
Knowing Christ as Savior, make Him Master, too.
Follow in His footsteps, go where He has trod;
In the worlds great trouble risk yourself for God.
Let your heart be tender and your vision clear;
See mankind as God sees, serve Him far and near.
Let your heart be broken by a brothers pain;
Share your rich resources, give and give again.
(hymn, Bryan Leech, James Mountain, 1976)
Girl's soccer started yesterday. Kirsten is playing for this her fourth season and last season of high school.
Kirsten is a sweeper (center back defense) and in uniform #13. Her knickname is "Stonewall" because she so expertly blocks the opponents tries to get the ball into our team goal!
Ben is playing middle school basket ball yesterday. The team had their first game yesterday!
Ben is center and in uniform #18.
