Snow, snow, and more snow…

Somehow we’ve made it to the middle of March already.  Time sure does fly, and this winter, so did the snow!  We’ve had the coldest, wettest winter that we’ve had in at least 10 years, and probably more.  Whatcom County was the hardest hit county in western Washington in February, with schools closed for a week straight, snowdrifts up to rooftops in some places, impassible roads, and lots of accidents.  A state of emergency was declared for our county during this storm, as our infrastructure was completely overwhelmed.

Right at the beginning of the snowstorm (Friday Feb 2nd), after a night of freezing rain followed by a morning of heavy snow, my beloved Isuzu Rodeo and I had an unplanned and  very jarring meeting with a ditch.  I was on a narrow county road on the way to a friend’s house, lost traction, and was unable to straighten out before sliding across and off the road.  I slammed head on into the muddy bank, and then my car swung around the rest of the way so I was facing the opposite direction.  It was bad, but I clearly see the Lord’s hand of protection and provision.  It could have been worse 100 different ways, so I’m very thankful.  My friends came right away to pull me out of the ditch, and I was able to slowly drive the rest of the way to their house.  I missed a mail box by about 8 feet and no one was coming from the other way, so the damage was limited to me and my vehicle.  I had a big bruise and some very sore ribs from slamming forward against the seat belt, and some whiplash as well.  The dent in the bank and part of my bumper are still in that ditch, and I look for them every time I drive by.  My car ended up being totaled, as repairs would cost far more than the car itself was worth.  I’ve never needed it till now, but I have excellent insurance coverage, so I got some money for my car and some help for needed medical support as well.  Now 6 weeks later I’m recovering and in much less pain, but goodness!  Rib injuries are no joke!

Sadly, I had to say goodbye to the Rodeo much much sooner than I had planned.  That little SUV was a little “desire of my heart” thing that the Lord provided back in 2011, and I had no plans to replace it.  I’m very thankful to still have a way to get around, as last summer, I was gifted another (much larger) SUV.  It has its quirks, and I considered selling or donating it  last year.  Instead, I was able to address the few things that needed to be fixed, and it’s getting me from point A to point B.  Now, however, I am in the market for a full-size truck.  Since the Lord brought horses back into my life, a truck is now a practical necessity.

A busy season of preparation…

The past two months have been busy!  On top of the extra hassle of dealing with vehicles (my roommate Christy was also in an accident a couple of weeks ago and her car was totaled too, and Kenta’s car is having strange electrical issues), the first few months of the year are always busy for both LOWPC and Promise 23.

At the Prayer Center, we are in the final push towards our annual dessert fundraiser event. Christy bears the lion’s share of this, but we help too!  Now we’re down to lots of little details, setting up, and the actual event!  This is always a precious time where we get to give testimony and share what God is doing here and beyond through LOWPC.  At Promise 23, we are getting ready to start our regular sessions again in a few weeks!  We are also working on details our events through the year, which include work parties, open houses, and our annual fall retreat.

Kenta and I are doing well and are working on our plans together for the rest of the year.  It’s a fun new adventure have someone else included in these plans.  🙂

Do you trust me?

This is a question the Lord has been asking me specifically since 2009 or so.  In seasons such as the current one, this loving reminder becomes more insistent.  My God is SO faithful, SO generous, SO loving, SO patient, and SO wise!  I can be so fickle, so fretful, so distracted, and so forgetful.  I guess this is part of being human – we are not yet perfected in Christ, not until the day we see him face to face… but we journey on!  When I hear that trust question, I’m getting quicker at recognizing that the Lord is highlighting the place where he wants to move on my behalf!  I look at this years and I see a few really big mountains that seem impassible.  My strength, ideas, and resources are not enough, but God is not overwhelmed!!  Over and over in scripture, the theme is repeated: “those who trust in, hope in, wait for, take refuge in, cling to the Lord WILL NOT be put to shame.” It’s my job to press in to him, and his job to move mountains.

To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
–Psalm 22:5

Then you will know that I am the Lord;
those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.
–Isaiah 49:23

Prayer Requests

• Please pray for me and our whole team as we strive to balance hard work and rest.  This busy season seems to be filled with extra hassles that have the potential to be very distracting.  Pray for grace to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus through the tasks and projects and the extra/unexpected things that also need to be taken care of.
• Please pray for extra protection!  This time of year is always interesting as we work on annual planning, fundraiser events, and spend extra time praying for salvation for the lost leading up to Easter.  The number of car accidents in our small circle over the last 6 weeks has caused me to raise an eyebrow and pay a little more attention.  I know that we are covered and victorious in Christ, but we would appreciate some reinforcements in prayer.
• Please pray for the provision of the right vehicles!  Christy needs to replace her car, and Kenta’s is also on its last leg (or wheel, as the case may be), and I am praying for a truck and possibly a commuter car too.  My gas bill more than doubled when I lost the Rodeo, and even with efficient planning I easily drive 50+ miles a day.  I am not looking for new or fancy, just reliable vehicles that will get the job done.
• I am praying for the Lord to provide a few more monthly financial supporters!  Please join me in praying for some new partners.
• Pray for Kenta and me as we continue our journey together. 🙂  I’m anticipating getting to share some more specific news about us soon.

Thank you for riding along with me on this crazy journey!
Love,
Vanessa