About to pop ...

We have very dear friends, the Irwin's. We have known them for 12 years. When we left Oklahoma to move to Vienna, the Irwin's and I (speaking for all Elledg'es) dreamed of and prayed for the day that God would bring them to Vienna. Today, as I type, they (John, Shannon and sweet Shelbi) are snuggled in their beds upstairs in my house ... in Vienna! I'm just reminded over and over again of the Psalms that say ... "the Lord has done great things for us."

The Irwin's love Jesus. They are teaching their 3 children to love Jesus. They make me want to love Jesus more.

In the last 2 years, they've watched 2 families they've grown to love leave Norman to serve overseas. I don't break a confidence when I tell that last night, as Shannon was sitting in our big blue chair, she made a confession. After finding out that the second family was being sent out to serve, she was mad at God. "Why do you send everyone away? Why don't you send me?"

Do you know what God said to her, in the turmoil and hurt of her heart? "Because I've put you where I want you."

I don't know when I've heard such beautiful words. I've put you where I want you. God of the universe, who created every star and gave it it's name, created every being that walks and moves and breaths on the planet ... has put them where He wants them. To use them to show others who He is ... and how He loves.

She's settled. She knows her purpose. Her heart still chases the friends that live across the world, but only for a short time and in a healthy way. She's been given a gentle yet profound reminder that God has put her, in Norman, Oklahoma, for a specific purpose for this specific time.

What about you? Are you settled in knowing you are where you are at this moment in time for a purpose? God loves you. God has a plan for you. Don't spend your days pinning what was ... or looking too far into the future. He wants ... no he passionately desires for you to know that you have a place in this world. Embrace it. Use your life.

When the Irwin's came yesterday, they brought with them an entire suitcase from my Mom, Jo Ann. I kid you not, they gave up one of their baggage allowances so she could spoil us with an entire suitcase full of treasures!

For several months, as I have spent time reading the Bible and listening to God, I've noticed He keeps pointing out two words to me: unfailing love. Every time I come across these words, I underline them and make a note of them in my journal. I've come to see these words show up in the most unusual places and situations in the Bible. Every time they appear, I know this is God showing me to pay attention.

After realizing God was up to something, I asked him to show me in a new way the meaning of those words. I know God loves me. But He's set my heart on a search to find out how radically and creatively He loves me with these two simple words: unfailing love.

As I opened up the suitcase from my Mom, I was flooded by another revelation of the meaning of unfailing love. The extravagent treasures I found in that suitcase reminded me how God loves me with unfailing parental love. The things I unpacked spoke right to my heart (like cozy PJ's and watches that have "bling"). They were things that a mother knows her child (despite that child be almost 43 years old) would like. They were things that demonstrated her knowing who I am and what my heart would like. They were things that I wouldn't buy for myself ... even though I wanted to. They were tings that made me feel pretty. They were things that shouted her unfailing love for me, her daughter.

I was overcome ... with gratitude, with feeling loved, with knowing my heavenly Father chose once again to demonstrate to me in a new way how He loves me. And ... he used my Mom to show me.

So, the Irwin's are here ... I'm wearing my new PJ's and wearing my "bling" ... and feeling so loved I could just pop!

Close to popping,
Christina