On the Banks of the Meuse

This week we celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary, and I must say, my husband knows how to make it romantic! He started it off with presenting me with a video that he made that makes me cry EVERY time I watch it! Then he took me to an amazing restaurant outside of Namur, a small city sixty kilometers southeast of Brussels.  Pictures definitely don’t do it justice, but here goes:

Our view from the restaurant

Another view from the restaurant

After an unbelievably amazing dinner we strolled along the banks of the river:

This doorway was just standing in the middle of a big open space. The year carved above the door says “1676″.

What beauty. What a gift. This was only forty-five minutes from our house. We are blessed.  Thank you, Lord, for thirty amazing years.

Thirty Years of Wedded Bliss

At 5:00 pm tonight Texas time thirty years ago, I married my best friend. I married the man of my dreams. I married a man who would love me through thick and thin…lean times and abundant times…pretty times and ugly times.  I married a man who would be the father of my five children and the grandfather of my seven precious grandbabies.  (I can’t ever talk about my grandchildren without using the word “precious”!)  I married a man who loves Yeshua with all of his being and is not satisfied with anything less than giving his life to search out the mysteries of God.  I married a man who would show me what it means to love God’s people unconditionally, even through offenses.  I married a man who would show me what it means to be fiercely loyal no matter what storms might come.  I married a man who would show me what humility looks like. I married a man who believes the best in everyone and does what it takes to make them successful.  I married a man who would give his life for his family and love them with a fierce love. I married a man who would do anything and go anywhere to be in the will of God. Our life in Israel and Belgium is proof of that.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. I am beyond blessed to be his best friend and wife.  Thank you, honey, for thirty wonderful years. I’m eternally grateful.

29th anniversary on the patio of our apt in Israel last year

Gary standing inside the Eastern Gate on the Temple Mount

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Real Fathers

On this cold and rainy Father’s Day in Belgium I have been thinking a lot about fathers.  I am reminded that a man isn’t a true father just because he has a child.  True fathers are not very common.  A true father puts his wife and children first in all that they do. He takes the responsibility of training his children very seriously.  He knows that his actions and words today will be reaped for generations to come.  He loves and seeks God with all his heart and wants his children to far exceed him in their love and pursuit.  He lives unselfishly and will be there at the drop of a hat when his children need him.  A true father is a gift from heaven.

I have the privilege of having many true fathers in my life. I’m grateful for my father. He loves Yeshua with all his heart and has taught me the importance of prayer and an inner communion with the ultimate Father. My dad imparted to me a love for Israel and the Jewish people.  He loves the Land almost as much as I do.  (He probably thinks he loves it more, but that’s not possible!)  He is such a hard worker and tirelessly gives of himself for others.  He loves the outdoors and is always ready for adventure. I love you, Dad!

He looks like he knows a secret that he isn't telling.

This is his favorite activity....preaching!

The picture below was taken last summer when they visited Gary, Preston, and I in Israel.  This is Dad, Mom, and Tracey Kingham at the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea in Israel

I have other real fathers in my life as well.  My precious husband is at the top of the list.  His love for his children is something that continually blesses me.  His love for Yeshua inspires me every day of my life.  His love for ME brings security and comfort. Our family is truly blessed and privileged to have him in our lives. I love you, sweetie!

He loves his daughters!

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Living With Six Little People

I have a special privilege that many grandparents in the world do not have. I live with six of my seven beautiful grandchildren. Every day is so much fun.  Seriously, it is.  After being without them in Israel for a whole year, I am enjoying every single second. They are so funny and sincere, and, I must say, very obedient. That makes living with them that much better. Of course each one has moments where he is testing his boundaries, but those are few and far between.  We are all working on establishing a house of prayer here in Brussels, and it’s so much fun to see the kids participate. Ashlyn loves to bring her Bible in almost every morning and take part in the worship and prayer.  The younger ones take part, too, and it’s always in the form of dancing and singing. We try to have special times when they can have their own watch. That way they can be as loud as they want! You’ve never seen a group a kids love to sing more than my group! It is amazing.

Ashlyn (7) in her dancing dress

Lyric (3) and Madysen (6) with their strollers and dress-up clothes

Kadyn (4) in dress-up clothes

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Good Days…and Heavenly Days

This morning in the BHOP (Brussels House of Prayer) was one of those times when it seemed easier to hear God and vision just seemed to be so clear.  We came away from that watch with a definite set of objectives that we know He has given us to get accomplished. And we all heard Him.  The worship was sweet. The devotional time was full of revelation. We started a 4-part series by Billy Humphrey from IHOP-Atlanta entitled “Zeal for the House of Prayer”, which is amazing. The discussion time afterward was great. Today was a good day in the prayer room.

I wish I could say the same about every watch in the prayer room.  That would be heavenly. The days where His tangible presence is felt are glorious.  But, in all reality, those days are not the norm.  Many days in the prayer room are raw and seemingly un-anointed.  I worship and pray,  because I know that is what God has called me to do.  I say, “Soul, worship the Lord whether you feel like it or not.”  I pray out of principle not feeling. Sometimes it feels like routine and rut, but you know what?  I think that when you get an eternal perspective of the prayer room, you realize that the mundane days bring as much glory to the Father as the precious, anointed days.  Abba loves it when we press through to hear what’s on His heart so we know what He wants us to speak forth that day.  He is glorified and satisfied when we worship Him from voluntary love, not because we are made to, but because we choose to.  He is worthy to be glorified no matter how we feel.

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