Trusting During Difficulty

Although there was much weeping 11 months ago, doing the hardest thing we’ve ever done as parents, we also felt enormous relief. With the dangerous behavior we had at times witnessed the year before, just knowing our girl was safe allowed us to sleep peacefully for the first time in a very long time.

The supernatural door that opened for her to receive help also heightened my expectation that God was going to do amazing things. It was time for the healing I’d been praying and interceding for!

Feeling our daughter’s absence that next morning was extremely difficult, yet we had a sense of peace. Brandon’s brother called to share a verse he felt the Lord had for us. It was exactly the encouragement we needed, direct from God’s heart to ours:

Jeremiah 31:16-17
But now this is what the Lord says, “Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you.” says the Lord. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future,” says the Lord, “Your children will come again to their own land.

God was surely in this! What an incredible word in due season! Drying our tears, a wave of trust completely washed over us in what He would do.

Our first visit with Ally could not come fast enough! We were allowed to see her on campus for the day! We packed up games, snacks and a delicious meal from “home” to enjoy together. We were a little bit worried how we would be welcomed. Would she be upset with us or happy to see us? No matter what, we decided we were going to cherish every moment, giving our undivided attention for the whole day.

We found ourselves getting on the road later than we wanted, having to drop the dog off to boarding. We wanted EVERY second they gave us, and arriving as soon as we could was the goal. On the way, my husband Brandon, suggested we stop and get her a Kombucha, one of her favorite healthy drinks. After talking it out, we decided, nah, let’s just get there! We can always go get her one after we get there!!! As we got closer, my husband again mentioned stopping to get the Kombucha. Although it was going to delay us more, he decided he really wanted to go ahead and have it in hand to give her. So we did.

Finally, we arrived, parked quickly and practically floated through the glass door where Ally was anxiously watching for us. Brandon handed her the Kombucha, and immediately we embraced, squeezing her so tight. We all were crying! Wiping our tears, we let her lead us to where we’d be hanging out for the day. Once settled, Brandon offered to go get breakfast and coffee! That brought a smile, as she happily rattled off what she wanted to eat and drink from the “outside” world. :)

While he was gone, Ally began to share with her brother and I through tears that the night before, she had been reading in her Bible about how God comforts us. She recounted the prayer she had prayed in secret. “If God really wanted to comfort me, have my parents bring me a Kombucha.” she barely choked out. I sat there and cried and cried. Just then, Brandon walked in to tears streaming down both our faces.

“Tell your dad”, I barely squeaked out. As she shared the miracle God had done to comfort her, yet another step in proving His great love and care, Brandon’s face also became drenched with tears.

God loves our kids and He has ZERO limits to reach them when we can’t. Keep praying.

We proceeded to have the most amazing day together, growing our relationship. Surprisingly, it was one of the BEST days we’d had as a family in a long time - even with being limited to stay on campus. You could tell everyone wanted to spend time together…Ally wanted to be with us, we didn’t have any distractions, like our phones, just each other. The best treasures in the world.

We listened as she shared what her new world and schedule was like. We saw her classroom, played basketball in their gym, ate snacks in their lunch room and played cards in their library. We laughed and laughed at some of the wild stories she had to tell us already. The best part of the day was when she walked us to where they do animal therapy. We walked through an adorable musty barn with string lights and couches, where they would get to sit with an animal while listening to a Bible lesson. She introduced us to her camel she was responsible to walk and care for. Next, we stepped into the kangaroo pen, getting to pet their soft fur. Apparently, Caleb was a threat to the male, incurring a kanga bite for the first time ever. For some reason, his friends didn’t believe him the next day at school! :)

Walking back towards the school campus, we saw an old pickup truck leaving the barn. Unbelievably, a lemur jumped from the ground into the window of a moving truck, and back out the other side, jumping onto the hood of the still moving truck! We’d never seen anything like it, when all of a sudden, he jumped right off the hood, across the ground and onto us! Ally introduced us to Omar, the friendliest lemur ever. He jumped from Brandon’s head and shoulders, to my head and shoulders to Caleb’s head and shoulders, who laughed and laughed. It was amazing.

We exchanged so many hugs and hand holds that day, loving on our girl. As our visitation hours were running out, we prayed and cried together, dreading the hug goodbye. Leaving without her to head home was painful, and would prove to be something I’ve never gotten used to. But, it represented one day closer to finishing this journey. God did incredibly special things that very first visit. Kombucha. God used Kombucha. ♥

We have an enemy who wants to take us out and destroy everything good in our lives. BUT, I can hold on with all that’s in me to what the Word promises my God will do. He is a Restorer, a Healer of broken hearts.

The family has been under attack for a long time, so let’s expose it for what it is! Recognizing WHO the real enemy is during hardship is half the battle! Not your kid or your spouse! The lying, stealing, destroying devil, whom WE have authority over.

If you have asked the “Why Me” question, you have to know we aren’t spared from trials and trouble, but God promises to help us get through them ALL when they come. He promises to never leave us, to never forsake us. He encourages us to not grow weary in doing right, for in due time we will reap if we do not faint.

We knew we could rely on receiving strength to walk out what we were going through WITH GOD, trusting it wouldn’t overtake us or our kids. I can confidently say, God has been with us giving us supernatural wisdom, direction, peace, joy, hope, healing and abundant provision every step of the way. And He will continue to in the future as we face other things!

Yes, it’s our job to put the incorruptible seed of God’s Word in our kids when they are young. To be present. To invest time, energy and money. To provide a loving environment. To be intentional in building memories. To live out our Christian faith in front of our kids.

And then to TRUST. Trust God that our work with our children will not be in vain. (Isaiah 65:23-24) Trust the Holy Spirit will breathe life on the incorruptible seeds THAT ARE IN THERE, and never, ever go away. Trust that we gave the Holy Spirit something to work to bring to their remembrance when they need it. Trust the promise that says when we train our children in the way they should go, when they are old they won’t turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6) Trust the leading of the Holy Spirit, partnering with Him to help me parent and minister exactly what my child needs. Trust what the Word says to be true about the power of a mighty God who changes everything - no matter how things appear.

I know every single supernatural occurrence, perfectly aligned situations and miraculous means were a direct result of prayer. Faith-filled, spirit-led prayer. Because I know there are families out there who also need to see the miraculous, we are in the middle of developing a Prayer Course to train and develop Prayer Warriors!

God wants to move in your life and in your family. If you’re facing impossible situations, it’s time to get in the Word like never before, spend time with Him like never before, worship like never before, as if those prayers are answered, and see God move like never before!

Continue to follow what God has done in our family this past year! Or to read up on what’s happened, check out previous blog posts HERE.

February 2019 // Saying goodbye until the next month’s visit