My Altar

Before the rebuilding of the temple, the altar was rebuilt in the midst of the rubble. (Ezra 3)

The first act of a heart that desires to return from wandering in darkness or to be set free from pain, and to return to real fellowship with God, should be to erect an altar in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the pain, in the midst of that very failure that created the pile of rubble in the first place! The altar is a symbol of a heart that longs to return to intimacy with God. It is the place where we lay down our independance and welcome His leadership and friendship in our lives. It always involves the sacrifice of worship and praise, which is the acknowledgement of the truth about who God is and who we are not…. “We are not our own, we were bought at a price.”

Our relationship with Him is restored when it is ministered to by the Only One who can meet our needs; when we stop searching after other gods and make our heart an altar for the Living God.

That is why my place in the prayer room is so important. It is the positioning my heart at the altar, and the offering the sacrifice of prayer and worship that allows me to be restored. As I come to Him and declare the truth of who He is and who I am not, He comes and receives the offering of my life; and His heart is moved to love, to heal, and to rebuild the ruins of my life.

Two for One

Today John and I had physicals. We found a doctor, mostly just by chance. He's what I would call a "country doc". Not necessarily by locality, but by attribute. He's a straight shooter, been at it a long time, and I'm pretty sure his office furniture has been with him for as long as he's had his license to practice medicine!

He did our physicals simultaeously! Meaning we were in the same room at the same time, and he basically asked a bunch of questions to which we both answered, and then he plopped us up on the exam table "together", checked my ears, then Johns; checked my glands, then Johns; listened to my heart, then John's... you get the picture!

One part of the physical threw us off a bit though. As I got off the table, and he did a balance test on John, he asked me to stand in the corner and jump 50 times. I kid you not! I actually thought, this guys joking, he's asking me that just to see if I'll do it, then he's going to laugh at me, so I said, "Are you serious?" (really folks, I did)... to which he said, "Yes, I am" (he's a stoic, did I mention that... I don't think he smiled once during the whole exam!)

So, I jumped... 50 times, feeling much like an idiot and trying not to laugh (or wet myself- some will understand)... Then he proceeded to take my heart rate again.
Even harder still was watching John complete his "50 jumps" knowing there was much going on inside his head as he did it, and trying not to make eye contact! Really tried not to laugh as John jumped and the doc asks him, "Do you ever have groin pain?"

But....He filled out our paper work though and that's what needed to be done!

Quick Update on the Day

Made it to the police station this morning, got fingerprinted and went to UPS to overnight the fingerprints to the FBI.

Drove to Jefferson City, stepped into the 4x4 office and got all "cleared" of any mis-doings in the state of Missouri. Isabelle was a little nervous and kept saying, "Are you sure you're not a criminal mom?"

Took a very quick tour of the state capital building with Taylor and Isabelle, who accompanied me, and I think got their appetites wet for learning a little "Missouri History" next year! Funny moving to a new state... we're so familiar with PA history, that the though of another state having "history" was kind of startling to them!

Caught a really great photography exhibit in a tiny museum near the capital. I love talking about art with my kids. I love seeing what catches their eye, and hearing about why they like what they like.

Headed home! Missed one turn and ended up 20 minutes out of the way. Bummer when that happens!

Stopped at two discount furniture stores to see if any had baby furniture. The first had some great deals, but no baby stuff. The second appeared to be a furniture store, even said OPEN in big red letters and had a full parking lot, but in approaching the door it was evident that not all was as it appeared. We were greated at the door by an armed officer, and could see lots of other officers at desks in the background, NO FURNITURE IN SIGHT! We were quickly told that it was now a FEMA office and had not been a furniture store for years!

And a quick travel tip from Taylor (my 11 year old): we were doing the whole walk through the alphabet with road signs thing to kill time, which made him take notice of a sign for a hotel saying "SUPER SEVEN". Tay's comment, was "Ohhh, Super Seven, that must be really bad!" I laughed, but Isabelle needed more explanations, "You know" he said, "Super 8's are kind of yucky motel's so Super 7's must be really nasty".

ADOPTION UPDATE

We got word this week that there is a baby due in a week or two, and if we could rush through the remainder of our homestudy we might be considered for this little one!

So, I'm headed to Jefferson City tomorrow to get State Criminal Abuse clearances processed for our home study. Sounds like a fun daytrip eh? We attempted to get our fingerprints for our FBI checks done at our local police department, but we were quickly shooed away because they had just arrested someone and were bringing him in for processing. The woman at the front desk was extremely serious, and let us know in no uncertain terms that we did not want to be around when they brought this guy in.
So we'll attempt to get fingerprinted tomorrow at 8AM, before I head to Jeff City.

We have all our remaining interview scheduled. That phase of the process will be done by mid-week.

Please pray for us! We know God's timing is perfect and if this little one is to be ours, all of this can get done, lickity split!

And in the midst of it all we are believing HIM to provide $20.000 (possibly a bit more).

Please remember to pray for us, and to pray for Elia Jane! We long to bring her home.

The Dumping Room

I was cleaning out the "dumping room" this afternoon a little bit. It happens to be the "family room" that isn't really a family room yet because we have no furniture for it. So it has become the room where I have put all the "stuff" that I didn't want to immediately deal with in the midst of dealing with other priorities. There are priority rooms when you move, like the kitchen, the living room, and bedrooms; and then there's the "stuff", the hodgepodge of things you really wish just didn't exsist, but still need to be dealt with. Today I faced the giant. I found much of it was simple garbage! Why do I always end up moving garbage? Some was long-lost, good stuff, stuff that has amazingly good memories attached to it. Things like good books and photo albums found their way to the built in book cases. And the rest... well some got designated to specific rooms, and some got thrown into a "to sort out later bin".

Anyway, I say that all to say this: I started seeing my heart as much like a house today. He does after all call us his "dwelling place". I've taken care of some of the important rooms, or at least the ones that look important, or get noticed immediately. But I've also had a "dumping room", a place where I put all the "stuff I don't want to deal with just yet". I'm feeling the need to deal with the piles in those rooms of my heart. I think it's time to get rid of the garbage that I've moved from room to room, from season to season, and have still failed to dump. I think it's time to pull out some of the good stuff that's been hidden in the rubble and enjoy it again. I think it's time to get to the stuff that's just been stored for a very long time because it didn't have a place to go, and find room for it. And I think if it's ok with God, I'll allow my self to have a "to sort out later bin", for the stuff I'm not ready to face just yet.

He's good that way. He is so good that when we bring our hearts to Him, He knows exactly what we're ready to "sort out", and He knows that there are times we need the grace of having a "to sort out later bin".

Friendship with God

After reading Kelsey's post on Psalm 23, I started to look at it again for myself. I got to the first verse, and I'm staying there for a while. "The Lord is my Shepherd". In addition to the literal meaning, the word shepherd there (Hebrew ra'ah) refers to companionship or friendship.

I just want to hold that first verse in my heart tonight.

"The Lord is my Closest Friend".

It's Wednesday

And I'm not sure what I have to say worth blogging! I'm not sure how interesting my blog would be if I told you how tired I was. I'm pretty sure you're not interested in how many unpacked boxes remain in my house, or that I wish the piles of "stuff" in my garage would just go away. I'm pretty sure you're not interested in the miriad of thoughts that are bouncing around in my mind about how to make this home more "organized" than the last two homes we have lived in. So what else is in my mind....

HOME: I am at home here! In this place, I am at home. It's not about the physical structure. It's about where we are in God. Where we are in life. What we have walked through and where it has taken us. It's about knowing we are in the right place at the right time.

I AM A MOM

I love that I am a mom. I don't know what happened that the role of "mom" has been so undervalued in our society. And I'm so sorry that even in the "church" the role of mom has been somehow diminished. Even here at IHOP I need to remind myself that before I am an "intercessory missionary", I AM A MOM. I am raising a generation that will walk in greatness and walk through some of the most difficult days of our history. I cannot be in the prayer room 24, 30, or 40 hours a week as some can. But every day, I walk along side of three of the most beautiful human beings on this planet. I walk with them as they learn about who God is, as they learn to love his Word, as they learn how to pray, as they learn how to make music for Him, and as their hearts become connected to Him, independant of my connection with Him. Am I an "intercessory missionary", YES, I am! Do I love the Prayer Room, YES, absolutely! But first, and foremost, I AM A MOM, and although I pray for Israel, although I pray for the end to abortion, although I pray for our country, and for many of you reading this... FIRST above all I pray for my children.

I have no greater joy than this.

MOVING UPDATE

I've learned that if you get close enough to the outside wall of your house you might be able to "share" your neighbors wireless, while waiting for yours to be connected!

Well, we're 90% moved in, and the remaining 10% was 100% hindered by the weather in Kansas City today! So, we moved all our remaining belongings into the living room of the new house and headed for the safety of the new house, before the severe weather got even more severe.

This place feels like home. I walk around and do my thing, fiddling here and there, unpacking bit by bit, and I feel like I'm home.

Well, for those of you family, friends, and faithful supporters, we have room for visitors! COME SEE US!
For you local friends and fellow bloggers, invite yourself over for coffee! Just give me a couple days!

Trading Spaces

Last night we painted the unfinished room in our new basement that will soon become the classroom/music room. The previous inhabitant of that room was a 15 year old boy. He took advantage of the "unfinished nature" of the room, and created graffiti all over the walls. Much of it his own, however some appeared to be notes from friends, even mom and dad. The words covering the walls were scriptures, prayers, encouraging words from others, declarations of the goodness of God, and statements about radical faith. I can think of many other words that might have been inscribed on the walls of a teenagers bedroom. While painting over his history, I felt grateful that the thoughts going up in that room had been precious to the heart of God; and although I was covering those words, there was a peace in my heart that the room had been well prepared for my children.

Out of the Lips of Children

Today was a difficult day. Well, the past few days have been difficult. They have been a test of my ability and my willingness to believe what I know to be true about God, His faithfulness, and His love for me. It has been a test of my willingness to believe that I am indeed "His favorite one". The circumstances are not as important as the lessons I am learning. And I am a slow learner.

But today it was my children who were His mouth piece of truth in my life. I'm nearly certain that today they are much deeper in their walk with God than I, or at least less hindered. First my 11 year old, Taylor comes to me and says, "Mom the Lord just told me to tell you that He's going to take care of it, everything is going to be alright." Then while driving with their stressed out mother, he says, "Mom, can I just pray about this?" Of course "Yes" is the right answer, but then I am immediately blown away by the strength and the faith behind his prayers. He is so in touch with the heart of God, and it flows out of him in his language before the throne. I weep. My daughter prays next (she's almost 9) with a prophetic fire on her prayers, and an evidence in her voice that she really believes she is being heard, and that she will be answered! I weep. It gets quiet in the van and out of the backseat my daughter begins to now sing prophetic declarations before the feet of the King of Kings. I have no doubt He was listening, and was moved to act on our behalf. Her words were something like this: "The Lord cares for those he loves, he will take care of his children. Satan you are defeated. The Lord cares for those he loves. You are a good Father, you take care of those you love." (and she continued on and on, much of what I can no longer recall)

My children inspire me. They are why we are here in Kansas City. And the fruit is beautiful. I cannot belief that I have the honor of shepherding their hearts. It is sobering.

Explain Teenage Boys to me PLEASE!

Ok, so some of you who have been following my posts know of the "roof climbing boys" of mine (and other one other teenage boy, initials JB). Anyway, you'd think they had learned their lesson, but NO! We thought we had made it clear that roof climbing was no longer an acceptable sport in this family. They should have heard, "You don't climb on the roof unless we're home; and if you ever feel the urge to do that again ASK FIRST!". I think instead what they heard was something like this "Roof climbing is fun, do it whenever you'd like! We totally support your roof climbing exploits! We're so proud of you for thinking up such a splendid form of entertainment!"

Why do I say all this, well today the afore mentioned young men, one mine, and one belonging to some other family (R&KB), were on the roof AGAIN. Now I'll give them credit, this time John was home, however they did not get permission; but more importantly, what they failed to process is that John was catching a quick cat nap, and they were bouncing a ball directly over our bedroom!

Suggestions anyone? or just sympathy?

For Those of You Who Missed It

The CBN News piece on IHOP can be found at the following link
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/82269.aspx

And this link is to the piece on children's ministry in America, which has clips from our Children's Equipping Center here at IHOP
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/72009.aspx

Cut and paste, since I'm not bright enough to figure out how to make this little link light up! let alone make someone's name light up so it takes you to their website or blog! Instructions please anyone?

Chick-fil-a

Ok, so we have not had much exposure to Chick-fil-a, as we are northern easterners, and they just didn't exsist where we are from. Our first exposure was on a ministry trip to Mississippi with Joy and David Maas. Anyway, tonight was our first solo experience. Now here's the deal, I emphatically stated when John got home, "You must take us out to dinner, I'm exhausted." He complies, because he is a smart man!
He suggests Chick-fil-a, as it is the current rave in KC, having just opened a few weeks ago. Two children complain, "Do they really only have CHICKEN?". Our answer, "Yes, get in the car."
Now I have had an exhausting day, we arrive and I realize that I haven't put any makeup on, and I'm wearing my slippers and sweats.
Then it take us forever to order, because well, they "only have chicken" and that really makes it tough apparently. Apparently if you're 9 and 11, it's easier to decide what to eat if there are MORE CHOICES! Go figure. So our cashier is new. Understandably as the joint itself is rather new. And we are gracious and patient, but struggle through our order, make several corrections to her misunderstanding, end up with the wrong drinks, which is sort of remedied, and finally make it to our seats. I sit down last of course, and realizing that no one has ketchup and Isabelle needs a spoon, I get up to serve.

Did I say I'm exhausted?

I come back to the table with a honking huge handful of MAYONAISE!!! Return for Ketchup!

Did I say I'm exhausted, cause here's the kicker!

I sit down to eat my chicken wrap, unwrap the foil and squirt out some Caesar dressing to dip it in, dip and eat. Take another bite, and realize that I have eaten two bites with paper wrapped around the flour tortilla. Not only did I take two bites with paper wrapping, I swallowed. Apparently that little blunder made the whole outing worth while for my husband, however.

So anyway, all in all we sort of survived Chick-fil-a. Now all you southerners don't shoot us, because it just wasn't all that great! We're not sure what the rave is? So could you enlighten us? What's your favorite meal at Chick-fil-a? Maybe we just ordered all wrong. Or maybe the newbee workers don't have it all down yet. Our food was pretty dry and yucky.

Insite anyone? Oh, and did I say I'm exhausted?

We're Moving

Just across town mind you, but we are moving. What I am reminding myself today, is that it basically means that everything inside this house, needs to be transported to a house about 2 miles away. Now barring some unseen miraculous household translation, we actually have to pick up each item in this house and move it into the new house. That means, I have to get very very busy. I have to put each said item in some type of box or other suitable carrying device and organize a crew to move the stuff. That is unless Jackson and Nick perfect the transportation device they were working on at our house one evening, but I suppose I'd better not count on that.
So folks, what that basically means, is that I have a very busy week ahead of me!

Adoption Fundraiser

An adoption fund raiser is in the works. A portion of the evening will involve an "art auction"! So this is a shout out to any of you artists willing to donate a piece of work to the cause!

Someone Rearranged the Furniture

I went to my "Living Room" and someone rearranged the furniture. I refer here to the IHOP Prayer Room as "My Livingroom"... I knew there would be change, but I'm a little out of sorts over it. You know it's kind of like if you went to camp and your mom redecorated your bedroom to surprise you but didn't ask you if you even wanted it redecorated.
Funny how we deal with change. My first reaction was "wow, this is cool", and then I had to settle in and realize how very comfortable I was "the way it was". Now I'm sure I'll adapt, but I think I really miss my "living room". I could go on about what I like and what I don't like, but that's not really the point. The point is, change is... well, it's tricky on the heart sometimes.

Home Coming

I realized yesterday evening as we pulled back into the Grandview area, after leaving the conference completely exhausted, that it felt like "coming home" from being away on a long trip. I know we were really only 20 minutes away from "home", but the whole thing was like being in another world. I for one, am glad to be "home". Don't get me wrong, it was my delight to serve... to see the excitement on the faces of the young people rushing here and there, to witness 15,000 worshippers filling a room with their prayers, watching small groups mingling in deep conversation or ministering to each other in prayer, and soaking in the joy and laughter of those whose spent four days delighting in the Lord.
But today I am home. I'm headed to the Prayer Room with the kids shortly, because my heart longs to be there. It feels good to me to have that longing to be "back in the living room with the family".