A few weeks ago we received a email from dear friends who were praying about returning to the states from Israel and they were looking for the Lord’s leading. After a few days I mentioned in passing to Mark that we had a basement and that we could open it up for them as a possibility. Mark said, that’s really weird because I felt lead in that direction also, we sat on the idea for a few more days, then Mark sent off an email, completely not really thinking they would take us up on the offer. Low and behold we received an email a couple days later that yes, the Lord given them the ok that our house was the next place to go. After 30 hours of flying and passing through eight time zones, they landed in the Twin Cities, stayed overnight two nights with friends they had in the cities. Then Mark left to pick them up and bring them to our house, they arrived well after dark, tired and unsure of what they were walking into. Unsure if they would be welcomed for more than a few days, wondering how we would all fit and work. Honestly, Mark and I had the very same concerns, but we were willing to walk forward, we were willing to keep figuring it out.
Our friends are a family made up of eight, they have six boys ranging in age from 8 to 19 months, with one on the way. Yes, they are all theirs and they are thankful for the amazing kiddo’s God has entrusted to them! Our desire for our friends was that they would receive refreshment and rest, that they would feel doted on and loved on, that they would feel special. I wanted them to feel special. I have to say that God has done a miracle in our lives and in this situation and I have to say that I never dreamed we would mesh, jive, and roll as amazing as we do. We live very similar, we teach and instruct our kid’s in similar ways, we cook, bake, clean, talk, and believe similarly. We ferment and make our own yogurt and sauerkraut, we love spice and bulk flour, we don’t mind wearing the same clothes two days in a row. It has truly been a dance only the Lord could pull off!
We have had a few things come up that we have had to work through, but in all honesty even those things have ended in the Lord teaching us more on how the body of Christ should function. God has showed us how the body should and needs to interact. God has allowed us to combat fears we have picked up from dealing with others in the past. We have realized that we all have feared confronting each other, because we don’t want to cause each other more hurt and harm than need be. We have been able to pray together and rebuke the fear and rejection that God is helping us to work through. God is truly moving in both of our families lives and giving us a glimpse of a bigger picture! God is indeed good and great, mighty and amazing! Abba has been teaching us how to approach each other, how to look out for each others best, how to think the best of each other. Abba is doing so much through our visitors and we are thankful!
God has done tremendous work and healing in Mark’s life and my life since our friends have arrived. He has begun speaking to us in ways we never dreamed he would. We have drawn closer to the Lord and to each other. It is all the work of God the Father and Jesus the Savior. No credit goes to Mark or I, it is the work of the Lord in our lives. We remain willing and ready at whatever the Lord would ask of us.
Nine kids in one place is definitely busy, but we the parents have all agreed it is not chaotic, it is busy and full of training and teaching moments. It is full of God giving life and there are moments of complete beauty when our kids mesh and jive beautifully in praising the Lord together. God has made beautiful that which has seemed overwhelming and he continues to make it beautiful. We are still learning how to jive, how to get laundry done, how to get house hold chores done, but we are confident that God will lead and guide us, that God is at the helm of this large ship and he is in complete control! A house full of 13 is a blessing indeed! To God be the glory! Shalom is in my home and I pray Shalom is in your home as well!