Hallelujah Party!

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his

steadfast love endures forever.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart...

for working all things together for our good

for your faithfulness

for calling us according to your purpose

for walking beside my son even when he wasn't walking beside you

for bringing me through the desert

for giving us the desires of our heart

for hearing us when we cry out to you

for the peace of your presence

for supplying all our needs

for our borthers and sisters all across this country supporting us with encouraging

words, in prayer and financially

for women here making sacrifices to bless our sisters in Uganda

with their time and their finances

for a huge suitcase stuffed completely full of bras!

for all the taco salads and beans and rice consumed by the wonderful families supporting us

for the clothes donated

for the excitement of sweet teenage girls sponsorsoring our Patricia

for the mom who shares a birthday with our Ali and will support and love

him as she celebrates their special day each year

for the dear friends who have come along side and helped us

plan, serve, prepare food and clean up

for the women, girls and boys wearing beads and tee shirt bracelets to support us

for giving srength and energy on days we need it

for giving rest and peace on days we need it

for a daughter that helps cook taco meat, chop tomatoes, organize and set up bead sales,

wears her "Man Up" tee shirt to school, and supports me fiercely

for strong sons who support and encourage me and load and unload, and gather up

and put away, and take out trash and wash dishes

for a husband who loves me so unconditionally that he supports me and encourages me

and listens to me endlessly talk about Uganda

for dear friends standing beside me in prayer

 

for giving me words when I have none

 

Today is the day that the Lord has made, let us

REJOICE and be glad in HIM.

for a dear "heart" sister far away who sacrifices, works extra hours, joyfully sends money to

help her sisters in Uganda faithfully every month, and then asks if she can do more

for a small group in another state, people I've never met, willing to give for the benefit

of the least of these, based on the testimony of a sister-in-law

for you are our God and we are your people, the sheep of your pasture

so overwhelmed by your goodness

so grateful to belong to you, my King and my God

for your promises, for your word

for guiding my steps, going before me, hemming me in

for blessing me so abundantly that I can be a blessing to others

for the way you work in the hearts of men and draw us to you

for the way you accomplish your plan and bring your kingdom to us,

here on earth as it is in heaven

I could sing of your love forever

For you, O Lord, are the strength of my heart and my portion forever

My day started off in such joyous celebration of what God has done.  But as the day wore on and my list got longer and longer--just giving thanks for what He has done in the last couple months--joyous celebration turned into humble adoration.

How did I know when I began to pray that mountains would fall before me?

How did I know that funds would come in, not just for me, but for Andrew too?

Not just for me and Andrew, but for vocational projects for the Karamojong women as well.

And not just for me and Andrew and for the vocational projects, but also to cover the cost of a womens' conference for my Karamojong friends.

How did I know I could hold four fundraisers in two weeks' time and not feel stressed?

He told me to ask.  He told me to ask repeatedly.  He told me to trust Him and not to worry.  He said

 

 Be still and know that I am God

 

So I did.

I trusted the Lord with my whole heart.  I did not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledged Him and He directed my paths.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me

your steadfast love, O Lord,

endures forever......

 

Praise the Lord!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

for it is pleasant, and a song of

praise is fitting.

 

 

Hallelujah!  Praise Him!

 

 

Shelli