The Miracles in My Front Yard

Spring is miraculous to me in so many ways. These days I find myself slowing the car simply to oogle the budding tulips just a little bit longer, and verbally encouraging trees with tiny, electric green little leaf buds. I mean, why not, you know?

After the long and relatively cold winter we have had, the sunshine and the little beauties springing forth just THRILL my soul! Most days its all I can do to not pull over and hug the new baby calves I see on the side of the road. I think they would be totally up for it, and people driving by wouldn't find it weird at all. Promise.

But this little darling you see above, I find especially fantastic. Like most first-time home buyers, we set out last spring to plant bushes, flowers, etc., all with the meager hopes of not killing everything we had worked for. And while yes, I know perennials by nature are supposed to come back year after year, I still was shocked to see this little guy in the front yard. I yelled for Baxter, and was beyond thrilled to find 4-5 of this little guy's buddies circling the tree, just as I had planted them last year. Simply astounding. After months of Texas heat, wind, and snow, and a bit of human neglect - these guys LIVED. SURVIVED. That my friends, is what I call a miraculous.



This is my mailbox. And no, it's not a perennial, or even an annual for that matter. It's just a mailbox, or so it was until a few weeks ago. As I mentioned several posts back, Team Bentley is preparing for a move, and in a big way. A part of this new endeavor, is raising support from our family, friends, and church community. We sent out letters about a month ago detailing why, where, what, and when - all in hopes that people might respond and partner with what God is leading us to.

Let me paint the picture for you. You've committed to a major move and life change. You've planned, budgeted, are selling your stuff, and are even about to buy a one way ticket around the world. The kicker, is that all of these details - big and small, depend on money that you won't earn. (DEEP BREATH). While Baxter & I have both done this for short term summer trips, never before has our very livelihood depended on God's moving others to support us. It's been a bit of a lesson to say the least.

The most amazing thing has happened though. People GIVE. And the Lord, oh bless Him - He is unbelievable and undenaibly FAITHFUL. Checking the mail everyday after work is a high and holy moment for me, because I am simply astounded at how the Lord has moved on people's hearts to give to us and the work we'll be doing. I think the Lord must get a big kick out of me, blubbering and weeping as I go through the magazines, bills, and response cards from our letters. He is not in the least surprised - and I can imagine giggles at MY surprise at it all. It is such a rush and a privilege to have to lean on the Lord in this way, and is a part of our journey that I truly treasure.

It's pretty amazing that it's real, and it's all happening. And if you need me, I'll be having church in my front yard. Celebrating that He is making the way for His people and His purposes, just as He always has.