Back to Abnormal

Back from Butler last night....what a week! It was truly remarkable in many ways. Answers to prayers, childhood memories revisited, good friends, great fellowship, and family time all rolled in to one week.

For starters, God is at work in good old Butler, PA. Some neighbors of my parents were friends of ours while we lived there, and over the years , we've had some very "tip of the iceberg" conversations that hinted of their ripe-ness for the Gospel. Then, this week, my mom just started opening up to the neighbor-friend of mine. As the three of us stood there, mom let loose talking about the faithfulness of God in her life through the years. I chimed in with some verses and references to eternity, and before the talk was over, I knew that God was planting seeds! Then, throughout the week, rather than become distant, the neighbors kept coming over, playing frisbee with us, talking, and letting the kids play with Sparklers together. It was a bit hard to leave, knowing the follow-up I'd love to have with my friend.

Then, there was the trip to the Cypher family farm. What a great time we had. My dad's cousin has inherited the Cypher farm in Marwood, PA, and boy, has he made it beautiful! I was amazed at the extensive groundskeeping, power toys, and the renovations he has made. The girls got to ride the four-wheeler, the golf-cart, and sit in a real Conestoga wagon, as well as eat blackberries right off the bush. They kept asking if I was sure it was safe! Then my dad and I pawed through the dusty antiques in the old "summer kitchen" looking for family treasures to keep. Keaton ended up with a ceramic statue of a mother and baby horse. I found all my grandmother's old year books from high school and college...in mint condition! Of course, I didn't remember to take the camera, so we'll be going back soon for some pictures!

A big highlight for us was the Sunday meeting at White Stone Fellowship in Fairview, PA. This is a little church that has weathered many storms over the last several years, and has been placed under the help and guidance of Sovereign Grace Ministries for the last two years or so. These dear people are so hoping that the little church will be adopted by SGM soon, and we are praying that God will grant this desire. If not, these people that have come to know and love SGM as we have will probably move (perhaps even here to Lancaster) in order to be part of a strong local Sovereign Grace Church. This is great faith. While we'd love to have them here near us, we'd rather God invade the Butler area with a Sovereign Grace Church!! Keith led worship there yesterday, and I accompanied on violin and vocals. What fellowship we had with these people!

Well, I will close this raving report before I burst with excitement. God was so kind to provide relaxation and biblical fellowship. I was able to just sit and enjoy my girls as they splashed in the pool, ran around catching frisbees, and jumped on the neighbor's trampoline. No housework to get back to, no bills to pay, no phone calls screen. Thank you, Lord! Now it's back to Abnormal!