community

A few days before we left for Ukraine, our community of friends came over to sit and talk and pray.  We were in the midst of running around like crazy people trying to line all things up for us to leave and were very much looking forward to a burst of energy from this night.  So much of this journey to Paulina has humbled us over and over again and this night, surrounded by these friends, was no different.

Our living room filled, voices were overflowing, excitement and joy were evident.  We sat together & they asked us for what they can do for us.  I had trouble answering because the reality is they've already done so very much.  They are part of the reason we are able to bring Paulina home in the first place.  They surround us and our family constantly with love & prayer & encouragement.  What else, they wonder?  And not just wonder, they genuinely long to know.  It blows my mind.  We talked through all the things we'd love prayer for and they jotted down notes.  Then going around the room, one by one, they prayed for us.  My dearest friend choked out several sentences before the tears got too much and I was crying right along with her.  These people sat alongside us that night and asked Jesus specifically to meet our needs and they did it with such genuine and real love for us.  I can't even grasp it all when I try.

When all had left that night & Andrew & I sat talking we kept saying, we are so blessed to have these friends surrounding us.  I can't get over the amount of sincerity and Christ-centered love that filled our home that night and our lives always because of these friends.  This group isn't perfect by any means but our imperfect lives being lived out together is a picture of the body of Christ to me.  And Christ was so evident in them that night to us and we are incredibly thankful.  Years ago, when we prayed for what our community might look like, we never even knew to ask for what God has given us.  So, to all of you who came that night, and to our family & so many others who are walking alongside life with us, we say thank you.