His faithfulness

For over a year the girls have been praying daily.  They've been praying and trusting that Jesus hears their prayers, cares about their petitions and will remain faithful as they trust him.  Sierra first saw the result of prayer and trust back in March when she first asked Jesus to bring her daddy home from Davao for the weekend.  Her daddy showed up at the gate that late Friday night and she broke down in intensely grateful tears.  

They were so jacked happy to enjoy camp where they made friends and packed as much fun with those new friends as possible over a four day period.  The summer finished and they watched the boys register for the new school year.  The first morning of school registration and orientation was extremely difficult as a parent to witness what felt like a death that had suddenly swept through the house for the girls [not me mind you].  Another year of home schooling with little to no opportunity to be with friends and helping mom at home was not exactly their idea of real living.  Before I left with the boys, we three ladies sat down.  It was my mother duck moment in which I gathered my limping chicks under my wing.  They were given the freedom to express with honesty what was going on inside.  Without being preachy [at least I tried not to be] I encouraged them to keep trusting that Jesus heard them, that his timing is always perfect, thus we should never think that the opportunity is over for him to move on their behalf because he is faithful.  If he is faithful to provide for the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, he will be more faithful for his children.  I know Jesus is faithful and I live in the peace that passes understanding.  He's given me a lifetime of reasons to live there. But the girlies.....obviously, that's a different story.  Their story.  His story. It's  still under spiritually gestational development in their very young lives. 

Just as I had suspected and lived in the peace of trusting, Jesus was not done with our petition as they have long prayed for the funds in order for them to attend Faith Academy this year.     Last week, during the boys' first full week of school, we received more inquiries from a supporting family concerning Faith Academy tuition costs for the girls. Then on Thursday evening they messaged and asked again for the total amount still needed so they could mail the check. We didn't say anything to the girls right away.  Mike wanted to do it right.  With him having a big Positively Pinoy app kickoff in Makati with all the volunteers, we wanted to make sure that how the Lord worked his hands to make this happen IN HIS TIMING was well worded for their understanding.  His faithfulness to our family must be given it's due recognition, respect and gratitude .....as a family. 

It was a devotional that happened shortly after he got home late afternoon -  early evening.  Mike used the story of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.  There is no such thing as lost opportunity for God to move and prove his faithfulness to his children.  He moves when he means to.  If he always moved when we expected and planned he wouldn't get the recognition for it.  We'd be taking credit far more often than we should.  This family devotional moment was one of the most beautiful moments in time as Jesus took ALL the credit.  May there be more moments in which our family remembers to praise him for his faithfulness and humble ourselves to total trust and obedience.  For only then can we continue to freely live in assurance of his care for us...to finish the work he started in/for us.  He called us to this place for his glory.  Of course he will provide.  All over Scripture that's what he promises and assures us.  There is peace and freedom when we choose to trust.  

 little man says he can handle his mommy and big bro Maverick
 on his own just fine ^_^

Friday evening I received the message that the check had been sent for the total amount for the girls.  I didn't tell the girls until Saturday morning.  Sunday afternoon the rain started while we picked up some school items for the girls in Taytay.  Got home and got word that Typhoon Utor [the season's first typhoon] was quick approaching.  Monday morning the girls got their physicals taken care of, we did their online registration and turned in all the documents at the school even though classes were cancelled.  The Filipino employees were working the offices so the typhoon ended up being a blessing so that the girls wouldn't be even more behind already starting the year late with their classmates.  Fortunately, the uniform store was open.

With a tiny hurdle first thing in the morning at the registrar's office the girl's first day was a long time coming today.  I've grown so accustomed to the girls' help in the house and with the baby, but the stress of  relearning how to home school [just] one child and keep up with our busy body toddler was avoided by the simple re-assurance of what's happening.  These are surreal moments. That Jesus is faithful to those that practice obedience in trust.  There is unspeakable joy knowing that if he provides for big ticket items, he will certainly continue to provide for each month, the rest of the year...etc.  No need to stress or fear over bank statements for any reason.   There are a lot of home schooling missionaries in the community.  I pray they experience the same blessing very soon.