Wilderness

Wilderness... it is a strange word that usually has a negative conotation, but I don't mean it as a negative at all. If you think about it, wilderness is a place where we, humanly, are at a loss (and that is not bad- that is good). We cannot take care of ourselves there- the scenery is bleak at times, but there the LORD provides for us. It is to this place we are going in a week or so. I have been humbled to tears a few times in the past week because of that provision.

In the next 2 months, we are not able to financially provide for ourselves. That can be a strange feeling. And yet, it makes us lean into God, to trust him with ALL things. We have been so incredibly blessed with the generosity that has been extended to us. We have received money and prayers left and right in the past several months, and we have been shown so much grace at Jeff's work. It is awesome and miraculous what He has done to make level paths for us. God is using you to be the ravens and the brook ( I am referring to Elijah's wilderness experience) for us in this wilderness. The food that goes on our table, the roof over our head, the gas that powers our car (and our car!)... it is all from God's hand through your fingers. I want to thank you so much, and to assure you that we purpose not to take it for granted.

We love you and want to thank you for being in this with us. I pray blessings over you and your households.

:) parke

Off to Kansas City

Jeff flies away in the morning for 12 days. He will be there (at IHOP) for orientation for the summer session and the first 10 days of "Intimacy with Christ" which is the general topic for the month of May. He will be there for the focused teaching on the life of David. It is called David: from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. I look forward to hearing about it. He will be in class from noon til 3 M-F and will be in the main prayer room for 3 to 4 hours a day, at least. I will let you know more as I hear about it. Please pray for all of us, jeff there and us at home. :) thanks! -parke

Traveling... spring tour

Well, Jeff is the ever-working man... so, I am going to fill you in a little and then he will write more when he gets a chance... if he gets a chance. He is working more hours at Starbucks cause things have been a little tight lately, so he does not get to be around as much :(

Anyway, he had a great weekend traveling with Beau. They went to WSP (Widespread Panic) shows in Orange Beach, Alabama. Beau usually sets up on the lot near the vendors, and gives out free coffee, tea, water, food, and Bibles. But, more than anything, they are being light and just talking and praying with people.

Jeff had been on fall tour, so he was able to see people again this past weekend that he met months ago. He is getting to know more of the vendors and their life stories. Things seem to be changing with these vendors, some of whom Beau has known for years. It looks like some of them may quit traveling so much. Jeff doesn't know if they are tired, wanting to put down roots, high gas prices, or if the scene is just changing- but, they are not making the money that they used to make. We will have to wait and see what happens.

One thing that is amazing to me is to hear about kids who come up to talk to them... who grew up in churches. Some of them have been burned, some just don't "care" right now, and some feel like they have messed up so much they can't go back. Jeff said there was a definite theme to conversations over the weekend... it was unworthiness. But, our Good Shepherd is ever-faithful. He loves us and them to the end. It sounds to me like He is after these kids, wooing them back to the true life, the better reality. The Shepherd calls out to us "even in the dark places" to borrow a phrase from one of my favorite Godly Play stories. He goes through the valley before and behind and beside us, and leads us back to the green grass and the quiet waters where he restores our soul. Hmmm... He is so good, isn't he?!

Jeff also said that even in the short time that he was with Beau, he really desires to do this more- he wants to be able to travel more. He has now been on some Fall Tours, a lil bit of Spring Tour, and he is going to be going to a festival or two. We will hopefully all go to a festival that last weekend of May, then on to Kansas City. Then, on one of the first weekends in KC, he hopes to go with Beau to Wakarusa- a big festival in Kansas.