Monday, April 7, 2008

This Weekend- In Summary


Wow. What a weekend. Brad & I were blessed to be surrounded by a couple hundred of our closest friends & family (some friends, some family & a whole lot of Aggies) this past Friday, Saturday & Sunday. We spent time in song, time in scripture, time in communion with one another & time in prayer.

Even the entire group of Soul Union was able to be in attendence...I can't express how excited Brad was about that fact. I think he & Zeke may be Soul Union's all-time biggest fans. One of their favorite things to do is sit in the car together, turn on the Soul Union cd & sing to it at the top of their lungs...it is hysterical.

Although we were not able to spend a great deal of time talking to everyone individually, it was so encouraging to just be in the presence of all our friends while we shared time with the Lord. I loved sitting in my seat, hearing the beautiful voices of all our friends/looking to my right to see the Dyer's, looking in front to see the Schneider's/ Dennis' /Buchannon's, to my left to see the Fikes'/Winter's/Dayton's/Myrt, Kelly, Bob & everyone else.... it was such a comforting feeling just to be in your presence. We enjoy nothing more than to be with each of you, in the moment, sharing life with you.

I have been asked over & over recently how we are able to keep going when it seems that the obstacles keep presenting themselves. I have realized recently that it is through this entire struggle we have been carried. You, our family, our dearest friends have literally carried us through the most difficult time in our life. You have been there for us every step of the way & I want you to know how comforted we have been by each of you.

God's love is evident in you & that love is much greater than the pain. Through the obstacles we have been given the opportunity to see God's love in a way that we never realized before this experience. Through the suffering, our relationships have strengthened. I feel closer to God more than ever before. The struggles have given way to opportunity to receive love in a way that was not possible before this experience & through it our eyes have been opened to the true glory of God.

The love that was evidenced this weekend will carry us through the months ahead. Mike's passionate song leading, Darrin's hopeful scripture reading, & Chris' fervent, pleading prayer will be in the forefront of my mind. Our family was uplifted this weekend & God heard our prayers. I am anxiously awaiting God's miraculous healing on Brad. I cannot wait to meet together again in the months ahead for the "Praise Party" (as Shebre named it) where we will celebrate the awesome healing power of He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

11 comments:

NatCh said...

Wow, that sounds like the mother of all Devos, and looking at the faces in that picture took me right back to the Bench!

I have some idea what you mean about being carried, the AFC carried me to a large extent back in those days, I feel a great upwelling of joy that it still carries y'all today. Y'all are still in the forefront of my own prayers.

Agape'
Nathan "the Bench Bum"

allison hanna cassady said...

I assure you it was uplifting to us all.

Perks said...

You and Brad completely inspired each of us this past weekend. We, too, anxiously await Brad's healing and can't wait to be part of the praise party!!!

Much love and many prayers...

Anonymous said...

Praying for strength and healing for Brad and the Wims family. I so wanted to be there on Saturday, I am sorry I missed it (Brent told me about it). I pray for you everyday and I have put you all on our prayer list at Clear Lake United Methodist.
Lisa McMahan (OPT)

Robyn said...

I was so uplifted and overwhelmed by the presence of God in that room that I could not even sing, but just listened and worhsipped. Thank you for allowing us to share that time with you and your family. We will continue to pray for Brad's healing.

The Stringers said...

We so wish we could have been there. It sounds like it was awesome - and a much needed spirit lifter for ya'll. Just know that ya'll are in our prayers and we love you.

Anonymous said...

I am SO sorry that I missed this weekend. I will be there for the "Praise Party"!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this 'bump' in the road. May GOD BLESS YOU.

Regina (Wall) Sugg

kara hartleib said...

You have a wonderful attitude toward your current trials. I'll bet it really lifts your family, and it's a good example for us all. I pray your family's suffering will soon be replaced with joy.

Corrie said...

I'm sorry I missed it! But what a great idea for a praise party -- I'll definitely be there for that!

You are in my constant prayer.

God bless,

Corrie (Reid '98) Ghaffari

Camille, Blake, Pierce and baby Asher said...

I wish we could have been there... the picture alone makes me sad to have missed it... bc I know God was there. I also want to say Jenny thank you for your encouraging posts... I am sure many feel the way I do when I can say that your uplifting words and daily strength that is evident in your family is very encouraging to my own... thank you.

In regards to the question you asked on my blog... go to customize... then big tab settings... then small tab comments...then click yes for show profile image on comments.

The Celiac Diva said...

Hi! This is Lauren Garner, I'm James Garner's sister..I just wanted you to know that my fiance and I have been praying for Brad, you and your precious family. We are up here in TN and I just wanted you to know prayers across the country are being lifted up...

In his love,
Lauren