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Back in the Saddle Again...

Today, Ariana and I had the wonderful opportunity of ministering at one of Nampa's nursing homes.  We went as a part of the  NMI convention's work day, and oh what a blessing it was!

This morning began with coffee and cinnamon rolls.  I can't think of a more delicious way to start the day!  During breakfast, we were ministered to by a wonderful missionary from Indonesia who encouraged us that God's light would shine down on those who love Him, no matter where we are in the world.  (At least, that's what I took from it)  After breakfast, we broke up into our different work groups and we began decorating cards for the people at the nursing home.

At around 10:30, we loaded up our cards and planted flowers to deliver to the nursing home.  At first, we were all a bit nervous to enter the rooms and interact with the residents (even though we'd done it before), but room after room, we all loosened up a little bit more.  Ariana was the super-star of this outreach ministry.  For those of you who know my little blonde bombshell, you can imagine this scene in your mind:

When we walked into a room, Ari stole the show.  She would tell the resident, "We are here to tell you about Jesus."  Then, she'd ask them, "Is there something we can pray about for you?"  If they said "yes", then she would say, "Can I pray for you?" and her prayers went something like this, "Dear Jesus, thank you for this beautiful day.  And we just ask that you'd put your healing hand on this man/woman and help them to get all better.  Be with all the people in this nursing home.  And we love you, Jesus.  In your name we pray, Amen." !!!  She sounded so grown up!  And if the resident would say that they didn't want prayer, she'd respond with, "Ok!  Well, do you want me to sing you a song?"  Then, she'd place her little pink purse on the floor, carefully unzip the main pocket and pull out her Dora the Explorer microphone that we had gotten her for Christmas!!!  (I had no idea she had packed it this morning when we left the house!)  Then, she put on her biggest smile and would sing, "Jesus loves you" (instead of me!) or "You are my sunshine".  When she finished, she would hug the resident.  You should have seen the first cranky old guy that refused prayer after her little song-show that she put on!  He wasn't so cranky after that.  :) Jesus' love radiated from my little Ariana today!

I was so impressed with this precious little person that God has given me the privilege of raising!  I knew that God had made a little missionary out of her years ago when at the age of three, she would ask people passing by at the grocery store if they loved Jesus, but I had no idea just how beautiful it would look in only a few short years as she ministered sincerely and openly to the people in the nursing home.  Now, at the grand ol' age of nearly six, Ari is showing signs of deep conviction in her love for Christ and a desire to share it liberally with others.  Ah, my momma heart is so proud today.

But perhaps even more rewarding than watching my sweet little daughter love on these precious people (and I'm not really sure what was better...because watching Ariana was pretty special) was the opportunity of listening to the Holy Spirit as He nudged my heart to minister to people.  At one point during our time at the care center, we were in an activity-like room and our group was talking to some of the friendly old ladies in wheelchairs.  I noticed that there was a man sitting at a table off in the back corner.  I wasn't sure if he was sleeping or just contemplating, but he wasn't showing us any attention and was wearing dark sunglasses (inside).  I wasn't sure if the group had already given him a card earlier, but since no one was talking with him, I assumed that he had been "taken care of" already.  As our little group began to exit the room, the feeling of the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart to go and talk with the man.  As the group left the room, I made my way to the man at his table.

As I approached, he didn't look up or acknowledge me.  It had occurred to me earlier, that perhaps he was blind and when I broke the silence and said, "Hello sir!" I realised that my suspicion was probably correct.  When he spoke to me, he didn't look up at me.  His head and eyes remained in the same place, but his voice revealed that he was glad to "see" me.  "Hello there!" was his reply.  I asked him if he'd like a card...it had raised stickers that he could feel the shapes of and a thin, cloth flower that we had stuck to the front.  He thanked me for the card.  I hesitantly asked if he'd like a potted flower.  I wasn't sure if this was something he'd want or even if he would consider it rude since he couldn't see them, but I asked anyway.  He responded by saying, "Oh yes, I'd love them!  I can give them to my girlfriend!"  :)  I told him that the petals were yellow and he responded enthusiastically, "Oh, I just got my girlfriend yellow roses!  They can go with those!" 

Then, he asked if he could feel my hand.  It was his way of "seeing" me.  It was so special!  He just held my hand as I told him of Ella's vision struggles and of how she too has used her hands to "see" at times.  He couldn't believe that such a small girl had gone through so much.  I asked if I could pray with him and he accepted.  It was such a beautiful time of my praying and of him gently holding my hand.  I am sure that I was blessed more than he was by the entire exchange, but I was so reminded of the tremendous blessings that come from being obedient to God's gentle leadings.  And to think that I almost missed that awesome encounter just makes me that much more thankful that I didn't!  It felt so great to be "back in the ministry saddle" again.  I think God created ministry to touch the ministers just as much as the ones being ministered to!

What a great day!  I am so overwhelmed with thanksgiving at what a great church, both local and global, that I belong to!  And what an amazing God and Savior that I serve!!! 

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