Although I have been quiet here, it hasn’t been for distance in my relationship with Jesus.  If anything, my willingness to be obedient in whatever God calls me to do is in full force.  I am hearing His voice and listening to every word.  Because it is entirely too long and not meant to be included in full form in the Family Scrapbook, I am going to do as I am told and share every last word here.  I trust He wants me to have this “on record with him” for His purposes, though I am struggling to understand.   This is the complete prayer and dedication as He put it across my keyboard last night:

Father God, we thank you for Hope Fellowship Church, The Shingleton families and our entire ministry team.  We love our church and our church family. What a blessing to worship you in Shingletown, in a school, with your blessing of such a phenomenal ministry team.  Truly, you are a Good, Good Father and we love you.  We are thankful for your leadership, Lord, as you directed us to create this Family Scrapbook as a gift for our church leadership.  We could not have completed this project without your Holy Spirit on our team!  We are beyond grateful you were with us each step of the way.  Only you, Lord, could plant one seed and ensure it grows to yield so many different fruits!  Thank you for helping us create this gift for our Ministry Team.  We are overwhelmed by the veritable cornucopia of gifts you have given us throughout the process.

As Master Gardener, you tilled our hearts and prepared us to be obedient with Hebrews 10:24-25, ““Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another.”  Fertile ground, indeed, for you to plant John 3:18 ,at the perfect depth.  Thank you, Lord, for speaking slowly and clearly to your children!  Father God, we so appreciate hearing your voice and being given the opportunity to be obedient! How wonderful you are, Heavenly Father, to show us your Almighty Grace in seeking to express our love for our ministry team.  Thank you for using our truth, actions and deeds in such a way to reflect a Kingdom-focused purpose to honor You.   Just as you showed us in Acts 2:42-47 , we have embraced fellowship, community and a true spirit of sharing in the body of Christ.  We are eternally grateful for the joy you gave us in learning to love each other better and live out each of the Core Values of our church with greater conviction.

We pray for our Ministry Team, Father God, for their leadership, passion, purpose and spirits.  We pray, too, they feel our love for them in this Family Scrapbook and feel your Holy Spirit on every page.  We further pray each page bears witness to your Almighty Grace at work in the lives of our congregation.  We know from 1Corinthians 3:7, it does not matter who is used to plant a seed or water it,.  Only you, Lord God, can make it grow.  Thank you for growing us and we pray this humble offering will be used for your glory and to further your kingdom.  We are beyond grateful for how you have used The Shingleton’s and each of the ministry leaders to impact, bless and forever change our lives.  Lord, we love you so very much.   We could never thank you enough for your son, Jesus, and the price he paid on the cross for each of us.  We pray to love you and each other better with each day you give us on this earth.