Dear David,
I dropped two pennies in an Italian wishing well today, arched my neck in laughter, and then prayed for miracles. Surrounded by “Make a Wish” messages at Disney, I’ve been making several. Praying for the safety and health of your team in Africa. Praying for purpose in the face of your students’ exhaustion. Praying for us. Praying for sweet children to fill our home. The plinking of coins breaking the transparent water surface of a mystical fountain at sunset simply reflected the constant plinking of my hopes, gurgling up from a wishful heart. Splish. Splash. All will be well.
Today I was struck by how God causes rivers to flow in the desert, flowers to bloom in the dirt, broken people to reflect Perfect Glory.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
One of the outreach projects in the Senegal bush this year includes planting flowering Buganvilia around a retreat center. Imagine . . . working in the desert to make beautiful things grow.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
We are imperfect reflections of the Perfect Beauty yet to come. Yet, we are commanded not to lose heart. That has been the springboard of my prayers today. May your team not lose heart. May they reflect the glory of Christ.
Keep on planting flowers in the desert.
I love you with all of my heart!
Your Crazy Girl,
Lauren
acupofbliss 
Yes He is the God Who Dreams and we are made in His creative image. He gives us the ability to hope and dream then invites us to dream with Him! Employing what would seem impossible and drawing us into His dance to birth the outrageous, unthinkable and spectacular! Often the ordinary is joined with daring belief and this co-mingling becomes spectacular and inspiring! This is the ebb and flow of the gift of life and may we be filled with gratitude for every spark , whether it be as small as a firefly or as large as an untamed wildfire being pushed along by the Wind. After all He is The God Who Sets a Table in the Wilderness , nothing is impossible and we are invited to feast with Him and those He has placed in our lives. Blessed be our family, friends and the stranger, widow or orphan that are part of the tapestry of our lives. I love you all! Nicole