This month I (Jenny) am being given the privilege of sharing what's been happening in my life and what the Lord has been doing in our family in answer to your prayers for us. I am still working in the accounting department at Wycliffe which has been a blessing because I am given the freedom to be at home when I need to. Right now I spend three mornings a week taking care of mom so that dad can work at Wycliffe Associates.

In the past few months, we had been escaping into entertainment to pass the time because mom was so weak. As time progressed, we started getting depressed. Without us realizing it, Satan was trying to choke the Word in us as in the parable of the sower. It finally took a "hitting the wall" experience much like a marathon runner experiences during the lowest and most difficult part of the race to wake us up to what had been happening. Since that time God has done tremendous things which I would like to share with you because it has been so wonderful and I know will be encouraging to you.

The "hitting the wall" experience has taught us that it is imperative to keep the vision the Lord has given us alive. "For without vision My people perish." (Prov. 29:18) Every day now, mom and I read her past donor letters and journals together. We've spent hours feeding on His Word and the Lord has granted her supernatural strength to do this without much pain. It's been wonderful for both of us a time of growing for me and a time of renewing and refreshing for mom. We realized the enemy had made her think that she was too weak to do this when in fact she was too weak NOT to do it! As a marathon runner would become dehydrated if he ran without drinking water, we saw that running our race without drinking from the rivers of Living Water was dehydrating and weakening us. Together we have found that there is purpose in each day, great purpose.
"So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, and mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves, but become strong." (Hebrews 12:12,13 Living)

Another important principle the Lord has made us aware of is to see each obstacle and attack as an opportunity to bring every thought captive to Christ. (II Cor. 10:5) Our feelings had been based on how mom was feeling physically but God wanted to teach us a whole new way of living; one that produces unutterable joy and the peace that passes understanding. Every morning mom has to make a conscious decision to trust God for the day and know that He is good. I have started praying for her as she wakes up at 5am and God has helped her each morning. Physically, things are as bad or worse than ever, but as she chooses not to despair or worry when things go wrong, peace, joy and strength (often physical strength) come. In our precious times together, the Lord has enabled her to converse with me for even hours at a time. He has prepared a table before her in the presence of her enemies. We have feasted in the midst of days that would have put her in complete despair. "All the days of the desponding afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and foreboding], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]. (Proverbs 15:15 Amp)

We've also made another amazing discovery. It struck mom and me last week as we were reading the donor letter from May 93. The second paragraph talks about how
her soul often longed to go be with the Lord rather than endure any longer, although she knew this was not God's will for now. As I read that aloud, she realized that she doesn't feel that way at all anymore. The letter showed us that her spirit had been in alignment with God's will but her soul was only resigned to it, not in complete agreement. As long as her soul was not in agreement there was no room for God to give her joy and peace. There was great pain in her heart and she felt she needed to deal with it but the Lord showed her it was the enemy using that vulnerable area of her flesh. The Lord has miraculously removed that pain and now she speaks with awe and wonder about the difference in her soul as it is in complete alignment with God's will. Even on physically horrible days, her soul wants to run her race and finish her course. We have seen the Lord's resurrection power mightily at work here! According to God's Word we know that her body will be raised up as well. "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of your Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.(I Thes. 5:23,24 NIV) Amen!

Many people have expressed concern about the burden I have had to bear. They wonder if I am being deprived of living the life a young woman should have. I want to say that I am far from deprived. Back in high school especially, my life had been wrapped around earthly pleasures and there was always an emptiness inside; nothing truly satisfied. I now have more satisfaction and purpose in my life than ever before as mom and I spend time seeking the Lord together, feeding on His Word and drinking from the springs of Living Waters that never run dry. Not only has God given me grace to deal with this but I have found life and fulfillment beyond understanding! There is no where else on earth I would rather be than sitting on the floor of mom's bedroom! I feel unbelievably blessed to be part of our family and to have people like you praying for us. To be truthful, when we asked for prayer about fear and dread, we didn't really believe the Lord could answer without healing mom. Great faith we had! He truly has done more than we could ask or think!

"I think you ought to know, dear brothers, about the hard time we went through in 'Huntington Beach'. We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it. We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead. And he did help us, and saved us from a terrible death; yes, and we expect him to do it again and again. But you must help us too, by praying for us. For much thanks and praise will go to God from you who see his wonderful answers to your prayers for our safety." (II Cor. 1:8 11 Living)

Your prayers are much appreciated and very effective! Please continue to pray for complete freedom from fear and anxiety, that we will be ready for the day of deliverance. We love you and think of you often!