Continued Blessings

Hey everyone!  In case you have been wondering, we are still here.  Still standing; still fighting; still praying for you and marriages worldwide.

Date Night!!

We have received a few emails from some of you about why we haven't been posting.  It's not because we don't have anything to say.  We have plenty left to say about marriage and restoration.  Our number one reason for not posting is that we have been focusing on us.  Don't worry; we are fine.  We purposed a long time ago to not allow ministry obligations and expectations to overwhelm our life.  We purposed to make sure that our footing is sure.  This is a dangerous war that we (you and us) are in.  Our family is our number one priority.  Secondly, we purposed to only write as the Lord leads.      He has been leading us, however not to the point that He would have us write.  But, lately, we have been feeling a stirring.  He is birthing a new season.  Pray for us as we continue to seek God on what he has for us in this ministry of helping hurting marriages.

On a fun note, we just welcomed our 7th blessing.....a number of completion. Her name is Hadassah Joy, and the Lord has shown us so much in the last week about her life and her destiny and many spiritual lessons.  Please join us in welcoming Hadassah Joy, born on 10-25-13, at 9:39 pm. 8 lbs. 11 oz. This pregnancy was the most challenging; her delivery the most complicated and dangerous....but we have found joy.  We pray that through all of your challenges you can find joy.

Last night a storm was raging outside, and we had been contentedly watching TV until instantly the power went off.  No flicker, no warning; just pitch black. We looked outside, and the weather was really bad. We checked on our phones to see if there was a warning and our area was under Tornado Watch. We checked back outside and it appeared that one of the power lines outside was hanging very low.  We debated about calling the power company to report an issue. We decided to just go to bed and rest knowing that God would protect us. Having a 7 day old makes sleep more precious than worrying about the winds blowing around us.

This morning we looked out and the power line looked like it was the same as it was last night, and as we discussed it we also realized that it's always been hanging that low. Isn't it amazing that in the middle of a storm something can look much worse than it really is?  During the storm, are we focusing on the power line or are we focusing on the fact that our protection and safety is found in Him? Are we realizing that He is working things out for our good and perhaps things aren't even as bad as they seem? Our focus needs to be much deeper than outward circumstances making our lives seems worse than they are. Our joy needs to be rooted in Christ, not shaken by the storms raging around us.

This month marks a delicate time for us.  This month marks 6 years from when Josh returned home, both to our family and to the Lord.  The wound is no longer fresh and gaping, but the memory of that terrible time is never far from us.  The King receives all the glory for what has taken place in our life over the last few years.  Since the day that our lights suddenly went black and He restored us, we have been blessed with numerous blessings.  He has added to us 3 new children, taken away $60,000 in debt, allowed Josh to write a book, allowed us to impact numerous marriages for the Kingdom, and brought us into a Kingdom-minded community of friends.  We have learned so much and are excited to be on the path that He has set before us.  Truly, God has blessed us and we feel so humbled.

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

Keep praying for us as we continue to raise high the name of our Lord, the Restorer of all things.

Standing, 

Josh and Serena