Thursday, March 26, 2009

anniversary

Hi everyone.... yesterday was mine and John's 14th wedding anniversary and I couldn't have asked for a better day.  We had an outreach with the group that is visiting with us and it consisted of going to the village, passing out oranges and then the team leader performed a magic show with the gospel message intertwined.  Our friend, Dave, gave a brief testimony that was so special to hear and have him be a part of every aspect of this day.  In the middle of the "show" I had a surreal moment of looking around at the most beautiful people in this little building (church) and it brought me back to before I was married.  
John reminded me just recently that I told him, while we were engaged, that someday I wanted to be a missionary in Africa.  He told me, at the time, that as much as he liked missions he felt his leading to the construction world in the States.  Our compromise was every year we would go on a mission trip.  He held true to that compromise and now we have been to India, Mexico, Hungary, Albania, and of course now we are living as missionaries in Nigeria, AFrica.  Life is funny isn't it.  
As I was looking around in this church, it was exactly how I imagined it would be.  Every smell, face, landscape.  I feel so blessed because I have a husband who is wanting to do what God is leading him to do, and I have children who are getting to see the beauty of a country other than the one they were born in and I have family and friends who "get" what it is we are doing and willing to come around us with prayer and encouragement.  And to top it off I was able to be at a small village church in Jos, Nigeria and witness around 15 people accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior - forever their futures are altered.  As well as mine and John's and our childrens!

8 comments:

  1. Yee Haw !!!!!!!!!!!! Amen. God is good. Happy Anniversary. Sorry we couldn't be there to celebrate with you but one of these years.

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  2. Happy Anniversary. I love having people come to know Christ on your anniversary. God is good and remembers your heart and fullfills it years later. I love that. Beth Moore says in her office they wish the joy of the Lord on each other buy cutting it to "On Ya" So.....On Ya. Seems like He is showing you His Joy a lot these days.
    Love ya.

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  3. Happy Anniversary John & Corrie. Thank you for sharing your day. What a blessing you are!

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  4. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. . .Happy anniversary
    SD

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  5. What a moving gift God has given you on your anniversary! I love how He is continually working in our past, present and future to bring together the plans and purposes He has in our lives!

    What a joyous smile He must have displayed when you 'got' your gift ... the understanding that He orchestrated, through both your and John's free will and choices, the desires of your hearts! I imagine He laughs and delights in this gift! The best gifts are yet to come as He continues to use you both to glorify him!

    Your post reminds me of two VERY similar scriptures Jesus spoke to his disciples ...

    John 14:11-14 (Message - emphasis mine)
    Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—THESE WORKS. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do.

    John 16:23-24 (Message)
    This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

    My prayer for you today is that your anniversary be forever hallmarked with abundant joy in the Lords' blessing of the work He has fitted you for!

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  6. Cor,

    Once again you have made my day with your words. Happy anniversary. It's had to imagine hove quickly 14 years have passed. I am so blessed to be part of your lives. Early in my own life I too wanted to be a missionary but could not. I am so blessed to have two sons in the mission field in other countries and two other children in mission here in the US!

    BTW your anniversary present is scheduled to arrive today. It will truly light up your life!

    Love,

    Dadale

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  7. This post gave me goose-bumps! It's amazing how God works; I love looking back to see His hand in it all! We're enjoying your blogging so much! Your transparency is humbling, encouraging, and we're thankful to be getting a piece of your life and work for God's kingdom purposes. Thanks for all that you share. Prayers and love are with you from the Thomas household.

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  8. Holy cow...what a great day. This will forever be a stone in the Jordan when you celebrate your anniversary from now on...an incredible new memory of eternal impact on a day you and your hubby celebrate.

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