"Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God."
- Acts 14:22
Recently in my devotional reading I came across a piece where someone wrote that the best things of life come out of wounding:
- wheat is crushed before it becomes bread;
- incense must be cast upon the fires before its' odors are set free;
- the ground must be broken with the sharp plough before it is ready to receive the seed;
- it is the broken heart that pleases God.
"The sweetest joys in life are the fruits of sorrow.
Human nature seems to need suffering to fit it for being a blessing to the world."
So we are believing that the journey of this past year is preparing us for our assignment to be a blessing to the world.
It has been a long time since I have last posted. I wanted to write two weeks ago when we finally closed on our house in Orrville. We met with the title company on Thursday afternoon, did the paper work and delivered the check. We thought we were done and were ready to celebrate.
However, the next morning the local newspaper listed our property on the Wayne County, Ohio, September Sheriff's Sale. So, for the past two weeks we have been living with more uncertainty. Last Friday and again yesterday, the property was listed in the paper. We should not have been surprised since it is true to the style of this past (yes, it is a year ago this week end that we announced publicly our plans to leave North Leo and join the MCC team in Nigeria. But as you know that dream died. New dreams are developing. And for that we give thanks to God. God's word continues to speak life and hope into our lives:
"The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue,
Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise,
The Lord is all I have, and so in the Lord I put my hope."
- Lamentations 3:22-24 (TEV)
"You have granted me life and loving kindness;
and Your care has preserved my spirit."
- Job 10:12 (NASB)
So, today we were able to verify that the property title actually has been transferred into our names at the county recorder's office and our realtor has confirmed with the bank's foreclosure agent has cancelled the Sheriff's Sale listing. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!
So here is where we enjoy going work each day where we have been well received:
Oak Grove Mennonite Church
Oak Grove Mennonite Church
7843 Smucker Rd., Smithville, Ohio 44677
Office: 330.669.2697
2003 Sunnyview Lane,Orrville, OH 44667
We would love to see you in Eastern Ohio sometime, so please stop by!
Our home phone number is 330.930.0339
My cell phone is 330.601.6274
You can keep in touch by leaving a comment here at the blog page or e-mail us:
Peace to you! Doug
