Pastor Mike - I just wanted to share with you that I saw the program yesterday for the first time. It was, by far, the most moving, powerful, emotional, well put together, mentally exhausting church service I have ever been to in my entire life. And I have been to alot! I grew up in a large Catholic family, went to a Catholic University, and moved over to and have been very active in the Methodist church with my husband and two teenage daughters. I will be forever changed. Toward the end of the service I cried a little (let me tell you, I cried during Amy's testimony), because I was so upset that my family wasn't with me and didn't get to experience it. I tried to explain it to them when I got home, but it was impossible. My daughter's volunteered at church at 6 a.m. so I let them go back to bed and my husband was out of town on a hunting trip! Uggg - thank you so much for your ministry.
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I've said those words over the last 5 or so years but I either didn't fully believed them or I didn't fully understand what I was actually saying when I said it. Whichever it was, something clicked this past weekend, something changed...the veil was lifted, the vision cleared, the last piece fell into place. I WOULD NOT CHANGE A THING!!! Every time I have thought those words this week, I've either cried or laughed (sometimes both at the same time). I thought I felt free before but now it's incredible. I thought I understood things before but now it's more clearly. Joy is bubbling over inside me. I have a hunger like never before. I used to get embarrassed when people said that I had an incredible testimony, not anymore--my story is part of God's story. As soon as we started practicing this year, I knew God was going to something incredible with the program. I could just feel it, a miracle was coming. As practices went on, and we got closer to the programs, the push back I felt from the Devil was more intense than in the last 5 or 6 years (maybe even combined). I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when that miracle happened in me. I WOULD NOT CHANGE A THING!!! I love you guys and it is an absolute pleasure serving our incredibly awesome God with you. Merry Christmas!
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Last night was incredible - honestly, incredible. The unity, the voices, the technical excellence, the orchestra, the timing, the true worship, and the RESPONSES. Folks, I had no idea how many people were responding and what they were saying. We didn't count, but there were at least a hundred tags in the suitcases and about 70 texts - which we kept getting even after the service ... and the things they said!!! Oh, my ... people truly moved towards God like never before, and some were saved. A coworker of someone in the choir, who has been invited for years, finally came for the first time last night, and she had to catch a ride from her boyfriend who said, "This is a church I could go to," and then she said, "I'll definitely be back." We also think there was at least one woman who came forward who is recovering from a life of prostitution.
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I didn't get to talk to you last night at the program, but I just wanted to take a second and tell you congratulations and praise God for all I know He did through it, and through you. It was super, and God is great!
It got really personal for me when Mike started talking about where we put our hope, and I knew God was reminding me that my hope is not in this baby being okay, which is where my mind goes so easily right now--to fear and anxiety about everything being okay (especially after hearing Amy and Billy's story again last night, and sobbing my way through it....even though I know it so well, with my big ultrasound coming up next week I can't help but think, what if something similar happens to us??), so my mind was there, and knowing I needed to again put my hope back in Christ. Well, then you started singing the very same song that the Lord used when my husband and I were out west after the first miscarriage ("Jesus is the Lord") which brought so much healing and peace to me on that trip, and I don't think I've listened to it or heard it since then, but I listened to it over and over and over on that trip on my ipod, and God kept bringing it to mind while we were there, every time I looked out over the Grand Canyon or some other gorgeous vista, my mind was filled with, "You're worthy of worship, you're worthy of praise, worthy of honor, and worthy of thanks....." I couldn't get over that it was SO cool of God to do that last night, through that song: to remind me of that trip and the healing He brought, and right after reminding me that He is where my hope is found.....anyway, tears were pouring off of my chin as I worshipped during that song. :) And the song has been on my mind ever since last night, too...After not hearing it for so long, He's just constantly reminding me through it that He's worthy, and where I need to put my trust. Praise His Name.
Anyway....that's just my own personal story of how He spoke to me....and I'm sure there are zillions of others. He's so good like that, isn't He?
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The emotions during the shows were unbelievable, being part of a group praising God, watching my wife praising God, seeing all the people bringing the burdens to the Lord. There were many times I was too choked up to even sing. This was the first time in my life that I truly PRAISED THE LORD. It was awesome.
I want to thank you for letting me be a part of the choir and making me feel welcome. You have an unbelievable gift of making music simple, fun and sound unbelievably great. I am not sure if my voice is any better now but I know the Lord loves to hear it.
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