Hello Everyone! I am alive and well. I know it has been a while since I have blogged, but I am back. The surgery went well as most of you know. I was in the hospital a week and have been home three weeks today. God has been good. My family has really stepped up to help Melissa and I out. Not just our immediate family, but our church family, SOUTH SIDE BAPTIST CHURCH!!! Best place to be if your looking for a family. The people there will love on you and teach you at the same time. God moves within the body there. You know that everyone there has a love for stepping up and being obedient to God's calling. We have been so blessed by the out reach in our time of need. 1 Peter 4:13 tells us to "rejoice that we paricipate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed". (NIV) People, I am telling you I am seeing his Glory being revealed. He has Melissa in a home church that does the will of God. It makes you feel that overjoy, when you see how God is working. People have checked on us consistantly, prepared meals, prayed continuously, encouraged, given advice, and again just loved on us during this time of suffering (the back surgery). I am so gratful for the congergration God has placed us in, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you for doing what God called you to do. Thank you for helping a young family like ourselves, thank you for notes of encouragement, thank you for the love of Christ. I love each and everyone of you. God has placed us where he wants us and has shown us what being in his will does. He has shown us that no matter what trial we go through he is there. His servants are there.
When you feel like your in something alone, remember these lyrics by Casting Crowns - Praise you in this storm -
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
Remember we just have to listen. God places us where he wants us for a reason. The reason is always revealed. The best part is, we are never alone. God has blessed my family and I. He has shown us struggle and is showing us the glory being revealed as we go.
I am going to be blogging quiet a bit now, so please check in. I love you guys. Ben
