kindled

 Oh my lands it was a busy weekend! 

Our house was busting at the seams with people that we love and haven't seen in a very long time!

Matt grew up with the Buckners, he and Patrick born the same month of the same year to best friends. Any time we went to New Jersey from Haiti, we always stay with Aunt Lori and Uncle Terry, and a few years ago Matt spoke to Pat about getting his seminary degree so that he could do whatever ministry he felt the Lord was calling him to!  He's been a worship pastor, and now a senior pastor at a church near Pittsburg, and he and his wife and his parents all made the LONG drive to attend graduation, and to meet the professors and classmates he's studied with online but never met. 

Pat and Leanne's little only son passed into Jesus' arms while Patrick was working on this degree, and celebrating with them this outward sign that God did not leave them...not for a minute, and continues to have good plans for their lives was so sweet. We shed a lotta tears and shared a lotta laughs and spent many hours catching up and I'm just THANKFUL.

Then, the Heckmans, who we lived with for years in Haiti, also made the long drive down for Ethan, who Matt also convinced to come do his degree years ago, and who was also graduating!  Ethan's grandparents, parents, sister and new baby all came, and it was SO good to catch up with all of them, and again, to celebrate all that God has done and IS doing was precious. 

On top of all that good New Jersey family, we got to celebrate Gaga's son graduating, the youngest Friedeman graduating, several other students Matt started out at WBS graduating....and in general got to see the Lord at WORK!  We also made several new friendships, and I'm just thankful for such a rich rich weekend!

The Buckner's were not gonna leave without worshipping with us Sunday morning, and at the last minute Matt asked him if there was a song he wanted to lead us in worship in before heading back to PA.

If you want to ugly cry, listen to your husband preach Do you love Me? Feed my sheep, and then watch a man who lost his child humbly and and transparently and boldly lead a group of strangers to the throne in Gratitude, eyes.on.Jesus. 

All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah

He stretches me, more and big and beautifully...I love seeing the Lord at work in peoples lives, and I cherish and am kindled by watching people trust Him.