The Time Is NOW

Some days I think of a new superpower I would want if I could put in an order.  Actually, I have thought of this one in the past, but I was reminded of it again today....I always seem to remember it on Sundays.  I would want eyes with the ability to taser my kids.  Today, they asked me if they could have a couple friends sit with them during the worship time at church.  I said I would allow it and reminded them that, even though their friends are with them, I still expect them to be participating in worship and listening to the scripture reading....etc.  TOTAL FAIL.....and I am helpless from up front leading worship with Brad.....unless I had taser eyes...I mean, that would solve everything. 

Then, I thought....I wish I could take a picture of them right now and title it....

NOW IS THE TIME FOR WORSHIP :)

It's true though, NOW IS THE TIME FOR WORSHIP....the time is always now, no matter what NOW looks like.  We had a family visit our church today who we had never met... they are feeling called to be missionaries in Thailand.  AND, Guess what?!  They have five daughters...I think they were 4 yrs-17 yrs old.  The mom was feeling the call for while, but, as she testified, she was hiding from God behind her family and the "American Dream" for them.  She didn't think God could ever ask her to do something like that because she was a mom of five kids....then, her husband also testified about his insecurities about being a "missionary" as he thought of them in his mind and he didn't believe he had the skill set for it.  Their whole story of the calling was pretty incredible...God was speaking to both of them individually before they ever spoke about it to each other.  I love when He does stuff like that just to prove it is not their idea.  GOD is making Himself known!  Three of their daughters testified as well....that was pretty moving.  

One of the things the mom, Laura, said was so wonderful to me about the process God took her through to get her the the point of surrendering to His will.  First, he planted the idea....to which she said "NO WAY" "I CAN'T".....Then he gave her a burden that took her to a point where she thought she would be willing IF He called her....then, the burden turned to a burning passion that could not be quenched to a point where one day she begged God, "Please ask ME to go!"  That was my, FOR SURE, WOW moment from today....The believer who BEGS GOD to send him!

Are all these people volunteering to go wherever God calls them?  
Can you imagine what God could do with all these volunteers?  :)

The family is going to be working with kids since there is such a need in Thailand for parental figures and mentors...their tool of outreach will be evangelism through sports programming.  AND, they are going to try to reach the young men (specifically) through their efforts with sports programs and mentoring because most young adult males in Thailand become alcoholics early and either abandon or do not support their families. The problem of alcoholism in these young men leads to the breakdown of the family structure in Thailand and is one of the key contributors to the widespread problem of human trafficking.  Which leads to their other goal.... this will be to maintain paths out of the human trafficking industry for those who are rescued by providing them a place to stay...(their facility has dormitories) and training for a skill, so the people will not feel as though they have nothing unless they return to that lifestyle.  

They have a huge assignment....BUT, AN INCREDIBLE GOD!

Our daughters were thrilled to meet their daughters.....they were all playing Duck, Duck, Goose in the church while waiting for us to stop talking (we are always the last to leave :) 10 girls from only 2 families :).  Our girls are already asking when we can go visit them in Thailand....and they just met today :)  

THEY WANT TO GO NOW!  

If only we were all ready with that response to what God is asking of us.