out to the farm for a while? I can guarantee you will be miles away from the nearest church (from the nearest anything, for that matter!) :) Plus, Darren’s folks have an extra house tucked over in one corner of the homestead. It’s tiny—a little cottage built back in 1882, the first frame house on the farm. But a while back, Darren’s parents got the idea of using it as a hunting-fishing cabin and making a bit of money off it. So it’s all fixed up real nice, has three bedrooms (counting the attic), bathroom, living room, kitchen, and pantry/washroom. I already phoned Mom Lindberg and she was more than happy to let your family stay there for free, as long as you need to. She says to tell you she’s very sorry to hear about what happened. Grandpa Holmes (her dad) was a Baptist preacher, so she knows all about growing up in a ministry family.
I am praying that Jesus sends you at least a little encouragement today.
Many hugs!
Brenna
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
prayer for tyler
* * *
Jocelyn,
Brenna and I just wanted you to know that we have organized a prayer vigil for Tyler today (Good Friday). Starting at noon for the next twenty-four hours, members of SAHM I Am are going to be taking turns praying for your son. We love you! (And just so you know, this was actually Rosalyn and Connie’s idea. I sent in a prayer request for you to the list, and they suggested putting this together.)
Love,
Z
* * *
From:
P. Lorimer
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Humbled…
* * *
…by your love. I hardly know what to say. I didn’t read your e-mails until this morning (Saturday). Friday, I spent the whole day packing and grieving. And just as I felt myself slipping back into my old hatred of organized religion, just as the bitterness started creeping through my heart, the Lord used you, my dear friends, to show me what His Body is really like. And it’s so incredibly beautiful. We are absolutely amazed—did you realize, did you plan it out that each one of you offered your home to us? Or was that just a Holy Spirit “coincidence”? :) “Thank you” seems ridiculously inadequate for the gratitude Jonathan and I both feel toward you sweet, sweet women. Your kindness lifted our hearts and made the pain lessen. We love you all so very much.
After talking it over, we both felt that we should accept Brenna and Darren’s offer of staying at their farm. Since they have an extra house, it seemed to make the most sense and be the least disruptive to any of your families. But I wish we were able to take each of you up on your generous hospitality. It completely blew us away. We’ll never, ever forget it. You are so precious! I’m almost glad, now, that God let this happen to us, so we could experience this awesome outpouring of love. We’ve learned that in God’s family, we’re never homeless. In fact, we don’t have just one home—we have four!
Many, many blessings to each of you,
Phyllis
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: Humbled…
* * *
Aw, man! I can’t believe the Okie farm won out against Baltimore! :) I’ll have to talk to Tristan about putting a cottage in the corner of our backyard. Of course, it would have to be a playhouse-size cottage. You lucky thing, Brenna! You and Phyllis will be the first ones out of all of us to meet in person!
Actually, I’m just so thrilled that you have a place to go now, Phyllis. We didn’t plan it out that way, so it must be God. Love and hugs!
Z
* * *
From:
Brenna L.
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: Humbled…
* * *
Hah! Don’t you know country girls always win? Even transplanted city-to-country ones! But I’m just so glad we were able to help. Phyllis, send me your phone number so I can call you and work out all the arrangements. I’m not giving you my number, because I don’t want you paying for the long-distance call.
On another topic…well, sort of related, now. When I told Darren just a while ago that Phyllis and family had accepted our offer, he was really excited. He said it had been a long time since he’d done something that felt so good. So we were talking about hospitality and Christian love. He told me he really misses having a regular church home. We go to church, but it’s so far away, we