Reflecting . . . into melt down

Melt down is something that happens after working as many hours as we did last week and then continuing right through the weekend! My hope is to take part of today and not have it as hectic as last week. One can always hope -- right??

We have spent nearly every minute reflecting on last week. There are so many things to reflect on, so many things to re-think or to think on for the first time. One thing stands out in my mind -- something I watched every single day and the same thing Pastor Lavoy preached on yesterday so I know it's a God-thing!

When Jesus gave the new commandment to His disciples He told them to "love one another as I have loved you." When we think about that it's a really !!! tall order. Jesus loved us with unconditional love, something this world is very unfamiliar with and something nearly extinct.

BUT. . . I saw this happening all last week on a daily basis. If you were to have walked onto the jobsite at any given moment, early in the morning or very late in the night you would not have been able to tell which team member was from where. Everyone was working together as if they had known each other their entire lives. You did not hear foul language, you did not hear anger, you did not hear anything but "how can I help" and "what do you need me to do?" The more experienced ones were taking the time to teach those less experienced. The leaders were praising the work of anyone and everyone. The smiles were constant and the laughter contagious. The joy inside each individual's hearts was as visible as the shirts on their backs. It didn't make any difference if they were walking around on the roof putting on shingles or if they were digging the ditch to bury the sewer lines. All were important and all were loving everything they were doing. No one was made to feel as though their part was less than someone elses.

I stood in amazement each day and yet knew this is the way it could be, the way it should be and the way it would be! When God annoints a project He doesn't just annoint the structure or the land. He annoints the people -- His people who are just there to allow Him to work through them to accomplish whatever needs to be done! And the people are willing "vessels" for Him to work through.

Age wasn't a factor. Physical ability or inability wasn't a factor. Gender wasn't a factor. Church denomination wasn't a factor. Love was THE factor! Working and building for the Lord was the driving force, the lifeline, the reason for it all.

My wish is that everyone could experience what that is like! Unless you were here, unless you felt it in your heart, in your mind, in your soul -- you can't feel it and for that I am sad! It is THE greatest blessing in this world! Of that I am certain! I pray Monty and I are able to continue working in this disaster ministry and thanks to all of you I know we will be.

Ms Ollie knows the feeling. She knows what it feels like to have the love of Jesus poured out all over you, covering everything about you - - - and the only words she could find to describe it was "I must be in heaven!"

If you would like to see the TV coverage you can go to www.wlox.com and look up anything having to do with Speed Build in Pascagoula, MS. There are 3 different spots and in the last one you will hear Ms Ollie herself trying to put her feelings and love into words.

Thank all of you for your prayers, for your love and for your support. YOU are the keys! YOU fulfilled your job and YOU were critical in this build -- even if you weren't here in the physical sense!

May God return His blessings to you one hundred fold.

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

PS Our California team arrived safe and sound late last night and are working away in Ms Darlene's house so be sure and stay tuned for the miracles that will be happening there!