July 23, 2012
Five years ago, on a warm summer day in July, "the storm" began.
When we reflect back on the blessings of the LORD these past five years it is just astounding. We literally have seen the Hand of God working in our lives. I've been sitting here toying with the idea of writing a list of the many ways God has led us these last years and hesitating, knowing that so much would be missed. But then I decided today is day of reflection—so here goes.
I have to start clear back at what I believe to be the beginning of this path—2002.
HIS plan was set. From 2002 on, we went to the nursing home every Christmas morning; our joint project began; and we started hiking the Appalachian Trail. Everything was in place and waiting.
Fast forward four years.
There are so many other things that could be added to the list, but the most glaring thing missing is this Journal. In 2012, I thought I had just randomly begun a journal while reading through God's Word again. I had NO idea God had other things planned and that someday there would be two Blog's called:
I thought it was just random—but it was God's plan.
The 2015 Settlement Conference would have to be added to the list as well. The judge appointed to oversee the conference made this statement. He said, "I'm not sure why I'm the one here....," but it soon became apparent there was a reason he was the residing judge. He boldly spoke words of Truth. It was not random—It was God's plan.
What has all this taught me? Be faithful!! Do all things with integrity! You never know what God may have in store for your life. At the time, we thought all these things were random. But God was weaving a plan and scripting the story of our lives. Who would have ever thought? I sure didn't.
LORD – What Am I to Do?
The LORD Answers!
I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!!
Next Entry: Mark 5:1–43
Five years ago, on a warm summer day in July, "the storm" began.
When we reflect back on the blessings of the LORD these past five years it is just astounding. We literally have seen the Hand of God working in our lives. I've been sitting here toying with the idea of writing a list of the many ways God has led us these last years and hesitating, knowing that so much would be missed. But then I decided today is day of reflection—so here goes.
I have to start clear back at what I believe to be the beginning of this path—2002.
- Discussions with my sister and brother-in-law about a joint project began. I include this as part of the evidence of God's hand in our lives. Joining together for this project was not a mistake or bad judgment. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- The very random (or so I thought) idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail enters my mind out of nowhere. I still to this day have no idea how I even knew anything about the Appalachian Trail. I start planning a trip for the year I would turn 50 (2004). It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- Our kids are all married and we are now alone on Christmas mornings. Our daughter and her husband are living in AZ and we celebrate with our son and daughter-in-law on Christmas Eve. We make the random decision to visit a nursing home on Christmas morning. It wasn't we and it wasn't random—it was God's plan.
HIS plan was set. From 2002 on, we went to the nursing home every Christmas morning; our joint project began; and we started hiking the Appalachian Trail. Everything was in place and waiting.
Fast forward four years.
- In the fall of 2006, my sister's son and his wife came to visit. They immediately started to vent and share their frustrations about how difficult the last years had been in dealing with my sister and her insistence on having her own way no-matter-what. It had taken a great toll on their own marriage (they have since divorced) and on my sister and brother-in-law's marriage. To hear my sister was refusing to speak to my brother-in-law for months on end or for however long it took for my brother-in-law to acquiesce to her demands—was shocking! Even though I was my sister's closest friend, I knew nothing about what all they were telling me. The truth about my sister and brother-in-law's lives slowly began to unravel, like layers of an onion being peeled away. The happy united front they put on was just that—a front. Behind the scene truths (about both their personal lives and their business practices), began to come into view. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- In late 2006, one of our Associate Pastor's prayed a prayer over us at a special Thanksgiving communion service held on a Sunday evening. At the end of his prayer, he prayed for us to have integrity in all our businesses and dealings. At the time it seemed rather odd or unusual since we have always lived our lives with integrity. We had no idea what lie ahead for us on this path God had put us on, but God knew, and He was preparing the way. It wasn't random (notice a pattern here?)—it was God's plan.
- In December of 2006, my sister and brother-in-law came for a Christmas visit. We shared with them the positive results of a marketing campaign we had begun with their son and daughter-in-law's help. We made plans together for the next steps in our joint project. All appeared to go very well, then just moments before taking my sister and brother-in-law to the airport, my brother-in-law pulls me aside to tell me to hold off on completing the things we discussed; my sister wanted to make changes on everything we had just spent months working on. Behavioral patterns were being exposed. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- The next day my brother-in-law called to tell me about the changes my sister wanted to make. I asked him why she didn't mention anything while they were here when we had time to work on things together, and why he waited until just moments before leaving to tell me to hold off. He told me the whole time he and my sister were staying in our home, she was putting on a front that everything was okay while upstairs, but while in the privacy of their room downstairs, she was putting pressure on him and "if I want to live" he had to do whatever she wanted. He then opened up and confessed what life had been like with my sister over the years. All things that had been kept very hidden from me and everyone around them. Everything he was saying confirmed and matched what their son and daughter-in-law shared with us just months before. More layers of the onion were being peeled away. More truth was being revealed. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- We thought my sister's over-reactions would soon blow over. But instead of blowing over, her actions and reactions intensified. There was a total disregard for others. We tried to reason with her, but there was no reasoning whatsoever. God knew I needed to face the truth. Sometimes who we want someone to be and who they really are is as different as night and day. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- A few weeks later (January 2007), my sister and brother-in-law flew in for a "meeting." Immediately after they arrived the attacks began. It was like the flood gates were opened. My sister's words were ugly, vicious, shocking and relentless. The carefully crafted facade shattered and the truth became clear. I asked my brother-in-law about something he said in our recent phone conversation, but he feigned forgetfulness. It was then that I knew he would not (or could not) stand up to my sister. I was like a lamb being led to slaughter because I was not going to betray my nephew's or brother-in-law's confidences. The attacks were personal and brutal. For the most part my sister's anger was aimed directly at me. If I tried to speak, she cut me off. If I sat silent, she soon realized her ranting was out of control and she became even more angry. According to my sister, I was the problem. I was emotionally unstable; they were scared of me; I was unpredictable; they couldn't trust me; because of my behavior they were going to take total control of everything; and it was all my fault. Through squinted eyes and pointed fingers, vile and vicious accusations were hurled. More ugly truths were being exposed. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- During the "meeting" we brought up (once again) our concerns about the "revised" terms of our "agreements" which they made and we did not agree to. They first tried to claim the terms did not mean what we thought it said. When we stood our ground and told them we were not comfortable with the changes they made, they tried to make us feel like fools for being concerned, but then they finally promised to rescind the terms back to our original agreement and remove the objectionable terms. We now know their promises were just a means to an end. They had no intentions of following through, they were just trying to buy time until they achieved their goal of removing a large sum of money from the project. The "meeting" lasted until the wee hours of the morning. We were unaware of their carefully crafted agendas and ulterior motives, but at no time was God caught unaware. He was letting us know what He already knew. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- When my sister and brother-in-law finally felt our home we were numb and shell-shocked. What on earth had just happened? What were we dealing with?!? How did the people we trusted and the sister I loved turn into people we couldn't even recognize? For the rest of the early morning hours I sat alone in our dark living room; my sister's words reverberating in my mind. I cried out to the LORD for His help. By daybreak I KNEW! I absolutely KNEW I was supposed to go and do something for someone else. But, where would I go? I decided to go the nursing home God "randomly" directed us to five years earlier. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- I met Jane E. Wolfe later that same day. Her room was down a hall we had never been to before even though we had been going to this nursing home for years. A divine appointment prepared by God. The story of how I was taken to her room and our meeting is written elsewhere in this Journal. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- God knew. HE knew about the "traps set along our path." HE knew about the deceit and their malicious plans to take over the project, force us to pay a large pay-out, and then leave us with nothing. HE knew about the carefully hidden facade. HE knew what we didn't know. HE knew we were in danger and HE put everything in place to protect us and deliver us. It wasn't random—it was God's plan.
- "Randomly" meeting with two prayer warrior friends of mine just as the dispute was beginning. A support system was put in place.
- Songs running through my mind with words of encouragement both day and night.
- So many God-things while my husband and I daily walked and prayed together. I remember one early morning. The sun had just risen. As we turned a corner the warmth of the sun hit our backs and cast elongated shadows on the road in front of us. We paused and thanked God for protecting our backs during this whole process even when we were totally unaware our backs needed protected.
- Another time, at the exact time my husband was crying out to God for him to let us know He was with us, the skies opened up momentarily to reveal the sun on a day when the fog was so thick we couldn't see more than just a few feet in front of us
- Our meeting at Applebee's with our Senior Pastor and his wife. His discernment of the situation; his understanding of how vicious this was going to get; his quizzing of my fortitude until he was satisfied that God had me prepared for what was ahead; and his confirmations of the directions we felt God was leading.
- God opened the doors for an attorney to help us separate ourselves from my sister and brother-in-law. Our long-time business attorney couldn't represent us because of conflict of interest since he had done some minor work for our project. We sought recommendations from our Pastor and others until a consensus was formed. There was one major problem. We were told it typically took six to eight months to get an appointment to see this gentleman, and that was IF he decided to accept an appointment. I called his office on a Tuesday. He called me back that same day! He told me to get him the paperwork by the next day, he was going to be leaving for Ecuador the following day (Thursday) and he would take it with him. Incredible!
- Our first meeting with our new attorney when he returned from Ecuador was amazing. His discernment of the situation and his wisdom could have only been God-given.
- Our attorney placed a call while we were sitting in his office during that first meeting, and with that one phone call, a buyer for our joint project was located. An amazing provision by God for a biblical solution to the conflict.
- Our 2007 trip to the Appalachian Trail, a time of prayer and surrender as God prepared us for "the storm" that lie ahead.
- Our new lawyer referring us to a litigation defense attorney when it became clear my sister and brother-in-law were going to reject the sale he arranged and were intending to file a lawsuit instead. At our very first meeting with the litigation attorney there was one "random" piece of paper on his otherwise clear desk. He had no prior knowledge of our situation, but that one piece of paper (that he was researching for another case) was a defense for our own. We were able to share our faith with him multiple times. We left there absolutely KNOWING we were put into his life for a reason—It was God's plan.
- Just days after a lawsuit seeking our ruin was filed, I went to see Jane like I did every Monday morning. After not speaking for seven months, Jane spoke and said, "Read Psalm 150," and "Read Psalm 140." Then Jane prayed the most astounding prayer. Another divine appointment. It wasn't random—It was God's plan.
- "Random" meetings and conversations (divine appointments) with many different people during the months following the filing of the lawsuit.
- "Randomly" asked to move up with the 6th grade Sunday School class and to teach them again as 7th graders. I found out later many behind the scenes things had to happen to accomplish that. What seemed so totally random—was most definitely God's plan.
- The plans and building of The Hill, at what seemed to be the absolutely worst timing—was actually God's plan.
- The opportunity for me to serve on our church board continued, despite my sister and brother-in-law's efforts to destroy our ministries.
- Mediation in 2008. The mediation lawyer spent hours in their room and only minutes in ours while he was eating lunch. He was clearly given wisdom and discernment. When our lawyer ran into him months later, he inquired about the case. Then he told our lawyer, "Get this thing to trial, there will be no reasoning with them."
- My husband's "aha" moment while in Indy for my sister and brother-in-law's depositions in January of '09. It was the first morning. We sat on the edge of the bed and I opened my Bible to begin reading from where I had left off the day before. Psalm 7 and Psalm 8. Psalm 7 exactly described the situation we were in. Psalm 8 (one of the Psalms Jane asked me to read) is an entire Psalm of praise, exactly like we are to live our lives. We were astounded. Then we turned to the Exploration Verses for those chapters. One of the verses was Psalm 140:12 - "I know the LORD will get justice for the poor and will defend the needy in court." A reminder of God's promise of protection. Wow! Wow! A thousand times—Wow! God's promise sent through the lips of Jane E. Wolfe in July of 2007, repeated as we prepared for my sister and brother-in-law's depositions in January 2009. We were both in tears. My husband said, "I finally get it LORD. I will trust you completely no matter what." It wasn't random—It was God's plan.
- We went down to breakfast and had the opportunity to share our faith and beliefs with our lawyer. Then we went into my sister and brother-in-law's depositions. More layers of the onion were peeled away and more truth was exposed. It was heartbreaking to see the levels of their deceit and the depth of their blindness.
- Multiple times of being sent to entirely different areas of the Bible to read scriptures of encouragement and promise while reading in our daily sequential devotions. It wasn't random—It was God's plan.
- "Randomly" stopping in at our lawyer's office. He, his partner, and our first lawyer were in the conference room discussing our case. Our first lawyer confirmed what we already knew, we had to make a very difficult decision, an action that would put our heads in the "mouth of the lion" and could cause us great financial harm.
- Our lawyer sending an email about us putting our heads in the mouth of the lion at the same time we were reading in our daily devotions how you are safe from harm when the lion has no teeth. Again where we were reading in the normal sequential course of our devotions.
- Jane asking us to read Isaiah 30 before my deposition and then telling me to read the part about "wait on the Lord" again. It wasn't random—It was God's plan.
- Jane encouraging me to memorize Psalm 1. There are two paths. Two very different results.
- Clarity of thought; presence of mind; emotional strength; physical endurance during the most demanding of times.
- Conversations with our banker.
- Meeting with bank officials and their willingness to continue to financially back us even though we were in a lawsuit.
- Jane's last "word"—Jeremiah 33. A promise of restoration.
- Jane saying "good-bye" to me.
- Meeting Jane's adopted sister from Pennsylvania.
- Meeting Jane's Power of Attorney.
- Speaking at Jane's funeral.
- One of Jane's nurses called our church and asked to speak to me after hearing our testimony at Jane's funeral. He wanted to hear more of the story, because he KNEW there had to be a reason why Jane's physical body lived so much longer than anyone expected.
- Restoration and protection from a large financial obligation one year to the day from when Jane said to read Jeremiah 33. It wasn't random—It was God's plan..
- 2007—gross income of my husband's business incredibly doubled during the worst time of "the storm."
- My husband's business surviving the lawsuit and economy down turn. Not only surviving—but thriving.
- Meetings with two local gentleman with an incredible job opportunity.
- God used what was disastrous and meant for our harm to shift my husband's and son's business away from its past focus of work and moved the focus towards a new direction and specialty—which brought us work during the downturn of economy. It wasn't random—It was God's plan.
- More work done at The Hill, this time for the new pavilion.
- Dad's illness and death. After I was willing to give up "my rights" to protect Mom and Dad, God gave it ALL back. I am still amazed!
- Special graveside service with Mom, my brother, our kids, and grand-kids.
- Our three oldest grandchildren each asking Jesus to forgive them of their sins. Priceless!!
- Multiple people coming along side of us. Including my Sunday School girls from the special group I taught as both 6th and 7th graders planning and bringing us dinner—even flowers for the table—as a way to encourage us.
- Leadership meetings with the board and Global Leadership Summit provided so many insights.
- Being able to hike the Appalachian Trail again in 2012. Reflecting back on God's protection and beginning to look forward.
- Realizing we are embarking on a New Beginning. It wasn't random—It was God's plan.
- The absolute honor and privilege of being asked by our Pastor to be part of a group who would pray over families that came forward for prayer. It was our privilege to individually pray prayers of blessings over dozens of people and families. We were there to serve, and it was our honor to do so. Between Friday and Monday—came Sunday!!
- Filled with peace, joy, and love that passes ALL understanding, even in the most difficult of times.
- The lawsuit lasting for five years, and the Judge not ruling on the Summary Judgment for three years CANNOT be random—IT HAS TO BE part of God's plan. .
There are so many other things that could be added to the list, but the most glaring thing missing is this Journal. In 2012, I thought I had just randomly begun a journal while reading through God's Word again. I had NO idea God had other things planned and that someday there would be two Blog's called:
Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead)
and
I thought it was just random—but it was God's plan.
The 2015 Settlement Conference would have to be added to the list as well. The judge appointed to oversee the conference made this statement. He said, "I'm not sure why I'm the one here....," but it soon became apparent there was a reason he was the residing judge. He boldly spoke words of Truth. It was not random—It was God's plan.
What has all this taught me? Be faithful!! Do all things with integrity! You never know what God may have in store for your life. At the time, we thought all these things were random. But God was weaving a plan and scripting the story of our lives. Who would have ever thought? I sure didn't.
LORD – What Am I to Do?
The LORD Answers!
I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!!
Next Entry: Mark 5:1–43
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