Back in Maine!

If I were to have designed a first week back in Maine after being gone for nine months, I don’t think I could have thought of a better week.  These are some of the highlights. 


The view from our bedroom window.

An absolutely gorgeous place to stay with very gracious hosts.  Rick and Kathie Ramsdell have a beautiful home on Holmes Bay.  The location itself would have been enough to soothe and cheer my heart, but I also cannot say enough about how gracious they were.  All of the people who have hosted us over the past year have been gracious, but the Ramsdells have definitely stood out as having a God-given gift of hospitality.  We are so grateful for their generosity and genuine love for us and for the work of the ministry.




Craft time

Game time.

Vacation Bible School with the Downeast Baptist Church in Machias, Maine.  My days were spent studying, writing, walking, meditating and praying.  But every night culminated in the best part – VBS.  The children were eager to learn and were enthusiastic about the week, asking at the end of it if it could go on.  The adults fully participated by helping with games, snacks, decorations, registrations, and providing meals for us.

The beautiful bride

A wedding at West Hampden Baptist Church on Saturday.  A young woman we have known for the last twelve years was married on Saturday, and we got to be there!  Seeing so many of our friends from West Hampden made it extra special. 














On Sunday Charlie shared our ministry with the people there, and then our hosts treated us to a lobster dinner.  What says “Maine” more than a lobster dinner?  Whoopie pies?  Well, we had those too!

Eastport, ME

Yesterday we travelled to Eastport, ME. We visited Raye’s Mustard factory, a place that Charlie wanted to see since we arrived in Maine and spent a couple hours enjoying the beauty of the place.  When we returned to Machiasport, the fog had settled in again, but I still spent more than an hour walking the beach.  It was a much needed and relaxing day off for me.



God is good – all the time.  Even when I don’t feel blessed, I know He is blessing.  But it is also a blessing (though not a greater blessing) to feel so blessed, and I thank and praise Him today for these special blessings.

A Double Rainbow and Sunshine



Emily and her parents

The weather forecast did not look promising for an outdoor wedding.  As we gathered for the rehearsal,  the skies were dark.  The windshield seemed wrinkled from the rain drops streaming down, and the roof crackled as tiny raindrops bounced off its surface.  One by one, cars arrived at the Webb Barn to go over the details of the wedding. 

Charlie grabbed an umbrella and joined the others.  I stayed in the car and began to write, since there was no reason for me to get out in the pouring rain.  A few minutes later, however, the rain tapered, and instead of having to do the rehearsal inside, the party was able to go through things outside where the ceremony was to occur. 

As we left that night, a double rainbow arced over the barn, a reminder that He always keeps His promises.

The double rainbow was so clear to the naked eye but hard to see here.

 
It was as though the Lord had already heard my request for good weather and was reminding me of His mercies that are new every morning.

The day of the wedding dawned with clear blue skies and beautiful  cool breezes.  The nor’easter was gone, and in its place were the sparkling clean greens of spring.
 
Two lives were joined together in marriage that day as Emily and Kyle pledged their love and their lives to each other forever. 

My hope for them as they go through life together is that they will continue to grow in their love for each other and that they will learn the joys and blessings of totally trusting the God who gave them the double rainbow for their rehearsal and sunshine for their wedding day.  They will have dark and sunny days ahead, and through it all, I wish for them the ability to see God who always keeps all of His promises.