thoughts

wow. ben and i have been thinking a lot about evangelism and how it relates to us, as we are surrounded by many, many Christians; we've also been thinking a lot about our lives and how encouraged we are in many different aspects. since my surgery (this is janie) SO many people have been more encouraging than i could ever imagine. after hearing from the doctor about a month ago that my endometriosis is back, my heart sank. through all of it, everyone that we come in contact with asks me how i'm feeling, i know that they pray for us daily, and are truly concerned. unconditionally concerned at that. even people who i don't talk to on a regular basis whatsoever ask me how i'm doing whenever i do get to talk to them. my friend has been in the hospital for a day with some other complications, called me last night to tell me that she WAS indeed in the hospital, and before we got off the phone, asked me how i was doing and feeling in the midst of her heartbreak for even being in the hospital. ben and i are EXTREMELY blessed! we don't understand it sometimes. the only only only way that we can describe is the shear fact that Christ is caring for His bride and He cares the utmost about His people. Matthew 5-7 is a familiar Bible passage titled "the sermon on the mount." here's what the scripture says...
26"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!"
I'm so glad that Christ cares SO much about the church and about His sons and daughters. He DOES take care of us even when we feel like all is coming down on top of us.
In the midst of all of this, we've had a lot of good times. we got to go to oklahoma to see family and friends there. we also have been able to support several friends in their upcoming marriages. we are SO excited about all the weddings that will take place this summer and pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, and give you peace. (i'm at work, so i would post some pictures, but it always messees up when i'm trying to post, so i won't do it.)
in conclusion, i have written all of this to say thank you to all of the people that have encouraged us over the last few months. we continue to covet your prayers for healing for my body, and a larger family (of course). we thank God for our friends and family. come see us soon!!!