a handful of miracles

So this last week has been a bit of a unique one.  Last week Monday I started feeling a bit off.  A little bit of a scratchy throat and the whole bit.  Immediately I began to pray because when my spirit claims the sickness then it's as though I were giving the sickness permission to make its home and I did not want that. 
These first couple weeks of the quarter have been hectic for me.  Like I said before there are 4 teams going on outreach in 2 months, but the same amount of people going on a mid-lecture phase outreach next week-----so that means my heavy prep work begins early.  We have a school going on up in the mountains....at our mountain campus 'Eagle Rock'.  They join us down at the Arvada campus every monday. 
So....like I said I started feeling off on a Monday, the only day that I can possibly communicate face to face with the leadership from the Eagle Rock school.  Push through Erika!!!  I felt something like a wind of the Spirit pick me up and give me clear thoughts about what I needed to do that day...during the time alotted.  I was like a freight train!  In God's perfect timing, I actually finished what I NEEDED to do then began to feel weak again.  Should I go home now...and rest?  I felt like it was time.  I had overwhelming grace for the moment! Thank you Lord! 

This bug just kept me on my toes all week.  YES.....all week.  It is Monday again and I am not well still.  After hundreds of prayers from family and friends all believing for full healing....I am still coughing, blowing the shnoz, taking meds, and wondering what to do next.  There were times in this last week that I pressed anxiously into a cure, but pulled back just letting the Holy Spirit comfort me.  One of these moments was Friday night.  (Oh did I tell you we had house guests from Thursday to Sunday?)  Will insisted that I stay in our bed, but there were not many options because Kevin was sleeping on the couch and his parents were in the basement.  I knew I would cough for an hour...and cause Will to lose sleep.  So I just prayed that God would show me a miracle.  This is what He told me.

I felt like the Lord said 'Do not make a provision for being sick.  Lay down just like you would any night.  When an urge to cough comes over you....just lay your hand on your chest and pray quietly about my healing, my peace, and my promise of life for you.'  I really went out in faith on this one.  It was so personal....no one else (but Will....my bed buddy) would be awaiting the results.  I went for it.  No more sleeping with two pillows elevating me, no more getting up to read for an hour in the other room, no more vicks on the feet with socks, no more tea with honey.  I just rested....and prayed.  In the morning I awoke and realized I had slept that night.  It worked!  God was faithful to bring me rest!  It was a miracle!

The next couple of days I struggled to hold the faith that I would be healed because I felt like all the symptoms were getting heavier.  I had totally cut out all sugar and dairy...only drinking water and Emergen-C! 

Saturday I prayed about heading up to the Eagle Rock campus for a staff couples wedding and I got the go ahead.  I may have pushed myself too much.  When there are good tunes being played and little girls asking me to dance with them who can turn that down.  Nevertheless, I was bushed!   It's been almost a week.  Everyday I thought the next day would be the ending day....where all the mucus would break up and I would feel less pressure in my face and head.  Nope....not true. 

Sunday was a day of rest with Parker Posey--in--You've Got Mail & Josie and the Pussy Cats.  My favorite Parker outfit had to be this feather collar she wore.....it was amazing! 
Our house guests left us a a thank you card and $100!!!  Serious provision and graciousness....they were staying with me (coughing and under the weather), and still gave us a gift!

Monday now, time for the visit to the clinic.  So how much is it gonna be to do all this?  Can we afford it without health insurance?  75 bucks for the clinic and 26 for the medicine.  Hmmmm.....that's $101 dollars!  Seems like God provided everything we needed before we needed it.  MIRACLE!

So, yes I am a little behind on work, but it will all fall into place when it needs to.  I did get to read some...which I have not done in like 5 years.  I started AND finished the book 'Is That Really You God' by Loren Cunningham.  It was a a book I read while doing my DTS in Norway.  But that was a long time ago...and God was doing a lot in me.  I felt like now would be a good time to read it...and really understand the story.  I drew a ton from the book including some principles to hear God's voice.  I have started reading 'No Compromise' by Melody Green.  The book is a biography of Keith Green's life written by his wife.  It should be great although it is 500 pages long.  YIKES!

I have my meds.  And I am on the mend.  I just wanted to give God the glory for His provision and comforting ways.  Thank you Jesus!

Life on the Weekends

Now that the new quarter has started off smoothly, we're back to our normal weekend outings, and have added about 20 or more students to the mix each time.  Last Saturday we went to the Denver Art Museum and just loved the opportunity to be inspired, challenged, and awed by the creativity of this and past generations.

An entire exhibit of chairs... both modern and old. 
This was a personal favorite. 

I like to call him iron man.... however I'm not sure what it's proper title is. 
The best way to describe it is a sculpture mosaic of metal.

We stopped for a little snack break on one of the balconies. 
I sat in the shade, and in typical "Erika fashion" she chose to soak up some rays.

"View" by David Schnell

There was a huge installation piece called Fox Games, by Sandy Skoglund
of only grey foxes and red dining room tables and chairs.
It was definitely a favorite!   

Kevin Looper, a dear friend of ours, came with and stuck
with us the entire time through the art museum, despite our slow pace.

Please check out some of the other art we saw at the Denver Art Museum
The Violin by Roy Lichtenstein
Horse by Deborah Butterfield

Last Sunday we were able to help a good friend (who was out of town for a family funeral) by leading worship her local church downtown.  We missed our own community at Hillside, but it was great to have the opportunity to serve somewhere new and lead a new group of believers into God's Presence.

This past week has been a good one for the both of us I believe.  I've been seeking to look at what things in my life are renewing for me and focusing on purposefully putting those things into my schedule.  Mostly, I've found that they're having to do with me creating... painting, drawing, photography, music.  Previously, those would be the first things to go, in the business of the day to day, but I now see their vital relevance in my life in order for me to stay healthy.  Erika has been working hard to organize local creative musical outings with the Musicians DTS as well as getting everyone (70 students on 4 teams) creatively organized and prepared for a Dec to Feb outreach.  She's doing a great job with discipling her small group girls and really is making a difference in forming new ideas and opportunities for the school.

Yesterday, we hiked the Three Sisters with the DTS.  It was a beautifully fall day and even though the hike was easier than expected, the bouldering we were able to do was an added treat.

On her way up!

A good friend and fellow musician of ours,  Julie Tiehen, came along for the hike!

Almost there!

Kyle... took the hard way up

Kevin, the resident monkey, made it to the top in seconds and
was already taking enjoying the view.

 We are hoping for another week full of challenges, accomplishments, discipleship, and revelation.  As time allows we'll fill you guys in on the details.