Monday, February 10, 2020

Just wait, the best is yet to come.

For the last five years we have been making trips to Arizona because it's one of the states we cover as Member Care Reps for Ethnos 360 Mission, formerly New Tribes Missions.  Several times I contacted this blog brother, Floyd to see if we could connect.  Either he was gone or we had too many meetings or for what ever reason it did not work.  The Lord would always whisper, just wait.  

When you want something really bad it's so hard to wait for it.   And ever since we moved back to the states from Papua New Guinea I have wanted to meet up with  some of those folks whose blogs I follow. Just to say to them face to face, thank you.  Thank you for the wise words you wrote that pulled me out of a struggle, or gave me courage to continue to write, or deepened my walk with the Lord.  Honestly, after reading their blogs, those who are real about life and me sharing my life you feel like you have known them for years.

The waiting finally came to an end this past January as we made our way to Phoenix, Arizona where my brother Gary lives, he kindly puts us up and we just use his place as a base to travel out of.   

This time we had about four planned visits but actually was able to connect with several more after we got there. Our main goal is to meet up with missionaries on home assignment from many countries.  Just to see how they are doing, listen to their stories, see if we can help them in any way.  No agenda really, just to be an encouragement, to Member Care them as our mission calls it, to say thank you for being a part of reaching the unreached. 

This blog friend, Floyd, who I had never met  was able to come apart from his busy life for lunch.  He is a contractor of several companies and we had a lunch time free and there we were finally, meeting face to face.  Ace was with me which was a huge blessing to me for I wanted them to meet.  I sense so many times in Floyd writings he was a man after my husband heart.  Ace does not write a blog but I read many of Floyd's to him.  It was like meeting someone we known all our lives.  So much in common, especially our love for our family.  Our conversation was easy, it flowed into one thing after another, and the common ground was Jesus and His love for us despite all our failures. I felt no separation as one was better than the other , we stood on the same ground at the cross and on the other side of the cross. 

All too soon we had to part, Floyd to work, us to our next meeting.  I think we were all three glowing from being together because of the fourth one who had joined us, Jesus.  Meeting Floyd, has deepen my goal to reach out to others I blog with when I am close.  Oh I know we will meet in heaven but why not enjoy life here.   As much as I love reading Floyd's post the best was sitting across from him face to face, seeing him smile,  hearing his voice as he talk about his family.  He is not just words on paper now, he is real in my mind and heart and Ace and I are grateful to the Lord to have someone like him praying for us.  Thank you Floyd.  http://theregoi.com/






11 comments:

  1. It is my desire to someday meet Floyd face to face. We have talked about it. I'm hoping it will happen soon, maybe even this year.

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  2. I will surely pray it happens. It was a quick but most pleasant visit. Actually you are next on my list because we will be in Ky. in April for almost the whole months and Ace has said we might be a be able to make it over your way one Sunday. I will let you know if it works out. Also, Lord willing Diane and I are meeting up too. It's a heart desire of mine to meet a few of my blogging friends face to face. Floyd just got to be first. Hazel and I thought we had it worked out to meet, she lives in northern Ca. but her husband was sick at that time. Blessings Bill.

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  3. Ahhh! I'm so jealous! LOL. I'm kidding... but not! First of all, I'd so love to meet Floyd and Bill as well, but as a solo woman now, that might not give a Godly appearance if you know what I mean. Both of these men have spoken into my life many times. But, Betty? You and I...and our "Circle" are truly a deep extension of who I am...gosh, I cannot wait to meet you all. May this be our year, Betty. Wow...I cannot imagine sitting with Floyd...the conversations...wow, to have been a fly on the wall...I'm so blessed for you both! How special and memorable it must have been. HUGS my special friend, until we do get to do it in the natural...

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  4. I love how Ace and Floyd could connect! These kind of meetings are blogging's bonus! Wonderful, Betty!

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  5. So, so ecstatic that y'all finally got the chance to meet face to face, Betty! Floyd is an awesome writer and I, too, enjoy his blog so very much. I would love to meet all my blogging friends in person, and have only had the joy of meeting with one to date. Glad you all had such a blessed visit!

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  6. Martha, every once in a while we drive from California to Florida and go through Georgia and next time we do I am FOR SURE going to let you know so we can connect. when I started blogging I was living in Papua New Guinea and I ask God to bring me a few good blogger to follow for encouragement. I have blogged to build a huge fan base, but huge lovers of Jesus Christ. I am not into crafts or cooking or politic, I am into Him and growing in Him and expressing my heart for Him. He has given me exactly what I ask for. A few good men and women who know His love for them and love Him back. You my dear are among the few...

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  7. Oh, my goodness! This is SO neat! Floyd has been such a blessing to my family and me for several years, also. I hope we all get to meet one day on this side of Heaven, too, but if not, won't we have a time together around the throne? There will be no good-byes, either, and we will all be with Him at His feet through all eternity!! So thankful this worked out for you and Ace to meet Floyd and share that time together!! Thank you for sharing about it here. :)

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    1. Cheryl, you are on my list too. I was going to write something for your Valentine blog but we were traveling a lot then and I find it hard to write mine and Ace love story, it's been battered and bruised so much from the early years. But it's those early years that give it sweetness now because God has changed us so much. I did read several of them, you are wise to post the wisdom that came from each story. Blessings.

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  8. Our time is getting closer. We will be in my the whole mouth of April. So what works best for your way, I can come to you or you to me. Let’s try and do as soon as we get there because our time gets taken up quickly with family, our home church, supporting church and friends. I am selfish and really don’t want to share you with anyone. I have so many question and a desire to hear the stories first hand. So plan on at least one late night, early morning time. We have plenty of room for you, own bedroom, own bath, it’s beautiful the place we are house sitting. Pray dear sister, pray nothing stop it this time. You could go with us to Bill church and meet him too, hear him preach I’ll send dates soon. Actually we could invite Martha to fly in, also Veronica , just a thought love you.

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  9. It's working again! So I'll finally get to comment on this one!

    You nailed it, sister! We were indeed glowing!

    It's peculiar how of all the thousands and thousands of lunches we get in this life, a few standout beyond others. This was one of those for me. They say time flies so we must have had a great time!

    Keep me posted on the real estate search. I'm looking forward to that for you.

    I'm praying for you and your family.

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