Saturday, December 11, 2021

Surprises

 Before Thanksgiving, Anna told us that she wanted to surprise her roommate and close friends, would we please head over to Calvin after picking her up at the airport.

Sure, that sounded like fun - late night fun as her plane was not scheduled into Grand Rapids until after 11 p.m.

So we decided on a bit of a surprise of our own...sadly a cold kept Eli home.

The embarrassment well worth the smiles while we waited for our girl...think the masks helped us all!

So blessed to all be under one roof again. 

Praying for all those separated from family during the holidays.


Due to the surprise aspect, communications yesterday and last week did not include the countdown for Anna's return. 

We spent the week preparing, doing school, appointments, working on Newsletters,  a couple observation times with the Wellsprings of Freedom International team based at Holland Central Church. 

My mom, Cory, Eli and I enjoyed Hope College's Christmas Vespers last Saturday.

I greatly anticipated the worship in song, sitting again in the chapel I spent many mornings during college asking and listening to God.

While we waited for the service to begin I spent a few minutes reflecting on God's faithfulness in my life over the 31 years since I attended Hope. 

Little did I dream of the places He'd take me, the experiences we'd walk through together, the way's He'd shape and change me.


The music and atmosphere pointed everyone to God, His love, His being. 

The most moving song for me...a God surprise, a blessing in music and promise,

 the Chapel Choir sang Dominos Vobisum (The Lord be with you) in Haitian Creole & Latin. 

Yes, Haitian Creole. I wondered a bit why? What is the story behind the choice of Creole?

Then I pushed the thought aside knowing the importance of just sitting in the knowledge of the overwhelming promise of my Heavenly Father. 

He is with me. He loves me. He is good. He knows my tomorrows and I can trust Him.

Dominos Vobisum (The Lord be with you).

    The Lord be with you

The Lord is with us,

He is among us,

He is in the depths of our hearts,

Amen, Amen, Alleluia


Since the beginning of time

We have been searching, seeking, asking:

When will the light come, at last, to deliver us?


The light of peace,

The light of deliverance,

The light of truth,

The light of joy,

The light of hope,

The light of love,

The light of life.

When at last?


Today let us all sing: 

"Dominus vobiscum"

The Lord is with us,

He is among us,

He is in the depths of our hearts.

Gabriel T. Buillaume

I can hear Haitian voices joining together in this prayer....trusting that the Lord will deliver. 

He is with us! Never alone.   Courage in Christ!

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