The blessing of this weekend, was to share an amazing day with Travis Blye, our worship pastor and Nikki DeJong (Blye now!) as they were married on Saturday. My recent experience flying led me to get out early on Friday to be sure and have plenty of time upon arrival and not miss the wedding. Things could not have worked out better. I was blessed in so many ways.
1. I got there in time to have lunch on Friday with Travis, Nikki, both their families, and many of the wedding attendants. It was wonderful. I was especially grateful to meet Nikki's parents for the first time and friends of Travis I had never met face to face.
2. I took a short personal journey up the Spearfish Canyon road and hiked to a waterfalls and spent some time talking with the Lord that afternoon after lunch. I cherish those times and that memory.
3. Before I had ever landed God spoke a powerful word to my heart as I looked out on the South Dakota topography.
4. The rehearsal and dinner was a wonderful time with old friends and new.
5. I stayed with one of the pastors and his family from the church Nikki attended while in college. We both discovered the first night we had graduated from the same seminary! We had great fellowship!
6. On Saturday morning I was still on Eastern time in my body clock so I awoke early and took off on an hour and a half drive to visit what is pretty much a bucket list item for many (and would have been for me had I written it down!) - Mt. Rushmore.
7. The things I saw, heard and read at that mountain will never leave me. God spoke again. Powerfully. I am amazed at how personal He is.
8. I drove back through the hills and let the impact of the state grab my heart. I'm grateful for those who serve there and will pray they Keep the Fire Burning in tiny towns and larger communities!
9. I was blessed to be there for the wedding and enjoy wonderful time with the Blye's!!! What a beautiful ceremony and what I loved most were the smiles on Travis' and Nikki's faces that never left.
10. Later last night, I was invited to join Travis friends from Knoxville who all came to stand with him, and we headed just across the border to Wyoming and had a wonderful dinner together (and visited another state). What great fellowship and conversation.
11. I worshiped this morning at Connections Church where my new friends (I met this weekend!) serve. I met all three of the pastors (one of them did the wedding) and was so blessed to see what God is doing in Spearfish, South Dakota. They have a burden and desire to reach their city for Christ and are praying for heaven sent revival.
12. Travis former roommate and Northside attender Graham - flew in from California where he now lives. I got to see him again yesterday and he went to dinner with us last night. It was great catching up. In addition - I heard the words 'is this seat taken?' - at the airport today (Sunday) as I was having something to eat before flying out - it was Graham. We just had a wonderful visit and prayer time together before we both head home in opposite directions.
Never underestimate what God is up to - He is always at work. Keep your ear close to His heart. Spend time in His word. Cherish your family, give thanks for your friends, and don't miss the moments of life. I'm still learning a lot - and some of it happened this weekend when God met me in South Dakota.
