I Don't Even Know What to Title This

This has been an incredible weekend. We spent Thursday & Friday in Ft. Worth, Texas, at the MCIN 2009 Conference, titled "Woven." The idea comes from Ecclesiastes 4:12, which states, "... three cord strand is not easily broken." Besides spending a weekend worshipping and praying MC style, our program was fully affiliated Thursday night. Last spring when Carlo was ordained was a big moment for me. My husband had done something big. While I know I was player in that with my support and love for him, our affiliation ceremony moved me in a different way, because this was something that had to do with the ministry we do together. I felt a part of what we were doing like nothing ever before, because this is dream we share together, a heartbeat that is one. The sword ceremony that is done each year is unique, and presented as a gift to each group of affiliated programs. The biggest thing for me was the connectedness we've gotten with MCIN. thanks to our attending SRMC last year and Director's Retreat this summer, Carlo and I have made connections with some wonderful people in Master's Commission. As we passed through the sword tunnel Thursday, we were hugged and cheered by members of the MCIN board and other directors. This touched me, because this really didn't happen to the directors that went ahead of us through the tunnel, and also because this was something that was personal, not just a pat, "Oh you're doing this thing and it's my responsibility to do this." These were people who are friends on Facebook and MySpace. As the ceremony was finishing up and Eric Hunsberger, the president of Master's Commission International Network, was pulling the sword from our Bible, he looked us both in the eye and said, "Welcome to the family." Now understand that Thursday night meant we were officially part of the MCIN family. We are now fully affiliated, but there has not been a time since Carlo and I submitted our application to pioneer a Master's Commission that we haven't felt a part of the MCIN family. I guess I would call Thursday's ceremony our official introduction to the rest of the family.

Having said all this, I would like to share how extended our "family" is. At about 9:30 last night our team was in a single-car accident on our way back into Clarksville. We were doing about 40 mph when we hit some ice on a bridge that careened us into the left concrete wall of the bridge, spun us in a half-circle and then smashed us into the right side wall. Both air-bags were deployed. My husband was driving and Aaron, one of our second-year students was in the front seat. We all got out of the van, and Aaron was helped out because he'd passed out Obviously and ambulance was called for him, but at about 1:45 this morning he was released from the hospital with a minor burn from the airbag on his arm, and a whole lot of soreness everywhere else. My husband's left arm is a little sore and he's got a burn on his hand from the airbag. Jamie and Sean, two of our students walked away completely untouched. Laura, our first-year was later taken to the hospital because she was dizzy and her neck was really hurting. She was released at 2:00 after her x-ray and CT Scan came back clean. I was the last to be released at 3:3o this morning, but everything came back great for me. While Carlo was in the ambulance with Aaron, he got a hold of a MC mentor friend of ours, Derek Sullivan, and told him what was going on. Immediately about 300 Master's Commission and college age students started praying for us. Eric Hunsberger and Shawn Marcell were notified and started praying. Not too long after, Eric called Carlo and conferenced in Lloyd Ziegler, the founder of Master's Commission and pastor of the Relevant Church in Dallas, Texas. Our friends here in Clarksville were praying and helped us out in a big way as well. I love the connection of family. Carlo and I are blessed to have "blood" family that will do anything for us, but we have an extended family in the body of Christ who would do the same.

We are all firmly convinced that it is only the hand of God that kept us from plunging into icy waters and possibly losing our lives, if not being in much worse shape than we are in right now. I can only marvel at how God works miracle after miracle in my life and in the lives of others. A member of the MC family recently suffered a heart-attack. This is a 20-something mother of two who was in great shape. Now, she's hooked up to portable machines that keep an eye on her heart. She put it best, that when the chips are down and life is not going the way you think it is, can you really trust and believe that God is in control? Can you really depend on Him to see you through? Live each moment to the fullest and praise God through good and bad.

I know this is really random and jumbled, but it's 4:25 am, you've just read what I've been through, and I think the pain killer the doctor gave me is kicking in. I may revise this later, but probably not. For one, I won't ever feel like, and for two, you can see exactly where I'm at in this situation. thank you god for your hand of protection on my life yet again. Thank you for keeping us all safe and allowing us the testimony of walking away from this accident. I can rest safe knowing that I am resting in the shelter of your hand. Help me to remember this night always and to remember what you've done for me. Thank you for David, Tammy, & Josh Gaylord, Jayebea Pua, Nelson & Jacque Rivas, Judi Fuller, Gloribel Ramirez, and Leo & Pearl Lucas, these are spiritual mothers, father, sisters & brothers you've blessed me with. I wouldn't have made it through the last 48 hours without their love and support. Thank you for Pastor Lloyd, Eric, Derek, and the rest of our MCIN family. Their covering of prayer allowed me to keep a cool head and get through this night. Finally, thank you for knowing me and sending me exactly what I need each and every time I need you. I may not know what I need, but you do and you always see me through. All I can do is "Shout My Praise!!"