In just a few hours, Carlene and I will take our son Matthew, to the Portland Airport for his final weeks of preparation for deployment to either Afghanistan or Iraq as a US Marine.
Most of us in the United States have experienced unforeseen challenges to our best plans. From unprecedented weather including 24 inches of snow in the Portland East County area, to civil unrest in Thailand, life has been unpredictable. One of our good friends, has been searching office supplies stores for her traditional Day Planner... you know the one with a nicely laid out schedules, hour by hour, minute by minute. She just can't find one. Marcia Burns, a writer who regularly posts her thoughts (ft111@spiritofprophecy.com) about what God is speaking to her recently wrote:
In a vision I received my new Day-Timer refill, but it didn't come with all of the extra pages like the long- range planner, expense sheets, etc. It was simply one black page per day, no frills. I believe this symbolizes what our position should be in the days ahead, which is to simplify, be frugal, and to take one day at a time without projecting out into the future.
One thing we can be assured of: God is faithful, and we trust him.
On Friday morning, I will deploy for my 23rd trip to Asia. I'll be speaking at several churches, and youth intercessory meetings. Carlene will remain in the states as she continues to care for her mother. Consistent with challenges and changes, we have cancelled our Sunday January 11th Worship at the River meeting but Lord willing... will gather on the second Sunday, February 8 at the Troutdale Community Center .
Just as Matthew has been in preparation for his assignment and Feb. 14th will be departing for an unknown destination, many of us warriors, worshipers, and intercessors have been in a similar season . Now we all look forward to a future perhaps undefined and a bit unclear from our perspective, but perfectly designed from God's.
We bless you, and thank you for praying and supporting us.
Darrell and Carlene
