(written September 3rd)
This newsletter is filled with sorrow and with joy for me. On Monday morning August 10th at 9:30am I texted Mom Lenderink and asked, "How is Troy doing today Mom?" She replied, "Sleeping and when awake confused. He just wants to go home." "Ohhh I think I would too! Does he feel ready in his heart for heaven? Does he feel at peace with everything and everybody?" I asked. Mom said, "Yes, many talks yesterday. He woke and saw me and was disappointed. He was hoping not to be here!" "Oh wow Mom! I honestly just can't fathom the depth of his thoughts". Then she replied, "I know". On Tuesday morning August 11th at about that same time, I texted Troy, "Just wanted you to know I love you today Troy" and within seconds I received a response back. Only this time it wasn't from Troy. His sister Tracey had his cell phone and replied, "Troy went to heaven this morning".
How do you keep from crying when you know that some chapters of life on earth are forever closed? I couldn't. I cried. Yet in that same place I felt a tremendous hope knowing that the chapters of life in heaven are just beginning for one young man who was desperate for complete healing and a NEW life free from pain and struggle. My brother in law Troy, feel into the arms of Jesus that morning and no doubt went for a swim with his baby brother Trent that evening. What a thought. What a moment. What a hope. I'm crying as I type this because I long soo much for that same reunion, that same swim RIGHT NOW! :) But if somebody were to slap me real quick (laughing) I would come back to my earthly senses and realize that I have much work to do yet here. :)
I drove home to Michigan on Saturday August 15th. The memorial service was packed and I sang "Welcome Home" to my prodigal brother in law Troy, while my friend Stephen Marshall played acoustic guitar for me. It was my hardest assignment in a long time, but I sang with all my might, which honestly wasn't much (laughing) but nonetheless, it was mighty! (smile) Later that afternoon Troy was laid to rest on a hill right next to his brother Trent. Glory to God. Hallelujah Forever!
Thank you to soo many of you who sent emails of encouragement to Troy. I know they meant the world to him, his family AND his fiance Faye, who is still trying to understand "why" and "the hope of Christ" as she is new in her walk with Jesus. PLEASE continue to pray for her and the Lenderink Family.
I'm over the moon excited to be leaving on a mission trip with Life Today TV Show in the morning. We are heading to Kosovo, Albania, and Romania. I'm not over the moon excited about the 13 flights in 10 days. (laughing) Soooo PLEASE PRAY FOR ME (and Anita) AND MY (our) BACK AND FOR PROTECTION! I'm believing for a pain free trip as I found out two weeks ago from my MRI that I have a protruding disc at L5-S1. Ouchie! But I am getting great therapy now along with Spinal Decompression treatments and it all seems to be working nicely...slowly...but nicely...costly...but nicely (laughing) I'm not sure what hurts more!! Anyway, Life Today will be bringing along a camera crew and we'll be getting loads of footage with me and the children and families in many well deserved areas that are in desperate need of clean water. Hundreds are dying every single day due to the waterborne illness, contamination and diseases in their water in which they drink from AND the animals bathe in. Life Today raises awareness and money to drill water wells all over the world for these precious people who have nothing. Wow! I can't wait. Also, we'll be stopping in Romania to minister to those that have escaped Human Trafficking and are longing to escape. I know that the Lord is up to something special for me on this trip. My heart is open as it also falls on my 8th year anniversary of the loss of Trent, September 10th & 11th. Water for me 8 years ago represented death as Trent sank beneath the surface of the water and was gone. Today water represents life. New life! And I get to be a part of bringing that to hundreds of thousands. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. (smile) God has given us two hands - one for receiving and the other for giving. - Billy Graham If you are also wondering where you should begin giving to God, you can start by giving to others. A willing heart pleases God so much because it takes our eyes off ourselves and puts them on the people around us. "For God loves the person who gives cheerfully." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Here's something else about giving to God. When you give generously and cheerfully to others - whether it's to your church, a charitable organization, or individuals serving Christ in ministry - you don't have to worry about your own needs, because God will be generous to you. "Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. Godly people give generously to the poor. Their deeds will never be forgotten." (2 Corinthians 9:8-9) I love that! :)
Do you see the pattern here? God promises to bless those who store their treasure in heaven by being generous to others - in particularly the poor. People who insist on hoarding treasure on earth will not experience God's blessing. Man, I'd hate to miss that! But don't just be generous for generosity's sake. Guard your heart. Don't let man manipulate. Don't give out of guilt. But make sure you are giving in order to gain God's approval, not to impress others or to quietly congratulate yourself. (I'm sure I've done THAT before! Sorry Lord) Giving to God means just that - giving Him all you have so you will become all that He wants you to be. And remember, it's not the size of the check that counts, it's the condition of the heart! And we should certainly know by now that God doesn't need our money, but He knows we need to learn to give.
Be blessed today in your giving. Whether of yourself, your time, your talents, your money, your food OR your water! :) I'm thirsty! Gotta run!
A fellow traveler,
Tammy Trent