A Divine Appointment from Down-Under

In my personal opinion, there's no such thing as luck. And coincidences are for those who refuse to give God the credit. There is a verse in the book of Jeremiah that says, "..And you will find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jer.29:13)


When we seek Him with all our hearts we will find Him. And when we find Him, we are blessed with a life that is peppered with divine appointments.

Meeting my Australian friend Penny was a divine appointment.

We met at Mount Hermon. It was the first time there for both of us. We were excited and nervous, overwhelmed and often overjoyed. As she sat beside me at breakfast I just knew we would be friends. Corny, I know, but the truth.

When I found out that she was traveling with her family, before I could stop myself, I blurted, "You just have to come and stay with us." Never before had I invited anyone to stay in our home that I barely knew. She was the first. I hadn't even met her husband or children yet. The Lord had whispered to my heart. I am so grateful I listened.

When you meet a brother and sister in the Lord, there is a love that is immediate and runs deep. It was clear that we shared the same Father.

Two weeks after we said our goodbyes in Santa Cruz my phone rang. It was Penny. She wanted to know if my offer was still open. "OF COURSE!" I yelled into the phone. They were over in less than forty-eight hours.

In only three days and two nights - we swam together, watched movies together, had a bbq, had a picnic by the American River, enjoyed Starbucks together...TWICE, went out for an Italian lunch, enjoyed our morning devotions together and laughed more times than I can count.

Jesus is a HUGE thing to have in common.



This sweet little Koala bear snuck into Grace's room early in the morning. I could hear them giggling from our bedroom. Grace's new best friend. These two were adorable together.



Their first French Toast.



They LOVED it.



When we went sightseeing the kids got to watch a movie. So we could have adult conversation!


The Christian bookstore was one of our stops. Paul took a picture of Pen and I in front of where our future fiction and non-fiction books will be.




Charlie, Pen's greatest encourager, tried to adjust things a bit.



When it was time to say our goodbyes Andy tried to stuff Samuel in their RV cargo bin. Or as Pen would say, their campuh van.


Watching them go was so difficult. I'm praying we see them again soon. If you read this on Monday, please pray for this precious family. They will be flying for thirteen hours, and then driving another eight hours, beginning at 12 noon pacific time.


And don't think we haven't already been pricing tickets to Australia!