June 2018

Dear Church.
 
I wanted to write to you all and let you know how grateful I am for the opportunity that you, the district, and the conference have given me to take a renewal leave this June and July.  I have wanted to take a renewal leave for a few years now and time wise it just didn’t seem like it was right.   As I looked toward this year, I think I decided that there is never going to be a “right time” or at least a time that feels right.  There will always be reasons not to go and things that lie ahead that are going to need attention, so I just decided this would be the year I apply.
 
As I look at where I am though, I see some interesting things.  I don’t think before this time I really would have been ready for this time.  There are some practical things.  We now have a newer van that I trust to make the journey.  Michelle has been working and we have some extra income to cover more of the costs.  Those are really just practical, the truly interesting things are what has been happening in my Spirit and in my heart.  I’m looking for something, longing for something that I’m not for sure I was ready to look for before this year.  I am enjoying my time with my heavenly Father over the last few months in a way that I haven’t really done before.  There is still a depth of love that I haven’t tasted, but I want to go deeper.  There is truth that is life altering, spirit reviving, soul quenching that I know I will only find as I quiet myself in Him.  I have eyes I need Him to open, a mind I need Him to renew, a tongue I need Him to clean and a heart of flesh I need Him to give me.  Pray this for me and my family these next two months.
 
I don’t want to come back with a little more energy.  This isn’t simply a longer vacation or a well-deserved break.  These next two months are a season where my work is taking time to allow Him to transform me, break me, awaken me, wrap His arms around me and so much more.  More energy isn’t want I want.  What I want is a deeper understanding of His presence, a fuller joy in His strength, a greater hope and faith that leads to love and peace, boldness and surrender.  Pray this for me and for my family these next two months.
 
Church, I want to come to a place where my heart breaks for you more and my life is poured out for you more fully.  I want to hear and learn to be wise in shepherding and caring for the flock God has allowed me to be with.  I want to be able to share the Fathers heart with you, speak His truth in love to you, call you into a place of death, knowing there we find life.  Pray this for me and for my family these next two months.  Know that we will be praying for you, that my spirit will be sitting before the Lord with you in my heart.
 
I don’t know if this is the right time, but it is a good time for this and I am so thankful for the opportunity that you all are giving me and my family.  I know that it is a big ask.  Pray that we don’t waste this opportunity, that it doesn’t simply become a break, but that I will understand that my work over these next two months is to allow Christ to work in my heart, my life, and my family. 
 
Know how precious you are to me.  Know how much joy you bring me.  Know that I give thanks to God that He has allowed me the privilege of being in community with you, being His community with you.  Pray for me and for my family.
  
With Much Love,
Lynn