Journal of Joy ~ Blue Angels! ~ August 27 - September 3, 2014

Looking Upward Prayer Journey ~ Western Montana, USA

August 27, 2014, Wednesday ~ A Word from the Holy Spirit regarding your upcoming trip: “This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness” will be relevant. Steven J. Armer, Windsor, Connecticut who prayed for all six days of the journey.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit will send a word of revelation before a Prayer Journey to provide insight on prayer and preparation. This was one of those times. And sometimes the LORD asks someone to intercede daily while I travel, and this was also one of those times. I trust that the HGRM Prayer Shield is always praying…some days are more concentrated in prayer than others.

As one sent by the LORD GOD, I truly remain humbled and grateful for any and all prayer support.

August 28, 2014, Thursday ~ Arising at 5:00 AM, I headed northwest towards Montana, stopping in Biggs, Oregon for fuel. 

The drive seemed relatively mundane as the terrain is thousands of acres of weathered sage-colored scrub brush. It has been a hot, dry summer and the land is parched, dry and barren.

Two odd things occurred. A bird, with its wings folded back hit my car from the side. It was like the bird was thrown at the car, but I could see no one. Then a few miles later, another bird dropped out of the sky, same position, wings folded back, but this one hit the windshield. This was a first and it felt very unholy.

Constance J. Thew from Coville, Washington met me in Spokane at the White Box Restaurant at 12:30 PM. It is always a deep joy to see this servant of the LORD, friend of GOD, and my trusted friend. The purpose of the meeting was for her to teach me how to do the “eyelet” for the Victorious Glory Streamers for America. She has helped me with many Worship Instrument projects for HGRM. I remain grateful not only for her expertise but her generous, gracious, kind and loving spirit.

When I crossed over into Montana and made the turn at St. Regis, I was pulled over by a police officer who said I was going 60 mph (not on radar). As I just left a 4-way stop I knew it was impossible for the 2008 Pathfinder to be at 60 mph in less than one mile. Truly impossible. However, had I been driving a Ferrari, well that would be a different possibility. Still, he was rude, arrogant, mean spirited and truly unprofessional. He knew full-well I would not be returning to the court date because of my Oregon License Plates. Obviously, he had a quota to meet and I was a likely out of State target. It had been over 15 years since I was so rudely treated by a police officer and it came as a shock. As the LORD required, I prayed a blessing over him as he pulled away.

Heading north to Plains, I arrived at Katie Lou Rosenow’s around 6:00 PM. The LORD sent me to bless her, so the blessings began with sharing dinner at one of her favorite local restaurants and taking her to a couple of strategic places to pray. Then we took the long scenic loop around the Thompson River for a lovely panoramic evening drive. Always pouring out Holy Anointing Oil wherever we go. We stopped by a local ice cream shop on the way home. I believe ice cream is good for the soul. My purpose is to simply provide encouragement, hope and friendship in a truly challenging season.

Katie Lou and I met in 2002 at a Beginning Glory Ring Workshop in Lolo, Montana and she is one of those people who simply stayed in my life until she went home to be with Jesus. A remarkably gifted musician and one of a truly pioneer spirit forging the atmosphere around her with intentional determination, diligence, love, purpose, hope and joy. Katie Lou has been a dear friend, faithful prayer warrior, and lavish worshiper since we met and my life has been deeply enriched by her faith and friendship.

My right foot has remained swollen for over 9 months since the surgery last November, the doctors do not know why. This year has been one of more warfare than I really understand. As I have taken 4 vacation days to make this Prayer Journey, trusting GOD to reveal the fullness of HIS purposes in HIS time. Regardless of the personal inconvenience, the LORD has sent me to Montana in this season.

August 29, 2014, Friday ~ In the morning, I treated Katie Lou breakfast at her favorite local "breakfast" restaurant, then for a bit of grocery shopping, thrift store shopping, a couple more strategic places to pray. Before leaving Plains we shared lunch and time in prayer. 

During the early afternoon, I traveled northeast to Columbia Falls, arriving at 2:30 PM. My singular hope was to have some time with Miss Dixie, as she arranged to have some time off work, but her house was filled with unexpected guests who stayed until way after the sun set. It was my heart to serve her guests and minister to them in any way the Holy Spirit desired and that was the outcome of the evening…HIS ways. HIS timing. HIS purposes. HIS plans. As per usual the Anointing of Yeshua came raining, reining and reigning in abundantly. Gratefully, those that gathered were blessed as only God can bless HIS people.

Miss Dixie, my friend of 14 plus years, the hospitality queen extraordinaire placed a huge gift basket on my bed with tea, ginger sweetener, lemon cookies, pine cone spatula, and more. A sweet welcome to Montana gift.

In the late afternoon, we sat out on the upper deck, sipped iced tea and watched the Air Show practice before the Air Show at Columbia Falls Airport tomorrow. It was spectacular. The last time I went to an Air Show was in 1988 in Redmond, Oregon…this was much easier sitting on an upper deck, two miles from the airport…no traffic at all. Truly a gift from PAPA GOD as HE knows I love to watch jets dancing and parading across the blue sky.

We went to dinner at a lovely restaurant in Columbia Falls where everyone dispersed their separate ways after dinner. Then Dixie, Ron and I shared until almost midnight. GOD always has HIS plan prepared HIS way for HIS Glory. Always.

August 30, 2014, Saturday ~ Arising early, as the sunrise from the upper deck is spectacular. Such amazing beauty.

Miss Dixie is expecting more company to watch the real Air Show today…gratefully she has the gift of hospitality and makes the impossible seem possible with more grace, joy and charisma than anyone I have ever met.

Departing in the late morning, following one of Miss Dixie’s over-the-top breakfast servings, I met a friend at White Oak Crossing, then we traveled to White Fish for lunch, afternoon prayer journey mixed with shopping, then to Kalispell for her birthday dinner at North Bay. As I have been on the road the majority of the last three days, my post-surgical swollen feet are reminding me that rest is a really great idea. We arrived at the Yellow Bay Lake House shortly before sunset. This Lake House is one of my most favorite places on earth…it is a place of peace, quiet, soaring eagles, the sound of waves kissing the shoreline, and birdsong. It is a place of repose. A place of kindness and rest. A hidden retreat. A gift from God.

September 1, 2014, Sunday ~ We were unexpectedly given the Lake House for the weekend instead of one night, so we drove to Missoula to pick up some things for my friend, including her beloved dog, Paisley. Then we drove through scenic Hwy 35 near Swan Lake to stop, pray and pour out Holy Anointing Oil, salt and wine. Prayer Journeys are common to us. However, what is uncommon is that she has not adjusted to my post-op feet that simply cannot walk and shop for 10 hours. In the last few months, I have learned to stop, rest, put my feet up, give them a chance…it is not my personality nor my preference…yet it is more than required in this season. I can easily see that it is testing everyone’s patience around me, as my normal going 14-16 hours a day is not happening. It is amazing how difficult it is to adjust to the changes that are required for a season.

After stopping by the Lake House in Yellow Bay, we went to Big Fork for dinner and shopping for essential oils. The sunset on the bay was truly extravagant...just like God to close a day with HIS extravagant beauty.

September 2, 2014, Monday ~ The sound of screaming eagles awakened me. I love that sound. I love their song.

My traveling companion desired to return to White Fish this morning, Kalispell, and Bigfork again…so we made the rounds again. I sat in the car with my feet up on the dash most of the afternoon. My feet had met their limit and I simply could not walk anymore.

We spent very little time at the Lake House which would have been my personal preference, yet I have found that ministry is truly about serving others, meeting their needs first.

We shared a meal at the same restaurant as Friday Evening and I noticed that I had come full circle again. Praying over Kalispell, Plains, Big Fork, Swan Lake, Columbia Falls, White Fish, and Yellow Bay once again.

We arrived at the Lake House just before sunset and shared Communion on the boat dock which was delightful. The eagles soared by a couple of times. They reminded me of jets doing a fly by.  

September 3, 2014, Tuesday ~ Departure was about 9:00 AM. The roads are free of snow and ice in this season, yet construction is still prevalent at the end of the summer season. Arriving home in Redmond, Oregon about 6:30 PM…it was a long journey as I am still mostly driving with my left foot. I trust the LORD’s purposes were accomplished as I prepare for work tomorrow.

For me, it is always about obedience to the LORD. In HIS time, I know that HE will reveal the fullness of HIS purposes and plans according to HIS will. It is about relentless faith and intentional trust. It is about being willing to travel hundreds of miles to encourage the friends of God.

For the GLORY of ELOHIM!