It is 12:48 AM as I write this, both the eve, and the day of our departure. I'm wired, and exhausted. In other words, my world is upside-down, and I couldn't be more excited!
Today was the most amazing and uplifting Feast of Trumpets I can imagine. God blessed us with inspiring messages, uplifting fellowship, amazing food--essentially the best send-off possible.
We had a number of new people at church and one in particular stood out. Marilyn. The sweetest little old lady I can imagine. She and I hit it off from the beginning. A true "kindred" if you will. As we sat down for a scrumptious dinner of beef tenderloin, baby redskin potatoes, salad, and cheesecake we began talking. She found out Dan & I were leaving the next day (today!) for a 6 week backpacking tour of Europe and she was immediately intrigued. After the usual questions (How can Dan take that much time off? What will you see? You're really only taking 5 outfits apiece?!) she began telling me of her lifelong desire to visit Switzerland.
Marilyn married Delbert when she was still a young woman, and they had 25 beautiful years together. When she began telling me about what Delbert had planned for their 25th anniversary tears began filling my eyes. Delbert hated to fly. He had to often for his job, but refused to any more than he absolutely had to. Marilyn had talked her whole life about going to Switzerland and seeing the Alps and every time Delbert had encouraged her to "just do it!" Every time Marilyn had stressed that she didn't want to do it alone. She wanted to share the experience with him.
For their 25th anniversary in February Delbert planned to take Marilyn to Switzerland. He bought the plane tickets on the Concord, no less, and made all the necessary arrangements. As the time approached he let Marilyn know of his plans for them, and her excitement grew. Unfortunately, at that same time Delbert's health took a turn for the worse. He died in December, 2 months before their 25th anniversary. 2 months before their "big trip."
Marilyn told me of their last night together, with tears in her eyes--and tears streaming down my face. She told me that ever since they became born again, they prayed together every morning and every evening. Each taking the turn to pray for the other. Their last night together and Delbert prayed for "My Marilyn" he prayed for God to fulfill the every desire of her heart--to provide for her, to comfort her after his passing. He prayed that the Holy Spirit would descend on her in her grief and that she would be able to physically feel God holding his precious child, holding "My Marilyn" and stay with her allowing her to be comforted with a peace that surpasses all human understanding. He prayed that God would supply her every need--physical, emotional, and spiritual in the turbulent times he knew would follow his death.
Marilyn knelt down beside Delbert's bed, and with what I can only imagine as the most bitter sweet pain ever she prayed to release Delbert from his pain. That God would take him away fromt he suffering, and raise him up again when He returns to this earth. On the Feast of Trumpets, who knows how many years from now.
Marilyn's ability to share her story, her faith, her love for her husband, which was so strong even after 16 years of separation was one of the most inspiring and beautiful moments of my life. Her focus on the hope she has, Delbert has, and all of us have in Jesus Christ and His coming was the perfect complement to the day before we depart on this trip--The Feast of Trumpets.
Delbert and Marilyn didn't get to go on their "big trip" to Switzerland together. But they journeyed through life side by side. Amazingly their journey together is not yet through, because they both will rise and meet Jesus Christ in the air, at the sound of that last Trumpet! Hallelujah! AMEN!
Dan & I leave tomorrow. We get to take our "big trip" and I'm so grateful for that privilege. But I pray with my whole heart that we have the opportunity to journey through life as Marilyn and Delbert did. Hand in hand until the end, praying for each other up to the very last, and together we will be resurrected to see our Lord return triumphant!
For those who are curious the first leg of our journey is as follows:
September 14th, 6:50 PM depart for London
September 15th, 10:30 AM arrive in London
After that, let's see where the Lord will lead us! We hope you will travel along with us, through this blog. As of today, the Ambroses are Abroad!
