This past week was one of the hardest weeks I've ever gone through, not just with Samuel being sick but another trial as well. The Lord gave me much alone time (very rare :)! ) there in that hospital as I sat for hours by Samuel's bedside. My heart hurt so badly and all I wanted to do was cry out to the Lord and read His Word. Daniel is always so strong and encouraged me to keep trusting the Lord. He reminded me again and again of truth that my mind and heart were forgetting. The book of Job and the Psalms became so dear to me. At the beginning of the week, I just wanted to lay down and cry, but after seeking the Lord those first few days, I just wanted to praise Him and sing. He again lifted my burdens and the joy and peace He gave! He keeps working on me, changing me, molding me...and how it hurts! His ways are so much higher than our own. But how wonderful it is to know Him more!
Thank you all so much for praying; I know often those words may sound trite, but oh if you could just see how the Lord answers your prayers! I told you all that I would update again once Samuel came home. Daniel called me from the hospital early one morning this week. He told me he honestly thought the Lord was going to take Samuel home to be with Him that past night. I thought maybe my next update would be letting you know that Samuel was home with his Heavenly Father. Each morning, we thanked the Lord for giving Samuel one more day. How short time is for all of us. Do you long for Heaven more and more? Do you long for His Kingdom to come? My heart longs for it much more than it did before. And my heart longs for those who do not know the King of Kings...who do not have them as their own Savior...How he wants them to come to Him while there is still time.
I cannot explain it, but we are seeing the Lord open hearts here like never before. Daniel would preach and preach and preach and come home saying, "Jaynee, we need to keep praying...they can't hear." And now, there seems to be a softness in their hearts...they are listening...they are coming. Our burden for their souls deepens.
Why the Lord chose us to go here for Him, I do not know. But I do know He has called us, sustains us, and continues to prepare us more and more for the work He has for us to do. May He receive all glory!
If any of you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and you want to know Him, please email us.
(*Amanda, please email me again). How we want you to know His mercy, grace, love and forgiveness in your life...what joy He gives!
Thank you for the update. You have been in my prayers. I almost didn't check because I figured you were still on a blog break. I am so happy for you all.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Kim in NC
Praise the Lord you are all home together. I may not know you, but I have prayed for you...and now rejoice with you.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you have updated and let us know that Samuel is home and doing better. You all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteDenise
So glad little Samuel is home and you can all be together once again. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeletestill praying for you all - praise the Lord that little Samuel is back home.
ReplyDeleteYour words were especially timely for me, I have been really focusing on keeping an eternal perspective and all we are going thru is so little and so unimportant in light of eternity - I doubt I will ever be able to meet you here on earth, but I look forward to spending some sweet time together with your precious family worshipping our Lord in heaven!
My sweet Jaynee,
ReplyDeleteYour comments have brought tears to my eyes for so many reasons!
Thinking Samuel was going "home", your heart aching, you not blogging for a while! I understand why, but I love keeping up with you! You will still be in our prayers though!
Thank you Jaynee for being so "see through"! Our Pastor says trials come to all Christians, it is how we respond to them is what brings our precious Lord the glory. Life has been tough out here in Washington for me (not as tough for you that is for sure!!), and trials have come that kind of shake my faith. Running to the Lord, and leaning on Him is sometimes hard for me! What a joy to know I am not alone! So lean on Him is what I will do! I am a layman Christian. I am not a missionary (well my mother-in-love says we are since we retired out here in Washington and we did not move back to Florida where "home" is!) :), I work in the church school, sing in the choir, work with our Patriot ministry, but I still don't think I would make it in Hebrews 11 at all! I am the wife of a military man (for 43 more days before we retire) :), mom of 4 kiddos, 2 dogs, and 2 guinea pigs. You are a missionary, people think of missionaries as having ENORMOUS faith! How great to know you are real! You do not "act" or "fake" being all that and totally together ALL the time! I think we know me enough to know I say in total love that it encourages this wretched wicked sinner that you, the amazing missionary wife, mom of 12, who left ALL to do God's will, struggles every now and then as well!! :)
I think you are amazing Jaynee!! I will keep checking here to see if you posted any "I just HAD to post this cute picture of my kiddos", or an update on "how good the Lord is that another town is open to the Lord's Word", or that "number 13 is on the way!!!" :)
God bless you Jaynee and family!! :)
Tim and Jackie Monnin your prayer warriors in WA! :)
Thank you Jesus for healing little Samuel. (What an adorable, cute baby he is!!)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jesus for sustaining Daniel and Jaynee throughout his hospital stay. Will continue to pray for his health and strength to improve and for you to get some rest.
Our 39 year old son-in-law died in the middle of the night a few weeks ago, from an acute heart attack and left behind our dear daughter, widowed at the young age of 35, and their one and only long awaited precious child, (after 12 years of infertility and miscarriages) - a 4 year old son.
Teach us Lord to number our days and to always remember that life here is but a vapor... Eternity is forever!!!
His sudden death is a painful and shocking loss, but you are so right, Jaynee - during hard trials the Lord holds us ever so tightly and we are more aware of His love and grace then ever before. Praise Him - God is so good!!
We know that this beloved husband and daddy is now with the Lord. Praying that many others will pause and think about where they are going when they die and open their hearts and trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Love,
Your Christian sister in WA state
Our hearts are rejoicing with your family that little Samuel is home with you. I have been checking in all this week. Know that you are in our prayers.
ReplyDeletePraying in WA,
The Boisselle Family
Dear Jaynee,
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that God has allowed me to touch a part of your life. You encourage me greatly.
Praise the Lord for his goodness and mercy in giving Samuel back to you once again.
We will continue in prayer.
Love, Amy
I am so glad that little Samuel is home with you guys! Your words are so true about how real the Lord is and how our hearts can hurt for those who don't know the Lord. I hope you continue to blog because your family has been so inspirational to me and really makes me think:) I will keep praying for Samuel to return to full health!!
ReplyDeleteJaynee~ It's so good to hear Samuel is home and in your arms recovering. Does he have med's to take? Is everything cleared up? What caused him to get sick? Soo scary. I kept thinking about him and praying for him. I'm so glad he's home!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update~ Cinnamon
I did not even realise that Samuel was so so sick. I mean I knew he was in hospital but didn't realise how precarious the situation was. I am so glad you have been able to take him home and thank you for updating. I hope you have some time now to focus on yourselves - I do love reading your blog but I also understand it needs to be your lowest priority right now.
ReplyDeleteTake care and thinking of you all.
Merran (in Australia)
Oh Jaynee this post made me cry. God strengthen you in this difficoult time. May your burdens be lifted and may you be anointed with joy!
ReplyDeleteI'm continuing to pray for baby
Samuel!!!!
Words cannot express how the Lord is using you and your testamony to change me. It would take a very long time to give the details but I thank God for bringing me (in a VERY round about way) to your blog. I will continue to pray for you all!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Ami
SO glad to hear that Little Samuel is out of the hospital/home with his family!! I'll continue to pray for you and your ministry there in Mexico. What an honor that the Lord has called you--what a huge responsibility before you! Thank you for your encouraging words even in the midst of a trial (or, trials).
ReplyDeleteLynne
Jaynee, I'm a longtime reader, but my first time to comment. What a testimony to your faith-enduring this latest trial with Samuel. You are an amazing woman -created by God for the work you are now doing! Bless you and your family. I am a prayer warrior for your family and all the lives you are changing. So delighted that the people you have been reaching out to are beginning to soften - willing to hear and understand the "word." Thanks for sharing your intimate lives with us. When is the next "backpack distribution?" :-),
ReplyDeleteDianne in Oregon
Praise the Lord, I'm so happy to hear that Samuel is home again. I will continue to pray for him to get stronger and stay healthy and for you to have the strength that you need to continue on.
ReplyDeleteI understand that you don't have the time to update the blog as often, but I sure do hope that perhaps you could find a few minutes in your month to let us know how we can continue to lift up your family in prayer. Please don't cut off your Family in GOD, we love your family so much and want to help carry your burdens and joys to the Lord.
Love in Christ,
Suzi
Thank you for the update. Praise the Lord! Thank you for being available to the Lord and letting Him mold your heart. Thank you for being so open with your struggles and teaching us through what the Lord is teaching you! God bless you!
ReplyDeletePraise God for letting Samuel be with you here!! Thanking him and praising him for giving you more time to love on your littlest one!! I pray for continued strength for all of you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update and the sweet sweet pictures of your dear little one!
Dear Jaynee, thank you so much for taking the time to update us. It really does bring joy to my heart. praying for you all
ReplyDeleteShelley p
from over the pond
Praise the Lord Samuel is home in your arms! I read a verse this morning, Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name:and deliver us....Ps. 79:9. We cry out to him, we beseech him with petitions yet we must ultimately rest in the "glory of his name." Thank the Lord it was for the glory of his name to bring Samuel to your home there in Mexico!!!
ReplyDeleteCindy
Dear Jaynee,
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures of Samuel; he's so little and cute. Anyway, I'm glad to hear he's home. Elias and I are keeping you and your family in your prayers.
Love,
Julee
Oh what wonderful news about Samuel being home from the hospital! I have been thinking of you and your dear family and praying for each of you. Praying for you Jaynee that you would get the rest you so need and have the time you spoke of in your post! I am reminded of missionary stories from long ago and your struggle is not unlike theirs! I know that the work God has called you to; that He is equipping you for! I am thrilled to hear of the move in the people's hearts! I always remember people telling me that God uses children on the mission field to open doors and so it is with your dear family! I continue to hold you before the father!
ReplyDeletePraying"strength for today and a bright hope for tomorrow" for you today knowing that "great is His faithfulness" to each of you!
Blessings,
Susan
Good to hear. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Jaynee,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for keeping your blog going even in the midst of a very heavy burden. I appreciate your transparency about your walk with the Lord. It's so great to know that you are "human" too.
My family is going through a very small trial (compared to your Samuel being so sick) that is testing the boundaries of my faith. I know that God will answer my prayers concerning this situation. It's the waiting that is so hard. The Bible is so true when it says "...tribulation worketh patience..." Patience is not one of the virtues that I have strength in. But this trial is proving to teach me to wait on my Lord.
Hello Jaynee and family,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for letting all of us know that precious Samuel is home again with his family. Praise God for His healing power!
Hopefully you and Daniel will get a chance to get some much needed rest.
It is so wonderful to hear that you are beginning to see the "fruits of you labor" at last. God's timing is always so interesting and amazing.
Also, I just want you to know that not only are you a missionary family to those in Mexico but also to those of us who share your life through your blog. I wonder if you have any idea how much your faith encourages us each day! You touch hearts in very real ways and I thank you for this.
Blessings to you and your family,
Rowena
San Diego
Rejoicing with you that baby Samuel is home! Your post touched my heart. Thank you for sharing your joys as well as your struggles. Your faith is a wonderful example to me. My children are always asking if the lockwoods posted any updates:-) I understand needing time to focus on your family (we're expecting #7) but selfishly, I hope you find time every now and then to share news with us!! The Millers in TX
ReplyDeleteThis was my Bible verse I got today and it was just after I read your blog today. It makes perfect sense today.
ReplyDeleteDear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through... Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering...
~ 1 Peter 4:12-13 A, NLT
Oh! Jaynee! I'm so glad he's home-in your home a little while longer. When I first saw the title, my heart sank to think you were telling us he had gone to his heavenly home.
ReplyDeleteI'm still praying for God to bless your sweet family and your work in Mexico.
Much love
Connie
Praise the Lord! Thank you for the update. I have been praying and checking your blog every day. I'll continue to pray for rest and healing.
ReplyDeleteJamie
We just finished praying for Samuel and your family and then I remembered to check the blog, just in case. So glad to hear that Samuel is home. God bless you all and use you in His work.
ReplyDeleteIn Him,
Belynda
Like Samuel the prophet, may your Samuel continue to move the hearts of all to seek our great God. I am continuing to pray for your family.
ReplyDeleteWe are praising the Lord along with you! Had been wondering how little Samuel was doing~ glad to know he is much better and at home!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine going through such a trial. It is such a blessing to have such great witnesses who give glory to the Lord for healing! Bless you all!!!
Jamie
Jaynee,
ReplyDeleteI woke up last night in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. god brought your sweet family to my mind and I prayed a long time for you. I am so happy that Samuel is well. He is a beautiful baby and I know that God has a wonderful plan for his life. I stand in awe of your trust in the Lord. he is so pleased when we trust in Hm with all of our heart. He is good and faithful. Praise His name!
Cindy Cole
We are thankful the Lord has spared Samuel for you. Thank you for this post and a look into your life. We pray God will continue to sustain you, especially in the midst of trials. May you continue to be a blessing to those around you and to those who "visit" with you through your blog.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all.
Cindy
Praise the Lord!! He is so faithful and such a strong tower. I am soooooooo glad to hear your little baby is okay. He is a living testimony of the goodness of our Jesus. Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteJessica
Happy Father's Day to Daniel! We will keep you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad he is doing better. We had our own little Samuel Friday. So when we came home from the hospital yesterday we were thrilled to see a good report on him. Praying for you and your family, The Parris family in TN Sammy, Missy, Morgan, Katie, Josiah, Jacob, Sarah and Little Sam
ReplyDelete