sweet libby

a few years ago God blessed our little lexington community with a very sweet gift.  libby.  libby met our friend justin while working at a YL camp for a month and as things progressed with the happy couple she made her way to kentucky.  blessing.  libby was woven into our community immediately & i adored every opportunity i got to be with her.  she is always a light.  eventually her and ryder {aka justin} got married & later moved to virginia to go on young life staff.  we hated to see them go but knew that God was going to do huge things in their lives & in the lives of others because of their faithfulness.

ryder & libby played a huge part in ben & i's engagement & libby was such a huge help on our actual wedding day.  they have loving, servant's hearts.  i'll never forget those memories!  in january the ryder's had a beautiful baby girl, ava.  she is a doll.  i can't wait to meet her one day.  their friendship over all these years is invaluable and i can't even describe the encouragement they have been to mine & ben's life & marriage.  they are steadfast in the Lord, they are lovers of Christ & of people.  they live out the gospel & they know Truth.  they lead lives filled with immense joy & laughter.  oh the laughter.  they are so fun.

this past week, sweet libby found out that she has lymphoma.  she is strong and she is faithful.  she knows that the Lord is GOOD and that He works for the good of those who love Him.  but the ryder's need prayer.  if you would please lift them up.  pray for health.  pray for a miracle.  pray that they, their family & their friends would have peace that only God can provide.  pray that they would rest in the promises of God.  pray that the Lord will be glorified {i know that He will}.

justin & lib have a blog to keep everyone up-to date on how things are going & how we can be praying. visit this sweet family {HERE}.  leave them your kind words & encouragement.  please be praying your hearts out for our dear friends.  i know the Lord is at work!

i think the Lord would say to libby what he said to israel.

"But now, this is what the LORD says—
       he who created you, O Jacob,
       he who formed you, O Israel:
       "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

       I will be with you; 

       and when you pass through the rivers,

       they will not sweep over you.

       When you walk through the fire,

       you will not be burned;

       the flames will not set you ablaze.

 For I am the LORD, your God,

       the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; 

       I give Egypt for your ransom,

       Cush and Seba in your stead.

  Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

       and because I love you,

       I will give men in exchange for you,

       and people in exchange for your life.

      Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

       I will bring your children from the east

       and gather you from the west.

 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'

       and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'

       Bring my sons from afar

       and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

    everyone who is called by my name,

       whom I created for my glory,

       whom I formed and made."

isaiah 43