Success or failure? - Who's to judge?

I think I might be getting a bit too deep for this blog, but I’ve been into a bit of a questioning/analyzing/searching-izing mood recently. – And it seems things just keep coming up that challenge me to ask and dig deeper.

For the past, I don’t know, 3 months, I’ve been trying with all I think I’ve got to work with, to help some folks obtain visas to this special land of Mexico. Due to their nationality though it’s been fighting teeth and nails seeing as it seems soooo hard.

One thing would come up and we’d try to overcome it, another thing came up and we’d surmount that obstacle…and as for me I put all I could into it to where it came to the point that it almost felt as if it was me trying to get to Mexico, rather than them. – Foolish, right?

Well, one of them made it, so I know I need to look at the donut rather than the hole, but one, who I’ve grown to admire GREATLY, hasn’t – and though it would have worked out eventually, the timeframe became the ending cause of our attempts.

I can’t get into all the details of the obstacles overcome by this man, it would be too painstaking for me, not to mention probably daunting to read for you all, but after informing him of the bad news that the time-frame wouldn’t work, I can only think of saying “Wow” to his positive reply.

I don’t think I can put it any other way than in his own words, and for those of you who read my blog and aren’t Family members, all I can say is “tough for you if this doesn’t make sense”. :)

“If I make it just to thank you guys it would be worth it. Isn't the Family great? Here are folks who I don't even know really doing all they can to help me with this visa.

Celeste these last three months have been a real fight for me, but you know I wouldn't trade it for anything. The Lord has taught me so many lessons through it I'm so thankful. So whatever news I get, don't worry, its all part of His plan. The Lord gave me a wonderful prophecy yesterday telling me how He designed this gift especially for me. And the thing about this gift is that it has many layers almost like the wrapping in a hot potato game. And even the wrapping I couldn't take off on my own I had to go to my dad (Jesus) every time I wanted to take a layer off, and we'd sit down together and take off the next layer. And when we took off that layer there was a little instruction with something that I had to do and sometimes to me it seemed crazy or it was humbling or it was hard work and difficult but I could only do that and then go back again to Him for help with the next layer.

Well I know eventually I'm going to see that gift in all of its beauty and I've just got a few more layers to uncover. So you see there is so much good fruit coming out of this it's gotten me desperate like never before and I have to keep going back to the Lord. I just wanted to share that with you for your encouragement as I know you've really fought with me along with many others."

And then today:

"Celeste, all I can say is praise God! His ways are wonderful! For your encouragement I want to tell you that this thing has changed my life in so many ways. I've never had to fight so hard in my life. So it's taught me so many lessons on being a fighter! It's brought me closer to the Lord and made me depend on him like never before. So I don't feel it's a loss! - It's a victory. I may not understand it all completely now but it's all in His perfect hands! And I’m sure the Lord will reward you for your help and fight. You've been a terrific support to us and I really, really appreciate it.

So do me a favor and smile! ‘Cuz that's what I'm doing! Hey who knows one of these days I may eventually make it there. Take care! Love you lots and a big thank you to all who helped. God bless you guys - my prayers are with you!

One of my favorite quotes:
It's not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcomings, who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the high achievement of triumph, and who at worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid cold souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Celeste, you are that man!"

Yeah right I am! I was the one that was all discouraged yesterday when I found out the news. HA! – What a woos that I am! (Though hey, I have the excuse of being a girl, right?) I did go to the Lord about it and got a rather interesting prophecy which left me at peace yet intrigued: "You ran the race, you did your part, you win some, and you lose some, but I will always have My way."

So hey, I’m going to take this as a successful endeavor seeing as success and failure mean nothing in the eyes of the Lord. As long as He’s in control and I’m yielding and doing my part I know I’m on the winning side.

John, you’re an incredible man. – I look forward to meeting you some day. Until then, I know you’ve definitely made a difference in my life and I will always admire that in you. Take care! XXX