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• prayer

When I was in middle school, I started writing in a prayer journal. It was a more focused way of expressing my thoughts and prayers to God. It was also a tremendous testimony to how God was working in my life as I looked back and read past prayers.

Early in my high school career, I prayed that God would use my interest in languages to his glory. It seemed like a good prayer at the time. My sister’s interest prompted my entire family to take a sign language class. And I had already started taking Spanish classes at school.

Shortly after that prayer, we were offered the opportunity to host a Brazilian foreign exchange student through my high school. We even met her family and hosted them on a visit. My limited Spanish and her broken English made for an interesting situation communicating with her family in Portuguese, but we managed.

During that time, I thought that was the only way God was answering my prayer regarding my passion for languages: Spanish classes, sign language class, and a Brazilian exchange student. Was I ever mistaken…

My limited perspective of an “already answered prayer” potentially limited the doors God would open later in my life: Translator, coordinator of campaigns, women’s retreats, youth camps, church plants (in U.S., Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela), full-time missionary to Venezuela… and God isn’t finished answering that prayer yet!

Fast forward to today. This summer will be three years since the establishment of Iron Rose Sister Ministries, a bilingual women’s ministry resource. Everything we do is made available in both English and Spanish. And we continue to pray that all we do be to God’s glory.

My simple high school prayer is still a valid one today and I can’t wait to see how else God honors that simple plea nearly 25 years ago.

Take a moment to reflect on a prayer you have lifted up to God—one that you think he has maybe already responded to. And realize that he may not be through answering it yet. Let’s not limit his potential in our lives. What a mighty God we serve!

• prayer

Katie Forbess is my right-hand woman, my Barnabas (encourager) and "partner in crime" for everything that has to do with Iron Rose Sister Ministries. I am so blessed to have her as President of the Board of Directors and as a friend.

We talk almost daily about things related to the ministry. We rejoice in what God is doing and often express our frustration at what others are not doing (like when we were dealing with the publishers). We share prayer requests, encouragement, challenges, and life. We had not seen each other in about nine years before the bilingual event in Denver, November 2013, but now, living only two hours away, we get to see each other much more often!

Early in the IRSM days, I was in Houston, frustrated that we were not going to get the copies of the Spanish book in time for the International Women's Conference where I was speaking. Katie was doing all she could to follow up with the publishing company and light a fire under anyone that would listen. After the conference had ended and we had more hope of receiving some books in time to deliver to the ladies who were returning to their home countries, Katie and I were touching base about the books we were trying to get down to Venezuela, which was my next trip at that time.

At that moment, I had to go meet with someone, so we didn't get to finish our conversation nor were we able to pray together. Katie said, "Okay. Number one on our list for tomorrow is that we pray!" I agreed wholeheartedly, we hung up and continued on with our days.

The next day, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by all the stress of preparing for the Venezuela trip and taking care of several other Iron Rose Sister Ministries tasks that I didn't want to leave undone. Katie and I postponed our phone appointment twice that day and were finally able to connect and work on several things.

Yet again, I was nearing the time I needed to go, so we wrapped up what we were discussing and hung up. Katie called me right back and I asked if she dialed me accidentally or on purpose. "On purpose!" she said. "We didn't do the first thing on our list!"

I was humbled by this reminder and grateful for a Christian sister and friend, an Iron Rose Sister that continues to keep me sharp and accountable in those areas that I long to grow and bloom. We took turns praying and I have no words to describe the peace that came over me and the gratefulness I felt for all that God has already done. Katie teared up during her prayer as well and we hung up with a different spirit that we had started the earlier conversation.

May God be praised for the power of prayer and for the way in which he places people in our lives to transform, challenge, and encourage us.