June 2023 - What a special day
What a special day
June 2 was Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day--#26 I think.
What a special day it was. Around the world people give us names of a loved one needing prayer: We have more than 8000 names from over the years, adding 500 new ones in the past weeks. And around the world people, by themselves or in small groups, pray—lifting up every name on the list to our Lord.
Our theme this year was Joy in the Hard Journey. I wrote four short devotionals on God’s call to us to “rejoice always.” You can read the first one here: “Joy in the Hard Journey: For When You Love a Prodigal or Any Hard Reality” and from there link to the others.
We are already hearing stories of lives changing, though it is often a long journey.
She Loves Out Loud, a ministry I have been involved with that calls women to pray, is focusing on praying for prodigals for the month of June. I have provided some of the content. They have a website, but most of the activity is on Facebook.
Heaven Is Getting Populated by Special Servants of God
On May 24, 2023, Paul Eshleman was called Home. Paul is the one who made EXPLO 72 happen and made the Jesus Film happen and get translated into the languages of the world (more than 2000 now).
Pray for his wife, Rena, and children Jonathan and Jennifer.
Steve Awarded Hall of Fame by NRB
Once again I was honored to receive an award for Steve, this time from National Religious Broadcasters. This video tells why he was chosen to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Steve and Christy Sellers (President of Cru) and my son-in-law Nick Runyon were there with me. Here are a few pictures.
June 8—Our Anniversary
Steve was so worth waiting for!
He was slow to decide he wanted to be married. People told me to give up on him. God said “wait.” I’m so glad I did.
We were married June 8, 1975. Tomorrow would be our 48th anniversary. Our life together was an adventure, serving God, loving each other, growing a beautiful family. I thought surely we would make it to 50 years.
I am grateful, even rejoicing, that Steve is Home. But, oh, how I miss him. Tears still come daily. Our lives were so connected—how often I want tell him something or ask him something or get his help with something. Yet God continues to comfort and sustain me, whispering words of hope and help in my ear. Enjoy these pix from our years together.
You can read more about this in my June 8 blog post at JudyDouglass.com/blog.
Summer with My Family
I will be gone much of the summer, with visits to Josh and Lesley in June and July, to Michelle and Brad in June and July, a trip to Indonesia, then a longer visit with Debbie and Nick.
It will be a wonderful break from how busy I have been. And I look forward to time with every one of my 10 grands.
I will continue to do my monthly newsletter, but will take off from my “When You Love a Prodigal” podcast in July and August.
Let me know if I can pray for you. I will be glad to.
Love and blessings.
Judy