I heard in my heart, "For such a time as this."
WOW!
What an incredible trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado! It was our honor and
joy to speak at Focus on the Family last week. As usual, the Lord unfolded
His divine appointment and plan with surprises and memories for a lifetime.
It was a rare event to have all nine of our immediate family together
sharing the same platform again. Anna and Holly flew from Grand Rapids,
Michigan. Ryan and Lindey, along with Espen who is now two months old, flew
from their new home and assignment in Houston, Texas. Tony and I, along with
Lydia and Connor, caught our flight from Dallas which was the hub for all of
our McFamily connections. The weather cooperated with all of our flights and
schedules and by late Wednesday night we had snuggled into our warm hotel
across from Focus on the Family. What we had not counted on is that with our
expanding family's luggage and baby gear, we had to rent an additional
vehicle along with a reserved suburban! Our family, as well as our message
and impact had been expanded.
Dr. James Dobson and his wife Shirley were away on a writing sabbatical. The
master of ceremony for the Focus chapel was Pastor H.B. London. The new
president and CEO, Jim Daly, also participated. The event was kicked off
with a live interview with NFL Denver Bronco's kicker, Jason Elam. After
worship, the in-house Sanctity of Life director told of the ministry's
effective outreach and its placement of new sonogram machines in crisis
pregnancy centers around the nation. 77,000 babies had been saved with their
efforts.
Our 40-minute presentation began with our McFamily story on DVD. While it
was ending and we were walking to the stage, I kept hearing, "For such a
time as this." It made me smile. With microphones in our hands, we began to
sing in tight harmony "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" as we all
celebrated the Giver of Life. We were received with warm enthusiasm as we
continued in music and with each sharing the meaning of their names and
destiny along with some personal remarks to the crowd. I thanked them for
their service to the work of His calling and for being people that had made
a difference world-wide. I told them that I felt like we were specialized
services who had been dropped behind enemy lines to bring a word of
encouragement to the warriors at the front of the battle. Anna, Lindey and
Holly reminded them in song that greatness is found in serving. Its
encouragement was met with resounding applause of gratitude.
As I stood alone to talk with the audience, I told of the doctor's ultimatum
to choose that day between my baby and my eyes. His angry response and
declaration that I had made a "foolish decision" to choose my baby became
the backdrop for what came next. God's mercy and power were demonstrated as
I then introduced Lindey, the one the doctor wanted me to abort, and her
husband Ryan and their new son, Espen. The doctor was dead wrong!! The crowd
applauded as I declared, "It has always been the next generation that is at
stake!" They visibly agreed.
My message to the audience of Focus on the Family was interlaced with our
story and a challenge about maximizing their own life. I stated that life is
the gift and it is to be valued at every level.
The moments passed too quickly with my heart full. At the end, our family
joined me to speak the blessing over the attentive audience. As we walked
off the stage, the crowd gave a standing ovation.
Afterwards, we were all told many different comments but some were common.
"Doc will want to meet you." "Doc would have loved this today." "Wait till
Doc sees and hears this presentation!" The "Doc" was the fond name for
their beloved Dr. James Dobson. I, too, look forward to this meeting.
We were the guests of Focus on the Family for lunch, but the venue was
changed after something we shared on stage. Focus has produced for the last
two decades an award-winning children's series, called "Odyssey," and we
still love it. It is a legend that both adults and children love. Our family
has benefited from its excellent stories of faith, character and history
over the years. So, our lunch was spent at Witt's Inn of Odyssey. This is
the central focal point of this children's radio series. Our imagination
station had now become reality as we laughed and played. While we were at
lunch there came several surprises.
Our hostess, Diane, was the guest coordinator who became our personal guide
and newest beloved friend. She took the children to the studios of Odyssey
where two mock shows were recorded with the voices of Anna, Holly and Lydia.
Connor Mac did the sound effects. Plus, the children recorded a promo for
the 20th anniversary special of Odyssey.
Tony and I were asked to come to the broadcasting studios where we spent the
entire afternoon recording some preliminary radio interviews. Though their
schedule is already booked for 2008, they wanted to get more of our story
recorded.
The producers had been impressed with our family and story and they wanted
more. Between the live event that day, along with our story on DVD and the
interview clips, they were considering its impact for a show in the future.
It was at this time we learned that Focus had been looking at our family's
ministry for over one year. Now all the pieces were in place.
At the end of our interview, another surprise was given to us. One of the
producers had overheard some bits and pieces of Lindey and Ryan's courtship
and wedding. So, Lindey and Ryan were soon summoned from another building to
join us in the recording studio. While we waited on them, I was also asked
to record a promo for Odyssey. It was my delight to give back to a ministry
that had given so much to our family.
In moments, with new people added to the studio, we sat at a large round
table with microphones in front of five of us as we all told the journey of
Lindey and Ryan's courtship and marriage with their first kiss at the altar.
This was one of my favorite treats of the day which had already seemed
written on God's Day-Timer from the beginning. It flowed and the depth of
love between not only a man and a woman but also between her parents and the
life message of guarding your heart seemed to capture everyone's heart too.
Espen helped by sleeping six hours that afternoon!
Our full day with VIP badges at Focus on The Family left us all amazed with
giggles and stories over everyone's day. We had been given gifts of Odyssey
CD's and books and radio theater classics for all the family to share. It
was indeed a mountain top experience!
Thank you for praying for us in this awesome McAdventure. There were four
churches and one noble ministry that coupled together to help financially
underwrite our trip while hundreds prayed for its success. None of us can
imagine what will come from the seeds that were sown for the harvest. Thank
you!!
Our journey to Colorado also included ministry at a church called, "Living
Way Fellowship." This, too, was a divine appointment because the director of
the five crisis pregnancy centers in Denver sat behind us that morning. Tony
and I traveled early from Colorado Springs to Littleton which is in the
Denver area. We had just enough time to minister in two services that
Sunday morning. God moved in spite of the time with this congregation being
brief. We hurriedly left to catch a plane in the Springs by 3:20 PM. The
quick turn around from Littleton to Colorado Springs was challenging for two
of us, let alone all nine of us. Therefore the children stayed in Colorado
Springs to attend church. A carload went on to the airport, while three of
our children were left waiting for us at the hotel to pick them up, along
with luggage, hoping to make our flight on time. Living Way had provided a
sack lunch to go as they helped us hurry on our way. I told the pastor, as
we quickly ran !
with no minutes to spare, "I am glad we are not being tarred and feathered
as we leave town in a flash!" He and his wife graciously said how timely our
visit had been. Thank the Lord the speed limit in Colorado is 75 miles per
hour-we made it just in time.
As I sat on the plane pondering all that had transpired in just a few days
and our new connections, a woman stood in the aisle of the plane and asked
me a question. Startled at first, I looked up and it was Lindey asking if I
would like to hold Espen on the way home. "Of course!" came my joyful
answer. Holding that little one as he looked into my eyes confirmed the
decision of so many years ago. "Choose life that you and your descendants
may live." The Lord in His wisdom had given us the best answer as we once
stood in the crossroads of choice. I boast only in His strength and wisdom
that helped me make the right choice. Now in my arms I enjoyed the second
generation and all of its untapped potential-"for such a time as this."
Still,
McSmiling!
Psalm 8:2
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