We first met Keely in Belfast several years ago. A friend of a friend of Abby’s, she had come over from the US to see Ireland. It so happens she is a talented photographer and so she took some engagement photos for Abby and Stephen at some ‘magical’ places like the “Giant’s Ring”
We ‘bumped into’ her again months later in our local coffee shop. She seemed especially pleased to see us, and so we lingered for a few minutes……..long enough to let her discharge how things were not going well for her…… she was very stressed ……and desperately looking for some answers for her life.
We invited her to one of our FREEDOM! retreats and she connected for a season in our little community We witnessed Father bring a deep restoration in her, spirit, soul and body and give here a new freedom to chart a fresh course.
We lost contact for a few years until we received an invitation to her and Nick’s wedding at a remote Wisconsin destination.
The week before the wedding at a household meal we found ourselves studying Ps. 119.28-32 in The Message
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.
As we drove deep into the Wisconsin countryside on the way to the wedding there was no shortage of dilapidated barns!
Finally in the middle of what seemed like “Nowhere” by following the “road signs” we found the “Somewhere”!
“The Enchanted Barn”
The owner shared with me how he had been ‘lead’ to this old run down barn…. in order to restore it as a wedding venue.
At the service Hilary and I told the story of how our last contact with Nick and Keely had been when they joined us as part of the team to lead another FREEDOM! retreat on a remote Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota in the depth of winter. While it was freezing outside, inside the warmth of Father’s love was thawing more hearts in His work of restoration.
I said. “Keely and Nick too have chosen to journey on “the road less traveled.” that Hilary and I have been on for the last 45 years ….seeking to radically follow Jesus to bring his love to all.
There were many ‘magical’ moments on that day of celebration but for me the best was, aware of the past difficulties with her parents, Keely and her Dad danced cheek to cheek to the song…….
“In the morning when I rise. In the morning when I rise. In the morning when I rise. Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus, You can have all this world. Just give me Jesus.”
A few hours later we arrived home to find this creation sitting on our kitchen table:
On the swing was a note from the young girls in our home:
Father’s smile again through an “Enchanted Garden” on what had been ‘a Magical Journey’….. of a day and of a life.
P.S. This week we have been in Florida leading another FREEDOM! retreat. If you are interested in attending one we will be having the next one back home at Rivendell 17th- 18th February. If you email us we can send you the details.