Mari Isaacson

On the way to Teacher Training, Mary Cunningham and I decided to pick up something fast for dinner. What better way to be fast then to do the drive- thru. Those aren’t as easy as it seems!

We pulled up to the speaker board and heard this really loud “rrrrr”. We looked at each other and I asked, did he say, “rrrrr?” We burst out in laughter for neither of us had understood a word that he said. Quickly Mary rolled up the window for we didn’t want the guy to hear us for we couldn’t stop, tears were rolling down our cheeks.

After a few moments the guy asked very clearly, “Are you going to order?” We both took deep breaths and brought our laughter under control.

“Yes, just a minute,” Mary said as she rolled the window back down.

Meanwhile we glanced at the menu trying to figure out what to order. Now I always find this task very difficult… the menu is so big and long that it makes it difficult to know just what you want. Especially if the menu is new to you like it was to me. I didn’t have a clue. The fact that I knew someone was waiting on the other end didn’t make it any easier. I had the feeling he was getting impatient.

Perhaps he was for we soon heard from the box in front of us, “rrrrr”.

That sent us off on another laughing tangent. Up went the window. The guy was definitely waiting yet still we were having a hard time getting in control of the situation. I was ok first but didn’t think it would last, so I forced Mary to roll down the window long enough for me to get my order out. She breathed deeply and complied. After the order the window went back up and we were moved to tears once again. It was really good that no one was behind us!

After a few moments of more laughter, we drove to the pick-up window, tear-faced and smiling. We’re sure the guy must have thought we were crazy, but oh how it felt good to laugh.

That evening at Teacher Training Mary had a hard time looking at me without cracking up… even days later, we are still laughing with teary eyes when we recount that situation!

My time here in Oregon has been filled with blessing upon blessing. Spending a few months here has given me the awesome opportunity to spend a week here, a week there… etc instead of just a day or two. This has really been good in that I have been able to observe how the different CEF workers do things. Furthermore, we have been able to get to know each other, share with each other, pray together, work together, have fun together…  and yes, laugh together! I have been challenged and inspired by these great Saints of the Lord! They are touching so many children in their areas. They have grasped the urgency in reaching this generation for the Lord Jesus. They know, these are our future parents, future leaders, future decision makers. If we don’t reach them now, we will loose a whole generation and the work will be even more difficult. The ministry is difficult enough with all the opposition these days. That is why 1 Corinthians 15, 58 says to “stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourself to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain!”

The NEED is great. Children need the Lord! I hope to share more of that in my next blog.

Thank you Oregon CEF workers for letting me share in your life and ministry, even if just for a short time. The saying: You have touched me, I have grown is so true. Thank you!!!