![]() You may remember us sharing stories of the visit Tom and I made to Oklahoma in 2016. It was a fantastic trip filled with lots of laughter and joy as Tom introduced me to many of you. I was welcomed with open and loving arms into your homes and churches as if we had been old friends. I easily understood why Tom felt a deep connection to your team. As I learned of your faith life and service to God, I was more aware than ever why YOUR MINISTRY, Innovative Truth, is able to minister to so many of God’s children. Time after time I heard stories of God’s love touching your lives and the lives of those you care about. You shared the miracles and beauty you saw in everyday life. Many of you have never met each other, yet if we could ever find a way to bring all of you together, it would feel like a really fun family reunion! We are not a large army, but God has repeatedly shown us that He uses faith no bigger than a mustard seed to accomplish His purpose. Our Heavenly Father is mighty enough to move mountains, while gentle enough to count the hairs on our head. HE lovingly answers our prayers, even when the answer is NO. I was particularly moved by God’s unfailing love upon meeting the amazing Ms. Edie during that trip. Ms. Edie and her incredible husband, Walter, have been on Tom’s team for over 21 years! Their love for God, community, and each other overwhelmed me as they opened their home and poured out their generous hospitality. Ms. Edie’s love for God, and her faith in God’s love for her, filled their home with an undeniable joy. Walter’s infectious laugh steals your heart! His love for Ms. Edie permeates the air you breathe as they make you know, you are family to them. Your ministry, Innovative Truth, is a family. It’s all the good stuff in family. The relationships between spouses, sisters, brothers, parents, members of each church; the love is ever-blooming and immense! We see how you care for and support each other, just as you do your ministry. When one of us is celebrating, we all celebrate. When one of us is mourning, we all mourn. Another long time ministry partner, Kathy, buried the love of her life last fall. While she cared for her precious husband, Johnny, and loved him through his incredibly painful and courageous battle with cancer, she, like many of you, still took time to check on me and send words of encouragement during my battle with cancer. You epitomize what it means to praise God even through the storms of life. We received word last month from Walter that Ms. Edie “went to be with Jesus” and that “she doesn’t hurt anymore.” Reading those words from Walter, and hearing about Johnny’s passing, brought a sadness that can’t be described. I am reminded of Jesus’ sadness upon hearing about His friend Lazarus’ death. Friendship is an important part of being the Body of Christ. So while we are grateful that Johnny and Edie no longer suffer the pain of cancer, our hearts ache for the many friends, and especially the loving spouse’s they each left behind. Tom’s parents, Eddie and Betty, celebrated 53 years of marriage in December. Just weeks later, my mother-in-love, Betty Allen, was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal breast cancer which has metastasized in multiple areas already. After prayerful consideration, she has begun home hospice care this past week. It’s an incredibly painful time emotionally for us, yet we are grateful to join you in continuing to fulfill God’s call for us to be a family; loving Him and each other in good times and bad. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 Thank you for ministering to us. YOU give us the strength to minister to others. THAT’S FAMILY! WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND WE THANK GOD EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE INNOVATIVE TRUTH FAMILY HE CREATED! All our love,
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