Two Lives Intersect...forever changed.

THIS IS A LONG POST, BUT ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TO SEE THE LORD'S HAND IN EVERY DETAIL, SO ONLY READ THIS IF YOU HAVE SOME UN RUSHED MOMENTS AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE LORD'S LOVE AND SOVEREIGNTY IN A PROFOUND WAY.

You are about to enter into two ladies' lives who "happened" to meet on a plane going from Fresno to Dallas. What has taken place is supernatural...this is how the Lord works, only He can transform our hearts.

Betty Nobles and I have written Facebook messages to each other over the past 4 days and with her permission we want to testify of the Lord's kindness to us and that He is greater than our sorrows. Also, that we would each be encouraged to ask the Lord to fill us, His empty vessels, (whether we are a row boat or a luxury ship), with who He is, so as to proclaim Him every moment of the day no matter where we are or what we are doing. We are simply a tent that carries Jesus from place to place...

Summer 2007 (Betty and I took time to recollect our lives the day we met and this is the first time we have shared this from our perspectives.)

Yvonne: August 4, 2007 (at least I think this is the actual day) marked a day in life that would be etched in my heart as long as I have breath. The Sovereign LORD orchestrated each detail of this day and knew what would take place, before time began. What is amazing is every single day is under His absolute control motivated by love, all for His glory! I felt much anticipation as this day approached, because I was flying to Florida to pick up Julianne, our 11 year old, who had served with Teen Missions in Honduras for six weeks. (Julianne would soon learn that we were moving to Fresno within three weeks of her arrival home after living at Hume for almost 13 years.) The Lord’s hand was evident for, Brian, months before had booked First Class tickets with flyer miles. Never had I flown in such luxury before that summer and felt so blessed to enjoy warmed mixed nuts and huge seats. As usual, I asked the Lord to fill me, His empty vessel, with His love and to use me as He saw fit, to share His matchless love with anyone He would lead me to, whether it was in a line at the airport, the bathroom, or in plush seating at the front of the plane. Betty Nobles, you sat down right next to me, just the two of us, since First Class only had two seats per row…see what I mean, God Almighty is in even the smallest detail!

I remember reading my Bible and memorizing Scripture on 3 x 5 index cards (within three hours of meeting you, I wrote your info on one of those cards) and soaking up the quiet moments of a full summer of ministering at Romance Conferences at Hume. We chitchatted about where we were going and a bit about our lives, and somehow our conversation led into the Lord’s love. I loved you so much, Betty. The Lord flooded my soul with deep affection for you. Isn’t that breathtaking? I didn’t even know you, but that is what the Jesus does, He lavishes His love on us, so that we can’t help but love deeply. My heart broke when you shared that I didn’t know where you had been and what you had done and that the Lord really couldn’t love you because of your life. Oh how I longed for you to experience the real love of God through Jesus Christ. I had no idea where you had been in your life or the secrets that you carried, but I knew myself and the sin and brokenness of my own life and how the Lord restored me…and if the Lord could redeem me, there was no doubt, not one iota, that He could do that in you. The blood of Jesus Christ is all-powerful!

I kept asking the Lord for wisdom and that some how, some miraculous way you would know and believe that you were precious to the Lord and that He loved you completely, without any conditions, that the day you acted your best and the day you were most ashamed, that He loved you absolutely on both days and every one in between and for all eternity! I have experienced the Lord’s grace and mercy in such a profound way and I desperately wanted you to know it in your soul.

I had “In Christ Alone”, a modern hymn, in my Bible and on the side of the paper I had taken notes for a sermon I heard. I have no idea what the sermon was on or what was written in the margin, but I wanted you to walk off the plane with the truth, “no guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me…”

In Christ Alone lyrics

Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard;

In Christ alone my hope is found


He is my light, my strength, my song


This Cornerstone, this solid ground


Firm through the fiercest drought and storm



What heights of love, what depths of peace


When fears are stilled, when strivings cease


My Comforter, my All in All


Here in the love of Christ I stand



In Christ alone, who took on flesh


Fullness of God in helpless Babe


This gift of love and righteousness


Scorned by the ones He came to save



Til on that cross as Jesus died


The wrath of God was satisfied


For every sin on Him was laid


Here in the death of Christ I live,

There in the ground His body lay


Light of the world by darkness slain


Then bursting forth in glorious Day


Up from the grave He rose again



And as He stands in victory


Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me


For I am His and He is mine


Bought with the precious blood of Christ



No guilt in life, no fear in death


This is the power of Christ in me


From a life’s first cry to final breath


Jesus commands my destiny



No power of hell, no scheme of man


Could ever pluck me from His hand


Til He returns or calls me home


Here in the power of Christ I stand



I couldn’t help but put these words to the song in our story, because regularly when I hear or sing this song, you come to my mind. We parted ways, you heading home and I was continuing on to Florida, amazed with the intentionality of the Lord. I prayed for you as I flew the rest of the way across the USA.

Betty: When I got on that plane to Dallas....and saw you....I thought you were the most beautiful person I had ever seen....but when you spoke about Jesus.....I thought I was sitting with an angel....Your words just flowed like someone else was speaking....and I know it was the Holy Spirit.....I needed someone to talk to....My father was about to have to start kidney dialysis....He was 89 years old at the time....and I lived in Dallas and yearned to be closer to him so I could help my mother...For 6 years I had been driving 3 1/2 hours each way to be with my family on my days off and I was so tired.....You ministered to me on that plane ride and consoled me like you had known me all my life...What an impression you made that day......You prayed for me and told me how much Jesus loved me.....but I really didn't think He did.....When we said goodbye that day....I knew I would never forget you and what you had with God.

Back to our "normal" lives- August & September 2007-2008

Yvonne: We moved to Fresno August 21, 2007 and the Lord kept impressing on my heart to either call or email you just to say hello and let you know I was thinking about you. On the plane you said you either didn’t have a Bible or if you did, you didn’t have any idea where it was. I am not sure if I am remembering that correctly, but I couldn’t wait to go to Berean Book Store and get a Bible for you with your name inscribed on it, hoping that you would know that the Lord wanted to show you how much He loved you.

Betty: A miracle happened about a week later....I was offered a job in Austin....only 1 hour from my parents.....My father started dialysis on the 16th of September,2007....With this new job.....I was able to take the days off I needed to be with him and help my mother by driving him to the clinic....People his age usually can't take the harshness of dialysis....but he wanted to live and he never complained about the huge needles that were used and having to be stuck sometimes up to 5 times before they could get it right or the having to sit still for 5 hours because if he moved his arm...they might have to start over again.....I wanted to cry each time I drove him to the clinic....because every time...he would say "thank you hon" .Eventually it got worse and worse for him.....sometimes he would be so weak...he couldn't get out of the car...and we had to call an ambulance to help us.....I thought of quitting my job....but was hoping for a miracle that American would offer an early retirement package...They had been talking about it for months and months...and on September 5th,2008....I was able to move in with my parents to care for my father.....

Now...going back when I received the bible you sent me.....I couldn't believe you would send me a bible....and then to have my name placed on it....There are no words to say how grateful I was for you to do that for me. And to continue to call me with no answer from me....I can only say how sorry I am.....I suppose I was running from God....and if I talked to you....I would have to think about Him....but....even after moving 3 times.....I carried that brown paper with your name and address on it with me each time.....I only threw it away a few months ago.....

2009

Yvonne: My heart soared the day, about a year and a half after we met, you answered the phone. It was in April of 2009 (maybe…I am not so good with dates. J) I was flying and didn’t even need a plane to do it. I felt then that the Lord had given me such a gift in hearing your voice. The Lord continued to bring you to my mind over the last year and a half we didn’t have communication and I would speak of you to my family and some dear friends in the Lord.

Betty: My father continued to get worse....and my mind was all consumed with him....never having the relationship I wish I had had with God during this time.....and when it was my fathers last day on earth....it was not an easy death for him and I blamed God for deserting him.....My father was buried exactly 1 year after I retired....September 5th,2009....I feel like I lost my soul this past year.....

Summer through November 2010

Betty: I was so disappointed in God.....and my grief nearly destroyed me......but I started comforting others who lost people in their lives....telling them things about God that I didn't apply to my own life......and finally,I did something I didn't have to do for someone whose mother had died.....and God touched me with His glory and my heart changed.....I knew true love for Him...and I knew His true love for me.....all the tightness in my chest was gone and I had only joy.....When I went places....people looked at me differently....I saw everyone how God sees them....with great love.....I decided never to let go of Him.....again..........That feeling has faded.....but I will wait for it again...No matter how long it takes...That's when He put it in my heart to start reading the bible....and I wanted to tell you but didn't have your last name anymore.......I opened my bible and there you had written such sweet words to me and had included your first and last name....I am so thankful for that.....and here we are......again....So thankful for you......You are my gift!

Yvonne: A few months ago, I tried to find you on Facebook and your name didn’t pop up, and didn’t know if we would ever be able to connect on this earth again. Praise the name of Jesus, He knows our heart’s desires! I love His perfect timing.

November 12, 2010

Yvonne: Facebook Friend Request--“Are you the Yvonne Downs who I met on a plane and sent me a Bible?” I read that, squealed and told Charlotte, a gal who lives with us, “Betty Nobles Facebooked me!” The Lord has used you to teach me more of His relentless pursuit of us, that He is our Shepherd and will find His Sheep. I know that He will continue to use you to care for others as they grieve in this world of pain and brokenness and that nothing compares to knowing Christ Jesus our Lord, the God of all comfort. Thank you for letting me see into your life the work the Lord is doing in you! Oh how He loves us!!

After 3 1/2 years of asking the Lord for Betty to know and believe the love of Jesus, the Lord has answered!!! I glory in Him.

The message below is part of the first interaction Betty and I have had in a year and a half:

Betty: Yvonne....God is so amazing and shows us His love in so many ways......I had kept the wrapping from the bible you sent me for many years.....and just last year threw it away....never knowing how much I needed to tell you thank you for never giving up on me and for your prayers for me......Oh how I wished I hadn't thrown it away......and I picked up my bible this morning....and read the words you wrote in side....and there your last name stood........God DOES love me!

Does this encourage your heart and grow your faith? We are so loved by Jesus Christ! Let's daily remember His love and live in it!