Monday, November 13, 2017

Hardest Decision Ever! Next Chapter? Thankfulness!

Sweet Smile!! 
Have you ever had to do something that was incredibly hard?


Well today, we made the decision to put Canyon, our dog down.

He lived 16+ years.  The longest any of our dogs has ever lived!
We  never imagined he'd live this long - though we are extremely thankful!   All of his litter siblings were either put down early or died by age 7.   Canyon had anxiety bad.  So much so, he had to be put on Prozac & sedatives at age 3.  We used to joke around that he would be good to take with us if we ever decided to take up bank robbery.  He could bite his way out of a locked cage or locked door in seconds!   His anxiety was so bad for the longest time, we had to build him a special room in our home in KC - one that he couldn't get out of and couldn't hurt himself trying.  Thankfully he settled down these past few years.

For some of you, putting a dog down may seem like no big deal, but for dog lovers like us, it's one of the hardest things to do.  He still had spunk.  He still was feisty and wanting his treats & loves to eat now that I've been adding yogurt to his food.  He still has such a sweet smile on his face.  All the websites I looked at on "when is the best time to put your dog down" would say these things are not signs.  But the signs we had - limping around, ancy, falling pretty easily, tripping over the carpet and I think he was actually losing his eyesight too all point to the end.  It was hurting us to watch him hurting and it's only selfishness on our part to kept him living.  I wished we could of put him down yesterday, but there was no available appointment at vet.  Last night was traumatizing to me.  He couldn't sit or lie still and each time tried to get up, he'd fall back down.  Finally, I woke Ken up (he had to be at work at 4am) as I was going to call vet to see if he could make a house call to put him down.  Ken told me to go to bed and he stayed up with him and had to be at work at 4am.  Canyon finally settled down and rested until this morning.
Always cutest when he slept!

Canyon was the last of 5 dogs we had over the past 30 years.  I haven't been without a pet since 1984.    I think that's what will make this harder.  I'm so used to having a dog or dogs around!

Back in January, a friend called me and told me she felt like God shared something with her about Canyon.  Hesitantly she went on to say that when Canyon passes, we will be moving on.  The Lord spoke that into my spirit as well only a few weeks later.  And we had 5 other people - not knowing this share a similar thought over the past several months.  I had a sense back in 2003 that after Canyon & Blazer passed (Blazer passed last June) we would not have another dog for a season.  And that's where we are at!  A new season, a new chapter!   Kind of bittersweet - but today mostly bitter.  I am grieving hard.

NEXT CHAPTER?
I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds my future! 

We believe God is about to shift us.  We don't know how or when (think very soon) .....
So many God signs even today Here are a few of many -

Today's Devotional by Rick Renner Title "Moving on in Life at the Right Time"    

By Restoration Place Ministries - My friend, today you are standing on the edge of victory. Today you are poised for break through. This very day, I will deliver you out of the hands of those who oppress you. I Am persistent, bold and overwhelmingly focused on bringing you through every battle, every trial and every temptation you face. Stand firm in your faith for I Am absolutely faithful to all My Word and to all My purposes in your life. I Am not only persistent but I Am also relentless in My faithfulness.


Rise up My friend. Pursue Me. I Am taking you through the harshness of this battle and leading you into pleasant places. Consider yourself not a Victim but a Victor. I have released My Angels to secure your safe passage forward. You are precious to Me, My friend.

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by MARSHA BURNS:
In a vision I saw a man who had endured great heartache and grief.  As I watched, he got up and walked away from the things that held him back.  He rose up with increased strength and courage with a determination to move with God in Spirit and see better days.  Old disappointments left behind in long forgotten places were no longer relevant.  He had new hope and a new beginning.  And, I heard the Lord say, "I want you to do the same."  Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

Terry Gallegos  "A NEW SEASON"
There are so many right now that are on the cutting edge of victory, deliverance healing wholeness crossing over and a major breakthrough unto the other-side,I sense this in my spirit today strongly,,all it's gonna take is one little piece of a
straw to break the camel's back,this word is to encourage you who have ears to hear that this is your season to harvest freedom in places of bondage and to be restored to a place that this tuff season has dis-placed us from,,a place of pure joy and praise to take the place of brokenness and discouragement and despair, YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN BUT FOUND,,LIFT UP YOUR EYES AND OPEN YOUR MOUTH FOR YOUR HEALER IS AT THE DOOR OF YOUR SOUL,SAYS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD..

Send me your light and your truth, let them lead me; let them guide me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Psalm 43:3


THANKFUL 
Prayer/Praise Reports

PRAISE - Our Stuff - God brought us some amazing helpers to get all of our things out of the lady's basement who has been storing them for 3 years..... these helpers were so efficient!  They cleaned every box, we opened every one up and sprayed for mold and found none - except in one box.  Even our furniture only had a couple of spots - nothing bad!  God was definitely protecting our things.  It took an entire day to do this - but that was way shorter than I anticipated.  And - God put it on someone's heart to pay for the monthly cost of the storage unit!  Wow!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Car - Well the day we were moving all our stuff to storage, our car radiator (we thought) was steaming.  Ken put some stop leak in it and it stopped steaming... but after talking with 2 mechanics they told us we needed to replace the radiator.  That was an estimated $400.  We did not have the funds to pay for it.... but God showed up.  He sent one person to pay $200 to cover the cost of the part and another friend had a mechanic friend who was going to install it - and our friend would cover his cost. Wow!   Well yesterday, Ken took the car to get fixed and the mechanic said it did NOT need a radiator.  He checked everything out and said all looked ok for a car with 160k miles on it!  He told us a few things to keep our eyes on, but not an immediate concern.  So we returned the part and I told my friend I was sending her the check back and she told me to keep it.  Well, what she didn't know was that was the amount we needed to cover Canyon's vet costs.  Isn't God good!   So Thankful!    (We are still praying and believing God for a newer suv!!!)

Ken - He has been doing some inside painting.  This has been a blessing as we have had some extra expenses to cover.   Please pray however, as Dollar General has hired additional people so they plan to cut his hours back to 15 from 25/30.  We definitely need a financial miracle in the way of work.  These odd jobs are great but not consistent.  Please pray for his physical stamina - his back has been hurting lately & for sleep.  

Michele - I have been getting some better sleep.. not consistent by any means, and not 8 hours.  But I am thankful for what I get.  My pain levels have been high.  Headaches that were nearly extinct have returned.  My hips and low back are uck! I think it's because I haven't been able to get to therapeutic swimming.   Please pray for grace for me.... Canyon and my dogs have been my constant companions these past 8 years I've been home.  It gets pretty lonely being stuck at home and now no dog to snuggle up to! 

Ministry - please pray for God to open doors & provide what we need to take steps towards destiny. We've been here almost 4 years (Feb) and we feel our wilderness season is soon coming to an end.  Well, we hope and pray it is!  Too many confirmations for us to believe otherwise.  We are contending and trusting God for His timing.  (But hurry!)

Thank YOU so much for your ongoing support, prayers, love and care for us and our ministry.  We are honored to be able to pray for those who reach out to us.  Please let me know if you have any prayer needs.   For those who have been reaching out, thank you!  I am praying for your requests.  

If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support what God is doing through us - financially, below are a few options.  Your generosity and your prayer support is greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to walk in faith and God's calling. 

Megablessings  - 
Ken & Michele Cole
http://www.wantinsight.com
michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com

Tax deductible & non tax deductible donations can be made: 
1.  Checks made payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744 or if you prefer anonymous giving - you can give through our Donor Fund 

2.  Non tax deductible donations can be made directly to us by:  THIS IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET MONEY TO US FOR DAILY USE. 
 Paypal - www.paypal.com  (michele@wantinsight.com) 

3. Donor Fund - Contact National Christian Foundation - Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight Fund -   Tax deductible 
    7171 W. 95th Street, Suite 501
Overland Park, KS 66212
    Phone: 913.310.0279

    Fax: 913.227.0254     www.nationalchristian.com 

Vision
God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.  
The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted).  We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord. 
We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.  

The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers.  We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church. 
In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.  

Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world.   To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas.  Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!  We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.  













Wednesday, November 1, 2017

You Are My Safe Refuge

O God, listen to my cry!
    Hear my prayer!
From the ends of the earth,
    I cry to you for help
    when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
    for you are my safe refuge,
    a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
    safe beneath the shelter of your wings!  

Psalm 61:1-4 NLV  


Are you feeling a bit frazzled?  Maybe I should say who hasn't been overwhelmed lately?  

These past weeks have been a whirlwind of overwhelming circumstances.  
- A sister got diagnosed with a brain aneurysm - awaiting results of brain angioplasty to determine next step....none of which are without great risk.  And the doctor said since two of my siblings have now had aneurysm's - all of the remaining siblings should be tested as their is a high probability of has having one.  (Not receiving this curse in my spirit) 

- A brother had a heart attack and had a stent put in.  His "widow maker" artery was 99% blocked! By God's grace, he's alive!!  He's only 2 years older than me. 

- Same brother's wife also had a heart attack and had stents put in and has to return for more stents in 30 days.

- A brother fell down some steps and broke his knee in half and the recovery/rehab will be long, painful and with chance of not a favorable outcome.

- Ken's father suddenly not well, went to ER and 5 day hospital stay with a serious blood infection (and still getting daily iv treatments) AND discovered a leaky heart valve awaiting doctor's visit for next step.
Ha ha!  (maybe I do look like this)

- Another sister - ongoing for 2.5 years rapid weight loss- still no diagnosis and is not able to eat much or drink more than 500 calories a day without painful side effects.  

- A brother in law with cancer and treatments are winding down.  

-I already told you this - but we have to move our stuff out of ladies basement and into storage and this weekend is the time.  It's not just moving it - we have to HEPA vacuum, wipe and spray with mold killer every box (and possibly it's contents) before we can load to store in storage unit.  The logistics surrounding all this has been intense.  

-You've heard this before - but Canyon, our dog, is still in decline.  Somedays I think I'm being selfish and keeping him alive way beyond his days.... and other days I think God will surely tell me like he has in the past when is the best time.  This is heart wrenching!!!

-Did I tell you our landlord selling the house - the sale fell through so new potential buyers came out this past weekend to look at it?  Up in the air on living situation too??? 

-Sleep deprivation is NOT my friend in all this!!! 

-Pain levels have been unbelievable.  

-Finances - we are learning daily manna!   (we still eat, have shelter and clothes on our back) 

-Hope deferred on our destiny - wondering when and sometimes if it's going to happen!  

There have been times these past couple weeks that I thought I should just check myself in somewhere or pack a bag and leave for a deserted island.  Not a bad idea? 

But God!  God is good!  He is faithful and He is our rock and our refuge!  How would we be effective at running a retreat/refuge if we hadn't had first hand experience in truly trusting God as our refuge, as our safe place!  None of this is for naught!  We realize that.  God has been taking us deeper and deeper into a relationship full of unwavering faith.  

There are so many people who are experiencing even greater trials than we are.  I am overwhelmed, to be honest, at how many faithful followers who are being tested to the limits.  I have a sense of God showing up soon to those who have been forged by fire.  Suddenly things are going to shift and become the most glorious testimony of God's goodness!  Watch & See!  


Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5


I read Streams in the Desert Devotional - and have often shared them with you.  Here's today.....speaking to me as usual!  I pray it encourages you as well.  Just yesterday a friend said as she was praying for me, the Lord gave her a vision of us standing in the valley and their were dark clouds above us.  But then she saw the clouds were lifting and we could see clearly.  

When the cloud tarried... then the children of Israel... journeyed not (Numbers 9:19).
This was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying.
Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger -- there was no option but to remain encamped.
The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." And what He did for the Old Testament saints He will do for believers throughout all ages. Still God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters?
There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.
Wait, young man, do not be in a hurry to make a change! Minister, remain at your post! Until the cloud clearly moves, you must tarry. Wait, then, thy Lord's good pleasure! He will be in plenty of time! 
--Daily Devotional Commentary
An hour of waiting!
Yet there seems such need
To reach that spot sublime!
I long to reach them--but I long far more
To trust HIS time!
"Sit still, my daughter"--
Yet the heathen die,
They perish while I stay!
I long to reach them--but I long far more
To trust HIS way!
'Tis good to get,
'Tis good indeed to give!
Yet is it better still--
O'er breadth, thro' length, down length, up height,
To trust HIS will!
--F. M. N.
Thank YOU so much for your ongoing support, prayers, love and care for us and our ministry.  We are honored to be able to pray for those who reach out to us.  Please let me know if you have any prayer needs.   For those who have been reaching out, thank you!  I am praying for your requests.  

If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support what God is doing through us - financially, below are a few options.  Your generosity and your prayer support is greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to walk in faith and God's calling. 

Megablessings  - 
Ken & Michele Cole
http://www.wantinsight.com
michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com

Tax deductible & non tax deductible donations can be made: 
1.  Checks made payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744 or if you prefer anonymous giving - you can give through our Donor Fund 

2.  Non tax deductible donations can be made directly to us by:  THIS IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET MONEY TO US FOR DAILY USE. 
 Paypal - www.paypal.com  (michele@wantinsight.com) 

3. Donor Fund - Contact National Christian Foundation - Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight Fund -   Tax deductible 
    7171 W. 95th Street, Suite 501
Overland Park, KS 66212
    Phone: 913.310.0279

    Fax: 913.227.0254     www.nationalchristian.com 

Vision
God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.  
The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted).  We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord. 
We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.  

The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers.  We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church. 
In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.  

Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world.   To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas.  Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!  We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.