Sabbath rest today

Thursday, we went down to visit the First Fruits of Zion folks in Marshfield, Mo. They are a Messianic online teaching ministry, that I really respect. So humble..
We phoned to ask to come down, and they graciously told us to come. When we got there we were given a tour of their facility. They print and construct their own resources for the most part. Dvd's, CD's, study materials. Some young men, treated us like queens, and patiently explained everything, and answered our questions. As we walked through an archway, I saw a print I had seen on their web site and liked, and mentioned it to Gwen. We went into an incredible library. Beautiful desks, chairs, and shelf after shelf of books, both new and rare, antiques from Jewish, Christian, and Messianic authors spanning hundreds of years. They also do the filming of teaching modules in there. We lingered there for a while, and they invited us to come anytime and spend the day in there. YES!!! As we finished our tour, one of the young men came out with a book and study guide that Gwen and I had actually planned on buying in the future, and gifted them to us. Love and the Messianic Age, by Paul Philip Levertoff is a project near and dear to their hearts. Out of print for many years, this important work is now being shared once again. Along with the gift of books, the young man handed me a copy of the print I had pointed out to Gwen. I was so blessed...it is titled "Called to Prayer" and features a man of faith, facing away in the Israel countryside, with his Talit on, blowing a shofar. Beautiful both in meaning and expression to me. I think it is my 'standing stone' for this time at IHOP. They also gave Gwen the first ever, "hot off the press" edition of Hayesod, a new teaching program on the roots and foundation of our faith. We will begin that sometime in January when we return.
This trip actually started with a pretty big challenge, in that when we got here, we found out that we had not received some important emails, and the program dates had been changed. We ended up being here a week early! Not only that...but now the program would extend that extra week in December, which I already have booked with clients. I had a bit of a melt down, then slowly over the next few days, as God blessed us again and again with little gifts, wining and dining us so to speak, we trust that this was just time to relax, get our bearings, and have a little fun! Monday the work starts, so tomorrow is the last day of our bonus week. We found a little church out by Longview Lake we want to visit in the morning. The scripture the Lord gave me today as we sat out by the lake, having our sabbath with a picnic, enjoying Him, and listening to the acorns dropping out of the trees around us, was Isaiah 61:3.
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
They will be called "oaks of righteousness",
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
That's just what I feel He's been up to...giving me a garland instead of ashes...gladness instead of mourning, praise instead of fear. Rooted in love...giving me a firm foundation from which I will not be shaken in the days to come. Amen.