Leslie and I fell in love around a Bible, a piano, and the vision for Ellerslie Discipleship Training. The vision for Ellerslie originated even before the two of us exchanged our vows. It has been a deep part of our lives together — a stirring that never left us throughout all those years leading up to the day we launched it.
It was the summer of 1978. The blazing summer sun beat down on the 35,000 excited people who had gathered near Salem, Oregon for the Jesus Northwest Festival. Campsites were overflowing with thousands of tents. The scene resembled a Christian version of a Woodstock hippie gathering. Excitement and chaos was in the air.
In a split second, my lively pace came to a halt when I heard a bloodcurdling shriek come from the valley to my right. The cool air of the early morning stood still as I looked around with wide eyes and paused to listen.
When Leslie and I were first married, I planned on entering med school. We were aiming to one day become medical missionaries. That was the plan.
The plan was certainly not to travel the world and speak on love and relationships.
I have a royal fascination for … royals. Lords and ladies, kings and queens — I love good, old-fashioned pomp and circumstance. I was the girl who was enthralled with Anastasia in my growing up years, and I may or may not have all of Queen Victoria’s diaries downloaded on my Kindle. With a recent royal wedding, I refrained from setting my alarm early to catch the details, but I thoroughly enjoyed snippets of the ceremony later on … when I was intrigued by a detail in the ceremony that deeply resonated with me.
Join the Set Apart Team as we reminisce on moments of past surrender and clearly see the significance of how yielding to Jesus not only directs our immediate steps, but gives us bright hope for the future as He continues to faithfully unfold every detail of our lives.