PRATT FAMILY BLOG: May 2012

Over the many years that Gary and I have lived in the Lawton/Ft. Sill community, we have attended MANY deployment and redeployment ceremonies. With each one, a tear always finds its way, trickling down my cheek, when the National Anthem is played and we witness the tearful goodbyes or the joyous reunions of families and friends of soldiers. My heart however, has never truly grasped the depth of those emotions until I stood in the stands waiting for our son to walk through the doors after a year in Afghanistan.

The anticipation building with every moment was electrifying.

I remember 6 years ago watching my son's expression as the doors opened to the sanctuary and he saw his bride walk through the doors. It was a picture that could only be captured through the lens of my heart. It was priceless. Equal to that photograph in my mind is the snapshot that I took when I saw Lisa's face as she watched with giddy anticipation for her soldier to walk through the doors at the SEC of Ft. Carson.

Then the music started and the booming lyrics of "I'm Proud To Be An American" began and the tears began to flow. I have reflected on that moment Two soldiers, among many, were being reunited. One had fought on the battlefield for my freedom, and the other had fought on the battlefield of the homefront to preserve the peace and freedom of my son's heart. I'm so grateful!

HE'S HOME! Thank you all for the many prayers you have prayed over the past year for Matt and Lisa!

Recently we had the incredible BeYOUtiful Girlfriend’s event. We had over 500 women in attendance, plus a few of our “boyfriends”! The evening was filled with great food, fellowship and FANTASTIC entertainment with the LFA Jersey Girls, not to mention the very entertaining Runway Fashion Show! Thanks to all of the models that participated, especially our AWESOME Pastors who were such great sports and who “lit the stage up”…………….LITERALLY. (of course I wouldn’t be referring to the board shortsJ) Our special guest, Lauren Nelson Faram was phenominal! She spoke to the hearts of every person attending, from the Little Girlfriends to the mature Girlfriends! It was such a great evening and I want to thank everyone that came together to make it one of our GREATEST Girlfriends events EVER!

Something else happened that I shared briefly about, but would like to share a little more in detail. In December of 2010 when I was diagnosed with cancer, I must be honest with you, I struggled with being able to see beyond my present circumstance. I had many questions! I had many concerns! I cried A LOT! One day I received a card from a dear friend and intercessor. It was dated December 23, 2010. It read:

“My dear friend Debbie: This morning I woke with you on my mind!:) The reason for that is because the Lord gave me a dream about you!

In the dream you were very excited about a new door of opportunity……ministry…….following the Lord to a new place. It was something I could tell by your words and countenance that it was a NEW work God was working in and through you!

The joy radiating from your face was WONDERFUL!!!

Also in the dream we were with a group of women walking into a room for an event…….not sure if it was a bible study or event…….BUT the point was that so many women kept coming in, more and more chairs had to be brought out and we the women of the church kept moving the chairs over to make room for more……..more……..and more!

Debbie, I am so honored that the Lord chose me to speak to my heart about you in the night watch………….to encourage you!! He knows the awesome journey you have walked so far and how THANKFUL & BLESSED you feel in your heart about the wonderful abundant blessings God has poured out upon you and yours to this very day…………….in the dream you expressed this too……….

How awesome it was to see that praise for the past and then to see the THRILL in your heart for the future!

I am excited and encouraged myself that the Lord Jesus allowed me to see a glimmer of “ALL” that is GOOD that He has worked!”

After receiving this encouraging, prophetic word, I referred to it many times during the difficult days of my TRUSTING journey. It gave me HOPE!

This friend did not know that we were scheduled to be ordained. Part of this prophesy concerning the NEW work God was going to do in and through me, was realized on April 26, 2011 when Gary and I were Ordained as ministers with the Assemblies of God.

The rest of the prophesy was fulfilled on Friday night, April 20, 2012, when at our BeYOUtiful event, we sold out and had to continue to add more and more and more chairs.