Laurie

How to I even begin to explain this woman to you?

Someone who carries Jesus so strongly it causes people fall down to the floor with one look. An artist. A literal and spiritual shepherd. A Mother. A teacher.

Her testimony is her own and maybe one day I will ask her to share it here for you all, but for now I will tell you how I see her. I met her in Mexico on a mission trip. She talked on the bus about some paintings she was doing, sheep and her word from the Lord for the trip. She seemed super knowledgeable and well known by the leaders of the organization. In contrast, there I was, knowing no one, having no idea what a "mission trip" entailed. I savored the quiet alone moment. I sat quietly soaking in all I was seeing and hearing. This was all so new to me. I had no expectations.

We toured the city surrounding our hotel and as we walked the street, loudly she proclaimed, "Ice cream my treat!" "Wow!" I thought as her exclamation agreed heavily with my love for ice cream and my body's opposition to the humid hot weather. "This is my type of woman!" Something about her exuded a love I had never felt as she bought me that ice cream cone. The way she looked at me was something I will never forget. Later on when the entire team dropped like flies from food poisoning, she was one of the only ones left standing. I laid on her lap as she stroked my hair, sang to me and prayed. On multiple days as I struggled to keep up, In little hand-packed Ziploc bags she gave me the assortment of vitamins she had packed neatly for each day of her trip. She shared with me her secret of daily communion for divine health, thus beginning a beautiful tradition of partaking together. We dove deep into scripture and took in sights side by side. During the trip she taught me to lay hands and heal though the power of Jesus. Stepping back herself, she encouraged me when I looked up at her with questioning eyes as I believed for miracles. It wasn't just those we laid hands on that we were commanding to walk, it mas me too. I had never felt the strength of my faith flex before. She pushed me and I saw growth. Today I walk naturally in the gift of healing. Its a part of me just as it is with her.

Over a year later, I was on a solo mission under persecution and she came to my rescue. Not satisfied with my daily distress calls and the ways in which we had dissected each situation, she came herself. On her own expense she flew thousands of miles only to be put in the boat alongside me. During her time there she was lied to and kept from praying and preaching. In the confusion and hurt we leaned on the Holy spirit together and grew in our understanding of the life Jesus walked. This life is not wrapped up neatly in a bow. Christianity has never been tidy, its bloody and hard sometimes, requiring true grit and reliance on God when things on this Earth make entirely no sense. That is why I am so thankful for Laurie. That is why I am so honored to call her my spiritual mother. She gave birth to me, travailing and pushing to bring me forth. She helped the Lord in His forming of me, she fed me on days when I was too weak to feed myself. I would call her and she would gladly give me her revelations from the Lord speaking directly to the places in me that needed it. Because of what she is to me I can do the same for others. That is what were called to, really. Isn't that the true picture of discipleship? It is an honest, raw relationship where we see others in light of the spirit then consequentially do whatever needs to be done to activate them in their part of the body of Christ. He is the potter and we are the clay. But sometimes, He will send you your very own potter.

***To learn more about Laurie and her mission work check out her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/laurie.ballgisch there you will see pictures, read testimonies and even get glimpses of her beautiful farm. To view and shop for her homemade products, pottery and artwork go to her business page at https://www.facebook.com/thelavenderfleece