In honor of our anniversary

 In January, 2008 I went on my first ever date with a boy.  Derek took me to Chattanooga, treated me to a delicious meal at Sticky Fingers, guided me on a walking tour of the art district, and asked if he could pursue romantically.  He told me what he liked about me and that he would not ask to pursue me if he didn't hope that God would lead the relationship toward marriage one day. 

           

Later I wrote to my friend, "I like him for his character (as you know) and I like his personality and relational-ness, his love for God, and his cautiousness and carefulness towards me."

In February, 2008, my first ever valentines gift from a boy was a song that Derek wrote and sang for me as he played it on the piano.  It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard.  He said he had written for me while on Christmas break a couple months earlier.

I wrote, "I was blown away.  It was beautiful and inspiring and I couldn't believe it was supposed to be about me!"

June, 2008- (7 years ago) I wrote to my friend, " I just wanted to tell you about Derek and I, and how incredibly good it is. I really have tried to think objectively about everything and I've put a lot of thought into what would be wise and God honoring, and I really feel like God has smiled down on our relationship and made it perfect.  We talk about lots of different things, but one thing I appreciate so much about our conversations is that God and His sovereignty and providence is never too far from our thoughts or words as we talk."

In March, 2009, Derek again took me to our favorite places in Chattanooga.  Later that evening he asked me to marry him.

On June 19, 2009 (6 years ago today), I married my best friend in the world.  Derek is to date the kindest, most selfless person I have ever met, and I am still in awe that God would allow me to be his wife.  Our marriage has been the biggest blessing of my life.  What a joy it has been to serve God alongside Derek Dougherty!  

- Laura

Encouragement from Ezra 1

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Today I read the first chapter of Ezra and I was surprised by the encouragement that I found there relating to our support raising.  The chapter describes how God instructed Cyrus, the Persian king, to direct the rebuilding of the temple by sending some of the Israelites back to Jerusalem and instructing others to help them by providing goods and monetary help as well. 

Verses five and six say, "Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites--everyone whose heart God had moved--prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.  All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings." 

Obviously the return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple was a pretty different scenario than Derek and I going to Cusco as missionaries, but it was such an encouragement to hear how God ordained this to happen and orchestrated it, moving in people's hearts and enabling the whole process.  He knew His people would need help to do what He was asking of them and so He made it happen.

I LOVE when my Bible reading seems to randomly line up with the events and situations of my life.  I've been thinking for several days about studying Ezra because it is a book that I have not read through in a very long time.  What a blessing it has already turned out to be! 

- Laura

Benefit Concert and Silent Auction Coming Soon!

As we recently shared in our prayer letter, we're currently putting together a benefit concert that will be sponsored by several churches in our area.  The concert will be August 6th at 7PM at the Avon Theater in Birmingham.  We are thrilled to already have the Hymn Collective and Corey Nolen as well as musicians from Red Mountain Church, Cross Creek Church, Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church, Cornerstone PCA, and Covenant PCA all performing in the concert. The concert will be free, and we will just take up a love offering to help raise funds for our ministry in Peru.  We are so thankful for all of the help that so many people have already offered to make this event a success!  We're working on getting promotional materials together so that should be coming in the next couple of weeks. 

We are planning to offer childcare during the concert, so if that's something you'd be interested in helping with, let us know!

We're also organizing an online silent auction that will run from July 30th - August 6th.  We are asking friends and businesses to donate goods and services toward this auction so that all proceeds can help us get to Peru! Let us know if you'd like to help with this or donate something!

- Laura

The last bit of good news Jesus gave us

This morning I was encouraged by my reading of Matthew 28:18-20.  I am amazed at, motivated by and thankful for the clear command that Jesus gave his disciples to take the gospel to all nationalities in the world.  Up until now, the good news had for the most part reached only the Jewish people, and yet here the son of God Himself proclaims that it is for all people.  What good news!  And what reassurance are given in verse 18 and 20-

"all authority in heaven and earth" is at our Lord's disposal as He oversees our carrying out of this commission.

"I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Big sigh of relief there!)  I feel like a child being entrusted with the weightiest and most serious of tasks, only to find out that the king himself will be doing it with me.  Surely I cannot fail with Him by my side!

I'm so thankful to be able to join the harvest not only here in the Unites States, but also in South America (in person soon!) and in Asia and Europe (where we support other missionary works).