For 23 years I wore my father’s last name. I carried it like a seal and wore it proudly because it brought with it a legacy of honor and love. I’ve always loved being my father’s daughter and the way people recognized me as Eddie Hodges’ little girl. My father’s child.
It is the most beautiful feeling to be cherished by my father.
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
-2 Corinthians 1:21-22
On this earth our fathers are all different. I realize that I have been greatly blessed to have a father who loves me and that this is not the case for every child. But the one thing I know more than anything else is that our Heavenly Father loves us. He loves you more than any father on this Earth could ever love his child. You are His favorite and you wear His seal of ownership, receiving His inheritance and the legacy of His honor and love. Oh, how He loves you.
The most beautiful thing about our wedding day was that it was designed by our Father. Rain fell from the sky and quenched the thirst of the Earth and life flourished all around us. I stood beneath His painted sky as He caressed my face with His wind and we spoke the words that promised forever. We did not see each other before the wedding ceremony but we met at the corner of my house to pray together and we held hands and asked that God would give us a love like His love. Unconditional love. The kind that lasts forever.
We went on our honeymoon to Costa Rica. When we got to the beach where we were staying, the Lord sent us a sweet Costa Rican family to show us around the area. They were so kind to us and Costa Rica reminded us so much of home. We went zip lining, snorkeling, horseback riding, and we climbed a volcano, but above everything else we both agree that our favorite part was going to a Costa Rican church. We saw the church while we were riding on the bus and decided to go to the Sunday night service. We got there as the sun was setting and the church was empty. It was a colorful building not much larger than my bedroom and filled with plastic chairs. On the inside, it looked exactly like the churches we go to in Peru and we were immediately at home and welcomed by the Pastor. Similarly to Peru, all of the people showed up about 30 minutes late! It was so wonderful. The church was charming and unique and we sang to the Lord and lifted His name high in this small church on the beach in Costa Rica. We walked hand in hand back to our apartment that night and realized the great blessing that the Lord had just given us. Our first church service as a married couple had been a gift from Him- a wonderful and refreshing service in a small and beautiful church, not because of its appearance but because of the hearts of the people there. The service and worship all in Spanish was a reminder of His call on our lives and the passion He has put in our hearts for the Hispanic people and for missions.
We leave Monday for Peru. Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and your support. It means everything to us. Please continue to pray for us as we spend the next 6 weeks doing mission work in Peru. For the month of June we will be there by ourselves, listening for the voice of the Lord and seeking His direction each day. I can’t wait to post again and share what is going on this Summer with you guys! We love you so much and we are so thankful for you!
Remember, your Father in Heaven delights in you. You are His favorite and He has set his seal upon you. You are so very loved.
Love,
Ellyn
