An Update from LaMar

Dear Friends,

I am a new creation in Christ Jesus! Old things pass away and all things become new!! Through the mercies and unending compassion of our heavenly Father this scripture is becoming a pillar of reality in my life. Many wonderful things happened last year and this letter is a highlight to give our Father praise.

I have so much to be thankful for and one of them is the unfolding revelation of God’s goodness, love and mercy. I have been working for a friend for about a year and have learned so much about repairing and painting houses inside and out. Last May I started my own business called Boschman Home Improvement. The new company keeps me busy with big and small jobs throughout the DFW and Houston areas. Hurricane Ike caused so much damage to roofs and fences that it will take years to get to everyone who needs repairs from the damage of that storm. Several roofing companies hire my company for the repair of everything below the roof. I have traveled to Houston many times and enjoy staying with friends.

Last summer I had the privilege to go to Florida for a little vacation and attend some of the revival in Lakeland.

While looking ahead at the horizon, I saw heaven kissing earth – a horizon of hope - it occurred to me that the love God has for all of us is endless and that nothing could ever take me, or you, away from God’s deepest and dearest affections. I used to bite into the lie that God’s love for me was because of something I did – lead people in worship or how much I studied or preached God’s word – but I have learned I cannot earn God’s favor or affection. He loves each of us not for what we can do for Him but because who we are – a special creation each unique - and He purposed to love us. His choice! His love has nothing to do with me. It is just His nature. God IS love!

When I returned from Florida my dad, Menno, and his new bride, Helena, came to visit me in Grapevine for a several days. We sang hymns of God’s faithfulness while I played the guitar. It was a joy to sing God’s praise with my father we each had tears in our eyes. Dad taught me to play the guitar when I was about twelve years old, so it meant a lot to both of us.

Jonathan, my oldest son, came to visit his grandpa several times while he was with me and it was a wonderful time. From Texas my father went to Mexico to meet his wife’s Mennonite family and see where she was raised. While he was there he became ill and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. Once again I saw the Lord’s healing hand touch him. He quickly recovered and is home safe and well in Canada.

Jonathan and Juliana are in the midst of job changes and enjoying this phase of their life. They have been such a good encouragement to me. Their care and love for their dad has been consistently affectionate.

Recently, Glen Roachelle, Tom Lane (executive senior pastor at Gateway Church, Southlake, TX) and myself visited about my pastoral needs. Glen has been like a father to me, keeping my feet to the fire and giving me correct perspectives. He has released me to pastor Tom since Tom is local and I am a member at Gateway. We all agreed I needed a local touch. Both men worked together with me for almost two years and have shown many expressions of generosity and love to me.

No words can express my unending gratitude to Glen for his pastoral leadership and the timely words of wisdom that he has imparted. He has been an excellent pastor and an extension of “the Father” to me.

Another highlight is my new companion Romeo. He is a beagle who thinks he is human. He sits in the passenger seat of my Jeep like a person and quietly watches the road. I enjoy watching him hunt squirrels, birds, raccoons, turtles and possums that come through my back yard. He sits next to me in his own Lazy-Boy chair and watches the Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys with me. Life’s simple pleasures mean so much.

There are so many wonderful and challenging things our Heavenly Father has shown me this year. Most of the marvelous wonders Jesus did for me these last two years has come through personal insights that I have never seen before which are meant to be shared at another time.

I personally want to thank you from the depths of my heart for standing with me and praying for me. There has been a deep work done in my heart and it continues. All of the props in my life have been removed so that all I have is Jesus. I can relate to Paul when he said, “I have learned to be content no matter what!” I have learned that Jesus is more than sufficient!

The revelations of God’s grace, the powerful blood of Jesus, the contentment I have found and the treasure of good friends are some of the greatest gifts.

I want to give special recognition to the friends and pastors who have encouraged me. I so appreciate your love, support and encouragement. God has richly blessed me through you all.

May you have a blessed and prosperous year!
LaMar