Brought to Belleview: The Visit to the Bluffs

     Belleview is an unincorporated community just a short distance from the Mississippi River.  Our first impression of the community was the shallow perception that there is nothing there for us.  Shopping was few and far between.  As we were allowed into the parsonage for our stay, we quickly compared our home to this place where the pastor stays.  With three kids in tow, we were quick to write off Belleview as the place for us.  The surrounding bluffs provided a wonderful and beautiful view, but we just couldn't find it within ourselves to choose this place, this house for us.  As day turned tonight and after had we enjoyed the delicious meal provided to us by the members of the church, I strolled over to the wood stove and lit a small fire to sit by on this bitterly cold night.  The thoughtful church members placed a television with some family movies for the kids along with some toys to play with to keep them occupied.  April and I sat in the living room and discussed what we thought so far.  This house would be asking us to give up a lot.  Were we willing to make that sacrifice?  As we readied the kid for bed and April went to the bedroom to sleep, I lingered behind by the wood stove for a quiet time of study and prayer for the next days service.  I opened the door to glance outside into the darkness.  There were no lights, save for a small light radiating from the house next door.  I glanced towards the partly cloudy skies and prayed just softly aloud, "Lord, only you know what is best for us.  We are in your hands."
     Sleep for me was short lived.  I woke up before the sun even began its tinting of the early morning hours.  I struggled to make sense of my direction in the darkness.  When my bearings had been gathered, I slowly ventured into the family room and at that moment, I felt a sharp searing pain rush through my shoulders.  I frantically reached for the light switch with one hand and held the painful shoulder with the other.  The light revealed to my surprise a wasp which had stung me twice.  I reached into the freezer and picked up a large cube of ice and placed in on the area where the fierce wasp had viciously stung me.  I picked up the Bible and began perusing through the notes and the text for the day's sermon and mumbled to myself that I will never return. 
     The service was fantastic.  The people were very receptive.  We enjoyed the presence of the Holy Spirit as He met with us in that small white church in the bluffs just a few hundred yards from the parsonage where we stayed.  A potluck dinner followed that morning service.  One thing for sure, these people knew how to cook.  I made my way through the small crowd that had gathered in the Lord's house that day and stayed for the potluck to meet them and to properly introduce myself to them.  They were curious to know more about me.  I answered any questions that they had for me.  It was a very friendly church.  The time had come for us to begin our journey back to eastern Illinois.  We gathered the kids and prepared them for the trip back home.  I bid farewell to the friendly group that we were now leaving.  As I shook their hands, one of the gentleman placed a check into my hands.  I quickly stuffed it into my pocket and continued with my farewells.  As I shook each hand, my mind was telling me that was the last time I would see them.  We pointed our van east, toward home and prayed a prayer for our safe travels.  I smiled at my wife and squeezed her hands.  She looked at me and said something which left me speechless.  I gazed into the mid-wintery bright blue sky with not a cloud in sight and pondered the last 24 hours among the bluffs: the living quarters, the wasp sting, and the morning's service and the potluck which followed.  What was she thinking when she told said that.  She said it with such confidence and conviction.  On that journey home, I replayed her words over and over in my mind.  Could she be right?  It was an image being replayed so vividly and crystal clear in my mind.  When we left Ohio, she told me she could see us in that church.  When we left Belleview, she told me, "God will lead us here".  How profound.