The River, fullness and Heidi – Sept 11, 2022
I’ve been dreaming significant, intense dreams since returning to Canada. I’ll share them with you as I can. This dream is not just for me and it reminds me of the 1990’s Vineyard song, “The River is Here.” I’m pretty sure it’s on YouTube. Now my dreams often have a significant Iris or Alpha leader in them, since I was involved in both movements (and we have always loved the Alpha Course in different formats (prison, seniors’ homes, churches, community centres). Iris will always be a part of my life, just like I have a history with Catch the Fire, Vineyard and the Baptist and Anglican Churches. I’m not surprised when symbols from these movements and churches are shown. It would be the same in your own dreams. Yet, Heidi Baker is often shown as she is: full of joy, faith, hard work, perseverance and LOVE. She’s someone who is intent on obedience to the Holy Spirit and is sensitive to his leading. So, when Heidi (or her husband Rolland) shows up, I pay attention.
Here is the dream: I had an intense dream full of colours, tastes and sounds. I was quite mobile (not like I currently am in waking life), and I was working with Heidi Baker on the side of a lovely little stream. There were people who were worshipping and doing a dance in the stream. Heidi told me that I could take a break from the grunge work that I was happy to do with her. She told me that I needed to drink deeply and that I could only work and minister by filling up again. She gave me one of her sweet smiles, and a hug.
So I walked just a bit further down the stream to find a spot where you could walk over the stream via stepping stones. However, the stream began to run faster, deeper and wider. I managed to barely get across, before the stones were underwater, and the current of the now river was running fast.
The little dancing worship team continued to worship and dance in the shallows, where they welcomed me. Then the river again grew even wider and more and more of my team members were carried by the current. They weren’t afraid, but they were full of joy. I laughed as my teammates received. I continued to splash, just glad to be mobile and worship without having to sit down. The river was filling me with life.
As the river grew, you could hear Heidi’s voice over the water, saying, “Thank you, Lord. Thank you. We are so thirsty.”
The river is coming. The tide is turning towards us. Are you ready? Let’s pray to become thirsty.
Lord, I ask for those who are reading, as well as myself, that we become thirsty for you. Please soften our hearts to receive your life-giving rain, your Holy Spirit. Give us new wineskins to hold your new wine. Prepare us for a wonderful outpouring from you. Refresh us, as we wait on you for assignments, or as we are currently in an assignment for you. Refresh the new believers to give them extra grace to grow well in your kingdom. And prepare us for the day when many prodigals return and new people come to faith in You. Give us dreams and visions to guide us, and may your scripture come alive to us as we read your story and the story of your people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you have been blessed by this article, please let us know!
Updates: For those looking for news, Tony continues his immunotherapy infusions at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Tony had his CT scan recently, but we are waiting on an oncology consult in October to check how the tumour has responded to the immunotherapy (after four treatments). His fifth infusion is in early October as well. Otherwise, he will continue for some time (years??). We are thankful that his side effects are minimal compared to how chemo was with L-A three years ago.
We are thankful for the skills of Tony’s doctors, and that the tumour in Tony’s lung lining shrinks and even disappears. Thanks for coming alongside in encouragement and prayer.
Laurie-Ann is being monitored for hot flashes but cannot yet take hormone replacement therapy due to her past with breast cancer. Perhaps her oncologist will clear it, but there are other ways to treat this menopause left-over. She continues to receive compression therapy for lymphedema but we cannot afford lymphedema massage treatment or physiotherapy due to lack of finances. We are trying to get a disability pension for L-A, but it’s extremely difficult, and even her spine MRI from Worcester, SA is being questioned. The disability pension would morph into an old age pension, so we’re wondering if it will be worth the effort for less than four years (L-A is 61 and will be eligible at age 65 if the age isn’t raised to 67). But we will manage with the Lord’s help, and we are thankful for living at L-A’s dad’s home while we care for him (he is 93, frail, with vascular dementia and incontinence). During this time, while we are in Toronto to care for my dad, we three actually take care of each other.
If you feel led to contribute towards medications, hospital parking, hospital travel expenses, and perhaps lymphedema treatments for L-A, this would be most welcome. Not everything is covered under Tony’s senior drug plan and OHIP, but don’t feel obligated. But meanwhile, all L-A’s teachings and articles are online for free to bless you. Here is our Paypal for any of you who feel led to contribute: https://www.paypal.me/WaystogrowinGod
Laurie-Ann’s Colouring Books: If you are in South Africa, and would like to purchase one of L-A’s colouring books, some are available at LeRoux and Fourie wine shop on R60 beside Cape Lime. This is west of Robertson in Western Cape. Or you can have your own copies printed for you through Print on Demand through Takealot.com.
Link for Colouring with Jesus 1: https://www.takealot.com/colouring-with-jesus/PLID68586424
Link for Colouring with Jesus 2: https://www.takealot.com/colouring-with-jesus-2/PLID72991486
We plan to republish the updated books in North American format (and in English only) in the future (after taking care of family).
L-A is beginning to imagine writing other books, so watch this blog for more info when it comes. Right now she is learning how to write in that format (and may rewrite Holy Ghost Sommelier as well). Here is a little tidbit. Did you know that it’s now the current writing fashion to write shorter books? We guess that L-A’s story (and perhaps Ways to Grow in God), will be shorter in the future. Hmmm. We wonder if that applies to sermons, haha. It depends on which church you attend!
Meanwhile, my colouring sheets are available to children’s ministries for free; please send us your email address and let us know you would like some. Bless you, and thank you for your prayers and support!
Love, Laurie-Ann
Ways to Grow in God 
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