About this Story....

Welcome to "Caterpillars to Butterflies." This is a narrative of our faith journey and the incredible transformation God performed in our lives from 2007 to 2009. It is a story of God's unwavering faithfulness and what happens when we choose to trust Him, regardless of how circumstances appear. Through hardships, struggles, loss, and confusion, God revealed Himself to my husband, Tom, and me. We learned invaluable lessons about letting go of our own logic and understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6), surrendering our personal goals, and embracing His eternal purpose for our lives. Ultimately, this journey revealed His redeeming and transforming love for us. We hope our story inspires you to nurture your own faith and deepen your relationship with Him, trusting in His faithfulness no matter what challenges you face. May our journey from caterpillars to butterflies encourage you on your path.

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Saturday, December 22, 2007

A Dream of Change and Renewal

I had another dream this morning—one full of movement, change, and divine revelation.


The Gathering at D & L’s House

A group of us gathered at D & L’s house for prayer and worship.

Except—it wasn’t their house anymore. It had become a place of business, and I noticed a new name on the building. They had sold it.

I was surprised at how quickly the new owners had put up their signage—had they prepared in advance?

As I watched, I saw D & L leaving with a few last items. They didn’t seem to acknowledge the gathering, but then—L stopped. It was like she heard something from the Lord.

She turned, looked straight at me, and walked toward me.

She said something that I later realized meant:

“D noticed something different about your form.”

This told her that something was wrong with me.

As she laid hands on me, I told her that there was something wrong with my tummy—but the doctors hadn’t figured out what.

She started praying, and as I joined in, I felt something happen.

🔸 My tummy jumped and flipped.
🔸 My right ear popped (again, the right side seems significant).
🔸 And I knew I was healed.


The Unexpected Gathering at Our Home

Then, Tom and I invited people to our house because we had received a couple of important dates—but we didn’t know what was supposed to happen on those days.

As people arrived, I was shocked—not by who came, but by who didn’t. The people we invited weren’t there, while others we hadn’t invited were.

Chaos filled the kitchen. People were helping themselves, throwing things out. I tried to salvage what I could but soon felt disconnected.

I wanted peace—a break from the unexpected activity.

So I left.


The Land Movers and the Leveled Sanctuary

As I walked down the street, I heard a thunderous noise.

A parade of enormous earth movers and bulldozers rumbled down the road.

I kept walking toward a place I considered my sanctuary, a refuge of peace. But when I arrived, I was shocked.

Everything had been plowed down.

The trees, the nature, the beauty—all of it, leveled.

The only thing left standing was the building I had been walking toward.

I felt a deep sense of loss—this place of peace, this refuge, was gone.


Revelation Upon Waking

When I woke up and reflected, I realized something strange—D & L were in wedding clothes.

🔸 D in a tuxedo
🔸 L in a wedding dress

Why? That had to be significant.

When I told Tom the dream, he asked me:

"What did you feel when you saw the land movers?"

I realized—not fear. Not anxiety. Just curiosity and amazement at their size. I didn’t think they had anything to do with me.

Then Tom shared his thoughts:

“I think this is the Lord plowing down everything we know and consider to be a place of peace, refuge, and safety—leveling it to build something new.”

“Sometimes in dreams, trees represent people. Maybe even some people will be removed from our lives as part of the new thing He is doing.”

And that’s when Isaiah 43:18-19 came to mind:

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Then, as I looked up the passage, I read the preceding verses (15-17):

"I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King. This is what the LORD says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick.”

It immediately reminded me of Exodus 14:13:

“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’”


A Prophetic Connection from 2005

Then, I remembered something from BK’s dream in March 2005:

“…But L visits Tom and Linda and prays over them and the work they are to do at this orphanage. I also think ‘God is most pleased with Tom and Linda, and their hearts before the Lord.’”


What Is God Saying?

This dream, these scriptures, and even BK’s dream all seem connected.

🔸 D & L in wedding clothesA new covenant? A transition? A symbolic passing of something?
🔸 The bulldozers leveling the landGod tearing down the “old” to build the “new”
🔸 The unexpected guestsGod orchestrating His plan in ways we don’t expect
🔸 The loss of “peaceful places”A call to trust Him beyond what feels comfortable
🔸 Healing in the dreamGod’s restoration in His timing

I don’t have all the answers yet, but I know one thing:

God is moving. He is making a way. And I will trust Him.

Friday, October 21, 2022

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Concerns, Convictions, and Trusting God’s Leading

After sharing my dreams with BK, she responded with serious concerns about where we are and what we are doing.

Her words carried deep emotion—even fear.


BK’s Response & Concerns

"I want you to know that J and I love you and Tom. But honestly, I am very frightened for you."

She acknowledged that fear isn’t from the Lord, but she still felt the dreams were a warning—a call for us to get back on track.

She pointed out key symbols from the dreams:

🔸 Using the left hand (which isn’t “right”)
🔸 Something wrong with my form
🔸 Things not happening as expected
🔸 Trying to salvage things in the kitchen
🔸 Earth movers and bulldozers leveling everything
🔸 Losing peace afterward
🔸 Right ear popping open after prayer, finally hearing clearly

Her prayerful plea was that it’s not too late for us to hear rightly from the Lord.


Seeking Clarity in Prayer

She misinterpreted some details in the dreams, but her sincerity and concern were real.

After reading her email together, Tom and I prayed again, asking the Lord:

"Is there anything here that we need to hear? To consider?"

She also mentioned that not paying our bills is wrong and that she doesn’t believe God “strips” us of anything.

But I wrestled with this...

Doesn’t God do whatever He needs to in order to shift our focus back to Him?

Maybe her focus is off, or maybe there’s something deeper that the Lord is trying to say through her.

Regardless, we decided to invite them for dinner and tell them the whole story from the beginning.

My prayer is that she will see—this isn’t about a disobedient, rebellious spirit.

This is God leading us.


2022 - insert from Linda;

E is still pregnant with our third grandbaby, M!

🔹 Our oldest is W
🔹 Our second is A
🔹 And now, waiting for M!

_________________________________________________________________

Still no baby yet! E went to the doctor yesterday—she’s only barely 1 cm dilated.

At this rate, she may have M on W’s birthday!


Conversations with Tom’s Family

Tom called his mom yesterday for his dad’s birthday.

In conversation, he mentioned that I’m working part-time from home now.

Naturally, she was surprised—and started asking questions.

Since I was in the kitchen, Tom deferred and told her to ask me about it.

I’ve been feeling convicted about not telling his family what we’re doing.

Tom and I talked and prayed for wisdom—when and how to share.

We’ve been waiting—hoping that God would do something first—so we could share the whole story with good news attached.

But it’s becoming clear...

It may not happen how we expect. Or when we expect.

We even feel like we should fly out there to tell them in person.

But for now—that’s in God’s hands.

Lord, help us keep our eyes on You, not our circumstances.


Today’s Hope Journal: Revelation 1-4

Reading about Jesus’ words to the seven churches, something stood out:

🔹 He describes Himself differently to each church.

1️⃣ "Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the lampstands."
2️⃣ "The First and the Last, who died and came to life again."
3️⃣ "The One with the sharp, double-edged sword."
4️⃣ "The Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire, feet like burnished bronze."
5️⃣ "Him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars."
6️⃣ "The One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David."
7️⃣ "The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation."

It’s like He was revealing different aspects of Himself to each church.

And I love this thought—

He could have gone on and on... but He ran out of churches! Lol!

Yes, Lord!

🔹 You are The First and the Last.
🔹 You died and came to life again.
🔹 Your eyes blaze like fire, and Your feet are like bronze.
🔹 You are holy and true.
🔹 You are faithful and the ruler of all creation.
🔹 You are the Alpha and the Omega.
🔹 You are the Son of God, who holds the key of David.

Amen!

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Friday, December 28, 2007

Surrender, Sacrifice, and Trusting God's Provision

God is good! Thank you, Jesus, for another day to serve You.


Dinner with J & B – A Difference in Perspective

Last night, we had dinner with J and B to share our story.

We had a good time, but it was not what we expected.

They did not see what we were hoping they would.

Instead, they kept getting stuck on the "stuff"

🔹 "God wouldn’t take away your home."
🔹 "God doesn’t 'strip' us of things, only the enemy does that."

We listened with open hearts and minds, but their words contradicted what we feel God is telling us.


Our Conviction: Letting Go & Trusting Completely

We are not being forced into this.

We are choosing to surrender.

We are choosing to let go of everything for Him.

It is all His anyway.

We no longer see value in things the way we used to.

We are choosing to live the life He desires for us
Not clinging to earthly possessions but relying completely on Him.


The "Sticking" Point – Unpaid Bills

The biggest struggle in our conversation was about not paying certain bills.

Yes, we have been paying everything
Except what God told us He would take care of.

Even we struggled with this.

We wanted to pay something... but felt that doing so would be calling God a liar.

So, we have restrained ourselves.

If we are wrong, we acknowledge that these debts are ours,
and we will do what is necessary to make them right.


Preparing for Our Conversation with the Pastor & His Wife

I somehow feel like our time with them will go the same way.

Lord, if we are missing something, please open our eyes.

If they are missing something, please open theirs.

I want to lay a foundation of prayer

That we all hear YOUR voice, not our own or the enemy’s.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Waiting, Trusting, and Listening to God's Voice

Still no baby.

Father, I pray that Your hand will be on E. Hold her and comfort her during this waiting time. I pray that she gets the rest she needs so she can birth this child with no complications. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


A Conversation with CT – Concern & Isolation

CT called yesterday to wish me a Happy New Year and check in. I shared about our dinner with J and B and the dreams I have been having. She said that several people are at a loss for what to do with us. They love us and are concerned

When I told her about the dream with the ropeshe thought that maybe the rope represents what God is doing in our livessince only I could see it. As for her part in the dream, she said one of her biggest concerns is how this financial situation will affect our ministryShe fears the enemy will use this to snuff it outand that’s why she was so angry in the dream.

It was good to talk with her again. I haven’t had a chance to really talk with someone in a while. Maybe that’s why I have been feeling so isolated and withdrawn lately.


1 Kings 13 – Will We Listen to Men or God?

Thinking about our upcoming meeting with the pastor and his wife, the Lord brought 1 Kings 13 to mind. I do respect them and know that God uses thembut I also anticipate they will encourage us to listen to them as Pastors with authority over usrather than listening to what we feel God has told us. 

That’s when I thought of this story. A Prophet from Judah was given a direct command from the Lord— Do not eat or drink there. Do not return home the way you came. But another Prophet heard about this, rode after him, and invited him to his home. The first Prophet refused, saying, "The Word of the Lord instructed me not to eat or drink here." But the second Prophet replied, "I too am a prophet, and an angel told me by the word of the Lord to bring you back to eat and drink." (But he was lying to him.) The first Prophet listened to the man instead of God— and it did not end well for him! This story makes me wonder...  Sometimes God tests us to see if we will remain faithful to His voice—even when others, even spiritual leaders, tell us something different. Will we listen to menOr will we listen to God?


Standing Firm in Faith – Hebrews 10:35-38

I keep coming back to the scripture He gave us:

“So do not throw away your confidence;
it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that
when you have done the will of God,
you will receive what He has promised.

For in just a little while,
‘He who is coming will come and will not delay.’
But my righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”

“But we are NOT of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
but of those who believe and are saved.”


A Prayer for Clarity & Conviction

Lord, we desire to follow You with our whole heartsWe know that NOTHING is impossible for You. If we are missing somethingplease make it clearIf we are off trackplease correct usIf we are in error—whether due to pride, deception, or misunderstanding—please, Lord, Knock us upside the head! Speak loudly to our deaf ears! Make us hear You clearly! We want to follow You alone, no matter what it costs. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


2022 Reflection – A Personal Revelation

At some point in this journey, I kept praying and asking God:

"Did I miss something?"
"Did I hear You wrong?"

Then one day, He spoke so clearly to my heart:

"Linda, I knit you together in your mother’s womb.
I know every hair on your head. And I KNOW how to speak to you
so that you will hear Me!"

Whoa.

That revelation has given me SO much peace over the years. He knows me so well— He knows exactly how to speak to me so that I will hear HimSince then, I haven’t worried about that as much... (LOL—but still working on it!).