Hello all,
I have not fallen off the face of the planet I promise! The last few weeks at work have been hectic, hectic, hectic. My sweet boss has had so many trips back and forth and my job is just to get her ready and go. :-)
The first week of december my dad and I talked and decided that financially it was just not a wise thing for me to head over to Bots for Christmas. The ticket would have been 3x's what it normally is and though it would have been nice, we just felt it was not great stewardship of God's resources.
So last saturday morning, I got up before the sun and drove from Dallas to Nashville. It was a long drive with an hour stuck in traffic with the car turned off and talking on the phone. But I made it safely to my sweet friend Annie's home. We have been friends since our childhood in Kenya, living a good portion of that childhood side by side, so any time spent with her is a special gift.
I got up on Sunday morning (though I did let the sun get up before me this time) and continued my trek to Burlington, North Carolina where my aunt and uncle (on my dad's side) reside. My granny had already been there for a few days, so it was a great reunion.
Christmas Day was great! My cousin showed up from a long trek himself and we all had a great time together.
The AHA gives us an entire week of for Christmas so I have stayed on here and enjoyed spending time with my aunt (discovering just how alike we are is fun and sometimes scary) and granny.
I leave tomorrow morning back to Nashville, where I will see the New Year in with my Annie girl....I can't wait!
Hope that your Christmas season has been just as wonderfully blessed as mine!
Love to all!!
See you in the New Year!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
The Giving of Thanks
Going into the holidays is one of the most difficult times of the year for me. As a TCK it is a fact of life that my heart is in several different pieces and has its place on several different continents, however, during the holidays those feelings are magnified a thousand times over.
This year is no different. The past few weeks have been a struggle with my coming to terms with the fact that once again it doesn’t matter where I am, I am far away from those I love.
Then I took a step back and decided to try the “thankful” route. Starting a prayer with “Lord, thank you for….” and going from there always helps me know just how incredibly blessed I am, and more than not pulls me from the doldrums that threaten to take over if I am not careful.
My prayer this week started like this…I pray that it brings hope to you wherever you may be in your walk.
“Lord, thank You that I am breathing. I realize that every breath that I take in is not only a miracle, but it is mercy from Your hand, and that every breath I breathe out is simply Your grace imparted on my life.
Thank you that I can get out of bed in the morning. Even when my brain is tired from lack of sleep that comes from an unfaithful lack of trust, You still bless me with energy and sufficient muscle combinations to get out of bed.
Thank You for blankets that keep me warm through the night, so many are cold this morning.
Thank You for clean running water and electricity that is on as long as I pay the bills (thank You for the money to do so). I know these are conveniences that not everyone is blessed with and I confess that I so often take them for granted.
Thank you for creating animals to have as companions. Thanks for giving me a cat that wakes me up with a warm purr every morning, even when I do not want him too. His antics make me laugh out loud and he is a blessing from You.
Thank You for my cute little car, Cecil. Thank You that not only does he run smoothly and get me from place to place, but that you gave me the type of car that I had wanted for such a long time. Thank You for knowing and granting the details.
Thank You that all the lights were green this morning, and that You granted me safety on my way to work. Thank You for the patience to sit in traffic when every single one is red.
Lord, thank You for an amazing job that I so do not deserve and for a boss that inspires me daily and is so incredibly kind and pleasant to work for. Thank You for granting me favor in her eyes. Help me to serve her today in the same way that I would serve You.
Thank You for my coworker friends who make me laugh, and encourage me. Thank You that they listen to me rant when I am frustrated and encourage me when I am low. Thank You for what they teach me and help me to learn. Thank you for a work environment that is safe, clean and, even on the long days, worth it.
Thank You for food that you have blessed me with throughout the day. I confess that I do not always eat what is good for me, forgive me when I put gross junk into Your temple.
Thank You for the beauty of the sunset I get to watch on my way home at night, or in the winter time the beauty of the moon as it rises. How different this world would be if You had created it in only monochromatic colors.
Thank You for friends to talk to on the phone even if they live far away, and thank You for the friends that live close by. Forgive me for not taking more time to live life with them. They are all so incredibly wonderful and offer friendship and love that I do not always deserve.
Thank You for an incredible apartment to come home to. It is warm and clean, and in a safe neighborhood. So many people cannot claim these luxuries and I confess that I do not always see them as such.
Thank you for the fact that even though I am always way too far away from people in my life, whether they be in Africa, Europe, Asia, or the USA that I still have them in my life. Thank You for the roles they played in the season that we were actually in the same place at the same time, and for the roles they play now even though we are so far apart. God I ask for Your blessings to pour out on them. For those of them that do not know You, may they find You, for those that do may they rejoice in the knowledge of You.
Thank You for my family, both blood related and God related. Each one is a gift from you, thank You for the relationships I have with each one.
Thank You most of all for the gift of Your Son. Without Him my life has absolutely no meaning, hope, joy, peace, or purpose. Please forgive me when I allow my selfishness to get in the way of remembering that.
Thank You for walking through my day with me. Bless those I love who are laying their heads down at the end of a long day, bless their sleep and their dreams, and bless those just starting into what is my tomorrow in far away places, keep them safe and bring us together soon.
I love you, Lord!
Amen
This year is no different. The past few weeks have been a struggle with my coming to terms with the fact that once again it doesn’t matter where I am, I am far away from those I love.
Then I took a step back and decided to try the “thankful” route. Starting a prayer with “Lord, thank you for….” and going from there always helps me know just how incredibly blessed I am, and more than not pulls me from the doldrums that threaten to take over if I am not careful.
My prayer this week started like this…I pray that it brings hope to you wherever you may be in your walk.
“Lord, thank You that I am breathing. I realize that every breath that I take in is not only a miracle, but it is mercy from Your hand, and that every breath I breathe out is simply Your grace imparted on my life.
Thank you that I can get out of bed in the morning. Even when my brain is tired from lack of sleep that comes from an unfaithful lack of trust, You still bless me with energy and sufficient muscle combinations to get out of bed.
Thank You for blankets that keep me warm through the night, so many are cold this morning.
Thank You for clean running water and electricity that is on as long as I pay the bills (thank You for the money to do so). I know these are conveniences that not everyone is blessed with and I confess that I so often take them for granted.
Thank you for creating animals to have as companions. Thanks for giving me a cat that wakes me up with a warm purr every morning, even when I do not want him too. His antics make me laugh out loud and he is a blessing from You.
Thank You for my cute little car, Cecil. Thank You that not only does he run smoothly and get me from place to place, but that you gave me the type of car that I had wanted for such a long time. Thank You for knowing and granting the details.
Thank You that all the lights were green this morning, and that You granted me safety on my way to work. Thank You for the patience to sit in traffic when every single one is red.
Lord, thank You for an amazing job that I so do not deserve and for a boss that inspires me daily and is so incredibly kind and pleasant to work for. Thank You for granting me favor in her eyes. Help me to serve her today in the same way that I would serve You.
Thank You for my coworker friends who make me laugh, and encourage me. Thank You that they listen to me rant when I am frustrated and encourage me when I am low. Thank You for what they teach me and help me to learn. Thank you for a work environment that is safe, clean and, even on the long days, worth it.
Thank You for food that you have blessed me with throughout the day. I confess that I do not always eat what is good for me, forgive me when I put gross junk into Your temple.
Thank You for the beauty of the sunset I get to watch on my way home at night, or in the winter time the beauty of the moon as it rises. How different this world would be if You had created it in only monochromatic colors.
Thank You for friends to talk to on the phone even if they live far away, and thank You for the friends that live close by. Forgive me for not taking more time to live life with them. They are all so incredibly wonderful and offer friendship and love that I do not always deserve.
Thank You for an incredible apartment to come home to. It is warm and clean, and in a safe neighborhood. So many people cannot claim these luxuries and I confess that I do not always see them as such.
Thank you for the fact that even though I am always way too far away from people in my life, whether they be in Africa, Europe, Asia, or the USA that I still have them in my life. Thank You for the roles they played in the season that we were actually in the same place at the same time, and for the roles they play now even though we are so far apart. God I ask for Your blessings to pour out on them. For those of them that do not know You, may they find You, for those that do may they rejoice in the knowledge of You.
Thank You for my family, both blood related and God related. Each one is a gift from you, thank You for the relationships I have with each one.
Thank You most of all for the gift of Your Son. Without Him my life has absolutely no meaning, hope, joy, peace, or purpose. Please forgive me when I allow my selfishness to get in the way of remembering that.
Thank You for walking through my day with me. Bless those I love who are laying their heads down at the end of a long day, bless their sleep and their dreams, and bless those just starting into what is my tomorrow in far away places, keep them safe and bring us together soon.
I love you, Lord!
Amen
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Adventure of Tigpan o’r the past few weeks
Orlando/Daytona
AHA Scientific Sessions is a week of over 25, 000 (that is right THOUSAND) cardiologist, cardio-nurses, and cardiac research scientists all coming together to learn from each other, find out new techniques, discover new tools for surgery and treatments,etc etc etc. People tried to tell me but I could not fathom what I saw when I got there. The exhibit hall alone was astounding. State of art technology helped demonstrate state of the art cardio-technology. Outside of the exhibit hall, Drs and research scientists were giving lectures, presenting their case studies and the development of them, meetings were going on between pharmaceutical companies (the ones with the money) and councils (the ones with the brains), there I was in the middle of it all….running back and forth helping several different departments as well as supporting my fabulous boss! It was an incredible week….I have attached my favorite photo from the week, one that I think would be a wonderful theme for a missions conference!
From there I was supposed to head down to Ft.Lauderdale and Miami, but due to circumstances was not able to make that journey. I was however able to spend a short period of time with my family in Daytona. What a blessing that was to me. Relationships are hard to develop anytime, but throw a dozen years of living on separate continents and that difficulty increases. However, I am blessed to have a family that keeps trying and am enjoying the relationships I am getting to build as an adult.
BTW, check out my cousin’s little one….she will be the next great photographer in the family!
Back to Texas, and a whirlwind of a couple of weeks. Coming out of Sessions, my boss had a myriad of meetings that needed to be set up between now and the end of the year. Throw in an already packed schedule, the packed schedules of other people to be involved in these meetings, two holiday weeks and a partridge in a pear tree and you have a flurry of emails back and forth, time negotiating and flights to book….but thankful, through His Grace alone, it is all done!
Last Saturday I had the wonderful joy of getting to spend a few short hours with my friend’s Lance and Amy Auterson. We have known each other since our prisoner days in Springfield, Misery, and they now serve as Missionaries to France. They had been gone from the US for 4 years, and in those years proceeded to produce two absolutely adorable chirren’ (to use Lance’s phrasing). What a blessing to hear about their ministry, their family and to get to hug and kiss those two adorable little ones.
I think you are caught up. I have a few family news items to share, but will post that next time as this has been long.
Blessings!
AHA Scientific Sessions is a week of over 25, 000 (that is right THOUSAND) cardiologist, cardio-nurses, and cardiac research scientists all coming together to learn from each other, find out new techniques, discover new tools for surgery and treatments,etc etc etc. People tried to tell me but I could not fathom what I saw when I got there. The exhibit hall alone was astounding. State of art technology helped demonstrate state of the art cardio-technology. Outside of the exhibit hall, Drs and research scientists were giving lectures, presenting their case studies and the development of them, meetings were going on between pharmaceutical companies (the ones with the money) and councils (the ones with the brains), there I was in the middle of it all….running back and forth helping several different departments as well as supporting my fabulous boss! It was an incredible week….I have attached my favorite photo from the week, one that I think would be a wonderful theme for a missions conference!
From there I was supposed to head down to Ft.Lauderdale and Miami, but due to circumstances was not able to make that journey. I was however able to spend a short period of time with my family in Daytona. What a blessing that was to me. Relationships are hard to develop anytime, but throw a dozen years of living on separate continents and that difficulty increases. However, I am blessed to have a family that keeps trying and am enjoying the relationships I am getting to build as an adult.
BTW, check out my cousin’s little one….she will be the next great photographer in the family!
Back to Texas, and a whirlwind of a couple of weeks. Coming out of Sessions, my boss had a myriad of meetings that needed to be set up between now and the end of the year. Throw in an already packed schedule, the packed schedules of other people to be involved in these meetings, two holiday weeks and a partridge in a pear tree and you have a flurry of emails back and forth, time negotiating and flights to book….but thankful, through His Grace alone, it is all done!
Last Saturday I had the wonderful joy of getting to spend a few short hours with my friend’s Lance and Amy Auterson. We have known each other since our prisoner days in Springfield, Misery, and they now serve as Missionaries to France. They had been gone from the US for 4 years, and in those years proceeded to produce two absolutely adorable chirren’ (to use Lance’s phrasing). What a blessing to hear about their ministry, their family and to get to hug and kiss those two adorable little ones.
I think you are caught up. I have a few family news items to share, but will post that next time as this has been long.
Blessings!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
New Blog
My heart can never quite contain the joy I feel when I get an email or phone call letting me know I or my family have been lifted to the Father in prayer. I believe that that is where the battles of this life are won I am so thankful for those who choose to join me even for a moment on the battle front.
My mom sends out an update every Sunday to friends and family, and I have often shared her letters here on this blog. After so many questions and notes of encouragement, I have created a blog especially for just those updates. It will mostly be updated on Sunday's, but will be full of the life and ministry of my family. It is entitled "News from where my heartbeats" Because anyone who knows me knows that it beats so far away from where I currenly sit. You can find it at mtuwakazi.blogspot.com Mtuwakazi literally translated means "man of work" and is the direct translation of our last name "Workman."
I hope you enjoy it!
Love to you all...
My mom sends out an update every Sunday to friends and family, and I have often shared her letters here on this blog. After so many questions and notes of encouragement, I have created a blog especially for just those updates. It will mostly be updated on Sunday's, but will be full of the life and ministry of my family. It is entitled "News from where my heartbeats" Because anyone who knows me knows that it beats so far away from where I currenly sit. You can find it at mtuwakazi.blogspot.com Mtuwakazi literally translated means "man of work" and is the direct translation of our last name "Workman."
I hope you enjoy it!
Love to you all...
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Botswana Update
**Weekly update from my mom**
Dear Loved Ones,
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. The last couple of weeks have been hard for us.
Steve flew to the States about a week and a half ago. We have been monitoring Devin from this side and began to be concerned about his lack of progress healthwise. We talked with Jon Konnerup and our sending pastor and they agreed that one of us needed to come to see what the situation was. When Steve arrived, Devin had been diagnosed with pneumonia again. That is the fourth time since last year. After talking with his doctor and his deans at Liberty, it was decided that Devin would take a medical withdrawal. This was a hard decision for all of us but most of all for Devin who has been doing his best to adjust to America, adjust to college life and relationships all the while struggling with some serious health issues. Would you pray that God will help us to get the right help for him? We have already talked with the doctors on this side and they are working on a plan to build his immune system and then go from there.
Transitioning is a very hard process for all missionaries. We spend a lot of our lives preparing ourselves to be in another place. Once we arrive on the field we try to get adjusted and then we have to begin to prepare to go Stateside. We aren’t stateside very long before we have to prepare to come back. It is a strenuous process spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Some people work through it fairly well, others never get through it successfully. Please pray with us that God will help Devin as he comes back and that Devin will receive the help that God has for him.
Sometimes when the pastor is away, strange things can happen in church. This morning, we had our time that we set aside each Sunday for prayer requests and praises. All of a sudden, Rahab gets up and RUNS to the front of the service. I’m thinking WHAT IS SHE DOING?!?!? I have never seen Rahab run in the four years we have known her. Most of the time, I have seen her on her back either at home or in the hospital. She gets to the front and says that God has healed her and she has been swimming every day this week for 2 km. which is basically the equivalent of a mile a day. Our people were shouting to see her RUN up there. For all that He has done, we THANK HIM.
There are still many lost souls in Botswana and many young Christians who need to grow in Him and learn to make wise choices for their lives. We are counting on your prayers.
Reaching the Unreached
The Workmans
Dear Loved Ones,
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. The last couple of weeks have been hard for us.
Steve flew to the States about a week and a half ago. We have been monitoring Devin from this side and began to be concerned about his lack of progress healthwise. We talked with Jon Konnerup and our sending pastor and they agreed that one of us needed to come to see what the situation was. When Steve arrived, Devin had been diagnosed with pneumonia again. That is the fourth time since last year. After talking with his doctor and his deans at Liberty, it was decided that Devin would take a medical withdrawal. This was a hard decision for all of us but most of all for Devin who has been doing his best to adjust to America, adjust to college life and relationships all the while struggling with some serious health issues. Would you pray that God will help us to get the right help for him? We have already talked with the doctors on this side and they are working on a plan to build his immune system and then go from there.
Transitioning is a very hard process for all missionaries. We spend a lot of our lives preparing ourselves to be in another place. Once we arrive on the field we try to get adjusted and then we have to begin to prepare to go Stateside. We aren’t stateside very long before we have to prepare to come back. It is a strenuous process spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Some people work through it fairly well, others never get through it successfully. Please pray with us that God will help Devin as he comes back and that Devin will receive the help that God has for him.
Sometimes when the pastor is away, strange things can happen in church. This morning, we had our time that we set aside each Sunday for prayer requests and praises. All of a sudden, Rahab gets up and RUNS to the front of the service. I’m thinking WHAT IS SHE DOING?!?!? I have never seen Rahab run in the four years we have known her. Most of the time, I have seen her on her back either at home or in the hospital. She gets to the front and says that God has healed her and she has been swimming every day this week for 2 km. which is basically the equivalent of a mile a day. Our people were shouting to see her RUN up there. For all that He has done, we THANK HIM.
There are still many lost souls in Botswana and many young Christians who need to grow in Him and learn to make wise choices for their lives. We are counting on your prayers.
Reaching the Unreached
The Workmans
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The "but nots" of our heart
It has been a while since I blogged. Thank you so much for the many of you that have emailed or called to check on me and mine. I am so grateful for friends like you!
Over the past few months my family has been through quite a battle …one that is not over yet. However, I would like to share with you something that the Lord has given to me as a promise to cling to during this time.
This wonderful truth first came from Eric Mason, a pastor in inner city Philadelphia. He preached at our church a few weeks ago and since that time the Lord has brought his words back to my mind again and again; and, as He always does when he wants us to learn something, He has affirmed them in several other situations.
Eric was preaching on brokenness….something I will share more details of in an upcoming blog…but one point that he made that was so striking to me was the “but nots” of the Bible. For example in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” And in looking at the life of Job, the Lord allowed the enemy to do whatever he wanted to Job, “but not” take his life. Eric put it so poignantly when he said the “but nots” of the Word are the backstage passes to our soul that only the Lord has issue and access too. Beautiful!
The Lord may use the enemy and his attack as a conduit to His will, but He is still in control and will only allow the enemy to go so far.
This promise of the Word has been so incredibly true and perfect in my heart these past few months.
The recent release of Mercy Me’s “Bring the Rain” also came at an apropos time. I will leave you with the lyrics:
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Over the past few months my family has been through quite a battle …one that is not over yet. However, I would like to share with you something that the Lord has given to me as a promise to cling to during this time.
This wonderful truth first came from Eric Mason, a pastor in inner city Philadelphia. He preached at our church a few weeks ago and since that time the Lord has brought his words back to my mind again and again; and, as He always does when he wants us to learn something, He has affirmed them in several other situations.
Eric was preaching on brokenness….something I will share more details of in an upcoming blog…but one point that he made that was so striking to me was the “but nots” of the Bible. For example in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” And in looking at the life of Job, the Lord allowed the enemy to do whatever he wanted to Job, “but not” take his life. Eric put it so poignantly when he said the “but nots” of the Word are the backstage passes to our soul that only the Lord has issue and access too. Beautiful!
The Lord may use the enemy and his attack as a conduit to His will, but He is still in control and will only allow the enemy to go so far.
This promise of the Word has been so incredibly true and perfect in my heart these past few months.
The recent release of Mercy Me’s “Bring the Rain” also came at an apropos time. I will leave you with the lyrics:
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Faith
Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods.
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Heart Walk
This past weekend, I participated in Heart Walk! Thank you so much to all of you who helped me raise money for this incredibly important cause. :-)
Below are some photos from the fun of the day!!
Stephen Prudhomme and yours truly
My friend Leslie and I...
Tim Bateman excited about the chance to meet Mr. Peanut!!
There were A LOT of walkers!!
My roommate, Lisa and her mom...and your's truly!
One of the celebrities of the day!!
Below are some photos from the fun of the day!!
Stephen Prudhomme and yours truly
My friend Leslie and I...
Tim Bateman excited about the chance to meet Mr. Peanut!!
There were A LOT of walkers!!
My roommate, Lisa and her mom...and your's truly!
One of the celebrities of the day!!Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Glory
I love the truth of this song. In the midst of all the confusion, anger, lies, half-truth, bitterness, tears, hurt, angst, prayers, pleading, brokenness, desire for chains to be broken, minds to be healed....we have the promise that one day it will all be like short breath, and all will fade with the joy of gazing at the face of my Savior. Come quickly Lord Jesus and until then thank you for the grace and mercy that pours out without measure and is renewed every morning.....
One day eyes that are blind will see you clearly
And one day all who deny will finally believe
One day hearts made of stone will break in pieces
And one day chains once unbroken will fall down at your feet
So we wait for that one day come quickly
We want to see your Glory
Every knee falls down before thee
Every tongue offers you praise
With every hand raised
Singing Glory
To you and unto you only
We'll sing Glory to Your name
One day voices that lie will all be silent
One day all that's divided will be whole again
One day death will retreat and wave it's white flag
One day love will defeat the strongest enemy
So we wait for that one day come quickly
We know not the day or the hour
Or the moments in between
But we know the end of the story
When we'll see your Glory....
One day eyes that are blind will see you clearly
And one day all who deny will finally believe
One day hearts made of stone will break in pieces
And one day chains once unbroken will fall down at your feet
So we wait for that one day come quickly
We want to see your Glory
Every knee falls down before thee
Every tongue offers you praise
With every hand raised
Singing Glory
To you and unto you only
We'll sing Glory to Your name
One day voices that lie will all be silent
One day all that's divided will be whole again
One day death will retreat and wave it's white flag
One day love will defeat the strongest enemy
So we wait for that one day come quickly
We know not the day or the hour
Or the moments in between
But we know the end of the story
When we'll see your Glory....
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
This weekend
This weekend was....
Interesting....
Friday afternoon I got home to an empty house (my roommate was in Chicago), and a weekend full of no plans. Glorious!
I watched several movies of my own choosing... The Lake House which I had seen before, but was definitely better the second time around. The Prestige which was not at all what I was expecting it to be, and though it was long it was very good!
Saturday, I cleaned, organized and threw away! Amazing how one can live in a small place and still collect enough stuff to give away two boxes full and not notice that anything is missing. That, my friends, is just sad.
And on Saturday that was my mood. I was sad! I was homesick, lonely for a friend, searching for my place in this world (that you MWS) sad, and nothing seemed to be able to break me from my sadness. I spent quite a bit of time in The Word and then headed out to church for the evening. They showed a video recap of several of the missions trips from this summer...and of course, there are sweet african children all over the screen....that did not help the homesick part of my mind at that point.
But what I discovered in the darkness of life several hours later is that sometimes you have to touch a deep part of sadness to pull back out. You have to be rejected by friends to rediscover your identity. You have to be alone to reach out to others. It is in these moments that God finds you, grace abounds in ways that you cannot understand or fathom.
Is my sadness completely gone....Nope...but it is much better. I realize that I am blessed beyond measure and most look at my life and wonder what in the world I have to be sad about. Sometimes it is just something you have to go through to get to happy again. Similar to how you must experience valleys in order to reach and fully understand the magnitude of mountain tops.
Sunday...I finished cleaning and then went to spend time with my sweet godson and his mommy and dada! (yes he is saying dada now!) He is so incredibly yummy! I need to spend more time seeing his face. His dada, Scott, has recently decided to pursue the business side of his hobby and established Birdsong Photography we did a photoshoot for kicks and giggles. These are my two favorites from the shoot.
Monday, Labor Day, a day dedicated to those who work to much! I took the day to lay in bed reading or by the pool reading and talking to my Granny and finishing the rest of the organizing from Saturday.
I also got some GREAT news from my parents concerning their ministry, but I will wait for an official announcement from them before I post details.
Blessings to all!
Interesting....
Friday afternoon I got home to an empty house (my roommate was in Chicago), and a weekend full of no plans. Glorious!
I watched several movies of my own choosing... The Lake House which I had seen before, but was definitely better the second time around. The Prestige which was not at all what I was expecting it to be, and though it was long it was very good!
Saturday, I cleaned, organized and threw away! Amazing how one can live in a small place and still collect enough stuff to give away two boxes full and not notice that anything is missing. That, my friends, is just sad.
And on Saturday that was my mood. I was sad! I was homesick, lonely for a friend, searching for my place in this world (that you MWS) sad, and nothing seemed to be able to break me from my sadness. I spent quite a bit of time in The Word and then headed out to church for the evening. They showed a video recap of several of the missions trips from this summer...and of course, there are sweet african children all over the screen....that did not help the homesick part of my mind at that point.
But what I discovered in the darkness of life several hours later is that sometimes you have to touch a deep part of sadness to pull back out. You have to be rejected by friends to rediscover your identity. You have to be alone to reach out to others. It is in these moments that God finds you, grace abounds in ways that you cannot understand or fathom.
Is my sadness completely gone....Nope...but it is much better. I realize that I am blessed beyond measure and most look at my life and wonder what in the world I have to be sad about. Sometimes it is just something you have to go through to get to happy again. Similar to how you must experience valleys in order to reach and fully understand the magnitude of mountain tops.
Sunday...I finished cleaning and then went to spend time with my sweet godson and his mommy and dada! (yes he is saying dada now!) He is so incredibly yummy! I need to spend more time seeing his face. His dada, Scott, has recently decided to pursue the business side of his hobby and established Birdsong Photography we did a photoshoot for kicks and giggles. These are my two favorites from the shoot.
Monday, Labor Day, a day dedicated to those who work to much! I took the day to lay in bed reading or by the pool reading and talking to my Granny and finishing the rest of the organizing from Saturday.
I also got some GREAT news from my parents concerning their ministry, but I will wait for an official announcement from them before I post details.
Blessings to all!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
New Toy
I have come over into the digital era! Yesterday I purchased a Nikon CoolPix® L12 7.1 mp. I have been saving for it for a while...a simple point and click but I look forward to having some fun with it!!!
Here is the very first picture I took with it.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Just Jesus only will never fail!
The past few months have been kind of rough for my family. Some of you know the details, other's don't but are still praying. For both sets of people, I am thankful. Not every day is bad, but everyday is uptight with the thought of what might occur within that day to send everything spiraling down again.
I am learning to trust. Looking back on some posts from last summer I realize that what God was teaching me during that time was simply a stepping stone for the trusting, waiting and obedience that would be required of me just a year later.
Last night was another long night. At times I am not sure what awakens me at 3 am, but I have learned like Samuel of old to say "Speak, for your servant is listening." It has taken me a while to get to this point as I did not have one as wise as Eli to instruct me to do so.
I am learning in these wee hours of the morning to pray. I am learning to pray scripture, to ask for miracles, to boldly come before the throne, to be sensitive to a dream that I might just have awakened from and to lift people and their known struggles very specifically to the Father, to pray for myself and seek His face.
Today I am weary. Not just becuase I have been up since 4 am, but I am weary of the lies that the enemy tells that we so easily believe, and in so believing hurt ourselves and those around us. Our lives can be so futile, a deep rut of running after what we think is the best for us, when all it takes for pure joy is stopping, taking a breath and saying "God, what do You want for me."
This morning after a long night of tossing and turning, reading, kneeling, and seeking, God brought to mind (and to my playlist)one of my very favorite songs sung by the Gaither Vocal Band, the lyrics are listed below. It describes in picture perfect rhyme my life and the lives of several I know right now that are just pursuing the dust and lonely winds of this world, and ends with a promise so simple and true "Just Jesus ONLY will NEVER fail!" Praise His Name!
I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus
GVB
I went to visit the shrine of plenty,
But found its store-rooms all filled with dust,
I bowed at alters of gold and silver,
But as I knelt there they turned to rust.
So I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus,
His cup alone, my holy grail,
There'll be no other gods before Him,
Just Jesus only will never fail.
The call of fortune made me a pilgrim,
To journey to fame's promised heights,
But as I climbed the promise faded,
And wind blew lonely all through the night.
Just desert dust and empty shadows,
All promises that turned to lies,
The gods of earth fail and betray me,
You alone are Truth and Life.
So I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus,
His cup alone, my holy grail,
There'll be no other gods before Him,
Just Jesus only will never fail.
Just Jesus only will never fail!
I am learning to trust. Looking back on some posts from last summer I realize that what God was teaching me during that time was simply a stepping stone for the trusting, waiting and obedience that would be required of me just a year later.
Last night was another long night. At times I am not sure what awakens me at 3 am, but I have learned like Samuel of old to say "Speak, for your servant is listening." It has taken me a while to get to this point as I did not have one as wise as Eli to instruct me to do so.
I am learning in these wee hours of the morning to pray. I am learning to pray scripture, to ask for miracles, to boldly come before the throne, to be sensitive to a dream that I might just have awakened from and to lift people and their known struggles very specifically to the Father, to pray for myself and seek His face.
Today I am weary. Not just becuase I have been up since 4 am, but I am weary of the lies that the enemy tells that we so easily believe, and in so believing hurt ourselves and those around us. Our lives can be so futile, a deep rut of running after what we think is the best for us, when all it takes for pure joy is stopping, taking a breath and saying "God, what do You want for me."
This morning after a long night of tossing and turning, reading, kneeling, and seeking, God brought to mind (and to my playlist)one of my very favorite songs sung by the Gaither Vocal Band, the lyrics are listed below. It describes in picture perfect rhyme my life and the lives of several I know right now that are just pursuing the dust and lonely winds of this world, and ends with a promise so simple and true "Just Jesus ONLY will NEVER fail!" Praise His Name!
I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus
GVB
I went to visit the shrine of plenty,
But found its store-rooms all filled with dust,
I bowed at alters of gold and silver,
But as I knelt there they turned to rust.
So I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus,
His cup alone, my holy grail,
There'll be no other gods before Him,
Just Jesus only will never fail.
The call of fortune made me a pilgrim,
To journey to fame's promised heights,
But as I climbed the promise faded,
And wind blew lonely all through the night.
Just desert dust and empty shadows,
All promises that turned to lies,
The gods of earth fail and betray me,
You alone are Truth and Life.
So I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus,
His cup alone, my holy grail,
There'll be no other gods before Him,
Just Jesus only will never fail.
Just Jesus only will never fail!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Bigotry and my hatred thereof
The fact that this post follows the peaceful post of "Grace" is just flat irony, but whatever.
I have promised this story to several so here we go....
As many of you can attest to I am pretty much an easy going person to the world in general.
I do my best to see things through other's point of view, am fairly easy going in traffic, allow others to cut in front of me in line without having to justify my position on this earth, I take most idiosyncrasies with a grain of salt and keep going. However, as some of you have experienced any form of bigotry is going to make my blood pressure rise and will usually result in a verbal taking down of said bigot.
Wednesday was a perfect case in point. I will start my story with the words of my friend Tim...
"There I was minding my own business...
in line at Petsmart purchasing food for king of the apartment, Picasso. The cashier is an unattractive woman who I would judge to be in her mid-40's, with definately mental reason to be a cashier at the age of 40 (not that cashiers at 40 are bad people who knows I may be a cashier at 40, but you get the picture.)....I will leave it at that not wishing to be unkind. *smirks
This cashier is checking out the person in line in front of me, so I am patiently waiting and half listening in to the conversation that they are having and half thinking other random thoughts. My ears come on high alert however when she mentions "China" so I turn and begin listening with both ears to the conversation being played out. This cashier is going on and on about the horrible work that the Chinese do, and how we have trusted them to make toys for our children and now look they are trying to kill us off by putting lead paint on them. She continues on at how the Chinese are stealing our jobs and how horrible and cheap their products are, blah blah blah. She gives an example about how she bought a pair of shoes once that were made in in China and they fell apart after wearing them once (I am thinking to myself if you ever bought a pair of shoes at Payless you for sure have worn more than one "made in china" and probably the ones you have on now are from there as well).....She ends her tirade with the phrase "down with China." The person checking out seems a bit uncomfortable with the conversation as a whole, says..."sure"...and leaves.
My blood pressure is pretty close to boiling at this point and I am thinking that one word from this woman to me about China is going to send me over the edge!!! So she asks how i am I say "Fine." -through gritted teeth and stand there as she checks out my wares, silently counting to 10 then 20 then 30 trying to calm my outraged self down.
Finally, as I sign my sales slip I say...
"Ma'am, I have a comment about your conversation just now on China...."
I take a deep breath and off I go...
"If you were to remove everything around you that was not in some way shape or form manufactured in China you would be standing on a cement floor - the cement from which BTW came from Mexico, you would not have a car to drive and you would be naked!! The people to blame for the current crisis in Chinese manufacturing plants are not the chinese workers who are slaving around the clock making less than minimum wage; but the greedy American consumer who wants everything right now and wants it "cheap." Pressure from parents who believe that their children should have so many toys they cannot walk in their rooms causes American managers to put pressure on said manufacturers resulting in unfortunate choices made by factories to try to make any profit at all. So before you decide to go off about the Chinese people next time, remember that there could be someone standing nearby who actually has people there that he/she loves, and.....get an education."
With that I walked out of the store. Pretty sure she is still standing there stuck on the word "naked".
The End.
I have promised this story to several so here we go....
As many of you can attest to I am pretty much an easy going person to the world in general.
I do my best to see things through other's point of view, am fairly easy going in traffic, allow others to cut in front of me in line without having to justify my position on this earth, I take most idiosyncrasies with a grain of salt and keep going. However, as some of you have experienced any form of bigotry is going to make my blood pressure rise and will usually result in a verbal taking down of said bigot.
Wednesday was a perfect case in point. I will start my story with the words of my friend Tim...
"There I was minding my own business...
in line at Petsmart purchasing food for king of the apartment, Picasso. The cashier is an unattractive woman who I would judge to be in her mid-40's, with definately mental reason to be a cashier at the age of 40 (not that cashiers at 40 are bad people who knows I may be a cashier at 40, but you get the picture.)....I will leave it at that not wishing to be unkind. *smirks
This cashier is checking out the person in line in front of me, so I am patiently waiting and half listening in to the conversation that they are having and half thinking other random thoughts. My ears come on high alert however when she mentions "China" so I turn and begin listening with both ears to the conversation being played out. This cashier is going on and on about the horrible work that the Chinese do, and how we have trusted them to make toys for our children and now look they are trying to kill us off by putting lead paint on them. She continues on at how the Chinese are stealing our jobs and how horrible and cheap their products are, blah blah blah. She gives an example about how she bought a pair of shoes once that were made in in China and they fell apart after wearing them once (I am thinking to myself if you ever bought a pair of shoes at Payless you for sure have worn more than one "made in china" and probably the ones you have on now are from there as well).....She ends her tirade with the phrase "down with China." The person checking out seems a bit uncomfortable with the conversation as a whole, says..."sure"...and leaves.
My blood pressure is pretty close to boiling at this point and I am thinking that one word from this woman to me about China is going to send me over the edge!!! So she asks how i am I say "Fine." -through gritted teeth and stand there as she checks out my wares, silently counting to 10 then 20 then 30 trying to calm my outraged self down.
Finally, as I sign my sales slip I say...
"Ma'am, I have a comment about your conversation just now on China...."
I take a deep breath and off I go...
"If you were to remove everything around you that was not in some way shape or form manufactured in China you would be standing on a cement floor - the cement from which BTW came from Mexico, you would not have a car to drive and you would be naked!! The people to blame for the current crisis in Chinese manufacturing plants are not the chinese workers who are slaving around the clock making less than minimum wage; but the greedy American consumer who wants everything right now and wants it "cheap." Pressure from parents who believe that their children should have so many toys they cannot walk in their rooms causes American managers to put pressure on said manufacturers resulting in unfortunate choices made by factories to try to make any profit at all. So before you decide to go off about the Chinese people next time, remember that there could be someone standing nearby who actually has people there that he/she loves, and.....get an education."
With that I walked out of the store. Pretty sure she is still standing there stuck on the word "naked".
The End.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Grace
Standing in a hallowed church,
Kneeling with a friend beside your bed,
In the silence of a hot shower alone in the dark,
Amidst the noisy bustle of life, surrounded by those you love.
Where obedience meets will, and suffering meets peace.
Turmoil finds rest, and actions find forgiveness.
Where Prayer finds answers and Victory is won.
When all of creation that has been given to you for submission battles against your soul, and when you lie awake in angst wondering about the whys.
The late night, the early morn, the place where dreams are made.
The afternoon, the twilight hour, the perfect portrait light.
In the midst of your search, or when you are done for the day, when you have given up hope and want to return to what you know may not be right, but you know is easy....
Sleeping, waking, eating, drinking, crying, laughing, standing, dancing....
Completely in this unexpected....This is where Grace is found.
Kneeling with a friend beside your bed,
In the silence of a hot shower alone in the dark,
Amidst the noisy bustle of life, surrounded by those you love.
Where obedience meets will, and suffering meets peace.
Turmoil finds rest, and actions find forgiveness.
Where Prayer finds answers and Victory is won.
When all of creation that has been given to you for submission battles against your soul, and when you lie awake in angst wondering about the whys.
The late night, the early morn, the place where dreams are made.
The afternoon, the twilight hour, the perfect portrait light.
In the midst of your search, or when you are done for the day, when you have given up hope and want to return to what you know may not be right, but you know is easy....
Sleeping, waking, eating, drinking, crying, laughing, standing, dancing....
Completely in this unexpected....This is where Grace is found.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
The passing of life
I just found that that one of my friends from HSU lost his father to cancer the last week of July. Nick is a friend who played baseball and his dad was one of my favorite parents. I spent many hours sitting by his side watching Nick on the field. My heart is sad, I knew it was coming, but still sad.
I learned a lot from our few short hours together on this earth.
Praise God he is Home now....and no longer in pain.
Thank you, Mr. Larsen, for taking the time to invest in my life, for letting me see in you the love of the Father through your love for your son. With every game of baseball I watch I will remember you. My life is changed because you were in it.
Friday, August 03, 2007
The Weak and the Strong
by Jill Carattini
An unlikely fleet is set to make port on the beaches of Britain. After fifteen years and nearly 17,000 miles, hundreds of yellow plastic ducks will find their journey complete on the shores of England. On January 29, 1992, three massive containers on a cargo ship from Hong Kong crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a storm. The containers were filled with brightly colored bathtub toys bound for the United States. Instead, 29,000 little plastic ducks began a journey that would be carefully monitored by children, oceanographers, and newscasters alike.
After a decade and a half, the tiny bobbing chicks have traveled past Japan and back to Alaska, drifted deliberately down the Bering Strait and past the length of Greenland, and carefully floated down the eastern coastline of the United States. They have persevered through storms that would have left boats and crews in dire straits. They patiently endured four years frozen in ice as they crossed the Arctic Ocean. They have arrived at various intervals on various shores, faded and tattered by sun and surf, some with animal bites and barnacles to show for the journey. But each smiling plastic face seems to return with an ironic confession: the smallest vessels on tumultuous seas are not necessarily the most vulnerable.
Life is far more than an attempt to keep our heads above water, and yet at times it feels a suited metaphor. Like tiny rubber ducks in an oceanic bathtub, we are tossed about the rocks of fear and anger, pulled under by currents of despair and disappointment, and broken at times by the journey. Human fragility is often as startlingly obvious as the image of a bath toy in the Bering Strait. We are at times almost averse to this fragility, whether seen in ourselves or in others. Fighting to keep afloat in an unpredictable sea, we take on distracting cargo and build defensive walls--anything that makes us feel less like tiny vessels lost at sea and more like giant ships passing in the night.
But metaphors of strength can be misleading, and vulnerability is often misunderstood. Though we may be reluctant to hear it, Scripture clearly puts forth the story of a fragile and fleeting humanity. Jesus spoke readily of his own death and wept at the grave of a friend. The apostle Paul wrote of our bodies as "jars of clay," words hastening back the image of David who lamented that he had become like "broken pottery." But well beyond the fragile images of humanity given in Scripture, the vulnerability of the incarnate Son comes into focus and redefines all of our terms. The image of Christ on the Cross turns our understanding of fragility on its head, challenges our discomfort with brokenness, and redirects our associations of weak and strong. We discover the vulnerability of God is far stronger than our greatest images of strength. In the cruciform image of Christ, God uses the weak to shame the strong, a suffering Son to heal the wounds of creation, and the vulnerable image of a broken savior to show us the all-surpassing vessel who saves us.
It is by the Cross that we live, by a seemingly weak vessel that we are brought home. Christ is not an escape raft for the hard realities of this world. On the contrary, he calls to us in our weakness and reminds us that it is not unfamiliar to him. Through tumultuous waters, he beckons us to see there is potential in fragility, meaning in affliction, and life beyond the journey that currently consumes us. Something like the image of tiny ducks arriving after an unlikely voyage, Christ redirects our thoughts on vulnerability, the weak and the strong. And God is aware of every last and fragile vessel, going after even one that is lost, longing to gather us unto himself like a hen gathering thousands of chicks under her wings.
Jill Carattini is senior associate writer at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.
An unlikely fleet is set to make port on the beaches of Britain. After fifteen years and nearly 17,000 miles, hundreds of yellow plastic ducks will find their journey complete on the shores of England. On January 29, 1992, three massive containers on a cargo ship from Hong Kong crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a storm. The containers were filled with brightly colored bathtub toys bound for the United States. Instead, 29,000 little plastic ducks began a journey that would be carefully monitored by children, oceanographers, and newscasters alike.
After a decade and a half, the tiny bobbing chicks have traveled past Japan and back to Alaska, drifted deliberately down the Bering Strait and past the length of Greenland, and carefully floated down the eastern coastline of the United States. They have persevered through storms that would have left boats and crews in dire straits. They patiently endured four years frozen in ice as they crossed the Arctic Ocean. They have arrived at various intervals on various shores, faded and tattered by sun and surf, some with animal bites and barnacles to show for the journey. But each smiling plastic face seems to return with an ironic confession: the smallest vessels on tumultuous seas are not necessarily the most vulnerable.
Life is far more than an attempt to keep our heads above water, and yet at times it feels a suited metaphor. Like tiny rubber ducks in an oceanic bathtub, we are tossed about the rocks of fear and anger, pulled under by currents of despair and disappointment, and broken at times by the journey. Human fragility is often as startlingly obvious as the image of a bath toy in the Bering Strait. We are at times almost averse to this fragility, whether seen in ourselves or in others. Fighting to keep afloat in an unpredictable sea, we take on distracting cargo and build defensive walls--anything that makes us feel less like tiny vessels lost at sea and more like giant ships passing in the night.
But metaphors of strength can be misleading, and vulnerability is often misunderstood. Though we may be reluctant to hear it, Scripture clearly puts forth the story of a fragile and fleeting humanity. Jesus spoke readily of his own death and wept at the grave of a friend. The apostle Paul wrote of our bodies as "jars of clay," words hastening back the image of David who lamented that he had become like "broken pottery." But well beyond the fragile images of humanity given in Scripture, the vulnerability of the incarnate Son comes into focus and redefines all of our terms. The image of Christ on the Cross turns our understanding of fragility on its head, challenges our discomfort with brokenness, and redirects our associations of weak and strong. We discover the vulnerability of God is far stronger than our greatest images of strength. In the cruciform image of Christ, God uses the weak to shame the strong, a suffering Son to heal the wounds of creation, and the vulnerable image of a broken savior to show us the all-surpassing vessel who saves us.
It is by the Cross that we live, by a seemingly weak vessel that we are brought home. Christ is not an escape raft for the hard realities of this world. On the contrary, he calls to us in our weakness and reminds us that it is not unfamiliar to him. Through tumultuous waters, he beckons us to see there is potential in fragility, meaning in affliction, and life beyond the journey that currently consumes us. Something like the image of tiny ducks arriving after an unlikely voyage, Christ redirects our thoughts on vulnerability, the weak and the strong. And God is aware of every last and fragile vessel, going after even one that is lost, longing to gather us unto himself like a hen gathering thousands of chicks under her wings.
Jill Carattini is senior associate writer at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
God Speaking
Thanks MC for your beautiful post. I, of course, ran over to google and googled the words to the whole song, and then found it on myspace. I am sitting at my desk with tears in my eyes, playing it over and over to put the truth of those words into my soul….so thankful for the reminder!
The past couple of weeks have been kinda rough for me and mine. When people who care ask, I give them the details, but try to end each tirade with the reminder to them and myself that I am so blessed far beyond what I could ever hope to deserve, so while the valley may be dark for the moment, the morning is coming. Praise His Name!
I treasure your continued prayers for my family, my brothers in particular. Both are battling things we cannot see, and to go to war with them in prayer is all that I can do right now. Pray that Dad, Mom and I will have the wisdom know the next steps and that we will walk in trust of He who is in control.
Thank you!
The past couple of weeks have been kinda rough for me and mine. When people who care ask, I give them the details, but try to end each tirade with the reminder to them and myself that I am so blessed far beyond what I could ever hope to deserve, so while the valley may be dark for the moment, the morning is coming. Praise His Name!
I treasure your continued prayers for my family, my brothers in particular. Both are battling things we cannot see, and to go to war with them in prayer is all that I can do right now. Pray that Dad, Mom and I will have the wisdom know the next steps and that we will walk in trust of He who is in control.
Thank you!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Warrior is a Child
One of my favorite songs as a child...
Lyrics came back to me the other day, I think I might now truly understand their meaning. The battle is great, but the victory is won!! Praise His Name!!
Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armour
The warrior is a child
Unafraid because his armour is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet
I drop my sword and look up for His smile
Because deep inside this armour
The Warrior is a Child
Lyrics came back to me the other day, I think I might now truly understand their meaning. The battle is great, but the victory is won!! Praise His Name!!
Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armour
The warrior is a child
Unafraid because his armour is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet
I drop my sword and look up for His smile
Because deep inside this armour
The Warrior is a Child
Friday, July 20, 2007
Heart Walk
Everyone knows someone affected by heart disease or stroke. For those I love, I will be walking in this year’s Heart Walk. I have set a personal goal to raise funds for the American Heart Association and need your help to reach my donation goal. We are raising critical dollars for heart disease and stroke research and education.
You can help me reach my goal by making a donation online. Click on the link below and you will be taken to my personal donation page where you can make a secure online credit card donation. The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you prefer to donate less, you can do so by sending a check directly to me.
Your donation will help fight our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers—heart disease and stroke. You are making a difference. Thank you for your support.
Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support AHA - Dallas, TX
You can help me reach my goal by making a donation online. Click on the link below and you will be taken to my personal donation page where you can make a secure online credit card donation. The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you prefer to donate less, you can do so by sending a check directly to me.
Your donation will help fight our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers—heart disease and stroke. You are making a difference. Thank you for your support.
Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support AHA - Dallas, TX
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Friday, July 06, 2007
Back in Alignment
I went to the chiropractor this morning and today she started working on the lower part (around the knee) of my left leg, which has always had issues (i.e. my feet go numb from time to time)....come to find out it is constricted blood flow due the tightness in the rest of my leg that she has been working on. I was almost in tears as she really began to work and the blood started flowing back to where it should be flowing naturally…IT HURT!! She says that I have a high threshold for pain! Ha ha ha, my family will never believe that comment but oh well!! The tightness and pain that is going on in my body has been there for so long that I have just become accustomed to being in pain. Believe me the release of the pain is painful, but oh the joy of the lack of it when she is done. Amazing!
On the way into the office, the Lord really began to put a spiritual twist on this morning's events, then I came in and was looking at this photo that I took in Africa of this twisted tree that is growing sideways rather than up and down as it is supposed to and really began to think.
So often we get comfortable in our walk, even if it is out of whack, and we are not walking or growing in the right direction. Convictions we may have had begin to lessen and the joy that we used to feel is now just a memory. Then when we realize that we are not where we want to be, that this “comfort zone” is not so comfortable, in fact it is beginning to restrict the flow to parts of us that before were so excited about doing the Lord’s work, we feel the pain of that conviction and begin to look around for a cure.
So we go to the Great Physician for an adjustment. And the Spirit begins to poke and prod and say “What’s this, what’s that?” and as He begins to work in us to repair the major issue, the “minor” parts of us that were affected by that issue begin to show themselves. Things that felt perfectly normal for us, feel a little tender under His scrutiny and sometimes downright painful as the exam continues. But the blessing comes when he begins to “pop us back into place” back into the balance that He wants our lives to be in. Oh, the pop might not feel great, or the moving of the muscle back into place to create the blood flow may hurt, but the release is so sweet as that blood flow begins to get back to the organs it is supposed to run through.
My Dr. often has to say to me, “Relax, let me drive.” I think the Spirit has to say this as well. We are so tensed up by the things that are in us, the direction that we want to go and when He tries to move our wills back into line with His, it hurts a lot more than if we had let Him “drive” in the 1st place.
This is where I am. I was growing like this tree. I was alive and functional, but I was not growing in the way that the Father had for me. I was not even growing in the direction that He desired for me to be growing in. The adjustment process...not so fun...but the sweet release of being back in His way and in His will.
Thank you great Physician!
On the way into the office, the Lord really began to put a spiritual twist on this morning's events, then I came in and was looking at this photo that I took in Africa of this twisted tree that is growing sideways rather than up and down as it is supposed to and really began to think.
So often we get comfortable in our walk, even if it is out of whack, and we are not walking or growing in the right direction. Convictions we may have had begin to lessen and the joy that we used to feel is now just a memory. Then when we realize that we are not where we want to be, that this “comfort zone” is not so comfortable, in fact it is beginning to restrict the flow to parts of us that before were so excited about doing the Lord’s work, we feel the pain of that conviction and begin to look around for a cure.
So we go to the Great Physician for an adjustment. And the Spirit begins to poke and prod and say “What’s this, what’s that?” and as He begins to work in us to repair the major issue, the “minor” parts of us that were affected by that issue begin to show themselves. Things that felt perfectly normal for us, feel a little tender under His scrutiny and sometimes downright painful as the exam continues. But the blessing comes when he begins to “pop us back into place” back into the balance that He wants our lives to be in. Oh, the pop might not feel great, or the moving of the muscle back into place to create the blood flow may hurt, but the release is so sweet as that blood flow begins to get back to the organs it is supposed to run through.
My Dr. often has to say to me, “Relax, let me drive.” I think the Spirit has to say this as well. We are so tensed up by the things that are in us, the direction that we want to go and when He tries to move our wills back into line with His, it hurts a lot more than if we had let Him “drive” in the 1st place.
This is where I am. I was growing like this tree. I was alive and functional, but I was not growing in the way that the Father had for me. I was not even growing in the direction that He desired for me to be growing in. The adjustment process...not so fun...but the sweet release of being back in His way and in His will.
Thank you great Physician!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Meet Cecil
Cecil is my “new to me” 03 Rav4. My sweet little blessing from God. My former vehicle, little Franny was pretty much done. She had over 222k miles on her (143k of those we had driven together), she has not had air for over a year, there were several knocking noises that were not someone trying to get in, and the final straw came when a plastic strip of the undercarriage decided to fall and drag under me announcing my presence wherever I went.
I called my favorite car dealer, Scott Sims of Freedom Motors (the only person to buy a car from), and told him to be on the look out I was ready to move on. He found a great little Solara, but it was white with Beige interior, and as you know my 3 rules of thumb are:
1. if it is a car must have sun roof
2. It cannot be a Honda (or a boy who drives one – no offense to you boy Honda drivers I have just had horrible experience with the several that I have dated that drove Honda’s so I made a decision never to that again. I am aware of a couple of you who are currently dating Honda drivers and you happen to date the exceptions to the rule!:-))
3. it CANNOT be white!
I mean really, can you imagine me in a white car with beige interior? Does that even sound like me? I think not!
So back to auction they went and found my sweet Cecil, a silver 03 Rav4, the vehicle I have been drooling over for ages.God also gave over and above my need (as He always does), and gave to me a sunroof and tinted windows! How blessed am I! My needs and my wants!
New car, new adventures….stay tuned!!!!!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Sharathon 2007
Sharathon 2007God is already working!
I'll be there tomorrow to answer phones and be apart of the miracle that God is working!! This will be my 3rd year and I am so excited!!
Pray for me as I drive...I am so tired!
I'll be there tomorrow to answer phones and be apart of the miracle that God is working!! This will be my 3rd year and I am so excited!!
Pray for me as I drive...I am so tired!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sometimes....Always
Sometimes….
I feel so lonely, even when surrounded by people….
I miss Africa more than my heart can hold….
I wish that my life was more like a movie….
I wonder if my paradise really is lost….
My brain is so weary and overwhelmed that I can’t do anything but sit and stare into space….
Sometimes….
But….
Then I remember….
He alone can fill my lonely heart….
He is more than African can ever be….
My life is unfolding according to His script….
His will is my paradise….
He replaces my burden’s with His, and His burden is easy.
Always….
I feel so lonely, even when surrounded by people….
I miss Africa more than my heart can hold….
I wish that my life was more like a movie….
I wonder if my paradise really is lost….
My brain is so weary and overwhelmed that I can’t do anything but sit and stare into space….
Sometimes….
But….
Then I remember….
He alone can fill my lonely heart….
He is more than African can ever be….
My life is unfolding according to His script….
His will is my paradise….
He replaces my burden’s with His, and His burden is easy.
Always….
Friday, June 08, 2007
Asking for Prayer
So much is going on right now that I am really not at liberty to share. However, I am asking that you seek your hearts and pray for me and my family as God leads you to pray. I am blessed beyond measure for the prayer partners in my life. Thank you...today will be long....the next few months longer.
God is in control of this I am certain. I am leaning in, focusing up, and holding on!
God is in control of this I am certain. I am leaning in, focusing up, and holding on!
Friday, June 01, 2007
His burden is easy.
Sometimes life is simply overwhelming. One lays awake long into the night and wonders why the Lord would allow situations of struggle into the lives of families that are so obviously in love with Him, striding to the right thing, and are in His service.
If one is not careful, the overwhelming thoughts of anger and bitterness can quickly arise as these same situations spin out of our control and leave us awake struggling to understand. Thus a vicious cycle can begin.
The events of life lately have reminded me of verses in the New Testament that I never quite understood and still grapple with…
“1 Peter 4:13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”
Be glad in the trials? Are you kidding me? This verse would seem to indicate that those preachers of the prosperity gospel that promise your best life now, are liars. We have been called to suffer right along side Him, and that suffering may not take on the form of a cross and nails. It may take on the form of overwhelming loss, or stress, or concern for one that you hold dear. It may be grieving for a soul that is so far from the Light.
"The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. "We are more than conquerors through Him" IN all these things - not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation". Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (Rom 8:37, 2 Cor 7:4)
I believe that the trials, the long sleepless nights, the trials that make us so weary, are to simply draw us in…to focus our eyes not on the storm but on the One who controls it. To lean in and cry out “I cannot do it on my own, I am not in control, I need You, I need your help.”
Oh that I might be able to cling to the promises of Him that are faithful and true. “When I am overwhelmed I go to the Rock that is higher than I. Ps. 62” in the words of Charles Spurgeon. "Your sorrow itself shall be turned into joy. Not the sorrow to be taken away, and joy to be put in its place, but the very sorrow which now grieves you shall be turned into joy. God not only takes away the bitterness and gives sweetness in its place, but turns the bitterness into sweetness itself."
Last night when tired and weary and searching for an answer, I was reminded that He inhabits the praise of His people. I found this new song and remembered that I could turn my overwhelmed feelings over to Him and exchanged it for a lighter burden and he would carry mine..Matthew 11:30.
I’m Overwhelmed by your love
Your amazing love, for me.
I never will understand why you chose to be my friend.
Oh I will not forget the price You paid with love on Calvary.
Amazing love, amazing grace, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and praise
And I will rejoice and fall on my knees, lift up my voice, a love song I will sing…
Serenade of sweet worship to you my King.
For those of you in the battle know you are loved and being held up in prayer. Read the last chapter…WE WIN! Love you!
If one is not careful, the overwhelming thoughts of anger and bitterness can quickly arise as these same situations spin out of our control and leave us awake struggling to understand. Thus a vicious cycle can begin.
The events of life lately have reminded me of verses in the New Testament that I never quite understood and still grapple with…
“1 Peter 4:13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”
Be glad in the trials? Are you kidding me? This verse would seem to indicate that those preachers of the prosperity gospel that promise your best life now, are liars. We have been called to suffer right along side Him, and that suffering may not take on the form of a cross and nails. It may take on the form of overwhelming loss, or stress, or concern for one that you hold dear. It may be grieving for a soul that is so far from the Light.
"The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. "We are more than conquerors through Him" IN all these things - not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation". Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (Rom 8:37, 2 Cor 7:4)
I believe that the trials, the long sleepless nights, the trials that make us so weary, are to simply draw us in…to focus our eyes not on the storm but on the One who controls it. To lean in and cry out “I cannot do it on my own, I am not in control, I need You, I need your help.”
Oh that I might be able to cling to the promises of Him that are faithful and true. “When I am overwhelmed I go to the Rock that is higher than I. Ps. 62” in the words of Charles Spurgeon. "Your sorrow itself shall be turned into joy. Not the sorrow to be taken away, and joy to be put in its place, but the very sorrow which now grieves you shall be turned into joy. God not only takes away the bitterness and gives sweetness in its place, but turns the bitterness into sweetness itself."
Last night when tired and weary and searching for an answer, I was reminded that He inhabits the praise of His people. I found this new song and remembered that I could turn my overwhelmed feelings over to Him and exchanged it for a lighter burden and he would carry mine..Matthew 11:30.
I’m Overwhelmed by your love
Your amazing love, for me.
I never will understand why you chose to be my friend.
Oh I will not forget the price You paid with love on Calvary.
Amazing love, amazing grace, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and praise
And I will rejoice and fall on my knees, lift up my voice, a love song I will sing…
Serenade of sweet worship to you my King.
For those of you in the battle know you are loved and being held up in prayer. Read the last chapter…WE WIN! Love you!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
EA for the EVP over HCM for the AHA
I am an official employee of the American Heart Association!
For those who care...I am the EA for the EVP over HCM for the AHA!! ha!
Translated
Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President over Healthcare Markets for the American Heart Association!
I LOVE my job! I LOVE my boss! I am BLESSED beyond measure!
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