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!

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….

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!


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!