APRIL 2007.....last year but appropriate for today as we begin our ministry

I've been reading/studying in Galatians.....what a neat book.....many nuggets of truth! I'm only in the first chapter, but so far it has been enlightening.

Paul has to begin his letter having to defend his apostleship and his authority of the Gospel given to him. He has to do this because the Galatians are starting to give ear to the "other" gospels being preached throughout the land......a sad situation. But Paul stands firm in his defense of the true Gospel.....he acknowledges that he was not taught by man, but had a direct experience with God and therefore received a very personal revelation about the true Savior......an experience and revelation that led to one of the most amazing transformations ever recorded......he was the most zealous persecuter of the Christians, yet was now the most passionate proclaimer of the Gospel. That in itself is evidence of authority!

One verse that caught my eye was vs 15...."But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace"

First of all, "but when it pleased God" is such a cool statement!

Not only did God 'create' Paul (for His good pleasure, no less), but God also called Paul into His grace. Paul gets it that God called him out, all the way from his birth, brought him through the trials, ordeals, seemingly success, etc, leading him down a certain path, all preparing him for 'this' ministry......as the proclainer of God's Word. Isn't that true for all of us? All of us have been separated from birth for a purpose... some to further the Gospel of Christ....... some to proclaim His Word...... all to walk a certain path. Paul was able to see the value in his particular journey....to see the reason behind every step he took.....how it eventually led him into the grace of God.

It took me a long time to get to that point.....to see the value of the road God led me down.....to see the beauty in the journey. I couldn't see that it was His hand guiding me.....at the time, it all seemed so random and out of control. But just as Paul, and as many of us, it took an encounter with the true and living Savior to really see the purpose He had set aside for me.....to appreciate the road chosen for me. My encounter was nothing to compare to Paul's on the road to Damascus...I wasn't hit with a bright light and struck blind.....I didn't have a verbal, audible interaction with God on a desert road.....but at some point I did meet God, and at that point Christ was revealed to me. And eventually, things became more and more clear....about why certain things happened, why I was allowed to go through the things I did. And in that clarity came a peace.....and the ability to see the beauty in the journey.

"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace..."

Good byes

This past weekend we had our commissioning service......it was a sweet time of fellowship, lessons shared from our pastor, instruction from the Word of God, and acknowledgment of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (and in each believers life). It was such an encouragement and such confirmation of all that has transpired over the past few years. And although it was hard to say good bye to our church family, I feel so confident that we have their support and their prayers as we embark on this new journey.
After the service we had a farewell fellowship at a local state park......again, another sweet time of fellowship with dear friends. Many came out to say good bye and encourage us with their presence. Some came from quite a distance which was such an encouragement and kind gesture....so good to see them before we head off to the other side of the country. It was especially sweet to see my children's friends come out to say good bye. I know how bittersweet it is for me to leave, but sometimes I forget it's the same for my children too. Although they are very excited to get to New Mexico, they are torn also.....the newness of the next chapter, but the tears that come with leaving this one. But from experience I know that God gives all that we need, and the comfort will come....not just come but He will trade our sorrow in for joy! I have to keep reminding myself of that too!!
As I was saying good bye to dear friends, it did cause me to reflect on my life here, in Beckley WV in particular......there has been a lot invested....both ways. Many talks, lots of laughs, a few tears, much growth, even some loss......through it all, the Lord has been nothing but good and faithful.....just like He promises.
So we are at the end here....we leave in exactly a week.....there are many emotions floating around, but last night, as my family and I were sitting at a local restaurant, it just hit me.....I am completely ready to go.....there was an absolute peace about everything and I could have climbed into my van and drove away right then. It's as if everything has been completed here (except all the packing!!! yikes!!) and it is time to go. And it is time to go......
....."the fields are white unto harvest".....it's time to go.

a few more old blogs....almost exactly a year ago

TIRED (April 2007)

It's another sleepless night.....yikes! Slept for about 2 hours, then woke up and can't fall back asleep......

as frustrating as it is, I know it's just part of the 'work'.....right?......"Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of the Lord" Galatians 6:2

Usually it's the Lord prompting me to pray for someone.....not a problem....I count it a privilege....yes, even at 3:15am! (I'm praying for you B!)

And sometimes the quiet pre-dawn hours are meant for me......every now and then, it's myself I need to pray for.....I admit, there are times that I let the needs of others come before my own.....not because I am so spiritual or self-sacrificing.....I'm positive I'm more selfish than most.....but it is actually easier to focus on the needs of others than face our own sometimes.......know what I mean?

Regardless of WHY I am awake and praying, I'd be lying if I said it didn't take it's toll on me at times....physically, emotionally, and spiritually......sometimes I feel like I can't refuel fast enough.....I'm spending more than I am taking in....

that's when Matthew 11:28-30 become so real to me......

you know it.....""Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

I know this verse speaks more about yoking yourself with Christ in salvation, but there is encouragement to be found for us too.....

to 'take His yoke upon us', strikes me as a one time event.....basically, salvation. it's the 'and learn from me' part that paints a picture of an ongoing act......we are to continue to learn, daily, from Christ.....from His word, from interaction with Him, from prayer, from other believers, etc.....and in that continual process, we will find rest for our souls.....that encourages me.....

and I want it to encourage others.......I want people to see that kind of "rest" in me....

when I am really tired and weary, there are outward signs......I get these gorgeous dark circles under my eyes, I break out, usually have a queasy stomach.....some of those closer to me even say my right eye gets droopy! And we've all done it...pasted on that smile and looked happy to be wherever..... always answering "fine" to the popular question of "how are you doing?".........but really, my prayer is that I won't have to fake any smiles or tell little white lies about how I'm really feeling....that because of the beautiful rest my Savior gives me, I will truly be fresh and excited about all the tasks and people He places in my path......that in that rest, I will find true joy......that is my prayer for today......as I head to the gym with a friend, as I go to breakfast with a couple dear ladies (relationships I have neglected for a while and are struggling), as I do school with my children, as I meet a precious new friend for lunch, as I spend time with other moms at the bowling alley, even as I attend a birthday party later tonight.....I pray that the Lord blinds them to all the outward signs of my exhaustion, and they see the love I have for them AND my God.......

well, the sun will be coming up soon and my day will be officially starting.....thank you for your prayers..... know that you are in mine often.......

Abby and Hannah with their new co-op buddy, Hannah :)



Psalm 126 (April 2007)

On Wednesday nights we are studying the "Songs of Degree" Psalms.....there are about 15 of them.....very cool

Tonight we looked at Psalm 126...the whole thing, but we focused in on verses 5-6. Most people associate those verses with "soul winning" and evangelism.....but tonight we shifted it a little and looked at it from another angle.....

"they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him"

Sowing does apply to evangelism, but it also applies to our daily ministry opportunities...the work we do and the time we invest in others......

Galatians 6:7-8 "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a many soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" That is an easy enough concept.....basically....you reap WHAT you sow.

Hosea 8:7 "For they sow the wind, and they reap the whirlwind....." meaning, you reap MORE than you sow...that could be a scary thing!

Hosea 10:12 "Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord Until He comes to rain righteousness on you" IICor 9:6 "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully."......you are RESPONSIBLE for what you sow.

Those are very good points......enlightening to a point.....but the part that I knew was just for me, was when he said this.....

in verse 5, when it says 'those who sow in tears will reap with joy', it seems like a contradiction to the rest....usually, you reap what you sow....not reap the opposite of what you sow......but it might mean that when you sow in tears, it's not necessarily a bad thing.....doesn't mean you are sowing in sin or sowing fruitless things like the wind......it may just mean you are sowing in a time of affliction, a time of trial, a time of exhaustion......I think we have all been there.....and when we are there, the last thing we want to do is SOW!.....we want to lay down and cry for a while, maybe curl up in the fetal position and just stay put for awhile......but I don't think that is what we are supposed to do.....I think we are supposed to keep sowing....keep working....and in that, we will reap with 'joyful shouting'.......

A few days ago, I was really tired.....and in that exhaustion, I got mad....(thankfully, i had a sweet friend who let me whine for awhile!)....but I was mad at a lot of things....I was mad that in that moment, I still had to give of myself....I still had to 'sow' and I didn't feel like it....but that is not what we are called to do....we are to sow, even in tears....in frustration...in exhaustion.....the Lord will bring us the joy He promises us through the reaping.....that is encouraging and comforting.

Thank you Lord, that if we bring our tears and afflictions to You, You will turn them to joy!

a day of thankfulness.....

.....the forecast of rain, but the abundance of sunshine (172)
....friends stopping by to sit with us during the yard sale (173)
.....waking up my oldest from a nap (she is WAY cute when she wakes up!) (174)
.....more visits with friends (in my very cluttered living room!) (175)
.....quiet moments on the front porch with baby Isaac (176)
......sweet memories as I go through baby clothes (177)
......the counsel from a dear friend (178)
.......the promise of God's faithfulness (179)
......His protection over all His children (180)
.....and the assurance that regardless the outcome, His will and plan is absolutely perfect (181)
......the yard sale is over...yippee! (182)
.....the financial provisions of my Father (183)
.....dinner and laughter with friends (184)
......my girls excitement of ANOTHER sleep over (185)
.....the RSVP of dear friends for our commissioning service and farewell fellowship (186)
.....a night of veggin' and no packing (187)
.....the opportunity to give my leftover yard sale items to a family in need (188)
.....the chance to counsel (189)
.....friends and their families (190)
.....hearing Isaac laugh (191)

Things have been VERY hectic lately, at times, too hectic for my selfish, finite mind to note the blessings that surround me every day.....but I want to take the time to work on my 'gratitude' list, something I have come to really cherish, whether I actually am able to get it down on "paper"!......

......having a yard sale, a reminder of God's abundance in my life (148)
......the money the yard sale provided to help with our moving expenses (149)
......the opportunities to encourage people who stopped by our sale (150)
......working alongside of hubby on this project (151)
......the help of friends and church family (152)
......the encouraging words of friends, rejoicing in our ministry move (153)
.....the book of Genesis (154)
......one of my favorite books, The Knowledge of the Holy (155)
.....provisions for my mother in law (156)
......pick up basketball game (157)
......quiet times to read, in the midst of chaos (158)
......the preaching from my dear pastor (159)
.......truth from the book of Ephesians (160)
....... the plans of a farewell fellowship (161)
.......memories of my children as babies (162)
.......watching them enjoy me share stories of their earlier childhood (163)
......more peace in the midst of pain (164)
......the new, sweet toothless smile of my son (165)
......Hannah's love for her red cowboy boots that she wears everywhere and with everything!! (166)
.....being able to give to others (167)
.....being able to receive also (168)
......naps in the afternoon (169)
......a massage in the midst of chaos!!! (170)
.....an hour to think of nothing (171)

Official Missionaries

So, we finally got the official "green light" from our mission board today to move from 'appointee status' to 'full time missionary'....with that comes the permission to make the move to New Mexico.....that's a good thing since we have packed up most of our things, rented a moving van and then sold the rest of our stuff in a yard sale this weekend! :) We obviously anticipated the move and have been working hard over the past month to prepare for it :)

So we are in the middle of a yard sale this weekend....we've spent the last 2 mornings hauling our stuff out onto our front yard, setting it out on tables, and allowing strangers to go through it all. Now that doesn't bother me.....we've had several yard sales and I do love a good purging!!! But for some reason this one was different. It was more a 'closing' of a chapter this time.......I think the first of many bittersweet moments I will witness over the next week or so. I don't know that it has hit me yet...all that I am leaving here.....but I'm sure it will eventually. There is so much excitement about this new chapter of my life, it does seem to over power the more sad aspect of this new chapter.....but there is a part of me who is looking at everything a little different these days: realizing I am doing some things for the 'last' time here, knowing that it will the last time I will see some of my friends for the next 6 months, year, or possibly forever.
BUT, in the same breath, it's all good....BECAUSE my God is good!!!
although my "West Virginia" blogs are coming to an end, I am looking forward (lots) to sharing my thoughts from the midst of my new ministry!!!

5K Journey is almost over.....

Well, I have one week left before the race.....seems to come at a bad time in some ways....right in the middle of major moving chaos! But in some ways it's been very good. I have enjoyed the distraction of the piles and piles of boxes and the many things on my 'to do' list.....and the time with my dear work out friend has been refreshing also. There have been many, MANY laughs during our YMCA trips....good memories to take with me. And although I am very confident I will come in last place in the race, it will be my own personal victory in many ways. I look forward to it!
I have worked myself up to the 3 miles and have just focused on trying to work on my time.....not making too much progress there, but again, I am just counting in a victory to be running in it period. I even plan on continuing my work out on the mission field. I already know it will possibly grow some relationships with other women out there who enjoy running.
Hopefully this time next week I will be able to rejoice in actually setting a goal, working toward it, and achieving it!!!