Spent some time reading about Abraham this morning....I'm challenged and convicted as a result.

"Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3b)

I've read that statement many times and always thought, 'wow, what an honor to be mentioned in the Bible because of your faithfulness'. The story of Abraham has always been one that teaches us of a great, faithful trust in God.....one that I just seem to read about, but never really grasp the concept that "I" can have that kind of faith....it almost seems 'fairy-tale' like at times: a man who spoke with God, who was chosen by Him, witnessed a miracle, was willing to sacrifice his son, etc.

But this morning I read about this 'faraway-like' faith and was challenged by it instead of just impressed by it.....

"(Abraham) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither at the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness." Romans 4:18-22

Abraham wasn't just born with this gift of amazing faith....there were many things he DID in this process of living by faith.....he believed, he was not weak, he considered, he staggered not (my favorite one!!), he was strong in faith, gave glory to God, and was fully persuaded.....that's quite the list! Living a life defined by faith is not easy....it required work. And it's also not JUST for the heroes of the Bible...it's available to us...today.....

"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him, But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus, our Lord, from the dead;
Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." Romans 4:23-25

We have the opportunity to live a life defined by great faith.....it's not just a fairytale faith. It's real, it's required, and it's available.

I make a 'to do' list almost every day....I have to, to keep up with all that needs to be accomplished. Today, I still have a list to make....I need to do laundry, pack, finish up some Christmas gifts, exercise, etc....but today, I am also adding a few more things to it.....
...believe in the promises of God
...consider who HE is, not who I am
...stagger NOT at His promises
....but instead give glory to Him
....and live a life fully persuaded in the power and goodness of my God!!

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God..."
Almost all of us have memorized this verse.
We use it at camp all the time......I've used it when I present the Gospel.....my kids memorize it at Awana......we all know it.
But like so many other verses, we pull it out of the chapter, memorize it, and seldom ever think about where it came from again. It is powerful enough to stand on it's own.....I've personally seen it open wide the eyes of a lost person as they finally realize all their efforts have been in vain....it's a life changing verse.....
But what about the 'good news' that comes after that verse? Few people seem to mention that....including me. But as I was reading through chapter 3 of Romans, taking in all that Paul was saying about faith and the law, about our position and our righteousness (or lack of..."there is none righteous, no not one!"), I came across the familiar verse, reminding me that we all fall short of His glory. I was reminded that "His glory" is what we should be aiming for....not praise from man, not rest from work, not the "right thing", not even our own satisfaction.....but our goal, our aim should be to glorify God!
But there is a comma after the phrase '...come short of the glory of God,'......that means there's more.....
"being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
That is good news....that's the hope. That we have been FREELY justified through Christ...the gift from God....so that we might declare His glory! (that's my "nutshell" version....there is SOOO much stuff in this verse...take the time to study it word by word...it's worth it!!!)
Our goal is to glorify God.....AIM for that daily....let all the other stuff fall away. If I could only truly grasp this and live it out in my life.....wow.....

THANKSGIVING

We were blessed with several Thanksgiving gatherings this season....part of having a divided family. But it was good and I'm thankful for my diverse family....

Mom is always helping in the kitchen...even when it's not her kitchen!






We had more than enough food....a big spread and there were over 20 people around to eat it and no one left hungry!
Turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, broccoli salad, broccoli casserole, dressing and gravy, rolls, strawberry jello salad, rolls and more.

My plate was empty!!!!






I spent a lot of time outside (it was a very warm, 70 degree, November day!) making crafts with the kiddos.




We made "thankful" placemats.....we all wrote down, on colorful leaves, the things we thankful for....it was fun (and funny) to see what some of the kids wrote down......















I am thankful for my family and the little time I'm able to spend with them. We are separated my many, many miles, but that doesn't seem to hinder our "fellowship" when we do finally manage to meet under the same roof!!!

Because our times together are so far and few between, I cherish them all the more.

We have been able to visit with many family and friends during this cross country trip........
me and my bestie........
our beautiful host family (and super dear friends), the Queens.....
...a crazy couple of days with the Hearns.....
....then down to Georgia,
my Dad and Grandmother Hyde........
....lots of fun cousins.......and of course, Mimi and Pop!!We are so blessed!

6 weeks, almost 5000 miles, and 16 different states.....that's the title of my life right now. We are wrapping up a very long trip back east, visiting family, friends and supporters. It's been a good trip and we have shared many meals and late nights catching up with friends and family.
Mostly it's been encouraging....there have been a few that really want to hear about our ministry, our struggles, our victories, the people that we minister to, etc.....but mostly they just want to chit chat, catch up on family news. That's good, too.

I'm enjoying my time away, but at the same time, my heart longs to be back home knee deep in my ministry. That's a good sign, if I miss my work, right? I miss pouring over my Bible in preparation for a lesson....I miss hearing the neighbors chopping wood.....I miss the wind that always blows in from the west.....I miss the smell of the barn.....I miss the little neighbor boy pressing his face against my the glass on the front door, peeking in to see if Peter is home and can come out to play.....I miss my Ft Wingate girls.....I miss working in the lodge kitchen with Nanette and our long, deep spiritual discussions....I miss going for a run through the pine trees....I miss the amazing sunsets....I miss home.

But for now I will enjoy my time away, try and get some rest, focus on family, and prepare myself for the busy year that lays ahead of me.

It's been non-stop for the past 3 days.....literally. This is the first time I've really sat down, with my cup of tea, and just relax.
Being busy has been good to keep me busy and moving, but I do love my times where I can just sit and rest.

I enjoy that we have a late service at our church....Sunday mornings are always relaxing and slow. Everyone sleeps in and then just roll out into the living room to watch cartoons. It's our only morning to do that. The wood stove would be a nice addition to this morning....it's cold!!

I haven't been to church in 3 weeks. (mixture of sickness and traveling)....it will be nice to get back and see my church family. And it will help to find that "normal" feeling I've been missing for a while now. It's been weeks since I've had a normal week of school, ministry, church, eating, etc. I really, really, hope this is the week where my productivity returns. I miss my routine and those feelings of accomplishment.

I can even start today....after our cartoons :)

Well, it's been exactly 3 months since I have been here. I was just reading over the last few entries and I remembered why I stopped.......I hit the wall....physically and emotionally. I remember that time in the summer and all of a sudden I was just 'done'....exhausted. And I never seemed to bounce back. I went from tired, to exhausted, completely dead. I am just now starting to pick myself back up. It was a rough summer and it left me more tired than usual. I think the spiritual battle was more intense this summer....but in the end, the Lord was victorious and many, MANY children left here with the promise of eternal life.

The fall schedule started up right away, with little time to rest. We started school the very next Monday and our fall ministries started just a week or so after. The Lord has given us a bountiful ministry here, and the opportunities are endless....almost overwhelming at times. The work here will never be complete....there are always people in need, both physically and spiritually. Therefore, the need for me and the other missionaries here to be in top shape physically and spiritually is crucial. If I miss the opportunity to help someone gather their wood for the winter, I may have missed an even bigger opportunity to meet their spiritual need down the road. And obviously, if I'm not spiritually equipped to meet their spiritual need, the outcome is devastating.

I am currently failing in both areas.

I have had some health problems that have left me unable to do some of the things I need to. I am even supposed to be training for a half marathon but I am no where near ready. It's disappointing and sad.

I have also had some 'spiritual' problems that have left me in a place of discouragement and sadness....and as I look around at the people in my life that need encouragement and guidance, I find myself lacking and unable to help. Again, disappointing and sad....

But I know whom I have believed in, and He is able......

So I suppose there is hope....... :)