Psalm 146:2 "I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Friday, December 31, 2010

The Last Day Of 2010

Hi Everyone,

Today is the last day of 2010. What an amazing and special year this has been for me because of our amazing God who has transformed my heart and my life. It almost feels a tiny bit sad that the year is coming to a closeI am so very thankful to Him. I am looking forward to the days in the year of 2011 and all that God is going to do.

I know that my God who has been faithful in this past year is going to be faithful in the future as well.

Tonight I am bringing in the new year with some friends from my church. I was with them last year as well on this same day, and again I just have to say that I am amazed that God has brought me so far from where I was a year ago. Last year I was absolutely miserable even though I was surrounded by a group of people that realy cared about and loved me. I can't even imagine where I would be if God had not intervened in my life.

May this new year FOR YOU be one of peace, joy, obedience, and falling more in love with the Lord in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Worship Is More Than What Happens On Sunday Morning

Hi Everyone,

I've been thinking again lately about something that I may have talked about a few months ago. I've been thinking about how worship is so much more than what happens on Sunday morning. Sometimes it can get easy to reduced worship to the "Worship Service." Now there's nothing wrong with worshiping God at church as long as it really is that and not simply mere entertainment.

But worship is so much more than that. A friend the other day was mentioning how many times in the Bible Worship was connected to sacrifice....it isn't just some giddy feeling that we get, although emotion and feeling can be a part of it.

Worship in part really comes down to how we live our lives before God and everything we do is to be done for the glory of God.......worship can be a result of obeying God and living a life that pleases Him....having a heart response to our God who has so graciously set us free from the law of sin and death....that our every action, thought, and all that we do is done unto Him and in gratitude to Him-----remembering that He is worthy of all of the honor.

I've been thinking, "How much do I do out of self and flesh, and what do I do out of worship to Him?"

I definitely don't have everything "figured out" yet, and never will on this side of Heaven, but one thing is clear.

Worship is so much more than what happens on a Sunday Morning.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Winter

Hi Everyone,

I am continuing to enjoying God's creation...in a winter-wonderland!





It has been an encouraging day of getting back to my normal routines and helping at the medical clinic and things.

Monday, December 27, 2010

God Is The Best Artist Ever!

Hi Everyone,

On the way home from my friend's today, I got to see two and a half hours of this while I was on the bus!




The trees are all decked out in ice and snow and it delicately outlines them! It was a delightful ride home looking out the window at everything so beautifully covered!



God is truly the best artist ever-don't you agree?

Sunday, December 26, 2010

We Must Continue To Reach Out To Others Around Us!

Hi Everyone,

Today I went to church with my friend's family and was made aware of a very tragic and sad situation involving the death of one if their church members. Although I do not know them, my heart breaks for the family tat is left.

It was all really a reminder to me that we must continue to reach out to those around is and nor offer up excuses of why we don't, because we have no idea what people are going through or what they are really thinking, even when things can appear to "be just fine."

And not only that, but it was also a reminder that this time of year is really a hard time for many people--people that need to know how much Jesus loves them in the midst of their loss and pain. We want to think that everyone is enjoying things around us, but that isn't the case.

So let's pray for those that are hurting and seek to minister to them as Jesus would--offering the gift of our presence and not the "know it all" answers.

And Lord, I lift up this family that has been changed by such a sad loss and many others like them. May Your presence be near to them in a very real way, reaching to the depths of their need as only You can. Show those around them how to be there for them through the days. months, and years ahead, and the funeral this coming week.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Jesus--Our Continual Celebration

Hi Everyone,

I am so glad that This day isn't about the gifts we get, or the gifts we give, or being healthy (or not), or being able to be physically present with family.

I am not with my actual family today---they are many miles away. I am with a friend and her family instead. And about half of the kids are sick with the stomach flu.

BUT JESUS is our source of continual celebration---and the day is really about celebrating that He came and lived a sinless life and died for us. I know He wasn't actually born in December, but even if the world stops and plays Christmas carols on normally not so good radio stations, I think it's worth it.

Jesus, our greatest gift, is the reason why we as believers are truly celebrating. Celebrating for anything less than Him can lead us to disappointment--although it is a true celebration to be together as families and friends--there is nothing wrong with that. But JESUS is our greatest HOPE!

HE NEVER CHANGES---and that is worth celebrating!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The World Is At My Finger Tips

Hi Everyone,

Here is a little video I made from my friend's room that I am spending Christmas with! The "World is at my finger tips" with the painted world map behind me! This was kind of all just for fun!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

An Audience Of One

Hi Everyone,

Sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in the trap of pleasing other people. But this can almost become immediately frustrating because no one can please everyone all of the time. Really our goal should be two-fold: 1)To live a life that is a clear testimony of Jesus to others around us and 2) To live a life obedient and pleasing to the Lord. In reality we live our lives for an audience of one becuase in the end it is God that we wil give the account of our lives to. However, this does not mean that we avoid respecting the thoughts and advice of others when it is truly godly and beneficial.

What are my real goals?

How am I really living?

Who am I realy living for?

Good questions for me and all of us to evakuate and think about.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Thoughts On Missions And Transition

Hi Everyone,

One of my great secrets and weaknesses is that I don't really like change or transition. However, as a cross-cultural worker I have a life that is quite full of both. Actually everyone's life is full of both, but there can be some added transitions when you live and work in another country and culture.

Transitions make me usually feel very vulnerable and I have to really keep my guard up when I am in the midst of them. Times of transition are the times that I am more likely to give into discouragement, and a whole host of other behaviors that I would much rather not have in my life. Anyone who thinks that a cross cultural worker or missionary's life "over there" is better than where you are right now really may have an inaccurate idea of things.

New support systems, friends, language, culture, and learning, understanding, and ministering according to how the people you are working with to communicate the gospel clearly,----- have to be in place and that can take much time. It can be hard to leave when you absolutely love where God has placed you, but at the same time you realize that God is leading you to serve Him elsewhere for this time, and you know that OBEYING HIM is what matters and will bring the greatest joy and reward. You have to continually try to "get out of the box" somewhat from your own thinking and cultural ideas so that you can begin to grasp where those you are seeking to reach are coming from.

But transitions in missions (or any other type of transition) are also a time for great growth if you allow God to use it in your life. He wants to use everything to shape us and mold us to be more like Him--and many parts of the transition although hard at times can truly be enjoyable when they are faced with Christ's attitude and perspective.

I have to remind myself of these things when I go through the moments where I realize that I am already beginning to feel the "crunch of the clock"---recognizing that I won't have time to see everyone that I desire to before leaving, or when I just need to prioritize and really examine what is important.

In the end it really is worth it all---and a privilege that not everyone has in the exact same way!--even in the midst of missions and transition.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Every Day Is One Day Closer!!!

Hi Everyone,

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words."

Every day is one more day closer to the Lord returning! This thought has really encouraged me lately. Although we don't know the day or the hour, lets hope expectantly, serve Jesus faithfully, and seek to be a bride as the Body Of Christ prepared to meet Him. The world around us is going to do as it does but we have a wedding with the LAMB to prepare for and a world that desperately needs to see Jesus reflected as clearly as possible in us as we are here obeying as God has called us each to do.

In the midst of all the activity of daily living, lets remember that each day is one day closer. Maybe we should each ask the question, "How can I prepare myself today to be more ready for His coming than I was yesterday?"

Seven Months Today!

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe it has been seven months since God totally changed my life! It seems like a whirl-wind like it is going so fast and yet I am enjoying every moment of it. God has indeed been very good and gracious to me!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Trust In Christ--The Results

Hi Everyone,

I went to church today and it was my last Sunday School class on Hebrews. It was such an awesome time to be able to study the Word together! A section of our Bible Study and teaching time was on Hebrews 13:1-7. This section talks about having a faith that produces and what is expected to be results of our faith. (being one who has placed their complete trust in the person of Jesus Christ)

Faith in Christ is expected to be shown through various ways-maybe it is better described as a call to Christian living

Hebrews 13:1 "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.

OUR FAITH IN JESUS SHOULD RESULT IN GENUINE CONTINUAL LOVE FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST.

Hebrews 13:2 "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST SHOULD RESULT IN HOSPITALITY AND CARE FOR STRANGERS---SEEING A NEED AND BEING WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF IT

Hebrews 13:3 "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

OUR FAITH IN JESUS SHOULD RESULT IN EMPATHY AND CARE FOR PRISONERS THAT ARE ILL-TREATED ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE BELIEVERS PERSECUTED FOR THEIR FAITH.

Hebrews 13:4 "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."

OUR FAITH IN JESUS SHOULD PRODUCE AN HONORING AND PROTECTING VIEW OF MARRIAGE AS GOD DEFINES IT AND CONDUCT THAT IS LIKEWISE.

Hebrews 13:5-6 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

OUR FAITH IN JESUS SHOULD PRODUCE THE RESULT OF HAVING A CHARACTER FREE FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY AND NOT SIMPLY MAKING DECISIONS BASED UPON THE FINANCIAL RESULT. WE ARE CONTENT TRUSTING IN GOD'S CARE AND PROVISION FOR US.

We also discussed in class how there are other things that can go along with or be tied in with money such as power, control. material possessions, and other things that can be good gifts from God that we could easily allow to "get in the way" of having God first or obeying Him.

Hebrews 13:7 "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."

OUR FAITH IN CHRIST SHOULD PRODUCE VISIBLE DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE FACT THAT WE BELONG TO HIM.

None of us has perfectly arrived in all of these areas but God is working in us to make us more like Him day by day!

Ministry This Morning!

Hi Everyone,

This morning before I went to church, I went to run a quick errand and it as really a God thing because I ran into one of the people that I know without a residence. We got to talk together for about fifteen minutes. We were both heading off to church, so I gave her a hug and left but before I did she pulled out my prayer card and said, "I think of you and pray for you often." She said that she is renewing her vows with her husband this week so I was excited to hear that and see evidence, it seems, from both of them to make their marriage as God intends it to be. Hopefully she will be off the streets too now.

It was quite an exciting start to my day! God is good!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Echoing My Thoughts!

Hi Everyone,

Today I ran across one of the people that I interact with someone and their first comment was along the lines of, "I wish I obeyed the Lord more. It's no wonder His Spirit isn't able to work through me like He wants to." And my next thought was, "yeah that really echoes what I have been thinking the last few days myself." It's really cool when people come alongside you and admit they aren't "there yet" either because none of us are. The whole conversation was actually quite encouraging.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Humbled

Hi Everyone,

As I am sitting here today I am humbled as I am so clearly reminded of how much I need God to be in control of my every move, thought, and action. By no means have I arrived. I realize that there are things I do that reflect Him so poorly. I need to grow so much. But yet I know that He sees something so different.----He sees the outcome of what He is making me to be and that one day I, and all of us who trust Him, will be transformed even more to be like Him. God is so patient with us and His love is absolutely amazing! I am so glad He never gives up on us!

Praise God for His goodness that extends to all generations!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Benefits Of Community

Hi Everyone,

Being in community is a very good way to grow and realize things as you interact with others. However. sometimes it is challenging too. God seems to be continuing to challenge me lately in my relationship with Him and interacting with others. We learn things being amongst others that may be harder to learn on our own.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Legacy Of Our Words

hi Everyone,

"What you say always produces some kind of harvest. What is the lasting legacy of your words?" Paul David Tripp

Proverbs 12:18 "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

What we say and how we say it is so important. Our words can have an amazing impact on the people--to bless and encourage them or to destroy and discourage them. Our tongue and how we use that very small instrument that God has given to us can give such a reflection of what is in our hearts. We can leave a legacy with our words remembered by others in one of two ways.

If we can't say something truly uplifting, then maybe it is better to say nothing at all. Sometimes being silent. listening, and just "being there" for someone is a greater encouragement than any amount of words could ever be.

Lord help us to both leave a legacy and have a harvest of great honor to you and to one another by how we speak to and think of those around us. May we be a people that know how to have wisdom to speak truth in love and to use our words to edify and build up those who listen.

Monday, December 13, 2010

What God Is Interested In

Hi Everyone,

There is a lot of emphasis today in our culture of doing and having whatever makes you "happy." The problem `is that if we are simply living for the sake of our personal happiness alone, we are always going to be coming up empty and wanting something else eventually.

Some people think that God is like that--I mean they live by this philosophy that God should just do "what makes everyone happy." But the truth is that God doesn't work that way.

God is a lot more interested in matters motives and the true character of our hearts than us being happy. It is about us giving Jesus our trust on a personal basis and accepting His payment on the cross in our place and living accordingly. He is also much more interested in us who have trusted Him being transformed into the image of His Son through the trials, mundane times, and challenges of life.

Someone once said "your character is who you are when no one is watching."

But nothing escapes God's notice-those of us who have trusted Him are called to live lives set apart from the world because we have been sanctified-set apart.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

While There Is Still Life, There Is Still Hope!

Hi Everyone,

Someone that I know and really consider a friend is struggling very much right now....struggling with regret over personal choices that have led to a very difficult place in life.

It is hard to watch. I care deeply for this person and know that they are not beyond the reaches of God's mercy and grace.....but they feel as though they are....and that they have failed in every area of their life.

It was just a year ago that I felt that way myself--so I can relate.

I pray that as a testimony of His goodness this individual would be brought to the Lord and be a testimony in whatever way that God allows with the time that is left.

While there is still life, there is still hope--of grace and redemption.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I Used To Be A "Miser," but Now I am Becoming Wiser

Hi Everyone,

Another thing that really amazes me since God found me this summer and since I have Him my trust is how my mindset has changed about money and possessions.

I used to be the "miser" type that would hold onto everything, living in extreme frugality as sort of this pride thing to show I "could do it." I would always hold on to money because in a way it was kind of like my treasure--like I had to hold on to it for the day I wouldn't have any.

Now I want to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with saving your resources and using wisdom in that, and there is nothing wrong with having to live carefully and not living beyond your means in itself.

It really is an issue of the motives and heart. Lots of times people blame "rich people" for having money or possessions as the "god of their lives." But even in "having little" someone can still have the wrong attitude about it. I ma only saying this because I myself had the wrong attitude.

It really isn't an issue of "having little" or "having much." The true question is "Is what we call "our own" something that we will allow God to use as He want us to, or are we just going to hold it with a "tight fist."

For some people spending beyond their means is a weakness, others, like me had to learn it really was okay to get the things I truly needed--even if it is something that costs and seems like a "huge purchase" to me...as long as it is truly going to be useful and needed and even sometimes something to be enjoyed. The Bible tells us that "where our treasure is, there our heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, Lukw 12:34)

I used to be a miser, but now I am becoming wiser and it isn't about buying more stuff for myself, although on occasion I do buy something for fun to enjoy. It is now about having my resources whether that be the post it notes on my desk or what I have in the checking account available for the Lord to use for His glory and furthering of His Kingdom.

When your GREATEST TREASURE BECOMES CHRIST HIMSELF instead of your greatest treasure being the things you "own," your main desire becomes to serve the Lord and use all that you have for His plans and purposes.....and you are generous to others because HE is the giver and Sustainer of all things....and everything we are able to give is only what He Himself has already given to us!

The Ways God Gets glory..............

Hi Everyone,

Sometimes the ways that God gets glory from peoples lives can seem quite strange to us.

The friend of a good friend of mine went home to be with the Lord this Summer at the age of 27 dying from a very rapid form of cancer. Lately my friend and I have been discussing the events of all of this. Her friend was heading to the mission field but God had other plans.

I actually got to see some videos of the girl that went home to be with the Lord. I didn't know her that well, but two things were very evident from her life. The first was that she deeply loved the Lord and the second was that even in the face of her illness, she chose to believe that God was doing much more in her life and there was so much more going on than just the "fact that she had cancer."

God used her life to bring MUCH glory to Himself....and used her on a home-front mission field in mighty ways----greater than she could have ever imagined.

God is loving and God is good---even when we don't understand why He does what He does--and in reality there is so little we know of the "Why?" behind life's circumstances and situations----because HIS ways and thoughts are higher than our own.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Obeying God When It Hurts......

Hi Everyone,

Sometimes God calls us to do things that are not always easy, and yet we have to choose if we are going to obey Him. Sometimes the things He asks us to do can mean great sacrifice on our part, but we must remember that we are here to serve Him and do His will and NOT serve ourselves.

Lord, help us in the times when obeying you makes us feel torn or it is hard. No sacrifice is too great because You gave Yourself and All you had sparing nothing on our behalf....Help us never to forget that.

Airport

Hi Everyone,

I am actually back home now from my visit to the sending base. I had a neat opportunity to share with someone a little about the Lord and the work in Mexico while I was waiting for one of my flights today. I find that most people are genuinely interested in hearing more about what God is allowing me to do when they hear I work out of the country. Just having the "job title" I do opens up unique opportunities.

Here is a very quick video I took at the airport this morning.

Blessings to you all!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sending Base Time Reflections

Hi Everyone,

I certainly have had a lot of different opportunities here at the sending base over the past week and a half-it has been good for me. Another post for today is below for you all, but here is a quick video.

,

Street Ministry Thoughts

Hi Everyone,

Today I went out to do street ministry on Kensington Avenue--quite an eye opening and what would be shocking environment to many. I went out on Tuesday and Thursday (today) of this week. My eyes have seen many things---people held captive to addiction and lifestyles of self-pleasure and sin. And yet at the same time I was reminded of the depths of God's love for each one----and how much He longs to bring sinners to repentance.

I heard a mother's heart break as she told of the difficult choices her son had made to live and sell his addiction on the streets, and I listened to her prayers that God would break him and bring her one and only son to Himself. Some of the choices that people are making on this avenue and many other places in our world and nation lead them to time in prison. But whether or not they end up in a physical prison, they are definitely bound in a spiritual prison controlled by the father of lies that tells them they need substances of various sorts, pills, or sex to fulfill their needs.

Sometimes it takes going through much and exhausting all of the options, continually coming up empty-handed to realize that JESUS is who they really need.....and we aren't any different than those who some would classify as being "out there."

So my prayer for those on the streets is adapted from Psalm 142:7 with some slight changes in the pronouns.

"Lord, Set them free from their prison, that they may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about them because of your goodness to them."

So being out on Kensington Avenue has been very good for me to ponder and pray for those I've seen, and to remember that, "but for the grace of God, who's to say that I would not have done the same things?"

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wherever You Are--Be "All And Fully Present" There

Hi Everyone,

Wherever we are, we need to make the most of the present--obeying God, loving others, and using the GIFT of the moment NOW that He has freely given to us. We need to not be constantly caught up in the future or the past. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Here is a video for today.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Worth It All

Hi Everyone,

My friend that I had the pleasure of seeing yesterday in the morning just took off for the airport to go back to where she is serving......it was so neat that she was here! What a gift that was to me......and many others!

For some crazy reason tonight all of the transitions that I have gone through over this past year are just catching up with me for a moment...kind of a bitter-sweet thing. But I am not alone.

I don't like transitions, but as a cross-cultural worker for the Lord, my life is one of constant transition...and yet I am not complaining because I know that I am blessed to be surrounded by so many people who are doing the exact same thing here at the sending base.....and I know when I see Jesus it will be worth it all.

I know the best place is to be exactly where God has placed me--I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!!!!

And He is totally there in the challenging moments when I realize that I love both parts of my life and live it in two different places....yet heaven is my real home and I don't perfectly fit in either spot here on earth.

It's LIFE----Life of hope, life of transition, and best of all LIFE with HIM!!!!!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

God Qualifies The Called

Hi Everyone,

Here is a video...thoughts from our morning prayers time today.



We will be going out and doing street ministry tomorrow afternoon--just so you know.

God Is So Good!!!!!!

Hi Everyone,

My time out here at the sending base continues to be quite eventful! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!

All of the time out here there was one person that I was just wishing I could see....

I had no idea that this was going to happen, bu today she came here to morning prayers....and in my mind she was half-way around the world!

Of course I was screaming in excitement and we are both saying "What are YOU doing here?"

We might actually be going out and doing street ministry together this afternoon...not sure if that is going to happen or not.

Pray for the ordering of my time here---there are tons of people that I want to spend time with yet!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

How Do We Wait?

Hi Everyone,

How do we wait? We Wait...

IN HUMILITY

Romans 11:36
"For from him and through him and" for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!"

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

1 Peter 1:3-7 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

IN HOPE

Hebrews 9:27-28 "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

Titus 2:11-13 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,"

THROUGH FAITH

Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."

Saturday, December 4, 2010

A Partial Tour Of Our Castle

Hi Everyone,

This is actually my SECOND video for today. For those of you that are interested in seeing what the inside first floor of the sending base Castle Building looks like-Here you go. A personal three minute tour by video from me---for fun. ENJOY!!!!

Good Morning....From My Sending Base

Hi Everyone,

Here are some reflections and thoughts from last night....

(Sorry that the lighting wasn't so great on this video...it would be some work to redo it so I will leave it as is.)

Friday, December 3, 2010

This Life is NOT My Own!

Hi Everyone,

Tonight we had our "Right Hand Of Fellowship" here at the WEC International USA sending base to accept our new workers that completed their candidate orientation and will be going out to serve all over the world as cross-cultural workers for the Lord.It was really a special time for them as accepted new workers and for us as well.
I'll try to have a little video up tomorrow.

Last year I was also here at the same time for the same event, but it was under such different spiritual and emotional circumstances on my part. I remember thinking last year that this was probably the last RHOF "Right Hand of Fellowship" that I would ever attend--and I certainly didn't think I would ever be going back to Mexico-my field of service at the moment.

But last night was not only special for our new workers but it was also very deeply special for me in a personal way. I didn't announce it to anyone, but it really touched me when my candidate directors, addressing the new candidates, talked to them about how they were now under the leadership of our sending base leaders and how our sending base leaders would stand by them through the rest of the journey.

I think it meant so much to me because I have seen the reality of that in my life over the past year when things got really hard-and I saw how my sending base leaders with the love of Christ, stood behind me and how people here must have really prayed for me. I am part of an amazing family here-a small portion of the bigger body of Christ-the church.

And as I was thinking about this all and sort of "rededicating myself to go out and serve again in Mexico"--a couple came up to me and asked if they could pray for me.

Of course, I said, "yes!"

It was really neat--as they prayed for me, I pondered the JOY of the fact that my life is NOT my own and that God has called me to serve and obey Him wherever I am---but also for the next chapter in Mexico as well.

1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God......' (I just couldn't resist putting this verse this way--no taking it out of context is meant by doing so.)

Sometimes In The Darkest Moments

Hi Everyone,

I had a talk with my current sending base leaders and future sending base leaders yesterday. I basically shared my testimony of the past year, and what led up to it, with them all. It was a really special time of fellowship.

One of the things that we were talking about was that how sometimes when we get in the most desperate and "darkest" moments that us when God really does a work in our lives--because we come to the place of realizing that in and of ourselves we CAN'T do it---we get to the end of our own rope and discover that His in there and always has been-and He takes us the rest of the way--in HIS strength and not our own.

THAT really is what happened to me--God found me.

Thankfully not everyone has to go through such intense circumstances to come to the conclusion of the reality of ho much they need Him--and need His forgiveness and HIM controlling their lives. But God knows what each person needs and is totally capable of working in people's lives to bring them to that place of peace with themselves, peace with Him, and a greater understanding of who He is!

Psalm 145:14 "The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down."

Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Video Update From The Sending Base

Hi Everyone,

It's been getting really cold out here--so doing some of the outside videos that I had planned aren't working too well. However, here is just a little quick update about my life today!

Hope That Never Ends!

Hi Everyone

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."

What a gift it is to be given HOPE that never ends! Hope that is greater than our trials and present circumstances..and HOPE that does not disappoint us. It is that HOPE that we ourselves are strengthened and encouraged by through CHRIST, and it is that HOPE that affects our every deed and action. By all that we do, THAT HOPE is made evident to the men, women, and children of this world.

It is JESUS CHRIST and God our Father that strengthen us.....and it is by HIS GRACE alone that we have received such a truly amazing gift-----to GOD be the glory!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Decorating

Hi Everyone!

Today has been awesome! Today was the day that we all at my sending base headquarters decorated the "castle"-one of our major buildings--for Christmas! We had a delicious breakfast where everyone brought different dishes to share prior to decorating. The rest of the morning I helped being receptionist and then helped some with preparing dinner for the evening meal. I LOVE being here! I am truly blessed to have amazing servants of the Lord and friends as a part of my life---here at the sending base it is like we are a huge family that cares about one another. It is a blast to work together during the day doing our different jobs and then eat a meal together at night! I wouldn't trade being a part of this for anything else in the world! Tonight a friend of mine and I are going to spend some time hanging out together......I am NOT disappointed!





James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

It is INDEED a GIFT to be here!!!!

In Christ We Are......

Hi Everyone,

In Christ we are....

1) Dead to sin (Romans 6:2,5-11,22)

2) Dead to the world (Colossians 3:3)

3) Raised up together with Christ and seated with Him (Ephesians 1:17-21 Ephesians 2:6-7)

4) Delivered from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13)

5) Reconciled to Him (Colossians 1:21-22)

6) Forgiven all of our sins (Colossians 1:14)

7) A member of his family ((Ephesians 2:19)

8) Placed into His Kingdom (Colossians 1:13)


Pretty EXCITING, don't you think?

All of these things are the true inheritance of those who have TRUSTED in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation--and are ours in reality!