As I start this post I can't think of a title, there are many, many thoughts running through my brain and my motivation to clean my apartment is zilch, so have patience with me as I (hopefully) process and articulate what is on my heart. :)
I have been working on my Formal Application for Pioneers. It is a long, long, long application but in that I find comfort in the process, challenge in thinking and writing down theological topics that I haven't thought deeply about since college and excitement in the future and what it may bring. Some of the questions are kind of fun. Take the question "What books have you read that have influenced your life and thinking" Well, for those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE to read and have a bountiful library that I enjoy building. When I go to the mall or shopping center I usually skip past most clothing stores and find a bookstore and if a bookstore is not nearby I pull out one of my books from purse and perhaps a cup of coffee or tea from a shop and become lost in the book of choice. So, for this question I have a lot of books to add to this answer.
I will give you a glimpse of my answer, some of the books that were influential in my life are: ALL of Jim and Elisabeth Elliots books, biographies and autobiographies, the books about Nate Saint, Rachel Saint, and all five missionaries that gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel in Ecuador so many years ago. David Livingstone, Warren Wiersbe books, John Pipe, especially "Let the Nations Be Glade", "Operation World", "Revolutions in World Missions", the "Road to Reality" and "Living in the Light of Eternity", all by K.P. Yohannon, "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, "Introducing World Missions", by Moreau, Corwin & McGee, the "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" manual....Okay, you probably get the idea:) I am currently reading Kisses for Katie book and blog and LOVE both!
Another of the questions is about my home church. Let me pause here for a moment as it is part of my quandary and to be blamed for part of my restless spirit and swirling thoughts. Within the last year I had started to transition to a different church. There were no theological issues, no hurt feelings, I simply had more growth, fellowship and friendship within this new church. I did not make this decision easily or quickly and I am still completing my commitment with the teens, whom I love, of the old church. So, here is my quandary. Which church is my home church? I know many people from he church I attended for several years and am just now getting to know the people of this new church. In the home church/sending church column of the application they have many questions for the church to answer. Do you see my quandary? Please be in prayer about this.
I have been praying and thinking of where and what area I could potentially serve in and with Pioneers. This has brought me to reading more about ministry, missions online and in books. I have also reading more about the ministries of Pioneers. Friends, I am so excited about this. I sense more and more that God a place for me within this agency. My heartstrings are tugged each day as I continue in this process. It is not easy to sit on my couch and just want to BE THERE, where ever that may be! The needs are so great so that all may worship our Savior, which is the ultimate reason missions exist.
Won't you continue to pray for and with me as I continue with the application process, the clarity of where and what I will do in service and the home/sending church process. Also, please be in prayer as I continue to look for another job, part or full time.
Thank you, dear friends. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. How may I pray for you?
Romans 1:5
.. through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
A Fresh Hope and A New Journey
As a little girl I always enjoyed the times when missionaries came to our little town church and shared about their ministry to the people God had impressed upon their hearts. Carolyn, Rich and Margie, Bryon, the Baumanns and many more people made a difference in my life even if they did not realize it at the time. To be honest those where favorite times to go to church up until my relationship with god became a personal relationship not just an expected relationship, which was when I was 14. 14 was also the age of that I went on my first ministry trip. That trip to Ecuador, South America opened my eyes to not only the utter poverty of places beyond my little bubble of North Central Wisconsin, where I had grown up, but also the complete joy one can have when they worship their Lord and Savior.
It was during that trip and the transition back to my life in the states(even if I had only been in S.A.) for a few weeks) that I realized that I wanted the same joy that I saw others have. I NEEDED that. I needed a personal relationship with Jesus.
So started my journey. A journey that has been interesting, challenging, exciting, difficult and amazing. A journey I would not change because of where it has brought me. It has brought me closer and nearer to my Savior.
Since that pivotal point in my life, I knew I wanted to be in ministry. For years I was convinced missions only happened overseas. Then I went to New Tribes Bible Institute where I sat in the midst of missionaries who served all over the whole but also in their neighborhoods, wherever God put them they served. Even with those personal examples I still wanted to be part of missions overseas. Very soon before graduation from New Tribes a health scare was the start of a 9 year health battle, and the medical bills that went with the health issues. I soon realized as a college grad with no insurance and lots of medical bills that my hope to be overseas would no longer be an option, at least not anytime soon. So I grew up fast, got a job with benefits and coasted through life for the next several years.
It seemed that every time I made a sliver of moment towards paying my bills something would happen(car break down, new tires etc) and I would be 10 steps behind. This. Happened. Every. Single. Time. To say that I would get discouraged, depressed, sad, and frustrated would not be a lie. Not only was I not able to seem to get rid of the bills I also couldn't seem to get healthier. Nearly three years ago I was handed a medical hammer and nail that seemed to seal the coffin of hopes and dreams of being in full time ministry. Okay, I know that sounds dramatic but let me be completely real hear for you. In the midst of relief in having answers came dismay at thinking that for sure I would not be able to work overseas and most likely because of the expense and detail it took I would not be able to afford or function in full time ministry in any capacity. Yes, this was part reality but mostly fear, lack of understanding and satan working to take me out. The diagnosis of Celiac blew my life apart and forced me to start rebuilding it piece by piece. Food really does affect pretty much every aspect of life. There is hardly any point in life that food is not part of that.
I went through, and am still going through the process of the transition of a gluten free diet, among other food restrictions but then when I was starting to get used to the change in my life I realized that some symptoms I thought were just from not being healthy where actually neuro-muscular issues and most likely something that is genetically handed down to me. Again, I am in the process of adjusting to what is needed to be healthy and safe. Again, I thought that this would keep me from ministry beyond working through the church as much as I could, which I have been doing faithfully since I came home from college. These years have been amazing and a great blessing in my life. These years have included working with teens, mission trips to British Columbia, Colorado, Nassau Bahamas, and South America, Hmong youth club, taking a Perspectives World Movement class, training and planning a Perspectives class and being involved with many great Bible studies.
Despite going through these amazing experiences there was a part of me that felt like I was not anchored. For example, I have struggled with only a Associates in Biblical studies degree, I struggled with finding jobs that where stable and healthy(an issue I am currently dealing with). I have dabbled with school, different careers and feeling like I was just treading water and "getting by" in life.
This is what I was telling a dear friend recently during a delicious lunch and visit when we were discussing my life. She asked me what would I like to do in life if there were no limits in life. I answered quickly and easily that I would love to be in ministry and to be a wife and mother. She encouraged me to pursue ministry and gave me an idea of where I could start with that dream. It didn't take me long, a few day really, to decide to take a leap and give it a try. I filled out an application of interest with Pioneers Missions and also inquired with another mission(of which I have not heard back from) Surprisingly I heard back from Pioneers within 24 hours and they set me up with a phone interview with a wonderful woman named Kim. My interview with Kim was amazing. Going into the interview my top concerns and hesitations were my health and bills. My concerns about my health were calmed when she told me that within Pioneers there are a few people with Celiac who are serving successfully, one of them being her close friend, someone she told me she will put me in contact with and that even the HQ chef is Celiac(!, we then talked about the bills that I am still faithfully working on paying off. She assured me that she had seen God work in amazing ways to wipe away bills and reminded me that God is bigger than my health or my bills.
This is getting to be a long post(sorry-I just have a lot to tell tonight:)) So I will get to the point....drum roll, please...............I have been approved to continue on with canidating with Pioneers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This means that I have the Formal Application to submit and have several references completed. I was also invited to attend a week long Pioneers Orientation(Celiac chef=GF food=I can eat there!) in Orlando, Florida sometime this year(I have a few dates to chose from). At this orientation I will be interviewed in person, learn more about Pioneers, the organization and what it means to be part of Pioneers. At that time I will know if I am accepted as a missionary with Pioneers.
This has all happened in a WEEK! Wow, how things can quickly change and in ways that I thought were long impossible. It was a great reminder that God works in the impossible and beyond our finite minds. He is bigger than the challenges you and I face in life.
In closing, will you pray with me and for me in the following, as I delve into this new chapter in life?
Praise:
1. His provision on a minute by minute and day to day basis.(see prayer request#3)
2. God's faithfulness in the times we feel like we are treading water and the times things are going well.
3. For the people He puts in our lives to spur us on, to speak truth and to encourage us.
4. The clarity and peace He has shown me in the last several weeks about some difficult decisions I have made.
5. For the sunshine and warmth, the promise of new life.
Prayer Requests:
1. That I continue to seek God's will in this opportunity
2. That as I work on the extensive application I will be able to communicate thoroughly and answer the questions to the best of my ability.
3. That I am able to find a second job or a more stable and suitable full time job since in the the last several weeks my hours were cut from 40 to 25 or less each week. Not only do I want need to pay for everyday life, I also want to get rid of my bills as soon as possible and I also need to save for the week of orientation with Pioneers and the ticket to get there. Have I mentioned that God timing that I can't fathom based on the fact that my job is less than it has been and He is giving me this ministry opportunity?
4. That I continue to trust Him in ALL things, every day.
5. Clarity in this time in my life, that I am able to, along with Pioneers discern if and where I would be a good fit in the ministry.
Dear friends, thank you for reading this to the end I know it was long and thank you for your prayers.
In closing I am going to share a portion of scripture that has been precious to me for so long and is always true even when we do not see or feel it.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
It was during that trip and the transition back to my life in the states(even if I had only been in S.A.) for a few weeks) that I realized that I wanted the same joy that I saw others have. I NEEDED that. I needed a personal relationship with Jesus.
So started my journey. A journey that has been interesting, challenging, exciting, difficult and amazing. A journey I would not change because of where it has brought me. It has brought me closer and nearer to my Savior.
Since that pivotal point in my life, I knew I wanted to be in ministry. For years I was convinced missions only happened overseas. Then I went to New Tribes Bible Institute where I sat in the midst of missionaries who served all over the whole but also in their neighborhoods, wherever God put them they served. Even with those personal examples I still wanted to be part of missions overseas. Very soon before graduation from New Tribes a health scare was the start of a 9 year health battle, and the medical bills that went with the health issues. I soon realized as a college grad with no insurance and lots of medical bills that my hope to be overseas would no longer be an option, at least not anytime soon. So I grew up fast, got a job with benefits and coasted through life for the next several years.
It seemed that every time I made a sliver of moment towards paying my bills something would happen(car break down, new tires etc) and I would be 10 steps behind. This. Happened. Every. Single. Time. To say that I would get discouraged, depressed, sad, and frustrated would not be a lie. Not only was I not able to seem to get rid of the bills I also couldn't seem to get healthier. Nearly three years ago I was handed a medical hammer and nail that seemed to seal the coffin of hopes and dreams of being in full time ministry. Okay, I know that sounds dramatic but let me be completely real hear for you. In the midst of relief in having answers came dismay at thinking that for sure I would not be able to work overseas and most likely because of the expense and detail it took I would not be able to afford or function in full time ministry in any capacity. Yes, this was part reality but mostly fear, lack of understanding and satan working to take me out. The diagnosis of Celiac blew my life apart and forced me to start rebuilding it piece by piece. Food really does affect pretty much every aspect of life. There is hardly any point in life that food is not part of that.
I went through, and am still going through the process of the transition of a gluten free diet, among other food restrictions but then when I was starting to get used to the change in my life I realized that some symptoms I thought were just from not being healthy where actually neuro-muscular issues and most likely something that is genetically handed down to me. Again, I am in the process of adjusting to what is needed to be healthy and safe. Again, I thought that this would keep me from ministry beyond working through the church as much as I could, which I have been doing faithfully since I came home from college. These years have been amazing and a great blessing in my life. These years have included working with teens, mission trips to British Columbia, Colorado, Nassau Bahamas, and South America, Hmong youth club, taking a Perspectives World Movement class, training and planning a Perspectives class and being involved with many great Bible studies.
Despite going through these amazing experiences there was a part of me that felt like I was not anchored. For example, I have struggled with only a Associates in Biblical studies degree, I struggled with finding jobs that where stable and healthy(an issue I am currently dealing with). I have dabbled with school, different careers and feeling like I was just treading water and "getting by" in life.
This is what I was telling a dear friend recently during a delicious lunch and visit when we were discussing my life. She asked me what would I like to do in life if there were no limits in life. I answered quickly and easily that I would love to be in ministry and to be a wife and mother. She encouraged me to pursue ministry and gave me an idea of where I could start with that dream. It didn't take me long, a few day really, to decide to take a leap and give it a try. I filled out an application of interest with Pioneers Missions and also inquired with another mission(of which I have not heard back from) Surprisingly I heard back from Pioneers within 24 hours and they set me up with a phone interview with a wonderful woman named Kim. My interview with Kim was amazing. Going into the interview my top concerns and hesitations were my health and bills. My concerns about my health were calmed when she told me that within Pioneers there are a few people with Celiac who are serving successfully, one of them being her close friend, someone she told me she will put me in contact with and that even the HQ chef is Celiac(!, we then talked about the bills that I am still faithfully working on paying off. She assured me that she had seen God work in amazing ways to wipe away bills and reminded me that God is bigger than my health or my bills.
This is getting to be a long post(sorry-I just have a lot to tell tonight:)) So I will get to the point....drum roll, please...............I have been approved to continue on with canidating with Pioneers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This means that I have the Formal Application to submit and have several references completed. I was also invited to attend a week long Pioneers Orientation(Celiac chef=GF food=I can eat there!) in Orlando, Florida sometime this year(I have a few dates to chose from). At this orientation I will be interviewed in person, learn more about Pioneers, the organization and what it means to be part of Pioneers. At that time I will know if I am accepted as a missionary with Pioneers.
This has all happened in a WEEK! Wow, how things can quickly change and in ways that I thought were long impossible. It was a great reminder that God works in the impossible and beyond our finite minds. He is bigger than the challenges you and I face in life.
In closing, will you pray with me and for me in the following, as I delve into this new chapter in life?
Praise:
1. His provision on a minute by minute and day to day basis.(see prayer request#3)
2. God's faithfulness in the times we feel like we are treading water and the times things are going well.
3. For the people He puts in our lives to spur us on, to speak truth and to encourage us.
4. The clarity and peace He has shown me in the last several weeks about some difficult decisions I have made.
5. For the sunshine and warmth, the promise of new life.
Prayer Requests:
1. That I continue to seek God's will in this opportunity
2. That as I work on the extensive application I will be able to communicate thoroughly and answer the questions to the best of my ability.
3. That I am able to find a second job or a more stable and suitable full time job since in the the last several weeks my hours were cut from 40 to 25 or less each week. Not only do I want need to pay for everyday life, I also want to get rid of my bills as soon as possible and I also need to save for the week of orientation with Pioneers and the ticket to get there. Have I mentioned that God timing that I can't fathom based on the fact that my job is less than it has been and He is giving me this ministry opportunity?
4. That I continue to trust Him in ALL things, every day.
5. Clarity in this time in my life, that I am able to, along with Pioneers discern if and where I would be a good fit in the ministry.
Dear friends, thank you for reading this to the end I know it was long and thank you for your prayers.
In closing I am going to share a portion of scripture that has been precious to me for so long and is always true even when we do not see or feel it.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Carried
"When you are too weak to walk, God will carry you."
This is a phrase I just read and it fit so well with how I can describe life lately. It has been a whirlwind of ending one job, starting another, going on a missions trip, finding a new place to live, pack up to move and resume training at my new job-all in 3short weeks!
I am thankful that everything has fallen into place but I am not suprised that it has because they have fallen into place because of The One who holds it all in place-God. To be honest, I have no energy or strength to keep the pace that I have, humanly speaking, but I especially have felt God's strength while on the missions trip last week. It was a challenging and at times difficult trip.
The children we worked with came from hard situations. It was heart-breaking to hear of their experiances and know that when they left camp they would be goiong back to those deplorable places. One 12 year old was pregnant from rape. Words cannot express the ill feeling I get when I think of what she went through and how her life will always be like because of the sin forced upon her. I can only pray that she clings to God and that He is glorified through this ugly situation. We met kids who were homeless, came from homes riddled with addictions and abuse. Many had a hard time letting down their guard long enough to listen to the gospel or to talk to the staff. That was the case for the cabin I worked with.
This cabin was led by two aamzing young women, one from Haiti and a recent college graduate and one who grew up as a New Tribes missionary kid in Indonesia(!), both were strong believers and I was so blessed to have worked along side them ministerting to the older girls group of the camp. These eight girls(one of them the 12 year old pregnant girl I mentioned earlier) were defiant in every possible way so much of the time, not wanting to participate in activites or work as a group, nor, did they want to hear about the Bible or talk about life-most of the time. When we had a chance we jumped at it and listened and offered compassion and love mixed with a healthy dose of scripture. A few were familiar with God and the Bible but were to angry with the world and the life they were living to turn to The One Who could change their eternity. We know seeds were planted and trust they will be harvested someday. Please join me in praying for these young ladies who are hurting.
Whenever I work with out youth group on an event as a chaperone I am always challenged and taught many things and last week was no different! I now expect and look for it because it is always a growing experiance. To protect the innocent(haha!) I will not go into detail but suffice it to say that I was challenged in my faith, my prayer life, seeking God for wisdom, watched God change the lives of many of the teens and see them grow closer to God and each other. Last week was a week of borkenness for many, a time for many of the girls to realize their need for each other but also their need for a deeper relationship with God and to be open and receptive to what God is showing them that needs to change.
In the last two trips I have gone on(last year to South America and this year to Allegan, Michigan) God has been faithful to show me in little pieces His bigger desire for me in life, much of which includes ministry but most likely not in the way I had thought for so many years. I hope to continue chaperoning youth group mission trips but would love to bring back Perspectives sometime in the very near future. I also realized a few ways I can encourage my friends who are in ministry bith near and far and how much joy I get from doing it knowing it is blessing others and bringing glory to God!
The God who counts the sands of the dunes we visited, The God who painted the sunset we watched on the shores of Lake Michigan and The One Who measures the water we splashed in in our last day, The God who created the forest I zip-lined through(!) and the God Who is faithful, gracious and full of mercy is also the God Who works in and through all circumstances despite what what I or anyone thinks or feels is working out how He wants me to do ministry. He is calling you and I to follow Him and will give us strength when we are weak. When you ask, He will carry you. Friend, allow Him to work through you, to give you the strength and when needed, to carry you. Its the best place to be.
This is a phrase I just read and it fit so well with how I can describe life lately. It has been a whirlwind of ending one job, starting another, going on a missions trip, finding a new place to live, pack up to move and resume training at my new job-all in 3short weeks!
I am thankful that everything has fallen into place but I am not suprised that it has because they have fallen into place because of The One who holds it all in place-God. To be honest, I have no energy or strength to keep the pace that I have, humanly speaking, but I especially have felt God's strength while on the missions trip last week. It was a challenging and at times difficult trip.
The children we worked with came from hard situations. It was heart-breaking to hear of their experiances and know that when they left camp they would be goiong back to those deplorable places. One 12 year old was pregnant from rape. Words cannot express the ill feeling I get when I think of what she went through and how her life will always be like because of the sin forced upon her. I can only pray that she clings to God and that He is glorified through this ugly situation. We met kids who were homeless, came from homes riddled with addictions and abuse. Many had a hard time letting down their guard long enough to listen to the gospel or to talk to the staff. That was the case for the cabin I worked with.
This cabin was led by two aamzing young women, one from Haiti and a recent college graduate and one who grew up as a New Tribes missionary kid in Indonesia(!), both were strong believers and I was so blessed to have worked along side them ministerting to the older girls group of the camp. These eight girls(one of them the 12 year old pregnant girl I mentioned earlier) were defiant in every possible way so much of the time, not wanting to participate in activites or work as a group, nor, did they want to hear about the Bible or talk about life-most of the time. When we had a chance we jumped at it and listened and offered compassion and love mixed with a healthy dose of scripture. A few were familiar with God and the Bible but were to angry with the world and the life they were living to turn to The One Who could change their eternity. We know seeds were planted and trust they will be harvested someday. Please join me in praying for these young ladies who are hurting.
Whenever I work with out youth group on an event as a chaperone I am always challenged and taught many things and last week was no different! I now expect and look for it because it is always a growing experiance. To protect the innocent(haha!) I will not go into detail but suffice it to say that I was challenged in my faith, my prayer life, seeking God for wisdom, watched God change the lives of many of the teens and see them grow closer to God and each other. Last week was a week of borkenness for many, a time for many of the girls to realize their need for each other but also their need for a deeper relationship with God and to be open and receptive to what God is showing them that needs to change.
In the last two trips I have gone on(last year to South America and this year to Allegan, Michigan) God has been faithful to show me in little pieces His bigger desire for me in life, much of which includes ministry but most likely not in the way I had thought for so many years. I hope to continue chaperoning youth group mission trips but would love to bring back Perspectives sometime in the very near future. I also realized a few ways I can encourage my friends who are in ministry bith near and far and how much joy I get from doing it knowing it is blessing others and bringing glory to God!
The God who counts the sands of the dunes we visited, The God who painted the sunset we watched on the shores of Lake Michigan and The One Who measures the water we splashed in in our last day, The God who created the forest I zip-lined through(!) and the God Who is faithful, gracious and full of mercy is also the God Who works in and through all circumstances despite what what I or anyone thinks or feels is working out how He wants me to do ministry. He is calling you and I to follow Him and will give us strength when we are weak. When you ask, He will carry you. Friend, allow Him to work through you, to give you the strength and when needed, to carry you. Its the best place to be.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Chapters in my life
Well, today was the end of one chapter in my life and the beginning of a the next, as I mentioned in yesterdays post. Thank you, dear friends, for your encouragement and prayers they mean so much to me. It was not an easy day, a little tear-filled on my part but I felt the prayers! Thank you God for the chapters You have written in my life and Your Faithfulness through out each page.
My weekend in the new chapter in life will be filled with preparing for my new job and the missions trip that is fast approaching (8 days-yikes!). These preparations include scrub size shopping and manual reading for the job and creating a menu and making the food for a week at camp ahead of time because of my food allergies(ideas, anyone?). I am sure that at least one trip to a grocery store will be part of the day tomorrow along with a little swimming with my sisters and maybe even cheering on a few of my youth group girls and friends in the local Gus Macker basketball tournament, Fathers day and my niece's dedication celebration and a campfire and game night with friends after a trip meeting! Whew, a busy weekend already but a person needs to have some fun occasionally, right? :)
My weekend in the new chapter in life will be filled with preparing for my new job and the missions trip that is fast approaching (8 days-yikes!). These preparations include scrub size shopping and manual reading for the job and creating a menu and making the food for a week at camp ahead of time because of my food allergies(ideas, anyone?). I am sure that at least one trip to a grocery store will be part of the day tomorrow along with a little swimming with my sisters and maybe even cheering on a few of my youth group girls and friends in the local Gus Macker basketball tournament, Fathers day and my niece's dedication celebration and a campfire and game night with friends after a trip meeting! Whew, a busy weekend already but a person needs to have some fun occasionally, right? :)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Changes, Opportunities to Trust
Ahhh...after a LONG day of work I am sitting on my veranda listening to the relaxing symphony of crickets that God so beautifully orchestrated. This, with a backdrop of the river and Rib Mountain and the visits of a few fine feathered and forest creatures.
I have seriously craved this time for a couple of weeks but sadly my schedule and the weather have not allowed it until tonight. This gift of time and solitude is much needed after several months of situations beyond my control. I am emotionally and physically exhausted and am enjoying this small albeit precious time to enjoy the creation before me. It is especially special to me as I know my time at this apartment is drawing to a close and I will have to find a new place of solitude. So many changes and things going on in my life, namely one which happens tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my last day at a job I have truly loved. I love the patients, the doctors and many of the people I work with and the other things the job entails but I recently had to make a very hard decision. Along with that decision was the chance to trust in God and His provision in my life. I see it more than a coincidence that as I realized that my financial state was not getting any better and that I have many unexpected medical bills coming along with the need to find a new place to live that I found out about a job that would provide better pay and medical benefits. Along with this job came a whole new territory and learning a whole new career, this time in the pediatric dental field. Crazy different from the chiropractic world, isn't it? I never thought I would be working in the dental field. Then again, I said the same thing about the chiropractic field just a few years ago!
With this change in careers I MUST trust that God has this all worked out for His glory and that I will love it as much as I have loved my old career, if not more! I am thankful that this new job will give me better hours each week (although I will miss my extra days off!) hopefully giving me more rest and less stress each day! I must also trust that He will instill in me a continued peace about this change. Honestly, there is a part of me that is really scared and nervous about this new job and the change. Maybe it is partly the stress of the last several months and all of the changes and things going on in the next couple of months or maybe it is simply and largely me not trusting Him and resting the peace of His promises. Please pray for me as I learn a new career, go on a missions trip with the teens of my church youth group as a leader/chaperon and as I continue to search for a affordable place to live and then move, all within the next five weeks!
Even through all of the seeming upheaval in my life I try to keep in mind that the circumstances I am in are all temporal and will all be over, eventually so I am thankful that God is faithful through all of the situations and seasons in life and that I have the privilege of trusting Him and knowing Him a little more because of the journey my life goes through. I pray that you, my friend, will be able to rest a little bit more in His arms through all of the bumps and curves of life and enjoy the chances to learn more of His faithfulness because a challenge in life with Him is so much more peaceful than it is without Him in your life.
Seek Him. Trust Him. Today.
I have seriously craved this time for a couple of weeks but sadly my schedule and the weather have not allowed it until tonight. This gift of time and solitude is much needed after several months of situations beyond my control. I am emotionally and physically exhausted and am enjoying this small albeit precious time to enjoy the creation before me. It is especially special to me as I know my time at this apartment is drawing to a close and I will have to find a new place of solitude. So many changes and things going on in my life, namely one which happens tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my last day at a job I have truly loved. I love the patients, the doctors and many of the people I work with and the other things the job entails but I recently had to make a very hard decision. Along with that decision was the chance to trust in God and His provision in my life. I see it more than a coincidence that as I realized that my financial state was not getting any better and that I have many unexpected medical bills coming along with the need to find a new place to live that I found out about a job that would provide better pay and medical benefits. Along with this job came a whole new territory and learning a whole new career, this time in the pediatric dental field. Crazy different from the chiropractic world, isn't it? I never thought I would be working in the dental field. Then again, I said the same thing about the chiropractic field just a few years ago!
With this change in careers I MUST trust that God has this all worked out for His glory and that I will love it as much as I have loved my old career, if not more! I am thankful that this new job will give me better hours each week (although I will miss my extra days off!) hopefully giving me more rest and less stress each day! I must also trust that He will instill in me a continued peace about this change. Honestly, there is a part of me that is really scared and nervous about this new job and the change. Maybe it is partly the stress of the last several months and all of the changes and things going on in the next couple of months or maybe it is simply and largely me not trusting Him and resting the peace of His promises. Please pray for me as I learn a new career, go on a missions trip with the teens of my church youth group as a leader/chaperon and as I continue to search for a affordable place to live and then move, all within the next five weeks!
Even through all of the seeming upheaval in my life I try to keep in mind that the circumstances I am in are all temporal and will all be over, eventually so I am thankful that God is faithful through all of the situations and seasons in life and that I have the privilege of trusting Him and knowing Him a little more because of the journey my life goes through. I pray that you, my friend, will be able to rest a little bit more in His arms through all of the bumps and curves of life and enjoy the chances to learn more of His faithfulness because a challenge in life with Him is so much more peaceful than it is without Him in your life.
Seek Him. Trust Him. Today.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Lifting my eyes in the midst of a valley while on a peak....
My life has been a mix of intense personal trial and joy all at the same time. tonight at church we sang a song that reflected so much of what I have been doing, or trying to do, which is lifting my eyes to my God at the foot of a mountain I cannot climb on my own, clinging to a healer and comforter, to God who knows me and my thoughts, feelings and my life. He does not and will not desert me despite my failings and experiances-Praise Him!
The strength that I draw to get through any trial or joy is by continually fixing my eyes on my Lord and Savior. I hope you enjoy and relate to the lyrics just as I did. My friends, remember as His beloved son or daughter we are held in the arms of the One who holds the world in the palm of his hand. May I encourage you to repose, to rest, in the promise of His love, His strength, power. Please don't go through life thinking that he doesn't want a relationship with you because He does. He wants for you and me to lift our eyes to Him and seek Him out, to shout to Him, not only in the midst of trial but also for daily life-the good and not so good as he is the Calmer of the storms of life.
P.S. I hope to be able to get the video of this song by Bebo Norman up soon also.
~~~~~~~~
I Will Lift My Eyes-Bebo Norman
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, let Mercy sing
Her melody over me
God, right here all I bring
Is all of me
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
'Cause you fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs you now.
The strength that I draw to get through any trial or joy is by continually fixing my eyes on my Lord and Savior. I hope you enjoy and relate to the lyrics just as I did. My friends, remember as His beloved son or daughter we are held in the arms of the One who holds the world in the palm of his hand. May I encourage you to repose, to rest, in the promise of His love, His strength, power. Please don't go through life thinking that he doesn't want a relationship with you because He does. He wants for you and me to lift our eyes to Him and seek Him out, to shout to Him, not only in the midst of trial but also for daily life-the good and not so good as he is the Calmer of the storms of life.
P.S. I hope to be able to get the video of this song by Bebo Norman up soon also.
~~~~~~~~
I Will Lift My Eyes-Bebo Norman
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, let Mercy sing
Her melody over me
God, right here all I bring
Is all of me
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
'Cause you fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs you now.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
I'm Back !!!!
Hello Again Friends!
After a longtime with sporadic internet and computer use I am back online. I just received my new laptop in the mail and so far so good. Even better is that I will (hopefully) be able to blog more frequently as has been my desire for awhile.
I need to work on some Bible study prep right now but until I can write more I ask that you be in prayer for me right now. Looking at things in a human perspective, one would think that my life was falling apart, but in truth it is just as God wants it to be, as difficult as it is I know He has all things in control. I am thankful for His faithfulness, grace and unfailing love. Will you pray with me that I continue to lean on His strength and not my own, that I trust the outcome of the circumstances and not be anxious but put everything to prayer? Thank you.
After a longtime with sporadic internet and computer use I am back online. I just received my new laptop in the mail and so far so good. Even better is that I will (hopefully) be able to blog more frequently as has been my desire for awhile.
I need to work on some Bible study prep right now but until I can write more I ask that you be in prayer for me right now. Looking at things in a human perspective, one would think that my life was falling apart, but in truth it is just as God wants it to be, as difficult as it is I know He has all things in control. I am thankful for His faithfulness, grace and unfailing love. Will you pray with me that I continue to lean on His strength and not my own, that I trust the outcome of the circumstances and not be anxious but put everything to prayer? Thank you.
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