Hey friends! We are alive and well! I have not blogged in a looonnnngg time! We have been spending so much time with family and friends and preparing for our big move to Romania! It has been a sweet time for us!
There have been so many things I have wanted to blog about, but actually spending the time to write about all those things is not how the Lord wanted me to spend my time. I think they were things for me to just sit and ponder in my own heart.
But, there has been something that I have wanted to share for some time that He continues to bring to mind...I think because I am still struggling with the lesson He wanted to teach me!
About five weeks ago Steve and I were not sleeping good. Packing up all of our belongings, loss of sleep, schedule and routine thrown out the window, not praying fervently, not soaking in the Word as I should, anxiety about adjusting our family to a new culture, language, housing situation along with thoughts of leaving family, our house and our church....well, I will just tell you....we have had LOTS of bizarre dreams!
Not just bizarre dreams, but God dreams! Dreams that I believe HE gave me to teach me something.
So, I want to share with you a dream that I had a month ago.
We were living in the missionary house and I was outside pulling the kids around the yard in their red wagon. All of a sudden a black serpent creeps out of the grass and begins to lift its head up and strike at my heel! What did I do? I began to try and stomp on his ugly head! And then I ran. And that serpent was fast on his belly and he chased after me. I ran to our car and lifted my kids onto the hood of the car. (it is a dream, so some things just don't make sense :) All the while, the serpent is on my heel....striking at me....biting my heels. And it hurt....I was in pain, screaming out for him to stop. As soon as my kids were "safe" on the hood of the car. I began to stomp on his head repeatedly until eventually he lowered his nasty head and slithered away.
"I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise your heel." ~Gen. 3:15
That was it. So, I woke up in the middle of the night confused and wondering why in the world I had that dream. I went back to bed and it was the first thing on my mind in the morning. I knew this dream was from the Lord. I have had several God dreams over the last few years and when I have them it is almost like the Lord says, "pay attention to this...there is something here I am trying to tell you."
Well, guess what? I didn't pay attention very long. I couldn't after all you know with all that packing and visiting! So, I told myself.
The next day, the dream still lingering in my mind, but I don't sit down and take the time to talk with the Lord about it. I am far too busy for that.
The third morning after the dream. I wake up and tell Steve about this dream and as I am getting ready for the day. I pray. I seek the Lord. I listened. And, so faithful....He spoke.
I looked back on my last two weeks at that time. And all I had done was run around like a chicken with its head cut off. I packed, I shopped for things we needed, we visited lots of folks, we baked, we did, did, did. I had not been praying hardly at all. I had not been in the Word very much. I had not looked for opportunities to share the Gospel or just be a light to those I was around day to day. I was anxious and worried. I was scared. And I didn't take any of this to the Lord.
It was almost as if I had forgotten the whole point of why I was packing up and moving halfway across the earth. Him! He is our reason!
He should be our reason for everything we do!
In my mind my world and my to do list seemed so big to me and it seemed so important. Not what the Lord would have me to do...not in the order He would have me do them, but I put myself first.
The Lord reminded me that when I let my guard down and am not seeking Him with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength that I am so weak. I am weak to fight off the devil.
But, mostly I was reminded that I am in a spiritual battle. As followers of Christ, we all are...daily.
Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) Did you read that? This is satan's goal for your life. To steal anything he can from you--peace, joy, contentment, etc. He wants to destroy your life and leave you for dead.
He does not want to see our family following God.
He doesn't want more people in Romania to hear of Christ's love.
So, I need to buck up! ARMOR UP!
Will you read all of Ephesians 6:10-20 with me?
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. "
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Ephesians 4:14
Is your armor on??
When I picture men with armor on or see movies where men are covered in heavy armor and fighting, I always think, "how do they move or lift their arms with all that extra weight?"
But, with the armor of the Lord it is exactly the opposite. We put on all of this armor and it lightens our load.
We can move with more ease.
We are freed up from the inside out!
"Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from mr, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." ~Matt. 11:28-30
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Romania: Areas of Ministry
Well...I just can't seem to do much of anything on time!
I have always been late and I really desire to do things on time and arrive to places on time....I know I drive Steve crazy sometimes. Well, two weeks ago we sent out our monthly newsletter about two weeks late! HA! I mentioned in the newsletter that I would post on my blog different areas of ministry in Romania.
We will not be involved in all of these areas, but just want to tell of all the work/people the missionaries of Project 127 are involved with.
Something that we hope you realize is that we hope to best share the Gospel by building trust and building relationships with those we live around and work around. We hope to be a light in a dark place.
We have been very encouraged by families here in the states, particularly missionary families, that the value we place on family and loving one another and treating each other with respect (between husband and wife and parent/child relationships) will hopefully be a huge impact for the glory of God! We wouldn't work at godly living, strengthening each other in the faith and training our children in the way they should go if the Lord had not first captured our hearts, minds and souls. We cannot do this without Him!
We hope that others see hope and joy and life to the fullest in us! We hope they see that through Christ, they too can have a light burden and an easy yoke...a Savior....a Redeemer....Jesus Christ!
3 Romanian Villages
Mierleu
*This is where our family will live. The lifestyle here is set back several decades. Few families have indoor plumbing, some people still have horse and wagon, I think everyone chops their own wood and uses a wood stove for heating the home. These are not wealthy people. The village is set in the countryside...so beautiful.
*There are several elderly and shut-ins, as well as numerous small families. We cannot wait to meet these people and see how we can share the Gospel with them and love them. We will be the only Americans in this village, but we do know two other people here that speak English.
*The mayor of this village is very open to us starting some type of Christian after-school program. Please pray for discernment and direction from the Lord! There are so many ministry opportunities right here where we will live. Oh, the kids just learned to play volleyball this summer and now they want a team. :) hmmmm...
*Mission teams who come in the summer will do Bible Clubs with all of the children.
I have always been late and I really desire to do things on time and arrive to places on time....I know I drive Steve crazy sometimes. Well, two weeks ago we sent out our monthly newsletter about two weeks late! HA! I mentioned in the newsletter that I would post on my blog different areas of ministry in Romania.
We will not be involved in all of these areas, but just want to tell of all the work/people the missionaries of Project 127 are involved with.
Something that we hope you realize is that we hope to best share the Gospel by building trust and building relationships with those we live around and work around. We hope to be a light in a dark place.
We have been very encouraged by families here in the states, particularly missionary families, that the value we place on family and loving one another and treating each other with respect (between husband and wife and parent/child relationships) will hopefully be a huge impact for the glory of God! We wouldn't work at godly living, strengthening each other in the faith and training our children in the way they should go if the Lord had not first captured our hearts, minds and souls. We cannot do this without Him!
We hope that others see hope and joy and life to the fullest in us! We hope they see that through Christ, they too can have a light burden and an easy yoke...a Savior....a Redeemer....Jesus Christ!
3 Romanian Villages
Mierleu
*This is where our family will live. The lifestyle here is set back several decades. Few families have indoor plumbing, some people still have horse and wagon, I think everyone chops their own wood and uses a wood stove for heating the home. These are not wealthy people. The village is set in the countryside...so beautiful.
*There are several elderly and shut-ins, as well as numerous small families. We cannot wait to meet these people and see how we can share the Gospel with them and love them. We will be the only Americans in this village, but we do know two other people here that speak English.
*The mayor of this village is very open to us starting some type of Christian after-school program. Please pray for discernment and direction from the Lord! There are so many ministry opportunities right here where we will live. Oh, the kids just learned to play volleyball this summer and now they want a team. :) hmmmm...
*Mission teams who come in the summer will do Bible Clubs with all of the children.
The house we will live in :)
Topa De Sus
*Five of the poorest families in this village are supported with monthly food care packages from families in the United States. Once a week the guys will literally climb a mountain to get to some of these homes to share the sermon that was preached on Sunday! Worth the hike to take the Gospel to those who would otherwise never hear it.
*Some of the most delicious, sugary and airy doughnuts await you atop this hill from a lovely widow named Florica. She will feed you as many doughnuts as she can stuff inside your mouth. :)
*Some of the families are believers, but not all. Please pray for these families and that they would see God working in their lives.
Sintelec
*God provided a house and beautiful land in this village. The Bruski's spent much time praying about what this home and property could be used for. Here is the plan.
*The home is currently being renovated for a missionary family to live in (just got a new roof and new windows)
*Matthews Place: 12 cabins will be build behind the missionary home. Twelve of the older boys from the orphanage that we have church with will be able to move into a cabin. They will be able to live there for two years. Within those two years they will be discipled and taught a trade (carpentry, plumbing, etc.)
-In 8th grade the children take a test that basically determines their future. If they do not pass this test they are not allowed to go to University where they will learn a trade that becomes their job for them to make a living. If you are a gypsy and were not made to go to school, you are most likely not going to pass this test. This is the case for the boys who will be living here.
-This is a small first step and great opportunity for: 1) the Lord to do a mighty work in the lives of these young men. 2) to begin change for the next generation...to change the cycle from homelessness and impoverished families (begging, stealing, etc) to being able to value themselves as children of God, value family and being a provider for themselves and their families.
*The hope is that the building of these cabins would begin sometime in 2011
This place looks so great now, but this is an old picture.
Will try and update it when we arrive and see it again.
Gypsy Villages
-There is much discrimination against the gypsy/Roma people. It is very sad, but we are anxious to see how the Lord would have us help these people who are physically and spiritually destitute.
Cherichu, RO
*A Hungarian Gypsy Village including 14 families who are all sponsored with monthly food packages by families in the United States. It is a VERY cool God story of how the Bruski's were lead to this village--too long to write here--but maybe we can share it sometime.
*There is no Evangelical Church in the village. This fall as the Bruski's were stateside raising support someone from one of the churches told them that they could just send him the bill for the building of a church in this village!!! He is paying for the whole thing!! Now all they need is land. Pray for the Lord's leading and revealing where He wants His church to be!
Alex's 4th birthday
(he's a big part of that sweet story you need to hear)
Dobersti, RO
*There are over 150 Roma families living in extreme poverty here.
*A water project has been completed and has provided clean water for all of the families.
*This village is an overwhelming place to me in my opinion. There are so many people....so many children.....deep poverty. Dirty faces, dirty clothes, some naked children, run down mud shacks and what for food?? The needs just seems so overwhelming and leaves you asking, "God, where would you even have us begin?"
City Ministry
-City life lends more conveniences, but there are still great needs. There is so much prejudice against gypsies and one of the many purposes of this ministry is to share that Christ came for ALL!
-No pictures are allowed to be taken at government facilities so we have none to post.
*Government Centers:
1. Minor Center is more for juvenile delinquents. This is a great opportunity to minister to youth at risk.
*90% of the kids from the Minor Center are picked up from the police from the street -- mostly for begging or running away from the orphanage. The Minor Center can hold up to 16 kids temporarily until the courts decide upon a permanent placement -- return home, foster care, or orphanage.
*Missionaries Joy & Pat Hardin go weekly to do Bible Studies and Miss Joy recently started a weekly cooking class with the children and Bible study. The stories they share of these children's lives...well, most of us couldn't dream up. It makes me cringe and my heart ache every time I read another story of what they have been through. Innocence lost. Abandonment. Abuse. No hope. No value. Praise God for allowing the Hardin's to be "Mom" and "Dad" to so many who do not have them. The kids really do call them mom and dad--super sweet!!
*They are also able to take the kids on monthly field trips and outings as they are not allowed outside very much
2. Maternity Center is for single moms who are pregnant or already have children or both. This is a place for them to get back on their feet again. The ladies who run this facility help these women find jobs, housing and day cares for their children to live in. Most seasons during the year there are weekly Bible studies.
*The women are here for six months and then they have to move out, hopefully having found a job and apartment for their little families to live in.
*There is no written Biblical curriculum for the people. One of Cali's goals is to write two- 90 day devotionals. The first will be on the life of Christ. Our hope is that God will use His Word to once again transform lives and bring to Light who His Son is!
3. Transition Center
The government recently opened a transition center for older orphans that are done with school. This helps them from going to the street and allows them to get a job to start saving money. They have opened there doors for us and we are praying about how to best minister here.
*Homeless
Throughout the city, the homeless are seen -- digging in the dumpsters, trying to get warm next to the water pipes. At this time we do not regularly work with a particular group, but do minister as opportunities arise - food, dental work, etc.
Government Housing
*We are able to sponsor 4 families with monthly food packages and kids' clubs during summer and winter breaks. We are praying about all the opportunities here and what God has in store.
*Houses about 150 families, each in 1 tiny room and sharing a bathroom with 15 other families
*This is a dirty and dark place filled with negative influences on the children and parents face many obstacles
Orphanage
*The orphanage we primarily work with houses approximately 80 kids ranging from the age of 4 to 20. The kids are able to come to church at the Bruski house twice a week. Wedneday evenings include meal and Sundays include small groups to further discipleship opportunities.
Church
La Adapost/The Refuge
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior..
II Samuel 22:3
*We attend church at the Bruski's house with the orphans mentioned above.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Learning Lessons
This morning I morphed into the energizer bunny! Right now, I feel like my battery needs to be recharged.
BUT, this morning I had FIVE CHILD-FREE HOURS to pack, pack, pack!
After the first hour and a half a lot of reflecting took place. I was feeling so bad as I packed up all my kids toys and all their things. Feeling a bit guilty that they were going to come home to a pretty bare and empty bedroom and I had not warned Noah that I was packing all of his things away.
As I was packing the Lord gave me some sweet reminders of how our life has changed over the last 5 months. Our life has changed because of HIM. HE changed our hearts and still is. These are some lessons HE reminded me of that HE is trying to teach us. It was so neat to look back and see how the Lord really has changed my heart. And not only mine, but my children's and Steve's.
We moved out of our home five months ago and rented it out. We LOVED our new little home of exactly two years. We put so much money and sweat into making that place a home. Our FAMILY put so much money and sweat and hours into making it a sweet home for our family!! We couldn't be more grateful. It was a filthy place when we moved in and needed lots of TLC. We saw so much potential in it and some of the final touches happened the DAY we moved out and rented it. That was hard! Things we had wanted to do for the first two years didn't get accomplished until it was time to leave it.
Then, we moved into the missionary house next to the church. That was a hard transition I was not prepared for. I was so worried about Romania being a hard transition for my children, I didn't think twice about this first move. The first two months were horrendous!
We felt like we had two newborns who couldn't sleep through the night.
Many discipline problems with our little Paige.
The house was so small we never wanted to be in it.
But we have grown to love this little place that has become our home over the last five months. For the first two months here, Noah would often mention our real house and he wanted his own room back so badly! We would just cry together over it! My heart ached, even though I knew that where God was calling us made every family member sacrifice and it was for our good!
Here are a couple things we have/are learning from the Lord & His Word:
Lesson Learning #1: This world is not our home. It is so temporary and we eagerly await to be at home with our Savior! "...Having acknowledged they were strangers and exiles on the earth." ~Heb. 11:13
*Last night we were sitting in the floor playing and Steve asked Noah where his home was. He said, "right here." This brought much comfort to me to know that he realizes wherever the four of us are together--that is our home. It isn't one house or one state .....it is wherever Noah, Paige, Cali and Steve are. Our family makes a home.
"But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ." ~Phil. 3:20
Lesson Learning #2: This world has nothing for me! The Lord continues to ask me, "where is your treasure?" Is it in a home, decorating a home, clothing, stuff or is it the Gospel--Jesus Christ?
Packing up all of our stuff, much of which we cannot bring along is hard. I realized today that some things I really wanted to take with me just will not fit. The Lord continues to remind me of how much stuff we have and it really is not necessary.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
~Matt. 6:19-21
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." ~Matt. 13:44-46
The Gospel...Jesus....is the treasure. I am living fully invested to Him..not to this world!
Lesson Learning #3: Living with Arms wide open
I keep imagining what life will be like in Romania. It is fun to dream and imagine and then compare that to reality in a month! It will be interesting to see the stark contrasts I am sure. As I am packing I keep thinking to myself, what if someone steals this? what if someone just comes in our home when we aren't there and takes _____? I am so concerned about my stuff sometimes! So, the Lord is teaching us to live with hands wide open, palms up to Him and just saying "Lord all of this is Yours! You gave it! We want to take care of everything He has blessed us with from small material possessions that are special to us to the most valuable gifts of all--our children. We will do our best, but we also want to make sure that we are careful how we cling to things and the motive of clinging to it.
This quote is a great reminder for me.
"Whatever you are holding on to in this life, hold it loosely so it won't hurt when the Lord has to pry your fingers open to take it away."
Well, it just hurts when things get taken away that we love or want. My house for instance! Steve's job! Our church! Our family! We are just learning to live with hands wide open, palms face up to Him. For it is all His in the first place.
He knows what to do with it best!
I just need to trust Him!
"Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. "
~Phil. 3:8a
BUT, this morning I had FIVE CHILD-FREE HOURS to pack, pack, pack!
After the first hour and a half a lot of reflecting took place. I was feeling so bad as I packed up all my kids toys and all their things. Feeling a bit guilty that they were going to come home to a pretty bare and empty bedroom and I had not warned Noah that I was packing all of his things away.
As I was packing the Lord gave me some sweet reminders of how our life has changed over the last 5 months. Our life has changed because of HIM. HE changed our hearts and still is. These are some lessons HE reminded me of that HE is trying to teach us. It was so neat to look back and see how the Lord really has changed my heart. And not only mine, but my children's and Steve's.
We moved out of our home five months ago and rented it out. We LOVED our new little home of exactly two years. We put so much money and sweat into making that place a home. Our FAMILY put so much money and sweat and hours into making it a sweet home for our family!! We couldn't be more grateful. It was a filthy place when we moved in and needed lots of TLC. We saw so much potential in it and some of the final touches happened the DAY we moved out and rented it. That was hard! Things we had wanted to do for the first two years didn't get accomplished until it was time to leave it.
Then, we moved into the missionary house next to the church. That was a hard transition I was not prepared for. I was so worried about Romania being a hard transition for my children, I didn't think twice about this first move. The first two months were horrendous!
We felt like we had two newborns who couldn't sleep through the night.
Many discipline problems with our little Paige.
The house was so small we never wanted to be in it.
But we have grown to love this little place that has become our home over the last five months. For the first two months here, Noah would often mention our real house and he wanted his own room back so badly! We would just cry together over it! My heart ached, even though I knew that where God was calling us made every family member sacrifice and it was for our good!
Here are a couple things we have/are learning from the Lord & His Word:
Lesson Learning #1: This world is not our home. It is so temporary and we eagerly await to be at home with our Savior! "...Having acknowledged they were strangers and exiles on the earth." ~Heb. 11:13
*Last night we were sitting in the floor playing and Steve asked Noah where his home was. He said, "right here." This brought much comfort to me to know that he realizes wherever the four of us are together--that is our home. It isn't one house or one state .....it is wherever Noah, Paige, Cali and Steve are. Our family makes a home.
"But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ." ~Phil. 3:20
Lesson Learning #2: This world has nothing for me! The Lord continues to ask me, "where is your treasure?" Is it in a home, decorating a home, clothing, stuff or is it the Gospel--Jesus Christ?
Packing up all of our stuff, much of which we cannot bring along is hard. I realized today that some things I really wanted to take with me just will not fit. The Lord continues to remind me of how much stuff we have and it really is not necessary.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
~Matt. 6:19-21
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." ~Matt. 13:44-46
The Gospel...Jesus....is the treasure. I am living fully invested to Him..not to this world!
Lesson Learning #3: Living with Arms wide open
I keep imagining what life will be like in Romania. It is fun to dream and imagine and then compare that to reality in a month! It will be interesting to see the stark contrasts I am sure. As I am packing I keep thinking to myself, what if someone steals this? what if someone just comes in our home when we aren't there and takes _____? I am so concerned about my stuff sometimes! So, the Lord is teaching us to live with hands wide open, palms up to Him and just saying "Lord all of this is Yours! You gave it! We want to take care of everything He has blessed us with from small material possessions that are special to us to the most valuable gifts of all--our children. We will do our best, but we also want to make sure that we are careful how we cling to things and the motive of clinging to it.
This quote is a great reminder for me.
"Whatever you are holding on to in this life, hold it loosely so it won't hurt when the Lord has to pry your fingers open to take it away."
Well, it just hurts when things get taken away that we love or want. My house for instance! Steve's job! Our church! Our family! We are just learning to live with hands wide open, palms face up to Him. For it is all His in the first place.
He knows what to do with it best!
I just need to trust Him!
"Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. "
~Phil. 3:8a
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
St. Jude's & a Send Off
I want to recap my weekend for you all. I know it's a bit late, but still wanted to share because this weekend meant a lot to our family.
Two really special things happened.
1. Saturday was a walk for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at the West Town Mall here in Knoxville. Sweet Katie Lown from our church held a walk for the Tichon Family that attend our church.
Let me tell you briefly what has forever changed their lives this year. Earlier this year the Tichon's had Jordan (4) and Hope (2) and a little boy on the way. I had both of their girls in nursery at church. :) Right before the due date they found out that Hope had leukemia!! WHOA!
Talk about life changing. Earth shattering. Faith Quivering. Heart Stopping. Life Changing.
Four days after they found out she had leukemia and just two days after Hope's first chemo treatment, Kim delivered their new baby boy.
Rejoicing in new life.
Grieving for your daughters life.
Well, several months later and Hope is still going through chemo treatments. It was really neat being a part of team "Hoping for Hope." It was a special thing to support this family and a reminder to continue to pray for them. I am so excited to see how the Lord is going to use this trial in their life for their good! I can't wait to see how He uses pain and hardship to, hopefully, bring Himself glory through the Tichon Family!
It was also a huge reminder to be thankful for my children's health. Their health today. I don't know that they will always be healthy. I pray they will. And today I am thankful that they are right now!!
2. Sunday after church there was a reception for Steve and I before we leave for Romania.
This was perfect and precious! It was so wonderful to see all the families just sitting on the floor (picnic style) eating lunch and all their kiddos running around the room (my little man included). I was so thankful for all of you! For all the people who are supporting us on this journey with the Lord.
It was so fun to talk with so many people and it was heart wrenching at the same time...knowing that after a couple more weeks things will be so different. It is hard leaving familiar territory and familiar people. So thankful for the relationships that we have here and hopeful that they will continue to grow despite geographical location and distance! You all have been family to us!!
We were so thankful for those who came and for Fellowship Church sending us off with their blessing!! It means more than they will ever know!
Our hearts are SO FULL this Thanksgiving!
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." ~Col. 2:7
"I will praise the name of God with a song.
I will magnify Him with thanksgiving."
Psalm 69:30
Two really special things happened.
1. Saturday was a walk for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at the West Town Mall here in Knoxville. Sweet Katie Lown from our church held a walk for the Tichon Family that attend our church.
Let me tell you briefly what has forever changed their lives this year. Earlier this year the Tichon's had Jordan (4) and Hope (2) and a little boy on the way. I had both of their girls in nursery at church. :) Right before the due date they found out that Hope had leukemia!! WHOA!
Talk about life changing. Earth shattering. Faith Quivering. Heart Stopping. Life Changing.
Four days after they found out she had leukemia and just two days after Hope's first chemo treatment, Kim delivered their new baby boy.
Rejoicing in new life.
Grieving for your daughters life.
Well, several months later and Hope is still going through chemo treatments. It was really neat being a part of team "Hoping for Hope." It was a special thing to support this family and a reminder to continue to pray for them. I am so excited to see how the Lord is going to use this trial in their life for their good! I can't wait to see how He uses pain and hardship to, hopefully, bring Himself glory through the Tichon Family!
It was also a huge reminder to be thankful for my children's health. Their health today. I don't know that they will always be healthy. I pray they will. And today I am thankful that they are right now!!
2. Sunday after church there was a reception for Steve and I before we leave for Romania.
This was perfect and precious! It was so wonderful to see all the families just sitting on the floor (picnic style) eating lunch and all their kiddos running around the room (my little man included). I was so thankful for all of you! For all the people who are supporting us on this journey with the Lord.
It was so fun to talk with so many people and it was heart wrenching at the same time...knowing that after a couple more weeks things will be so different. It is hard leaving familiar territory and familiar people. So thankful for the relationships that we have here and hopeful that they will continue to grow despite geographical location and distance! You all have been family to us!!
We were so thankful for those who came and for Fellowship Church sending us off with their blessing!! It means more than they will ever know!
Our hearts are SO FULL this Thanksgiving!
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." ~Col. 2:7
"I will praise the name of God with a song.
I will magnify Him with thanksgiving."
Psalm 69:30
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Calling for a fast
Please join us for a day of fasting and prayer: November 17th
If you are unable to fast, please pray for the people of Romania whenever the Lord brings them to mind.
Steve and I do not fast regularly. It is an area of spiritual growth for us personally, but we know we are commanded to do it and God grants so many promises to us by doing so. By no means are we fasting in order to earn something or to gain favor with the Lord. We do so out of obedience and out of utter dependence on HIM! Who else can we turn to, but HIM?!
The Lord brought me to Isaiah 58. This passage sounds so good, but I really wanted to know more about it and still do. I found two sermons by John Piper on this section of Isaiah 58:1-12. Let me recap vs. 1-5.
In Isaiah 58:1-5 the people were fasting, but it was really a delusion that they wanted God. In reality they didn't want God and we know that by the first five verses of Isaiah 58. They would fast, but then they would drive their workers (who were poor and had no food) hard. The fasted for contention and strife the Word says. Their fasting left their sin untouched. It should not be so!The Lord says to them, "Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord?"
The Lord describes the kind of fast He chooses in vs. 6-12. If you can fast with us today, lets model the Lord's fast...with pure motives and an honest heart.
John Piper says that our fasting should be a spiritual attack against our own sin! We fast and pray for other matters, but may we not neglect praying against our own sin, that we would be changed to go and share the Gospel and live for the glory of God alone!
The fasting the Lord chooses:
Isaiah 58:6-12
"Is this not the fast which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?
To loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke,
and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?
Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house;
when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth'
and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'
If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finer and speaking wickedness,
And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.
And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell."
What we are called to do:
1. Lift burden of bondage (vs. 6&9)
2. Feed Hungry (v.7)
3. House the homeless (v.7)
4. Cloth the Naked (v.7)
5. Be sympathetic (v.7)
6. Put away contempt for other people (v.9)
7. Give ourselves & satisfy the soul of afflicted (v.10)
Promised Results-What the Lord WILL do:
1. Darkness will become light (vs. 8 & 10)
2. Physical strengthening (vs. 8 & 11)
3. God will be all around us w/ righteousness & glory (vs. 8 & 9)
4. God will guide us continually (v. 11)
5. God will satisfy our soul (v. 11)
6. God will make us a watered garden (v.11)
7. God will restore the ruins of His city and His people (v. 12)
(*Lists from John Piper's sermon)
Whew!! That's worth fasting for!!!
These are some things we are fasting and praying for:
~praying against our own sin- Psalm 139:23-24
~praying for the people of Romania- that the Lord would reveal Himself to them & grant them understanding and knowledge of the Gospel and the entire Word of God
~praying for Noah & Paige as they endure a lot of busyness and traveling over the next 7 weeks
~praying for healing and complete restoration to some vital relationships in our life
~praying for our parents as they deal with our family leaving
~praying for our marriage--that Christ remains top priority, that we strengthen one another in a somewhat stressful and new transition, and that the Gospel remains central to our everyday lives (in public and private)
Fast and pray for yourself and your family and the people of Romania!!
To Him be the Glory!
If you are unable to fast, please pray for the people of Romania whenever the Lord brings them to mind.
Steve and I do not fast regularly. It is an area of spiritual growth for us personally, but we know we are commanded to do it and God grants so many promises to us by doing so. By no means are we fasting in order to earn something or to gain favor with the Lord. We do so out of obedience and out of utter dependence on HIM! Who else can we turn to, but HIM?!
The Lord brought me to Isaiah 58. This passage sounds so good, but I really wanted to know more about it and still do. I found two sermons by John Piper on this section of Isaiah 58:1-12. Let me recap vs. 1-5.
In Isaiah 58:1-5 the people were fasting, but it was really a delusion that they wanted God. In reality they didn't want God and we know that by the first five verses of Isaiah 58. They would fast, but then they would drive their workers (who were poor and had no food) hard. The fasted for contention and strife the Word says. Their fasting left their sin untouched. It should not be so!The Lord says to them, "Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord?"
The Lord describes the kind of fast He chooses in vs. 6-12. If you can fast with us today, lets model the Lord's fast...with pure motives and an honest heart.
John Piper says that our fasting should be a spiritual attack against our own sin! We fast and pray for other matters, but may we not neglect praying against our own sin, that we would be changed to go and share the Gospel and live for the glory of God alone!
The fasting the Lord chooses:
Isaiah 58:6-12
"Is this not the fast which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?
To loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke,
and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?
Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house;
when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth'
and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'
If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finer and speaking wickedness,
And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.
And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell."
What we are called to do:
1. Lift burden of bondage (vs. 6&9)
2. Feed Hungry (v.7)
3. House the homeless (v.7)
4. Cloth the Naked (v.7)
5. Be sympathetic (v.7)
6. Put away contempt for other people (v.9)
7. Give ourselves & satisfy the soul of afflicted (v.10)
Promised Results-What the Lord WILL do:
1. Darkness will become light (vs. 8 & 10)
2. Physical strengthening (vs. 8 & 11)
3. God will be all around us w/ righteousness & glory (vs. 8 & 9)
4. God will guide us continually (v. 11)
5. God will satisfy our soul (v. 11)
6. God will make us a watered garden (v.11)
7. God will restore the ruins of His city and His people (v. 12)
(*Lists from John Piper's sermon)
Whew!! That's worth fasting for!!!
These are some things we are fasting and praying for:
~praying against our own sin- Psalm 139:23-24
~praying for the people of Romania- that the Lord would reveal Himself to them & grant them understanding and knowledge of the Gospel and the entire Word of God
~praying for Noah & Paige as they endure a lot of busyness and traveling over the next 7 weeks
~praying for healing and complete restoration to some vital relationships in our life
~praying for our parents as they deal with our family leaving
~praying for our marriage--that Christ remains top priority, that we strengthen one another in a somewhat stressful and new transition, and that the Gospel remains central to our everyday lives (in public and private)
Fast and pray for yourself and your family and the people of Romania!!
To Him be the Glory!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Reformation Day 2010
Two weeks ago today we celebrated a great day in history: Reformation Day!
This day we celebrated the boldness the Holy Spirit gave Martin Luther to stand firm on the Scriptures and live by them alone.
We celebrate that we have Bibles to read freely and publicly.
We celebrate that we can worship Jesus in our own country in our own church buildings.
We celebrate the grace and Truth of Jesus Christ!
Thank you Jacob & Melissa Stock for redeeming things....for taking a day, that in our modern culture, has no eternal value or real meaning, and recognizing our spiritual heritage and spreading the knowledge and joy of it!! October 31, 1517 is a very significant day for Christians, or should be....and it should be celebrated.
"I cannot and will not recant anything,
for to go against conscience is neither
right nor safe.
Here I stand, I can do no other,
so help me God. Amen. "
~Martin Luther
Here are some pictures of the Reformation Day Party. We actually got to see and hear from Martin Luther and other reformers, such as John Knox and Zwingli. There were lots of fun games for the kiddies and yummy food. What a great day!
This day we celebrated the boldness the Holy Spirit gave Martin Luther to stand firm on the Scriptures and live by them alone.
We celebrate that we have Bibles to read freely and publicly.
We celebrate that we can worship Jesus in our own country in our own church buildings.
We celebrate the grace and Truth of Jesus Christ!
Thank you Jacob & Melissa Stock for redeeming things....for taking a day, that in our modern culture, has no eternal value or real meaning, and recognizing our spiritual heritage and spreading the knowledge and joy of it!! October 31, 1517 is a very significant day for Christians, or should be....and it should be celebrated.
"I cannot and will not recant anything,
for to go against conscience is neither
right nor safe.
Here I stand, I can do no other,
so help me God. Amen. "
~Martin Luther
Here are some pictures of the Reformation Day Party. We actually got to see and hear from Martin Luther and other reformers, such as John Knox and Zwingli. There were lots of fun games for the kiddies and yummy food. What a great day!
Paige & Bella Grace playing
Hide the Heretic
Noah doing the 5 solas toss
Pin the thesis on the door
Family Dance on the lawn (and a gorgeous view)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
watching a heart be molded
It is so neat knowing the Lord.
Hmmm...neat doesn't seem to be adequate enough. There are so many words I could use to describe what it is like knowing the Lord.
Humbling. Absolute Grace. Uplifting. Freeing. No condemnation. Rest. Wise. Amazing. But truly it is....indescribable!
It has been beneficial for me to see the Lord continue to shape my heart.
For me to see where He has brought me from.
What He has rescued me from.
The pit that He brought me out of.
The veil He removed from my eyes.
The chains and bondage He so gently removed.
For now I can look back and see that HE has shown me nothing but grace and that HE is the only One who can offer such life. I can close my eyes and imagine where my life would be without Him and it makes me shudder.
So seeing the Lord continually make me more like Him has been nothing short of a miracle and shown me His faithfulness and love and patience with His people. I have such a looonnggg way to go, but He doesn't give up on me.
What could be more neat than that??
Well, tonight I discovered something just as neat, if not more neat than that.
Seeing GOD slowly, but surely mold my little man's heart for the glory of GOD!
Tonight was special for Steve and I. We were in bed with the kids reading books and going over the catechism. Reviewing memory verses and catechism questions. And Noah had so many questions that just blew Steve and I away. His thoughts were amazing....you could just see the wheels turning in his head and he was trying so hard to grasp it all. And we were trying to explain and answer his questions the best we could. Our words fall short so often, though.
Tonight as we discussed 'Where is God?' Noah just couldn't believe God could be everywhere. He would say, "I can't see God and He can't see me because He is in Heaven above the Earth and the Earth is not open to Him." Hmmm....he's thinking. "And God can't be in the airplane when I go to Romania because He can't fit inside the plane. And He isn't in my bedroom because He stays outside."
Oh, we just loved listening to Him! It was so neat to be able to give TRUTH to Him of how much God knows about Noah and his thoughts about him and that HE truly is everywhere....in our bedroom, in the plane, in Africa, Romania, Georgia, Kentucky, Rhode Island and everywhere!
We tried explaining this by having him keep his eyes open and put his hands over his eyes. He said he couldn't see Steve, but he still knew Steve was there. That is how God is. We can't see Him, but we have so much knowledge and evidence that He is right there with us.
There were many more statements and thoughts, such as, "Does God have a house? Where is it? What is it like? How come God couldn't fix our car when that man crashed into daddy? God must not know how to do everything?" Yea....we were caught a little off guard by some of it, but it was a great conversation.
His prayer request tonight (none of this was prompted, just completely out of his heart): "I want to pray that I would know God more and that the people of Romania would know God more. We have to get there quick to tell them about Jesus so that they will know too! Do they have much money mom? Hey mom, do they have build-a- bear's there? I need to empty my piggy bank and give them some money and take them to build-a-bear with me. "
All I could say with tear filled eyes was, "that is an excellent idea Noah."
Nothing better than seeing the Lord move and stir and reveal Himself to our little guy. Amazing! I learn so much too and want to know God so much more!
*Paige was there too...but she was busy seeing how many times she could take off and put back on her pajamas! HA! Gotta love her!! :)
Hmmm...neat doesn't seem to be adequate enough. There are so many words I could use to describe what it is like knowing the Lord.
Humbling. Absolute Grace. Uplifting. Freeing. No condemnation. Rest. Wise. Amazing. But truly it is....indescribable!
It has been beneficial for me to see the Lord continue to shape my heart.
For me to see where He has brought me from.
What He has rescued me from.
The pit that He brought me out of.
The veil He removed from my eyes.
The chains and bondage He so gently removed.
For now I can look back and see that HE has shown me nothing but grace and that HE is the only One who can offer such life. I can close my eyes and imagine where my life would be without Him and it makes me shudder.
So seeing the Lord continually make me more like Him has been nothing short of a miracle and shown me His faithfulness and love and patience with His people. I have such a looonnggg way to go, but He doesn't give up on me.
What could be more neat than that??
Well, tonight I discovered something just as neat, if not more neat than that.
Seeing GOD slowly, but surely mold my little man's heart for the glory of GOD!
Tonight was special for Steve and I. We were in bed with the kids reading books and going over the catechism. Reviewing memory verses and catechism questions. And Noah had so many questions that just blew Steve and I away. His thoughts were amazing....you could just see the wheels turning in his head and he was trying so hard to grasp it all. And we were trying to explain and answer his questions the best we could. Our words fall short so often, though.
Tonight as we discussed 'Where is God?' Noah just couldn't believe God could be everywhere. He would say, "I can't see God and He can't see me because He is in Heaven above the Earth and the Earth is not open to Him." Hmmm....he's thinking. "And God can't be in the airplane when I go to Romania because He can't fit inside the plane. And He isn't in my bedroom because He stays outside."
Oh, we just loved listening to Him! It was so neat to be able to give TRUTH to Him of how much God knows about Noah and his thoughts about him and that HE truly is everywhere....in our bedroom, in the plane, in Africa, Romania, Georgia, Kentucky, Rhode Island and everywhere!
We tried explaining this by having him keep his eyes open and put his hands over his eyes. He said he couldn't see Steve, but he still knew Steve was there. That is how God is. We can't see Him, but we have so much knowledge and evidence that He is right there with us.
There were many more statements and thoughts, such as, "Does God have a house? Where is it? What is it like? How come God couldn't fix our car when that man crashed into daddy? God must not know how to do everything?" Yea....we were caught a little off guard by some of it, but it was a great conversation.
His prayer request tonight (none of this was prompted, just completely out of his heart): "I want to pray that I would know God more and that the people of Romania would know God more. We have to get there quick to tell them about Jesus so that they will know too! Do they have much money mom? Hey mom, do they have build-a- bear's there? I need to empty my piggy bank and give them some money and take them to build-a-bear with me. "
All I could say with tear filled eyes was, "that is an excellent idea Noah."
Nothing better than seeing the Lord move and stir and reveal Himself to our little guy. Amazing! I learn so much too and want to know God so much more!
*Paige was there too...but she was busy seeing how many times she could take off and put back on her pajamas! HA! Gotta love her!! :)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tea & Crumpets
So today was precious....absolutely priceless.....
Paige finally opened her birthday present from us a week after her birthday...she could not have cared less about opening presents (if only this could last forever). Not sure how she has resisted this box wrapped in pink and purple floral paper....laid out in the living room for several days. Not even a temptation for her.
She finally opened it the other day...her first tea set
So today it happened....my first tea party with my girl and little man. SO MUCH FUN!
Paige finally opened her birthday present from us a week after her birthday...she could not have cared less about opening presents (if only this could last forever). Not sure how she has resisted this box wrapped in pink and purple floral paper....laid out in the living room for several days. Not even a temptation for her.
She finally opened it the other day...her first tea set
So today it happened....my first tea party with my girl and little man. SO MUCH FUN!
"apple" tea, watermelon, sun chips, candy corn :)
*note the little fingers snagging a chip in the top left*
Noah loved serving everyone tea & Paigey loved being served
We called daddy's office & cordially invited him to a tea
party @3:15. We were all so excited when he pulled in
the driveway 10 min. later!! One of the many benefits of
living right beside the church right now.
*pinkies out*
momma makes some good tea...we gotta work on those pinkies ;)
"Tea Time Tales with Noah"
(this one was about a dinosaur)
I hope for many more tea parties!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Paige's 2nd Birthday
WOW!
On October 6, 2008 Paige Amelia VanHorn entered our world!
Paige is TWO YEARS OLD today! It has truly gotten sweeter and sweeter.
If you don't know our history with Paige...let me fill you in.
We fell in love with her the minute we found out she was in my womb! We fell even more in love with her when we saw her for the first time two years ago. But, we quickly learned after bringing her home that she was completely different from Noah...in every way imaginable!
Paige cried a lot for the first long seven months of her life. During the day at first, but then after the first month or two...she cried for hours every night. Dr.'s told me over and over it was not reflux...it was not colic. Looking back, I beg to differ--something was wrong.
After 8 months, life began to be more enjoyable with her. She was happier and we were happier. She was sleeping more and we were sleeping more, which made me a much nicer person to my family!
She has changed so much over the last 16 months... for the better!
She has made all of our lives so much more enjoyable!
Her and Noah are best friends!
She is my little shadow..and i love it almost all of the time! She just wants to be with me and i am soaking it up!
She is definitely daddy's girl too and she just loves to snuggle with him and for him, or anyone for that matter, to tickle and give her kisses all day long if they will!
She is already such a nurturer. She consoles any child who crosses her path who may or may not be hurt or need help.
She "cleans" with me. She cooks with me.
Oh, I so hope these are things she wants to do with me 15 years from now!!
I am so thankful to God that HE chose to entrust her little life to me. And I am so thankful that HE answered my prayer that the bond her and I have would grow so much stronger this year! It definitely has!
I love you Paige! It has been an absolute delight raising you and you make it so easy to love you!
Happy Birthday Paigey Lu!
On October 6, 2008 Paige Amelia VanHorn entered our world!
Paige is TWO YEARS OLD today! It has truly gotten sweeter and sweeter.
If you don't know our history with Paige...let me fill you in.
We fell in love with her the minute we found out she was in my womb! We fell even more in love with her when we saw her for the first time two years ago. But, we quickly learned after bringing her home that she was completely different from Noah...in every way imaginable!
Paige cried a lot for the first long seven months of her life. During the day at first, but then after the first month or two...she cried for hours every night. Dr.'s told me over and over it was not reflux...it was not colic. Looking back, I beg to differ--something was wrong.
After 8 months, life began to be more enjoyable with her. She was happier and we were happier. She was sleeping more and we were sleeping more, which made me a much nicer person to my family!
She has changed so much over the last 16 months... for the better!
She has made all of our lives so much more enjoyable!
Her and Noah are best friends!
She is my little shadow..and i love it almost all of the time! She just wants to be with me and i am soaking it up!
She is definitely daddy's girl too and she just loves to snuggle with him and for him, or anyone for that matter, to tickle and give her kisses all day long if they will!
She is already such a nurturer. She consoles any child who crosses her path who may or may not be hurt or need help.
She "cleans" with me. She cooks with me.
Oh, I so hope these are things she wants to do with me 15 years from now!!
I am so thankful to God that HE chose to entrust her little life to me. And I am so thankful that HE answered my prayer that the bond her and I have would grow so much stronger this year! It definitely has!
I love you Paige! It has been an absolute delight raising you and you make it so easy to love you!
Happy Birthday Paigey Lu!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Race day
Today was a great day for me! Let me tell ya why.....
My birthday was Aug. 2 and on that day I made a few goals that I wanted to accomplish in the next year and a couple I wanted to complete by the end of this year. Today I completed a goal! I ran my first 5k today!! woo hoo!
Today was the first day that I ran 3.1 miles...i think. Up to this point I had only been running a little over two miles. I wasn't sure I could finish, but I did! I was so thankful for my sweet friend Mayra to run with me! THANK MAYRA!
I didn't so much care about my time, but that I finished!
In the past I have had a hard time with following through with a commitment and a couple of years ago it started really bothering me....I was seeing a trend that was rooted in deep insecurity and fear of not being liked or not pleasing people.
Thanks to my husband who encourages me to work through this... I am trying to make sure I follow through with commitments I make. And I am learning to say "no" a lot more. And I am learning to give myself some grace in some areas and the reality is....I am not going to be able to please everybody.
I made the commitment to a 5k intentionally...i wanted to test myself and follow through!
I followed what 1 Cor. 9:26 says I did not run without an aim....I wanted to finish...and finish well.
I didn't want to stop...and I didn't.
I wanted to condition my body, mind, heart and soul all at the same time.
Some days I still battle roots of insecurity and fear, but by God's grace I am learning more and more each day who I am in Christ and what freedom His Spirit gives me through Christ!
Reflect today. Have the Lord search your heart and reveal to you if there are any areas of your life rooted in lies...in sin...in anything not of Him! And rid yourself of it through the power of Christ.
This is also a little random, but the Lord gave me this verse tonight and I thought I would share.
"The Lord is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Last thing....(i promise).....today as I was running there was a family there with a girl in a wheelchair. They took turns pushing her as they ran! They finished before me! But, I thought it was such a sweet picture of love...of God's love for us...carrying us when we are too weak and frail to do it ourselves. It was beautiful. It was also a beautiful picture of the body carrying each other in times of deep need. Seeing this today made me especially thankful for two things:
1. That Christ died for me, bore my wrath and carries me still when I don't know the way, when I am way too powerless to do it on my own.
2. Very thankful for my health....my legs to move, my heart to pump blood through my body....so thankful to be able to experience exercise myself. I told my little Noah tonight....exercise and the movement of our arms and legs is such a gift from God and we are so blessed. Let's not take these "little" things for granted!
My birthday was Aug. 2 and on that day I made a few goals that I wanted to accomplish in the next year and a couple I wanted to complete by the end of this year. Today I completed a goal! I ran my first 5k today!! woo hoo!
Today was the first day that I ran 3.1 miles...i think. Up to this point I had only been running a little over two miles. I wasn't sure I could finish, but I did! I was so thankful for my sweet friend Mayra to run with me! THANK MAYRA!
I didn't so much care about my time, but that I finished!
In the past I have had a hard time with following through with a commitment and a couple of years ago it started really bothering me....I was seeing a trend that was rooted in deep insecurity and fear of not being liked or not pleasing people.
Thanks to my husband who encourages me to work through this... I am trying to make sure I follow through with commitments I make. And I am learning to say "no" a lot more. And I am learning to give myself some grace in some areas and the reality is....I am not going to be able to please everybody.
I made the commitment to a 5k intentionally...i wanted to test myself and follow through!
I followed what 1 Cor. 9:26 says I did not run without an aim....I wanted to finish...and finish well.
I didn't want to stop...and I didn't.
I wanted to condition my body, mind, heart and soul all at the same time.
Some days I still battle roots of insecurity and fear, but by God's grace I am learning more and more each day who I am in Christ and what freedom His Spirit gives me through Christ!
Reflect today. Have the Lord search your heart and reveal to you if there are any areas of your life rooted in lies...in sin...in anything not of Him! And rid yourself of it through the power of Christ.
This is also a little random, but the Lord gave me this verse tonight and I thought I would share.
"The Lord is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Last thing....(i promise).....today as I was running there was a family there with a girl in a wheelchair. They took turns pushing her as they ran! They finished before me! But, I thought it was such a sweet picture of love...of God's love for us...carrying us when we are too weak and frail to do it ourselves. It was beautiful. It was also a beautiful picture of the body carrying each other in times of deep need. Seeing this today made me especially thankful for two things:
1. That Christ died for me, bore my wrath and carries me still when I don't know the way, when I am way too powerless to do it on my own.
2. Very thankful for my health....my legs to move, my heart to pump blood through my body....so thankful to be able to experience exercise myself. I told my little Noah tonight....exercise and the movement of our arms and legs is such a gift from God and we are so blessed. Let's not take these "little" things for granted!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
sweet Sabbaths
The last two Sundays have been sweet Sabbaths for our family! Let me recap for you....
Last Sunday we were honored to attend a baptism for a little guy in our ministry. Seriously....honored!
The week before his parents both talked to Steve individually and Nate and Steve got to talk through some things. Next thing we know our family is invited to his baptism and it was the most God-glorifying baptism I have ever been to.
Setting: behind a little church up in the mountains in a river.
Intimate.
Sacred.
Special.
Something I will remember forever.
It was his family, his grandparents, our family and a friend. Everyone got to share something with Nate and his dad gave a little talk about John 6. Both mom and dad baptized him. I just had tears rolling down my cheeks as all I could pray was that the Lord would one day grant Noah....the same grace and opportunity that He has Nate!
It was such a neat thing to see a little boy who you have witnessed "grow in wisdom and stature and favor" with the Lord over the last four years. It was such a privilege to see little Nate be bold and obedient to be baptized....to be buried with Christ, cleansed by the blood of Christ, and raised to new life with Christ!
It followed with a day of celebration and playing in the mountains. What a sweet Sabbath!
Then today....
For over four years I have served in Children's Ministry every single Sunday. I am not giving myself a pat on the back...I have loved it! The only times I have missed were because i was out of town, sick or had a newborn at home. But today was the first day I didn't serve simply because God has placed me in a season of saying no to some things and we are definitely in transition. I am still serving in children's ministry, but only two times a month.
So, after first service I brought my kids home and we just played!
Then we had lunch at normal time.
And they napped at a normal time, which means they woke up at a normal time.
It may sound silly, but our Sundays through us all off schedule. My day felt so much longer, because I had so much more of the Sabbath in quietness. It was a sweet day for me and i believe my heart and mind needed it. It was a gift.
But to make my Sabbath even sweeter we were invited to spend the evening with some fellow staffers from our church.
Dessert. Games. Fellowship. Adult Conversation. Laughter. And a sweet little baby to hold and admire.
Thank YOU Lord for such sweet moments. I feel like the Lord is giving me such sweet memories and treasures that I am pondering and holding in my heart! I do not take them for granted! I am going to miss these people and this church and this place. So thankful for precious memories and mental snap shots to take with me!
The Lord is so good to us!
Last Sunday we were honored to attend a baptism for a little guy in our ministry. Seriously....honored!
The week before his parents both talked to Steve individually and Nate and Steve got to talk through some things. Next thing we know our family is invited to his baptism and it was the most God-glorifying baptism I have ever been to.
Setting: behind a little church up in the mountains in a river.
Intimate.
Sacred.
Special.
Something I will remember forever.
It was his family, his grandparents, our family and a friend. Everyone got to share something with Nate and his dad gave a little talk about John 6. Both mom and dad baptized him. I just had tears rolling down my cheeks as all I could pray was that the Lord would one day grant Noah....the same grace and opportunity that He has Nate!
It was such a neat thing to see a little boy who you have witnessed "grow in wisdom and stature and favor" with the Lord over the last four years. It was such a privilege to see little Nate be bold and obedient to be baptized....to be buried with Christ, cleansed by the blood of Christ, and raised to new life with Christ!
It followed with a day of celebration and playing in the mountains. What a sweet Sabbath!
Then today....
For over four years I have served in Children's Ministry every single Sunday. I am not giving myself a pat on the back...I have loved it! The only times I have missed were because i was out of town, sick or had a newborn at home. But today was the first day I didn't serve simply because God has placed me in a season of saying no to some things and we are definitely in transition. I am still serving in children's ministry, but only two times a month.
So, after first service I brought my kids home and we just played!
Then we had lunch at normal time.
And they napped at a normal time, which means they woke up at a normal time.
It may sound silly, but our Sundays through us all off schedule. My day felt so much longer, because I had so much more of the Sabbath in quietness. It was a sweet day for me and i believe my heart and mind needed it. It was a gift.
But to make my Sabbath even sweeter we were invited to spend the evening with some fellow staffers from our church.
Dessert. Games. Fellowship. Adult Conversation. Laughter. And a sweet little baby to hold and admire.
Thank YOU Lord for such sweet moments. I feel like the Lord is giving me such sweet memories and treasures that I am pondering and holding in my heart! I do not take them for granted! I am going to miss these people and this church and this place. So thankful for precious memories and mental snap shots to take with me!
The Lord is so good to us!
Monday, September 13, 2010
more specifics...
Here is some more specific updates about things related to ROmania. Several people are asking me a lot of questions, so I thought I would write about it on here. Some details I just don't have room to write in our monthly newsletters or forget to share. Here are some things we've been asked about numerous times.
Housing in Romania:
We are living in a house in a Romanian village called Meirleu. It is in the country...beautiful! This house is not owned by Belief in Motion or Project 127. A married couple used to live here until they passed away. Their son lives in this village. He lets the Bruski's use this property, but has not given it or sold it to them yet. As of right now this house has 0 bedrooms. It is small and simple like all the houses there....kitchen and living room and we will be blessed enough to have a bathroom (indoor plumbing....only a couple people have this in the village). We were hoping to build a bedroom onto it, but the Bruski's don't want to invest in building a room if the house isn't there's and if we don't end up wanting to live there the whole time. Understandably....i wouldn't either. SO, the plan is that we move their January and make do with no bedrooms. If we like it there and want to stay in the village, then in April when it warms up we can build a room onto it. The more Steve and I think about it, we only want to invest in an additional room if this is a place we would live longer than the year. However, we could get there and desperately want a bedroom for the remaining year. We are just going to play that one by ear. See what the Lord leads us to do!
The village is rustic living. We will chop our own wood to heat the house. There is a large garden there to feed the missionaries and families in the village. Lots of fruit trees. Chickens are raised here for meat. We will have some land there and hope to maybe get our children a rabbit or two?? :) For pets, not food.
The Lord does just sweet things sometimes ya know. Things that aren't necessary, but just shows how sweet He is...makes you just say, "oh, i love You so much! I loved You before, but I love your sweetness!" Well, He did that with this house. Let me share...
When Steve and I went to Romania in March I fell in love with this property. Look through my pictures and most of them were taken at this house...and not of anything in particular, but just random things....the corn feed, the chicken coop, the well, the stove in the kitchen, the view! I loved it! But there was a missionary already living there and so I didn't say a word to anyone that this is where I would like to live when we moved there. I knew it wasn't a possibility and we would just move to the city. We get back home and I tell Steve that I would love to live in that village....in THAT house and I knew it wasn't going to happen. I just prayed for the Lord to place us in the exact apartment and location that would bring HIM the most glory. In April, out of the blue, Robin (from Romania) emails me and tells me that the missionary living in "my" house had to leave RO due to family sicknesses and she was not coming back. Sad for her having to leave, but deep down feeling that the Lord heard my cry!
"Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4
I just thought that was so sweet of Him! Grace!
Timeline for Romania:
Others have asked, "why a year?" "When you come home, what then?"
We originally only wanted to go to Romania for 3-6 months (trial run). GOD had a better plan/opportunity for us! We asked the church if we could leave for 3-6 months and Steve have his job when we returned if this was not where we were to go indefinitely. They didn't think this was fair to the person who took his job. Once again, understood! We knew that was a big ask. No hard feelings. Steve had told them regardless of their answer, we would be going. We just knew this was the right direction! So we thought, well, if we go for 3-6 months and don't have a job to come back to, let's stay for a year and see every season of the ministry. It changes a little with the winter months. Total peace about this. We move forward. This is our hope now. We arrive to RO in Jan. Within 6-8 months we hope to have a direction that we are going to move forward in. Though we are staying until Jan. 2012, we want to know what our future plans will be so we can start preparation ahead of time. Summer of 2011 we want to know if we are going to return to Knoxville in 2012 to look for a job or if we are going to return to Knoxville to raise more support and then go back to Romania. Right now, we have NO idea. We are just looking at our life in small sections right now....year to year. You have no idea how hard this is for me...i plan out my entire life! God is teaching me so much about faith, reliance on Him, dependence on HIM and not myself! I need this!
There are a lot of unknowns and we are becoming okay with that. It really makes me excited to see what the LORD does and how HE provides. It is always so much more fun and exciting His way!
"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." ~ Proverbs 16:9
Housing in Romania:
We are living in a house in a Romanian village called Meirleu. It is in the country...beautiful! This house is not owned by Belief in Motion or Project 127. A married couple used to live here until they passed away. Their son lives in this village. He lets the Bruski's use this property, but has not given it or sold it to them yet. As of right now this house has 0 bedrooms. It is small and simple like all the houses there....kitchen and living room and we will be blessed enough to have a bathroom (indoor plumbing....only a couple people have this in the village). We were hoping to build a bedroom onto it, but the Bruski's don't want to invest in building a room if the house isn't there's and if we don't end up wanting to live there the whole time. Understandably....i wouldn't either. SO, the plan is that we move their January and make do with no bedrooms. If we like it there and want to stay in the village, then in April when it warms up we can build a room onto it. The more Steve and I think about it, we only want to invest in an additional room if this is a place we would live longer than the year. However, we could get there and desperately want a bedroom for the remaining year. We are just going to play that one by ear. See what the Lord leads us to do!
The village is rustic living. We will chop our own wood to heat the house. There is a large garden there to feed the missionaries and families in the village. Lots of fruit trees. Chickens are raised here for meat. We will have some land there and hope to maybe get our children a rabbit or two?? :) For pets, not food.
The Lord does just sweet things sometimes ya know. Things that aren't necessary, but just shows how sweet He is...makes you just say, "oh, i love You so much! I loved You before, but I love your sweetness!" Well, He did that with this house. Let me share...
When Steve and I went to Romania in March I fell in love with this property. Look through my pictures and most of them were taken at this house...and not of anything in particular, but just random things....the corn feed, the chicken coop, the well, the stove in the kitchen, the view! I loved it! But there was a missionary already living there and so I didn't say a word to anyone that this is where I would like to live when we moved there. I knew it wasn't a possibility and we would just move to the city. We get back home and I tell Steve that I would love to live in that village....in THAT house and I knew it wasn't going to happen. I just prayed for the Lord to place us in the exact apartment and location that would bring HIM the most glory. In April, out of the blue, Robin (from Romania) emails me and tells me that the missionary living in "my" house had to leave RO due to family sicknesses and she was not coming back. Sad for her having to leave, but deep down feeling that the Lord heard my cry!
"Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4
I just thought that was so sweet of Him! Grace!
Timeline for Romania:
Others have asked, "why a year?" "When you come home, what then?"
We originally only wanted to go to Romania for 3-6 months (trial run). GOD had a better plan/opportunity for us! We asked the church if we could leave for 3-6 months and Steve have his job when we returned if this was not where we were to go indefinitely. They didn't think this was fair to the person who took his job. Once again, understood! We knew that was a big ask. No hard feelings. Steve had told them regardless of their answer, we would be going. We just knew this was the right direction! So we thought, well, if we go for 3-6 months and don't have a job to come back to, let's stay for a year and see every season of the ministry. It changes a little with the winter months. Total peace about this. We move forward. This is our hope now. We arrive to RO in Jan. Within 6-8 months we hope to have a direction that we are going to move forward in. Though we are staying until Jan. 2012, we want to know what our future plans will be so we can start preparation ahead of time. Summer of 2011 we want to know if we are going to return to Knoxville in 2012 to look for a job or if we are going to return to Knoxville to raise more support and then go back to Romania. Right now, we have NO idea. We are just looking at our life in small sections right now....year to year. You have no idea how hard this is for me...i plan out my entire life! God is teaching me so much about faith, reliance on Him, dependence on HIM and not myself! I need this!
There are a lot of unknowns and we are becoming okay with that. It really makes me excited to see what the LORD does and how HE provides. It is always so much more fun and exciting His way!
"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." ~ Proverbs 16:9
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Labor Day weekend
We took our little family away for a couple days this passed weekend. This the first time it's just been the four of us. Every vacation is usually time spent visiting family, which we LOVE. But, it was so fun just spending time with each other....the four of us! We had a blast! Here are some pics of our time.
Noah is quite the golfer...i am not surprised!
This was his first time and he LOVED it!
Golf just wore Paigey out! She fell asleep in the car and slept
through a diaper change, clothes changed, face washed
teeth brushed and the other three of us snuggled up talking in bed beside her.
You have no idea how uncharacteristic this is of her...but she sure is adorable!
Clingman's Dome--the highest point in the Smoky Mtns.
We decided to come here spontaneously as you see our kids
were not dressed appropriately. They had to wear our shirts and
bundle in blankets. Super windy at the top! Super cold! Super steep hill!
Thank you Steve for taking me here and making great memories!
Picnic lunch in the Chimney's at Smoky Mtns.
look at HIS handiwork! Noah asked how God made them.
It was fun explaining that our God simply spoke them into being!
I have so many other good ones, but I'll just share these! Hope you had a great relaxing weekend. My family sure did!
Monday, August 30, 2010
my Jonah moment
so this is long.....but stay with me....
Last week I started a Bible study on the life of Jonah. Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer. It's awesome! And what I have learned in one week is that my life is SO much like Jonah's. And while this is a story about Jonah, it is more a story about our great big God, His faithfulness, His righteousness, His grace and so much more.
This study also shows how when you view God as significant then whatever task He asks you to do is significant and you realize it is not an interruption, but a divine intervention...an invitation to join His purposes.
Amazing Grace!
Ok, so I thought it would be appropriate to share my own personal Jonah moment that happened back in March. This and several other factors encouraged me that I should do this study.
In March of this year Steve and I took a trip to Romania to actually see where we believed God was leading us to serve Him. We had felt the push that it was time since the February of 2009....God was leading us in a different direction and it was towards missions, but we had NO idea where, when, how, what....so many questions...so many unknowns. In May of 2009 we realized that it was Romania to work with Belief in Motion....but why?
We had never been there?? Sure I knew the people who worked there, but Steve didn't know them from Adam. Nonetheless, after much prayer, fasting, asking questions from others who knew us well... it was confirmed for us by God and His Word that this was indeed where we were to go!
So almost a year later (March of this year) Steve and I left our children for 8 days and went to Romania to see the area, see the in's and out's of the ministry, meet the people, see where we may live, etc. It was an overwhelming experience. It had been eight years since I had seen poverty like that and I don't think it is a sight you ever get used to.
I didn't feel like myself for a couple of reasons.
1. I was separated from my kids. I felt naked...lost....worried...sad. I cried myself to sleep every night for the first four nights. It was just weird. I missed them horribly.
2. On day six I still felt like I had jet lag and was just exhausted! I couldn't shake the tired feeling.
3. I had a sick feeling in my gut the whole time....seeing the poverty, the darkness, the hopelessness....broke...my...heart!
here my jonah moment begins....
It is the day before we are heading back to the States. Steve is out doing construction and I head to government housing. This is a dark place....literally....there is not much light in the building. And spiritually dark...oppression, shame, abuse, just dark! I met a lady and within seconds of meeting me she shares that she is about to have an abortion....again! She had just had one 6 months previously. I tell her I have two small children and she tells me she already has three....and she plans to sell them!
My heart sank. My eyes well up with tears. Trying to hold it all in. My heart fills with anger and hatred towards this woman. How can she do this?? Who does she think she is sleeping around and then just selling and murdering innocent children??
I get back to the missionaries house and Steve and I go up to our room to talk. I have had made new plans in my mind. I burst into tears, bawling my eyes out and I tell Steve, "we are not moving here. I can't. I hate this place. I hate these people." I share with him what this woman told me at government housing. "This people don't watch to change. They don't care about life....they have no regard for life. The do not deserve God and His forgiveness."
EEwwww.....even writing it out....i can't believe those words came out of my mouth. I asked who this woman thought she was, but who do I think I am?? I am the least deserving of His forgiveness, His Spirit, His grace.
But, you get to see my honest nasty heart. For a moment there I thought my sin wasn't so bad as hers. I thought I could cast a stone or two. The very reason God was telling us to go is why I was wanting to turn around and run to Tarshish!
Sweet Steve--he said just the right words in that moment. He said, "you don't need to make any decisions right now. You are really emotional. And honestly....I think you are having a Jonah moment."
Me: silent!
I knew it was true. We knew what God was telling us to do and I was rebelling in my heart out of selfishness...out of my own sin.
Just as the Lord wouldn't let Jonah run away too long and too far, He did the same for me. Thankfully, I didn't get swallowed by a big fish.
But His Spirit calmed me and reminded me of what the LORD had done in our lives and that Steve and I and Noah and Paige were involved, but ultimately...this is not about us. It's about HIM!
Last week I started a Bible study on the life of Jonah. Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer. It's awesome! And what I have learned in one week is that my life is SO much like Jonah's. And while this is a story about Jonah, it is more a story about our great big God, His faithfulness, His righteousness, His grace and so much more.
This study also shows how when you view God as significant then whatever task He asks you to do is significant and you realize it is not an interruption, but a divine intervention...an invitation to join His purposes.
Amazing Grace!
Ok, so I thought it would be appropriate to share my own personal Jonah moment that happened back in March. This and several other factors encouraged me that I should do this study.
In March of this year Steve and I took a trip to Romania to actually see where we believed God was leading us to serve Him. We had felt the push that it was time since the February of 2009....God was leading us in a different direction and it was towards missions, but we had NO idea where, when, how, what....so many questions...so many unknowns. In May of 2009 we realized that it was Romania to work with Belief in Motion....but why?
We had never been there?? Sure I knew the people who worked there, but Steve didn't know them from Adam. Nonetheless, after much prayer, fasting, asking questions from others who knew us well... it was confirmed for us by God and His Word that this was indeed where we were to go!
So almost a year later (March of this year) Steve and I left our children for 8 days and went to Romania to see the area, see the in's and out's of the ministry, meet the people, see where we may live, etc. It was an overwhelming experience. It had been eight years since I had seen poverty like that and I don't think it is a sight you ever get used to.
I didn't feel like myself for a couple of reasons.
1. I was separated from my kids. I felt naked...lost....worried...sad. I cried myself to sleep every night for the first four nights. It was just weird. I missed them horribly.
2. On day six I still felt like I had jet lag and was just exhausted! I couldn't shake the tired feeling.
3. I had a sick feeling in my gut the whole time....seeing the poverty, the darkness, the hopelessness....broke...my...heart!
here my jonah moment begins....
It is the day before we are heading back to the States. Steve is out doing construction and I head to government housing. This is a dark place....literally....there is not much light in the building. And spiritually dark...oppression, shame, abuse, just dark! I met a lady and within seconds of meeting me she shares that she is about to have an abortion....again! She had just had one 6 months previously. I tell her I have two small children and she tells me she already has three....and she plans to sell them!
My heart sank. My eyes well up with tears. Trying to hold it all in. My heart fills with anger and hatred towards this woman. How can she do this?? Who does she think she is sleeping around and then just selling and murdering innocent children??
I get back to the missionaries house and Steve and I go up to our room to talk. I have had made new plans in my mind. I burst into tears, bawling my eyes out and I tell Steve, "we are not moving here. I can't. I hate this place. I hate these people." I share with him what this woman told me at government housing. "This people don't watch to change. They don't care about life....they have no regard for life. The do not deserve God and His forgiveness."
EEwwww.....even writing it out....i can't believe those words came out of my mouth. I asked who this woman thought she was, but who do I think I am?? I am the least deserving of His forgiveness, His Spirit, His grace.
But, you get to see my honest nasty heart. For a moment there I thought my sin wasn't so bad as hers. I thought I could cast a stone or two. The very reason God was telling us to go is why I was wanting to turn around and run to Tarshish!
Sweet Steve--he said just the right words in that moment. He said, "you don't need to make any decisions right now. You are really emotional. And honestly....I think you are having a Jonah moment."
Me: silent!
I knew it was true. We knew what God was telling us to do and I was rebelling in my heart out of selfishness...out of my own sin.
Just as the Lord wouldn't let Jonah run away too long and too far, He did the same for me. Thankfully, I didn't get swallowed by a big fish.
But His Spirit calmed me and reminded me of what the LORD had done in our lives and that Steve and I and Noah and Paige were involved, but ultimately...this is not about us. It's about HIM!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
in 40 seconds or less...
This week my sweet little Paige has sent me over the edge on more than one occasion. Maybe not completely sent me over the edge, but has just made me realize that she can't be left alone for more than 40 seconds. She is into everything! No exaggeration. Here is what she has done this week. Some of it looking back on is funny, but tonight it was scary. Please note that in all situations I am in the room with her or have turned my back for literally 30 seconds or walked out of the room for a few seconds. It's not like she is unsupervised. Paige is a wanderer.....
1. I'll start small...we have a craft table in the living room. Early in the week her and Noah were working with laminated workbooks and dry erase markers. While they seem to be doing well and entertaining themselves I decide now is a great time to start making their lunches. So I start preparing lunch and less than a minute later I peak my head over to check on them. Great! Paige has tattoed both arms completely in orange and black dry erase markers....not to mention the table. Easy clean up, but still a mess and she just couldn't use the markers in the appropriate place.
2. Play-doh is off limits now. I have given her chance after chance and she still just eats it! I am convinced she will be a food critique when she's older. She loves to try anything and everything. Seriously, play-doh, shaving cream, poop....she's tried it all.
3. Mid-week....Paige has her chef hat on and she is helping me cook dinner. She is standing in a chair at the counter. There is a drawer beside her that I have told her several times, "please close that and do not open it again." I turn around for like 20 seconds (literally) to put something on the stove. I turn back around and she has opened the drawer, pulled out a sharpie and transformed her stuffed puppy (which was on the counter...not sure why??) into a tiger. Seriously, I was pretty impressed with her art skills. It had whiskers and black stripes. BUT, she continuously wanders away from what I have asked her to do!
4. One other day this week I was trying to get dishes done, so I set her and Noah at the kitchen table with some shaving cream. Just a little....but Paige cannot just draw in it and squish it between her fingers. She has to do this....
Funny and cute! She was having a blast....I couldn't get upset. But, you see what I mean....just something in her has to take everything to the next level. Push the envelope.
5. Then tonight happened. ....
Steve and I felt like the worst parents ever! We just finished dinner and I am cleaning dishes. Steve and Noah are clearing off the table and Paige is in our spice cabinet..it's right at her level. She brought Steve some spices to which he told her to go put it back and to shut the door. I am standing right beside her doing dishes and I think she is putting spices back in. All of a sudden I look over and her face is blood red, gasping for air, pointing to her mouth. And I smell it....pure mint extract! I pick her up in complete panic mode. Then pick the bottle up....almost empty now and it was just about full before. She can't catch her breath....so we pour water in her mouth. All I could think was that her mouth was burning. Then the vomit comes....again and again and again and again. We call nurse triage and poison control. Dumb me did not even think about the alcohol content....89%!! AAAHHHH!! All four of us were in tears! Her and I get cleaned up and we had to keep her drinking juice and awake for 2 more hours and make sure she doesn't show signs of drunkenness! We felt terrible! You better believe the spice cabinet is moving!
My point is this....Paige continues to not do what we ask of her. She wanders away from the command given. I see so much of my spiritual self in her!
I too am a wanderer at heart.
All I can think of is "prone to wander, Lord I feel it.....prone to leave the God I love...."
If He did not keep me in His grasp....if He had not sealed me in Him with the Holy Spirit I am convinced I would leave.
Thanks be to God for regenerating my heart, casting my sins as far as the east is from the west and demonstrating unconditionally love and justice through His Son's death on a cross! (not in that order :) ) I still tend to wander from what He has told me to do. Though I know He knows what is best....at times I think that maybe my way is best for now. Just like Paige thinks that her idea is a lot better than ours. I am grateful that GOD never lets go of me and He keeps me in the fold even when I want to go another way.
And when I say go another way...I mean in the day to day grind....I am not always slow to anger with my children, I do not always love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I am not always an encouragement to my husband and family. Oh, I am over joyed that my salvation isn't based on my performance, but rather on my faith in the Lord and by grace!
1. I'll start small...we have a craft table in the living room. Early in the week her and Noah were working with laminated workbooks and dry erase markers. While they seem to be doing well and entertaining themselves I decide now is a great time to start making their lunches. So I start preparing lunch and less than a minute later I peak my head over to check on them. Great! Paige has tattoed both arms completely in orange and black dry erase markers....not to mention the table. Easy clean up, but still a mess and she just couldn't use the markers in the appropriate place.
2. Play-doh is off limits now. I have given her chance after chance and she still just eats it! I am convinced she will be a food critique when she's older. She loves to try anything and everything. Seriously, play-doh, shaving cream, poop....she's tried it all.
3. Mid-week....Paige has her chef hat on and she is helping me cook dinner. She is standing in a chair at the counter. There is a drawer beside her that I have told her several times, "please close that and do not open it again." I turn around for like 20 seconds (literally) to put something on the stove. I turn back around and she has opened the drawer, pulled out a sharpie and transformed her stuffed puppy (which was on the counter...not sure why??) into a tiger. Seriously, I was pretty impressed with her art skills. It had whiskers and black stripes. BUT, she continuously wanders away from what I have asked her to do!
Funny and cute! She was having a blast....I couldn't get upset. But, you see what I mean....just something in her has to take everything to the next level. Push the envelope.
5. Then tonight happened. ....
Steve and I felt like the worst parents ever! We just finished dinner and I am cleaning dishes. Steve and Noah are clearing off the table and Paige is in our spice cabinet..it's right at her level. She brought Steve some spices to which he told her to go put it back and to shut the door. I am standing right beside her doing dishes and I think she is putting spices back in. All of a sudden I look over and her face is blood red, gasping for air, pointing to her mouth. And I smell it....pure mint extract! I pick her up in complete panic mode. Then pick the bottle up....almost empty now and it was just about full before. She can't catch her breath....so we pour water in her mouth. All I could think was that her mouth was burning. Then the vomit comes....again and again and again and again. We call nurse triage and poison control. Dumb me did not even think about the alcohol content....89%!! AAAHHHH!! All four of us were in tears! Her and I get cleaned up and we had to keep her drinking juice and awake for 2 more hours and make sure she doesn't show signs of drunkenness! We felt terrible! You better believe the spice cabinet is moving!
My point is this....Paige continues to not do what we ask of her. She wanders away from the command given. I see so much of my spiritual self in her!
I too am a wanderer at heart.
All I can think of is "prone to wander, Lord I feel it.....prone to leave the God I love...."
If He did not keep me in His grasp....if He had not sealed me in Him with the Holy Spirit I am convinced I would leave.
Thanks be to God for regenerating my heart, casting my sins as far as the east is from the west and demonstrating unconditionally love and justice through His Son's death on a cross! (not in that order :) ) I still tend to wander from what He has told me to do. Though I know He knows what is best....at times I think that maybe my way is best for now. Just like Paige thinks that her idea is a lot better than ours. I am grateful that GOD never lets go of me and He keeps me in the fold even when I want to go another way.
And when I say go another way...I mean in the day to day grind....I am not always slow to anger with my children, I do not always love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I am not always an encouragement to my husband and family. Oh, I am over joyed that my salvation isn't based on my performance, but rather on my faith in the Lord and by grace!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
a lesson in canning
Last week I canned a bunch of grape jelly from grapes my parents grew. I had already packed away all my "real" canning stuff that most people use, so I had to kinda wing it. After you fill your jars up and put the tops on you have to put them back in boiling water and let them set for a few min. They should be covered in 1-2 inches of hot water. Well, I did not have a boiler that large so my jars needed about 5 more inches of water to be 2 inches under water! I stood over them and constantly scooped hot water out of the pot and poured it over them....for like 5-10 minutes a batch. I did this because this is what makes your cans seal so they won't spoil. I was so hoping my cans would seal. Sure enough about 30 minutes after being out of the pot I could hear little pops going off in the kitchen. And I let out a great big, "woo hoo...they sealed!" I was so worried they jars wouldn't seal and I would have a bunch of nasty spoiled jelly. Thankfully they sealed....they are protected...
The Lord gave me a word of encouragement right there in my kitchen as I waited for my jelly to seal.
The Greek word for Seal is sphragizo (verb): indicates security, permanency, ownership, authentication by God in sealing the Son as the Giver of eternal life.
He reminded me that I am sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit!
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. -Eph. 1:13,14
I love that....what a beautiful reminder....I am sealed in Him! He owns me! My present life and my eternal life and secure in my Savior! His Son received a horrific, humiliating death so that He could authenticate me as His very own! No one or nothing can snatch me from His hand!
I'm sealed in Him!
Thank you Lord!
The Lord gave me a word of encouragement right there in my kitchen as I waited for my jelly to seal.
The Greek word for Seal is sphragizo (verb): indicates security, permanency, ownership, authentication by God in sealing the Son as the Giver of eternal life.
He reminded me that I am sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit!
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. -Eph. 1:13,14
I love that....what a beautiful reminder....I am sealed in Him! He owns me! My present life and my eternal life and secure in my Savior! His Son received a horrific, humiliating death so that He could authenticate me as His very own! No one or nothing can snatch me from His hand!
I'm sealed in Him!
Thank you Lord!
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