Well, I will write the typical "What am I thankful for" entry... Enjoy!!
- I am thankful for my friend BP. He brings the smiles when he comes around and I love it.
- I am thankful for a principal whose office I can walk in to almost any time and discuss issues with... I don't know if I will ever have another employer as awesome as he.
- I am sooooooo thankful for my aquaguard and having clean water to drink.
- I am thankful for import stores.
- I am thankful to my fabulous colleagues who may irk me almost all the time, but are wonderful and have been a blessing to work with.
- I am thankful for the gifts I have been given in my life. I often cannot see them, but I know they are there.
- I am thankful for a child who sees me and smiles, runs up to me and gives me a hug. The kids who see me walk into a house and run up to me yelling my name. The kids who see me and know it's safe to talk to me and that I'll listen.
- I am thankful for the students who find the time in their day to come to my office and annoy me. Because if they didn't do that, they wouldn't feel comfortable with me.
- I am thankful for a community that surrounds each other with massive amounts of love. A community that cares for one another. A community that shares.
- I am thankful for my friends. The friends who call me up just to hang out. The ones who call me when they need to talk. The friends who tell me when I'm wrong. And the friends who are there just to listen when I need to work things through.
- I am thankful to have a wonderful secretary who keeps my work life running smoothly and often helps me stay sane in the personal side of things, too... I love her...
- I am thankful for living in a place where fresh fruits and vegetables are readily available and are cheap.
- I am thankful for electricity.
- I am thankful for the friends who have become more than friends.
- I am thankful for the world being my oyster. I don't know what that means, but people say that. I know I can do anything. God will lead me through it.
- I am thankful for my family. For all our faults and challenges, I miss them dearly. I especially miss my siblings and hope they know how much I love them.
- I am thankful for overwhelming love. To love so many people that your heart hurts is a glorious pain.
- I am thankful for my church families... I am so blessed to have 4 that I feel at home in. 5 if you count Primal in NZ. I am so thankful they are around me and pray for me and are wonderfully seeking God's will for them.
- I am thankful for God. I am thankful He saw fit to create me. I am thankful for His redemptive blood, shed on the cross. I am thankful He came to earth for my soul. That no matter what else happens in the world, He cared enough to send His son to endure the ultimate pain. That it's not a matter of "if" someone loves me that much, but that HE DOES!
These and so many other things... God is amazing.
I am so blessed.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Interesting thoughts...
These are just some interesting thoughts or questions that have come up in the past few days as I've read different blogs and just explored the internet and my mind...
1) I have met very few (foreign) m's in my life. Why is that? I've been involved in church my entire life, and I actually don't think we've had an m* come to my church... Why is that? What has happened in c'hurch culture that people aren't connected to m's?
2) I had to move overseas to meet m's. Some are independents and some are with an agency. There are benefits and challenges to both. In the end, it's up to each person. There is no right or wrong way to get onto the field.
3) There are less and less people on the field, and more and more are having funding issues. We should take a cue from David. In his last days on earth he gave all of his earthly possessions to be used in the building of house of the L'ord on Mount Moriah. Following his example, the people also gave freely of their possessions. Why don't we do that? Why are we so selfish? As David says, everything we have comes from G'od, so why don't we give it back to Him? It's never really ours to begin with.
4) In general, people misunderstand the purpose and process of being an m*. When someone is on the field, it is important to understand what exactly their m'inistry is. For some, it is e'vangelistic, others are outreach, others are relational... it will look different depending on the culture, the goal, and the service.
5) Europe is historically C'hristian, but few people in Europe actually practice or believe any more. This area is just as much a field as a third world country. They need the same prayers and funds as other fields. Maybe more. The cost of living is higher, and 'civilized' cultures like to believe they don't need G'od.
6) The standard of living of an m* will vary based on where they live, but it is almost always safe to assume they do not live in a hut. Most times they will match the culture around them in status. This may seem "posh" to people funding them, but remember, they're people, too. Just because they have been called to a life of service, doesn't always mean a life of poverty, as well. It means living among another culture and trying to establish relationships and teach people about a love they have never known the likes of.
7) M's, no matter how long they've been on the field, need encouragement and pray continuously. Hopefully prayer is an everyday part of your life, and it's just a matter of adding another sentence to your prayer. Use names if you know any. I have plenty if you'd like to pray specifically for people. Or just pick a particular type of m'inistry you are interested in and pray in general for those working in that area. Or pick a country. There are numerous ways to p'ray.
8) M's need support. They need a foundation at 'home' that is willing to fill in the gap on behalf of them. People who are willing to share about their work when they can't be there to do it themself (which is often when they are full time on the field...maybe once every few years). People behind them that are passionate about their work on the field.
9) People can't forget about m's. We can't let our family (our C'hristian family) forget that we have brothers and sisters all over the world. The less we talk about the work going on all over the world, the sooner the generations forget, and the less support (of all forms) comes in. In order to keep doing the work we are called to do as C'hristians, we can't forget!!! We can't!
I'll stop there for tonight. A lot has been said here. As you can see, I've been thinking a lot. Hope it's gotten you thinking.
1) I have met very few (foreign) m's in my life. Why is that? I've been involved in church my entire life, and I actually don't think we've had an m* come to my church... Why is that? What has happened in c'hurch culture that people aren't connected to m's?
2) I had to move overseas to meet m's. Some are independents and some are with an agency. There are benefits and challenges to both. In the end, it's up to each person. There is no right or wrong way to get onto the field.
3) There are less and less people on the field, and more and more are having funding issues. We should take a cue from David. In his last days on earth he gave all of his earthly possessions to be used in the building of house of the L'ord on Mount Moriah. Following his example, the people also gave freely of their possessions. Why don't we do that? Why are we so selfish? As David says, everything we have comes from G'od, so why don't we give it back to Him? It's never really ours to begin with.
4) In general, people misunderstand the purpose and process of being an m*. When someone is on the field, it is important to understand what exactly their m'inistry is. For some, it is e'vangelistic, others are outreach, others are relational... it will look different depending on the culture, the goal, and the service.
5) Europe is historically C'hristian, but few people in Europe actually practice or believe any more. This area is just as much a field as a third world country. They need the same prayers and funds as other fields. Maybe more. The cost of living is higher, and 'civilized' cultures like to believe they don't need G'od.
6) The standard of living of an m* will vary based on where they live, but it is almost always safe to assume they do not live in a hut. Most times they will match the culture around them in status. This may seem "posh" to people funding them, but remember, they're people, too. Just because they have been called to a life of service, doesn't always mean a life of poverty, as well. It means living among another culture and trying to establish relationships and teach people about a love they have never known the likes of.
7) M's, no matter how long they've been on the field, need encouragement and pray continuously. Hopefully prayer is an everyday part of your life, and it's just a matter of adding another sentence to your prayer. Use names if you know any. I have plenty if you'd like to pray specifically for people. Or just pick a particular type of m'inistry you are interested in and pray in general for those working in that area. Or pick a country. There are numerous ways to p'ray.
8) M's need support. They need a foundation at 'home' that is willing to fill in the gap on behalf of them. People who are willing to share about their work when they can't be there to do it themself (which is often when they are full time on the field...maybe once every few years). People behind them that are passionate about their work on the field.
9) People can't forget about m's. We can't let our family (our C'hristian family) forget that we have brothers and sisters all over the world. The less we talk about the work going on all over the world, the sooner the generations forget, and the less support (of all forms) comes in. In order to keep doing the work we are called to do as C'hristians, we can't forget!!! We can't!
I'll stop there for tonight. A lot has been said here. As you can see, I've been thinking a lot. Hope it's gotten you thinking.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Bon Voyage, October!!!
I'm so very glad to see October go. October always brings with it a huge amount of stress and business and this year was no different. Besides my normally busy schedule, I was also busy with school every day. I made quite a few trips out of town during the month (including a day trip to the capitol, but with travel time, I was gone for almost 3 days). I've been working non-stop and I hope it all pays off.
And it has shown some good things already. All 41 students of ours who took the practical exams last week passed. I am so proud of my department and our students. It is a great accomplishment. One student made the international festival this year, and hopefully I'll be attending with him come spring.
It is now November. Just in time for concerts and recitals and end of the year celebrations. Three weeks from tomorrow is the closing staff meeting, and it has been long awaited. I'm making my travel plans and booking tickets. My to-do lists grow ever longer, and I can't wait for the day that they don't matter.
I have nothing overly insightful to say today, but just sending you a general update with a note: Never be ashamed of who you are. :-)
And it has shown some good things already. All 41 students of ours who took the practical exams last week passed. I am so proud of my department and our students. It is a great accomplishment. One student made the international festival this year, and hopefully I'll be attending with him come spring.
It is now November. Just in time for concerts and recitals and end of the year celebrations. Three weeks from tomorrow is the closing staff meeting, and it has been long awaited. I'm making my travel plans and booking tickets. My to-do lists grow ever longer, and I can't wait for the day that they don't matter.
I have nothing overly insightful to say today, but just sending you a general update with a note: Never be ashamed of who you are. :-)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Broken
I'm sorry that I forget to write. I should be better about it.
There's this quote that I really enjoy and I'd like to share it with you:
"Out of Suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." - Kahlil Gibran
I have gone through a time recently where I was ashamed of the scars in my past. The hurts, the emotional scars, the physical scars, and just the memories were too much for me to deal with. I had forgotten that the scars are there for a reason. They are not there to hold me back. They are there to show me the future. To help others. I shouldn't be ashamed of the things that have made me into who I am, but I should embrace them and move forward.
I had a great morning with some friends and they reminded me of this. I can't remember the whole song, but there's a line that says "in our brokenness complete". We are whole in Him. Completely.
He is amazing.
There's this quote that I really enjoy and I'd like to share it with you:
"Out of Suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." - Kahlil Gibran
I have gone through a time recently where I was ashamed of the scars in my past. The hurts, the emotional scars, the physical scars, and just the memories were too much for me to deal with. I had forgotten that the scars are there for a reason. They are not there to hold me back. They are there to show me the future. To help others. I shouldn't be ashamed of the things that have made me into who I am, but I should embrace them and move forward.
I had a great morning with some friends and they reminded me of this. I can't remember the whole song, but there's a line that says "in our brokenness complete". We are whole in Him. Completely.
He is amazing.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A lesson from field trip...
I spent all week at a place where the temperatures rose to near 90 degrees, there was high humidity, there was little shade in many places, and I had 31 kids and 3 other chaperones to herd around from place to place.
This is what echoed throughout our trip: "Miss, I'm so tired. Can I just have some water and sit down? Can't we rest now? Isn't it time for a break? It's so hot, Miss, and this is torture. Please can I just skip this part and rest? Miss, I feel faint"...
And my response: "No. You cannot rest. Drink some water, put your hat on, and let's keep moving. You're almost to the finish line and then we'll go back and rest. Just a little farther along."
Often times, the complaint came right as we were nearing the end of our activity. We were hiking around a garden on Tuesday morning and many kids were asking if they could go back the way we came and wait at the shelter. They didn't realize we were almost to the end. We had only 5 more minutes of walking, but they wanted to retrace their last 40 minutes of walking.
How many times do we do that to God? We say, "God, I'm done. Just let me go back the path I came and let me rest. I cannot possibly move any further forward. I need water and I need a break..."
And how many times does he respond: "I won't let anything happen to you. Have your water and keep moving. You are almost to the finish line and you don't even the know the things I have waiting for you!"
We just have to keep moving.
There is something that annoys me a lot. It is people who give up when things get slightly difficult. Whether it is illness ("O, I'm feeling slightly weak today"), or when there is an obstacle in the way ("I just don't have enough for myself to give to anyone else"), it is no reason to stop.
Like this morning: I was so utterly exhausted from a week of traveling and working. I even had fever last night as I laid in bed trying to recoup. This morning, I was really weak. My legs were shaking as I walked to church. I wanted to be there. I wanted to see the faces of people I have missed for a week. I thought I was crazy as I walked. Anyone else would stay in bed. Anyone else would have said "I'll just go next week."... I'm stubborn. I made it to church and saw my friends. I worshipped. I enjoyed being in the presence of our Lord.
We are stronger than we know. He gives us strength to move forward. He gives us peace during the rough times. He calms the storms. He lights the darkness.
He is amazing, and has great things waiting for us as long as we keep moving.
PTL!
This is what echoed throughout our trip: "Miss, I'm so tired. Can I just have some water and sit down? Can't we rest now? Isn't it time for a break? It's so hot, Miss, and this is torture. Please can I just skip this part and rest? Miss, I feel faint"...
And my response: "No. You cannot rest. Drink some water, put your hat on, and let's keep moving. You're almost to the finish line and then we'll go back and rest. Just a little farther along."
Often times, the complaint came right as we were nearing the end of our activity. We were hiking around a garden on Tuesday morning and many kids were asking if they could go back the way we came and wait at the shelter. They didn't realize we were almost to the end. We had only 5 more minutes of walking, but they wanted to retrace their last 40 minutes of walking.
How many times do we do that to God? We say, "God, I'm done. Just let me go back the path I came and let me rest. I cannot possibly move any further forward. I need water and I need a break..."
And how many times does he respond: "I won't let anything happen to you. Have your water and keep moving. You are almost to the finish line and you don't even the know the things I have waiting for you!"
We just have to keep moving.
There is something that annoys me a lot. It is people who give up when things get slightly difficult. Whether it is illness ("O, I'm feeling slightly weak today"), or when there is an obstacle in the way ("I just don't have enough for myself to give to anyone else"), it is no reason to stop.
Like this morning: I was so utterly exhausted from a week of traveling and working. I even had fever last night as I laid in bed trying to recoup. This morning, I was really weak. My legs were shaking as I walked to church. I wanted to be there. I wanted to see the faces of people I have missed for a week. I thought I was crazy as I walked. Anyone else would stay in bed. Anyone else would have said "I'll just go next week."... I'm stubborn. I made it to church and saw my friends. I worshipped. I enjoyed being in the presence of our Lord.
We are stronger than we know. He gives us strength to move forward. He gives us peace during the rough times. He calms the storms. He lights the darkness.
He is amazing, and has great things waiting for us as long as we keep moving.
PTL!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
So far away...
That last entry seems so long ago, and such a distant memory. A lot has happened in that one month span, and I can't even begin to recount it for you. God teaches me a lot of things, and some days He has to yell at me to make me hear Him. This weekend He was screaming at me that I am loved. I still have no idea why this is such a hard lesson for me. But it is one that impacts huge areas of my life. This weekend He brought a group of people into my house to help me make a huge decision, and while the decision is still technically not made, I heard Him. I heard Him loud and clear.
One of the things I love about God is that we can repent. When we have made a mistake, sinned against our brothers and sisters, we can repent, and He loves us just the same. I've never been privy to a real-life version of this, but I have seen it now. I made my own mistake on Sunday that hurt someone I love, but also, because I hurt them, I hurt me. Taking the time to pray about the situation, and knowing I needed to apologize for my wrongs, and then DOING that was freeing for me. I am not anxious about those events, but am ready to try to move forward.
God is so good and loves us no matter what mistakes we make as long as we come back to Him. I am so glad His loving arms are there for me. To hold me when I'm falling, but even more so, to hold me when I'm climbing back up.
On to the next day...
One of the things I love about God is that we can repent. When we have made a mistake, sinned against our brothers and sisters, we can repent, and He loves us just the same. I've never been privy to a real-life version of this, but I have seen it now. I made my own mistake on Sunday that hurt someone I love, but also, because I hurt them, I hurt me. Taking the time to pray about the situation, and knowing I needed to apologize for my wrongs, and then DOING that was freeing for me. I am not anxious about those events, but am ready to try to move forward.
God is so good and loves us no matter what mistakes we make as long as we come back to Him. I am so glad His loving arms are there for me. To hold me when I'm falling, but even more so, to hold me when I'm climbing back up.
On to the next day...
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The gift of words...
I haven't been able to figure out where I've been recently. Working through things, and some days, just trying to get through things... or just trying to get through... Depends on the day...
Realized this morning in church that I'm in the desert, and just because I'm in the desert doesn't mean I'm alone. He's with me even there.
But really, even before church this morning, I was given two words from Him. They have helped me along through the day and will be next to me in the coming days as well. The words He gave me are:
"Let Him" - Lay the burden on Him. Lean on Him for strength. I don't have to find the hope. He IS the hope. He is everything. And He gives it to me before I even ask. And if I can't ask Him myself, find someone to ask on my behalf. That's the hardest thing I think I've ever done. But ever since I did that, it's been so good.
"Victory" - We are given victory in Him. He promises it to us, and gives it to us no matter what. Victory is mine in Him. This battle will be won.
Two really good words for me today. And something else hit me a while ago.
There's a difference between "how are you" and "how are you feeling"... I'm blessed. Even if I'm not always feeling my best. :-)
Realized this morning in church that I'm in the desert, and just because I'm in the desert doesn't mean I'm alone. He's with me even there.
But really, even before church this morning, I was given two words from Him. They have helped me along through the day and will be next to me in the coming days as well. The words He gave me are:
"Let Him" - Lay the burden on Him. Lean on Him for strength. I don't have to find the hope. He IS the hope. He is everything. And He gives it to me before I even ask. And if I can't ask Him myself, find someone to ask on my behalf. That's the hardest thing I think I've ever done. But ever since I did that, it's been so good.
"Victory" - We are given victory in Him. He promises it to us, and gives it to us no matter what. Victory is mine in Him. This battle will be won.
Two really good words for me today. And something else hit me a while ago.
There's a difference between "how are you" and "how are you feeling"... I'm blessed. Even if I'm not always feeling my best. :-)
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