My eyes are getting teary even as I sit here typing the title to this blog! Can't believe we are under the one week mark!!! God is faithful and amazing is all this woman's heart needs and wants to say!
This trio of journeywomen have watched our Heavenly Father:
*Meet specified financial need after specified & deadlined financial need (thanks Brea for your audacious prayers! You blow your mama away!);
*Stretch what we thought was already taunt to limits beyond what we alone are capable of enduring;
*Heal our bodies (hallelujah Holly!), minds, and hearts;
*Confirm His calling and Hand on our lives, individually and collectively;
*Siphon off sludge brought to the surface of our attitudes (am speaking especially for me!) through His continual refining process;
*Plunge us deeper into prayer, His Word, and dependency upon Him;
.........and we are still stateside!!!
Haven't even taken off of residential soil yet!
Can't imagine what He will be doing in us while we are in Africa!!!
OH THE JOY OF LOVING HIM!!!
6 DAYS AND COUNTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"Surely We Can Change" by David Crowder
I was listening to a David Crowder Band CD today and this song touched me deeply in light of our upcoming trip to Kenya. Just felt like sharing it with you.
And the problem is this
We were bought with a kiss
But the cheek still turned
Even when it wasn't hit
And I don't know
What to do with a love like that
And I don't know
How to be a love like that
When all the love in the world
Is right here among us
And hatred too
And so we must choose
What our hands will do
Where there is pain
Let there be grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Help them to be brave
Where there is misery
Bring expectancy
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Something
And the problem it seems
Is with you and me
Not the Love who came
To repair everything
Where there is pain
Let us bring grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Let us be brave
Where there is misery
Let us bring them relief
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Oh surely we can change
Something
Oh, the world's about to change
The whole world's about to
Change
I know I speak for all three of us when I say we want Jesus to be the change for the people of Kibera, Kenya!!! What a privilege to be a part! Just 13 more days!!!
And the problem is this
We were bought with a kiss
But the cheek still turned
Even when it wasn't hit
And I don't know
What to do with a love like that
And I don't know
How to be a love like that
When all the love in the world
Is right here among us
And hatred too
And so we must choose
What our hands will do
Where there is pain
Let there be grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Help them to be brave
Where there is misery
Bring expectancy
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Something
And the problem it seems
Is with you and me
Not the Love who came
To repair everything
Where there is pain
Let us bring grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Let us be brave
Where there is misery
Let us bring them relief
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Oh surely we can change
Something
Oh, the world's about to change
The whole world's about to
Change
I know I speak for all three of us when I say we want Jesus to be the change for the people of Kibera, Kenya!!! What a privilege to be a part! Just 13 more days!!!
Friday, October 10, 2008
More opportunities to bless...
Okay, so I posted the news about tangible ways to bless those we will be ministering to in Kenya. Several have already responded letting us know they are on their way to the store! We have such generous friends and family!!!
I had emailed our trip coordinator asking if the missionary couple living in Kibera had any specific needs we could possibly meet as well? I just received his email back (he is currently in Mexico - is it a sin to covet this man's job?!!!). He let me know needs they have shared with him:
4 HP Print Cartridges #14 black,
4 HP Print Cartridges #15 color,
10 Mini DV tapes,
100 pack DVD+R's,
Quaker Quick Grits (NOT INSTANT),
Plastic jars of Helmann's mayonaise.
What a reminder of the things we take so easily for granted. How often I jump in my car, drive to the fully stocked store just around the corner from my house and buy whatever I needed, taking a total of 15 minutes!!
Again, if you would like to be a part in meeting these needs, we will be collecting until October 27 - since we have to PACK!!!
With all our hearts, we thank you for your support and generosity. Again, words are insufficient. We pray God's blessings on you all!
I had emailed our trip coordinator asking if the missionary couple living in Kibera had any specific needs we could possibly meet as well? I just received his email back (he is currently in Mexico - is it a sin to covet this man's job?!!!). He let me know needs they have shared with him:
4 HP Print Cartridges #14 black,
4 HP Print Cartridges #15 color,
10 Mini DV tapes,
100 pack DVD+R's,
Quaker Quick Grits (NOT INSTANT),
Plastic jars of Helmann's mayonaise.
What a reminder of the things we take so easily for granted. How often I jump in my car, drive to the fully stocked store just around the corner from my house and buy whatever I needed, taking a total of 15 minutes!!
Again, if you would like to be a part in meeting these needs, we will be collecting until October 27 - since we have to PACK!!!
With all our hearts, we thank you for your support and generosity. Again, words are insufficient. We pray God's blessings on you all!
Restless
Well we have less then 3 weeks left, and I only have 9 days left of school.
As it's getting closer I can feel myself getting more excited, as much as I try to hide it, inside I'm going crazy with excitement. I don't want people to see me excited because, if it doesn't work(GOD forbid) I don't want them to know how disappointed I'll feel, my pride gets in the way I guess, an area God and I are still working on.
It is mind blowing that in 3 short weeks I'll be in Kenya, MY Kenya. I'll be able to breathe Kenyan air, see beautiful Kenyan landscape, feel the sun or rain on my skin IN Kenya. That finally I'll be home. Even though it isn't my birthplace, it's where God has called me, where God has put a burden on my heart to be. He's put me through trials so that I'll be ready, and FINALLY it's my time. It's crazy how I've never been there but already know, it's my home. I'm thankful to God that he's made it clear that that's where I'm meant to be, but at the same time I'm restless here. I'm starting to feel like a stranger in my own "home", and to friends and family in Arizona. It's feeling like a prison instead of a loving, warm place that it once was. I'm hoping my trip there will be a way for me to start to be thankful for Arizona once again. It's so American of me, I have endless possibility here and yet, I can't stand even looking around. That the land of the FREE is feeling like that land of the prisoners. And I know Kenya will be an eye opener at the least. I know I'm starting to ramble but that is what i do best. To put it into shorter words I'm just SO thankful for the chance to go and be with "my" people and help them as much as I can. Even though I know it's going to be one of the hardest things to leave; I'm just glad I have the chance to see my future home, for however long it may be.
As it's getting closer I can feel myself getting more excited, as much as I try to hide it, inside I'm going crazy with excitement. I don't want people to see me excited because, if it doesn't work(GOD forbid) I don't want them to know how disappointed I'll feel, my pride gets in the way I guess, an area God and I are still working on.
It is mind blowing that in 3 short weeks I'll be in Kenya, MY Kenya. I'll be able to breathe Kenyan air, see beautiful Kenyan landscape, feel the sun or rain on my skin IN Kenya. That finally I'll be home. Even though it isn't my birthplace, it's where God has called me, where God has put a burden on my heart to be. He's put me through trials so that I'll be ready, and FINALLY it's my time. It's crazy how I've never been there but already know, it's my home. I'm thankful to God that he's made it clear that that's where I'm meant to be, but at the same time I'm restless here. I'm starting to feel like a stranger in my own "home", and to friends and family in Arizona. It's feeling like a prison instead of a loving, warm place that it once was. I'm hoping my trip there will be a way for me to start to be thankful for Arizona once again. It's so American of me, I have endless possibility here and yet, I can't stand even looking around. That the land of the FREE is feeling like that land of the prisoners. And I know Kenya will be an eye opener at the least. I know I'm starting to ramble but that is what i do best. To put it into shorter words I'm just SO thankful for the chance to go and be with "my" people and help them as much as I can. Even though I know it's going to be one of the hardest things to leave; I'm just glad I have the chance to see my future home, for however long it may be.
Opportunities to bless...
I am sooo excited/anxious/exhausted as the countdown continues - 18 days & we are in the air!!!
Just wanted to update you on some needs that were emailed to us this morning from the missionaries we will be ministering to and with. They have requested:
*Newborn baby boy clothes for a little one named Matthew
*School supplies (pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, etc.)
*Candy for the children (obviously the non-melting kind is best!).
If any of you would like to donate these items, please feel free. We will be collecting them until October 27 since we will need that day to pack. Yikes!!! That just gave me goosebumps!!!
Thank you for your constant prayers and support (financial & emotional)!
We can never repay you but our Heavenly Father blesses beyond measure!!
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord-and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17
Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. James 1:27
Just wanted to update you on some needs that were emailed to us this morning from the missionaries we will be ministering to and with. They have requested:
*Newborn baby boy clothes for a little one named Matthew
*School supplies (pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, etc.)
*Candy for the children (obviously the non-melting kind is best!).
If any of you would like to donate these items, please feel free. We will be collecting them until October 27 since we will need that day to pack. Yikes!!! That just gave me goosebumps!!!
Thank you for your constant prayers and support (financial & emotional)!
We can never repay you but our Heavenly Father blesses beyond measure!!
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord-and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17
Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. James 1:27
Thursday, October 9, 2008
I think I'll keep my distance...
I don't think I need to tell you how much I am looking forward to the ministry aspect of our trip. I simply cannot wait to love those little children to pieces! And I don't think anyone would be surprised if I brought one or twenty of them home with me. You just never know, I'm spontaneous like that (hey, stop laughing!).
But I am also VERY excited that we get to go on safari. To see the wild animals in their natural habitat will be a phenomenal experience. Truly breathtaking. Once in a lifetime.
In talking about the safari with Amie, she said that she hopes to hear a lion's roar so loud that she can actually feel its reverberations. That sounded okay to me until I saw these photos in my business friend's memory book yesterday.
I'm guessing that wildebeast felt the reverberations, too. And I don't like the way his story ended.
But I am also VERY excited that we get to go on safari. To see the wild animals in their natural habitat will be a phenomenal experience. Truly breathtaking. Once in a lifetime.
In talking about the safari with Amie, she said that she hopes to hear a lion's roar so loud that she can actually feel its reverberations. That sounded okay to me until I saw these photos in my business friend's memory book yesterday.
I'm guessing that wildebeast felt the reverberations, too. And I don't like the way his story ended.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Three Weeks to Go!
First of all, I would like to follow up on my previous post. There are truly no words to describe the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling as I wrote it. Fear, peace, anxiety, worry, sadness, excitement and disappointment all seemed to rage at once inside this heart. But something amazing happened with the click of the "publish post" button. Philippians 4:7 became an instant reality and has actually stuck with me ever since. The most incomprehensible peace that I have ever experienced has truly guarded my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I have become solidly sure that this is God's will for us. God has been so faithful in providing the finances needed for the trip in doses that He has measured out before the foundation of the world. We are simply collecting this day's provision. Tomorrow's provision will be available tomorrow. And it will continue until the full provision is completed. Somehow, I am sure of this. And this brings such sweet peace. There is nothing like it in the world!
Secondly, a business friend went to Kenya for a safari a couple of years ago. When he and his wife returned home, they put together a memory book of their trip. As soon as I told him that I was heading there in 3 WEEKS, he so kindly offered to show me their book. He's bringing it by the office today and I can't wait to see it. It will totally whet my appetite for the real thing.
Thirdly, did I mention it's only 3 WEEKS? Wow.
Secondly, a business friend went to Kenya for a safari a couple of years ago. When he and his wife returned home, they put together a memory book of their trip. As soon as I told him that I was heading there in 3 WEEKS, he so kindly offered to show me their book. He's bringing it by the office today and I can't wait to see it. It will totally whet my appetite for the real thing.
Thirdly, did I mention it's only 3 WEEKS? Wow.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Rejoice Now
I think I speak for all three of us when I say that this week was a tough one. A real faith test. A faith test that is only beginning.
A month ago when we learned we were going to Kenya, our hearts and our faith were soaring high. We didn't go into this blindly. We've known from the start that we didn't have the financial means to support this trip. After all, in these economic times, who has $12,000 lying around in their back pockets? But somehow we just knew that God had something up His sleeve. Some plan to channel the resources we needed right to our front door. No doubt, just expectancy. And boy, were we expecting!
That was a month ago. And not much has come through the channel yet.
Time has a way of clouding our vision and making the goal seem invisible or even impossible. I remember once hearing that in the space between our need and the provision of the need, there is always time. We have the ability to decide what to do with the time. We can worry, complain and give up hope. Or, we can trust, believe and rejoice in the waiting. How we deal with our "time" reveals the level of our trust in the Lord.
I still believe that God has something up His sleeve. That this trip is part of His plan and He will provide the financial means. Unfortunately, some doubt and fear has crept into my time of waiting. So I personally had to make a decision this week. I can doubt and worry. Or I can trust and believe. It's one or the other. I cannot do both.
I have decided to trust and believe!
"Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:29
If I truly believe that God will provide for us to go to Kenya, then I need to start rejoicing about it NOW. I don't need to wait until we have the funds in our hands. I can start NOW. And I choose to do so. I choose to lay it all out there, expecting God to come through in a big way. In a way that leaves no doubt that it was truly Him who met the need.
I choose to trust and believe. What about you? What are you going through right now that requires you to decide how you will walk out your time? He will be faithful no matter how we walk this out. But I want to be found rejoicing BEFORE I see His faithful provision. Before I SEE His faithful provision. What about you?
I love how Beth Moore says (paraphrased), "I'd rather believe God for too much and only receive some of it, than to believe God for nothing and receive all of it."
Join with me in believing God beyond our understanding. He wants to give us more than we can ask, think or imagine anyway. And I say we rejoice NOW, before we even catch a glimpse of Him working on our behalf. Nothing lets Him know we trust Him more than that.
**Editted to note: Not thirty minutes after posting this blog, God channeled resources to us in a way that leaves no room to give anyone else credit but Him. I am so glad that He helped me have a heart that was ready to receive from Him. It made the blessing that much more sweet. There's still a ways to go, but He graciously reminded us once again that He's got it all under control. Hallelujah!
A month ago when we learned we were going to Kenya, our hearts and our faith were soaring high. We didn't go into this blindly. We've known from the start that we didn't have the financial means to support this trip. After all, in these economic times, who has $12,000 lying around in their back pockets? But somehow we just knew that God had something up His sleeve. Some plan to channel the resources we needed right to our front door. No doubt, just expectancy. And boy, were we expecting!
That was a month ago. And not much has come through the channel yet.
Time has a way of clouding our vision and making the goal seem invisible or even impossible. I remember once hearing that in the space between our need and the provision of the need, there is always time. We have the ability to decide what to do with the time. We can worry, complain and give up hope. Or, we can trust, believe and rejoice in the waiting. How we deal with our "time" reveals the level of our trust in the Lord.
I still believe that God has something up His sleeve. That this trip is part of His plan and He will provide the financial means. Unfortunately, some doubt and fear has crept into my time of waiting. So I personally had to make a decision this week. I can doubt and worry. Or I can trust and believe. It's one or the other. I cannot do both.
I have decided to trust and believe!
"Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:29
If I truly believe that God will provide for us to go to Kenya, then I need to start rejoicing about it NOW. I don't need to wait until we have the funds in our hands. I can start NOW. And I choose to do so. I choose to lay it all out there, expecting God to come through in a big way. In a way that leaves no doubt that it was truly Him who met the need.
I choose to trust and believe. What about you? What are you going through right now that requires you to decide how you will walk out your time? He will be faithful no matter how we walk this out. But I want to be found rejoicing BEFORE I see His faithful provision. Before I SEE His faithful provision. What about you?
I love how Beth Moore says (paraphrased), "I'd rather believe God for too much and only receive some of it, than to believe God for nothing and receive all of it."
Join with me in believing God beyond our understanding. He wants to give us more than we can ask, think or imagine anyway. And I say we rejoice NOW, before we even catch a glimpse of Him working on our behalf. Nothing lets Him know we trust Him more than that.
**Editted to note: Not thirty minutes after posting this blog, God channeled resources to us in a way that leaves no room to give anyone else credit but Him. I am so glad that He helped me have a heart that was ready to receive from Him. It made the blessing that much more sweet. There's still a ways to go, but He graciously reminded us once again that He's got it all under control. Hallelujah!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Plan A...or Plan A?
I am a planner - calendars, lists, post its, memo boards - the whole works.
If you are like me, you tend to have backup plans to the plans you make or are making. Mine don't stop with plan B. I tend to line up plan C, D, E, F,... you get the picture! My mind and thoughts are constantly whirring with activity - planning, planning for the plan, planning backup plans if the plan doesn't go as planned!!! Ever been there?
Obviously, I have been planning for our trip: What we need for our trip, flights we will need, what to take, lining up shots, passports, luggage, gapfillers while I am gone, and FINANCES!
You have a plan and you're stickin' to it... then life happens? Well, life happened for me this past week. Plans I had been counting on, crucial to this trip, went out the window - way beyond my control - and no matter how many backup plans I had made it wasn't going to matter! Ever been there?
For a planner, having no plans is most unsettling. No, it is maddening!!
In my madness, I went to the Lord loud, whiny, complaining and even accusatory. "Why did this happen?" "How could You let this happen?" "Don't you want me to go to Kenya?" Ever been there?
After my tantrum but still trying to scrape together plan Z, the Lord quietly led me to Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Then He whispered to my heart "Amie, I have a plan, my plan is still happening, and my plan is for your good. Nothing thwarts my plan - no need for plan B. Will you trust me?" I had an invitation from God to stay with His plan. Ever been there?
Well, I am here- so very thankful God does have a plan even when I don't understand it. Again, I lean not on my own understanding but am trying in all I do to follow Him - and let go of backup plans!!
If you are like me, you tend to have backup plans to the plans you make or are making. Mine don't stop with plan B. I tend to line up plan C, D, E, F,... you get the picture! My mind and thoughts are constantly whirring with activity - planning, planning for the plan, planning backup plans if the plan doesn't go as planned!!! Ever been there?
Obviously, I have been planning for our trip: What we need for our trip, flights we will need, what to take, lining up shots, passports, luggage, gapfillers while I am gone, and FINANCES!
You have a plan and you're stickin' to it... then life happens? Well, life happened for me this past week. Plans I had been counting on, crucial to this trip, went out the window - way beyond my control - and no matter how many backup plans I had made it wasn't going to matter! Ever been there?
For a planner, having no plans is most unsettling. No, it is maddening!!
In my madness, I went to the Lord loud, whiny, complaining and even accusatory. "Why did this happen?" "How could You let this happen?" "Don't you want me to go to Kenya?" Ever been there?
After my tantrum but still trying to scrape together plan Z, the Lord quietly led me to Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Then He whispered to my heart "Amie, I have a plan, my plan is still happening, and my plan is for your good. Nothing thwarts my plan - no need for plan B. Will you trust me?" I had an invitation from God to stay with His plan. Ever been there?
Well, I am here- so very thankful God does have a plan even when I don't understand it. Again, I lean not on my own understanding but am trying in all I do to follow Him - and let go of backup plans!!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Serving...
I'm still finding it hard to believe that we will be leaving for AFRICA in less than 5 weeks.
There are days when I wonder if I am up for this; if this is really God's will for me. After all, Brea is called to this. Amie has dreamed about this her whole life. And me. Well, I'd never even considered the idea before a month ago.
Then there are times when I am absolutely certain I'm heading in the right direction. For instance, a friend and I went to a women's retreat this past weekend. We get in line to register and the theme for the weekend is: "Serving...because Christ served". I immediately thought, "How appropriate! I get to learn about serving right before leaving for Africa." Not 2 seconds later, my friend looks at me with tears in her eyes and says, "How cool that you get to hear this right before you go to Africa!". Such sweet confirmation.
Throughout the weekend, I felt such a deep desire to go to Kenya to SERVE. Serve with my heart, with my words and with my touch. To give more of me than I'd ever given before. Expecting nothing in return. Simply pouring out all I have.
One of the speakers spoke of her recent mission trip and I could not stop crying, I felt such a connection with her heart. It's times like this weekend when I know that somehow God also has a purpose for me in Africa, not just for my friends. I am deeply humbled by the opportunity and am so grateful that God can use this willing heart even with all the doubts and insecurities that rage through my mind at times.
Unfortunately, I can't go to a weekend retreat in Williams every time I begin to have doubts or insecurities about the trip. Instead, I simply need to go to throne and continue to lay my life down, trusting that He will lead me to exactly where He wants me to be. He will equip me with exactly what I will need. And in the end, He will receive all the glory.
Which is perfect. Because that's all this heart really wants, anyway.
There are days when I wonder if I am up for this; if this is really God's will for me. After all, Brea is called to this. Amie has dreamed about this her whole life. And me. Well, I'd never even considered the idea before a month ago.
Then there are times when I am absolutely certain I'm heading in the right direction. For instance, a friend and I went to a women's retreat this past weekend. We get in line to register and the theme for the weekend is: "Serving...because Christ served". I immediately thought, "How appropriate! I get to learn about serving right before leaving for Africa." Not 2 seconds later, my friend looks at me with tears in her eyes and says, "How cool that you get to hear this right before you go to Africa!". Such sweet confirmation.
Throughout the weekend, I felt such a deep desire to go to Kenya to SERVE. Serve with my heart, with my words and with my touch. To give more of me than I'd ever given before. Expecting nothing in return. Simply pouring out all I have.
One of the speakers spoke of her recent mission trip and I could not stop crying, I felt such a connection with her heart. It's times like this weekend when I know that somehow God also has a purpose for me in Africa, not just for my friends. I am deeply humbled by the opportunity and am so grateful that God can use this willing heart even with all the doubts and insecurities that rage through my mind at times.
Unfortunately, I can't go to a weekend retreat in Williams every time I begin to have doubts or insecurities about the trip. Instead, I simply need to go to throne and continue to lay my life down, trusting that He will lead me to exactly where He wants me to be. He will equip me with exactly what I will need. And in the end, He will receive all the glory.
Which is perfect. Because that's all this heart really wants, anyway.
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