Greetings!
Jeremiah had an interesting thing to say this morning
He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
"Is that not what it means to know me?"
declares the LORD. Jeremiah 22:16
Hmmm. Something to meditate on.
Blessings,
Pat
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Broken is Good!
Hello friends,
I think last week, this week, and the next few weeks leading up to the journey to Kisumu are so important in preparation and God is shaping each of us so much.
This doesn't always feel good. This doesn't always make sense to us. The clay never knows what it is to be until the Potter works at it and works with it for an extended amount of time- shaping it and reshaping it until He is delighted.
All to say, this week I've felt very malleable. The last couple weeks for any student is inevitably difficult. On top of that- there were challenges and obstacles added to this semester's end that I've never been confronted with. Not all of it was bad, but it was certainly not a walk in the park. But God has been good and God has been faithful, and I've found so much rest and comfort and joy in His presence this week.
It all came into perspective for me today as I was reading Psalm 51... and verse 17 really stood out to me: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." As we surrender a broken spirit and contrite heart to God (which is oftentimes more easily said then done), we allow Him to take over and create us anew, restore us, and sustain us.
I'd rather be broken and shaped by God than be content with the status quo any day.
Broken is good!
Until next Thursday,
Mary :)
I think last week, this week, and the next few weeks leading up to the journey to Kisumu are so important in preparation and God is shaping each of us so much.
This doesn't always feel good. This doesn't always make sense to us. The clay never knows what it is to be until the Potter works at it and works with it for an extended amount of time- shaping it and reshaping it until He is delighted.
All to say, this week I've felt very malleable. The last couple weeks for any student is inevitably difficult. On top of that- there were challenges and obstacles added to this semester's end that I've never been confronted with. Not all of it was bad, but it was certainly not a walk in the park. But God has been good and God has been faithful, and I've found so much rest and comfort and joy in His presence this week.
It all came into perspective for me today as I was reading Psalm 51... and verse 17 really stood out to me: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." As we surrender a broken spirit and contrite heart to God (which is oftentimes more easily said then done), we allow Him to take over and create us anew, restore us, and sustain us.
I'd rather be broken and shaped by God than be content with the status quo any day.
Broken is good!
Until next Thursday,
Mary :)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Blessed with family and friends!
The last six days I have been visiting my son, Nick, daughter-in-law, Nicole, and grandchildren (Lucy, age 4 and Riley, age 2). It has been a blessed time full of special memories and lots of laughs! They are newly stationed in Charleston, South Carolina with Nick working as a Navy Corpsman at a family practice clinic. I am very proud of all he has accomplished. They have a beautiful home with lots of other young families in the neighborhood. I am so blessed to have been able to have this time with them before going to Africa. I will take sweet memories of these precious ones in my heart.
I echo Jessica's comments about our team. I completely agree we have been put together intentionally. As great as my time has been here in SC, I look forward to getting home and continuing to prepare for the work we will be doing in Kisumu.
Love and blessings until my next entry!
Pamela
I echo Jessica's comments about our team. I completely agree we have been put together intentionally. As great as my time has been here in SC, I look forward to getting home and continuing to prepare for the work we will be doing in Kisumu.
Love and blessings until my next entry!
Pamela
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Friendship
I am so thankful for this amazing group of women! This week has been trying for everyone and it has shown me how loving, caring, supportive, and Christian these STARS are. God is Good and God is Faithful (Laura) and it is so amazing how he has woven our hearts and friendships together! There is no doubt that we will do great works for the Lord in Kenya, because we have such a perfectly hand picked team going.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
Jessica
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
Jessica
Monday, May 3, 2010
Falling Stars? I think not!
With a little blow to our team, we embraced the idea that God has different plans for some of us, Our team now consists of 5 rather than 6, with the news that Brooke will not be joining us on our trip.
We will continue to pray that Brookes light as a star will no longer shine over Kisumu but here this summer. She added so much to our team and will be missed tremendously. We are glad we got to bond with her the way we did and know God has plans for her in Africa in the future...
Well, although our team hit a little bump, it has pushed us into overdrive in the prayer category... something that was being a little forgotten due to all our team preparation. It is apparent that God has amazing plans for this team and Satan is working hard at trying to pull us down.
Greg's message this Sunday hit home with a lot of us and we are working hard at fixing our eyes on Jesus. We ask that everyone keep our team in their prayers!
Love, Tanea
(The theme for this week) 1 Corinthians 15:33 (pray that our bad company will not take our eyes off what God has in plan for this team)
We will continue to pray that Brookes light as a star will no longer shine over Kisumu but here this summer. She added so much to our team and will be missed tremendously. We are glad we got to bond with her the way we did and know God has plans for her in Africa in the future...
Well, although our team hit a little bump, it has pushed us into overdrive in the prayer category... something that was being a little forgotten due to all our team preparation. It is apparent that God has amazing plans for this team and Satan is working hard at trying to pull us down.
Greg's message this Sunday hit home with a lot of us and we are working hard at fixing our eyes on Jesus. We ask that everyone keep our team in their prayers!
Love, Tanea
(The theme for this week) 1 Corinthians 15:33 (pray that our bad company will not take our eyes off what God has in plan for this team)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday - A day late! Laura
Wow! 33 Days until Kenya Departure. Going BACK to Kenya, my heart is pounding...Lots of love and prayers to anyone who may be following this. We sure do appreciate your love, prayers and support. xoxo Laura Lou :)
Happy May Day
Jambo from Fair Oaks, California!
I would like to share with you all just one of the ways God is working in the "daily" of my life.
Yesterday, I was on an errand to get some bird food for the resident bluebirds that have decided to nest in an old birdhouse in the back garden. I had purchased the meal worms and was exiting the parking lot. Waiting to turn right to go home I saw directly across the street the residence of a retired missionary from Africa. I remembered that she had recently moved back to her residence from a month-long stay at a local
physical rehabilitation facility. She had fallen and broken her right femur (thigh) in two places.
So, I crossed the street and decided to take a "chance" and see if Lois was accepting visitors. At the front desk I was told that indeed she was in her room and her caregiver was with her. Not knowing what to expect I knocked on her door and was welcomed in.
We renewed our acquaintance. I told her I had met her on a Sunday when she helped our STARS group with the Swahili language and had given us a book she had written about her days as a missionary to Congo. She and I shared how good God is all the time, even when there is pain and suffering. She told me "when you are flat on your back the only place to look is up".
Well, she was waiting for her physical therapist's first visit and she was concerned about her kneecap being unstable. I waited with her until the therapist arrived and we hoped he would have an Ace bandage for her to use. Lois was a nurse in Congo and shared how she had stitched people up but was amazed that today staples "do the trick" quite well. Her healing has been rapid and we were praising God for that when the therapist arrived. Sadly, he had just given his last Ace bandage to another client.
So, off I went to the local RiteAid and in fifteen minutes they had what they needed. When I came back in the room Lois was walking with the aid of a walker and Mike, the therapist! The bandage will be used another time. I believe it will last longer than flowers and candy!
I also believe God has connected us all to each other in amazing ways. As I watch and wait for Him daily, I see the proof of I John4: 9-10 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son..." and I John 4:11 "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Blessings,
Pat
I would like to share with you all just one of the ways God is working in the "daily" of my life.
Yesterday, I was on an errand to get some bird food for the resident bluebirds that have decided to nest in an old birdhouse in the back garden. I had purchased the meal worms and was exiting the parking lot. Waiting to turn right to go home I saw directly across the street the residence of a retired missionary from Africa. I remembered that she had recently moved back to her residence from a month-long stay at a local
physical rehabilitation facility. She had fallen and broken her right femur (thigh) in two places.
So, I crossed the street and decided to take a "chance" and see if Lois was accepting visitors. At the front desk I was told that indeed she was in her room and her caregiver was with her. Not knowing what to expect I knocked on her door and was welcomed in.
We renewed our acquaintance. I told her I had met her on a Sunday when she helped our STARS group with the Swahili language and had given us a book she had written about her days as a missionary to Congo. She and I shared how good God is all the time, even when there is pain and suffering. She told me "when you are flat on your back the only place to look is up".
Well, she was waiting for her physical therapist's first visit and she was concerned about her kneecap being unstable. I waited with her until the therapist arrived and we hoped he would have an Ace bandage for her to use. Lois was a nurse in Congo and shared how she had stitched people up but was amazed that today staples "do the trick" quite well. Her healing has been rapid and we were praising God for that when the therapist arrived. Sadly, he had just given his last Ace bandage to another client.
So, off I went to the local RiteAid and in fifteen minutes they had what they needed. When I came back in the room Lois was walking with the aid of a walker and Mike, the therapist! The bandage will be used another time. I believe it will last longer than flowers and candy!
I also believe God has connected us all to each other in amazing ways. As I watch and wait for Him daily, I see the proof of I John4: 9-10 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son..." and I John 4:11 "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Blessings,
Pat
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