What a crazy couple of weeks it has been! Last week Ben was gone, we had summer missionaries staying at our home, the church had a sports camp every day and we had something to do every night.
Yesterday mom, dad, Tim, Tori and Sam went to family camp with their church. They will get home on Saturday. Today after work Ben and I will head to Fort Collins to do some work at our church. Ben needs to put some office time in and I am going to organize/clean. We will come home tomorrow night.
On Saturday my aunt, uncle, grandpa, grandma and all seven of us are flying out to spend the weekend with another aunt in Chicago. Ben and I will be gone until the 5th, the rest of the clan comes home the 8th. I will pick them up at the airport, take them home and then go to the wedding of a dear friend, Rachel, in Colorado Springs.
When I look out at weeks like this I want to cry and laugh. Laugh because I am excited to go and do everything that I have planned. Cry because I know that I will be so tired, sleep less and spend less "quality" time in God's Word. Ah, the joys of life and learning how to balance them all!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Grandpa's Technology Skills
Many years ago when computers invaded every home my grandpa promised he would never own one. He did not see how they would help simplify his life; he thought they would only be a complication or another piece of equipment in the house. Besides, didn't they take up a whole room?
Grandpa could not believe it when my dad brought over a laptop. He asked so many questions about what it was doing and how it did it. He did not understand how so much information could be in such a small machine. He was even more blown away when I introduced the concept of instant messaging. AND furthermore, when I told him that I could communicate on instant message with my friends around the world, he would say I was making it up. His favorite word to exclaim was, "IMPOSSIBLE!"
Then, a few years ago, my aunt bought him a computer. He was intimidated and ignored the thing for several months. Finally, we sat down and gave him a lesson. We wrote down step by step instructions of how to do documents, check email and his favorite- search the map program. Things that were second nature to me I now had to teach my 78 year old Grandfather!
How do you explain "double click?" How do you help him do it when his fingers do not move that fast anymore? How do you teach him common phrases like "x out," "file," "open the program," "sign online," "screen name," etc.? It was difficult, but he eventually got the hang of it.
Then I taught him how to use instant messaging. I showed him the Buddy List with all our names on it. I said, "Now, when I go home and sign online, if you are online too, my screen name will appear in this box and your name will be in my box. You click on my name and another little box appears. You can type inside that box and press 'send' and it will send me the message. Then I can reply and we can talk. Do you understand?" His response? "Impossible."
But he is getting better and faster. For a while he would tell me, "When you sent me that message I had no idea where it came from! All the sudden there was this box and you were talking. How did you know I was on the computer?" I would laugh and explain the whole thing over again, to which he replied, "Impossible."
So I instant message with my 80 year old grandpa. He loves it. Usually, when we say goodbye and I get offline the phone rings. Grandpa. He is calling to tell me that he enjoyed talking to me and that he cannot believe we can talk like that over the computer. So, even though instant messaging is free long distance, my grandpa calls long distance to tell me it was nice to chat for free. Silly gramps.
A couple days ago we were chatting and he said this ( I have left it unedited):
I hope all is weelll, and not any ailments in your house. Sam is OK, and Tori and Tim going fast. What a surprise when I saw them last. The are sprouting like Ben did. And what a lovey mature young person you have matured too. Keep upo the good work. Granps, is leaving and going to get ready for bed. Hope you have joy in your heart.
Grandpa could not believe it when my dad brought over a laptop. He asked so many questions about what it was doing and how it did it. He did not understand how so much information could be in such a small machine. He was even more blown away when I introduced the concept of instant messaging. AND furthermore, when I told him that I could communicate on instant message with my friends around the world, he would say I was making it up. His favorite word to exclaim was, "IMPOSSIBLE!"
Then, a few years ago, my aunt bought him a computer. He was intimidated and ignored the thing for several months. Finally, we sat down and gave him a lesson. We wrote down step by step instructions of how to do documents, check email and his favorite- search the map program. Things that were second nature to me I now had to teach my 78 year old Grandfather!
How do you explain "double click?" How do you help him do it when his fingers do not move that fast anymore? How do you teach him common phrases like "x out," "file," "open the program," "sign online," "screen name," etc.? It was difficult, but he eventually got the hang of it.
Then I taught him how to use instant messaging. I showed him the Buddy List with all our names on it. I said, "Now, when I go home and sign online, if you are online too, my screen name will appear in this box and your name will be in my box. You click on my name and another little box appears. You can type inside that box and press 'send' and it will send me the message. Then I can reply and we can talk. Do you understand?" His response? "Impossible."
But he is getting better and faster. For a while he would tell me, "When you sent me that message I had no idea where it came from! All the sudden there was this box and you were talking. How did you know I was on the computer?" I would laugh and explain the whole thing over again, to which he replied, "Impossible."
So I instant message with my 80 year old grandpa. He loves it. Usually, when we say goodbye and I get offline the phone rings. Grandpa. He is calling to tell me that he enjoyed talking to me and that he cannot believe we can talk like that over the computer. So, even though instant messaging is free long distance, my grandpa calls long distance to tell me it was nice to chat for free. Silly gramps.
A couple days ago we were chatting and he said this ( I have left it unedited):
I hope all is weelll, and not any ailments in your house. Sam is OK, and Tori and Tim going fast. What a surprise when I saw them last. The are sprouting like Ben did. And what a lovey mature young person you have matured too. Keep upo the good work. Granps, is leaving and going to get ready for bed. Hope you have joy in your heart.
It makes me go "awwwwwwwww" every time I read it. He is so cute and I love him so much. Now, if only I could teach him how to read my blog... :-) Rumor has it he owns a digital camera now too! For another story about Grandpa read this post: Grandpa's Influence.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Scripture Memory 101
Have you ever thought memorizing God's Word was an imposible task? I know I have. I would write verses everywhere, carry them with me and even hang them in ziploc bags in the shower. Seriously.
Then I met Daniel Oh, a man who trains missionaries all over the world. He was a teacher at the mission class, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, that I attended. As he closed the class he said that he wanted to leave us with a passage from Philippians. He did not grab his Bible nor did he pull out an index card. No, he began quoting from chapter one, verse one. One minute passed, one chapter passed, seven minutes passed, two chapters...
... and then he stopped because the class time had ended. He stopped at the end of chapter two and told us to read the rest of Philippians on our own. I sat there mesmerized with the ability he had just demonstrated and the passion with which he had quoted a large part of Scripture. He did not stutter or fumble. It sounded like God was talking through him. And He was. After class I rushed up to Daniel and asked enthusiastically HOW he memorized Scripture (or anything!) like that. He said, "It's is quite simple." Ha, I thought, I have heard that many times before... but this time he was right! He explained that when we memorize verses like this:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
E 1:3-P b t t G a F o o L J C, w h b u i t h r w e s b i C.
He explained that memorizing with the first letter of each word allows your brain to store the information at the deepest level of memory possible. Your brain is an amazing organ that can fill in the words faster than if you tried to memorize it using the full word. He said that it helps to keep punctuation, including capitalization, so that you are able to break up the structure easily.
After you have memorized a passage of Scripture with the above look he said to move on to the first letter of each prase, which for Ephesians 1:3 would look like the following:
E 1:3- P, w.
So I have been trying it. And it works. I began memorizing Ephesians 1:3-10 last night at about 11PM. Several months ago it would have looked like this:
"3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ."
Now, it looks like this:
3- P b t t G a F o o L J C, w h b u i t h r w e s b i C
4- F h c u i H b t c o t w t b h a b i H s. I l
5- h p u t b a a H s t J C, i a w H p a w-
6- t t p o H g g, w H h f g u i t O H l.
7- I H w h r t H b, t f o s, i a w t r o G g
8- t H l o u w a w a u.
9- A H m k t u t m o H w a t H g p, w H p i C,
10- t h p i e w t t w h r t f- t b a t i h a o e t u o h, e C.
I am boasting in Christ when I say that I have this passage almost memorized. It only took me twelve hours- eight of those I was sleeping and another three I have been at work. I am so excited that God has given me a tool that allows me to memorize His Word to the depth of my soul. Now, I will say this, I have been studying this passage, so I know that some of it has flowed easier. BUT, I did try other random passages to test myself and it worked on them too! Another thing I do is get a visual picture of what is happening in the passage. I also imagine how the person might have sounded if they had been talking to me.
Tonight, I hope to write out the passage like this (first letter of each phrase):
3- P, w. 4- F. I 5- h, i- 6- t, w. 7- I,t, i 8- t. 9- A, w, 10- t- t, e.
After that it is down to the first letter of each verse:
3- P 4- F 5- h 6- t 7-I 8- t 9- A 10- t.
If you don't believe me, try it. Mr. Oh has 25 books of the Bible memorized this way. He did Romans in two months and Philippians in a few weeks.
And hey, I did Ephesians 1:3-10 in about 30 minutes.
Then I met Daniel Oh, a man who trains missionaries all over the world. He was a teacher at the mission class, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, that I attended. As he closed the class he said that he wanted to leave us with a passage from Philippians. He did not grab his Bible nor did he pull out an index card. No, he began quoting from chapter one, verse one. One minute passed, one chapter passed, seven minutes passed, two chapters...
... and then he stopped because the class time had ended. He stopped at the end of chapter two and told us to read the rest of Philippians on our own. I sat there mesmerized with the ability he had just demonstrated and the passion with which he had quoted a large part of Scripture. He did not stutter or fumble. It sounded like God was talking through him. And He was. After class I rushed up to Daniel and asked enthusiastically HOW he memorized Scripture (or anything!) like that. He said, "It's is quite simple." Ha, I thought, I have heard that many times before... but this time he was right! He explained that when we memorize verses like this:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
Ephesians 1:3
we are causing our brains to work harder than need be and we are only retaining the information in the first level of memory. He grabbed a piece of paper and began writing the same verse above like this:
E 1:3-P b t t G a F o o L J C, w h b u i t h r w e s b i C.
He explained that memorizing with the first letter of each word allows your brain to store the information at the deepest level of memory possible. Your brain is an amazing organ that can fill in the words faster than if you tried to memorize it using the full word. He said that it helps to keep punctuation, including capitalization, so that you are able to break up the structure easily.
After you have memorized a passage of Scripture with the above look he said to move on to the first letter of each prase, which for Ephesians 1:3 would look like the following:
E 1:3- P, w.
So I have been trying it. And it works. I began memorizing Ephesians 1:3-10 last night at about 11PM. Several months ago it would have looked like this:
"3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ."
Now, it looks like this:
3- P b t t G a F o o L J C, w h b u i t h r w e s b i C
4- F h c u i H b t c o t w t b h a b i H s. I l
5- h p u t b a a H s t J C, i a w H p a w-
6- t t p o H g g, w H h f g u i t O H l.
7- I H w h r t H b, t f o s, i a w t r o G g
8- t H l o u w a w a u.
9- A H m k t u t m o H w a t H g p, w H p i C,
10- t h p i e w t t w h r t f- t b a t i h a o e t u o h, e C.
I am boasting in Christ when I say that I have this passage almost memorized. It only took me twelve hours- eight of those I was sleeping and another three I have been at work. I am so excited that God has given me a tool that allows me to memorize His Word to the depth of my soul. Now, I will say this, I have been studying this passage, so I know that some of it has flowed easier. BUT, I did try other random passages to test myself and it worked on them too! Another thing I do is get a visual picture of what is happening in the passage. I also imagine how the person might have sounded if they had been talking to me.
Tonight, I hope to write out the passage like this (first letter of each phrase):
3- P, w. 4- F. I 5- h, i- 6- t, w. 7- I,t, i 8- t. 9- A, w, 10- t- t, e.
After that it is down to the first letter of each verse:
3- P 4- F 5- h 6- t 7-I 8- t 9- A 10- t.
If you don't believe me, try it. Mr. Oh has 25 books of the Bible memorized this way. He did Romans in two months and Philippians in a few weeks.
And hey, I did Ephesians 1:3-10 in about 30 minutes.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Pleasure Reading for Geeks
I love to read. If you know me at all, that was definately not a shock to you. In the distant past I read The Boxcar Children, The Bobbsey Twins and even the old Nancy Drew books. As I grew up I began to read romance novels by Janette Oke or Lori Wick and mystery stories by Frank Peretti.
Somewhere, though, I turned into a hardcore geek. Pleasure reading these days consists of The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards, The Pleasures of God by John Piper and Bible commentaries. My "light" reading right now: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.
Don't laugh- I'm serious.
The commentary I am reading right now is on Ephesians by John MacArthur. I read through Ephesians a couple weeks ago as apart of my "through the Bible in a year" plan. As I read it I was struck with the depth and beauty that is woven into every chapter. Christ is exalted, the church is admonished and the believer is encouraged.
MacArthur does an wonderful job of explaining every detail in each verse. I have read two chapters in the commentary and have only covered six verses.
I cannot even begin to grasp the depth of this passage. I am blessed, loved, chosen, accepted, holy, blameless, redeemed and forgiven. Every spiritual blessing in Christ is mine. I was chosen before the beginning of time to be like Christ.
Many people have a hard time with words like "chosen" and "predestined." Many people have a hard time thinking that God would choose some and not others. Yet, how amazingly beautiful to know that God saved me. When everything that I have done seperates me from God, the thought that God reached down and pulled me out of the depths of despair is more than I can fathom. I am grateful for His grace. I want to swim in His redemption.
So this is is what geeks read and think about in their spare time. I'm not ashamed of it for I was made to be staggered with the knowledge of God's character!
Somewhere, though, I turned into a hardcore geek. Pleasure reading these days consists of The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards, The Pleasures of God by John Piper and Bible commentaries. My "light" reading right now: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.
Don't laugh- I'm serious.
The commentary I am reading right now is on Ephesians by John MacArthur. I read through Ephesians a couple weeks ago as apart of my "through the Bible in a year" plan. As I read it I was struck with the depth and beauty that is woven into every chapter. Christ is exalted, the church is admonished and the believer is encouraged.
MacArthur does an wonderful job of explaining every detail in each verse. I have read two chapters in the commentary and have only covered six verses.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless
before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through
Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise
of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he
lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known
to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose,
which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
Ephesians 1:4-10
I cannot even begin to grasp the depth of this passage. I am blessed, loved, chosen, accepted, holy, blameless, redeemed and forgiven. Every spiritual blessing in Christ is mine. I was chosen before the beginning of time to be like Christ.
Many people have a hard time with words like "chosen" and "predestined." Many people have a hard time thinking that God would choose some and not others. Yet, how amazingly beautiful to know that God saved me. When everything that I have done seperates me from God, the thought that God reached down and pulled me out of the depths of despair is more than I can fathom. I am grateful for His grace. I want to swim in His redemption.
So this is is what geeks read and think about in their spare time. I'm not ashamed of it for I was made to be staggered with the knowledge of God's character!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Meeting Missionaries
On Sunday I had the privilege of meeting a missionary from Central Asia. He is a close friend of our pastor and is staying with them for a couple months this summer while he is on furlough. He will be coming to our church and helping with ministry... for a true servant of God never tires of doing good, even when they are "home" to "rest." A bonus for Ben: he plays the djembea VERY well! It adds so much the sound of music when a little drum beat is included!
This man is one of the most amazing missionaries I have ever met. You can see the love for his calling in his eyes when he speaks. You can hear conviction in his voice when he talks. He is gentle and fun, serious and a jokester.
I was able to spend more time with him yesterday when the youth group from Canyon Ridge (my church) went to the mountains. We talked of missions, ministry in the United States and our fondness for a good tasting banana. When we were entering the state park I told Ben to make sure to pay for the missionary man. He, comically quipped, "Everyone thinks I am special." The tone of his voice and the look on his face was absolutely HILARIOUS! He went on to explain, of course, that what he meant was that people treat him differently because he is a missionary. They want to pay for his food, his entertainment and baby him. I said, "That's good!" He said, "But I am no different than anyone else." I told him, "Yes you are- you are out serving God in a difficult part of the world, giving of your life and should be spoiled when you are home!"
Anyway, I look forward to getting to know him while he is here and hopefully blessing him with encouragement before he returns to the field. Please pray that God will revive his passion and give him renewed strength. Pray that God will be with the people he left behind. Pray that revival will come to the people he is serving!
This man is one of the most amazing missionaries I have ever met. You can see the love for his calling in his eyes when he speaks. You can hear conviction in his voice when he talks. He is gentle and fun, serious and a jokester.
I was able to spend more time with him yesterday when the youth group from Canyon Ridge (my church) went to the mountains. We talked of missions, ministry in the United States and our fondness for a good tasting banana. When we were entering the state park I told Ben to make sure to pay for the missionary man. He, comically quipped, "Everyone thinks I am special." The tone of his voice and the look on his face was absolutely HILARIOUS! He went on to explain, of course, that what he meant was that people treat him differently because he is a missionary. They want to pay for his food, his entertainment and baby him. I said, "That's good!" He said, "But I am no different than anyone else." I told him, "Yes you are- you are out serving God in a difficult part of the world, giving of your life and should be spoiled when you are home!"
Anyway, I look forward to getting to know him while he is here and hopefully blessing him with encouragement before he returns to the field. Please pray that God will revive his passion and give him renewed strength. Pray that God will be with the people he left behind. Pray that revival will come to the people he is serving!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Unbelievably Exhausted
Like this poor pup in the picture... I am so tired I could giggle, laugh, 
scream and cry all at the same time. My mind is stretched to the limit, my heart is emotionally weary and my body is dying for six straight hours of sleep. No time to nap today, either. I feel like I just stepped off a trans-Atlantic ten hour flight. Why am I feeling all of this, you wonder?
For starters, last week was busy. Then, Thursday, Friday and Saturday my parents and I attended the Colorado Home Educators Conference. All day for three days. I was able to sit under wonderful teaching from R.C. Sproul Jr. and Doug Phillips.
Saturday night we went to a graduation party and did not get home until 10PM. Ben and I were up and out of the house at 7AM on Sunday on our way to Ft. Collins. We took my dad out to lunch for Father's Day and as soon as we arrived home our house guests arrived. Maxi and Olivia are summer missionaries to Colorado through NAMB. They are working at my dad's church for two months and are staying at our house this week.
Today I am taking them to the moutains to meet up with a larger group. We are going to hike around the state park, eat dinner and arrive home... extremely exhausted... I am sure.
Ahh, the joys of being young, adventuresome, a night owl and a pastor's daughter- all rolled into one person- can make for an interesting life!
Posts to come:
- The Obese Bride
- What is Education?
- A Fool's Textbook and Your Children
- Pleasure Reading for Geeks
scream and cry all at the same time. My mind is stretched to the limit, my heart is emotionally weary and my body is dying for six straight hours of sleep. No time to nap today, either. I feel like I just stepped off a trans-Atlantic ten hour flight. Why am I feeling all of this, you wonder?For starters, last week was busy. Then, Thursday, Friday and Saturday my parents and I attended the Colorado Home Educators Conference. All day for three days. I was able to sit under wonderful teaching from R.C. Sproul Jr. and Doug Phillips.
Saturday night we went to a graduation party and did not get home until 10PM. Ben and I were up and out of the house at 7AM on Sunday on our way to Ft. Collins. We took my dad out to lunch for Father's Day and as soon as we arrived home our house guests arrived. Maxi and Olivia are summer missionaries to Colorado through NAMB. They are working at my dad's church for two months and are staying at our house this week.
Today I am taking them to the moutains to meet up with a larger group. We are going to hike around the state park, eat dinner and arrive home... extremely exhausted... I am sure.
Ahh, the joys of being young, adventuresome, a night owl and a pastor's daughter- all rolled into one person- can make for an interesting life!
Posts to come:
- The Obese Bride
- What is Education?
- A Fool's Textbook and Your Children
- Pleasure Reading for Geeks
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Lessons from Johnny Depp
PLEASE, whatever you do, do not take the title of this post too seriously. I was not really thinking of what Johnny Depp as a person has taught me, no, but what his character, James Barrie in Finding Neverland "taught" me. I love this movie. I saw it for the first time only two weeks ago. I enjoyed it so much that I bought it. Truly, any spiritual wisdom comes from Christ, but He used this movie to remind me of my weaknesses and where I need to grow. As strange as that sounds- it is true!
As someone who has been known to be quite serious when the rest of the world is having fun, this movie reminded me to dream and imagine. There is beauty and adventure in life through Christ. Every tree, flower, apple, animal and river can be turned into a magnificent arena to praise God. There is a point when imagination can go too far, but as long as the imagination gives God praise and exalts Him above all else- dream away.
Peter, the ultra serious of the four boys, has a hard time using his imagination. He sees everything as concrete. At one point he declares (paraphrased), "That is not a bear it is just a dog." James Barrie (Johnny Depp) responds by declaring, "What a hope-dashing word. That is like saying, 'He cannot climb that mountain, he is just a man' or 'That is not a diamond, it is just a rock.' Just. Just."
So, Jaclyn, relax. Learn from Johnny Depp- Dream. Imagine. Have fun...
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Beautiful Memories with a Beautiful Friend
::Phew:: I know that this post is WAY overdue, seeing that I have been home from California almost two weeks... Oh, it is amazing how time flies!
Once upon a time there were two girls. One lived in Colorado and the other was going to school in California. They met because the one at college, Dawn, began dating Matt, who was a friend of the girl, Jaclyn, in Colroado.
A Tale of Two Girls
Once upon a time there were two girls. One lived in Colorado and the other was going to school in California. They met because the one at college, Dawn, began dating Matt, who was a friend of the girl, Jaclyn, in Colroado.For many years- almost 6 to be exact- they cooresponded via snail mail, email, instant messaging and phone calls. They talked almost every day, hours at a time, sharing: stories, feelings, dreams, secrets, spiritual growth, pain, sorrow, laughter and tears.
Theirs was a relationship like none before them and none after them. They felt a deep bond that words cannot describe. The only explination either of them could give was Christ and Christ alone. He was their passion, their love and their driving commonality. He was the center of countless conversations. He was the one that allowed and ordained their paths to cross in the first place. He alone was to be praised for giving the girls to each other.
Then one day Matt asked Dawn to be his wife. They were wed surrounded by family and friends. Jaclyn, to her sorrow and distress, was not able to travel to the blessed union ceremony. A year passed... and on another memorable day they called Jaclyn and told her they were expecting their first child. Much joy and excitement was experienced by all in the celebration of a new life. Jaclyn decided it was time. It was time to purchase the plane tickets that would bridge the gap between keyboards, cell phones and envelopes.
It was time to meet her bosom friend face to face. And Dawn, of course, had no objections!
So the plane tickets were purchased for two months after the baby boy, Judah, was expected to arrive. Jaclyn figured that since she had waited so long to meet Dawn face to face, that she might as well delay that day a couple more months in order to see the precious baby her friends were to bear! The months, weeks and days seemed to drag by as they both counted down to the time when their two worlds physically united. Three months. Two months. One month. Two weeks. The clock ticked by. One week.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow. This is how their last online chat ended:
(PureandSimple is Jaclyn, Opportunity is Dawn)
PureandSimple: and tomorrow we will see eachother face to face
PureandSimple: ACK!
PureandSimple: weird :-P
Opportunity: ::stunned::
Opportunity: yes
Opportunity: weird
PureandSimple: do you want me to call tonight?
Opportunity: I have no idea how I'll react now
Opportunity: only if you need to
Opportunity: or if you want to
Opportunity: I dunno!
PureandSimple: of course I want to
Opportunity: ack!
PureandSimple: but we have not talked in the phone in a while
Opportunity: or we could just save it, dear
PureandSimple: maybe it would make us feel better :P
PureandSimple: lol
Opportunity: lol
Opportunity: so you really are nervous?
PureandSimple: ok, whatever you say!
PureandSimple: yes
Opportunity: ok I"m glad
PureandSimple: and I haven't been until yesterday
Opportunity: but WHY are we nervous?
Opportunity: me either!
PureandSimple: I don't KNOW!
Opportunity: ::nervous laugh::
Opportunity: what weirdos are we
PureandSimple: maybe because we share deep, dark secrets but have never looked into each other's eyes? :)
PureandSimple: you know more about me than a lot of people
PureandSimple: but we have never met
PureandSimple: and it is just weird :)
Opportunity: and I was so gonna say something about knowing each other's deep secrets :P
Opportunity: anyway
Opportunity: you get going...I'mgonna go feed my awake son...and maybe get him back on his usual schedule
PureandSimple: alright
PureandSimple: see you tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Opportunity: I think my heart just stopped :P
PureandSimple: ack, I need to quit thinking about it :P
PureandSimple: me too!
Opportunity: me too!
Opportunity: LOL
PureandSimple: ha
Opportunity: ok
Opportunity: good BYE
PureandSimple: that's scary
Opportunity: Love you so much
PureandSimple: will we do that in person too, finish sentances???
Opportunity: and I am DEFINITELY excited now!
PureandSimple: ME TOOOOOOOOOO!
Opportunity: I knew it would come :)
PureandSimple: I love you soooo much too!
PureandSimple: BYEEEEEE!
Opportunity: don't eat chocolate ice cream tonight...I want to see you tomorrow!
Opportunity: bye!
PureandSimple: lol
PureandSimple: :P
Opportunity: ;-) bye
Today.
The day had finally arrived. My bags were packed. My tickets were in hand. I was boarding the plane in Los Angeles that would take me to the arms of the girl that knew more about me than most. I was nervous, excited and tired. The plane touched down and my stomach was in my throat. What do I say to her? Will I cry, laugh or stare? I took a deep breath and headed to claim my luggage. I peeked around the hallway into the baggage claim area but did not see Matt and Dawn. I stood waiting for my bags, looking for my friend when I spotted them walking down the hallway towards me.
My heart began beating faster as I raised my hand and waved. I could see the expression on her face was nervous excitement too and it made me feel better! I walked to her, on wabbling legs, all smiles as we embraced for the first time. We hugged for a few moments until I realized I had left all my bags unattended. Opps. I claimed my checked-in suitcase and we were off to the car.
It was an odd mixture of strangeness and normality to be in her presence. As I looked at her with my friend Matt, carrying their son, Judah, I was struck with her beauty. Her eyes are stunning. Her face when she smiles is full of joy and light. I wanted to stare at her and soak in everything about her. I knew I had five days, but that did not seem like enough time to catch up on the last six years... or to save for the next six.
It was five of the best days of my life. I will treasure them forever.
This is a picture of Dawn and Judah during a morning feeding. It was incredible to watch Dawn as a mother. She and I have known eachother since we were both young, single and dreaming of marriage. Now she IS a wife and mother. And an amazing one at that. She is gentle, fun and patient. She cares for both Matt and Judah with grace and honor. As I watched her and looked around her home I could tell that she takes joy and pride in being a homemaker. In all of our conversations she displayed herself as one who loved homemaking, but being in her home and watching her in action confirmed that she takes seriously the role of womanhood that God has given to her. She was a wonderful example, encouragement and hope for me!
Darling, fun, cuddly, cooing Judah was so much fun to play with. He is one of the most beautiful babies I have EVER seen. I am so glad that I waited until he was born to go visit!
What words can go with that picture? He is the picture of a happy, content, well-loved and cared for baby!
The Saturday I was there we went to visit the beach. It was beautiful, windy and cold. We enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch on the sand while listening to the roar of the waves. It is such a relaxing, refreshing sound! Dawn and I walked to the water and it was soooo cold! Granted, it was not as cold as the river glacier water I play in here, but it was a lot colder than I thought it would be.
Matt and Dawn had asked me to watchJudah while they went to see X-Men III. I was honored and delighted to be Judah's first baby-sitter! We had a good time playing and singning. Amazingly, I took this picture of him and I looking at eachother!
Bath time!
A Palm Tree near their home... and Dawn and I in our Sunday best after church!
A view of the countryside on the way back from church.
A family picture the morning of the day I left.
The day come for me to leave and how sad I was inside to have to part from my precious friend. Every day was full of joy as I stepped into her world, held her son, teased her husband, cleaned her kitchen, cooked her dinner (with Matt- that was fun!), cooked with her, watched her TV, slept in the room next to her, walked with her, shopped with her, laughed with her, sang with her, worshipped with her, drove with her, played Mancala with her, listened to her coo with her baby, watch her cook, sit with her as she nursed, watch her talk, see her smile and gaze into her beautiful eyes.
Overall, she was exactly as I had always imagined she would be. Except... she was better! I cannot begin to describe my feelings and emotions while I was there. It was surreal. It was amazing. It was a blessing!
What do I take from my time with Dawn? So much... One, her eyes and smile. When I close my eyes I can see hers as they light up when she laughs. Two, as I looked around her home, watched her with Matt and Judah, I realized how much she delights in being a woman. She takes seriously the role of wife and mother. She is delighted to work with her hands to make sure that Matt and Judah are cared for and that Christ is honored in their home. Three, the ride to church on Sunday morning when Dawn read aloud a chapter from the book she and Matt are reading (Sacred Marriage). As I listened to her read, I soaked in her voice, influction and conviction. They are a young couple that are truly putting Christ first in their marriage and family. I knew, in words only, before I went to California, but was then able to see firsthand that it is true.
So, I will say the same thing about Dawn that she said about me: She is what she says she is. There is meat behind all she tells me about her life. She is real. She does not pretend to be perfect, she knows she is not. She does not only have outward beauty, she has beautiful depth of character. She does not just say she loves Christ, she does and you can tell. I could go on and on and on with sappy feelings. Dawn alone will be able to understand the deep emotions of what she and I experienced.
Thank you, Dawn, for being who you are. Thank you for your undying friendship over the years. Thank you for your shoulder to cry on, your listening ear, your encouragement, love and example. I had so much fun being with you. I wish it never would have ended. I didn't expect to miss you as I do. I didn't expect to feel overwhelming feelings of love for you.
You are a treasure. You always have been. You are more precious to me now than ever before.
I LOVE YOU!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Soon...
Soon I will post pictures and details about my trip to visit
It was WONDERFUL and I miss her so much!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Sneezing, Poisoned and Packing
So, yesterday was a very interesting day. My mom, dad and I woke up feeling sick. Dad had been up all night, mom most of the night and me part of the night. We were nauseated, headachy and tired. We guessed it was food posioning because we had been at a party and the three of us where the only ones in the family to have the potato salad. So we slept all day.
Today, I feel great... although now I am sneezing. The molds are at a high today, I can tell.
And since I lost yesterday I have a ton of stuff to do before my trip to California....
Today, I feel great... although now I am sneezing. The molds are at a high today, I can tell.
And since I lost yesterday I have a ton of stuff to do before my trip to California....
TOMORROW!
My Mothering Style
The Duchy had this quiz on her blog called "Mother Styles." Although I am not a mother, I was curious and took the quiz. I think it describes me perfectly:
~ Gentle and kind, the ISFJ mother provides her children with generous amounts of tenderness, affection, and the comfort of daily routine. Her aim is to “be there” for her children, physically and emotionally. She is sensitive to their feelings, offering closeness, understanding, and quiet support.
~ Loyal and devoted, the ISFJ mother has a strong sense of duty and consistently puts her children’s needs first. She delights in taking care of the little things that matter to a child, making each one feel loved and special.
~To provide her family with security and warmth, the ISFJ mother tends to the practical and domestic, aiming for a smooth-running household and an attractive home. She also observes and conveys the value and importance of family traditions.
Your type is: ISFJ —The “Tender Loving Care” Mother
“I want my children to feel they have an ally, someone who knows them completely. I want to be a haven for them.”
“I want my children to feel they have an ally, someone who knows them completely. I want to be a haven for them.”
~ Gentle and kind, the ISFJ mother provides her children with generous amounts of tenderness, affection, and the comfort of daily routine. Her aim is to “be there” for her children, physically and emotionally. She is sensitive to their feelings, offering closeness, understanding, and quiet support.
~ Loyal and devoted, the ISFJ mother has a strong sense of duty and consistently puts her children’s needs first. She delights in taking care of the little things that matter to a child, making each one feel loved and special.
~To provide her family with security and warmth, the ISFJ mother tends to the practical and domestic, aiming for a smooth-running household and an attractive home. She also observes and conveys the value and importance of family traditions.
(I am sure my siblings would also include something like: she loves to be bossy, corrects our table manners all the time and is always after us to clean up around the house.)
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Mission Links-R-Us
I have added a section of links about missions. There you will find the following (click on each here for a link to the website I describe) :
- Operation World
Operation World's vision for missions is that we pray for (intercession) and for (inheritance) the nations.
- Pray Today
This website is a branch of Operation World and gives people the specific nation to pray for on the cooresponding date (May 15-17 is Germany). It gives the same information that the book Operation World outlines.
- Travel the Road
Travel the Road is a website about two crazy missionaries and their wild adventures! I have one of their DVD's and absolutely love it. Whenever I need a kindling desire for the nations I watch it. I would love to have their other episodes, but they are kind of expensive! I think it would be totally worth it, though... hummm....
(Looks like this website is currently down for maintenace.)
- World Vision
World Vision is an organization that reaches the nations with both practical physical help and spiritual guidance.
- Caleb Project
Caleb Project is a mobilization organization that lead the class Perspectives on the World Christian Movement that I took this spring. They specialize in research projects that take teams to "closed" countries and do research that will assist a missionary who is going long-term. These teams talk to indigenous people who would not be open to having the gospel shared with them cold-turkey, but will talk about family relationships, national religion, customs and traditions. Then, the team organizes the data and presents it to any missionary who will be living, working and serving that specific group of people.
- OMF International
OMF International was founded by the famous Hudson Taylor and has a passion for Asia. This
is an amazing website and has EVERYTHING you would want to know about Asia, Asian people groups, missionaries to Asia, etc.
- 24-7 Prayer
24-7 Prayer is an intercession focused website that encourages believers, whether you feel "called" to missions or not, to pray for the nations, missionaries, governments, economies, etc.
- Operation WorldOperation World's vision for missions is that we pray for (intercession) and for (inheritance) the nations.
- Pray Today
This website is a branch of Operation World and gives people the specific nation to pray for on the cooresponding date (May 15-17 is Germany). It gives the same information that the book Operation World outlines.
- Travel the Road
Travel the Road is a website about two crazy missionaries and their wild adventures! I have one of their DVD's and absolutely love it. Whenever I need a kindling desire for the nations I watch it. I would love to have their other episodes, but they are kind of expensive! I think it would be totally worth it, though... hummm....
(Looks like this website is currently down for maintenace.)
- World Vision World Vision is an organization that reaches the nations with both practical physical help and spiritual guidance.
- Caleb Project
Caleb Project is a mobilization organization that lead the class Perspectives on the World Christian Movement that I took this spring. They specialize in research projects that take teams to "closed" countries and do research that will assist a missionary who is going long-term. These teams talk to indigenous people who would not be open to having the gospel shared with them cold-turkey, but will talk about family relationships, national religion, customs and traditions. Then, the team organizes the data and presents it to any missionary who will be living, working and serving that specific group of people.
- OMF International
OMF International was founded by the famous Hudson Taylor and has a passion for Asia. This
is an amazing website and has EVERYTHING you would want to know about Asia, Asian people groups, missionaries to Asia, etc.- 24-7 Prayer
24-7 Prayer is an intercession focused website that encourages believers, whether you feel "called" to missions or not, to pray for the nations, missionaries, governments, economies, etc.
Quiz Time
Are you an Extrovert or an Introvert? You Are An Intro-Extrovert! |
 |
Take the quiz here
My Thoughts:
THAT is interesting... I think I agree with most of it?!?! I don't think I am shy, reserved is a much better word! After a while people DO drain me. I find time alone very refreshing and as a help to keeping me sain!
Are You Ready to Get Married? You are ready to get married! |
 |
Take the quiz here
My thoughts:
Ok, now where to find the groom... is there a quiz on that? Nah, I'll leave that part to the Divine Matchmaker!
My thoughts:
Ok.
Intrapersonal thinkers
Intrapersonal thinkers:
-Spend a lot of time thinking about and trying to understand themselves
-Reflect on their thoughts and moods, and work to improve them
-You understand how your behaviour affects your relationships with others.
Other Intrapersonal thinkers include: Sigmund Freud, Gandhi, Grahame Greene
Careers which suit Intrapersonal Thinkers include: Psychologist, Teacher, Pilot, Child care worker, Explorer, Drama therapist
Take this quiz here
My Thoughts:
That quiz was interesting, for sure. I think it describes me perfectly.
Ok, enough for now...
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Kissing, Fainting and Trusting God: One Year Later
One year. 365 days. 8,760 hours. 525,600 minutes.
A year is a long time in some regards, but a fleeting breath too. One year ago today something happened that changed the way I look at life forever. I have not thought about it as much lately... unless I have a headache and need to lay down. You see, the paramedics that rushed to the scene told me that my head could hurt for a couple of years at the spot that took the impact. It does hurt when I am stressed, tired or have a headache. My elbow healed after six weeks or so and the chiropractor set my back and neck to right again.
The transformation that occured in my soul, though, continues to affect how I view life. Life is but a vapor, as James says, here today and gone tomorrow:
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go
to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business
and make money." Why, you do not even know what will
happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that
appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you
ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this
or that." As it is, you boast and brag.
All such boasting is evil.
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and
doesn't do it, sins."
James 4:13-16
I cannot count on being alive tomorrow. I know that is a morbid thing to say, yet it is true. Every moment is precious. Any breath could be my last.
So, for those of you who were not around last year, you are probably wondering what happened! Truly, it was not something that most people would see as a huge deal. The paramedics said I could have died, but really it was just a moderate concussion. Still, God used something life-treatening to remind me to trust Him with my life and my death.
Read all about it here: Kissing, Fainting and Trusting God! (You have to read the whole post to understand how the three go together!!!)
Monday, May 15, 2006
The Winds of Change
The winds of change are blowing in my life. I am excited and scared to death at the same time.
Today is my dad's first day in the office at Christian Family Fellowship, the church where he is now senior pastor. The discussion of moving is invading family conversations as we think about the best place and time to relocate. The move will inevitably force me to look for a new job. I am sad to leave American Family Insurance, my boss of seven years (only boss I have ever had) and my co-worker (one of my closest friends) Katie. Change is also invading my personal life as I build new friendships and dream new dreams.
Ah, but change in this life is sure. Change is exciting and difficult. The only thing that remains constant is God. He never changes. How thankful I am for that! Since He does not change, knowing all of time as an eternal now, He commands me to:
I do have a sinful, untrusting tendancy to be anxious. It takes a great discipline of the heart and mind to stay focused on God. He knows all, controls all and sees all. He has my best interest in mind as He is conforming me more and more to the likeness of His Son, Jesus. So I am commanded to not be anxious. There is no reason. None.
Oh, what would it be like to be so delighted and satisfied by the person of God that everything in this life, whether good or bad, falls apart in light of Him? The things that I hold so dear on earth are like sand in comparison to the reality of His majesty and blow away in His presence. This song has become so dear to me the last few weeks:
WAGING WAR
by Shane Barnard
It haunts me so
This gloomy weight
That comes and goes
Without a trace
A thousand times my flesh embrace
A thousand more but if for grace
To see the Lord, the promise land
Where in sins pearly gates look bland
And what was once a pearl now sand
That blows away in light of Him
When battle lines become unclear
And the waging war is all I hear
Sustain me with Your voice
And the choice to walk in truth
And by the Spirit
That I might see this day
This waging war might go away
And be no more
That I might see His face
And hear Him saySon, welcome home
The war is over
“But whatever things were gain to me,
All of my worries, cares, anxieties, fears, dreams, loves and pursuits are nothing in relation to knowing Christ and being known by Him. Do I love Him as He deserves to be loved? Do I desire Him as the only things worth possessing?
So, as the winds of change blow in my life, I see the need to rest in Him and desire Him above anything. The changes are good and God knows where the wind needs to blow. The wind will blow away the sand of my earthly affections and bring His refreshing touch. I want to be so fully captured by His glory that all things seem dull compared to Him!
Today is my dad's first day in the office at Christian Family Fellowship, the church where he is now senior pastor. The discussion of moving is invading family conversations as we think about the best place and time to relocate. The move will inevitably force me to look for a new job. I am sad to leave American Family Insurance, my boss of seven years (only boss I have ever had) and my co-worker (one of my closest friends) Katie. Change is also invading my personal life as I build new friendships and dream new dreams.
Ah, but change in this life is sure. Change is exciting and difficult. The only thing that remains constant is God. He never changes. How thankful I am for that! Since He does not change, knowing all of time as an eternal now, He commands me to:
"not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
I do have a sinful, untrusting tendancy to be anxious. It takes a great discipline of the heart and mind to stay focused on God. He knows all, controls all and sees all. He has my best interest in mind as He is conforming me more and more to the likeness of His Son, Jesus. So I am commanded to not be anxious. There is no reason. None.
Oh, what would it be like to be so delighted and satisfied by the person of God that everything in this life, whether good or bad, falls apart in light of Him? The things that I hold so dear on earth are like sand in comparison to the reality of His majesty and blow away in His presence. This song has become so dear to me the last few weeks:
WAGING WAR
by Shane Barnard
It haunts me so
This gloomy weight
That comes and goes
Without a trace
A thousand times my flesh embrace
A thousand more but if for grace
To see the Lord, the promise land
Where in sins pearly gates look bland
And what was once a pearl now sand
That blows away in light of Him
When battle lines become unclear
And the waging war is all I hear
Sustain me with Your voice
And the choice to walk in truth
And by the Spirit
That I might see this day
This waging war might go away
And be no more
That I might see His face
And hear Him saySon, welcome home
The war is over
“But whatever things were gain to me,
those things I have counted as loss
for the sake of Christ.
More than that,
I count all things to be loss
in view of the surpassing
value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and count them but rubbish
so that I may gain Christ…”
Philippians 3:7-8
All of my worries, cares, anxieties, fears, dreams, loves and pursuits are nothing in relation to knowing Christ and being known by Him. Do I love Him as He deserves to be loved? Do I desire Him as the only things worth possessing?
So, as the winds of change blow in my life, I see the need to rest in Him and desire Him above anything. The changes are good and God knows where the wind needs to blow. The wind will blow away the sand of my earthly affections and bring His refreshing touch. I want to be so fully captured by His glory that all things seem dull compared to Him!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
New Profile Picture Story
The picture above is from my trip to Africa in January 2005. We were in a town in Tanzania called Babati. This picture was taken shortly after we had presented our clowning mime for the village children. We attracted a lot of attention in this small city; we saw no other white people in that area while we were there. Some of the people in this village loved us and others yelled at our bus in protest. We learned through our native friend that the only white people that come to Babati are missionaries and stick out like a sore thumb.
People began to figure out our daily routine, where we were staying and where we were eating. Crowds began to gather outside the restaurant and at the end of our meals we were greeted with curious onlookers. After we had been there a couple of days we decided to take advantage of our admirers and do a clown show for them! And were they ever delighted! The children gathered close to watch us as the adults stood at a distance. We were cautious as we presented the gospel, knowing there was some resistance to the message of Christ, but excited for the opportunity. After we "clowned around" (haha) the children pressed against us, chattering and touching our skin and hair. The adults even ventured closer, thus the reason I was able to get the above picture.
We threw out frisbees that said, "Tembea na Yesu" which means, "Follow after Jesus." I would take a stack of 10-15 frisbees in my hand and throw them all at once. They fly every where, causing the children to run and laugh in all directions. They would gather them up and bring them back to me. I threw them again shouting, "Tembea na Yesu!"
People began to figure out our daily routine, where we were staying and where we were eating. Crowds began to gather outside the restaurant and at the end of our meals we were greeted with curious onlookers. After we had been there a couple of days we decided to take advantage of our admirers and do a clown show for them! And were they ever delighted! The children gathered close to watch us as the adults stood at a distance. We were cautious as we presented the gospel, knowing there was some resistance to the message of Christ, but excited for the opportunity. After we "clowned around" (haha) the children pressed against us, chattering and touching our skin and hair. The adults even ventured closer, thus the reason I was able to get the above picture.
We threw out frisbees that said, "Tembea na Yesu" which means, "Follow after Jesus." I would take a stack of 10-15 frisbees in my hand and throw them all at once. They fly every where, causing the children to run and laugh in all directions. They would gather them up and bring them back to me. I threw them again shouting, "Tembea na Yesu!"
After throwing the stack of frisbees a dozen times it was time for us to go. We loaded onto our bus and headed to another day of visiting orphans... thankful that we had taken the time to share the gospel to these that were curious about the white men! Obviously, we were not arrested for sharing in a public place, nor were we harrassed (which we were surprised)!
I long to go back to Africa. We are not able to go with our team in January of 2007. I am sad, but know that God will take me where He wants me to go... maybe deep into the heart of Thailand or to the slums of Bombay, India. I am confident that God used our words to spread His message to these young lives in the middle of the African desert!
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:10-11
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Colorado Weather at Its Finest
Last night before I went to bed the temperature dropped substantially. The wind started blowing and as I went to bed I could hear the soft patter of rain falling on the roof above my head. I closed my eyes with the soothing rhythm singing me to sleep.
This morning when I awoke I looked out the back door and gawked. I blinked and rubbed my eyes. Maybe, just maybe, I was seeing things. What day was it again? Oh, yeah, May 10th.
And there is snow on the ground???
More than that, though, the skies were a cloudless bright blue, the sun was shining, the green grass was sparkling and it was raining. (Since I could not see clouds I am not quite sure where the rain was coming from, unless it was just meltage from the surrounding trees.) To top it all off- the tree in our back yard was steaming too! Seriously, it looked like a fantasy land image.
Ah, I love Colorado!
This morning when I awoke I looked out the back door and gawked. I blinked and rubbed my eyes. Maybe, just maybe, I was seeing things. What day was it again? Oh, yeah, May 10th.
And there is snow on the ground???
More than that, though, the skies were a cloudless bright blue, the sun was shining, the green grass was sparkling and it was raining. (Since I could not see clouds I am not quite sure where the rain was coming from, unless it was just meltage from the surrounding trees.) To top it all off- the tree in our back yard was steaming too! Seriously, it looked like a fantasy land image.
Ah, I love Colorado!
Monday, May 08, 2006
When God Says, "YES!"
:::SIGH:::
I feel emotionally, spiritually and physically drained and yet, at the same time, excited beyond belief! God has done GREAT things for our family this weekend and we are in awe of Him. It is wonderful to see that there is NOTHING we can take credit for doing. He has done it all in His perfect timing.
On Saturday our family had an open house, meet and greet, with the church members at Christian Family Fellowship where my dad was candidating to be the new senior pastor. Sunday my dad preached and the church had a meeting to decide on the direction they would go with my dad.
It was nerveracking to sit in the hallway for 20 minutes as the church had their meeting. Yet, the leader of the search team came out, shook my dad's hand and said, "Congratulations, pastor."
WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We went back into the church, stood before them and they clapped and cheered. My dad was able to say a few things and then we hugged and cried. Katie, one of my best friends, had joined our family to support us and was bawling! I think she cried more than I did!
We are very excited and looking forward to all that God is going to do through us with this group of believers. It will involve a move and a job change for me, but I am ready to begin this new adventure! I cannot wait to see my dad in this leadership position. I see how God has been preparing him for serveral years to take the head position in a church and lead people to know Christ more fully.
That was only half of my day. The other half I cannot give indepth details here, but am excited to see what God is going to do in my life. He is sooo good. His love endures forever!
I feel emotionally, spiritually and physically drained and yet, at the same time, excited beyond belief! God has done GREAT things for our family this weekend and we are in awe of Him. It is wonderful to see that there is NOTHING we can take credit for doing. He has done it all in His perfect timing.
On Saturday our family had an open house, meet and greet, with the church members at Christian Family Fellowship where my dad was candidating to be the new senior pastor. Sunday my dad preached and the church had a meeting to decide on the direction they would go with my dad.
It was nerveracking to sit in the hallway for 20 minutes as the church had their meeting. Yet, the leader of the search team came out, shook my dad's hand and said, "Congratulations, pastor."
WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We went back into the church, stood before them and they clapped and cheered. My dad was able to say a few things and then we hugged and cried. Katie, one of my best friends, had joined our family to support us and was bawling! I think she cried more than I did!
We are very excited and looking forward to all that God is going to do through us with this group of believers. It will involve a move and a job change for me, but I am ready to begin this new adventure! I cannot wait to see my dad in this leadership position. I see how God has been preparing him for serveral years to take the head position in a church and lead people to know Christ more fully.
That was only half of my day. The other half I cannot give indepth details here, but am excited to see what God is going to do in my life. He is sooo good. His love endures forever!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
A challenge I will take...
A few weeks ago I found this challenge from Pastor John Piper. I have been reading it frequently and decided this morning that I will read it two times a day for the next 30 days. In the morning I will read it as a prayer, asking the Spirit for His strength to be more like Christ. In the evening I will read it as an evaluation to see what I did well and where I need to improve. It is quite lengthy, but well worth it for any woman who wants to become more like Christ in EVERY area of life. Idleness is a woman's destruction in so many ways and if one sets her heart on trying to accomplish everything on this list--- she shall NEVER have a moment to spare. She will also know Christ intimately, give freely of herself to others, love her husband and children to the fullest and find avenues for ministry wherever she goes.
Precious Savior, make more more like Christ and transform me into a woman who loves You with body, soul and spirit until I am completely abandoned to You. This is the cry of my heart and I want to do nothing but strive towards this goal!
I have highlighted what I see as the main point of each particular challenge.
That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God.
That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing.
That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.
That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching. That meditation on Biblical truth be the source of hope and faith. And that you continue to grow in understanding through all the chapters of your life, never thinking that study and growth are only for others.
That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you; and your spiritual influence would increase at home and at church and in the world.
That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God undergirding all these spiritual processes, that you be deep thinkers about the doctrines of grace, and even deeper lovers and believers of these things.
That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific role, that you not fritter your time away on soaps or ladies magazines or aimless hobbies, any more than men should fritter theirs away on excessive sports or aimless diddling in the garage. That you redeem the time for Christ and his Kingdom.
That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.
That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow; that you encourage him in his God-appointed role as head; that you influence him spiritually primarily through your fearless tranquility and holiness and prayer.
That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the children, and giving to the children that special nurturing touch and care that you are uniquely fitted to give.
That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world. That you not only pose the question: Career vs. full time mom? But that you ask as seriously: Full time career vs. freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom— to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper? And that in all this you make your choices not on the basis of secular trends or yuppie lifestyle expectations, but on the basis of what will strengthen the family and advance the cause of Christ.
That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life's ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc. No chapter has all the joys. Finite life is a series of tradeoffs. Finding God's will, and living for the glory of Christ to the full in every chapter is what makes it a success, not whether it reads like somebody else's chapter or whether it has in it what chapter five will have.
That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might, and maximizing your joy in ministry to people's needs.
That in all your relationships with men you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in applying the Biblical vision of manhood and womanhood; that you develop a style and demeanor that does justice to the unique role God has given to man to feel responsible for gracious leadership in relation to women—a leadership which involves elements of protection and care and initiative. That you think creatively and with cultural sensitivity (just as he must do) in shaping the style and setting the tone of your interaction with men.
That you see Biblical guidelines for what is appropriate and inappropriate for men and women in relation to each other not as arbitrary constraints on freedom but as wise and gracious prescriptions for how to discover the true freedom of God's ideal of complementarity. That you not measure your potential by the few roles withheld but by the countless roles offered.
That you turn off the TV and Radio and think about...
The awesome significance of motherhood
Complementing a man's life as his wife
Ministries to the handicapped:
hearing impaired
blind
lame
retarded
Ministries to the sick:
nursing
physician
hospice care—cancer, AIDS, etc.
community health
Ministries to the socially estranged:
emotionally impaired
recovering alcoholics
recovering drug users
escaping prostitutes
abused children, women
runaways, problem children
orphans
Prison ministries:
women's prisons!
families of prisoners
rehabilitation to society
Ministries to youth:
teaching
sponsoring
open houses and recreation
outings and trips
counseling
academic assistance
Sports ministries:
neighborhood teams
church teams
Therapeutic counseling:
independent
church based
institutional
Audio visual ministries:
composition
design
production
distribution
Writing ministries:
free lance
curriculum development
fiction
non-fiction
editing
institutional communications
journalistic skills for publications
Teaching ministries:
Sunday school: children, youth, students, women
grade school
high school
college
Music ministries:
composition
training
performance
voice
choir
instrumentalist
Evangelistic ministries:
personal witnessing
Inter Varsity
Campus Crusade
Navigators
Home Bible Studies
outreach to children
Visitation teams
Counseling at meetings
Billy Graham phone bank
Radio and TV ministries:
technical assistance
writing
announcing
producing
Theater and drama ministries:
acting
directing
writing
scheduling
Social ministries:
literacy
pro-life
pro-decency
housing
safety
beautification
Pastoral care assistance:
visitation
newcomer welcoming and assistance
hospitality
food and clothing and transportation
Prayer ministries:
praying!!!
mobilizing for major Concerts of Prayer
helping with small groups of prayer
coordinating prayer chains
promoting prayer days and weeks and vigils
Missions:
all of the above across cultures
Support ministries:
countless jobs that undergird major ministries
Precious Savior, make more more like Christ and transform me into a woman who loves You with body, soul and spirit until I am completely abandoned to You. This is the cry of my heart and I want to do nothing but strive towards this goal!
I have highlighted what I see as the main point of each particular challenge.
A Challenge to Women
by John Piper
That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God.
That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing.
That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.
That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching. That meditation on Biblical truth be the source of hope and faith. And that you continue to grow in understanding through all the chapters of your life, never thinking that study and growth are only for others.
That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you; and your spiritual influence would increase at home and at church and in the world.
That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God undergirding all these spiritual processes, that you be deep thinkers about the doctrines of grace, and even deeper lovers and believers of these things.
That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific role, that you not fritter your time away on soaps or ladies magazines or aimless hobbies, any more than men should fritter theirs away on excessive sports or aimless diddling in the garage. That you redeem the time for Christ and his Kingdom.
That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.
That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow; that you encourage him in his God-appointed role as head; that you influence him spiritually primarily through your fearless tranquility and holiness and prayer.
That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the children, and giving to the children that special nurturing touch and care that you are uniquely fitted to give.
That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world. That you not only pose the question: Career vs. full time mom? But that you ask as seriously: Full time career vs. freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom— to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper? And that in all this you make your choices not on the basis of secular trends or yuppie lifestyle expectations, but on the basis of what will strengthen the family and advance the cause of Christ.
That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life's ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc. No chapter has all the joys. Finite life is a series of tradeoffs. Finding God's will, and living for the glory of Christ to the full in every chapter is what makes it a success, not whether it reads like somebody else's chapter or whether it has in it what chapter five will have.
That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might, and maximizing your joy in ministry to people's needs.
That in all your relationships with men you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in applying the Biblical vision of manhood and womanhood; that you develop a style and demeanor that does justice to the unique role God has given to man to feel responsible for gracious leadership in relation to women—a leadership which involves elements of protection and care and initiative. That you think creatively and with cultural sensitivity (just as he must do) in shaping the style and setting the tone of your interaction with men.
That you see Biblical guidelines for what is appropriate and inappropriate for men and women in relation to each other not as arbitrary constraints on freedom but as wise and gracious prescriptions for how to discover the true freedom of God's ideal of complementarity. That you not measure your potential by the few roles withheld but by the countless roles offered.
That you turn off the TV and Radio and think about...
The awesome significance of motherhood
Complementing a man's life as his wife
Ministries to the handicapped:
hearing impaired
blind
lame
retarded
Ministries to the sick:
nursing
physician
hospice care—cancer, AIDS, etc.
community health
Ministries to the socially estranged:
emotionally impaired
recovering alcoholics
recovering drug users
escaping prostitutes
abused children, women
runaways, problem children
orphans
Prison ministries:
women's prisons!
families of prisoners
rehabilitation to society
Ministries to youth:
teaching
sponsoring
open houses and recreation
outings and trips
counseling
academic assistance
Sports ministries:
neighborhood teams
church teams
Therapeutic counseling:
independent
church based
institutional
Audio visual ministries:
composition
design
production
distribution
Writing ministries:
free lance
curriculum development
fiction
non-fiction
editing
institutional communications
journalistic skills for publications
Teaching ministries:
Sunday school: children, youth, students, women
grade school
high school
college
Music ministries:
composition
training
performance
voice
choir
instrumentalist
Evangelistic ministries:
personal witnessing
Inter Varsity
Campus Crusade
Navigators
Home Bible Studies
outreach to children
Visitation teams
Counseling at meetings
Billy Graham phone bank
Radio and TV ministries:
technical assistance
writing
announcing
producing
Theater and drama ministries:
acting
directing
writing
scheduling
Social ministries:
literacy
pro-life
pro-decency
housing
safety
beautification
Pastoral care assistance:
visitation
newcomer welcoming and assistance
hospitality
food and clothing and transportation
Prayer ministries:
praying!!!
mobilizing for major Concerts of Prayer
helping with small groups of prayer
coordinating prayer chains
promoting prayer days and weeks and vigils
Missions:
all of the above across cultures
Support ministries:
countless jobs that undergird major ministries
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