What I am up to....

I've been so busy lately getting ready for a big event. I coordinate Angels from Abroad with Buckner International.

Check out my blog there the next few weeks as we work to give 17 Russian Orphans a vacation experience of a lifetime.

http://www.angelsfromabroad.org/

Curve Ball

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

Sometimes life throws a curve ball at you. I guess one of a few things happens when it does. You either catch it, duck, or it hits you. Sometimes you just can’t avoid getting hit. As most of you know, when you do get hit, it hurts.

My husband reminded me recently of a scar that is on my knee. It is from a wound that is deep not only physically but emotionally as well. He reminded me that although it took time, the wound there healed and didn’t hurt like it did once before. The scar however, will be there the rest of my life. I think the same thing happens when one of those curve balls hits us. It hurts terribly and eventually heals, but always leaves a mark.

I recently got hit harder than I ever have before. I’m still recovering. I know the Lord allows trouble and pain in our lives only if there is a way He plans to use it for His Purpose and Glory. I am thankful for the comfort and peace from above that He is in control and has a plan. Although there is no guarantee the sting from the hits are not going hurt in this world, the scripture above gives me hope. I’m still on the team that wins in the end.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve send how God works far ahead of that curve ball’s path. He knows what we will need before we actually need it. He provides.

-Our Pastor just finished a series on how the Lord doesn’t cause the lemons in our lives to be. He does however take the lemons life gives us and turns them to lemonade. If, and that is a big “IF,” we allow Him to. I had no idea that during the weeks of listening to these messages, the Lord was preparing me for what was just ahead.

-Once a friend told me “Heaven gets sweeter as we age.” I didn’t completely understand that at first. The more loved ones I let go and know are with Jesus, the more I understand her words. He is holding so many I will joyfully be reunited with one day. The last couple weeks, the words in that statement came alive to me.

-“Sadness is better than laughter, for sorrow has great influence over us.”- Ecclesiastes 7:4 I once heard someone interpret this as “The tears we cry in the midst of our pain, God uses—much like water softens hardened ground—to tenderize our hearts.”–Scott Hasenbalg. I wrote this quote down years ago not knowing why. I hit the save button and randomly ran across it just at the right time a few days ago.

-A little over a year ago, I said “I Do” to an amazing man. This man not only shares the pain I go through, but gives me strength and joy in the midst of a hard time. He is a gift. I can’t imagine going through the joy and pain in life without him.

As I pray to see lemonade though it may seem impossible, I realize I pray to the One who makes the impossible possible. I am renewed by His Power, Grace, Hope, Love, and Healing. I take heart, He has overcome the world.

A Honk, The Bird, and A Miracle

Recently we were sitting in a long line of cars at a stop light. There was a break in the line where people were letting cars cross to make a left turn at the road median. When the driver crossed the line, they either had to be quick and/or brave that there weren’t any cars coming that they couldn’t see. We were sitting in the best seats in the house to witness what was about to happen.

Two cars crossed the line without any trouble. Then a truck with two men crossed. They crossed our lane and the one next to us. However, there was a car driving up the third lane when he was trying to cross it. The car honked at the truck. I don’t think it was a honk to be rude, but rather to just warn the truck they were coming. The truck inched forward and then stopped. No, there was no crash. What happened next was the truck driver got out of his car and walked back to the driver that honked at him. He was yelling. No, it was more like screaming at the man for honking at him.

Next he got back in his truck and pretty much spun out and drove right into a parking lot near by. Good…he's going there to cool off, we thought. Then we saw the car with the driver that honked, follow him into the parking lot. The fight was on.

The car then pulled up next to the truck and we saw an ever so gracious hand (or shall I say finger) gesture from the car driver out his window towards the men in the truck. The men in the truck both opened their doors and started to jump out of the truck. The car sped off and the guys jumped back into the truck and slammed the truck into gear. This is where the Lord intervened!

When the truck driver was about to chase after the man who flipped them off, the truck jerked and something fell out of the bottom of the truck! The truck didn’t move and we could see something hanging down. It broke down. In fact, on our way home, the truck was still sitting in that parking lot a few hours later.

All this being said, I think something very bad was avoided. What are the chances that the guy’s truck would break down right at that moment?! He was such an angry man. It was clear the Lord stopped him in his tracks before he could do something dangerous.

We went on our way, but this whole scene has stayed with me for days. I just love how the Lord steps in and saves us even when we don’t know we need to be saved! Hopefully the truck driver learned his lesson. I prayed that he did.

In the Arms of Love

“I’m found in the arms of Love.
For Your Love
It has saved my soul
I’ll run to your arms of love
Your Light’s gonna lead me home.”

-Lyrics to“King of All Days” by Hillsong

We sang this song Sunday at church. When I was singing the words, I couldn’t help but flash back to the times I have literally felt wrapped in the arms of Love. What a great feeling that is!

Often we are asked the question, “Where do you see yourself in __ years?” If you know and accept the Love of Christ, I know where you will be found. You’ll be found in the arms of Love. It’s a pretty good place to be…actually the best place to be.

We may not know what we will be doing in the next 5 years. Some of us don’t know what we will be doing in the next 10 minutes. However, if we are walking with Him, we will always know where we can be found. It’s in His arms…if we will have Him.

With a Thankful Heart I Write

Today I am reminded of how God answers our prayers. Years ago I started praying for someone very hungry and confused on their journey to Him. It was a person who had it all figured out in life. They were confronted with a void in life that they were trying to fill, but had a wall that was blocking the view to seeing who He was, is, and will always be. “I think I struggle with my faith because I don’t really believe there is a God.” Words once spoken by a conflicted heart. Words that pierced mine when heard. I thought this person was struggling with the concept of salvation. I didn’t realize they even doubted God’s existence.

You can’t force someone to believe. It is in their own time. Faith is an individual thing…a choice. I gave as much advice as I could at the time. Although I realize now nothing I could have said was as powerful as silent prayers spoken by my pleading heart for them.

Now, years later, I see those prayers were answered. I give thanks. This person is living a life and walking with the One they once doubted existed. I give thanks. It may have taken longer than I had hoped, but it happened. I give thanks.

For all those who have an unbeliever you have been praying for, be encouraged. Trust me, your prayers are being heard.

Tool Time

I’ve seen this game around and thought it would be fun to have. However, I figured it could be made cheaper than I could buy it. (I’m going through a bargain minded season in life.) I researched it and found what I needed to get it made and realized we have a ton of old golf balls in the attic. I mentioned it to my husband and said we should make one of these. By “we” of course I meant “him.”

My husband responded by saying “Go ahead, make one.” He then explained he thought I should make one by myself. He would set the tools out for me, but I needed to do it all by myself. So….I did! I used the saw, drill, etc. I even picked out all the supplies I needed at Home Depot by myself. I made the game for a fraction of what it would have cost in the store. Who says girls can’t use all the tools in the garage??

Line Between the Two

There is a song by Mark Harris called, “The Line Between the Two.” Since the first time I heard it years ago, it has stayed with me. The title refers to the line in between two dates. They aren’t just any dates though, they are the dates on a head stone. You know that little dash line in between the date you are born and the date you leave this world? That’s the line. That line represents what our life was about, what we did while we were here, and our legacy we leave behind. It’s a little line but has huge meaning, and it’s where you and I are right now. It’s the reason why we were put here and the reason why we will wake up tomorrow. It maybe small, but it’s mighty.

C. S. Lewis once said “The future is something in which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes per hour, whatever he does, whoever he is."

We all face the future at the same rate. We all will one day have a line between the two. What will your line represent? What purpose does the Lord have for your line? How do we make the most of the line we are given? Those are questions I don’t have clear answers for. Thankfully, I know the One who does.

I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8