Well, I had a fabulous time with my brother and his family. I made the trip yesterday down to Monterrey. The flights went well, though it was a long and exhausting day. On the last flight I ended up waiting in the airplane for some time before taking off because they had to fix a lighting problem. But, at the end of the day, I was here in Monterrey, Mexico.
It's kind of weird to be back again, especially now that I'm back as a missionary, although not on the official move yet, just a visit. It was weird to think last night that this is where I will be living. But exciting too. I look forward to my time here, both visiting now, and moving here later. God is full of blessings!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A break from the normal routine
Do you ever feel like you're going through the daily routine and you've lost sight of what you're doing it all for? I've been doing now for 5 months the routine of cleaning houses, coming home "free" to do what I like, but really needing to work on what I can with raising support, go to sleep and start over again. I'm thankful, but it gets monotonous and it's easy to lose sight of its purpose.
I've been learning about what it is to "wait on the LORD" and to have confidence in the hope that I have--of getting through to reach the goal of being a missionary in Mexico, of learning about myself to be more effective, and of God's saving love that is made evident through the work of His Spirit and the coming return of His Son. "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" Ps.27:13,14.
I need to be more intentional about continuing to learn what it means to wait for the LORD, in all things, especially in this time in my life I have of waiting, when it is so easy to lose sight of what I'm waiting for.
So, I can be thankful that I will be reminding myself what I'm waiting for as I visit Mexico again. Right now I'm enjoying visiting with my brother and his family for a week. It's so nice to get away and spend time with them, especially my 1-year-old niece, Abigail. She's a very smiley girl and I'm so pleased that she takes to me well. There's plenty to be visiting here, seeing California. I've already eaten at an In 'n' Out, and we'll be going to a zoo, and visiting much more as we're able to. Plus, I'm also able to catch up on "Lost" as they have all 5 series on DVD. I'm starting with the 3rd series as that was when I started to miss out on my favourite TV show. We'll see how far I get. :)
And then it will be off to Mexico for 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be there for a church group coming in for their week of short-term missions. I'll help out as needed, but not sure what to expect really. And then the second week I'll go to the local church's retreat that they have for a week. I'm hoping this will be a good time to get connected with the people of this church. Praise God for these opportunities, an enjoyable time of refreshment, and for God's reminders along the way as we "wait for the LORD."
I've been learning about what it is to "wait on the LORD" and to have confidence in the hope that I have--of getting through to reach the goal of being a missionary in Mexico, of learning about myself to be more effective, and of God's saving love that is made evident through the work of His Spirit and the coming return of His Son. "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" Ps.27:13,14.
I need to be more intentional about continuing to learn what it means to wait for the LORD, in all things, especially in this time in my life I have of waiting, when it is so easy to lose sight of what I'm waiting for.
So, I can be thankful that I will be reminding myself what I'm waiting for as I visit Mexico again. Right now I'm enjoying visiting with my brother and his family for a week. It's so nice to get away and spend time with them, especially my 1-year-old niece, Abigail. She's a very smiley girl and I'm so pleased that she takes to me well. There's plenty to be visiting here, seeing California. I've already eaten at an In 'n' Out, and we'll be going to a zoo, and visiting much more as we're able to. Plus, I'm also able to catch up on "Lost" as they have all 5 series on DVD. I'm starting with the 3rd series as that was when I started to miss out on my favourite TV show. We'll see how far I get. :)
And then it will be off to Mexico for 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be there for a church group coming in for their week of short-term missions. I'll help out as needed, but not sure what to expect really. And then the second week I'll go to the local church's retreat that they have for a week. I'm hoping this will be a good time to get connected with the people of this church. Praise God for these opportunities, an enjoyable time of refreshment, and for God's reminders along the way as we "wait for the LORD."
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Praise the Lord, I'm starting to see some progress on the support money and pledges coming in! I'm still much in need of support, especially consistent, ongoing pledges. It's still a slow process, but I'm being encouraged. I'm also being encouraged because of the progress I've been making on what I can do with getting in touch with people; actions I am able to control. I've pushed myself more this past month, although I probably need to continue to push myself more.
To be honest, I went through a time of not getting much done and then feeling guilty about it, and avoiding the work to be done. Not that I wasn't doing work, but not focusing on what I needed to, not pushing myself. And then I realized more how I need not be held back by my guilt or shame any longer, because God operates by grace. Nor need I be held back by fear, because God is Almighty and wants to bless me.
So I want to leave you with two passages that reflect this truth:
Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."
1 Chronicles 28:20 "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."
To be honest, I went through a time of not getting much done and then feeling guilty about it, and avoiding the work to be done. Not that I wasn't doing work, but not focusing on what I needed to, not pushing myself. And then I realized more how I need not be held back by my guilt or shame any longer, because God operates by grace. Nor need I be held back by fear, because God is Almighty and wants to bless me.
So I want to leave you with two passages that reflect this truth:
Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."
1 Chronicles 28:20 "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."
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