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."
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wherever you lead, I will follow
I found this song on Youtube called "Follow You" by Leeland with special guest Brandon Heath. I really like it, first of all because I like Leeland and Brandon Heath and they're just good artists. I also like it because it touches me right where I'm at in life and reminds me of a moment I really began this journey of seeking missions. I want to share that with you and hope it brings even more meaning to this song and to show you the glory of God's leading and our humble submission to follow Him.
God started to change my life and the path I was on starting about two years ago, first when I went to a dream conference. I know, a dream conference? It sounded to me at first like interpretation of dreams, but really it was an opportunity to write down on paper what you dreamed for in life and bring it before God, allowing others to see it posted on the walls as people went around praying for these dreams. My dream was to live for a time in a Spanish-speaking country serving God. I remembered this dream I had had and laid it before God, not really sure even what that meant.
Later, I took some students to Mexico on a service trip through TIME Ministries. I heard about the summer internship and was interested. I inquired about it, but also was not sure that I would be able to go. As I was there in Mexico, one night when thinking about it and the possibility of not being able to do the summer internship, I found a place by myself and I cried to God, cried because I ached to go and was pained at the thought of an opportunity before me being taken away. It surprised me, in a sense, how upset I was about the possibility of not going and I realized how important it was to me. I realized how I had always been waiting for an opportunity such as this, and couldn't bear the thought of losing it. So I prayed and put my request before the Lord, humbly submitting to His will--for if He would grant me the opportunity and for if He chose not to. I repeated again and again, "Wherever you lead me, I will follow."
And so now I continue in following His leading as He has granted me my dreams I laid before Him, seeing how He has answered them in giving me so much more than I could even imagine that time at the dream conference. I now find myself preparing to follow God's leading to live in Mexico as a full-time missionary with TIME Ministries. God is good! And so as the song says, I say to my wonderful God, "I'll follow you into the homes of the broken, follow you into the world."
Listen to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ajIFfSaEzE&feature=related
God started to change my life and the path I was on starting about two years ago, first when I went to a dream conference. I know, a dream conference? It sounded to me at first like interpretation of dreams, but really it was an opportunity to write down on paper what you dreamed for in life and bring it before God, allowing others to see it posted on the walls as people went around praying for these dreams. My dream was to live for a time in a Spanish-speaking country serving God. I remembered this dream I had had and laid it before God, not really sure even what that meant.
Later, I took some students to Mexico on a service trip through TIME Ministries. I heard about the summer internship and was interested. I inquired about it, but also was not sure that I would be able to go. As I was there in Mexico, one night when thinking about it and the possibility of not being able to do the summer internship, I found a place by myself and I cried to God, cried because I ached to go and was pained at the thought of an opportunity before me being taken away. It surprised me, in a sense, how upset I was about the possibility of not going and I realized how important it was to me. I realized how I had always been waiting for an opportunity such as this, and couldn't bear the thought of losing it. So I prayed and put my request before the Lord, humbly submitting to His will--for if He would grant me the opportunity and for if He chose not to. I repeated again and again, "Wherever you lead me, I will follow."
And so now I continue in following His leading as He has granted me my dreams I laid before Him, seeing how He has answered them in giving me so much more than I could even imagine that time at the dream conference. I now find myself preparing to follow God's leading to live in Mexico as a full-time missionary with TIME Ministries. God is good! And so as the song says, I say to my wonderful God, "I'll follow you into the homes of the broken, follow you into the world."
Listen to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ajIFfSaEzE&feature=related
Monday, February 15, 2010
Prayer Request for Church Support
I have a couple of opportunities to get connected with churches for support. The first, of course, is the church I currently attend. I've already met with the newly-formed mission committee, which went well, and am waiting on the church to set its next budget to find out what kind of support I'll receive from them. That should be around come May I think.
I've started contact with my hometown church as well, but that's really only just getting started.
And tomorrow at 4 I meet with someone from another church in the Des Moines area (First Federated) which has been connected with TIME Ministries and will be sending a group to Monterrey this summer, God willing.
Please pray that my meeting goes well, and that these churches have wisdom and capability as they consider their support for me in my ministry.
I've started contact with my hometown church as well, but that's really only just getting started.
And tomorrow at 4 I meet with someone from another church in the Des Moines area (First Federated) which has been connected with TIME Ministries and will be sending a group to Monterrey this summer, God willing.
Please pray that my meeting goes well, and that these churches have wisdom and capability as they consider their support for me in my ministry.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Follow-Up Time Approaching
Well, I've been sending out newsletters about my new ministry to many of you. If you haven't gotten one, but would like one, you can check out my newsletter actually on the left-hand column, and feel free to contact me about it as well. I'm still getting a hang of how to raise support, so don't feel offended if for some reason you didn't get one.
Anyways, I'm getting myself ready to go around and check up on people to talk more one-on-one about my ministry and inquire as to how you can help support me. I look forward to talking to you!
Anyways, I'm getting myself ready to go around and check up on people to talk more one-on-one about my ministry and inquire as to how you can help support me. I look forward to talking to you!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Newsletters, Newsletters, Read all about it!
Well I've been trying to figure out how to post up a link to my newletter and I finally figured it out. Check it out on the left sidebar. I'll probably post up some more soon. I'm very happy I figured it out, so don't disappoint me--check it out!
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