An Very Delayed Update (photo heavy)

So what have we been doing the last six months?

Making some dreams come true at Disneyland Paris:






And then exploring Paris as well....




Packing, saying good-byes and seeing a little more of the English countryside.

Jewel went to her first weekend away with the church. She showed all the boys (but one) who was the best at archery! Made the girls proud. (of course she didn't have any pictures).

Had some of my own dreams come true with a trip to:


Saw an awesome Ladies quarterfinal on centre court:




Forgot to take pictures of the strawberries and cream...but definitely ate my fill!

Unpacked a few boxes:



Explored the area near our house:




Marveled at how quickly time flies as Jewel turned 9!


A little of what we've been up to.

In Other Words: Using My Own Voice

Welcome to In Other Words! I pray today in the words of one of the participating blogs you will find a note of encouragement.

“Don’t sing with a borrowed voice. The one he gave you is the one he wants to hear.”
by Jennifer Rothschild
via Twitter 17 Nov 2010

 It is so easy to get caught up in what we think we should be, rather than what we are created to be.  We listen to voices around us telling us to try this or be this or do this. But, often they are not the things that are designated for us. Or, we watch others excel in their gifts and we wish (covet) that gifting. We measure ourselves against another’s standard and we never seem to measure up. The problem is that we are not supposed to be measuring ourselves against others’standards. Our only measure should be God’s standard that he has given us.

I love to lead ladies’ Bible Studies. There is nothing that gives me more of a buzz than to see a group of ladies sharing their hearts around Scripture. As much as I might aspire for something bigger, my calling has always been small groups. I will never be a Beth Moore or a Priscilla Shirer or a Jennifer Rothschild. That’s okay. My goal should not be to emulate their voice, but to use my own.

Writing and blogging can be a huge trap for us in regards to losing our voice. We can read Pioneer Woman or BooMama or  Big Mama and believe that is how we are supposed to do this blogging thing. We can lose our own voice trying to imitate others that are out there in the blogsphere. Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is that God has given them their voice for their audience. He has given us our voices for our own audiences. We may not know the reasons why one has an audience of thousands and another has an audience of a dozen. We don’t need to know the reason; He does.

Over the last few months, I have experienced God changing my vision of what my voice should be. I have grand plans for writing and ministry and home education and so many things. Yet he has reminded me over and over “the plans are fine, they just aren’t your calling in this moment.” When I chose the theme words of “ponder” and “treasure” at the beginning of the year, I had plans to be consistently writing of the things he would have me ponder. So many times, I’ve sat down to write about something I’ve been learning only to hear a quiet voice encourage me to “just treasure it.” I’m learning this year to use the voice he has given me—and sometimes that means to remain silent. I do not believe that I am called to go totally silent on the blog, but to listen more intently to when to write. I have found in the past that periods of silence often give birth to some of my most prolific writing. I will wait and see what God has planned.

May I encourage you today to listen to his prompting regarding your voice. Don’t try to be someone you are not called to be—you will only find yourself frustrated trying to speak with someone else’s voice. Follow his lead. Trust his gifting of personality and gifts in your life. Use those gifts and you cannot go wrong.

Praying you have a blessed day. Please visit the other ladies who participate in In Other Words. Leave comments and encourage them. And, please, use your voice to join the conversation!

Hosting In Other Words

Next Tuesday, I have the privilege of hosting "In Other Words" writing prompt. I have chosen something that one of my favourite authors tweeted recently. Please come and visit on Tuesday! I would be honoured if you would write your own thoughts on the quote and link up with us at that time.

“Don’t sing with a borrowed voice. The one he gave you is the one he wants to hear.”
by Jennifer Rothschild
via Twitter 17 Nov 2010

But this disappointment, those tears,
this heartbreak is God’s gift.
In this quiet empty ache, He enlightens.
By it, He plants and grows within me a certainty
that there must be more.
And that He is the More.”

by Jo at Mylestones

I can remember as a child, one time, my daddy stating his dreams. They were the dreams of what he wanted to accomplish on the farm. (I don't know how the subject came up, but I remember clearly the goals). Not long after that, there was one of those "perfect" farming years where everywhere you drove there were miles and miles of gorgeous cotton. Daddy met his "big" goals. In fact, he exceeded them! And yet....he wasn't really happy. Late one night I eavesdropped overheard a conversation where he said something to the effect of "I met my goals, where do I go from here?" It was the first time in my young life I remember thinking that there "needed to be something more."

We've all been there. We have reached the mountaintop only to discover that what creates the dramatic heights of the mountain is the valley floor below. So many of the climaxes of my dreams have found me wondering soon after, "is that all?" It isn't all, we are made for more.

The author of today's quote captures this feeling beautifully in her post (linked above). We are created for more.

There is a deeper hunger than that which we can satiate ourselves. There are more awesome wonders to explore. But they are not in the tangible of this world. They are found in the person of Jesus. He is the More. He is that which we continue to crave even when we achieve all we desire.

Feeling let down by your dreams? Feeling overwhelmed by life in general? Too many disappointments in succession? Know that this is not all there is! There is more. In Jesus, we will find the completeness that we crave.

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:10-11.

Loni is hosting today at Writing Canvas. Please join the conversation!

May....ugh August Goals

In April I wrote:
1. Lose another 5 pounds (slowly but surely)  no
2. Empty another box of genealogy info done
3. Finish another page of Name of God cross stitch (3 1/2 to go) not sure if it was done in April but project completed in June
4. Complete a secret stitching project done
5. Continue using camera in Manual Mode at least once a week not as much as I'd like
6. Investigate things I need to know for the "next big thing" in our life ....

Then, the "next big thing" happened in our life and I spent May and June prepping for and moving and July unpacking. So now, I think, I am back to goal setting mode. We'll see how long it lasts ;-)

August Goals:
1. Write an update post for April-July and then write 2-3 blog posts a week
2. Finish getting school things ready for Sept-Oct
3. Download pictures off the camera in order to accomplish #1
4. Complete 2 Bride's Tree ornaments
5. Complete 4 blocks on big cross stitch project
6. Read one non-school book
7. Enjoy a beach holiday

What are your goals this month?

“Inevitably, the calendar crowds out the Spirit and the face of the clock hides the face of God. Prayer ceases to be the free breath of a ransomed soul and becomes a duty to be fulfilled."

From “Transforming Prayer” by Daniel Henderson

Prayer in my life happens in a variety of ways and places. Sometimes it is in a concentrated time, sitting at my desk with my Bible open and time to really spend time in the quiet with God. More often it is caught in moments between ferrying children to events, teaching school, doing laundry, preparing meals, etc. etc. Then there are those moments that all I seem to be able to do is send SOS prayers for help.

Thankfully, God hears all of those prayers. He understands the seasons of our lives and our circumstances even better than we do. He loves and accepts any communication that we offer him.

I know this to be true. But there are the moments when I find myself wondering if he is hearing anything. There are moments when prayer time just seems like something else to accomplish not something to relish. There are times that are just dry and energy-sapping. Frustrating. I've found that those are the times that my life has become the most crowded and I am letting the calendar/diary control me rather than me control the diary. They are the times that I am "fitting God in" rather than "fitting in with God." When my prayer life is stale I know that I need some concentrated time with him--regardless of how busy I am.

Being busy is okay. Times of life that mean less structured prayer time and more prayer on the move is okay. But God never wants us to just "fit him in." He wants our attention, and sometimes he uses a stale prayer life to wake us up. How grateful I am for those times to be drawn back to his presence.

Struggling with prayer? Perhaps some of the ladies writing today will bring you the encouragement you need. Visit Debbie at Heart Choices to follow their trail.

In Other Words: Choosing Gratefulness

“Non-eucharisteo, ingratitude, was the fall–humanity’s discontent with all that God freely gives. That is what has scraped me raw: ungratefulness.”

Ann Voskamp

As you will have gathered from reading here, the last couple of years have been fraught with struggles, disappointments, changes, challenges, and overall upheaval. Although not all of the changes have been bad, in fact many of them have been quite good, they have still brought with them uncertainty and adjustments. In fact, the only consistency in our lives these past two years have been this:

*When I focus on the circumstances and challenges, those challenges simply get bigger.
*When I focus on God and thank him for his presence in the middle of the changes, I find contentment.

I've chosen the former enough to know that the latter is much better!

Do I choose to be ungrateful that relationships had to be severed in order to follow God's leadership in a certain situation, or instead do I choose to be grateful that he led us to a small group that filled the gap relationally?

Do I choose to be ungrateful for a house lost, or grateful for the provision for the next house (which turned into such a blessing of space and neighbourhood)?

Do I choose to be ungrateful for a job provided because it obligated another move? Do I choose to be grateful for employment in difficult economy?

Believe me when I say that I have chosen, often deliberately and with eyes wide-open, the path of ungratefulness. Each and every time it has not led me to a state of contentment or understanding. Instead, it has landed me thoroughly and completely in the muck of the circumstance. Trying to get myself out of the muck just makes it worse.

Choosing gratitude on the other hand does not increase the muck. It does not necessarily decrease it either. It does not change the circumstances at all. But it changes me. It changes my perspective, my focus, and my expectations. It helps me to remember that God's promises are not to make things easy, to but to make me better through them. And, somehow, that makes all the difference in the world.

Father God, thank you for being with us every step of the way these past years of uncertainty and change. Thank you for the reminders of you when circumstances seemed bleak. Help me to always focus on gratefulness. Give me people in my life who have the courage to tell me when I'm focused on the negative and will help me find the positive. Thank you for not abandoning us to our selfish and ungrateful tendencies. Amen.

Tami is our hostess today! Go, visit, and be encouraged! Blessings on your day.

In Other Words---Trust Him in All Things

Hello out there! From a few emails of concern (thank you), I know that I need to assure you all that I have not fallen off the face of the entire earth. I haven't. Life is just happening fast and furious (with slow and frustrating moments in the roller coaster) and I had to make a choice: blog or survive the roller coaster whilst treasuring as many of the moments as I could. I chose to treasure and survive. But this week's quote resonates with me, so I am attempting to put words to screen again.

If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the “little” things of life?”

M.E. Howard

It would be easy for me to get lost in the busyness right now. We are in the midst of the most major move that we have made in ten years. No, we are not returning to the US, but we are leaving England for a two year stint in Ireland. There is the logistics of the move to navigate, the emotions of children who have never lived in another country to soothe, the culture of a new country to acquisition and day-to-day of life to still accomplish. It is crazy.

But we don't do it alone.

At our going away open house Sunday someone asked if we were worried. Without stopping to process an answer I said that I was sad to be leaving but that God was going before us, like he always does, and so I was not worried. I realised at that moment I truly meant that. I was resting on him in the day-to-day details. And I was not nearly as stressed as I have been in some past moves.

I may have had to give up my "little things" like blogging for a time to do something that seems very large at the moment. But to God, this is one of the "little things" that he asks me to trust him to handle. And he is handling it. And therefore so am I.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

I'll be back in full force in a couple of weeks, after the move is complete. Until then, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest with me in letting him handle the little things of our lives.  Blessings to you!

Please join us at a new home this week Living for God (and welcome Urailak to the hostess fellowship).

Happy Easter

He is Risen!

Christ the Lord is Risen Indeed!

Praying you have a blessed Easter.

Love.............MiPa

Easter Sabbath

Taking a time of silence in honour of Easter week.  See you soon...

In Other Words--Still I will Praise

Welcome to In Other Words! I am delighted that you chose to join us. This week, I have chosen a oft-repeated verse from Job for us to discuss. I can't wait to see what you feel God has said to you in terms of these verses.

“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:21b-22

On Sunday we were singing Matt Redman's chorus based on these words. I was reflecting on the many blessings we have been given this year--a home (twice), a church family, friends, a home education group. The list goes on and on. We have been given much, and we have given much praise for these things. Many of those gifts came at the result of having other things taken away--a home (twice), a church family, friends nearby. It has been a bittersweet year, but more sweet than bitter. We have tried to give God praise in the losses as well as the gifts. Sometimes that is easy. Other times, not as easy.

We are seeing God change the path we thought was planned for us here. Although we continue to praise God for those changes, I have found it more difficult this time. Sometimes the cut of the loss goes deeper than other times. The end of this verse has been challenging me. Job was not praised for not feeling a loss. He was praised because he did not "charge God with wrongdoing." What does that look like? How do we not accuse God of wrongdoing?

Does that mean we are not allowed to ask why or question how we got to this point? I hope not, because I have seriously asked how did we get on this detour. Honestly, it is probably not a detour, but it does feel like it. In my mind, however, asking the question is not the same as accusing God. In fact, it is more an exercise in being certain that I am doing what I need to be doing and hearing God the way I need to be hearing him. Questions look at my own obedience and surrender, not at God's culpability.

Instead, I believe that "not charging God with wrongdoing" is not forgetting that he has our best in his plans. We should not accuse him of leaving us open to harm or actively bringing our harm. Harm comes and bad things happen because we live in a fallen world. However, it is not God's intention to harm us, but to develop us for the future. We cannot see the whole picture of how what God intends the things in our lives to develop. What we see as detours, he sees as the best path to make us in his image.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
~Jeremiah 29:11-13~

You may be in the midst of a "detour". You may feel like more is being taken away than is being given. May I encourage you that he sees the bigger picture. He knows what this detour is developing in you. Be encouraged, you will not be in this place forever. The chorus repeats,

"He gives and takes away. He gives and takes away. My heart will choose say, 'Lord Blessed be your name."

Whether he is giving or taking away today, please join me as we choose to worship his name.

If you have written on the verse today, please add your link below.

Hosting In Other Words

Next Tuesday I have the honour to host the In Other Words ladies. In reflecting on a series of blessings and losses that I've recently experienced or witnessed, these verses have come to mind again and again. So, I thought it would be interesting to get everyone's take on them. ;-)

Please join us next Tuesday as we explore the verses. If you are able and inclined, please write your own reflection on them and come back on Tuesday to link. See you then!

“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:21b-22

April Goals

In March I wrote:
1. Lose another 5 pounds DONE
2. Empty another box of genealogy information Done!
3. Finish another page of Name of God cross stitch Yes!
4. Write 4 real letters oops...maybe I should have looked at my goals more often
5. Memorize 2 verses yes
6. Complete the photography class I am taking and put it to use....class is still going, and I am thoroughly enjoying it
7. Plan and make happen a date night...too much business travel not enough home time to accomplish this.

April Goals:
1. Lose another 5 pounds (slowly but surely)
2. Empty another box of geneaology info
3. Finish another page of Name of God cross stitch (3 1/2 to go)
4. Complete a secret stitching project
5. Continue using camera in Manual Mode at least once a week
6. Investigate things I need to know for the "next big thing" in our life

In Other Words--Finding Answers

How did all the animals fit into the ark?
Was Job really patient?
What happened to Jonah after the wilting plant and his temper tantrum?
Why did God chose purple for lilacs? Why not make them rainbow striped?

Questions.
We all ask them. As a child I asked lots of them.
I remember as a child some 'wise' adult answered one of my questions with "when we get to heaven you can ask God that."
I accepted that answer.
So the next time I asked one of those impossible questions, I got a similar answer. Which I accepted.
Until the day that I didn't. I just didn't accept that answer any more.
Instead, I replied, "when I get to heaven I don't think I'll care about that anymore."

With that realization, I took one more step on the journey of faith. So many questions will fade away in the face of Jesus.

"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?"

~ C.S. Lewis ~

I know so many people who get hung up on the details of seemingly unanswered questions. Yet they are afraid to look into the face of the Answer to their questions. They miss the big picture for the details.

What questions keep you from looking at The Answer? Maybe they are important questions and maybe He will lead you to a tangible answer. But maybe, just maybe, their purpose is to get you to gaze on him. Praying you find The Answer today.

Our wonderful hostess this week is Jen at Ponderings of an Elect Exile. Come, visit and be blessed.

In Other Words--Don't Miss the Grace

"In the darkest of our times,
God is plotting for our glory.
If we would believe this and remember it,
we would not be blind when God reveals His grace."

~ by John Piper ~
A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God

I am blessed with a husband that has an extra gift of faith. There is rarely a moment in our discussions and plans that he is not firmly seeing God's hand in it. Good, bad, indifferent--God is a part of it. God's sovereignty is a core element in our lives.

Grace, on the other hand, is not as elemental. Often we are focused on, 'God is at work' that we miss 'God is showing his grace.' Because we accept his sovereignty we are able to cope with the difficult times. But, sometimes, we could do more than cope. We could rest in his grace and mercy.

God does not allow the difficult in our lives just because he can. He allows those times to develop our character into the ministers he desires us to be. That is not harsh. Even when it feels harsh, it is about more. It is about softening us to be molded into his image. And he does that with grace.

Have you ever seen someone work with a diamond saw? That is a saw that can cut through the hardest of materials. Most likely, you have seen the operator keeping a continual stream of water on the object being cut and the blade--because it works best that way and does not overheat. The focus is not on the water, but on the cutting. Yet the water is crucial to the process. In the same manner, we may be feeling the cut of harsh times as God is carving away parts of our life to make us more useful. The cut is the focus. It is the most important result. But his grace is the water, that keeps the blade working and us from 'overheating' in the process. The goal is not to destroy us, but to make us better. If we only focus on the harsh, we miss the joy of the grace offered during that time.

Feel like you are in a crucible? Know that God is working something new in you? It may feel harsh at the time. Remember that it is in his sovereignty that he is developing your character and ministry. But as you accept his sovereign right to change you, look for the moments of grace that he allows you that keep you from being destroyed.

Father God, as you mold my life and character to be a minister for you, help me to see your grace in the moment. Amen.

Marriage Monday--Beauty in the Home

It's Marriage Monday! No, you haven't gone into a time warp and we have not fast forwarded to April. Instead, MM is becoming bimonthly. I'm looking forward to having more prompts to write about one of my favourite subjects.

The theme this week is open but Chrysalis did suggest we might want to talk around the topic of beauty.  I am currently involved in a cross-stitch project called the Bride's Tree.  It is based on a German tradition that newlyweds need to have twelve specific themed ornaments on their tree to bring certain blessings into the home. The ornaments I have been stitching this month represent "beauty in the home." I find it intriguing that having beauty in the home was considered a blessing. I've been contemplating what that means.




I am pretty sure that it is not talking about having a designer house with all new and perfect things. Where that would be nice, it can also be a burden. But I do think that it calls me to consider what brings 'beauty' into our living space.

German is not terribly concerned with decorating. We have been in this house for six months and I still have very little on the walls--because it is not a priority to hang them. But there are a few items that are important to him that they are displayed, and I make certain that they are lovingly placed in whatever house we are living.  But the beauty in our home is not about decoration.

Beauty in our home is more about a feeling of contentment and familiarity.  We are both, to a greater or lesser extent, packrats. Part of my bringing beauty into the home is to keep the clutter to a manageable level. I also must work at keeping totally clutter free zones where we can relax.  We both love having fresh cut flowers in the house, so part of creating that beauty is to make certain that happens.  When we first moved to Europe, I was told to make flowers a part of the budget. It was that important! I've always been happy to comply.

Beauty in the home should encompass the senses. It is the sights of what one sees as they move through the house. But it is also the smells of fresh flowers or of a favourite meal greeting German as he comes through the door at the end of his workday. It is the sounds of the girls enjoying life. (Just last night when German and I were talking on the phone he commented how joyful it was to hear the girls giggling in the background.)  Creating beauty is a means of creating a comfortable retreat. German works hard and encounters stress all day, part of my role is to ensure that when he comes home he finds a place of refuge not another hotspot.

I do believe that the old German tradition is right. Beauty in the Home is a blessing that should be wished upon newlyweds--and should be cultivated throughout one's marriage.

Please join us at ChrysalisCafe for more wonderful thoughts on marriage. Hope your day is blessed with beauty!

(PS....Happy Birthday German!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Sorry to be somewhat silent. Nothing wrong. Just treasuring some moments and not stopping to write. Will return soon.





Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Siesta Memory Verse

Verse Seven:

Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
Proverbs 17:19

Multitude of Gifts--Visit Two

Continuing from last week...

26.  a teaching/preaching team that is extraordinary
27. a fellowship to gather with and worship
28. a small group of support and Bible study

29. noisy children
30. quiet moments alone

31. a class to stimulate my mind and interest
32. a husband who supports my interests
33. sunny days to practice photography

34. a roof over my head
35. fresh water
36. food in the pantry
37. the knowledge my family and friends are all safe
38. the honour of lifting a devestated country in prayer
39. resources to help

40. promises finally kept
41. opportunities unfolding
42. email
43. skype
44. cheap international phone calls

45. a quiet neighbourhood
46. a safe refuge
47. HOME
48. Family
49. Church
50. Hope

Celebrating God's goodness in community with A Holy Experience.

In Other Words--What Does My Walk Say?

“It is no use walking aywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”
~Francis of Assisi~

We were on our way to church one Sunday morning and approached the large roundabout near our house that gets onto the main thoroughfare through town. The car that entered the roundabout just in front of us was tentative. Maybe it was the traffic or a new area or maybe he was just a tentative driver. I don't know, but I was about to make a comment to German about how unsure person seemed. At that moment a car weaved in between us and the slower car, the driver waving his arms and clearly irritated. The (now) middle car pulled into the inside lane, driver and passengers still waving their arms and yelling, then it immediately pulled in front of the slower car straight across that lane into the outside lane and made a turn. A turn into a church. All of this took place in about 1000 yard space of road. Yelling and waving arms at a slower vehicle in order to save 2 minutes to get into church--well before church time. *sigh*

It made me wonder what the poor nervous driver thought. I wondered what he would think if later in the week someone tried to tell him about Jesus or invited him to church. Would he remember the rudeness and impatience of that Sunday morning driver? Would it turn his thoughts away from anything church related? I hope that he had more positive experiences with Christians than that example.

We are always on-the-job-representatives of Christ. If we carry the name Christian, if we attend church, if we claim any part of his body we are representing him at all times. Our actions and attitudes (ouch) and behaviours are under scrutiny by those around us who want to know if we are 'for real.' If our life is not lived in integrity with what we plan to preach, there is little reason to start speaking.

That doesn't mean we won't make mistakes and that people won't see us in our humanity. But our response to our sinful actions and attitudes speaks much louder than our condemnation of theirs. If we are honest and repentant when we mess up others are more apt to listen to us. We need to be real. We need to live with integrity. Anything we say should just be explanation to the life that is already seen.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:17-18

Father God convict me when my walk does not match what I profess. Show me the hypocricies which I allow into my life. Help me to acknowledge the truth of those inaccuracies and to change. Let my life be my witness and my words simply be explanations of what is already seen. Amen.

My friend Tami at The Next Step is our hostess this week. I know you will be blessed if you visit today.

Marriage Monday--Trusting our Spouse

The topic this month for Marriage Monday is trust.

Trust in marriage is a funny thing. I would not say that I am a trusting person. I have a strong innate hesitation that maybe all is not as it appears. I don't know how much of that was taught and how much of that is natural, but I tend to doubt and wade into new situations and friendships slowly.

But I have never been that way with German. I trusted him with secrets almost from our first time alone together. He, too, shared deep parts of himself quickly--back in the days when we were just friends and there was no romance on the horizon. We almost instantly trusted each other. And I truly believe that is God-given.

In our pre-marital counseling our pastor encouraged us that we needed to trust when in the presence of others because our jobs would require us to be alone with opposite gender. We looked at him as if he were crazy, 'why wouldn't we trust in that?' I remember early on talking to a friend about German at his work. The name of a certain female colleague came up multiple times. My friend cautioned me that I 'needed to keep an eye on that relationship' because they were working too closely together. I remember clearly not just thinking but absolutely believing in my deepest places that I had no cause to fear. I trusted him. I still do. And my trust gives him the freedom to do his job and to share his work and colleagues with me. Because I trust him he talks about all aspects of his work. In other words, he can trust me.

When after a few months of marriage he announced that we needed to accept a transfer and move across country, I trusted that it was not only right for his career but it was right for us. When the next move was across the Atlantic, I never hesitated because I knew he had our best interest at heart. As we contemplate what will happen next any hesitation I have is not about distrust. I sometimes grieve what the choices mean in terms of what we lose, but I trust that the benefits of what we gain will always be better. I trust my husband's heart when it comes to taking care of our family.

I know plenty of people who have never developed that level of trust. Circumstances or past experience have caused them to doubt. They have never felt the abandonment of worry that I feel with German. I am sorry for them. I am sorry that they face their relationship with an edge of caution. I am thankful that from the beginning God granted me the grace of trust. I'm thankful that he granted German the grace of trust. And together we feel a firm foundation to build decisions upon. Given past experiences, that was a miracle for both of us. We don't take it for granted, and we are grateful.

Did trust come naturally to your relationship? If not, how did you develop it? If you aren't sure at all about how to have trust in your marriage, visit around the Marriage Monday community this week. I'm sure you will find many godly pointers of how to create trust in your marriage. God bless you.

Multitude of Gifts--Visit One

Two (or was it three?) years ago, when Ann Voskamp first introduced on her blog counting to a 1000 gifts, I participated throughout the month of November. It was amazing how something that simple, writing down the things in gratitude, changed my perspective for that time period. Then life interfered, and I let it go.

At Christmas 2010, I challenged my step-mother and sisters to join me in being intentional about gratitude this year. Each of us received a journal and Ann's book. And for two months I have told myself I needed to also post my list here because here is my accountability. Here is where I bring the things hidden to a forefront so that I have to face them. This week, I have finally got my act together to post.

The beginnings of my (new) list of gratitude (unfortunately without photos, maybe I'll get that far next week):

1. new beginnings
2. warm home
3. opportunities
4. Flower's six years
5. Barbie cakes and smiles

6. time with family
7. watching my girls experience first sled ride
8. hard business completed
9. a movie with my husband
10. and dinner out too!
11. whilst granddaughters and grandparents made memories
12. skip-bo games with 3 generations
13. much needed time alone with dear aunt

14. family trees
15. revealing cousins lives
16. gaining understanding of immigrating
17. comparing their experience to ours

18. talkative taxi drivers giving insight into community
19. snatches of time in a school corridor with other parents
20. laughter of my children
21. mentors for my children

22. a little one who still likes to snuggle
23. a little one who is asserting independence

24. validation of home school endeavor

25. honour of praying for a friend

Joining in community

March Goals

In January my goals were:
1. Connect with home ed group in our new town--DONE
2. Get hair cut and coloured--DONE
3. Lose 5 pounds--Lost 7, went on holiday for 2 weeks, net loss 2 *sigh*
4. Finish entering one box of genealogy information--DONE
5. Finish one page on Name of God cross stitch--DONE
6. Memorize 2 verses--DONE
7. Read 2 books just for fun--Nope
8. Enjoy my holiday--DONE

In February my one and only goal was just to get through, knowing the emotional stuff that was tied to the month. I accomplished that goal.

Now, we are in March (already?!) so I guess I need goals:
1. Lose another 5 pounds
2. Empty another box of genealogy information
3. Finish another page of Name of God cross stitch
4. Write 4 real letters
5. Memorize 2 verses
6. Complete the photography class I am taking and put it to use
7. Plan and make happen a date night

Siesta Scripture Memory - Verses 4&5

Verse Number 5:
  So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
will never be stricken with panic.
I will make justice the measuring line
and righteousness the plumb line;
hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
and water will overflow your hiding place.
Isaiah 28:16-17

 
Seems that I forgot to post my last memory verse for Feb 15, so I will now just so I have them all online.
 
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:6-8

In Other Words--Meandering or Destination

If you don’t change the direction you are going,
then you are likely to end up where you are headed.”

~ John Maxwell ~

German and I occassionally set out for a drive with no destination in sight. We wake up, choose a direction (NESW), choose a road that goes that direction and set off. If the road comes to a cross road we have to make a decision of which one to take. And we follow the road as long as it is interesting and we desire to keep going. But the thing is, we have never reached "north" or "east" or "south" or "west" because somewhere along the way meandering stops being fun and we change our direction. We head toward a destination called "home" and that destination we always reach.
 
We are all headed somewhere. Whether we have deliberately chosen a path or just let ourselves be prodded towards a path of tradition or ease or expectation, we are going somewhere. Somewhere along the way, we need to define a destination of where we want to go. Then we must deliberately choose our path to get there. We must change direction to get where we want to go.
 
For years I have said that I want to learn more Scripture. I deeply believe that there will come a time in the not-so-far-off future where we are going to need to have Scripture memorized if we are going to have access to it (maybe not in my lifetime, but I'm not taking that chance). I've said it for years, but I've made little change to my life to accomplish it.  This year, I changed my direction and I'm making more of an effort. My Scripture cards are with me. I actually read them every now and then. Most importantly I'm making a heart change that says 'I need to do this.' I will not magically memorize Scripture unless I change the direction I'm going and move in the path of memorization. It was a change of direction I needed to make.
 
What about you? Is there a path change you need to take? Is there something in your life that you 'wish' you could accomplish? Praying that you find the path to take that leads you to the destination in mind. Meandering can be fun, but eventually a destination is needed.
 

You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
~Psalm 16:11~
 

This week's hostess is Nina at Mama's Little Treasures. Come and be blessed.

In Other Words--Loving not Alienating

"Nothing humbles and breaks the heart of a sinner
like mercy and love.
Souls that converse much with sin and wrath,
may be much terrified;
but souls that converse much with grace and mercy,
will be much humbled.”


~Thomas Brooks (1608 – 1680)~

Some events over the weekend reminded me of a friend who came to know Christ a few years ago. When German and I first met him we commented how sad it was that he wasn't a believer--he lived with integrity, had a comfortable life and didn't see a need for God. He was one of those "good guys" who didn't do anything majorly bad so really did not see himself as a sinner.

His sin could have been pointed out to him. He could have been hit over the head with the news of the depravity of man. He could have been admonished that no one was good. He could have easily been alienated from the things of Christ.

Instead, we (and others) just chose to love him. Include him. Enjoy his company and the company of his family. We invited him to events at church he might enjoy. We declined invitations that interfered with church and made other arrangements. And when he hit a difficult time we offered to pray for him (and faithfully prayed) and just loved his family.

Then we each moved different directions chasing career. We stayed in touch, but not real close. One day German got an email that simply said, "I thought you would want to know I was baptised last week." Rejoicing.

I am so thankful we chose the path of loving than of preaching. So thankful he found acceptance and not alienation. And now we have eternity with him.

Father God, help me to be more loving, more merciful, extend more grace and proclaim less judgment. Help me love my friends into your kingdom for your sake. Amen.

This week Twinkle Mom of Sunflower Faith is our hostess. It is her very first time to host In Other Words. Please go welcome her and join the conversation. Blessings my friends!

Marriage Monday--First Love

There is a wonderful community of ladies that meet every month at the home of e-Mom (Chrysalis) and discuss the topic of marriage.  Sometimes poignant, often funny and always wise, these ladies stretch me and encourage me. This month instead of focusing on marriage, we have been asked to share our story of how we met our "First Love" as a way of encouraging one another as well as getting to know each other better.  I am so looking forward to reading their stories. I hope  you will visit some of the sites as well and get to know this amazing group of women (and maybe even join in the fun!).

My story of my path to faith is not very exciting, but I am thankful for that.  I was blessed with parents who were very involved in the church. I started attending at a few weeks old and just never stopped. My earliest memories are in the church preschool department learning about God through playdough theology and felt board stories. "Miss Rose" and "Aunt Josie" gave me a strong foundation of a loving God.  During Vacation Bible School on my seventh birthday I "walked down the aisle" and said I wanted to be baptised. A few days before I had sat in my bedroom with Mom and Dad, prayed and said the same thing. As much as I was able to understand at age seven, I knew that I was not doing all that God wanted me to do and I knew that I wanted to go to heaven and that Jesus was the bridge between those two realities.

Later, in Junior High at church camp, I would be faced with more decisions about whether Jesus was just my Saviour or also my Lord. I was realising that there was more to faith than just a quick prayer to get me to heaven. Over the next few years that relationship of Jesus as Lord would deepen. By the time I went to University, those roots were deep. In University I was involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship leading small groups and going to Urbana. I was more and more drawn to full-time ministry, even though little girls raised Southern Baptist knew that full-time ministry was off limits to them. But apparently it was not off limits to God. By the end of my senior year, I was sure my Math degree would not be used as I originally thought. Instead, it was the catalyst to get into a Church Social Work program in seminary and to train.

I am grateful that my parents were faithful believers and church attenders. They introduced me to my first love early in my life. And He quickly became just that. I know that I have been protected from so many hurts and stumbling blocks along the way because of that early introduction and acceptance. Although I may not have a dramatic conversion experience, I am forever changed by a God who met me as a little girl who wanted to go to heaven and grew the relationship to the woman I am today. I pray that I am able to shepherd my own little girls to have such a relationship as well.

In Other Words--Irreversibly Changed for Good

Thank you for joining me for In Other Words today. I pray as you visit sites, read posts on the quote and maybe even post your own thoughts that you will be blessed by reflecting on how God irreversibly changes us.

“I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I’ve closed the door.
I will walk the path, I’ll run the race
And I will never be the same again.”
~ lyrics by Geoff Bullock ~

The first time I heard this song was two or three weeks after moving to England. It struck a deep chord as I realised that this two year experience was going to be one of those moments that God would use to forever change me. This week we celebrate our tenth year of this two year experience. As we travel and visit in the US, I am once again struck with how much we have changed--in language, taste, world awareness and dependence on God.

Perhaps I am more aware because we chose the grand experimental expat life that events change you forever, but I do know that it is not only in the huge changes in our lives that he changes us. Our journey with God should always be changing and transforming us. The Psalmist calls us to

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
Psalm 98:1-2

I've written before how amazed I am each year as God deepens and changes my song. That is how it should be. Every time we trust God and take another step of faith we should be forever changed.

In the last two years we have walked through a leadership upheaval at church, a change of job, a move to a new city followed quickly by a move to a different house, the loss of my mother, the change of church membership and involvement, and the settling into new routines. Any one of these events could have challenged us to abandon our faith. Yet at each step of the way, he has not abandoned us. He has proven faithful and used each event to deepen us and strengthen us. When all else was lost, He was the one sure thing. I cannot go back to the person I was two years ago. It is impossible. I cannot be the same daughter I was--that irreversibly changed with my mother's death. I cannot be the same teacher/minister I was--that irreversibly changed with the leadership upheaval. I cannot be the same wife I was--shared experiences change how we relate. Relationships changed. Emotional ties strengthened. Dependence on God and not man's approval deepened.

I will never be my 2009 self again. And that is good. In 2015, I should be able to say "I will never be my 2011 self again." God is constantly growing us so that we are not the same again. Sometimes that growth comes with pain, but that growth is worth it.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

Thank you Father for not ever leaving me where I am at but for always growing me to the next goal. Keep me always changing. Help me to always be thankful for the change. Amen

 Please join us by sharing ways God has changed you, irreversibly. We would love to be encouraged by your story. You can link to your post below. Thanks for coming and have a blessed day!

Siesta Memory Verse

Verse Three

You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:3

Hosting In Other Words

I have the honour of hosting In Other Words on Tuesday.  Please join me as we ponder how God irreversibly changes our lives.

"I will never be the same again,


I can never return, I've closed the door.

I will walk the path, I'll run the race

And I will never be the same again."
lyrics by Geoff Bullock

Look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

In Other Words--For the Worst and the Best

It was the worst of times...
....life was chaotic,
kids were not listening,
Mom was frustrated,
voices were raised,
feelings were hurt,
forgiveness was needed.

He came for days like these.

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
1 Timothy 1:14-15

It was the best of times...
....paycheck was on time
bills were paid,
sun was shining,
everyone was healthy,
hearts were happy,
the world was there for the taking,
forgiveness is still needed.

He came for days like these.

For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Mark 8:35-36

"Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”
~Jerry Bridges~

Thank you Father for coming for my worst of times and for my best of times. Make my life worthy. Amen.
Today's hostess is Jennifer at Scraps and Snippets. Whether you are experiencing the best of times or the worst of times, come and be blessed.

Happy Birthday

One day


One Year

Turn around twice and....

Now You are Six!!

Happy Birthday Flower!!!


(in all accuracy, this picture is her blowing out the candle at Christmas...I don't have her birthday pics loaded yet).

In Other Words--Hard Times to Deeper Faith

Last night, German and I were transferring photos from our old PC to our new PC. Then we were looking for a few "good" ones to print to take to family in the States on our upcoming holiday. With the exception of the cruise, we had very few photos from the last year...or the year before. For a family that had averaged 1000 photos a month it was a dramatic change. I made the comment that it was a stark reflection of just how difficult the last two years have been that we have not recorded every moment with digital pictures. German's response was just a wry laugh.

These two years may not be recorded in virtual ink, but they are recorded in something far more lasting. They are recorded in depth of faith. The difficult things that we have faced, some things that I could never even put into the private thoughts of a journal, have underscored a clinging to God that nothing else in my life has ever created. Difficult circumstances that are beyond my human control have herded me into the arms of my Father. For that I am grateful.

For Christmas, I gave Rod this canvas painting that says "God is Good, All the Time." It was our motto before the difficult period. It became our lifeline during that period that no matter how bleak we felt, God was still good. It is our testimony on the other side. We know that whatever we face in the future we face it with a good God who helped us through the trial.

I asked German the other night if things were truly that much easier here, or if it was just our new normal. He thought for a moment and said that they are easier because the emotion of the difficulty has passed. What he left unsaid, and what we both knew from the eye contact we exchanged, was that it was also the new normal because we were forever changed by the circumstances. And it is a good new normal. It is more dependent on God and less dependent on others. It is more resilient, and it is more compassionate to others' circumstances. It is a good place to be.

God loves you. He loves you so much that He's allowed this trial to push you to the point where you have no choice but to look to Him."
~When Life is Hard ~James MacDonald~

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
intent on putting them to death;
but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
Hope in the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
~Psalm 37:32-34~

I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek,
and I bent down to feed them.
~Hosea 11:4~

Father thank you for your gentle leading during the trials of life. Thank you for your faithfulness to my family when so many others were unfaithful. Forgive me for the times I focused on the circumstances instead of on you. Thank you that these two years were not wasted years, but were used by you to kindle a deeper relationship. Help me to not forget your faithfulness and to trust in your plans for the future. Amen.

Today's hostess for In Other Words is Debbie at Heart Choices. Please go and read what others are saying. You can always find a blessing at Debbie's blog!

Siesta Memory Verse

Verse Number Two:
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.”
Psalm 40:5 NIV

In Other Words--Choosing Confidence in God

“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God
whose ways you may not understand at the time.”

~ by Oswald Chambers ~

We had only been in our home six weeks when we received the notice that we would have to leave. A disadvantage of being a tenant is you have very little recourse if the landlord turns out to be irresponsible. I believed that God had led us to that house. We were making friends in the neighbourhood. Yet, we were being forced to move, again, and it seemed impossible. None of it made any sense.

In all of that turmoil, German and I would remind ourselves that God never leaves. In fact, we almost daily would lie in bed and say, "I still believe he brought us to this house, and he will bring us to the next." It was a deliberate daily choice to focus on God's sovereignty when nothing else made sense.

I still grieve the losing of that house. But God was faithful to bring us to a new house--a house better situated for ministry in the church he had already set in our hearts. It is nearer church friends, nearer house group and better situated for hosting guests. It has already seen four parties in the three months we have been here. His blessing is all over it. I believe we see that blessing because we deliberately chose to look for his hand in the chaos.

It is easy to get caught up in the what ifs of life, to see the chaos instead of the sovereignty, to focus on the circumstances instead of the possibilities. Faith is having confidence that God is going to do what he says and he is bigger than the situation. Sometimes we have to be more deliberate in that choice to place our confidence in him. It is then we find the blessing of choosing faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
~Hebrews 11:6~

Father thank you for your faithfulness during the chaos of the summer and the moves. Thank you for a husband who leads to make that deliberate choice to place our confidence in you. Thank you that as we verbally chose you in the situation, you gave us peace. Thank you for this house, and these friends, and the ministries that you are already organising for our future. May we be faithful in what you give us. Amen.

Our hostess this week is Nina at "Mama's Little Treasures." Visit and be blessed.

Visual I'm Pondering

Yesterday was an observance of communion at my church. In this church, communal cups are passed in the rows. I had the girls with me and German was not there, so I was most concerned about Jewel not dropping the cup as it was passed to the person on the other side of her. I find that a common occurrence whilst observing communion is that everyone seems to take hurried sips and passing it on, rather than contemplating the significance. And hurried is how I felt yesterday as I sipped the cup, passed it through Jewel's hands and then took a quick moment for prayer.

Then, God showed me how it should be.

I looked up just as one of the praise band members received the cup. He held it firmly in both hands, breathed in the aroma of the wine, then drank deeply. He held the cup a moment more, then passed it on to the next member.

He was not hurried.
He would not be rushed.
He appeared unaware of everything around him as he breathed in the aroma and drank deeply of His Father's sacrifice.

It is an image I've been pondering ever sense. I want to not be hurried. I want to be so focused on my communion with God that I am not rushed by my perception of others around me.

I want to drink deeply of my Father's Love in His Sacrifice.

January 2011 Goals

1. Connect with home ed group in our new town
2. Get hair cut and coloured
3. Lose 5 pounds
4. Finish entering one box of genealogy information
5. Finish one page on Name of God cross stitch
6. Memorize 2 verses
7. Read 2 books just for fun
8. Enjoy my holiday