Give Me Jesus

It seems God just won't let me get comfortable here...which I am thankful. It keeps eternity in view so much better. It seems like each day God has different situations or trials He has we walk through just when I think I have things figured out and in order....(yes, I am a planner!) But God keeps me just depending on Him, reaching out for Him, calling out to Him, following Him....

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill.

Tears...

Visiting with a dear elderly neighbor who recently lost her husband. As she was talking with me and sharing her wonderful memories and keepsakes of her husband, my tears nearly spilled over. Hers have been spent I'm sure...but my heart nearly broke. Married for over 60 years, now alone....

What has happened to me? I'm no cryer...well at least I used to not be one...

Others loneliness and heartaches never left such a huge impact on me before...now it stamps an impression on my heart that I can't forget! I've seen children alone...with absolutely no one.... not even.... someone. I have felt their pain in a small, small way...and I can't forget it!

So helpless, so alone, these are the things that my heart will not forget....when I hear about 2 precious little girls burning in a house fire, when I think of all the precious children waiting for families, when I hear about children that need to be rescued, when I talk to lonely grandpa's and grandma's, when I see people trapped inside their bodies, when I see those with no one...my heart reaches out in a way it never did before. My heart aches for them, and God taught me a little more what it is like to rejoice with them that rejoice and how to weep with those that weep.

I work with elderly and have been able to notice in so many ways how many of these abandoned grandpa's and grandma's are in so many ways like a lot of the orphans I met, of course on a different scale, with different surroundings and all, but so many of them are just looking for someone to care. Someone to stop in and say Hi, someone to give them a hug and spend sometime with them or event to adopt them as a "grandparent".

So it seems no matter where we are, there are people we can reach out too! Whether its at an orphanage or a nursing home, there are people that need our love and prayers, that need our investment and time. What are willing to invest?

I'm so thankful that God is continually changing me even if it means I shed more tears, even if it means I carry others burdens, even if it means I live and serve here and part of my heart is broken for those who are far away and suffering. Because I want to be like Him, I want to be tenderhearted and full of compassion, I want to be full of grace and mercy, I want to love as He loves, I want to be just like HIM!! I want others to know that God loves them, through me.

Romans 12:10-17

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distribution to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

I couldn't help but share these verses, maybe just so they could remind me....

But you are a chosen generation a royal priesthood,

a holy nation, His own special people,

that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you

out of darkness into marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Arise, Shine; for your light has come! And the

glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun

in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13:43

If you extend your soul to the hungry and

satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn

in the darkness, and your darkness shall be

as the noonday. Isaiah 58:10

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and

a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 

For you were once darkness, but now

you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of Light. Ephesians 5:8

To whom He was not announced, they shall see;

and those who have not heard shall understand. Romans 15:21

You are the light of the world.

A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

The Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days

of your mourning shall be ended. Isaiah 60:20

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see

your good works and glorify your

Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27:1

Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,

upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

Every good and every perfect gift is from above,

and comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

Faith

Jesus said unto Him, If thou can't believe, all things are possible to Him that believeth. Marks 9:23

God is still in control, God is still working and moving....I may not be part of it in Ecuador but I am part of it where I am, where God has placed for this season. Its so exciting to be right where God wants you, to see how He works, moves, and provides in the day to day life here, in the country, in my little corner of Wisconsin. I have been burdened and have seen God lift it, I have been unsure and seen God lead the way, I have been overwhelmed and seen God give me strength.

Now when He had ended all His sayings in the audience of the people, He entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was sick and ready to dis. And when He heard of Jesus, He sent unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseeching Him that He would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friend to Him, saying unto Him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luke 7:1-9

Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

The past weeks have been filled with plenty of heartaches and trials. Personal struggles, that fill my mind and heart. What God? What do you really want from me? But I have also received answers and the peace of God which passes all understanding. Even when I don't know why, God has been teaching me to say, Yes, Lord. I will serve you here for today, because this is where you have me. Of course, I have a long way to go in the faith department...but I can see many small steps where once I would have doubted. I believe, and God is teaching me how to do that, no matter what it looks like on the outside, no matter what others see or say, no matter how I feel today, God I will trust you.

I'm so thankful that I am God's child, and He will not let me go. He knows my every need and desire. He gives me precious comforts and graces just when I need them most. I am still on a journey...a journey that will end in heaven, where I will be made perfect and be with my Father for eternity. But for now I keep walking....no earthly joy can measure up to that which God is preparing for me. So may I be willing to forsake all earthly comforts for souls and things of eternal value that will last forever.

Blessed beyond measure...

I am so blessed!

Time and time again, I have seen how God is so faithfully providing! He continually send people along our path who touch our lives, encourage us along the way and give.... It's so humbling to have people just walk up to you, hand you money and say, "We want to help you and your family".

How do you ever say Thank you? It is so much more than we could ever repay.....

We have people donate money, time, item to sell or raffle, ideas, love, prayer, encouragement.  People we don't even know, churches we have never attended.....why should they care? what does it matter to them? I probably wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it or experienced it for myself.

It is so amazing to see how God does something. How He works and moves, drawing people, heart, and motives together. When I think of the people who have banded together over these last eight years praying faithfully that God would provide a family for this little girl, then I think of all the people who have joined us on the journey to help bring her home...I stand in awe....amazed....and I'm so excited to see how God will bring it all to pass but I truly know that with God...all things are possible!!

She is still in Ecuador waiting and praying for a family, but God willing.....she will have a home. At this point I think I am as excited as she is! I just can't wait!