We had a great day in these churches in TN today. The Spirit moved and they gave us very generous love offerings. However, we have done lots of traveling. We are now in VA and are headed to my mother-in-laws for the week. Our meeting on Wed. is only an hour from her house. Joshua will get to see Grandma.
Granny Dot is doing a little better. Thanks so much for your prayers! She is awake but still very sick. Keep praying. The Lord is answering our prayers!
Last year we had several meetings close to home and were able to travel back and forth more often. I am still getting used to hardly ever being at home. I know it is getting me ready for the field. I am still praying that God will give me grace as we get closer to moving. This is something I could never do on my own.
By the way, Joshua is now reaching for us when he wants us, taking his pacifier out of his mouth and putting it in again, and I believe he will be sitting up on his own very soon. :)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Granny Dot-Prayer Request
My Grandma is almost 83 years old and has served the Lord for many years. She has been faithfully teaching 2-3 year olds in Sunday School at Old Suwanee Baptist for the last ? years. Over 30, maybe 40 or 50. She has also worked with the Sparks in Awana for about the same amount of time. She loves children and she LOVES the Lord Jesus. She is a role-model to me.
Right now she is in the hospital. She went in with severe pain in her neck and now that seems to be the least of her worries. She has pneumonia and her kidneys are not filtering her blood correctly (although this has improved some, thank the Lord). She has been sleeping the last two days and barely awakes to eat a bite. The doctors do not understand why she is unable to wake up. Your prayers for her are greatly appreciated.
Right now we are in TN and will be going to VA, OH, and back to TN. We will be home for a day or two next month. Pray for me as I long to be by Granny's side.
Right now she is in the hospital. She went in with severe pain in her neck and now that seems to be the least of her worries. She has pneumonia and her kidneys are not filtering her blood correctly (although this has improved some, thank the Lord). She has been sleeping the last two days and barely awakes to eat a bite. The doctors do not understand why she is unable to wake up. Your prayers for her are greatly appreciated.
Right now we are in TN and will be going to VA, OH, and back to TN. We will be home for a day or two next month. Pray for me as I long to be by Granny's side.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Missionary or Not?
This past week my family and I had the privilege of staying with a lady named Mrs. Carolyn while we attended a mission conference. I am always a little hesitant and nervous about staying in the homes of others, but many times we are tremendously blessed by the opportunity.
Mrs. Carolyn is a sixty-something year old lady who lives in Alabama. As we began talking to her, Mrs. Carolyn’s love for the Lord became evident. She could not stop talking about the way He has blessed her. We also found that she had a tremendous burden for souls. These are just a few things she does now (in her 60”s) to reach souls for the Lord Jesus Christ.
*She walks around the neighborhood everyday talking to her neighbors: inviting them to the Church and telling them about the Lord.
*She goes to ballparks, bus stations, grocery stores, etc. just to pass out tracks and witness to the lost.
*She has been a foster parent to over fourty children. All but one, professed Christ while living with her.
*She moves every five years so that she can get to know and witness to new people. She really loves her neighbors and doesn’t give up on them.
*She sits and thinks about ways to reach more people. For example, she cleans houses for a little extra money. Because of her age, she does not have much work to do, but has decided to hire a helper so that she can witness to her as they ride back and forth to the houses.
*Needless to say, she gives to missions, prays, prays and prays, and she does whatever she can for the missionaries whenever they come through.
Mrs. Carolyn is a woman that doesn’t have a lot physically speaking, but in heaven, she has an abundance of treasure. Many families have been saved and are now serving the Lord because of one little old lady with a humble attitude and a servant’s heart. She is truly an inspiration to me. I hope her story will inspire you as well.
Mrs. Carolyn is a sixty-something year old lady who lives in Alabama. As we began talking to her, Mrs. Carolyn’s love for the Lord became evident. She could not stop talking about the way He has blessed her. We also found that she had a tremendous burden for souls. These are just a few things she does now (in her 60”s) to reach souls for the Lord Jesus Christ.
*She walks around the neighborhood everyday talking to her neighbors: inviting them to the Church and telling them about the Lord.
*She goes to ballparks, bus stations, grocery stores, etc. just to pass out tracks and witness to the lost.
*She has been a foster parent to over fourty children. All but one, professed Christ while living with her.
*She moves every five years so that she can get to know and witness to new people. She really loves her neighbors and doesn’t give up on them.
*She sits and thinks about ways to reach more people. For example, she cleans houses for a little extra money. Because of her age, she does not have much work to do, but has decided to hire a helper so that she can witness to her as they ride back and forth to the houses.
*Needless to say, she gives to missions, prays, prays and prays, and she does whatever she can for the missionaries whenever they come through.
Mrs. Carolyn is a woman that doesn’t have a lot physically speaking, but in heaven, she has an abundance of treasure. Many families have been saved and are now serving the Lord because of one little old lady with a humble attitude and a servant’s heart. She is truly an inspiration to me. I hope her story will inspire you as well.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Encouragement!?!
What is encouragement? According to webster, encouragement is the act of giving hope or promise.
Lately, I have had several people in the churches we have visited tell me that they want to be an encouragement to me. That's good news, right? Well, then they proceed to tell me how dangerous my field is, how poorly my children will be treated, and the difficulties in reaching the people!! What? This is not encouraging to me. Honestly, sometimes I have nightmares after talking to these people.
I got pretty upset about it. However, the Lord spoke to my heart last night and convicted me. I meet missionaries all the time. What kind of impact do I make when I speak to them? Do I encourage them in the Lord and speak of positive aspects of the ministry, or do I point out every difficulty in their path. Not only for missionaries, but to pastor's wives and, well, anyone. My prayer is that I would encourage people to do what the Lord would have them to.
Lately, I have had several people in the churches we have visited tell me that they want to be an encouragement to me. That's good news, right? Well, then they proceed to tell me how dangerous my field is, how poorly my children will be treated, and the difficulties in reaching the people!! What? This is not encouraging to me. Honestly, sometimes I have nightmares after talking to these people.
I got pretty upset about it. However, the Lord spoke to my heart last night and convicted me. I meet missionaries all the time. What kind of impact do I make when I speak to them? Do I encourage them in the Lord and speak of positive aspects of the ministry, or do I point out every difficulty in their path. Not only for missionaries, but to pastor's wives and, well, anyone. My prayer is that I would encourage people to do what the Lord would have them to.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
On the Move
Finally, We are in a hotel room with heat and Joshua just went to sleep. This evening has been pretty eventful. We were staying in a nice prophet house, but the heat wasn't working. We realized that after we unpacked the whole van last night and set everything up just how we wanted it. It was cold. We spoke to the pastor of the church, and he got us a very nice room after realizing he might not be able to fix the heat. What a blessing! He is not even the pastor of the church that we have the meeting booked at. He was just letting us use their prophet chamber.
We were also able to go to a family's house tonight who are on deputation preparing to go the same field we are. They are a little behind us on support and are going to language school somewhere else, but it is nice to be able to get to know some people we will work with in our field in a few years.
Thursday we are going home, and Friday we will be leaving for Florida. I am enjoying deputation more, but I miss home and family. I miss picking my 4 year old niece up from school and keeping her until her mom gets off work. I miss her smiling face.
We were also able to go to a family's house tonight who are on deputation preparing to go the same field we are. They are a little behind us on support and are going to language school somewhere else, but it is nice to be able to get to know some people we will work with in our field in a few years.
Thursday we are going home, and Friday we will be leaving for Florida. I am enjoying deputation more, but I miss home and family. I miss picking my 4 year old niece up from school and keeping her until her mom gets off work. I miss her smiling face.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Deputation Tips
For those of you ladies who are planning on going on deputation. These are some things I have learned in the past year.
*Accept deputation as your new ministry. Understand it is God's will for your life and keep a good attitude.
*People do not understand what you have gone through to get to their Church, and they don't need to. Smile and show interest in the Church when talking to people. Ask questions about the Church and its ministries when you don't know what to say. Always compliment.
*Always have an extra outfit with you. Strange things happen sometimes. Have several extra outfits for children.
*Always have: a lint brush, tide pen, and wrinkle releaser.
*Be ready to present your testimony(salvation, dedication to ministry, and support of husband) and keep it short. Do not use your husbands time to speak!
*Dress nicely and modestly, of course. Watch the little things, such as shoes(difficult to do when your 9 months pregnant and swollen :)) and finger nails.
*Be willing to put your children in the children's program, but do not always assume that they want your 3 month old in their nursery. Especially if their class is for 5 and under and they only have 1 worker. Be observant.
*When going on long trips, I have found that it is easier to take less clothes and wash along the way. You are constantly getting luggage in and out. Then again, I take lots of toys for Joshua. It is easier when he can entertain himself sometimes.
*Be prepared to drive A LOT. Your husband will need to make phone calls and prepare to preach. Learn to entertain yourself quietly while he works.
to be continued...
*Accept deputation as your new ministry. Understand it is God's will for your life and keep a good attitude.
*People do not understand what you have gone through to get to their Church, and they don't need to. Smile and show interest in the Church when talking to people. Ask questions about the Church and its ministries when you don't know what to say. Always compliment.
*Always have an extra outfit with you. Strange things happen sometimes. Have several extra outfits for children.
*Always have: a lint brush, tide pen, and wrinkle releaser.
*Be ready to present your testimony(salvation, dedication to ministry, and support of husband) and keep it short. Do not use your husbands time to speak!
*Dress nicely and modestly, of course. Watch the little things, such as shoes(difficult to do when your 9 months pregnant and swollen :)) and finger nails.
*Be willing to put your children in the children's program, but do not always assume that they want your 3 month old in their nursery. Especially if their class is for 5 and under and they only have 1 worker. Be observant.
*When going on long trips, I have found that it is easier to take less clothes and wash along the way. You are constantly getting luggage in and out. Then again, I take lots of toys for Joshua. It is easier when he can entertain himself sometimes.
*Be prepared to drive A LOT. Your husband will need to make phone calls and prepare to preach. Learn to entertain yourself quietly while he works.
to be continued...
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