We went on a missions trip as a family this week. It was a wonderful experience. Amidst the frustrations of getting lost, a mix up about our place of temporary residence, cold showers (only for one night thankfully), sweaty sleeplessness in a third floor dorm room, midnight rushes to the bathroom (on the first floor), tiredness of children (and adults) and a myriad of mild irritations that all add up over time......a surprising peace was earned. The wonderful peace that passes understanding. The kind of peace that allows you to stand outside of yourself and your situation and realize there is more to life than the petty irritations that one COULD focus on.

There are teenagers who have come from a terrible situation in Lyberia only to find themselves on the street with cell phones at age 14, watching younger relatives for upwards of 6 hours a day because their middle class, hardworking, many times owners of masters degrees, parents are working at nominal wage jobs to try and bring others out of a worse situation to the wonderful 'streets paved with gold' that our country is believed to be. Which in reality turn out to be the ghettos in the suburbs of Philly. Teenagers whom a church has determined to love and provide for out of their own poverty believing that it will all add up in the end. Out of this love these teenage boys are given an education rivaling any classical school around. An opportunity their parents can't afford. But out of the Lords abundance they are being brought up to give glory to God alone. One boy who skipped school in Liberia to play soccer is now an amazing student who wants to learn and is going to the Nationals in fencing. When asked if he would like to go to the Olympics he said his only goal was to get a scholarship so he could go to school to become a  medical doctor and minister. 

There are children who come to a vacation Bible school and hear truths they may have heard but are hungry to hear again. Others who may have never heard the gospel presented. And you are given the privilege of bringing the light of the gospel to their lives. Children who's stories you may never know but you have been able to be a brief part of their life. 

There are missionaries with wonderful stories of God's love through hardship. Some who  have had to come home early because of a lack of financial backing and plans falling through. Knowing that God has a plan for their lives and trusting that through this hurt, good will come and God will be glorified. Some who are home because it's just too expensive to be overseas and are finding amazing opportunities opening up for them. 

There are people there from all walks of life who love the Lord their God and want to serve him. Coming together in this manner is difficult for everyone. But everyone realizes that love covers a multitude of sins. When people start serving and loving and seeing how they can out  serve and love each other, resting in the Lord, God is glorified. I must decrease and HE must increase. 

And through it all you are able to come home with the joy of knowing that this was all of Him and none of you. In your flesh you would have (and at times did) failed. Seeing through the eyes of faith the beauty of the church of Christ unified. One body, giving their all to glorify Him in all they do. 

Psalm
23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness 
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy  shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell  in the house of the Lord
forever. 

 

I'm currently reading Joni Erickson Tada's book "Heaven" . It is a great book to take my mind off the things of this earth. But sometimes this is where I'm at. And it's hard to find the middle ground between dreaming of heaven and living in the here and now. I easily go from having my breath catch in my throat because of the beauty Joni describes, to having my breath catch in my throat because a child has just dumped water on me for the third time that day. But when bigger things happen in my life. When the Lord wants me to move to a different aspect of life He has for me.....the breath doesn't catch anymore. Instead it's tearing out of my chest in sobs of aching disappointment and insecurity. Instead of resting in my Fathers love and care, I worry, fret and despair. 

I have been watching a friend go through hard times recently. Recently is a bit of an understatement. She and her family have been going through hard times for well over a year now. How has she handled this period in her life? She is the embodiment of Christ living in her and her abiding in Him. How many times have I called up this friend to sob in her ear because some small thing or other didn't work out the way "I" wanted? How many times has she listened patiently and pointed me to Christ? And now, when the rubber meets the road in her life she is the same. Steadily gazing at Christ and awaiting His timing for things. Oh how I long to soak this in!! How I desire to be more like her as she is more like Christ. 

It seems like so many people are going through trials right now.We are no exception. And, while struggling with fear and worry I'm finding that my only true rest comes in Christ. Praise the Lord that He sent His only Son here for us. Praise the Lord that I can worship him through tears and he understands. Praise the Lord that he is a God of mercy. Lord, come soon.

Mom can I have some hush mallows? (12/09)
I'd like to try to put up their pictures and cute sayings as I so easily forget these things. I think I'm going to keep this as a running entry.......if I can remember......

Wherever does the time go?! The planned things are the only things that seem to get into our day. And often blogging just isn't one of them.

We are moving! It's hard to get too excited since it's still not ours (as we were lovingly reminded when we asked if we could get a dog). But, the landlords are GREAT (Believers)! The house is a bit bigger. (3 bedroom (one really tiny)  and another room downstairs that could be a bedroom)  And most of all there will be storage space!!!! We will have closets! And a basement and attic. A big freezer!  And a huge yard! (and every one of those exclamation points belies my above statement about not being excited)  Behind it is a campground with a pond and creek which I believe we will be able to peruse at our leisure That should be fun during school breaks.
 
This summer has been a crazy whirlwind of reading, playing, swimming lessons, and generally trying to keep balanced. I'm hoping the move won't be too crazy since it's around canning time. Please keep us in prayer.