Women of Faith & then some.

I've returned from what has to be one of the most amazing 'FIRSTs' of my life. If you have never been to the "Women of Faith" conference, GO! It doesn't matter if you're a Christian or not. There is a goldmine of wisdom, encouragement and just plain fun all in one weekend. If I had to nail ONE thing that changed in me (there were MANY) it would be the profound effect that God has in our lives and how we really CAN'T do it without Him. I remember thinking, "Wow, this woman overcame this and is standing up there?" I couldn't do it ... No, I couldn't ~ But with Christ ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! Those that know me, know that speaking is utter torture, but I came back and couldn't shut up! There were so many heartbreaking stories and spirit filled recoveries. The endings were not all storybook either ~ they were reality. The reality is that we are all lost (aka: broken beyond repair) and without Christ, we will remain separated and lost. If we let Him, He will change our lives and our hearts.

There was so much to digest and take in that I can't even begin to get it all in this post, but trust me, it was like nothing I've ever experienced. I feel like I can get out of the boat and walk on water ... heck, I'm running across the ocean! It truely is AMAZING FREEDOM!

Phil 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

Thank You, Lord!

My passport has finally arrived after SEVERAL calls to the government agency and finally a call to Senetor Collin's office (Thank You, Jamie) to move the process along a little quicker. I was only starting to worry yesterday when they said I may not even get it in time. But I knew God would provide and it would be here eventually.

It has been quite a week ... I met w/Ruth for some one on one time and WOW ~ what an amazing spirit. Not only did she give me some great scripture, but she helped me open my eyes to my lack of dicipline in getting into His word EVERY day. How important it is and that I will not find my answers or even learn how to find them if I'm not getting fed by reading. It was great that she didn't try to anwer my questions exactly, but she inspired me to want to dig into His word and search for the answers and pray for God's guidance. Since that meeting, I have been faithful to pray every night ... face down and usually crying my eyes out but I can see that He is working in me. I have been reading every morning in my daily bible that has a chapter of Old, a chapter of New, a Psalm and a Proverb. It's amazing how I've already been able to actually understand what I'm reading and use it. I am so thankful, Ruth for your guidance and fellowship. God has used you in a great way to change my life, may you be blessed in a great way.

I'm also preparing for Women of Faith this weekend. I've never been, but I've been told it is very emotional, impactful and life changing ... ~ Honestly, I had decided not to go because I really don't have the finances to do this, but I was convinced by two very special people that this is needed for me to prepare for Romania. One, I can personally thank ~ the other ... I will lift my eyes to the heavens and forever be greatful. So, I'm just gonna go and know that God will provide. I've been given the ticket and the housing, and the rest is in God's hands. It was also recommended that I watch "Facing the Giants" ... I did and I can't even express how much that movie touched me. I would have to say that for me, it was right up there with "The Passion of Christ". So many teachable moments and issues to reflect apon. I advise EVERYONE to watch it ... but be prepared to be face down for a while afterwards in complete thanksgiving.

Thank you, Lord, for showing me your love.

Psalm 20: 1-5

In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry.

May the God of Isreal keep you safe from all harm.

May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem

May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.

May he grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans.

May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory,

flying banners to honor our God.

May the Lord answer all your prayers.

Psalms 126: 5-6

Psalms 126: 5-6

"Those who sow in tears,

Shall reap in joy.

He who continually goes forth weeping,

Bearing seed for sowing

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

Bringing his sheaves with him."

* * * * *

It's only 10am and I'm already heavy at heart and ready to spring a leak at the drop of a dime. I've been like this for days but can't seem to understand why. This verse that Roger spoke of Sunday helps ... Even though this season or journey is painful, I need to work through it step by step until it is completed. If I am faithful and obedient, I will rejoice in the end.

I think I'll have to re-read this entry now and again to remind myself when I'm down.

Oh Lord, Be Thou Near to Me

As I was heading out to our Team Packing night at Sarah's this evening, my heart was very heavy with God only know's what. My passport is not here yet and I just have so many unfinished things with home & work that I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. But, I'm sticking pretty solid to our theme ... Step by Step ... I just try to get one thing at a time done and let things fall into place as God would have them. Sunday's sermon was great. I really could relate to the message.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

"To everything there is a season.

A time for every purpose under heaven:"

*****

I know that every season will have a beginning as well as an end, but how do we know when it has ended? Roger explained the story of Ruth ... Ruth 1:16-17 ... that we need to stick it out and not give up, not quit, to stay the course. My battle is how do we know that a particular season has ended if we are at the same time trying to stay true and not give up and quit? My gut tells me to PRAY! ~ to ask for clarity and strength.

So ... I heard one of Selah's songs on the way to Sarah's and the line stuck in my head ... "Oh Lord, Be Thou Near to Me" ... and that's my prayer tonite. Just for Him to hold me and be near me. I'm getting anxious about the coming week and I would like nothing more than to just rest in His arms.

STEP by STEP

It is so amazing to see God's hand all over this journey. When I think it's just about Romania, I get a huge realization that this trip is more than that. We had our meeting last Sunday and was so blessed to have Ruth Martin join us for prayer and encourangment. She shared her testimony with us as well as her lifelong journey on the mission field. She encouraged us to memorize Psalm 25:4-5 and use this verse daily. She also advised us to be aware of the spiritual warfare that will be coming our way as we draw closer to the trip. Then she asked us all if we needed any individual prayer ... that was going to be her assignment ~ our prayer warrior. Well ~ when it came my turn of course I couldn't get the words out (surprise, surprise) but I knew I really needed prayer. The previous night I was talking to Sarah about a particular struggle I was dealing with and she just encouraged me to take things one day at a time and I would get through it step by step. During Ruth's message to us her words were "step by step, day by day" ... I couldn't believe how overwhelming those words were to me. It was like God was speaking them to me Himself through Ruth.

Psalm 25: 4-5

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;

Guide me in your truths and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

* * * * *

For me ... He is my hope day by day and STEP by STEP in what I am struggling with. He will guide me and teach me the truth. Thank you Ruth for being such an amazing inspiration and graceful spirit.

A GOOD PLACE TO START

I guess a good place for me to start would be to answer the question that I've been asking myself for months ... "Why on earth would a single mom travel halfway around the world during the financially WORST time of the year just to play with some kids at an orphanage?"

My answer: This is what God has placed on my heart to do and it is WAY more than just playing with the kids!

About 2 years ago, Sarah mentioned the Romanian Mission Team to me at church one day and said that I would love it and it was perfect for me. I didn't think a whole lot about it (being a new Christian and all) and just sort of filed the thought away. Then, last year for "some reason" that thought crossed my mind again but I didn't hear anything of it at church, so I didn't ask. Sarah had gone by herself with another team from the U.S. I now knew that this was something I might want to consider looking into, so I asked Sarah to let me know when something comes up. I didn't hear anything for a while and then one Sunday morning during service I was moved to tears and completely overwhelmed by this video that was played to inform the congregation about the great need in Romania and the overwhelming number of abandoned children in the country. After lots of prayer and finally "listening" to where God needed me to be, I signed up for the journey.

The night of our first meeting, we all exchanged prayer requests ... Mine was for God to financially provide a way for me to get there. I am usually out of work from June to August with very spotty income, so August is usually the hardest month of the year for me do ANYTHING ... let alone go to Romania! But, I have learned that He will provide. He would not have given me this assignment without giving me the necessary means to follow through. At times it doesn't seem possible, but I have faith ... first and foremost. He will get me there because I know He has something very life changing for me to see or do there.

So, what will we be doing? We will be working with a privately owned Christian orphanage and helping in whatever capacity is needed. We also conduct VBS in the area gypsy villages and distribute food and clothing to the poor families in the area. In a nutshell ... just love them like Jesus.

And now the journey begins ... I've had my shots, applied for my passport and I'm starting to get things around the house in order.

I can't wait to share this journey with all of you ...