Here I am.... but I have nothing to blog:(

I have tried, but it's not coming together. 

Then I realized why. I only started blogging because I felt that God was leading me to. I told myself that I would not do it without Him, and each time He has inspired me and basically written the entry.

Now, I sit here thinking well 10 or 12 days have gone by, I have to write something!

Do you hear the problem?   I.   I have to write something. Why? 

What happen to my agreement with God?

So it's been 10-12 days, so what? 

So I need to keep myself out of the way.

I will continue to seek after my Lord and wait for Him to show me what He wants me to share.

I pray that each of you will wait for the Lord to direct your steps.

God's time is prime time.

Answers to the test

I was tested the other day and I failed.... miserably! 

During the course of a conversation, as the subject matter started to shift I suspected that God was telling me to 'change the subject', 'stop the conversation'.

It was a test. I could say I wasn't absolutely sure of the answer, but that really wouldn't be the truth.

God was nudging me the whole time. There was no question. It was a test! He even gave me the right answer, and still I failed. 

Instead I chose to be drawn into the conversation, to make matters worse I even added my two cents along the way.

On the way home, the Lord convicted me.  I knew deep in my soul that He was trying to show me how I had broken His heart by my words and behavior.

How could I have ignored Him, when He spoke directly to me?

I pray each day that He will cleanse me of any thoughts or feelings that are not totally pleasing to Him. 

I pray that He will fill me with only what is right and just and loving and kind.

How could I have acted like that, and hurt my Lord?

I confessed to Him and asked for His forgiveness, and I trust that He has already forgiven me.

I also trust that there will be another test, probably sooner rather than later.

I pray that the next time I am tested, I immediately look to my Lord for the answer. 

He will be there.

Ready with the perfect answer.

Please Lord help each of us to chose the right answer the next time.

Ephesians 4: 29-31  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

God's blessings shared

Today my youngest child turned 20 years old, and my beautiful grandson who will be 1 year old in a few short weeks, where did the time go?

I sat thinking today about how quickly time goes by, how things can change in the blink of an eye.

How different my life is from 20 years ago, for that matter how different it is from 2 years ago!

The one thing that stays the same, that I can count on no matter what is the faithfulness of my Lord. 

His word is true, His instruction for our lives here on earth exceedingly clear. Let all your words and actions glorify the Lord. Love your neighbor as yourself. 

For me, this means giving of myself. My time, my prayers, my heart, my resources. Whatever is needed I pray that I will be gifted to serve that need in others

I am reading a book, The Treasure Principle, as part of our Sunday school session. It's quite apparent that God wants us to store up treasures in heaven.

We have all heard the expression...."You can't take it with you".  But...... you can send it ahead! 

I think this quote from the book says it all. 

We are to give to the needy, serve the poor, share what God has blessed each of us with. As we give here on earth we store up treasure in heaven for all eternity! That is not a bad deal.

Matthew 6:19-21  Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.

I pray that as each of you consider your many treasures, you will think about the words in Matthew. 

Are you storing them up, hanging on tightly to what is yours? Or are you freely sharing with others the gifts the Lord has provided?

Where is your heart today? 

Home again....

I took my very first train ride this weekend. It was fabulous!  

Originally, the decision for taking the train was financially based.   I am so blessed that that was how God wanted me to get back home. I met some really interesting people, and had several opportunities to share about how the Lord is working and blessing my life.

I had some concerns about the trip home, mostly because I was allowing fear to control my thoughts.  Instead of trusting in God's plan and walking by faith and knowing that He is with me at all times. 

Thankfully, God showed me where I was headed with my thinking and as I prayed He gave me peace and reassurance. 

I arrived in Mt Pleasant a small town about 80 miles south of Cedar Rapids. This was the closest stop to Cedar Rapids. 

I thank God that Kathy was there to pick me up. I was exhausted and the thought of renting a car and driving home was not appealing.

Unfortunately, Kathy had to drive through a snowstorm to get me, but there she was! Sitting in the car, engine running....I was so excited to see her! 

Even better still, she had her grandson Ethan in the car. He is adorable and a perfect 'stand in' for my precious grandson Ben who lives in NY.

The drive home was full of catching up and laughter, it was such a blessing!

As we got closer to home, I was struck by how perfectly God's plan for my life has fallen into place as I walk by faith and allow Him to lead.

I am glad to be home....Cedar Rapids is home, at least for now. 

In a few weeks I will return to NY to visit family and friends...I will be returning to my first home.

Then in less than 3 months, Dondo Mozambique will be home, and how I long to return there and see the people who have become like family to me.

Home is where God places you and then blesses you with love, and a sense of belonging.

A sense of calm and peace.

It's good to be home....

Hellos and Goodbyes

Our last day at MTI has finally arrived.  

It is time once again to say more good byes. Is this ever going to get easier? Saying goodbye???

Why?  Why does God bless us with amazing people, allow us to love them, and then they are taken away? Why? 

Sometimes it's okay, you tell yourself, they were only casual acquaintances, or you knew going in that it would be only for a short time. You may not even allow yourself to 'get too close'.

 Yet sometimes, even when you knew they would only be in your life for 3 weeks, 5 weeks, you become so emotionally and spiritually connected that it physically hurts to say good bye.

The time here has been a wonderful mixture of emotions, relationships, people's stories, their lives shared, their love for Jesus and their willingness to die to self and serve our Lord. It is impossible to not fall in love with each one you meet.

It is with a very heavy heart that I will say good bye to my friends and wish them safe travel mercies, as well as praying that God will continue to bless each one of their ministries.

As I continue on my journey and walk in faith I will trust that the Lord does in fact have a perfect plan in place that includes each one of our hellos and goodbyes.

Proverbs 20:24  'The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way.'