Journey Of Faith

Winter Update

2012-01-31T03:10:00.000-08:00

I promise to take some pictures in the next week or two and put them on the blog!!

Greetings to all of you from (finally) wintery cold Italy! We have been experiencing an unusually mild winter but winter has made its presence known in the past couple of days with a mild snow due later in the week.

So much has been happening here in Padova lately. Once again, we are reminded that everything happens in God’s time and not ours. As we have felt like those tossed back and forth with the wind at times over the past couple years, wondering if indeed God was at work here, He has been faithful to carry us each and every step. Through every doubt and disappointment we have had His reassurance through His Word, through the encouragement of others and fervent prayers of many.

This past Missions Conference was one that God used in my own life to break things down that I had let build up-giving Him the disappointments and fears. He also used each teaching to encourage not only us but most of the missionaries as you go about day in and day out working, praying, believing and yet not always seeing the fruit before your eyes. Wayne Taylor talked about doing what you love and doing it with Jesus. So simple yet for me it spoke volumes.

Most of you know that Jim loves music. Well, God has been using that very love to bring us into contact with so many different people over the past few months. We had the Christmas concert in December. It was held in the Catholic church. The Commune picks the spot-well it ‘just so happened’ to be right in the area that the park is where Jim’s band played last summer and where we will have VBS this summer. That spot is the one we feel drawn to to look for a spot for the church. The concert was awesome!! Craig, Silvana , Maria and Jim shined for Jesus in that place! A guy that Jim met, Stefano, who is a really good drummer came and played percussion last minute and he really enjoyed being a part of the evening. He couldn’t believe Craig and Jim were pastors. He thought they were so nice and normal.

Recently Jim has been meeting with another guy from Nigeria. He puts together all kinds of Gospel groups in the area and the two of them are meeting and praying each week to see what the Lord will have in store for the summer.

We have also seen God add to the church. A couple weeks ago a gal named Rafaella came. Greg had met her while teaching English and she told him how she had walked away from her faith years ago but was searching again. She even brought her Mom with her last Sunday. Analisa is her name and she was so sweet and kind to all of us. We don’t know if she was there to make sure Rafaella wasn’t getting mixed up in a cult or if she herself will be back. We do know that Analisa was very accepting of all of us and she was a joy to meet.

We have a couple of college students now attending also. Emilia is from the UK and going to University in Ferrara. She comes with Lorenzo and Bethany since they also live in Ferrara. Aoefie is from Ireland and goes to University in Padova. She is from Cork where some of you have visited in the past. Both of these gals are Pastor’s daughters. Imagine that!! Another guy, Colin, just came last week. He is from Scotland, living in Padova teaching English. He was looking for an English speaking church and Aoefie invited him to Calvary. So great to see God at work!!! We even needed an extra row of seats in the church last week J

I am starting to plan for the VBS in July. We are going to use the Gospel Light Prayer Safari theme. The theme for the week is the Our Father. We are excited about this event and have a lot of planning and work ahead of us to make it come together.

Jim continues to teach through the book of Acts at the moment. It’s such an encouraging book. I am still teaching Sunday School, but hoping to get some much needed help. Please pray we can work a schedule out to rotate helpers. It was supposed to happen this past September, but everyone’s schedules seem opposite so there isn’t always someone to rotate in with me. We also need two workers most of the time because we have one class with ages from almost a year to 11. I haven’t been able to sit in church for 3 years and it would be nice to start! Thankfully there is internet so I can at least hear messages online!

So you see, there is much going on and much to continue in prayer over. We look forward to a busy summer but want God’s guidance and wisdom every step of the way. We don’t want to run ahead of Him and His plans or timing in anything.

We will be coming to the states in May (I’ll probably come in April). Marla will be graduating college. Our new grandson is due February 14^th, and I look forward to holding my not so little Elijah for the first time (he’ll be 16mos when I meet him) and of course Juliet our little princess will be 4 in May so that will be fun to be there for her birthday.

Thank you for your never ending prayers, your love and your support-financially and spiritually. Once again be reminded that all we write about you will see in Heaven! Your answered prayers, how God used your finances, how He worked in the lives you faithfully prayed for, the city you prayed for. It’s real!! You just have to sometimes wait til Heaven to see it J

To God be the glory for the things He has done!

All Is Calm

2011-12-24T08:27:00.000-08:00

I didn't think I would be writing again but here I am :) It's Christmas Eve and it just doesn't seem like Christmas this year. It's been difficult the past couple weeks-I avoid Facebook as much as possible so I don't cry seeing all the pictures of everyone with their families, preparing together, talking about what they will do together, etc. Usually I am not so depressed -the first Christmas without Marla was rough but thankfully we spent a couple days with Doug and Rose-hanging out in our sweats and watching movies together. It was a blast!!!

This is the first Christmas we will actually be all alone. Not that I don't love being with my husband, but I am the type that loves being with people during the holidays. Normally we invite people, but this year everyone is gone. Our adopted kids (Bethany and Lorenzo) are back in the states, people are busy with their own families and here we are. I know, I probably sound pathetic....but I can't help it. I am so sad!! Everyone says how Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus and I agree-but everyone loves being around their families too-it just makes Christmas more Christmasy.....ok I will try to get over it! My Marla will wake up in her apartment all alone....ok Margie..STOP!!!!! Poor girl has a bad ear infection and may not make it to the family get together tonight. Praying she feels well enough on Christmas to hang out with Sandy and family. At least we will get to skype and she can open her presents while we watch. Same thing with our grandchildren. We get to skype and they will open their presents from us. Praise the Lord for Skype!!!! It's such a blessing to us and many that we know.

The good thing is that I baked and baked. Every year I make baked goods for friends and my neighbor that lives downstairs. This year I decided to just bake for a bunch of my neighbors. I baked different cookies (gingersnaps, chocolate peppermint with white choc and crushed peppermint on top, Mexican wedding cookies, and sugar cookies). I also made a pretty tile for each of them to display in their homes. I used the scripture Numbers 6:24-26.
I made my way to each of their homes-they were shocked!!!
My downstairs neighbor is always thrilled when I bring them baked goods and they bring over some yummy goodness Napoli style for us.
Afterwards, I came home, tidied up the kitchen and started thinking about their responses. The Lord gave me a little bible study with each of them. I thought I would share it on here :)

One neighbor just kept telling me 'thank you' over and over again. The other-an older lady whose husband passed away a year ago didn't even look out the window-she thought I was a solicitor and said-no thanks. Then, I told her who I was and she came to the gate. She was in shock I tell you! She couldn't understand why I would make cookies for her. She got a little teary-eyed and asked how could she accept them when she has nothing to offer me.

Another neighbor wanted me to stay for coffee. Another one apologized to me for never stopping to talk to me. Her and her husband invited me in, wanted to chat for a bit and then made me promise I will come over often and practice my Italian with them.

When I was cleaning, I thought that these different responses are just perfect in how people respond to the Lord.

Some are just so thankful, don't have much more to say but Thank You so much!

Others feel they don't deserve Him or His love because they have nothing to offer Him. They aren't used to anything for free or without strings attached.

Others are sorry they didn't meet Him sooner-desiring a relationship now that they know Him a little better.

This was a great gift from the Lord. How often we say that when we step out and want to bless others, we ourselves become so blessed. A plate of cookies-it can do wonders. Honestly, I have lived here 3 years now and never felt as close to my neighbors as I did today. I told Jim that none of them will ever just walk by without a little chat from now on. It's like the walls came down. People think of Italians as very open and friendly. It's true in the South but in the North they can be much more reserved. People on my street are not outside much-they work and then close up the windows when they arrive home.

Now, we are excited and want to plan a Mexican dinner and invite the neighbors. Little by little-this is what everyone has been telling me since moving here. Noone usually responds to you for years. They want to trust you first. Well, I think God just opened the way. Let's just hope they enjoy the cookies :)

It's often in the little things that God blesses us and let's us know how much He loves and cares for us. If we weren't here, we wouldn't have been able to experience this joy today. I think this will become a new tradition in the neighborhood-the American girl bakes...oh you should have heard the one lady. She was so cute...Oh, Brava Margie-you made these, oh brava!! How can you not smile!!

I leave you with this beautiful song. There's something about listening to this song in so many languages over the years. Makes you realize that God indeed loved the whole world so much that He gave all of us Jesus, our perfect gift. Every tongue, every nation-we will praise Him!!!

Have a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time with your families. Pray for those who for whatever reason aren't able to be with their families this year. Pray for those whose loved ones are celebrating in Heaven for the first time and they are left here to mourn their loss. Pray for those in bunkers and fox holes on foreign soil.

This Is All I Have To Give

2011-12-11T07:38:00.000-08:00

What a weekend it has been so far! We know that the unexpected occurs often and we try to be prepared for it. However; being sick this week was not on my list. And believe me, right now I have many lists. I actually have a notebook, making it easier to keep things all in one place rather than bits of pieces on backs of grocery lists, business cards, gum wrappers and whatever else I would find laying around! Ah, I haven't been sick in Dec for over 10 years! Chills, sore throat and low grade fever. Please pray that it goes away quickly. I don't mind if it comes back, but it needs to wait until Dec 28th...yes, I ask to pray specifically.

Anyway, church was awesome today even though one family was ill and others are visiting family, going back home for the holidays. We got to our church building and there were posters that the Commune had put up with all the month's events and there it was Calvary Chapel Padova...Dec 27th Concert. So exciting!! Looking forward to seeing the Lord at work. If you are on our update mailing list I will be sending out a specific prayer request for this event. It's quite exciting if you ask me.

I don't like to commit to a certain schedule on the blog because things come up, I get busy, tired, and yes, even too lazy to want to write about anything. But, I did have an idea to write a little something in Dec as often as possible and put a song with it. There's another plan, but we have to trust the Lord for that one as it is one that needs much prayer and discipline!!

There's a song I heard a few years back and each time I listen to it, it touches my heart in a special way. There isn't one particular line in the song, it's a culmination of the words that makes it so meaningful to me.

This song is sung from Joseph's viewpoint. He's not talked about very much. He doesn't have much written about him in the bible and yet what an important role he had in the life of Jesus. I think he is such a great example of a willing heart without the recognition. Willing to obey without having much said or written about you. Once again, we see humility and obedience.

I like how in this song it brings up some thoughts Joseph may have had. A father and son relationship and how he envisioned it to be. Often we think of women as the only ones who dream and think about what their future family will be like. This song talks about Joseph and shows the heart of a father. A father who wants to give to his son, to teach him his trade, and to teach him the Word of God. He wants to give his child the best he can. What father dreams of his newborn son being born in a feed trough?

It makes me cry because, as a parent, I have asked these same questions and I know that my husband has too. As parents, perhaps many of us have had dreams about how we were going to raise our children, the opportunities we wanted to afford them and life we wanted to give them. Many times, it doesn't work out as we dreamed or planned in our minds.

As a father, I can honestly say that one of the greatest pains in my husband's life was when both of our daughters got married and he wasn't able to give them anything towards their wedding. He felt ashamed as their father that he couldn't do this. Don't think that satan didn't have a field day with that!!! I will say that the girls are understanding and didn't ask for anything. But, the point is that as a Dad of girls, you know that one day you will be giving your daughters a wedding.

I remember when Marla graduated high school. I couldn't give her a big party like we had give her 2 older sisters. We were back in the states and I went to Costco with a friend who was giving her daughter a party and shopping for it. I have to tell you, I couldn't wait to get out of there and go somewhere where no one else was and just cry that it wasn't me shopping for my daughter. I wasn't upset with my friend, just sad that it couldn't be my daughter receiving all this. It makes it harder when they are humble and don't even expect anything!!

Our daughters are wonderful. My sweet Marla has one of the best attitudes at her age than most people I know. Does she struggle? Of course. But, she, like her older sisters know that this is God's will in our lives. He is our life, our love, our everything and as we obey His call, He watches over her. She has been able to see God provide miracle after miracle for her. So even though we as parents can't always give to our children the things we may desire to give them, we can trust that God has them in the palm of His hands and that He will provide for their every need. I have seen people help her in so many ways that often I believe we are more blessed than before going on the mission field. We get to witness the faithfulness of God over and over. And yes, I have thought at times it would be nice if someone else could experience this rather than us, but that thought doesn't usually last long :)

Once again, in Joseph's life, we see that obedience often costs something. It involves a willingness to surrender your ways, your thoughts and your plans to His ways, thoughts and plans. It involves sacrifice.

Do we have any greater example of sacrifice than than God Himself? Willingly giving us His Only Son, The Son of God becoming the Son of Man, the sacrificial Lamb.

Now, I have to say that because I am me and my mind does often start to wonder and wander, I listen to this song and start to think:

-as a Dad, Joseph would teach his children the scriptures and so he would teach Jesus. I couldn't help but wonder if he ever mistakenly said something and Jesus would correct him. Seriously...I am not being disrespectful-but did you ever think about it? Would you be nervous to teach the Word Incarnate the Word???

Then this is a strange thought too....Jesus was perfect, so did he never pout or roll his eyes at Mary, or get into mischief when he was a toddler?
I can't help it-these thoughts do enter my mind. Did He never have a temper tantrum? Please don't go nuts on me for thinking this way. It's not meant in a bad way at all-just honest thoughts!

I think about His brothers and sisters and wonder if they accused Mary and Joseph of loving Him more-have you ever thought this scene in your mind "You love Jesus more because He is perfect" ok-am I off my rocker???

Don't you ever think like this or am I just crazy? I mean He became a man-He was that little child growing up.

I just cannot imagine what it was like to be the earthly father of Jesus!!! I think I would be so intimidated about doing everything wrong. You know as a parent you sometimes think in your head something about your kids right-like 'oh gosh dear not again!! or ok, enough already child, we won't even get into the thoughts we think when they are teens! So, did Joseph ever have a negative thought about Jesus as his son? And if he did, then Jesus would already know about it! Oh gosh, why do I think like this???!!! It must be the fever making me delirious lol!!

Ok-I am probably freaking everyone out by now with my thoughts so I will stop now :)

Back to Joseph....I think what we can learn from Joseph is that we can offer whatever we have back to the Lord. It doesn't matter if we are rich, if we have barely enough money to get by, if we live month to month. What matters is the heart. Our obedience, our willingness, submitting to His call, His ways. The title of this song says a lot-This Is All I Have To Give, and yet, it was enough. It was enough for his Son. What he had to give, he gave and that is what ultimately mattered.

It's ok to say 'this is all I have to give'. If it attached to a humble heart, and a genuine love for God, then it is enough!

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

2011-12-09T05:59:00.000-08:00

This was the theme for the Baja, Hungary Ladie's Christmas Tea last week. It was a joy to be there with everyone again and see their faces, give lots of hugs and see the wonderful things the Lord is doing in the lives of the people there. I miss them so very much. I often say that if I could bring them all here to Italy with me, I would do it in a heartbeat!!!

The Lord had begun to stir my heart about this theme about a month after I knew I was going to be speaking at the Tea. He confirmed it through a message by Nancy Sylvester when we were in Austria this past summer for the Missions Conf. And, in case I didn't get the hint, He was faithful to reconfirm it. I was looking at some photos on FB from Vista and saw it was their theme a few years back!! Love it! I thought I would share a bit of it with you on the blog :)

I was so intrigued by Mary's life-her simplicity and her obedience. She faced fear of the unknown and probably had many questions about what was to be. Yet, she chose to obey God and to trust Him. She didn't need the story laid out before her and know every detail before she said yes-'behold the maidservant of the Lord, let it be according to Your Word'. Wow, what a response! It caused me to think about how I respond to things when God calls me to do something. Most times, I want to analyze like most of us women do. We tend to want to think it over, weigh the pros and cons, are there benefits, and wondering what the cost might be.

After meditating on these verses in Luke 1:46-55 (the Magnificat) you can really see Mary's heart. How much she loved the Lord, how well she knew her God. It showed me that that is what it comes down to in our lives, at least in my life. How well do I know Him, and how much do I really trust Him. Do I trust Him so much that I can abandon everything to Him, to believe without waivering that He will be faithful, that He will indeed work out every detail of the plan as I leave it to Him to do so. She praised the Lord in these verses from her heart, not just with her lips. Her worship wasn't based on how she felt at the time, or her circumstances. It was true worship from deep within her soul.

Another thing that really stuck with me in studying her life was what didn't happen. Here was Mary, soon to be married to Joseph. One might think that from this point on they would live spectacular lives and become wealthy. After all, they would be the earthly parents of the Messiah. Mary and Joseph didn't become wealthy materialistically. Joseph didn't have the biggest carpentry business in town or business cards made up with a fish on them and try to gain from the call on their life. Nothing was about them. They didn't seek to profit nor did they expect that God would suddenly make their lives easier. There weren't some rich guys in the synagogue running over to build them a house or offer them all kinds of neat things because Jesus was living with them.

It made me think about life as a Christian. Life as a servant of God. How many times we can (or at least I can) think that because we are being obedient to God's call our life will benefit. We can think that if we do what we ought, then God will be well pleased with us and He will make life a bit easier, He will suddenly change our financial status, our social status, and other things. I tend to fall in this rut at times. Thinking ok Lord, I am doing this and I know You are in it, I know You called me to this, and so everything is going to work out so well. I realized over the past months that this type of thinking can easily lead to bitterness. Bitterness towards the Lord because we had expected something more than He had promised. Bitterness because you said yes and you are struggling in your life and someone else said no and seems to be living the life of Reilly (who's Reilly anyway???) We need to protect our hearts and minds from thinking that God owes us something just because we obeyed the call. When these thoughts come to mind, I need to run to my Bible and read the accounts of those who said 'yes' and see how easy and pain free their lives were (not) while on this earth.

Mary's obedience cost her much! She would watch her Son be beaten and hung on a cross to die. She would endure listening to the loud, scruffy voices of the soldiers hurling insults at the Son she once held in her arms. She would hear a crowd of voices yelling out to crucify the little boy she watched grow into a Man.

I read this quote from Charles Spurgeon:

"Oh how we ought to rejoice in Him, whatever our union with Him may cost us. Mary did not know what that wondrous visitation would cost her-and it was to cost her much, as Simeon said to her-"Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also," But even though the sword must go through her soul, it mattered not to her, for unto her a Child was to be born, unto her a Son was to be given, who was to be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Might God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

For me, I want the things the Lord showed me in studying for this, to stay with me and not just be forgotten in a month or two. I want to remember that I don't need to know how everything is going to work out, I don't have to be afraid. I can abandon my self to Him, to trust Him, to believe that yes, my God has everything under control. And then, not to just accept what He has for me-but to praise Him! I realized how easy it is to get to that point of acceptance but fail to get to the point of praise.

We do have reason to exalt His Name, to rejoice in our Savior! No matter what the circumstances of our lives are, no matter what or where He calls us to, we can magnify His Name!

A very special guest blog post

2011-11-26T03:52:00.000-08:00

Today I have a guest blog poster. As most of you know, my daughter was on the mission field with us for five years until she graduated high school. Marla has unique insight not only as a missionary, but as one who turned 13 a month after leaving California.
The Lord put this on her heart and I asked her to write about it so I could share it with all of you blog readers.

I pray it ministers to your heart as it did mine.

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

I have read this passage so many times. Today, it has almost become a theme verse for missionaries all over the world. As I read it, Isaiah’s willingness stands out to me. He calls out willingly and eagerly: SEND ME! Millions of missionaries have been sent out worldwide to answer the call of the Lord, with this same eagerness to serve and, along with that, remarkable willingness to sacrifice so very much.

As a former missionary, I find myself in an awkward position. I have experienced how difficult it is to be a missionary-but the longer I am in the States, the more I lose that understanding. Because of that, I want to use my unique experience to help other people see through a little window into the life of a missionary.

As a missionary, life is hard. When you are called to missionary life, there are things you know you will have to give up. A fresh reminder of this comes during the holidays. Christmas seems to be a time when you are reminded of everything you sacrificed. I remember my first Christmas in Hungary, trying to adjust to all the differences, but still getting the family updates and pictures. It may seem small but to someone far from home it is a sign that people still remember-especially as a child far from home your fear becomes that over time you will be forgotten. That is why the small things are important, the little reminders that “we remember and we love you”.

It was from these experiences that I came up with the idea of Mail for Missions. It is a non-denominational ministry that gathers the names and addresses for missionaries all over the world. The plan would be to work with churches and missions pastors all over and develop a system where you can pick a missionary by postage amount, country, or family. The card would be addressed and all the person would do is write a message and take it to the post office. The cost of postage would be their donation. In the economic state of California right now, this is a way for people of all financial standings to minister to others.

That was my idea that I wanted to share with you. I am working on implementing it in the church I am working at now and by next year will be contacting the churches of San Diego County.

Although this is in its planning stage, you can still do something this year. Contact your church and see who the missionaries are and send them a card in the mail this year. Try to get it in the mail asap as delivery time can be anywhere from 10 days to a few weeks depending on where it is going. Get your friends involved. If the missionary family has any children, have your children write a little note to them. It means more than you know! Also, please keep Marla in prayer as she works on this ministry.

September Update 2011

2011-09-24T03:22:00.000-07:00

Greetings dear friends!!

It's a beautiful time of year here in Italy! The temperatures have dropped to the high 70's, mid 80's without humidity, leaves are turning beautiful colors and the vineyards are full and fragrant.

I think it has become our favorite season here.

It's a season of harvest-all the hard work throughout the year is ready for the pickin'. It is interesting how after you live in agricultural areas for 10 yrs you automatically are keen to weather and temperatures and the effects on the crops. We had such a dry season here in Padova. Most of the summer without any drops of rain which is unusual for us. We watched corn fields dry up and other crops completely die because there was nothing more the farmer could do. And yet, you get in your car and drive about an hour and you see lush fields, fragrant bushes and row after row of beautiful vegetation. You ask yourself what the difference is-months ago, you watched as both farmers plowed, prepared soil, and planted away. Both worked so hard, early mornings and late into the evening they sweat as they poured themselves into their work. And yet, not all had fruit to show in the end for their labor. Did one do something wrong? Did God favor one farmer over the other?

This is perhaps an illustration of how our own year has gone. Praying, praying and praying. Reaching out, praying some more. Seeking the Lord for CC Padova and seemingly coming up with one disappointment after the other. We sought the Lord for pure hearts, for His heart for the city He called us to minister to and yet everything seemed to be stagnate. We would drive an hour in one direction or another and see fruit-others vineyards were now bearing fruit and we would rejoice for them but sorrow in our own heart wondering why we weren't seeing the same in Padova.

And yet, God was working. He is working. It is in the little answers to prayer-the fleeces we found ourselves laying out before Him to know if He was indeed in this place. Many times I would find myself seeing a small glimpse of His glory and yet say "Yes, but...." Yes, Lord, you did that, but what about this?" Spending time looking at what isn't happening rather than rejoicing for what is! What a good lesson!!

We heard back from the Commune yesterday. For now, they will let us use the building and will charge us 5 euro an hour to use it. They think it is a good idea for us to arrange some concerts at Christmas and Easter, perhaps in the summer also. Please continue to pray that perhaps more opportunities to serve the community will come about.

This past summer was an answer to many prayers. As many of you know about and came along side of us in prayer for the concerts Jim and his band played in. The place in Padova has really been a blessing for us. Jim has been meeting with the manager of the park there each week since July. Lino is a little older than Jim and loves music, plays guitar and also does sound for different gospel choirs in the area. He is not a believer (yet) but has a great liking for Jim. He is starting to open up to him about difficulties in his own life. This past week he asked Jim to stay and have dinner with him. There is also a security guy there who Jim has talked with previously. He is the one who said he actually hated the church and religion. Well, this past week as Jim was leaving, he called out to him to talk. He said 'well Jim, it's just different here in Italy-it's like a state church-not like what you are talking about." We believe he is open to chat some more. He told Jim he talked to his Mom about the things he and Jim talked about!!

Jim is teaching Hebrews at the Bible College this semester. He has a great group of students and loves pouring into their lives. Please keep him and the students in your prayers.

I will be helping out with a couple of the Girls Discipleship classes. One of the topics I will be sharing on is Femininity. It's a subject dear to my heart and I pray God gives us a great message! I so long for God's heart on this topic.

We are in the planning stages of the Italian Ladies Christmas Tea in Dec. Last year was such a blessing and we look forward to it once again. Sue Long will be coming over from Siegen Germany to share the message of Jesus with us. Last years Tea hosted close to 80 women and this year we are expecting more as we are encouraging the women to invite their family and friends. Please be praying for Sue and all the details of the Tea.

There is an Int'l Ladies group here in Padova that hosts different outings and get-togethers. Every year it seems there is something that gets in the way of me getting together with these ladies. It is something I would like to do this year-hopefully that will work out. I would like to host some coffees/luncheons at my house as well as organize some craft workshops at our house. Please pray this will work out. I also met a lady through a scrapbook group and we are going to start getting together once a month. She is Italian which will be great for me to keep practicing the language!!

And so we see, God is indeed at work here in the place He has called us. It has been in the waiting hours, weeks, months and even years that we see He has been preparing us, teaching us, drawing us to Himself. We are reminded from His Word that the rich and the poor, God has made them both. That it rains on the just and the unjust. Sometimes there aren't cut and dry answers to why things happen as they do. Why does one farmer labor just as much as the other and yet his crop is destroyed. We don't always know the answer. What we do know is that after the harvest, both farmers go out again and plow and prepare for the next year. Perhaps they learn something from the year before, perhaps there was nothing they could do differently. But, they press on, they forget what was behind them and look ahead to the new season. And so it is with us. We press on, we look ahead as we are led by the One who has called us, the One who is faithful and the One who promised that He also will do it!

Thank you for your prayers!

Being American

2011-09-13T04:39:00.001-07:00

I had hoped to write this post last week but became too busy with other things. We went to Austria this past weekend with CC Treviso. Jim was teaching 3 sessions and I was doing the program for the children-Armor of God-lots of fun and spent the week mostly cutting out different pieces of the armor from cardboard. Praise God for pizza boxes :)

It was a joy for me this weekend. Lots of good fellowship and relaxing time spent having a coffee and sitting down and talking with girls!! Oh how I miss that so much! It is the little things in life that become huge when you can't do it often. I treasure the moments spent like that!

Last week I also spent time watching You Tube and finally watched the entire broadcast news about the events of September 11, 2001. In all these years, I have never watched it in its entirety-only bits and pieces. It was quite amazing to watch and truly an event that forever changed our country.

I thought about it as I watched the reports and remembered back to when we found out about it.

It was a Tuesday in Hungary, we still had no phone lines (since July) no television, no internet and I didn't have a cell phone. Jim had one, but he was in Budapest that day for a weekly get together with some other pastors. He would leave our house around 6am to take the train and return around 8:30pm. Marla and I were at home doing whatever it was that we do....maybe schoolwork. I will never forget when Jim arrived home. He came into the house and said "Get your stuff, we are leaving....they are bombing America." What? I barely had time to process what he was saying to me. He said "They even bombed the Pentagon". Still, I had no idea what he was talking about. All I could think was, no way, noone bombs America! Then I started to panic a bit. Being an American in a foreign country I had no idea what all of this meant. I couldn't figure out if he meant we were going back to America right now or what. A few minutes later, I realized he meant that we were going to someone's flat to watch the news on their TV.

I watched in horror and disbelief. How in the world could that have happened.

The next day I went to the church office and tried to go online and watch whatever news I could. Internet news wasn't so available 10 yrs ago as it is today. It was crazy! Trying to read the articles and make sense out of something that was so insensible. I read that a girl from my hometown of Attleboro had died on one of the planes. Another death was Barbara Olsen who I had listened to so many times on the news when we lived in the states. It was still surreal. There was anger, fear and stress inside of me all at the same time. There was this sense that I should be home in the states-I wanted to be with the people in my country so desperately and mourn with them. I didn't feel as though I could mourn where I was.

As an American in a foreign land I felt so strange at that moment. People were looking at us, asking us things we had no answers to. Some were frightened that we were going to go to war. " Of course we are going to war" I said, ''we will hunt them and kill them for what they did". It was as though people didn't want us to retaliate-somehow maybe we could just talk it out. No, sorry, there would be no talking-there will be war!

I remember being at church and everyone was talking about it and one guy told me that we deserved it because of the way we Americans portray ourselves. Really????? Oh my goodness, I hadn't punched anyone since about 4th grade (yes, I got suspended for that) and I was about to punch this guy!!! It had to have been the Holy Spirit's power inside to hold me back and hold my tongue from saying anything back to him. Oh man, I remember it like it was yesterday.

We couldn't talk to anyone at home because communication wasn't like it was today-no chat, no skype. I think AOL chat was the only thing available and we didn't even have internet at the time. It was hard to digest all of this being so far away from home.

What news we could watch was showing the US coming together, people coming to the aid of one another and an overwhelming out pour of love and service. Again, it felt so strange not to be a part of that.

From that day, I started to really be afraid of living abroad. Some months past and in Feb, my daughter and I went to a homeschooling conference in Budapest. It was a week long conference and a lot of fun for Marla to be around kids her own age who were also on the mission field.

We were at the train station in Budapest to head back to Baja Friday afternoon. There was a crowd of people lined up all around the station and noone was able to go inside. The policeman made an announcement shortly afterwards but I had no clue what he said because it was in Hungarian. I kept asking around until someone could tell me in English what he said. There was a bomb threat at the train station and trains would be delayed until further notice. Well, I freaked out! I looked at Marla, told her not to speak at all because I thought someone would target us as Americans. The blond in me sort of got the best of me because I had a carry on suitcase with the brand name "American Tourister" on it so I ripped that off my luggage. I was so afraid of being recognized as an American.

Finally after hours and hours of waiting, they told us we can get on the train. Then, they told us there was a bomb threat possibly on the tracks. Well, I had a cell phone and this time called Jim and told him no way was I getting on the train with Marla. We called our friend Jackie, and between Jim and her talking to me a bit, Marla and I finally got on the train. Funny side note-none of us on the train could get a ticket since noone was allowed inside the station-the wonderful train guys charged all of us the penalty price for not having our tickets before getting on the train!!! I think they should have let us all ride for free that day!

We finally take off and are headed back home. I am still anxious inside-poor Marla is the brave one reassuring me that everything is going to be ok. Well, we were about an hour away from home and the train made its stop. Marla and I had the seats right near the exit door. The train stopped briefly, started to go again and all of a sudden this loud bang occured. I grabbed Marla's head and pulled both of us to the ground! There was a smell so awful and for sure I thought it was a bomb! Come to find out, there were still a bunch of people who needed to get off the train at the previous stop and someone broke the glass for the emergency brake. Oh my goodness...poor Marla-she probably still has whiplash from that day! It's good that we laugh about it now-I think it is one of those events that we will forever remember and laugh about!

As an American living abroad, we also get emails from the US Embassy periodically. Whenever there are threats, we receive the emails telling us to change up our daily routine, where we walk, where we go, in case we are being watched. Nothing has ever happened to anyone I know, and I am sure these emails are more for security and not really expecting anything to happen. But, it does make me aware that just being American is a threat on foreign soil.

Where we live now there are tons of people that when I walk by them, you will not hear a word of English come out of my mouth. Some think I am crazy, including Jim at times. But, I do not trust some people and would rather be safe. When I walk around with just girls, I will never let them speak English if we are approaching certain people. There is still a fear in me that there are people who hate us just because we are American and would not blink to see something bad happen to us.

I don't live paranoid, but because of what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, it has changed the way I think as I live overseas. I am not as trusting as I might have been before that day. I am more aware of my surroundings. Some days I even think I should lose my blond hair because it seems like a dead giveaway that I am American. Doubt that will happen though :) I trust the Lord with my life in all things, but I do believe in caution. Jim has a good laugh at my cautiousness sometimes :)

People think we as Americans are prideful, bullies, dishonest, and more. Well, maybe some are-but so are the people in other countries. While we are still on this earth, there will be dishonesty, pride, rebellion, and all kinds of other things. There is no perfect country. I always find it sad when people put down my country. We are not allowed to say anything negative about their countries, but they sure can ramble on and on about what is wrong with America. Sorry, doesn't fly with me. Can we as a nation grow and improve and learn from past mistakes? Of course we can, just like everyone else.

So, all this to say that this is just another aspect of living life on foreign soil. Something we don't often think about until something comes about to change the course of life.

Praising God that one day, there will be a time when we will have no more fear, no more pain, no more suffering. All the evil in this world will be rid of and the Lion will lay down with the Lamb. Can you imgaine? Oh the pure joy of knowing that there is a place that Jesus has prepared for us that is safe-free from hate, free from anger and pride. My heart rejoices knowing that we have that hope!

I added some more pictures from our years in Baja, Hungary. Hope you enjoy them. I also added a great song by Jeremy Camp that always brings me back to reality and what is to come!

The 'help' mate

2011-08-24T05:20:00.000-07:00

Do I still have a blog? My oh my the days and weeks have past and not post from lil ole me. I am certain that millions of people all over the globe are in deep despair and depression, hanging onto a thread, waiting with baded breath (by the way, what exactly is baded breath?) to see if there has been a new post LOL!!!!
May I begin by saying that it is HOT!!! The only thing to do is sit in the house, shutters closed, windows closed, fans on, bucket of water for my feet and wet washcloth near by so I can soak my face and neck every 5 minutes or so. No relief in site for a few days either. I now understand why the elderly die in this weather. If they are alone, it is hard to move, you get nauseated, headaches, etc. Please pray for them as you read this!
So, I had to read the last post to see where we left off in our 'Foreign Soil' series. I suppose I should have titled it "How Not To Be A Missionary Mom'. Fear not, today I will talk about 'How Not To Be A Pastor's Wife'. There are wonderful books in every Christian bookstore and they talk about people's experiences in ministry, give advice, etc. If I were to write a book it would probably have a title similar to what not to do. I have thought about making my own TV show. They have What Not To Wear and all these reality shows. I pictured a series starring me of course, in different situations in the ministry. Running your household, parenting, wifery, women's ministry, counseling, etc...different scenarios throughout the day and I would be doing and saying what I do and say and then along comes the "princess pastor's wife" and she waves her little magic wand and everything stops in mid air, and she rewinds and makes it like it should be. How would that sound!!!

As we know, real life doesn't have the princess fairy so we do, we pray, we ask forgiveness, we seek guidance and we start all over again. I thought of how we perceive different things in life. The word 'perspective' has been on my mind lately. I have been listening to teachings in 1Peter and the titles have been about Perspective. We were at the Missions Conference and that word kept coming up a lot. I think it is something the Lord wants me to be aware of. He has a way of getting my attention----repetition!! I don't always get it the first 100 times!

Backtracking a little bit, here I was in CA a wife, Mom, involved in women's ministry, lots of good friends and we are called to move to Hungary. Pastor's Wife? Me? What in the world, why in the world, me???? I wasn't dainty, can't sing or play guitar, cannot tell a story, my voice is the worst of most I have ever heard (and others like to tell me too) I can't even pray with a sweet voice. I am loud, clumsy, stubborn, opinionated and probably other adjectives I can't think of at the moment. How in life am I to be a Pastor's wife??? I don't even cry!!! No, I am not making fun of anyone-in all seriousness, I am just trying to say what my perspective of a pastor's wife was and the qualifications I thought you had to have! Call my husband as a pastor-that is ok. He has a kind heart, loves Jesus, loves to study the Word of God, but oh, can't you give him another wife for this position please....well, not really another wife, but you get my point :)

If you have ever church planted, you may have experienced some of the same things I did. If you didn't, you could make it up and say you did so I don't feel dreadfully alone! In most churches, there is a staff of guys, assistant pastors, a board, and people you talk to, get ideas from, pray with, counsel with and other things pastors do. Church planting, mission field life is different. Often times you have only the pastor and his family. There are no deacons, no elders, no nobody. It can be really hard for the pastor to not have anyone to turn to for advice, prayer and even to have accountability.

As a wife, wanting the best for my husband, I wanted to look out for him. Since he was new at pastoring I felt that as a good wife, it was my job to be the one to look after him. I was there for him when he needed someone to talk to, to pray with, to be his cheerleader. Those were the qualities he loves about me. But, being the good, supportive wife that I am, I decided that wasn't enough. I would also be his Nathan. Yep, just call me Nathana! After all, someone had to be there to tell him the things he was doing "wrong" "We need to do this, we should be doing that, why can't you do this, how come you said that, you should talk to so and so, you shouldn't be talking to them, you better not this, blah blah blah!!!" Oh can you imagine he still loves me and calls me his wife?!! Yes, friends, I was like that to him. It wasn't enough that I struggled with me trying to please everyone else in the church-I wanted him to please everyone too. Now, if you know us, you know that we are beyond opposite in this area. Jim is the type that honestly looks to please the Lord before anyone else. Not that he doesn't make mistakes, but he desires to please God, he has an amazing confidence in his relationship with the Lord and who he is in Christ that you rarely find him worrying about what everybody else thinks of him. It's not arrogance, if you know him, you know that! If you don't know him, well, you are missing out :)
Sometimes in the church people don't go to the husband-especially when your church is mostly women. They decide it is best to go to the wife, in this case, me and give all of their advice. Well, I am not one that handles this kind of stuff too well, I am so much better at it now, but in the begining, if someone made a 'suggestion' to me in the church, I would tell it to Jim and practically try to convince him to obey it. He would often times tell me 'No, or that he would pray about about it'. I couldn't understand what there was to pray about-these were good ideas! How was he ever going to be a great pastor if he didn't give in to the 'suggestions' of the congregation, brought so lovingly to him by his wife! Oh the things I have learned through the years! Thankfully, I didn't have the habit of responding to the 'suggestors' other than, "oh, ok, I will speak to him about this". As time went on, and I started understanding what Jim already knew, I began to just direct them to Jim and have them bypass me. If something was that important to them, they could speak to him about it without channeling it through me.
I went through a really rough stage of 'critiquing his sermons'. By critiquing, I don't mean anything of the spiritual kind. How he dressed, how he stood as he spoke, how he delivered the sermon, did he smile enough, was his voice too loud, too soft, you get the picture. I would scan the congregation (all 10 of them at the time) with my eyes while he was teaching. Do they look tired, are they slouching, at what time did they actually slouch-perhaps the sermon was a bit long-better shorten it for next time dear....and of course ...I can't believe you wore that shirt-I told you it doesn't flatter you!!
Oh the joys! In wanting to do well, it is so easy to do what is wrong! It is so easy for me to fall in the 'if only' trap. If only Jim this, if only Jim that, if only, if only....never living for what is and enjoying all that God has for the moment, rather drifting off into a place that isn't reality. I was putting pressure on my husband without really wanting to. In my heart, I really thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was helping him see things he wasn't seeing or getting him in tune to things he wasn't in tune with. Yes, God uses we wives mightily in our husband's lives but we have to make sure it is actually the Lord and not ourselves! We can bless them, but we can also tear them down. Jim isn't a mincer of words and at one point, he did hint to me that he is hearing my voice more than the voice of the Holy Spirit. Yeah, that went over well :)

Don't get me wrong-we do talk out stuff, we pray, we do go over things together, he loves to ask me my opinion on things-I have just learned not to always offer my thoughts or the thoughts of others on what he should or shouldn't do. I have learned to pray for him and seek the Lord on his behalf. It is amazing the times when there are things on the tip of my tongue, times I have played out to the tee in my head everything I will be saying to him, and then that nudge comes...'Margie, pray'. "oh ok I will" And then, miraculously, my mouth is closed and nothing comes out!! That dear friends, is a miracle!!!! I rejoice in those times because I know it could only be an act of God that kept me from advising my husband once more.

Here's a link to Nancy Leigh DeMoss's site. She has these 30 day challenges and there are some to pray for your husband, pastor, pastor's wife, etc. I think these are great and often we don't know what or how to pray for others and this is a good start.

Being a pastor's wife is not about how sweet our voices are, how talented we are, how many friends we have. Over the past 10 years I realize my most important role as Pastor's wife is that I am a wife to my pastor. He is to be my first ministry, my loyalty is to him, he is the one I desire to please after the Lord. The rest of descriptions come from whatever the Lord has in addition to this. Sunday School teacher, Women's Ministry teacher, counselor, janitor, whatever else you do, make being the wife to your pastor the number one thing! Your marriage will be blessed because of it.

10 years has passed and I still have a squeaky voice, I cannot play an instrument, I cry more than ever in my life, and I love what God has called me to. I love the opportunities He has given me to learn, to grow, to fall on my face and lift me back up again. Most of all, I love being married to my pastor :)

Loving our husbands, respecting our husbands-it is one of the best and most important things the women in our church can learn from us.

Onward Christian soldiers :)

On Foreign Soil

2011-07-28T03:10:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are again. Going down memory lane remembering all God has done in the past 10 years. It's interesting because so often in Bible, mostly the OT David and others are reminiscing about what God had done. Even in the NT Paul recollects his encounter with Jesus-always retelling the story. It is a good practice. In the OT, we read much of the good and the bad when it comes to the children of Israel. Right now in the OYB we are reading through Chronicles and that is what the book is about-chronological order of events, kings, leaders, battles, etc. Oh and on a side note, I was once again amazed at how people have such a difficult time believing that women can be evil. Athelia (don't think I spelled her name correctly) was so wicked, so evil, just like her mother! I suppose that subject can be a whole different blog post one day lol!!

If you have read the past couple blog posts, you know I am writing about our call and move to Hungary and then later on to Italy. It's good for me to actually be recalling all of these things and have them down in writing for when I am old and can't remember anything anymore !!! Who knows, I may not even know what country or language I am speaking!

We are at moving day! Moving away from beautiful, sunny CA and a group of friends and my parents are there to say good-bye. Funny side-story. My friend Sandy was going back east to a family reunion so she came over earlier in the week to say good-bye. For some reason we started talking about how rough the toilet paper was in Hungary-see I told you I thought about weird things! Well, we decided to go to Vons around 10pm and get a couple big ole packs of comfy toilet paper and packed it in the big moving truck. I will say that it was quite a nice site when the truck finally arrived in Sept!!!

We arrived at the airport and the airlines had now decided to do something differently with seating. Just a couple months before if you booked your ticket with another person you automatically sat next to each other. Well, imagine our dismay and shock when we checked in and all three of us were sitting separately. It was awful!!! We got on the plane, I am stuck in the middle seat with 'guys' on either side, Marla is a few rows ahead of me and Jim a few rows back. Up until this point, I was still in excitement, is it really happening, mode. It was once the plane took off that the tears began to fall. What made it worse was I had to try to contain them because I was next to strangers. All I could think of at that moment was "what in the world are we doing?" The stewardess asked several people if they would change seats so we can all sit together and noone agreed-finally one person did so atleast Marla and I could sit next to each other. We arrived after umpteen hours in France with a 4 hour layover. I say that because it was the longest layover in life. Finally, we arrive in Budapest and a friend Steve came to pick us up. After all that, we had to go to the church service that night-I remember sitting in the back, Lloyd Pulley was guest speaker and nodding off -not because of Lloyd lol! Oh the exhaustion.

The next day we arrive in Baja-late in the evening and our new landlady was not pleased with us. She expected we would be there earlier and showed her disapproval!! Welcome to Hungary!!

It seemed that once we actually arrived in Hungary, all the emotions that I had pushed aside in my mind and heart were now starting to come out. The fears, the feelings of inadaquecy, already missing those we left in the states-all these things started to make their way to the surface. Our truck wouldn't arrive until Sept so that meant wearing whatever it was we packed into our suitcases when we left. No pots, pans, utensils, no coffeepot!!! No iron or ironing board-not that it should matter, but now that Jim was pastoring the church I had to be sure he had a nice, crisply ironed shirt to wear each week.

I was determined at this point, after hearing so many people put down Americans and how we acted, how inconsistent we are, how selfish, lazy, blah blah blah we are, that I would be the best example of an American missionary Hungary or any other country for that matter would ever know of. My family would become Hungarian. Never would I forget my country, my fellow countrymen, but by golly, this girl was out to become Hungarian. Never mind that Hungarian is the 2nd or 3rd most difficult language to learn, nevermind that I had just turned 40 that past November-I would prove them all wrong!! My daughter, my husband and me-we would be Hungarian. I wanted so much that they would approve of us, like us, want to be friends with us. I wanted them to know that we were going to give everything we had to them and then some. Morning, noon, night-weekdays, weekends, we would be there for them. We would eat what they ate, go where they went, attempt to speak as they speak. Whatever they wanted us to be I wanted us to be that too.

I can tell you as a Mom, I blew it big time! As I look back on it now, I can weep thinking about how many mistakes I made. How my daughter turned out sane is only by the grace of God! I not only put the pressure upon myself to be Hungarian, to be pleasing to the people there no matter what cost, but I put the pressure upon her. I think of all the eye looks I gave her....you know them if you are a Mom-out of the corner, lips pursing, trying to convey everything you want to say to them without actually speaking. My daughter was not going to be one of these spoiled American kids that some in the church would often speak about-nope, Marla was going to be "Miss All Around American Missionary to Hungary child:" Imagine a sash with that title on it!! What a burdensome title to have to wear! If someone wanted her to come to their home, I would tell her she had to go. When cleaning or other things needed done in the church, I would make sure she was doing it. If I saw her sitting, I would want her to stand, if I saw her looking sad, I would tell her to smile. All the pressure I put not only upon myself, but sadly upon her too so that we could become what I thought we needed to become in order to get the approval of the people there.

There is a balance when we have children on the mission field. It is easy to write about it and give advice after you have gone through it and made all the mistakes. Our children are called when we are called. God has a plan for them also-but it is His plan. In wanting to do well, we can sometimes put unnecessary pressure and guilt upon our children. This isn't just on the mission field. I think anyone in ministry has to deal with such things. We have all heard of the stories of pastors' kids and missionary kids-put them both together and wow-you can sometimes feel double the pressure. If someone else's child acts one way-they are going through a stage, if our child acts the same way, they are just a 'spoiled pk or mk'. In all fairness, I do believe there are children in these categories that are spoiled and misbehaved, but not all are and that is true of ministry or not in ministry. Noone knows what the families go through when noone is looking. Ministry isn't a 9-5 job, or at least it shouldn't be. Here we were in a small church and our phone rang at all hours, people wanted to speak to us before 9 and after 5. You can be in the middle of something and then something urgent comes up and you have to attend to that need. I cannot imagine how it must be for those in bigger congregations. Well, I got a bit off track here, but you get the point.

As I look back, I think in the first few months, even year or so, I wanted so much to be whoever the congregation wanted me to be, I wanted that for Jim and Marla too and in the process, it was easy to put the church's thoughts above the Lord's. I was serving Him, I prayed, I read my bible, I did all the right things. However; in trying to please others, I learned I could never really please them. If you pleased one, you ticked off another. Back and forth until before long everyone would be upset with you for one reason or another.

I am not trying to paint a horrid picture where nothing went right! Of course there were laughs and fun things going on-but today as I typed, these are the things that came . Perhaps it will help someone to know my weaknesses and the things I did wrong so that you don't have to do it that way. You cannot please man-you never will! We must hear from the Lord moment by moment. It is His voice that matters, His voice that we need to allow to guide and direct our every move. He is the One who sticks closer to a brother and will never ever leave us nor forsake us. Sadly, the ones we so desperately try to please are usually the ones who end up leaving us and forsaking us!

As women, we tend to be people pleasers. We desire to make everything right and we think that there is just one ingredient missing and if we get that ingredient then everything will be perfect. The problem is that that one ingredient is Jesus-the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts and yet He is often the One we can put to the side without realizing it. We as women are good at making things happen. We are go-getters, problem solvers, and achievers. We want to see things work as they should-or at least as we think they should. It's not usually that simple. Sadly, we can find ourselves putting out so much effort and then not getting the results we expected. We find ourselves disillusioned, saddened, heart-broken and even despairing at times. It is then we fall on our knees and on our face before the Lord and we find ourselves asking Him what we did wrong. Often times for me, His answers was the same-'you spent so much time trying to be good, so much time trying to please everyone else, that you forgot to ask Me what I wanted you to be'. Don't put undue pressure upon yourself or your family!! There are many days I wish I had those times back to do them all over again. Thankfully, God is merciful, full of grace and never giving up on us. His grace covers our mistakes and I am forever thankful for that!

So.....who knows what will be next. I had planned a whole different post for today so maybe that will be next :) I will try to put up a few pictures from the past 10 years throught the posts. I started to make a scrapbook and eventually will finish....yes I will!!!! :)

To God be the glory!

Pt 2 Packing Up

2011-07-26T01:44:00.000-07:00

It has taken me longer than planned to get this next post written. We had some great things going on here with ministry and concerts and time flew by. I was also eaten alive inside as I started to think back in my mind about the past 10 years. Why is it that so many amazing things can happen in life and yet we are prone to remember the negative! The negative that just eats alive at your very core and wants to render you useless, helpless, causing you to doubt your calling, your effectiveness. To keep our eyes on Jesus, to cite Philippians 4:8 over and over again until those thoughts just flee. I hate them-I really do because Satan would desire to rob, kill and destroy all that God has done and so often I found myself entertaining his thoughts rather than those of my Heavenly Father. Oh how we need you Lord Jesus!

It's interesting how when you think back on things what you actually remember. In July 2000, we were on vacation at our favorite place for a couple weeks-Capistrano Beach. We rented a house right on the beach for a few summers and it was the best!!! I remember one day my Mom was visiting and I don't know why or what we were talking about but she asked me 'would you want to give up all this?' We were doing the bible study at our house that summer Living Water and Mom was coming to it so maybe we were discussing something from the study. It is interesting to me now because at that time of my life I had no desire to move or no thought that Jim would ever go into full time ministry. We were completely content in the ministries we were serving in. I remember telling my Mom that 'yes, we would give it up if that is what the Lord wanted'. Again, I am curious to remember what it was and why we talked about such things!
I do find it amazing that we can answer questions like that when we don't necessarily see being asked to actually do those things in the future.

That same summer, in August, we were travelling to San Francisco. We were dropping Marla off to spend some time with her sisters and Jim and I were going to do some sightseeing since I had not been to that part of CA before. We were also going to pick up some checks from contractors for jobs that Jim was doing. I remember driving and chatting about how after 5 or so years of working so hard that it was finally paying off. We were now going to be completely in the black-no more red. Jim did things honestly and ethically and as you know, in construction, it is hard to get ahead when wanting to do things the right way. That weekend was one I will always remember. We also went to a small Calvary Chapel in Livermore. Jim had attended there a couple times while he was working up that way. I was so impressed with how the pastor and his wife were so hands on-the wife did the childcare, the people seemed to be pretty in need there. It wasn't a big church, didn't even look like there was a lot of extra money to spare.

We went out to dinner and I remember talking about how so many people would want to be a pastor of a huge church and not many would want to be like this pastor and his wife who pretty much had to do everything. Again, thinking back on it, it was interesting what stood out to me.

In my mind, it was just conversation. I wasn't ever imagining that Jim would be a pastor one day. He was asked to take some classes with Pastor Rob on pastoring, but to me it was just to equip him in the ministries he was already doing-never thinking that he would pastor a church one day.

In Jim's heart, now that the business was going to be on its feet, he wanted to spend even more time helping out at church. He would tell me he would just go janitor, help out with the school, if that is what they needed. That is the heart of my husband. Honestly, he would take the lowest position somewhere and he would never think twice about it. Sorry to boast, but so many people see him as this big burly guy and don't bother to know the heart of this man as I do. He has never been the type to want to make a name for himself. To me, he is a description of a humble servant. Ok, back to topic :)

Here we are in Sept and suddenly one, two and then three contractors bail on us!! Bankruptcy, unethical, and some other things-all the same result though....none of them were paying the money they owed us. We are talking about government buildings involving lots and lots of money. Materials already bought, roofs already put on, payroll to meet, office bldg rents to pay, etc. What we one month ago thought was the begining of the good times was now a time of horror and great disappointment.

In the meantime, in Oct, our landlord of 7 yrs or so informed us that his son and daughter in law were getting divorced so he needed our house. Ok-sure, we will move!!! Our world was crumbling before our very eyes. How could we move, where would we move? One thing on top of another and inside I was so confused.

We ended up buying a home-that's a whole different story... but atleast we had a roof over our heads. I was content, happy with the possibilities of what we could do with our new home and we had a great yard. Jim was away a lot, working on the jobs himself since he had to lay people off. During that time, our good friend Chris stayed on and became an even closer friend-he really stuck by Jim and that was amazing! I was at home trying to pretty up the place, my Dad would come over and plant some cactus bushes for us, we entertained a lot at the new place. Work was still a problem but we just trusted God to work it all out.

On to Feb when Pastor Rob asked Jim to pray about moving....now that we have a background on what was going on in our lives prior to being asked to move. Could it be that the Lord was allowing all this business stuff to go on to prepare us to let go and move on to a different call?

Rob wanted us to go to Hungary with him and Howard to meet the church and to pray. I didn't really feel it necessary to go because if Jim would know to move there then of course I would move too right???!!!! I also was afraid that I would hinder him if I was there. I had no clue what to expect in Hungary-the buildings, bathrooms, food, people, etc. There was a fear in me that those things would bother me and I would ruin the trip for him. Rob told me I needed to go since I would be living there too and he thought it would be good for me so I did.

The scariest thing was before we left for the visit, we filled out a form which was sort of a will but mainly to have someone watch over Marla in case something happened to us. We sat down with our friends and asked them if they would be her guardians should anything happen-that was really difficult! Thankfully, nothing happened :)

It was April 2001 and we headed to Hungary with Pastor Rob and Howard. Not knowing what to expect, all I could do was pray. It sounds funny, but I prayed about the toilets, the showers and the coffee. I suppose they are my priorities!!! Yes, I prayed for the trip as a whole, but just that those things wouldn't bother me. They proved to be doable-I had packed my little creamers so even if the coffee was bad, the creamers disguised the taste.

We arrived in Hungary-I now understood what the word jetlag meant. We went to Vajta, Kaposvar and then to Baja. In Baja, we met the congregation, Jim taught that Thurs night and again on Sunday. I had not remembered in my life a time of being looked over by so many people :) Sunday night Jim was asked if he was going to move there and he still didn't know. I think some were getting restless at that point. Monday morning, Howard and I walked around the town so he could get some souvenirs for Lucia and the girls and we left Jim alone in the hotel. When we got back, there were tears in Jim's eyes and I knew that meant 'yes, we are moving to Hungary'. Psalm 45 was the one the Lord used to speak to Jim at the Sugovica Hotel. That night was prayer at the church in Baja and he made the announcement to those who were there. I think I was in such a blur-I tried looking at the faces of these people, taking it all in, realizing that they were now my new brothers and sisters in the Lord. This church building I was sitting in would soon be my new church. The city I walked around in would soon be our new home.

Of course with all this going on, there was Marla back in CA. Imagine being 12, and in a few months turning 13 and hearing that you are going to be uprooted and moved to another country! Wow!! I could write about it, but perhaps it would be best told by her one day to get the full effect of what was going on with her. If you ever want to feel like the worst Mom in the world, take your daughter away from family and friends for her teenaged years!!! I do have to say she was amazing through it all. Yes, normal teenage drama and stuff, but we were completely blessed by Marla's attitude (most of the time lol)

We flew back to CA with the news to share with everyone. It was May and we were to move in July! We had two months to pack up our belongings and prepare to move to Hungary! My oh my. Pastor Rob asked Jim to make a two year committment. We knew in our hearts that we were going to be committed to however long God would have us there.

Looking back, I believe the Lord couldn't have given us any more time because it would have been too much time to think about what we were doing and it wouldn't have made any sense to me. Had I had more time, I would probably not have wanted to move. This way, there was no real time to think about it. My focus had to be on packing up the house, preparing things to move away. We were blessed to be able to have all our things shipped over to Hungary. Having an 40ft trailer at our house for a week while trying to decide what to keep and what to give away, boxes suddenly taking over every square inch of our house and still the day to day work, what to do with the house while we are gone, etc.
There was an excitement within me. Perhaps it was the unknown, perhaps it was that the Lord would actually turn our world upside down like this. We all know ourselves, we know our weaknesses, our pasts, our struggles and to know that despite these things, God Himself desires to use us. To me, it was beyond amazing. That thought carried me through the next couple of months of getting ready to move. There was no real time to sit and ponder what was actually going on. No time to grasp the fact that we would kiss friends and family good-bye and not know when we would see them again. There was also the fact that some dear and close friends would be going to Hungary in Aug for the family camp so I would see them soon. Our daughter Christina would also be coming out in Aug so it wasn't quite like having to completely say good-bye. We would be able to prolong some of the good-byes for a bit.

A friend of mine was on the mission field in Scotland at the time. The were home for a visit and came to our going away party. She reminded me that at their going away party I came to her after everyone had left and said 'I don't know how you can do this, I could never move away from CA' Isn't it just like God to take what we think of as an impossibility and make it a reality. Even though I was born on the east coast, I was a CA girl!! I think inside I was born to be a CA girl :) The beach, the smells, I don't know what it is, but it is me! Does that sound funny? I couldn't fathom living anywhere else.....but God!!!

Next post we can talk about arriving in Hungary.....

I leave you with a song-one that people might think is a bit cheesy, but I still love the song. I recently read something someone wrote that Americans aren't very good at being friends-well, they must have the wrong kind of friends. I have been blessed beyond blessed with the friends I have had. Some say they lose friends when they move to the mission field. For whatever reason-only God's grace, I gain friends through the years. Not only aquaintances, but true, loving, we are here for you, type of friends! I love all of you!!!!

An Ordinary Sunday

2011-07-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked 10 yrs that we have been on the mission field in Europe! It's hard to imagine that 10 yrs ago we left all we knew and loved behind to embark on a journey-one that we had no idea how long it would last or what to expect along the way. We only knew that God had called and Jim answered the call.
In remembrance of this, I thought to write a few different blog posts about the last 10 yrs. Not sure if it will get written in a week, a month, or what-I do however want to write down about the past years. What God has done, the high points, low points, what was learned, the heartaches and the blessings, the trials and the triumphs. If you know me, you know I will share from the heart.
Today I will share with you about the call.
Have you ever noticed in reading your bible the settings in which certain things take place. Samuel went to annoint David to be the future king while David was out taking care of the sheep. The disciples were fishing like any other day when Jesus called and told them to put down their nets and follow Him. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was probably cleaning house or preparing things for her wedding to be when the angel Gabriel came to speak to her. Often times we find it is in the ordinary business of our day that the Lord will speak to us too. Perhaps doing dishes, driving, taking care of our children-God will use those moments to teach us something or to speak something to our hearts.
Feb. 11, 2001 was one such day for Jim and me. We always took our separate cars to church because he would either be helping in worship or at the Senior Center doing worship and I would be teaching Sunday School to the 4 & 5 yr old class. We would meet up at 3rd service. This particular Sunday, the children were learning about God's call to Abram-to leave his land and go to a place that God would show him. One of the great things about living in So. Cal was the weather. Here it was Feb and we were able to go outside to act out our lesson. I lined the children up and we we walked around the church building pretending that we were going on a journey. We walked slowly, pulling our cows and carrying all our luggage with us. It was quite fun. The memory verse for the day was from Deuteronomy 31:6. Nothing to it right-just another fun time with the 4 and 5 yr olds.
After class, I ran into Pastor Rob and he asked me if Jim was around-I told him he would be here shortly (he was at the Sr Center that morning) Pastor Rob asked me to have Jim talk to him after 3rd service. I thought nothing of it-it was quite normal for Jim and Rob to chat. Jim owned a Sheet Metal company at the time and also helped out with the Drug and Alcohol Ministry at church. Often he would hire some of these guys who were out on their luck or Rob would hear about a guy needing a job and ask Jim if he had any openings. To me, it was just about another guy needing a job.
I told Jim and after 3rd service, Marla and I went home. My phone rang and it was my friend Irene. She had heard Pastor Rob ask to speak to Jim and wanted to know what it was about-I had no clue, but she made me promise to call her as soon as I knew. To me, I just didn't see the big deal in the two of them talking.
Well, Jim came home about an hour later. I didn't even ask him what it was about-because again, I thought nothing of it. He looked at me and said- "well, you will never believe what Rob asked me" I don't remember my exact response but knowing me it was probably something like "Who needs a job now?" He told me how they talked about his business and how it seemed to be taking a weird turn at the moment. He then told me that Rob talked to him about this church in Baja, Hungary that was in need of a Pastor and would Jim pray about moving over and pastoring the church. Again, me being the wonderfully sweet and supportive wife said something to the effect of "yeah right, quit lying." I must have glanced at his face and saw the seriousness of it and realized....whoa....this is for real!! What in the world is he talking about? Where in the world is Hungary and why would anyone even think we would consider moving there!! We chatted a bit and he filled me in on the details of their conversations (well, details as far as a guy is concerned!!!!) and that he agreed to pray about it.
Being the scholar that I am (insert laughter) I went to the computer and looked up on a map where Hungary was. I had only heard about it-but never knew where it was or anything much about the place. To my dismay, I looked on the map-now mind you, I am not good at map skills either but I did know that if there was an ocean or body of water there would be blue on the edge.....NO BLUE!!! "nope, we are not moving, there is no ocean" I couldn't imagine being land-locked somewhere!!!!
Within an hour or so we drove over to Chris and Shelly's to share the news with them. I think we swore them to secrecy because we didn't want the news to get out. I called Irene later on and told her and swore her to secrecy too. I think in all we told about 5-10 people we knew we could trust to keep it private and more importantly be praying for us.
So, there you have it. An ordinary Sunday, doing our ordinary service when unexpectedly God shakes our world.
And isn't it just like the Lord...here I am teaching the children that Sunday morning about Abraham and how difficult it must have been to leave his country, to go some place that would be strange to him. The memory verse from Deuteronomy never ceases to amaze me. Who would have thought that I would be afraid of anybody-especially Christians!!! Oh the things that God would teach me over the next 10 yrs. The many times that verse was a joy and comfort to me. I marked it in my bible that Sunday after Jim told me the news. Honestly, I felt it a bit strange to read the verse at the time and to even date it, but praise the Lord that He gave me that verse not only that day, but so many days in the future!!! He always knows what we will need in our lives!
In the next post I will share about our visit to Hungary, what was going on business wise and whatever else the Lord will bring to my memory.
Be encouraged....it's often in the ordinary-in the simplest of things that we do that God will bring about something that will change our lives. As Christians, we are to pray, to meditate upon His Word, and we are also to be occupied til He comes. Doing whatever He has put in front of us to do. Nothing is ordinary to Him. And just think, as we are going about our everyday routine, God knows when He is going to shake things up a bit.

A Song In Our Heart

2011-06-24T05:52:00.000-07:00

(update-we put the song on youtube because some browsers weren't allowing it to be shown-thanks for listening to it-it's at the end of the post)
If we are friends on FB then you can probably see that life has been a bit busy lately. It was such a blessing to go to Hungary and Portugal for some women's conferences. Lots of preparation and prayer, and the Lord truly blessed our times together. Praise Him for His faithfulness.

The topic was the same for both conferences 'Let us not grow weary in doing good for in due season we will reap if we faint not' Galatians 6:9. It was really a labor of prayer for the right verse. For quite some time I was struggling with different themes like "How Does Your Garden Grow" etc, but we knew it had to be a scripture and not just a title. The verse in Galatians was perfect. Once again, I am convinced that God only chooses to use me to do such things because it is the only way I will study what He wants to teach me. Inside I knew that I was at the point of fainting but kept trying on the outside to stand up straight. We used an image for the conference that was quite depictive of how many of us were feeling.

She has that look about her that is all too familiar. Faced with a field to plow and sometimes feeling like she has to plow it all by herself can easily make you exhausted.

God taught me a lot through these conferences. In Hungary, I taught on Preparing the Soil and then Reaping the Harvest. My friend Leona came from SB and taught on Planting the Seed. In Portugal, Maria taught on Preparing the Soil, Leona taught Planting the Seed and I taught Reaping the Harvest.
It was challenging to prepare for 2 studies but the things I learned from it were so good. I enjoyed all I learned about plowing and soil and how it applies to the work we are doing here in Padova. The Harvest teaching was challenging in some ways because at first I thought to talk only about the benefits of reaping-the joy of reaping and how all the hard work pays off. But, as the Lord often does, He takes us in a direction that is needed not only for those listening, but for those doing the studying. We did talk about the joys of harvest time, but we spent a good amount of time being encouraged that often times we do plow properly, we work hard planting, watering and tending and yet the harvest is not seen. How storms come and destroy the crop, how easily it is to want to faint-to give up because there is nothing to show for all the hard work. One interesting thing the Lord showed me is how we can go about hearing and saying things in our Christian life that simply isn't in the Bible. How many times I have heard in the past years that there is going to be a big revival before Jesus returns. Actually, in the Bible it says that people will turn away from the truth, they will turn away from the pure Word of God and head to places where their ears can be itched. As sad as this is, and it is very sad indeed, we are so shocked to find this turning away of the truth. We put pressure on ourselves to get more people into the church and yet we cannot say with one breath that we are in the last days and yet with another that we expect many to come to saving faith. Yes, with God all things are possible and yes, we desire that many more will be saved-but there is no guarantee. Peoples' hearts are growing colder and colder. Even those we once ministered with have chosen to go astray and enjoy their new found "liberties". So much compromise goes on nowadays and it is very grieving to watch. Let us remember that Jesus never watered down the truth-He never compromised the truth. I love the passage of Jesus talking to the rich young ruler-I use this example a lot. He told the man what he needed to do to be saved and the man walked away. The truth wasn't changed or compromised because Jesus felt sad for the man. We need to keep our sentiments in check.

What is due season? It is God's season-His timing. We must hold fast to knowing and trusting that He sees, He knows all that we do in His Name. I was reminded that a new fruit tree doesn't bear fruit in the first couple years. But that doesn't mean that something isn't being produced in the tree. The same is true in building the church. It takes time and it's not usually our timetable.

For the past six months or so we have been so frustrated, sad, and exasperated. We had our new building and just figured that the people who didn't like Saturday nights would be thrilled to come back and join us Sunday mornings. What a let down!! What an enormous let down! We had really placed our hope in that. I can't even explain in words what was going through our minds at the time. We felt like complete failures and that is not an exaggeration.

God has been the lifter of our heads. He has brought some sweet people into our lives and into the church. We are so thankful for the young couples who are now coming along side the work here and have gifts of worship, evangelism and other things. They were the answer to a fleece that Jim had put out before the Lord a year ago. God is faithful to answer us even when we sense the need to be like Gideon and put out the fleece.

We are not hip, we don't have any flair about us and we have nothing but Jesus to offer people. Preach the pure Word, be an example, hold fast to what you have learned, don't compromise for the sake of getting people in the door. Remember the church of Ephesus. It was a thriving church at one time....there is no church in Ephesus any more. The apostle Paul himself pastored there!!! Do I want to sound depressing? Absolutely not!!!! Do we just throw our hands up and say 'oh well'? Of course not!! We remain steadfast in prayer, praying always for the lost, for people to come to a saving knowledge of Christ, seeing how to best use the gifts and resources God has provided. But, there is a reality in all of this. There is a sad reality that hearts will grow colder and colder as we draw nearer and nearer to the last days. Let us not be shocked by this! Grieved yes, shocked no!! Sadly, this is the truth!!! Therefore, we must encourage one another to stay true to the course. Will we start to lose friends? I imagine so-but we will gain more and more of Christ and after all, isn't that what it is all about?

In the midst of trials and questions, God puts a song in our heart. Not too long ago I was singing a chorus of praise to the Lord and decided to share it with Jim. We put the words down on paper and he added to the words and put a sweet melody to it. The verse in Habakkuk is one of my favorites for ministry. For me it is about trusting God when nothing seems to be happening. The second verse is meaningful for Jim as it was the verses God gave him in his very early Christian days when all he loved at the time had walked out on him. The third verse is the hope we all have. We have the brokeness, the sacrifice and the eternal hope of glory. This my friends we must never lose sight of. If there is nothing else we can do, we must encourage one another in this truth.

This is just the real rough draft of the song so bear with us :) Jim is still working on some things and we want to have some of the gals we know join in with their beautiful voices. It's a bit long so hang on-he's still working on speeding it up a bit.

Hope you enjoy it!

He does remember

2011-05-07T04:51:00.001-07:00

As you may have noticed I have not blogged in ages!! Been busy with lots of different things.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and this morning I thought about all the women for whom tomorrow will bring sorrow. For some, their Mom has passed away and they won't be able to share the day with them. For others, it is a day they would rather not be reminded of because it brings pain. As I considered whether or not to write about this subject today, I went to read my OYB and sure enough the story of Hannah is the OT reading today. I took it as from the Lord to go ahead and share. I wept as I read it and yet rejoiced in how the Lord answered her prayer. I wept because for some, they read Hannah's story and there is still no "Eli". There is still no "and the Lord remembered her. How many hurting women are there who think the Lord has forgotten them and has not heard their pleas and their cries for a baby.

Growing up, the only thing I ever wanted was to be married and have children. I did go through a stage of wanting to be an airline stewardess (sure wish I was at times) but nothing ever mattered to me except to have a family. I wanted to be a wife and a mom so badly. Before I was married I ended up having about 7 surgeries for ovarian cysts. Cysts that burst and bled into my body causing problems which resulted in having to have them surgically removed. Some were so infected that it resulted in gang green which almost killed me at one point. A month after we were married I had another cyst and this time the doctor told me that everything needed to go. My insides were too messed up and there was no alternative. My heart sunk! I couldn't believe that he was telling me this. Up until that point, I still held out hope to bear a child. This was the worse news I could have heard. The night before the surgery, I remember reading from James about praying when you are sick and your prayer will be heard and you can be healed. My understanding of God's Word was not that great at the time, but to me, this was pretty black and white. I went into the operating room with the thought that they would open me up and a miracle was to take place and nothing would be wrong. The surgery was quite long and in the recovery room, the doctor said 'everything is good, the surgery was a success-some other things too, but by that time my mind stopped. At that moment I turned my thoughts against the Lord. I felt as though He had let me down and forgotten me. He was God and if He wanted, He could have done a miracle and He didn't. Someone from the church came to visit me-she worked with women who had difficult pregnancies. I didn't want to be near her, I didn't want to hear anything she had to say.

As the enemy would have it, my ears and eyes were in tune to every story of child abuse-every article about a drug addicted mother abusing her child, a parent murdering their child or abandoning their baby-I read them all, saw all those news stories. I grew more bitter by the moment. My thoughts towards the Lord were not good. I remember thinking how cruel it was that He let those people give birth and He knew what kind of parents they would be but He couldn't let me have a baby! Yes, I was that far gone in my thoughts!!
My sister-in-law asked me to please go to women's study with her some months later. I went and sure enough we passed around prayer requests. Wouldn't you know that I received one from a gal who wanted prayer for a 'healthy pregnancy'. Ashamed to say, but I ripped it up in the parking lot and that was the last time I went to women's study for quite some time.

Thankfully, the Lord never ever gave up on me. I can't imagine someone having these thoughts of such anger and bitterness towards me and then just forgiving them as He forgave me. It's truly amazing!

The Lord had another plan for our life. He blessed us with an amazing little girl. My life would not be the same without her. She never would be my daughter if I could give birth to a child and the Lord knew that way before time! It's not just that she needed a family, it is that we needed her. There is no way that I would change anything about God's plan. His ways are most definitely better than my ways, and His plans oh so much better than mine!

A couple years later, my sister in law called and asked if I would consider helping out in childcare for the women's ministry. I did and wouldn't you know the age group I had for 2 years was newborns!! It was a joy and I am thankful God gave me the opportunity.

My heart goes out to all the women who long to have a child. God remembered Hannah, He remembers you. I realize too that for some, you may never bear a child, you may never adopt a child. But, you have a role in a child's life. In the lives of nieces, nephews, kids at church-there are so many children out there who need love and hugs.

There aren't always the answers to questions we have. God never told Job why things happened in his life as they did. In the past I have found myself saying 'when I get to Heaven, I am going to ask God....." I am begining to think that when I get to Heaven I will be so amazed to be in the sight of the One who loves me and forgives me, who takes each tear and bottles it up-I won't really care about the answer anymore.

I pray also for anyone who has bitterness-a lot or even a little right now, that you hand it over to the Lord. He really does want what is best for His children. He doesn't withhold anything good from us even if we think at times He does. Don't look for Him to answer your prayer the way you have in mind-He might have a different plan. May God comfort you and bring a song to your heart that only He can!

Wishing everyone a blessed and Happy Mother's Day!

While the husband is away...

2011-04-02T09:33:00.001-07:00

Well, Jim went to Hungary for a few days. Our car is still registered there and the motor inspection was due to be renewed. He loves going there and seeing all the people in Baja and it's a treat for him to be able to teach on Sunday while he is there. Baja will always have a special place in his heart. As for me, well, finding myself with no schedule and two cats, I was planning out what to do. That usually means furniture will be moved around and surprises await him when he gets home. Of course bruising and cuts and a few "I know I should have waited for you to do it because you are so much stronger than me but I couldn't help it". Sad to say, but the last time Jim was gone I decided to put together a wardrobe someone gave us...shall we say the whole thing collapsed on my legs and left swollen sores that took atleast a month to heal! I think I learned my lesson. The small guest/craft room really needs a going through. Stuff is all over the place-on the bed, on the floor, etc, etc. Empty jars and cans that I decided to save because-well, ya never know, I might need to use them for something find themselves sprawled in various spots of dressers and desks. It was a project I thought I would tackle this weekend......until.....I started looking online for ideas on how to organize the room. HA HA....and then I found myself in dreamland with all the options there are to this thing called organizing. I was tickled pink to find an idea for putting all your little odds and ends in-buttons, clips, etc. I had been using the jars, but this idea is even better. Take an old spice rack (which I happened to have in the cupboard) and clean out all the jars, pain the lids and glue cute little things on top of the lids: TADA: This was so much more fun than cleaning. I do think I should get some credit though because it is sort of organizing and all these jars are nicely arranged. The cool thing is that it swivels too :)

After patting myself on the back I decided I was in much too much of a creative mood to have to be dragged down with organizing and putting things away! That my friends will be saved for another day. Instead I wanted to make Spring come into my house. We have wanted to get some kind of entry table for the entryway. When you walk up the steps to our flat there is a big piece of wall there. We had a small bookshelf there but it never looked right. Well, in Jan, Jim was at a Pastor's Conf so I did a little more creating. I had two bottoms of a desk that were my sister's and mine when we were younger!!

Oh notice the sanded part-yeah, that was done when we lived in Vista and I had the idea that I was going to sand them and restain in another color. Ten years later guess what??!! I had the same idea! Put side by side these would make a great entry table. Jim even decided he liked the idea. Better than spending money on something new right now. Well, I waited and waited for the enthusiasm to overwhelm him and go to the paint store to get some stain and it just wasn't happening. A lightbulb went off in my head (yes that does happen every now and then) and I tore into the linen closet to find something to cover it. I found about 3yds of burgandy damask material I bought years ago at Walmart at their $1.00 a yard section and draped it over and pinned the excess to the back. It was very elegant looking, but too elegant for Spring. Today I found a light green tablecloth that either Sandy or Leona gave me a few years back and decided it would be perfect for now. "Is that all?" you may be asking yourself...of course not! I wanted to find things to put on the Springy table but was having a hard time finding the right things. Down to the garage I went....Oh my...what's that??? Pieces of wood and parts of cupboards tucked behind other pieces of things I have no clue what they are. Alas, I contourted my body in ways I never knew I could to reach these newly discovered jewels and smiled all the way up the stairs as I thought of how I could use them. This is what I came up with:

There were two little holes where the hinges or whatever would go so I thread some ribbon through it and put a flower in the center. I really like it!! Rose is going to bring some chalkboard paint for me so I am going to paint the inside part with that and write a verse on it. It's cool because with chalk we can erase it and put up new ones any time we want. I then found some clear vases and a candy jar and put them on the table-I want to go to the market and get some flowers next week and fill them with fresh ones. I found this wire frame a few months ago-just added some yellow ribbon to fit in with the decor. There are a few brown cupboards like this and I want to put one in our kitchen above the coffee area and hang a few cups on the end. I think it would also be neat to put a piece of cork in the middle and put pictures too....oh the possibilites are endless. If you went to the hardware store you can get pretty metal door pulls, put one on each side and you have a nice serving tray!!! Here's the finished look for now. I am not thrilled about it but it's much more inviting than before:

I attached some paper flowers to some sticks to spruce up the spare room too. It's our red, white and blue room. We have to keep our patriotism you know!! It's neat how just a little something can make a difference:

The sticks have been in the room since the holidays. I had it decorated for Christmas and then just decided to keep the white lights on it. I like sticks-they are free and you can do a lot with them!!

It was a little difficult at first as I was trying to think about moving things around and changing things to look like Spring. I realized I miss Ross soooooo much!!! Target too! I got a wee bit depressed as I looked around at my furniture I was a bit sad seeing that most everything is dented, scratched and mis-matched. I remember finding some things at Ikea in the 'slightly damaged' section and bringing them home. I sat there with all these pieces on the floor, instructions that might as well have been in Greek, and something that is supposed to be a screwdriver, a wrench or whatever you want to call it. So many people love Ikea!! It is a great store, but at the moment I just wanted to cry. All that came to my mind was that at 50 yrs old I didn't ever dream that I would be putting together my furniture in pieces. I never thought I would have mis-matched furniture or even live in an apartment, having to be careful that we don't make too much noise as to disturb the downstairs neighbors. Nope, that wasn't the life I had planned out for myself. But God knew what He had planned for us and it is oh so much better than I would have picked for myself. So, I don't have Ross or Target-but He has given me so much more. The people I have met, the lives that have touched mine and hopefully in return I have made a difference in others, the places God has allowed me to see-way beyond my wildest dreams. My parents have a timeshare and they would let us kids use it at times. When it was our turn I remember looking through the book of places to choose and didn't dare look at Europe because to me that was only a place where 'rich people' traveled. Oh how wrong I was!!! I remember watching The Sound of Music and never dreamed it possible that I would frolic those same hills..(do you like that word frolic lol) as the Van Trapp kids. What a privilege it is to be a child of God and live in the life He has planned out for us-all the while knowing that this place is not our permanent home-it's only temporary. And with that, I poured a glass of diet pepsi, went over to the computer, listened to this song and had a good cry. All better now :)

Choosing Forgiveness

2011-03-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

Have you ever embarked on a journey where you know once you get to your final destination you will be excited and the road there will have been worth traveling on?
Some journeys are leisurely and others are a must. There are those roads we gladly take and others (like in Italy) that are going to cost to travel on. Along the way we will find ourselves on roads that are so smooth and easy to drive on. Others are filled with bumps, potholes, and even debris. Sometimes there are detours, traffic, even accidents that cause the journey to take longer than we expected.
There are journeys in life that are scary-perhaps we are afraid of what we may encounter along the way. It could be a road never really traveled before and the newness of it causes a bit of fear. Perhaps just thinking about the journey exhausts us and it seems like something that is going to take forever.
I remember as a youngster when we would go on family vacations. Imagine my parents with 6 kids in the car!!! As soon as school was out we would go to our house in the mountains –or as we called it “The Lake” since there was a lake right across the street that we spent most of our time at. About an hour into the trip one of us was asking “Are we there yet?” Soon to be followed by “how much longer til we get there?” and other time-related questions.
When I was in the states I saw a book some friends were reading “Choosing Forgiveness” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
I like every book I have read of hers and knew this one would be no different. It was also a subject matter that I knew in my heart I had to address.
A couple weeks ago, it was time to begin reading it. I knew that once I took the book into my hands and made the decision to read it I also had another choice to make. Was I going to read it as just another good book with biblical lessons or journey with the Lord on the road to forgiveness? It wasn’t something I could take lightly. There was literally a lump in my throat and even a tinge of fear as I looked at the book and decided it was time to read it.
“We simply don’t have any choice about many of the things that happen to us. Our only hope lies in realizing that we do have a choice about how we respond to life’s circumstances-and it is those responses that determine the outcome of our lives.” This is one of the quotes in the beginning of the book. So true and something similar to what most of us have heard before.
I have only read up to part of Chapter 2. There is a section where Nancy lists some things –as I read them and pondered my response to each one; it became even more evident that this is a choice much needed in my life-the choice to forgive, to allow God to do the work necessary in my heart. I was really ashamed of myself when I read those things and my response to them. My heart was so, so sad when the truth of what was in my heart was there before my eyes. Thankfully, God knows what we have need of and He appoints a time in our lives when He lays it before us –showing us our hearts and asking us to make that choice to allow Him to begin the work. To not forgive is sin-how much clearer can God's Word be. I rejoice in knowing that He doesn't just say this is what we have to do. He gives us His own example time and time again. He goes on this journey with us. He empowers us by the Holy Spirit to make the hard choices that need to be made.
I say a lot of things and I actually do mean them. When I say that I want to be able to forgive and I want to be kind to those who it’s so difficult to be kind to, I honestly mean it. But in these past couple of weeks it is becoming clear to me that saying and doing are two different things. I can say ‘oh I want to take a trip to England’ (ha ha, yes I really do) and talk about all the neat places to visit once there-but if I never get in the car or plane and go-what good is it?! Saying something and even having a deep desire to do it is non-productive if I don’t take the next step.
I think for so many of us, the forgiveness that needs to take place isn’t always some huge issue in the realm of things. For many of us it is personal, it has to do with people and words spoken, attitudes taken, hurtful things that we can’t seem to get past. Who was the wacko that made up that silly rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me”. How dumb is that!! Often it seems easier to have someone throw a stick at us because at least the pain from that goes away. (No, I am not advocating throwing things at each other!!!) But words-oh how they sting, how they play over and over again in your mind. Once said, they cannot be taken back. I remember saying something to someone a couple years back and right as the words were coming out I knew at that very moment I shouldn’t have said them and yet there they were-they couldn’t be taken back! How I wish there was a delete button for the mouth!!
How do we forgive people who don’t think they have done anything wrong? How do we truly 100% hand over these things to the Lord and never ever take them back? I don’t know, but I want to find out.
On the cover page of the book, beneath the title is a subtitle-Your Journey to Freedom.
It’s so true! The end of this road leads to freedom! I want to know that freedom. I don’t want unforgiveness to have a foothold in my life and affect the way I think about certain things. I want to be able to go back to the 2nd chapter of this book and answer ‘no’ to each question asked. I desire that freedom that can only come from yielding completely to Jesus and His ways, His Words, His touch. To be clay in the Potter’s hand!

While We Were Sleeping

2011-03-11T09:17:00.001-08:00

By now most everyone has seen the devasting news about the earthquake in Japan. This morning when I turned on my computer to see the news I was horrified by what I was seeing. It was only the begining. We had a girl staying with us this past week from Japan. She left yesterday and was due home today. We have heard she made it to Tokyo but has to sleep at the airport. Hopefully her reservation for tomorrow will bring her safely home. She lives in Okinawa and they were not affected by the earthquake.
My heart went out to the people who were in the picture where it seems the tsunami was taking homes and cars and all else it could with it. There were people waving white sheets or something trying to get the help they needed. I pray they made it to safety. I pray the Lord will use the Christians who are in Japan to minister to the physical as well as spiritual needs of those who so desperately need Jesus. Let's remember to keep them in our prayers.
I was talking to Jim this morning about this earthquake and the mass confusion it causes, the transit systems stopped, nuclear plants at risk, uncertainty, scramble to get information, communication lines down, and questions of why this happened. I listened to the BBC news and they would get experts on to interview to try and give an answer. One reporter asked an expert why are we having all these earthquakes and he could only reply "Noone knows the answer to that".

I thought about when Jesus returns. I think that is on so many of our minds these days which I am glad about. There was an urgency about it when I was first saved and then life somehow takes over and I found myself not always living as though Jesus may come back at any moment.
The song "While You Were Sleeping" has been one of my favorites ever since I first heard it. My thoughts went to that song this morning. As many of us lay sleeping, this devastion came upon so many in Japan. I couldn't help but wonder that when Jesus returns people in the world will be sleeping and when they awake, they will awake to mass confusion. They will be caught off guard, unaware, searching for answers, seeking out the experts trying to figure out what happened. Imagine as they turn on the news the chaos that will be being reported. Airplanes left without pilots, vehicles without drivers and passengers, people disappearing from homes, businesses, markets. Parents left dumbfounded as to where their child have disappeared to.
Today the stockmarket was affected because of the earthquake-imagine the monetary system on that day!

All day today there was talk about how the tsumani would reach other countries. It was interesting to read about the levels. First there is the advisory, the alert, the watch and then the warning. It almost seems we can apply these to Jesus's second coming. We have been advised to be on alert-to watch-we have been warned. We are given the signs.
I believe that we as Christians have to get back to that urgency that Jesus could come at any moment. We need to advise people what the bible says. We need to warn them of the devastation that will take place. Emergency crews, policemen, firemen, mayors-all of them have been alerting the people to get to higher elevation if they lived near the coast. It was up to the people to heed the warning. I am always amazed during any catastrophy-be it a fire or a warning like this tsunami how there are people who refuse to heed the warning. They would rather guard their homes and their valuables. They want to think it isn't as bad as people are saying. The same is true as we warn people about Jesus's return. Some won't think it's true-they would rather do things their own way. How terribly sad!

We need to be occupied with Him and the work He has given us to do-whatever that is.
Years ago the buzz was always about Jesus coming back! You couldn't really go through a day with Christian friends without someone talking about it. "Maranatha" was a word used so often. I want to get back to that! Let's remind each other daily that today could be the day. Let's ask the Lord to bring that urgency back into our lives. Let's go out and share God's Word with as many as He calls us to-if they don't respond positively, atleast we gave the opportunity. There is such an urgency in my heart to give out as many invites to church and cards with the Gospel message on it.

When you watch the news reports on the earthquakes, pay special attention to the faces of the people. Look at their grief, pain, their uncertainty. Then, imagine these kinds of looks on the faces of those who are left behind. Ask God to rekindle the fire in your heart, to go and share His love with everyone you can.
Marantha, He is coming!!!

Name Game

2011-03-10T12:54:00.001-08:00

Decided it was time to give the ole blog a makeover. Believe it or not we had snow the other day!!! In March!! That is so unusual for here. We barely had any snow all winter and on the day I have to take the train to Montebelluna it snows!!
Spring is in the air and that makes me very happy!!!
I have been thinking about the Tower of Babel story and how they wanted to make the tower so they could make a name for themselves. "Come let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth" Gen 11:4
They wanted to make a city with a big tower and they wanted to make a name for themselves! When I read this it made me so sad. I couldn't help but think of the way things are today. People constantly hoping to make a name for themselves. Sadly, this isn't just corporate America we are talking about. We all know that in the work force people will do whatever it takes to 'make it to the top' to be recongnized amongst the big wigs, to rub shoulders with the right people. We expect this kind of behavior in worldly environments. What grieves my heart is seeing it in the Christian environment.
As Christians we often put down corporate America and how they operate but if we think about it, but this same attitude can creep into the church. People who want to make a name for themselves amongst other Christians. Christians who will malign, hurt, walk over other Christians so that they are more popular, more well known. Christians wanting to climb the ministry ladder.
I remember my husband telling me about a conference he was at-he was having a converstation with another pastor and as soon as 'some big name pastor' walked by, the other guy rudely left his conversation with Jim to rub shoulders with the 'better known pastor'. It really hurt him to witness this kind of behavior. Imagine how it grieves the Lord's heart when we act this way.
To what extent will a Christian go to make a name for him or herself? At what cost?
Isn't it enough to know that our Heavenly Father knows our name? When all is said and done that is all that matters. It isn't going to credit a person one bit to say they know so and so and this pastor asked him to do this and that guy sat with me, etc etc etc.

Do you ever picture the story of Mary Magdalene in the garden and suddenly Jesus says her name-Mary, and right away she knew it was Him. I think her heart may have melted within her to hear her Beloved Jesus say her name. It wouldn't have mattered to her if noone else on earth knew who she was-it only mattered that He knew her name. It's so precious to me when I think about it.

Last year we had to choose a woman from the bible to teach one for the girl's discipleship class. I had it in my mind to study Ruth or Esther but God had a different plan. He led me to Luke 8:1-3 where it talks about the different women who ministered to Christ. In verse 3 it says 'and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.' The 'many others' were who we did the study on. We don't know their names, but God does! We talked about being content to be 'one of the others' whose name may not be known, whose name may not be printed in the program, whose name may not be easily recognizable by the 'whose who in Christian circles'. These women served the Lord and it wasn't important that their names be known. I think of how many wives in the Bible we don't know the names of. Noah's wife...we only know her as Mrs. Noah. Sometimes I wonder if the story was being written now and I had the chance, I would want to nudge someone to put my name in there because after all, being married to Noah couldn't have been too easy...who builds an ark in those days! Give me some credit please!

Oh may we serve the Lord with everything we have regardless if we are known for it. Be overjoyed that our Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords knows our name.

Got internet??

2011-03-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, the phone rang and Mr Lovey was asked for by name. I gave the phone over to him and thought nothing of it. About a half hour later my curiosity got to me, wondering who could be engaging my husband for such a long period of time. He soon hung up and I inquired as to who was on the other end. "Oh, we are getting a 'new and improved, lower rate phone and internet service'". I quizically looked at him, wondering if I heard correctly and I believe a "You've got to be kidding me" response came out. After all, haven't we all been warned time and time again that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
I decided to investigate 'said service' on the internet to see what kind of reputation they had. I quickly realized that they made lots of promises that resulted in people hearing their problems would be taken care of in a week and 45 days later they are still waiting!! "Please call them and tell them no, dear" were my words.
Fast forward to Monday morning-I go to turn on my computer and the internet usually pops on automatically. To my surprise-no internet! Gee, I wonder what happened!! I ~~quickly storm~~ calmly walk into the room to ~~yell~~ rationally speak to Mr. Lovey about this problem. To the phone he went, dialing the number to this 'new and improved' company to find out what is happening. I am certain that all the while he was dialing he was praying that this was some mix-up that would quickly be resolved by the time he hung up the phone. Nope, not going to happen that way. I hear him say things like "but the guy promised there would be no interruption of service, he told me nothing would go wrong" In the meantime, I am sitting there moving my leg back and forth at such a rapid pace I could have won any race had there been one. While waiting for Mr Lovey to get off the phone my head filled with all the different things I could say to him once he hung up. How I longed to have my say! But after a bit, a voice kept saying "drip drip, nag, nag" What?? No, go away, then louder, drip drip, nag nag...until I finally had to get up and go out of the room.~~Stomping~~ Walking away, you would have thought that I was elated, overjoyed, running to find my journal to write such sweet words of adoration that I had been stopped from spewing out torrents of phrases to belittle and put down Mr. Lovey over this issue. After all, I was right!! I knew I was right and I wanted to ~~rub it in~~ remind Mr. Lovey that he did, after all, marry Mrs. Right! Ah, but the Holy Spirit was more powerful-the Lord had such grace upon Mr. Lovey and wouldn't let those awful words come out and make him feel worse than he already did! Slowly, I succumbed to the realization that being Mrs. Right isn't always the best thing-especially at the cost of inflicting meanness upon the one I love. (now mind you, it doesn't always end this way-I still have lots of growing to do.)

Poor Mr. Lovey-he had to phone the company that we originally had the service with and tell them we want our service back (being informed that it can take several days-we are now on day 3 of no service) Then, we receive a note from the 'new and improved' guys that our service has now been activated-really? I think their version of activation just means "hey, we gonna start chargin ya now even if it ain't workin yet" . In the meantime, Mr. Lovey had to buy this little contraption that goes into the computer and gives you so many hours of internet service.

It's quite a drag because I keep forgetting to disconnect it every time I am away from the computer-usually we just leave the internet on so this is a hard thing to remember!!

I think I did manage to get in one "well you know I am usually right" but I said it with a smile so maybe that's ok???? And Mr. Lovey responded "no, you're not always right". Hmm, guess we'll have to work on that one!

And to think that some people think we Christians have boring lives! I guess they don't know too many of us huh!

Praise the Lord for lessons learned, attitudes adjusted, Holy Spirit power and bad thoughts repented of!

I best be getting off the computer now! The clock is ticking :)

Cupcake anyone?

2011-02-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

What a couple months it has been-between back pain, fevers, headaches and anything else in between-hopefully we are at the end of it. The other night I had such severe heartburn as never before I couldn't even sleep. Is this the joy of aging???

The week before Valentine's Day I announced to the kids in Sunday School that we were going to have a party. They were excited, especially the older one because we would decorate cookies. We normally do that at Christmas, but this year we didn't have time. During the week I looked all over the internet for different heart projects to do where they would learn about God's love for them. Besides making cookies, I wanted to make some cupcakes. There are a ton of adorably decorated cupcakes out there and I found some printable cupcake wrappers to print and cut out. I also printed out pictures of the kids so their heart projects were a little more personal.

(these are the cute wrappers I found at Skip to My Lou)
Sunday morning I carefully finished putting all the cute wrappers around the cupcakes and topped them off with some sweet sprinkles. Who was more excited-me or the kids?!! I love doing things like this. (I think it's from serving in women's ministry in Vista with so many talented women and having great inspiration) It's a joy to me. I love to see the kids eyes sparkle in awe as they see things that are completely new to them. So into the car and onto church we go.................

While on the way, we get a call from one of the families-the flu has struck their family and they won't be able to make it. A little later another call came....and so it was that only 1 of 6 would be there that day. At first my heart just sank and the initial reaction was to think it was such a waste of time, energy and even enthusiasm- a huge letdown. Thankfully, the Lord didn't allow me to go there. Disappointed for a bit, yes, but making a choice to give it straight over to God won out. The enemy so wants to make us seem like our efforts are all in vain, unappreciated, and unnoticed. He wants to rob us of our joy in serving God-to give up because after all, what's the use!
It was a good reminder to me about who I serve and why I do the things I do. Keeping Jesus as the focus and purpose of all we do helps to ease the disappointments when they come. When our desire is to please Him then we know that nothing is in vain. We know that we have done what He put in our hearts to do and He is well pleased with our obedience. If we constantly try to please man and put God second, we will always be disappointed and frustrated. Man will always fail us-we will fail one another in some way or another at some point in our lives. God doesn't meausre success or failure the same way we do. Man is result oriented-seeing instantly with the eye the reward of his work. We won't always see the immediate result of our obedience to the Lord. Often times it will be His working something in our hearts, something perhaps that noone else sees but you and He. Is that enough? Does that make the effort worth it? It did for me that Sunday. There is a joy knowing that my Heavenly Father cared enough to teach me something new that day. He did an inward work through my outward work. I wouldn't want to trade it for anything.
Thankfully, the cookies could keep until the following Sunday and the kids were so excited that they didn't miss out on all the fun!
The cupcakes....well....us big people ate some and then Jim and I forced ourselves to eat the rest during the week since they wouldn't freeze well :)

Love

2011-02-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

Just a short note today-I wanted to share with you how romantic my husband is. Yes, my sweet loving adorable hubby!!! He really is amazing!

A couple of years ago I made a Valentine card for him and sent it to him via email. He lovingly sent one back to me:

He is a creative genius I tell you!

I know some people loathe this day. It used to be sad in high school when they would sell roses for you to give to people you were "in love" with and you didn't have anyone "in love" with you. Well, my friends and I just sent them to each other and made everyone else curious as to who our secret admirers were! Yah, I am certain much sleep was lost that night as they tossed and turned trying to figure out that one!! LOL!Oh but we have our Jesus who loves us with an everlasting love. Love that never disappoints, never fails, never changes. God is love! It's not just a saying, it's reality. It's a precious promise from the One who never goes back on His Word! What more could we ask for :)

Below the Surface

2011-02-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

My back pain is much better now-thank you for praying! I am back to the normal pain caused by the herniated disk that I have had over 20 yrs now. Thankful that the mid back pain has gone away. We switched computer chairs so hopefully that is what was the cause of the problem.
I love when my dear husband shows great concern over my well being. He is always telling me to "be sure to rest your back" "don't overdo it honey". Of course it is usually followed by "When are you going to get to the ironing?" Today was my housecleaning day. I try to do a bit each day and then Friday the major things like vacuuming and bathrooms get done. Darling husband has given me a sabatical on cleaning his bathroom for the last couple months. (Yes, it was in the contract we signed when we moved into this place that since we finally had 2 usuable bathrooms, I would have my own) I began getting all the wonderful chemicals out of the cupboard to assist in my cleaning and happen to notice said bathroom needed cleaning. As I am cleaning I asked a question and was quickly told that I didn't need to clean his shower because he just cleaned it. Oh really?????????
At first glance, it did look passable for clean. Upon closer look it began to dawn on me that this shower was in desperate need of help. I went to wipe down the tiles in there and there wasn't that shiny slippery feel that was supposed to be there. Instead it was caked on hard water scummy muck! That meant socks off and into shower for major overhaul of these tiles. Scrubbing away, inserting a little groan here and there in hopes that Mr Lovey might appear and ask what is the problem-didn't work-he was playing guitar with his earphones on!! Scrubbing away, I found myself talking to the Lord and figured since I had to exert all this energy on a 'clean' shower maybe He could give me a little bible lesson while we scrubbed. Of course He did friends!
I started thinking about what lies below the surface. At first glance things might appear wonderful and shiny but underneath some grime has built up. Compromises, little things that we let in our lives after a while, guards that we no longer keep up to ensure that we don't cross certain lines or let certain things come in contact with us. It's so easy for these things to creep in and just sit there unnoticed. It's even easier when we start to compare ourselves with other Christians and think that we are doing well because we seem to have it more together than they do. It's good to go before the Lord as David did-in Psalm 139 where he asks the Lord to search him and see if any unclean thing is found in him. We need to do that often.
When I cleaned the shower today I wore gloves to protect my hands, I rolled up my sweats so they wouldn't get all messy and I had to lean in and scrub hard! I had to spray strong chemicals on the tiles to help get all the scum off. I had to bend down to be sure to get each tile.
We have the most beautiful example of our sweet Jesus cleaning-stooping down low, rolled up his garment and grabbed a towel. Jesus didn't put on gloves-He used His very hands-the hands that would soon take a nail through them. He wasn't afraid of the dirt. He didn't need to use harsh or strong chemicals-His blood would be enough to cleanse completely. He wants to get below the surface of our lives so that we are completely cleansed day by day. He wants us to be shining for Him! He doesn't want the ways of this world to infiltrate our lives in such a way hinders us from complete surrender to Him.
Later in the day I was baking some cookies for Sunday and started singing the song by Keith Green-O Lord You're Beautiful. As I was singing the words "replace the lamp of my first love that burned with holy fear" I thought it went along with what the Lord had taught me while cleaning the shower. That holy fear of doing anything or allowing anything in my life that might cause a build up of grime in my heart. I don't want it there. I want to be that vessel of honor, a vessel that is fit for my Master's use.
Praise the Lord that He is so gentle with us, that He cleanses us from all uncleaness when we confess our sins to Him. What a merciful Savior!! What a wonderful God!

oh my aching back

2011-02-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

Well, feeling better was short lived! For the past few days the only way I can find relief for my back it to lay in bed. It's been horrible! Last night the pain was so bad it made me sick to my stomache!
Please pray for complete healing in my back. Since July I get pain in the mid section off and on but it also makes breathing difficult because it is where the rib cage is. We are thinking it could be the chair I have been using at my desk. We switched out the chairs today so we will see if it makes any difference. Hopefully this will go away quickly!
I asked Jim to make dinner tonight. He's great at it so it was no problem....except for the fact that I wanted rice for dinner. He joyfully obliged and about a half hour later there was an entire pot full of cooked rice!!!!! He made the entire pound (there abouts in metric) Oh my...we will be eating rice till the cows come home. It tasted yummy though with some butter and grated parmesan cheese!
ok-that's it for today. Hopefully in the next day or two I will have more energy and will write more.
thanks for praying!

The Privilege

2011-02-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

I have been reading The Privilege by Kay Smith in the past weeks. It is an amazing read. I was so blessed to go to the pastor's wives conference in Murrietta this past October and this book was one of the things that sweetly graced our table setting one evening. The cover itself captivates you and immediately draws you in.
We have grown up with the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' but in this case I think we can.

Inside is years of wisdom from Kay flowing from one page to the next.

The title itself is something that really struck me. It completely causes you to think of the blessing it is to be a pastor's wife. At times it is difficult to look at it like that-sadly, at times I looked at it as a burden, one more thing I have probably failed at and not lived up to people's expectations of me. Too often it's easy to look at the negative part of it and not remember that it really is a privilege. It really is a privilege to be able to be used by God in such a way.

I am not finished reading this but what I have read has made such an impact in my thinking. Kay has a special gift of exhorting with love, not mincing words and really challenging us to live up to the calling God has for us. You just can't skim through the chapters, finish the book and then put it neatly back on your shelf. Well, I suppose you could, but then you would be missing out on so much. For me, it is good to be challenged. To have someone say, "Listen, you need to be doing this and that" is good for me! Kay's words don't leave you feeling condemned-convicted at times in certain areas, encouraged that someone understands the hurts and discouragement you have gone through, but always with the exhortation to look at it from the Word of God.

I really encourage you to get this book if you don't have it already. It's not just for pastor's wives but, as it says on the back of the book, "If you are a pastor's wife, mother, Sunday School teacher or ministry leader" get this book and let the Lord speak to your heart through it. I believe it will be so beneficial. There are so many gold nuggets in this book and I am only half way through.

A little snippit-At times, we find ourselves standing in a field we didn't choose for ourselves, tending to a task we never wanted. But when the call to that field-and the sheep it contains-comes from God Himself, then you've just been given a privilege. (this is from the back cover)
For many of us, our husbands weren't pastors when we married them and their call impacted our lives -but God knew all along and He has promised to equip the called. He will equip us for every work He puts in front of us. Don't be afraid of what or where God may be calling you or has already called you. Let Him pour into you so that you are able to pour in to others. Look to Him-let Him be your motivation, the One you desire to please. There is much freedom in that!

If you have listened to Kay's teachings before, you will truly feel like she is right there on the couch with you telling you these things. I often find myself smiling as I read certain portions because I can hear her voice and the way she would be saying it.

I thank God that He has given me this privilege!

A little browsing

2011-02-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

I find myself ever so grateful to be living overseas in such a time as this. Technology is amazing. Yes, there are those that use it in bad ways, but there are many others that share their thoughts, talents, recipes and even fun craft ideas with the world of bloggers and readers. It's not easy to go to your nearest Christian bookstore and pick up the latest CD, book or Christian art in these parts of the world. Thankfully, I have been able to find some really neat blogs from ladies who share their pretty artwork with the rest of us.
Today, I thought I would share a few links with you so you can join in the fun. I know many of you who read here are on the mission field too so I pray you have a printer and paper and can enjoy some fun finds to put around your house.
I found this one:(just click and it brings you to their blog)
Kristen
She has some really neat printables. I was able to print out a few of them and change them out according to the season. Ikea has some good prices on frames so you can have some nice pictures for a little money. You can also print them out whatever size you want. I have Photoshop Elements so I am able to change the color of things if I want to match something in particular.
This next site I enjoy browsing through because she always has the neatest pictures that make me want to have all kinds of little parties with my granddaughter, my friends and anyone else who would come over and visit! So much pink and floral and all kinds of lovliness on this blog:
A Little Lovliness
If you are looking for some really adorable Valentine printables you MUST go check these out. I am thinking we are going to have a party in Sunday School just so I can use these cute things!
You can find them at:
Catch My Party
The next one caught my eye just because the cookies were decorated so beautifully and I sat here and imagined it was me that decorated them and everyone oohed and aahed and told me how wonderfully creative I am!!
Glorious Treats
Ok-less I cause you to stumble and spend too much time going from site to site and following one link to another link and then your kids come home and ask you what is for dinner and you just kind of look at them with that blank stare and hubby arrives home and you still have your houserobe on you ramble on and on about how you couldn't help it but you found yourself captivated by all these wonderful online things, I will stop here. There are other links but I will save them for another time.
Enjoy!!

Treasures

2011-01-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

So,,,(did your English teacher teach you never to start a sentence with the word so? Mine did and I am always breaking the rule!!) did you google RèVive? If so did you find the price and gasp aloud thinking 'oh my goodness, I thought she served in ministry however does she afford such a product?!!! You did didn't you? It's ok because I would have done the same thing lol!!!

Let me tell you the story....

The other night after frustratingly(yeah, thinkin' that's not a word) trying to pry open the wooden fixture in the bathroom containing all my beauty products I came to the realization that there must be too many said products in the drawers and shelves because they no longer open with ease. This is an adventure in itself and causes all kinds of conversations in my head while trying to decide what to keep and what to dispose of.

Yes, I WILL wear those glittery press on nails one day, probably the same day I put those cute fake eyelashes on. At the thought of actually trying to adhere glue to a substance that will touch my eye I shudder. It would be the next Facebook status-"um, I hope I am typing correctly, you see I am blind now, well, not actually blind, I just can't open my eye anymore" Yes, that is why those cute looking eyelashes remain in a package, unused, awaiting the day I round up the courage to glue them to my eyes!

Well, this chore quickly became a little treasure hunt as I moved this and that out of the way, reached way in the back to find a few samples of various products accumulated over the years and lo and behold I found a couple samples of face and eye cream. Well, I decided, hey, I need this stuff!! I found the one skin cream with the desciption "cellular repair" rather fascinating. Repairing my cells...wow! How exciting! Later that evening I decided to google this stuff and find out what it actually means that my cells would now be renewed. I landed a gold mine I tell you! This stuff has promised to provide immediate improvement to my prematurely aging skin. How does it do that you may ask....it has this neato ingredient called a 'youth molecule'. Yep you heard it here folks!! So, if you need some youth renewing, head on over to your favorite department store, go directly to the make-up counter and it can be yours for a mere $195.00!!!!!!!!

After reading about all these promises I slathered the stuff all over my face-it has to be good if it costs that much right!! I still have no idea where this good sized sample of gold came from but I was tickled pink when I happened to turn the jar upside down and noticed it won't even expire until 12/11. I am good to go. Now, a word of warning, when you do see me next you are probably going to have a hard time recognizing me-you might be doing a double take-I will most likely look years younger with all this celluar renewal going so please be prepared.

All this got me to thinking about treasuring God's Word. All these treasures just there waiting for us to find. Sometimes we have to dig deep, other times it's right there clear as day. There is something waiting for us to use and to apply to our lives daily. Little nuggets we can breathe in, journal about, pray into our very heart.

How much money do women spend on trying to renew their youthful looks? I hear it is so much! They will buy a product no matter what the cost just because it says it will help them to achieve their goal of looking younger. Products that promise to renew, refresh, regenerate, restore, revive and by the millions women line up to buy the next bottle of promise.

How much more does God's Word promise us! He promises to renew us-renew our minds, our strength, to give us refreshment, to revive us! Ah, and the best part is that the price for all of this has been paid. All we have to do is receive it!

Sometimes there are treasures in our bible that we have read and never quite understood the meaning behind the scripture until one day, like a light bulb, it hits us and there is such an incredible joy as the Holy Spirit has spoken this Word to our hearts and opened up our understanding to what He is teaching us. I remember so well taking a women's bible class and one reading John 14:26. I couldn't believe what I was reading! I had been a Christian for years by this time and had never ever realized what this verse was saying. It was one of the most life changing verses for me. For so many years I lived like the story "The Little Enginge That Could" I would wake up and tell myself "I think I can, I think I can" I can be a good Mom today, I can be a good wife today, I can be a good Christian today, I can, I can, I can,,,,always ending with the same result....I can't I can't I can't! How frustrating was my Christian life! I could never achieve what I thought God wanted me to be. And then, this day I read this verse and realize I had it all wrong. The only part I had right was "I can't" Oh but the joy and the freedom to finally realize that God already knew that I couldn't. He didn't even expect me to do these things on my own. He knew that when I tried, I would fail. This verse illuminated such truth into my life. It is HIM!!! It is His work in me!!! He will teach me, He will remind me, He will lead me and guide me, He will direct my path!! What a relief! Talk about renewal!

Dear sisters, is your bible your treasure? Is it something you pick up and dig into each day and find new hope, new joy, new strength. Is God's Word where you go to be renewed, refreshed, revived. Perhaps like my little 'wonder cream' that was sitting in the drawer for atleast two years now without my noticing it, there is something hidden in His Word for you today. I must have moved that little cream jar a hundred times and never bothered to look close enough at it to see what it was. There may be a special verse that God wants to reveal to you today-you have read it before, you have heard teachings on it before, but today, He wants to open it up to you, to apply it to your life personally and renew your heart and mind.

Thank you for praying

2011-01-28T06:34:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,
I thank you so much for praying! My migraine has gone away for now and though I didn't fall asleep until 4am last night-toss, turn, toss, turn---I awoke refreshed enough to rearrange furniture!! Oh yes indeedy! Why is it that we women think that when our Misters go away it is suddenly time to change the look of the house!! Oh my! Well, this is my five minute break :)
I will be back later tonight after the Mister arrives home long enough to give me a kiss, tell me how much he missed me this week and is in awe of the newly rearranged living area-then he is off again to bible study (yippee, he started a Friday night study)
Here's a sneak peek at today's Part Due (that's doo-ee). Off to put some make up on so I don't scare hubby upon his arrival!! Fear not, I am not selling it !

Migraine

2011-01-25T14:35:00.000-08:00

Terrible awful yucky painful migraine equals no post because my head hurts too much to think clearly. Yes, it happens to blondes!!
Hopefully tomorrow :)
Please pray this pain goes away!

My Jesus

2011-01-20T05:30:00.001-08:00

I heard this song years ago when we lived in Hungary and looked for it on You Tube (yes, it's nice to be a missionary these days with all the advanced technology!!)and immediately knew it would become a favorite.
The words in the song cause us to consider our lives, even as Christians, especially as Christians.
Well,,,,I had a big ole post written about things on my heart but decided to erase it and just let you listen to the song.
I am thankful that I know of many churches where Jesus is welcome!
Yes, there are some graphic scenes in this video, but it's from a movie depicting the life of our Jesus. I always thought it interesting when people talked about how gruesome this movie was. It is very difficult to watch, but even in the worst of scenes you could still recognize the character playing Jesus. The Bible tells us He was beaten beyond recognition.
Sometimes I need a little wake-up call. A little reminder that not having my flavored coffee cream isn't going to ruin my day. Ok-that's enough. I am not going to rewrite my post!!

How Great A Love

2011-01-15T05:25:00.001-08:00

A couple people I know are suffering through cancer right now. One of them started chemo the other day and the other had another surgery yesterday to remove another lump. As I thought and prayed for them and their families I found myself saying something all too familiar...something like 'and whatever happens Lord, may it be used to bring You glory.' For the rest of the day I thought and cried over this statement. I wondered what does it really mean when I pray that. We hear that phrase so often as Christians that it is easy to become numb to the words and their meaning and just say it because it is the thing to say at the end of a prayer for those in need.
Did it mean that even though these women must suffer and their families too, that if someone gets saved through it then it was worth it? Does it mean if a prodical comes back to the Lord because of it that it was worth it? Is that what it means to see God glorified in suffering? In a matter of time I actually found myself saying to the Lord that if it meant that people would be saved into Eternity than please afflict me. If those I know and love would give their lives to You completely, then please afflict me." Sadly, as soon as I said it, the self preservation in me came out. "Oh no, what did I just say, I didn't really mean it Lord, I don't want to suffer affliction. Following that, I mourned. I mourned the fact that after all these years of being a Christian, of serving the Lord, teaching others to trust and obey, to surrender all, I still count my life dear to myself.
I went and put on some music and then became engrossed in the words to this song:(I don't know why it's not coming out full screen but I think if you click on it, it will take you to the song on You Tube and you can see the words no problem)

What greater love is there? Truly there is none. As I looked on You Tube for all the words of the song I realized all the more this great love of God for all of us. He was willing to suffer, to be beaten, to be bruised, to live among mankind though He was a King, to leave His rightful throne and all because of us. In everything that He did, God was glorified. In suffering, in pain, in humiliation, scorn-all that He endured, His Father was glorified. He didn't count His life dear to Himself. He gave Himself a ransom for all.

And by the end of the day, it would be nice to say that I came to the point of complete willingness to be afflicted in whatever way God would be glorified through it-and yet it would be a lie if I said that happened. The closest I came was to say, "Lord, please make me willing to be willing" Willing to be, to do, to endure anything and everything that would glorify You."

The P Word

2011-01-10T11:25:00.001-08:00

Are you wondering what the P word is? Could stand for a lot of different things.
Let's see...promise, pretty, power, pleasing, polish, pizza,(since I live in Italy) pain...

Well it could stand for pain because I have been in a lot of it lately. For the past week my back has been so bad I can barely sleep at night. We think a disk slipped a bit because something is puffed up and something else is slanting. Fun stuff. The heating pad and some medicine have been my companions the past week! Can't wait for the rainy weather to go away!! Jim's ankle is always painful when this kind of weather comes around so I don't think it would be a good time to call and ask us to help you move!!

Ok-back to the

Do you ever have those days where you are prayed up, read up, and just all around you feel at peace in your heart and nothing major is going wrong. Of course for me, it's very easy to fall into the "check list trap" as I call it:

Read my bible.....check
prayed....check
spoke nicely to Mr Lovey....check (yes I have decided to change the names to protect - ~~myself~~ the innocent)
cleaned the house....check

And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you find yourself smack in the middle of something unexpectant. This was a scene from the Lovey's the other day:

Mrs Lovey was at her computer computing away when suddenly a notice appeared with a warning that something had gone array. "What" Mrs Lovey screamed.."how could that be? I am so careful about what is allowed on my computer. What do you mean there is a virus on this computer? Surely there must be a mistake." Well, Mrs. Lovey rambled and scrambled about trying with all her might to 'fix it' on her own so as not to disturb Mr. Lovey about such a problem. After all, Mrs Lovey did not want to get a lecture about being sure to update her computer, making sure there is a virus protection on it etc. You see, not long ago, Mrs Lovey decided that her virus protection program made her computer too slow so she decided to uninstall it...Mr Lovey wasn't happy about that! Well, nothing was working so Mrs Lovey had to go to Mr Lovey's ~~room~~ office and tell him about the problem. Mr. Lovey gave her one of those looks-you know the kind most Loveys like to give when they know they were right and you were wrong-to her computer he went, fiddling and faddling, saying a couple things that she really didn't understand or even try to understand. After a short while, Mrs Lovey began to get a real bad case of the 'impatience' The tell tale signs were there..worming and squirming, looking over Mr Lovey's shoulders telling him that she could take things from there and that she probably knew a little more about fixing this than he did -all because she didn't have the "P" word! She started pacing around a bit more, her cheeks were getting flustered with aggrevation until there was a warm feeling inside, not a warm fuzzy feeling, but a reddish sense-maybe the color of anger, started welling up inside because this was happening TO HER!! Why was it happening to her!!! After all, Mrs Lovey didn't go to yucky sites, didn't download illegal things, didn't do any of the things that would cause a virus in her little ole computer. Well, Mr. Lovey lovingly fixed her computer, although he might have hinted a time or two that she was very impatient...hmm....

A little later in the evening, Mrs Lovey went to lay her head on her pillow and get a good night's rest. While trying to sleep, the "P" word kept being repeated over and over in her mind until she had to finally say "Lord, I have no patience...I really am not good at this whole patience thing'. Mrs Lovey can have patience for big things, but is realizing that it is in the small things, the unexpectant things that seem to come from space that patience is lacking. Reaction rather than prayer, words rather than silence. When things don't go the way she planned or a little glitch comes along she has a hard time exercising patience. Then, Mrs Lovey started realizing how pride can come into play in all this. When we have checked off our check list it is so easy to think that we will have some smooth sailing or if anything does come our way, we are ready for it. We did everything we were supposed to do and didn't do the things we weren't supposed to do so why are these things happening!!!!

Perhaps they happen because God wants to use them to show us things in our lives that need some working on! We pray often to be conformed to His image, to be more and more like Him. These types of things are what He chooses to use in our lives to answer those prayers. He doesn't want us to be content with where we are in our walk with Him. He wants to challenge us more and more to let go of things, to make changes in our lives.

I love the scripture in James 1:4 Let patience have its perfect work. The word 'let' reminds me that it is a choice. I have to choose to let patience be in my life. Daily, moment by moment, when the strange and weird things come my way,,,let patience work in me!

I hear the Loveys are doing well. Mr. Lovey is back to his office and Mrs Lovey is computing away on her updated, viral free computer. There was a great blessing in store for Mrs Lovey in the end but that will have to wait for another post because there is a story behind that too -albeit a good one! Isn't it amazing that someone like Mrs Lovey could be so blessed after being so ...well....kind of sort of mean?

Befana

2011-01-06T02:33:00.001-08:00

Today in Italy it is Epiphany and also the celebration of Befana. Here is the information on Befana I found online:

La Befana is one of Italy's oldest and most celebrated legends. Each year on January 6 the children of Italy awaken in hopes that La Befana has made a visit to their house. This is a significant day to Italians because it marks the end of the Christmas season and the day that the three Wise Men arrived at the manger of the Christ child. Over the years the Epiphany has been a more celebrated holiday for the children of Italy than even Christmas.

Sounds normal enough right-kind of like St Nicholas Day in most of Europe. The legend behind Befana really grabbed my attention recently. Read on: (It's a bit lengthy but worth the read)

As legend has it the three Wise Men were in search of the Christ child when they decided to stop at a small house to ask for directions. Upon knocking, an old woman holding a broom opened the door slightly to see who was there. Standing at her doorstep were three colorfully dressed men who were in need of directions to find the Christ child. The old woman was unaware of who these three men were looking for and could not point them in the right direction. Prior to the three men leaving they kindly asked the old woman to join them on their journey. She declined because she had much housework to do. After they left she felt as though she had made a mistake and decided to go and catch up with the kind men. After many hours of searching she could not find them. Thinking of the opportunity she had missed the old woman stopped every child to give them a small treat in hopes that one was the Christ child. Each year on the eve of the Epiphany she sets out looking for the baby Jesus. She stops at each child's house to leave those who were good treats in their stockings and those who were bad a lump of coal.

Can you see where I am going with this! Of course it is all legend but I find it a very interesting one. The part of the legend that struck a chord with me is how Befana was too busy to go and look for Jesus with the Wise Men and now she spends her days searching and searching hoping that it isn't too late.

What a great application! God can even use legends passed down from generation to generation to make a point.

Today we find that so many people are too busy-they are busy studying, working, fixing up their homes, going here and there and they have no time for Jesus. How many times do we hear the excuses why people don't want to come to church, why they aren't interested in even knowing who Jesus is. Many say they will get around to it once they have more time, or when they are older. Remember the parable of the Great Supper? (Luke 14:15) The master had prepared a feast and sent his servant to invite many to the feast. One by one, they all made excuses-buying land, busy with family, busy with work. The master became angry at all their excuses! There is nothing new under the sun! The same excuses today as were back in the day of the parable. They don't have time come away and sit with Jesus. Everything else takes priority.

Sadly, even Christians have fallen into this category. Christians who once were at the church- for every bible study, every time the doors were open and something was going on, there there were. They didn't mind that they might lose an hour or two of sleep if the study was in the evening-they were going to hear the Word, be in fellowship. Fellowship and the Word were priority.

Here in Italy people are known for their dedication to housework. This is another thing I find particulary interesting about the legend of Befana. She was doing a good thing-cleaning her house. But, her housework took priority over finding Jesus! Maybe I am stretching a bit in my comparison, but please indulge me a bit :) In some cultures where women are all about their housework, we see Jesus and the study of the Word can take a back seat. It is like the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was doing what was good, after all, someone had to prepare the meal right! But Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part. What was Mary doing? She was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening and learning-taking in all that she could from Him.

So, what is the point of all this??? Should we forget about housework-of course *NOT* just a joke!! Should we not do our job, our schooling, spend quality time with our families? We are to do all these things-everything that God gives us to do we are to do and do it mightily, as unto Him. However; none of these things should take precedence over Him and His Word. Spending time with Jesus and getting to know Him should be priority in our lives.

Just like the legend of Befana-she still searches today hoping it isn't too late. She rides around on her little broom hoping to find Jesus. There will be a day when it is too late. Don't harden your heart towards His voice, His beckoning, His calling.
Christian, don't harden your heart either. Don't become so preoccupied with life that you don't have time to sit at His feet. In Matthew 6 Jesus talks to us about not worrying where we will get our food, our clothing. He will take care of everything we need. Often times we mix up the order of things. We think everything else needs to come first and what time we have left over can be given to God. No, He says that we are to seek Him first, seek His kingdom first. He knows what we have need of. He knows our finances, how many hours of sleep we actually need, the tests and exams that are coming up. Take your schedule and give it to Him. Yes, be faithful in your job, your home-with all your responsibilities; but do not use what God has given you as an excuse to put Him off. He gave you that job, He gave you that family, the intelligence to go to school, the home you live in, etc. He gave them to us, but He didn't give them so they could take priority.

Let's make it our priority to truly seek after the things of God, to put nothing or anyone in His rightful place in our lives.

Partial

2011-01-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

I wonder how many of you slept through the night last night with my little teaser of a word yesterday. Ha ha, sorry I can't help myself sometimes :)

It's the time of year when many make New Years resolutions. It's not something I usually do-it's more of a constant thing every so many months for me-wanting to make changes here and there in my life and attitude. Last night, a word came to me once again that I have been hearing over and over again for the past week. Jim and I drove to Switzerland the other day and listened to a few messages along the way. We were going through Pastor Damian's teachings on 1Kings and he spoke firmly about this word and it struck a chord with me. Then, last night the word came up again as I was reading and I realized the Lord was getting my attention and I wanted this to be my 'word' for the year. (not just for a year but you get the point). What is that word the Lord is speaking
Listening to the message I could feel a little twinge in my bones-you know the kind you get when you know it pertains to you! What does it benefit us if we just read the Word without obeying what it says. I don't consider myself a disobeyer (is that a word) but realized there are areas of my life that I miss the mark. It's easy to find myself partially obeying certain areas rather than completely.

As you can see I circled the word 'incomplete'. This was the perfect word I was looking for. If we think about it, there's a huge market for 1/2 and 1/2 or partial of things. Don't want all the caffeine, well there is half caffeine coffee; 1/2 the fat in this ice cream, even places of worship where only half the truth is being told. Partial-not complete! It can be fine for foods or drink but when it comes to our spiritual lives this word should not exist. Think about our kids and when we ask them to do something. How frustrating it is when they don't obey or even partially do what we tell them to do. It can be the same when we read our bibles. We read, mediate on the Word, pray and then go about our day. It's easy to find ourselves partially obeying what we read-I like obeying the easy parts, the fun parts, the parts I am not struggling in, but the more challenging parts -that's a different story.

Let's learn to completely obey what we read and what we hear from the Word and do it completely.

So there you have it-obedience to the Word! Not just making a plan to read it each day but to obey what God is saying to me even when it's challenging!

Sneak Preview

2011-01-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

Just a little hint of what one of tomorrow's topics will be about :) I decided to post now in case I forget tomorrow lol..

New Year

2011-01-04T04:36:00.000-08:00

Greetings!!
I am ready to start blogging again!! It has been something I keep wanting to do again but either don't have the time or just not sure about what to say.
Proverbs 29:11 says "A fool vents all his feelings but a wise man holds them back". Sometimes in wanting to blog it's been because I want to vent and this scripture always comes back to me. It's hard to know at times when it's ok to write what is really on your heart and when it's best to remain quiet.
My heart in having this blog is to keep you informed as to what is going on here in Padova, what the Lord is doing/saying and then of course the daily or almost daily flips and flops of my life.

So,,,are you reading your one year bible? Don't get frustrated if you miss some days-just pick up and go to the day and if you can, go back to the dates you missed. It's overwhelming if we miss some days and then we think we can never catch up-just do what you can do, but do it with all your heart.
Let's get this blogging started :)
ciao for now

Slowly returning

2010-07-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

To blogging that is! So much time has gone by-I am using my old computer which does what it wants when it wants.
It was fun to redesign the blog and look at all that is out there to make your blog look pretty.
Lots to catch up on but it is way to hot right now-over 100 degrees everyday this week. Today my hands and feet finally decided to swell. I was doing so good and then poof!! It's painful too so that doesn't help my fingers.
Anyway, I can't wait to start writing again!!
Ciao for now!

A Plead For Patience

2010-02-26T07:58:00.000-08:00

Alas, my sweet and loyal friends, I have come to make a brief mark on the ever neglected blog. Bear with me as we continue to work on my old computer and get things moved around, take some stuff off, put new stuff in, I just don't get it all.
Hopefully in the next week or two I will be back to my desktop and able to write away. I miss writing, I really do. I miss putting up some photos after I have fooled around with Photoshop longer than I should :)
Anyway, keep us in prayer, pray that we don't despise the day of small things, that we keep our eyes on Jesus. We know we are in the preparation stage right now and Spring is around the corner. It's like you gathered all the ingredients necessary to make the cake, read the instructions carefully, put it in the oven and then you have to wait and wait for it to be ready. I feel at times the Lord is putting the little cake tester in my middle to see if I am ready yet :) Ha ha, I love how He gives us pictures to understand. The timer is on, and we are prepared-----
equipped for all He desire to do this new season.

God's blessings upon your day !

Wow

2010-02-04T02:30:00.000-08:00

Has it really been so long? I keep waiting for my computer to be fixed so that I can change up my site and unChristmasy it. I suppose I am just keeping up with those who say we should carry the theme of Christmas in our hearts every day!
It's kind of a drag not having my normal computer. I am very thankful for the laptop-it just doesn' t have all my programs and pictures and all my doo dads in it. Hopefully in the next week things will be back to normal.
I have been listening to a great study in 1Samuel the past week. (you can click on Calvary Modesto to the right if you want to listen). Wow, so many different things going on in my heart. Rejoicing, excitement, conviction, searching. Isn't that just what the Word of God is intended to do? Hannah's beautiful example of prayer and trusting God, how not to parent by Eli, the children of Israel wanting to be like everyone else and rejecting what they had, Samuel, and his heart to serve the Lord, Saul, Jonathon. It's just amazing. Yesterday I was literally almost jumping inside listening about Jonathon's faith. I liked the quote Damien used-
The children of Israel looked at God in light of their circumstances, yet Jonathon looked at the circumstances in light of who His God is. It is something we have heard before but sometimes it just needs repeating and the Lord knows when! It is so so true. Things around us can seem hopeless, bleak, mundane at times. Beauacracy, difficult situations, but who is our God? Has He not allowed these things to pass our way. Has He not promised "Lo, I am with you always". Do not fear, put your hope in Me...all these promises He gives us and yet when faced with difficulty how do we respond? Sometimes I just want to give up-throw my hands up in the air and say 'what now'. Throwing my hands up is good if I am releasing it all into His hands! I need to do that more often. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.
What a promise that is!
I want faith like Jonathon-faith that says, you know what, the enemy doesn't scare me, I am not going to chicken out and go run and hide-I know my God, I know his record, I know what He has accomplished in the past, and I know He will do it again. Noone gets away with messing around with the children of God. We need not run into caves because of fear!!
How I wish I could put a little picture on the post today-or a little cute doodad. Once again it has to wait.
Throw your hands up today-give Him whatever you have been holding onto. Let it go and keep your hands up in praise!!! He loves you unconditionally!!!

2010

2010-01-08T11:26:00.001-08:00

Happy 2010~!
Jim worked on my computer today and did a parallel. Hmm, don't I sound like I know what I am talking about! Well, I don't have a clue! I do know that I am going to be able to retrieve my files which makes me one happy camper!
I will be able to have my graphics programs back and make little do dads,etc.!! I can even update the blog so it doesn't look like Christmas anymore.
I am thankful, very thankful that I didn't lose my pictures and scrapbook stuff!! YEAH!!!

ok=-short post, but I am too tired to write tonight. Updates and pictures will abound once I am able to use my computer again :)

Praise the Lord for a new year, new blessings, new everything with Him!!!

Free indeed

2009-12-24T00:12:00.000-08:00

Ah, so many things have happened in the last couple of weeks. Good things I tell you, good things! Yes, the computer crashed not once, but twice. First time we restored it but this time it is taking more of a break. Funny thing is that it happened when I was installing updates and running a virus scan...hmmm...is there anything to that?
Anyway, the Lord did once again what only the Lord can do. He went above and beyond all that we can even try to consider in our feeble minds.
I woke up the other morning thinking about how freeing it is to be able to pay some of our bills and started thinking about how it is even more freeing to be set free from the penalty of our sin! It really amazed me once again. He whom the Son has set free is free indeed. There is a joy, an overwhelming joy when we are free. Free from bondage, free from the heaviness of the world and all it pours upon us each day. Having the weight lifted is freeing! Have you seen those pictures where someone's arms are lifted up in the air, legs are jumping...well, mine don't jump anymore, but I can lift my arms up in joy, excitement, an exhilarating sense about everything because I have been set free. God is so good! He sets us free from our sin, the hold it has/had upon our lives. He constantly reminds us of His great love for us. I often find myself sitting back and wondering why. Why Lord have you chosen us, chosen us as Your vessels, chosen to bless us as you do, chosen to love us as you do. The though overwhelms me at times.
Our Heavenly Father loves us so much. Just as we love to give to others, God loves to give to His children.
What peace there is in knowing Him, what joy there is in serving Him, what freedom there is in following Him.
If I don't get back here by tomorrow I wish you a very Merry Christmas. May you ponder the verse we all know so well. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. Read it like it was the very first time you read it and consider such a love!

2009-12-10T09:09:00.001-08:00

Did you notice the festive looking blog? I thought it would be fun to create something a bit more seasonal from time to time. Hopefully this won't be up until Easter like this LOL
I feel like crying today, actually, I am crying on the inside and it's trying to come out but I won't let it.
Maybe it's because what I am so sad about isn't anything earth shattering and some might say it is just materialistic. Yes, it is materialistic in some ways, but I am sad because of the memories and what I wanted to do for my daughter. Marla is coming a week from today and I am so beyond thrilled to have her to myself for 3 weeks (ok, Jim can share her too) I asked her a few weeks ago if she wanted to help decorate for Christmas or if I should just do it and have it ready when she arrives. She opted for me to have it already finished when she arrives since it will be so close to Christmas when she gets here. I wanted everything to be just right. All the decorations we have had for years and years and years. My Christmas villages that we would put out, fake snow, the pointsettias, garland, lights, etc. All these things I wanted to share once again with her. It's really hard for her to be in the states without us for the holidays. No home to really enjoy as her own, no familiar decorations, no stocking with her name on it. I can't tell you how excited I was to start decorating.
Well, when we moved to Italy we could only fit so much in the truck/car, so Jim when Jim would go to Hungary he would bring more things back home with him. Last year, he didn't go around Christmas so I had no decorations. This year, he purposely set out to get the decorations so we could have them for this year. Well, he came home and they weren't with him. Only a few things that were in one container. Noone can find the other boxes of stuff. It is things that wouldn't mean anything to anyone else. The villages weren't expensive, they were bought with coupons and after Christmas sales, take 50% off the sale price, etc. That is how I shopped! My ornaments were mostly home made by friends who came to the ornament parties I used to have. Years of collected things just disappear. I can only pray that somewhere in a dark corner of some obscure place they are sitting there, all tucked away waiting for me to find them once again.
It doesn't matter in the long run I know. But right now, it matters to me.
Please pray we can find them one of these days...along with some other special things that are missing!
Sorry for the downer, but it's just one of those days!

2009-11-11T02:36:00.000-08:00

It seems like every time I come to write here the same thing happens...I want to write..."Sorry haven't been here in a while but been busy". Life just gets that way at times. For a few weeks now it has been my intention to update the blog but everything else ends up happening and by the time I go to sit and write I am too tired!!
A few weeks ago, Jim went to Hungary. Our car is registered there and all the dues and inspections were due the end of October so he had to make a trip there. It was a good trip for him. God miraculously provided everything we needed to pay for the trip and the car costs. It was truly amazing! he also got to spend time with Chicco who is the new pastor in Baja now and people from the congregation.
While he was gone, I started listening to a series in Revelation by Damian Kyle. (CC Modesto). It was great-I just finished it the other day. With no car and no money I wasn't going anywhere so it was a neat time of being alone with the Lord and being reminded that Jesus is coming, this world is going to pass away and we are going to be forever with our King! I was challenged in the areas of being lukewarm in my walk and also remembering my first love! Wow, I do encourage you to listen to those messages if you can. They do what the Holy Spirit intends them to do...search our hearts!

It was interesting because while Jim was gone, we didn't know which day he would return. He was thinking maybe Wed, maybe Thurs. He had to be back in Padova because he teaches on Friday afternoons. There were some things I needed to accomplish while he was gone. Stuff like cleaning and organizing a couple of the rooms. A couple of the students were coming on Friday so that is always a great motivation to clean :) Anyway, I found myself waiting til the last possible minute to do anything productive in the area of housework!! Please tell me you understand lol!! I texted Jim and asked him "when is it you are coming home" Early in the am I asked him and when I found out he couldn't leave til the afternoon, I was thinking, oh cool, I don't have to do anything just yet because it will be atleast 6 hours before he gets home! Procrastination!! It is something I am gifted in (only in certain things that seem boring) lol!

During this time, the Lord began to show me about His return! Anticipating when He is going to come back. Wow, it's not like we can text the Lord and say "When do you think you will be back" and then, put off certain things because we know we still have time left. Hit me kind of like bricks.
What are the things I am putting off, waiting til the last possible moment that the Lord wants me to do? Who are the people I am to go to, to minister to, to evangelize, before Jesus comes back? What a word of encouragement and one such a reminder to be about His business! Being ready! Jesus said to 'be occupied until I come'. Occupied with the things of Him! I don't want to think I have all the time left in the world to do the things He has called me to do. I want to be found faithful! Be found about my Father's business.
Take a look around...JESUS IS COMING SOON!!!!!

One of my projects is the garage. O please help me!!!!!!! This is a project that to look at, it seems impossible. To look at my wallet, seems even more impossible! It needs an overhaul. Right now, we have our washer upstairs in Jim's bathroom. This is very common in Europe so it's not a big deal. I don't want it there though. I want it down in the garage. We have the water lines or whatever you call it down there so it can be hooked up. Unfortunately, there are piles and piles of boxes and papers and this and that all over so you can't even see the faucets where we would hook it up. Part of the problem is that we don't have a church building that we rent for everyday so we have no place to store all the church related things. The other thing is my husband is a pack rat. He collects receipts, he has receipts that date back longer than any of us have been alive...ok, a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point! He ran his own business for years so he is accustomed to receipts. IT is a constant battle between us...I go to the market...Margie....do you have the receipt from a couple weeks ago when you got that head of lettuce...um, no Jim, I don't. Every once in a while, I clean out my purse and in there I find a treasure chest for him. A whole bunch of receipts with gum pieces stuck on them, corners ripped and a few undecipherable items stained on them. You can barely read the name, date or amount, but he is thrilled none the less to add these to his collection! So, needless to say, there are boxes and boxes and more boxes of receipts in my garage!
Organization!! I look at it this way. Tell me if I am wrong (well don't really) LOL but if you have a pretty place to work in the work load can't be that bad right! I need a pretty laundry area. Laundry and ironing are major things over here in Italy. How can I possibly fit in if I don't have the proper set up!!!! They don't iron with irons we are used to here. They use those only for touch up! Touch up is what I call, "well it looks good to me, why touch it!" They use these professional steam irons!
I have one of these on my wish list. If it makes ironing easier, then I am all for it!
We have an accumulation of wood pieces that would work nicely as a laundry station once put together. It is just the 'putting together' part that I await. I looked online for some ideas. Wow, who would have known you could get so excited about doing laundry with all there is out there on the internet! After all the searching, I came up with something simple that looks pretty and would work in my garage. I am asking for this are for Christmas...which Christmas,,,well, being that Jim is Italian, we just don't know the answer to that yet. I shudder to think what would happen if I become impatient and put an electrical screwgun and all those other power tools in my hand to do it myself. Oh, that might be an idea. I do that sometimes. I get the things out and act like I am going to do it and then Jim gets a look at me, gives me one of those looks and goes about doing it himself!!!
Here are some pretty setups I found:

The first one is the one I would probably go for. It is simple and yet functional. Something very doable for our garage. I like the one with all the cupboards but it is so narrow. Actually, now that I look at all three, a combo of them would be good. A laundry sink would be nice, a place to put the dryer, even though we don't use it (too costly) but it would be nice to use it to take away the scratchy towel feeling.
Did I really write up this whole post on laundry...oh well, I don't get to Lowe's or Home Depot so you have to bear with me.!!
...surely I am coming quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!! Revelation 22:20

Woe is me

2009-10-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sounds like a title ready to include a bunch of pity party chit chat huh! Don't worry, it's not, well, atleast I don't think it is :) Sometimes it is hard to put down in words what is going on. There are those things the Lord takes you on as part of our journey with Him and it's not always the route we thought we were taking. I have been reflecting on some things of the past and I found myself starting to play judge and jury. I think it's something I am too good at and the Lord has chosen this time to bring it to the surface and deal with it. Although the journey continues, the Lord is so faithful to bring me through each step of the way. It's very easy for me to get caught up in things and people and allow it to get me down. It's not even like you have to go looking for the problems. My heart gets so heavy at times and I all too often found myself in conversation with the Lord telling Him how He needs to fix it, fix them, fix it all to my liking. For the past year, the Lord allowed me to speak freely like that to Him, replaying my hurts, my pain, my frustration, etc. I wanted closure on some things and it didn't seem like it was ever going to happen. Lately, He has decided enough is enough. Don't you just love when that happens?!! Slowly and ever so gently, He started to put my focus on me and my life. I started listening to some great worship music about seeing Jesus face to face one day and of course would weep at the thought. (one of the songs is the one listed below in my last post) That's how it all began. Seeing Him, seeing me. He kept reminding me of Isaiah and chapter 5 where Isaiah is speaking out the 'woes' to those around him. He was right, he was speaking truth. But, we all know in chapter 6 what happens, Isaiah sees a vision of the Lord on the throne with the angels singing out. Isaiah quickly realizes who he is v5 'Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips For my eyes have seen the King The Lord of Hosts' Isaiah's seeing this vision in the midst of all the woes he is crying out to others and suddenly sees himself. We all know this, we have heard teachings on it, but it really became real to me, it continues to become real to me. God is not allowing me to have the usual talks with Him right now about this one or that one. He is quickly, and I am ever so thankful for that quickly, returning my thoughts to me and Him. Me standing before Him, me seeing Him face to face. Realizing how great a salvation I have and what have I ever done to deserve such a gift-nothing. I am undone! He sees the pains we go through, the hurts, even unfairnesses. That's for Him to deal with, not me. My eyes need to be refocused. My heart needs to be refocused. I am so thankful that the Lord is patient and kind. He always answers our prayer to draw nearer to Him. Often that pray is answered in the way we wouldn't choose at first, but when we see Him, when we see who our God really is, then we welcome His correction, His mercy, His love all the more. He doesn't want us to stay where we are-He desire that we grow continuously. I pray that all of us will always hear His still small voice-whatever it is that He has decided it's time for in your life-let Him. Our God doesn't just barge in, He knocks and waits for us to invite Him in to talk. You know how when you have teen daughters and they are going through what they go through at that age. You let them talk and say what they say for a time, they usually proceed to their room, closing the door behind them and lay on the bed sobbing about how unfair life is. I think that can be me at times. A Christian teenager. But you know how also, we moms will knock on their bedroom door and (hopefully) they will answer and let us in. (that's the difference between us and the Lord-sometimes I would just barge lol) We gently start to redirect their thinking, bringing them back to what is real, what is important, what matters.
"O praise the One who paid my debt And raised this life up from the dead"

Must listen

2009-09-23T00:31:00.000-07:00

Ha ha, I know, I know, I sound like a Mom....listen to me child! No, but seriously, you have to listen to this song. It is awesome. I LOVE the words. So filled with hope and truth! How can we not be filled with anticipation of seeing our Jesus after listening to this!

Last night I kept waking up thinking about a bride walking down the aisle waiting to be joined to her bridegroom. I don't see it so much nowadays, but in the past the bride wore a veil and when her father presented her to her groom the veil was lifted. There is a line in the song from 2 Cor 3:18..But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,...ok...can you just imagine the veil being lifted and our eyes open and we just see Jesus face to face...I can't imagine us not falling down...worshipping Him..(Yes, someone wrote a song about it...) but anyway, it is just too much to think about this happening.
We always talk about seeing Him one day but wow, to be able to actually look into His eyes. You know how at a wedding when the dad takes his daughter by the arm and gives her to the groom...is Jesus going to take us by our hand and then present us ...I wonder how it will be. I can't wait to see Him!
I have tons of pictures...was in vineyard country for 5 days in France...they were harvesting..I have a retreat in my heart from all this :)

Ok-I am off to Venice with my Mom. It's been fun and I have been blessed with her paying for me to travel about with her to see where her grandparents came from. Pictures and stories to follow.
Soon and very soon!

Getting Ready

2009-08-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

It's almost like I am preparing to go back to school. Sometimes it feels like though the new year begins in January, for many of us we talk about September as being our new year. Women's bible studies usually start again, along with many other ministries, kids go back to school, etc.
For me, our summer missions conference is a perfect time of the year. It is a place to go and be refreshed in the Word, be reminded Who we are serving, taking time out to pray and ask the Lord for direction, fresh vision and even just take the year we had and bring it all before the Lord...sort of like bringing the dross to the surface. It's great also because we meet up with friends who are serving in different countries and we haven't seen them since the last conference. It's great to catch up and hear what the Lord's been doing in their lives, their churches, etc. It's also good because as people bare their hearts and share their struggles we are reminded that we are not alone in the battle. It's also great to meet new friends. I was so blessed this year to meet some really neat ladies and get to know some even better! It really was a blast!
The teachings we had were great! I love how the Lord just puts it altogether. He knows what we need to hear and what is going to encourage us in the coming year. I love what was shared in one of the women's sessions by Inga-Lil...For every situation, every struggle, every everything, He needs to be enough! How I wept when I first heard that song by Chris Tomlin. "Enough" It's good to have the quiet time with the Lord and see that He really is enough. No matter what is going on in my life, struggles, challenges, finances, other's opinions...whatever...is my Lord enough? Is Jesus my everything!
We start language school next month. I am pretty excited and yet a bit nervous. I have these thoughts about being the best student. Haha...I really do though. I am so praying for a supernatural gift for Jim and I to grasp the language and speak fluently to people! Pray with me for this gift!!! There is an older lady on my street who always say hi to me when I am walking to the store. She is so sweet and today she invited me for something to eat. We were having friends over for lunch so I couldn't go today but hopefully soon. This is why I want so much to learn to speak Italian. I don't want to speak it broken...how much better it will be to speak to this lady in her language! Well, the ole arm is about ready to give out on me. It's my right hand and wrist so I can't write/type too much. Guess I have to talk more LOL. Have a blessed day in the Lord! He is our refuge and strength! Our very present help in times of trouble!

*You can click on this to see it larger if you want *
oops I noticed I have one too many "the"s but I don't feel like fixing it :)

It's gonna have to wait

2009-08-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well the ole blog (not me) is being a little rough around the edges tonight and therefore all the wonderful stuff I was gonna bring you will just have to wait til tomorrow.
Oh and is it sort of pathetic that I tried so hard to take a picture of my swollen and bruised arm/wrist/hand for you? What good is it if your friends can't pity you and ooh and ahh in harmony!!! It must be that it's my right hand and I can't hold the camera steady with the left and I dare not ask Jim to take a picture of it lest he think I have completely lost my mind....I think he's already wondering after the fall!
Oh well, I am sure to write tomorrow...or so I have the best intentions on doing so.
Conference was wonderful...still soaking it all in and seeing how it all fits into my life.

Til tomorrow my friends..............

Heading out...

2009-08-16T04:55:00.000-07:00

We are heading out to the Missions Conf in Austria today. It's my favorite time-a week filled with amazing bible studies, great fellowship, great food, worshiping the Lord!!!
I don't know who the speakers are this year. Usually we find out ahead of time, but I just can't remember who they are. I am sure it will be a blessing whoever ends up teaching.
A few weeks ago I was reading John 4. What is it that you usually think of when you read John 4? We know it is about the Samaritan woman-the woman at the well with different husbands and even a guy she's not married to at the moment. The great teaching by Jesus on living water...how could we not be encouraged through His teaching!
Once again, I found myself amazed at His Word! Amazed that each time we read it, the Holy Spirit ministers to us in a place we hadn't thought of before. This time it was v4 that had me journaling away.It's a verse all to itself. One little verse, one small sentence amongst some incredible dialogue. A little snippet at the begining of a chapter where Jesus would teach us the importance of how we are to worship Him.
He needed to go through Samaria. What was it that was so important? Why would He choose Samaria...a place that was off limits to the Jewish people. Who was He to meet? Perhaps if we didn't know the rest of the chapter we might think there were some pretty important people waiting to see Him. Perhaps there was a huge crowd of people awaiting His presence and they didn't even know it. Some big hoopla going on in the town and Jesus could go and preach and reach a whole bunch of people at one time.
Once we are familiar with the story, we realize there were no important people, no big crowd, none of that. There was only ONE woman at the well. She was just doing business as usual. To her it was just another day. But this day, Jesus Christ had need to be there.
This ministers to my heart so much. Being in Baja for 7 years in a small city, one that wasn't among the places people were standing in line to come to, makes me appreciate my Savior so much more. We often hear of so many wonderful events, churches that are doing this and that, having this guest and that guest, putting on concerts, plays, you name it, they are able to do it. One outreach team after another is just waiting to be invited to go and minister in these fun places. People want to go where it is exciting, where there already is a lot of action so they can be a part of it. There's nothing wrong with that at all. It is difficult to be on the other side. In the small place where maybe things aren't so exciting, the budget is whatever you have in your pocket at the moment and your email inbox isn't flooded with curious people wanting to know when they can come and help out in your church or when they can bring a team to your city.
But, Jesus had need! I love that it doesn't say that "and on the way to where He was going, He stopped off at Samaria for a drink of water". He begins the chapter with the fact that He had need to go to Samaria. Jesus is God! He knew there would only be one woman at the well and yet He had need to go meet her. He had need to meet and minister to this one person. He could have spoken those same words to a crowd of people but He chose to first say them to her. This really is awesome!
What do we think about ministering just to the one? If we have a bible study and only one shows up, do we cancel? I remember in Baja that exact thing happened. I was doing a summer study with the teen girls-A Young Woman After God's Heart- and this particular evening none of the girls showed up except Marla. After waiting a bit to see if the others would show up we came to the conclusion it was just us. Marla was ready to go home since "noone" was there. But, the Lord showed me that Marla was there-she was one and she was important. Yes, we had the bible study. Of course at the time, she probably wasn't thrilled since all my attention was on her :) But, I think it was important that she knew she was important. This type of thing happened many times in the 7 years I was in Baja. Women's study and maybe only one other girl and I would be there and we were both so wanting to just cancel and go home because we were tired but it always ended up that we were so blessed by the time we had to spend together.
Many times people wanted to start some home group or venture off into a neighboring village or city and would talk to Jim about it. It's one of the main things he shared with them-if you start it you must stay with it. Too many people quit because it didn't meet their expectation. I remember Jim always saying that you have to be willing to show up faithfully even if one person is there. Too many aren't willing to do that. They want great results. After all, in the book of Acts, God added to the church daily and so many people got saved....doesn't happen like that all the time.
We may never know until Heaven what impact ministering to the one had. Remember this woman went back to her neighborhood and told them all!
A crowd is wonderful, but it's not the only way. Having the pews filled in the church only mean something if the people in them are taking what they hear and learn and apply it and faithfully walk in the things they are being taught. Face it, there are all kinds of churches filled to overflowing with people. Does that mean they are more successful or better than the church that has more seats than people? Absolutely not!
What refreshment God's Word brings to us. I love how we are encouraged by it. I love how Jesus makes sure that we see different types of ministry-we see the crowds-crowds to the point He wants to get away so He can have some quiet time....but He allows us to see the one. He shows us that both are good and both are so important to Him.
Do you have need to go to the one today?

This and that

2009-08-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Today my house is going through a weird experience....there is noone here except Jim and I! Wow....it's the strangest feeling. We have had company pretty much since the end of April give or take a couple of days-enough time to wash the sheets, hang them out to dry and remake the beds! It's great though-we do enjoy sharing the joy of Italy and the work the Lord is doing with those we know and love!
I am still praying for a B&B although I think it would probably be a BL&D :)
Jim has been busy the past couple weeks. The Castle in Austria needed help in the kitchen so he is helping there a few days a week. It's great for him because he loves to cook! Hopefully by the time he gets finished he will want a little break from the kitchen and I can have mine back. It's great having a husband who loves to cook and serve, but I do miss planning my meals. Every now and then I have to give him the "Hey, I want to have my kitchen back" Oh the trials I must endure!!!
Speaking of trials, I went through a tough one this past month. Ok, well, comparatively speaking it's not a trial. In all honesty, it's not even close to a trial....but please sympathize with me...just a little ok. Well, here it is....I never thought in a gazillion years I would have had to do this but I did. I put it off for months, but the pain and the suffering was too much and I finally succumbed to my husband's request to put my pride aside and just take the plunge. I went, dragging myself behind him, afraid to open the door, but finally went in. At first I was ok, but then I had a few tears in my eyes as I handed my precious possession over to the lady because I............................deep breath now................................................................
Yep, after 21 years of marriage I had to do what I never dreamed I would have to do...but after not being able to wear my ring in the summer because my fingers swell up so badly I had to take drastic steps and go for it. And yes, I actually did cry. I know, I am such a baby but it was sort of psychological for me...anyway, I should be able to pick it up this week. Had to wait til pay day and it has arrived so I will get my re-sized ring back on my re-sized finger in a matter of days.

Another accomplishment has been made by me in the past couple weeks. Yes, dear friends, I am just mastering all types of things now that I am in Italy. Well, this one is a fun one....one that had me laughing even though noone was around to join in. As you know, Rob and Denise bought a bike for me. I am determined to ride it as often as possible-skipping the walks to the store in favor of a bike ride. Riding along, waving to passerbyers, shouting a "ciao" here and there, a "buon giornio" or two, perhaps even a "buona sera" in the late afternoon. The other day I needed to go to the supermarket and rather than getting changed I decided to venture out and be as the Italians. Perhaps you have seen the movies where the Italian beauties ride along so elegantly on their bicycles....well what was I wearing you ask.......don't freak...........

It was quite the accomplishment if I may say so myself! I was cracking up as I tried to steer, keep the packages in my twisted basket, and hold my skirt down at the same time. Quite the picture!

August is a pretty slow month in Italy. The Italians go on holiday during the month and it is like a ghost town here. The beaches are crowded but the rest of the places are pretty mild! It is so strange not to hear a lot of noise around me! I kind of miss it!We start school in Sept. The town near us is offering Italian classes from Sept to June for only 24 euros. You can't beat that price! We may have to miss a couple classes here and there, but I am so excited to go back to school. We can't find much out until Sept 1 (they are all on vacation now) but the sooner the better!Well, I think that's all for tonight-my hands are tired, hubby is cooking some Mexican food and it's just about finished, so I will leave you for now.Praise the Lord for His goodness. He is our refuge and strength! Oh how I love Jesus, because He first loved me! Don't you just want to go on and on and shout out all His goodness!!!!

if thy right eye...

2009-07-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been so saddened with news that 2 of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer. One has breast cancer and will undergo surgery today. The other has a rapid spreading cancer in her leg that will lead to amputation of her right leg.
For weeks, even months, I have been kept up to date on their status. From the moment I read the words "cutting off her leg" I have been struck by the words found in Matthew 5:29-30
"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee;...and if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee. "
How often do we read the scriptures and it is so easy to glance over the meaning of them. It is what I love about the Word of God. It never ceases to teach us. I don't care how many times we read it, we will be ministered to by it.
These verses are ones that I know by heart, but I have never in my life taken them to heart. It is only now that the Lord is showing me the severity of these words. Would any of us pluck our eye out if it caused us to lust time and time again? Would we chop off our hand if it meant that we would no longer be able to steal, to touch what is unclean, to reach for things that are unprofitable for us? I think we like to see these verses more as a metaphor rather than something we would ever consider doing.
My friend is in this place in her life. She is not in sin...that is not why she has to have her leg amputated. But it is because this leg is causing the rapid spread of disease that if not such a drastic step is taken, the cancer will take her life. I laid down the other day just thinking of this, thinking of what must be going through her mind, what will it be like when she awakes that very first time without her leg. O Lord have mercy upon her! She has had to make this tough decision in her life and it is one that I just don't know I could make.
So I ask myself, to what extreme am I willing to go for the sake of a life fully devoted to my Lord. Am I willing to do what is necessary that sin does not race through my very bones, causing even that which is clean to eventually become unclean? Am I willing to make the sacrifices God asks me to make, to make the tough decisions that need to be made? Am I willing to trust Him with all that I have, getting rid of the things, the thoughts, the dreams, that stand in the way of being all that He wants me to be. Am I willing to cast off, to pluck out, to cut off?
My heart goes out to those I know who have cancer. I found myself asking why it has to be those who have a good marriage. There are plenty of people out there who are miserable in life...even Christians. Why is it the Lord allows those who love being together to suffer in such ways. I am reminded that His thoughts are not my thoughts, His ways are not my ways. He has a plan in each life that we cannot see. A plan that goes far beyond what any of us can fathom.
May His peace that passes all understanding bring comfort and strength to these ladies and to their husbands and children. May the church rise up and come to the aid of them as needed and not grow weary in well doing as they serve them in their time of need. May the Lord use these two women's lives to bring us all to a place of surrender-surrender to Him!
Please keep them in your prayers!

Time flies

2009-07-09T04:54:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's hard to imagine that almost a month has passed since I updated the ole blog! We have been so busy and by the time I sit down the last thing I can do is think! I promise to update after this week and put some pictures up...well, I actually can't remember what pictures I have so I will have to check.
We say good-bye to Karen and Jeff on Saturday morning, Agi and Zsofi arrive Saturday evening! Now would be a great time to have the dryer hooked up instead of putting everything outside to dry! Sometime next week I think Steven arrives for a few days and who knows what is in between!
Found out the other day that the theme for our women's sessions at the Missions Conf is John 15. I am so ready to dive into this study. I thought about it this morning....no matter what is surrounding us, no matter what goes on it comes down to abiding in Him! I am so excited with studying this.
Hope you are all enjoying your summer holidays. Praise God for times of refreshment!
Til next time......

Where oh where have I been?

2009-06-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...you have all been going crazy with curiosity, pacing back and forth, up all hours of the night wondering where in the world is Margie and why hasn't she updated her blog in so long? Well, my friends, rest assured, here I am, ready to type away, post a few pictures and share my goings on with you.
We have been so busy in the past few months. We went to L'Aquila to help with the earthquake area, came back for a couple days and Jim left for Switzerland for a 10 day outreach with some of the bible college students. After that, Pastor Rob came to town with Danny and the three of them went to Hungary for a couple days, back to Italy for a day and then off to Austria where Rob was speaking for Speakers Week. Denise and Amy arrived in Venice midweek and we all went to Austria for a couple days.
It was a great blessing having Rob and Denise here-it's always fun to be in the states and see and talk to everyone but we can have more one on one time when people are here visiting and not as many distractions. It was great hanging out, walking around Padova and sharing our new city with them. I am hoping it will be an annual trip from now on!! Amazing things are going to happen here...I just know it! It was neat too because we got to enjoy Amy's company so it was fun to have a youngster in the house again!!
The Salvatos left and I started my whirlwind of changing sheets, linens, etc to get the room ready for the Engs! Yep, a couple days later Greg and Brenda came over. They had a great visit too-Greg was in his glory looking at all the sites and all the architecture over here. We were blessed with the goodies they brought over too....corn tortillas!! Yeah!!
A few days later, our daughter and her boyfriend arrived. Rosalyn and Matt were here a little over a week. Jim got to meet Matt for the first time....he gave him a thumbs up !! We had a fun visit with them. Of course it never lasts long enough but I am sure they will be back!
So, now you know where I have been...busy with friends and family, but enjoying every moment of it! We have a few weeks before our next visitors arrive. Jeff and Karen Stewart are coming at the end of the month for 10 days. Yeah!!
Oh, I have to say, I got one of the greatest surprise gifts....an Ipod Touch. Christina (daughter of a friend of mine) came over and she left it here. I thought she forgot it and she said she left it for me! Well, I never understood all the commotion about these things until I started to play with it. Oh my, I love it!! I can put my family pictures on it and show everyone! Thing is now with digital cameras we don't put pictures in our wallets anymore..atleast I haven't been. When people ask to see our kids and our beautiful little granddaughter I have no pictures to show them. With this, I can put the pics on it and voila! Then there is the music aspect. I love it!! I have been pain stakeingly (is that a word?) transferring music from my cd's to my ipod. Wow-what a chore. I get a bit tired from it actually! Then, there's the whole thing about ordering music. Wow, just wow!! Too much to choose and once you buy one song it has the credit card number and you just hit "buy" Well, had to stop after buying 5 songs even though they are 99 cents I still have to be careful! I have found some new music and love love love the songs. I will try to You tube you up later this week with some of the songs I purchased.
I was listening to some of the music yesterday and started to think about in the book of John when it talks about how people went back and didn't follow Jesus anymore. Jesus asked the disciples if they would go away also and Peter said Lord, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. (Jn 6:66-68) I just sat here thinking-really, where would we go Lord? Sometimes things can be frustrating. I mean we can be honest...even ministry is frustrating at times. Situations, hardships, etc. There were times I just wanted to "get out" I found myself listening to some words of songs about God's grace and that interaction between Jesus and Peter came to my mind. Where would we go Lord? There is no where on this earth I would want to be that is apart from Him. Nowhere out of His perfect will, no matter the sacrifice or hardship. I cannot imagine my life without my Savior, my King! All He has done for me and has planned for me. What could ever compare? NOTHING!!
Oh, praise Him for His goodness! Amen!!
here are some pics of when Rob and Denise came to visit-

Happy Birthday Baby

2009-05-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

Beautiful little Juliet is one year old today! She is a doll! We have an appointment to talk on the webcam tonight and Nanu is going to be surprised! He thinks we will just talk on skype but Christina got Juliet a webcam for her birthday! Ha ha.....isn't that so adorable! Baby gets a webcam!
Sunday we went to the airport to pick up Greg and Brenda in Venice. It was one of those God moments for us. Jim has been having a really hard time not being with Juliet and being Nanu to her in a personal way. It's hard! But, at the airport we saw a young couple with a baby. We figured they were a military family and Jim asked if they were waiting for the grandparents to arrive to see the baby. They were actually waiting for another family member but it was a neat reminder for us.
We were gently reminded by the Lord that in a sense we are in the military too. Paul likens the Christian life as being a soldier. I told Jim it's kind of like we are on deployment right now. We are not the only ones away from our kids and granddaughter. I couldn't help but think of all the dads who are fighting for our freedom and miss the birth of their first child, the first tooth growing, first words, first smiles, etc. For me, I have to keep this perspective to help me to feel sorry for myself and to walk around so sad.
God is good and He made Juliet with the sweetest temperment. It takes her no time to warm up to you so when we do see her she takes to us right away. She loves to play, to laugh, to dance, and especially to give kisses! I can't wait til she is a little bit older and we can bring her over to us for an extended vacation with Nonna and Nanu!
I think we will have to have a gelato in her honor today!!!
Happy Birthday sweet baby!

2009-05-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

We just had a wonderful week with Rob and Denise! It was a blessing for me to have Denise here to talk to and just have fun with! It's fun to go to the states and see everyone but there's never a long enough time to enjoy each of your friends and family long enough so when people come out here it's great since we can have one on one time!!!
They got a bike for me!!! LOL....this is going to be quite the experience. I haven't ridden a bike since we first moved to Hungary! I rode to the store, fell off and all my groceries fell on the ground. I am excited about my bike though because I can ride it to the train and then go into Padova and go to the market and other stuff without having to bug Jim for a ride all the time. Unless there is a miracle one day, I don't see myself driving in the city. It's just too confusing for me. I like to drive during the siesta time in some places since there aren't a lot of cars on the road and I even made it to Montebelluna one day when Rose was with me. Oh the adventure of it all :)
Things are good. Yes my last post was a bit depressing, but it was one of those days. Right now I am really feeling refreshed and also free. All the things I needed to have peace about have been given to me and it's great. My heart is truely at rest now and I am so excited for what the Lord has in store in our new journey!
So, I will write more next time, just wanted to let everyone know all is well, thank you for praying, writing, thinking of me. I really appreciate it more than you know!
Karen, you are the sweetest sister too!!!!! love you and miss you!
No pictures today because I am too tired to upload them but I will post some next time. I might even give the blog a make-over......no promises though!
May the Lord bless you and shine His face upon you!!!
ciao!

Long time no post

2009-05-05T04:14:00.000-07:00

Days just seem to go by and I have every intention to post on the blog but don't get around to it. Hmm, that reminds me I once saw a picture of "a round toit" Maybe I should pick one up.
It's not for a lack of things to write about, rather a check inside as to whether or not I should write what's on my mind. Proverbs 29:11-A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. After reading that years ago, it makes me stop in my tracks at times and consider my words.
I am struggling now in the place where God has called me to be in my life. On the outside it's as though I live in a dream. Beautiful country, great food, friendly people, etc. Yes, on the outside. Yet, on the inside I find myself struggling to be content with the way things are at the moment. There is nothing dramatic, no seeminlgy difficult trial-it is just life in general. Of course what follows is the guilt of questioning why I even feel this way.
I miss friendship so much. It feels so isolated where I live-people are all around me yet they have their own lives and other than a hello and good-bye they really aren't interested in much else. The language barrier doesn't help much either. I live in a place so unlike Baja now. In Baja I could walk everywhere, people could comoe over all the time, I could go there, be at the church, doing this and that. There was the opportunity to do something at anytime because we were all so close to each other. Here, it's huge and yet I live in the countryside which is absolutely beautiful, don't get me wrong. It's just that there is noone near me that I can just call up and go get a coffee with. I feel so isolated.
Jim is busy a lot and that is good. I don't want to bring him down with my sorrows and make him feel guilty, but there are times I actually do feel like complaining to him about it so he can feel miserable too~what a good wife huh!
There was an Italian conference last week and I couldn't go because Jim had to be in Hungary and it made me so sad to not be able to be a part of it and hang out with the other people in ministry here and just have fun together. So he went to Hungary and I stayed home 4 days alone with noone to talk to but the cats. He came home Sunday night about 11:30pm and left on Monday afternoon for another couple days. I'm not the type that needs him by me every second. It's just that when he's gone and there's noone around to talk to it gets a little depressing at times.
I really miss the women and the fellowship we had in Baja. We had such a great time together in God's Word. Here, it just doesn't seem like the women have time for such a thing. Maybe in a couple years-who knows. Plus, a new language to learn...will I ever be able to speak fluently? I am trying so hard to study the language on my own but it's challenging! If we had the money I would go to school so that I could practice it with other people.
So, there you have it. Wallowing in self pity I suppose, but you know what, life isn't all roses is it. I am not looking back at what was and longing for that. I know better than that. I am praying God will bring us a team of people that want to work here in Padova. It seems like a good idea to have some other people around us and help with the work here. There's much to be done-it's a huge place!

I found this quote when I lived in Baja and we were going through difficult times. I have it in my bible and it's a good reminder for me -especially now! I think it is from Frances Havergal but I can't remember.

Well, praise God that He always pulls us through the rough patches!

(you can click on the image if you are old like me and can't read the writing)

Good Friday

2009-04-10T00:47:00.001-07:00

Learning

2009-03-30T06:10:00.000-07:00

Well it's not for a lack of words that I haven't been keeping up with the dear ole blog. Those of you who know me know that lacking in speech is not one of my problems. Lacking in proper speech or self control when speaking is probably more the problem than anything else!!!! Proverbs says "A fool vents all his feelings". Reading that verse causes a little check here and there when I feel like just pouring it all out there!!
So, last night we watched the movie Joseph. I had a different perspective in that I didn't actually watch the movie but sat at my computer and only listened to the dialogue. This wasn't because I didn't want to see the movie, I have seen it before and it is good. It's just that my heating pad plugs in by my desk and I needed my heating pad on! Most times this is how I watch movies....by listening! Well, I was talking to Jim this morning about this and how I was able to pay more attention to what was being said without being distracted by the pictures. Of course we keep in mind the movie is made by Hollywood, therefore things are added/deleted and not exactly as told in the Bible.
I doubt there is anyone in this life who hasn't been hurt by someone else, felt wronged or falsely accused of things, etc. There's that part in all of us (well atleast I think most of us)that desires to be avenged. We want justice done! We can spend hours, days, months, years entertaining thoughts about what we will do when we do meet up with the person(s) we had a conflict with. We will show them! And then that day arrives....all the emotions and feelings that have been built up inside of us are ready to come out. All the well rehearsed paragraphs are ready to be spoken.
Did Joseph think about this? He named his first child Manasseh which means God has made me forget my toil and all my father's house, but what were the first thoughts that came to his mind when he was reunited with them? I would want to say to them...see guys...my dream was right and you all laughed. Look where you are and look where I am. Joseph could have pretended not to know them and sent them away or even kept them in prison on false charges.
When they were all reunited the second time, Joseph revealed who he was. Imagine the looks on the brothers faces! Oh my! What were they thinking? Were they trembling? Did they wonder if they would now get what was coming to them?
How was Joseph able to respond with such kindness? Was it that the things God had made him forget weren't the acts themselves -but the anger, bitterness, the sense of being betrayed that God caused him to forget. Was it that Joseph was so free of all these things that his heart was pure before the Lord and able to respond to his brothers in a way they would not expect!
How I long to have that heart! A heart that is tender and merciful! Praise God that with Him all things are possible!

Getting back to normal

2009-03-10T04:14:00.000-07:00

What a whirlwind of a week! My body is so confused as to where I am and somedays I even think it wonders who it is! I fall asleep around 2 or 3 am and wake up sometimes at 10am, 2pm, or even 3pm! Yikes! What is up with this jetlag! I decided not to fight it anymore and just let it happen. At my age you can't allow to much shock to your body because it has a mind of its own and get confused very easily.

It's so good to be back in Italy. This past weekend we had a couple girls from the bible college stay with us. We went to the market in Padova on Saturday. I even made myself get out of bed at 8:30am for that! The secret must be to tell yourself you are going shopping and your body will automatically make the necesarry adjustments. Until of course you tell it that you are only looking and not buying.....we keep that a secret til we get to the marketplace :) While we were there I was once again surrounded by Italians and all the people talking, yelling, etc. It was wonderful! I realized then that I was home where I am supposed to be. I fell in love with the place all over again and had such a strong sense in my heart of where I belong. The language sounded great and I can't wait to tackle it and speak it fluently. I told Jim that I want us to be so natural in Italian that we just speak it at home. Ha ha.....I wonder if that will ever really happen!

I do miss my family and all my friends in the states. My trip home was so good and the Lord really blessed me in many ways. I cherish the time I was able to be there. I do miss the wonderful conversations and the encouragement. Sometimes I have to sit back and get amazed that I have been blessed by God with the true friends I have. That is something I have been thinking about for the past week. I feel like the most blessed gal in the world sometimes!

My granddaughter is a jewel. There is noone sweeter than our Miss Juliet. Her personality is terrific and she is so easy going! I can't wait to see her again!
Well, I have so much I want to write today but not enough time. Jim is on his way to Baja to meet with the leaders in the church so keep his travels in prayer! The weather is good Praise God for that!

til we meet again............

Home Sweet Home

2009-03-01T02:45:00.000-08:00

Just to let you all know that I made it home to Italy safely. I will be updating the ole blog shortly. First, I need to be able to stay awake and have my brain return to halfway normal before attempting any literary functions!
Jetlag is so much fun when you are over 40!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first night I fell asleep at 1:00am and woke up at 2:00 pm. Last night I attempted to go to sleep at 2:00 am and finally dozed off at 6:30am and forced myself to wake up at 11:00 in hopes of falling asleep at a decent hour tonight. I think you realize all the more why I won't attempt any serious blogging today :)

Grace and peace upon your day!!

Being Remembered

2009-01-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

While we don't have tv here I can read the news online and of course today the news is all about the new president and the huge celebration. I couldn't help but be drawn to a picture of President and Laura Bush. After 8 years living in the White House it is time for them to pack up and make room for the new people to arrive. There is much talk about how our President will be remembered. From what I read, people are not very nice and only have negative things to say about him. While I don't agree with everything he has had a part in, I certainly will not remember only the negative.
It caused me to think about our own lives and how we will each be remembered when we move on. Are people going to remember all of our mistakes and things they didn't like about us or will they think back to fond days together and look past the bad and choose to focus on the good.
We all want to be remembered in a good way and it's normal. The more I thought of this, the more I thought of how the Lord remembers things and the things He chooses not to remember.
I can think of verses in the bible where I read and say "Huh????" Let's take Lot-in 2Peter, Peter uses the phrase 'righteous Lot'. Hmm, is that a phrase you would associate Lot with? The Holy Spirit inspired these words so they are not there by accident. It could easily have been written without the adjective righteous. I wouldn't have. Kind David is known as a 'man after God's heart', he said in 2 Samuel that he was blameless before the Lord. Would we consider David to be blameless after his little meeting with Bathseba and having Uriah killed? Not me! Sara-she is recorded in the chapter of faith Hebrews 11! As I remember her story she lacked faith from time to time and went about her own ways because of it.
Wow! Do these things give us hope or what?!!! We fall, we sin, we fail, yet our gracious God remembers us in such a greater way. He sees us through His Son! Amen! The death of Jesus on the cross has allowed our sin and failures to be forgotten in the eyes of the Lord. I am amazed! I am humbled and able to rejoice that we have such a gracious Heavenly Father!

Hard to imagine that in six days I will be on a plane to the states! Wow-I am a bit nervous because I found out I actually have to change airports in London which means I have to collect my luggage, take an hour bus ride and then start all over again at the other airport.
Jim is freaking out and thinking I am going to fall with my luggage. Ever since we found out I have osteoporosis he gets scared for me. So, if you read this, pray for me please! I am going to send out a prayer request for this anyway. I must admit I have a bit of fear about it.
I am going out this Sat to get some goodies to bring back with me.....little bit of this and a little bit of that.....yummy!

To those in So Cal...see you soon!

I made a little list of what I have to do this week-somehow when it looks a bit cute it doesn't seem so bad as just a plain piece of paper with magic marker writing :)

2008 Year In Review

2009-01-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

I figure if you can't beat them, you might as well join them!! I saw this and wrote it down for our reading enjoyment!! What would the world do without blondes???!!!! It would be quite boring I think!

Yes folks, what a year it was :)

click to enlarge if your eyes are as bad as mine

New beginings

2009-01-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve we went to the church in Montebelluna for some food and fellowship! I love how they go together!!!!

We had a great time, made it til midnight and then to our surprise walked outside to a snowfall! Not bad if you are in the house, drinking cocoa by a warm fire....to drive back home is a whole other story! I did pack my overnight bag just in case but Jim wanted to brave it and drive home. What is normally an hour drive became a 2-1/2 drive home. Man, it was so snowy-like a blizzard at times and no snow plows. I was pleasantly surprised when we reached 0ur little town to see the plow guy was 2 cars ahead of us plowing the way-of course he made a left turn into his bldg before plowing all the way down to our house though! Thankfully, we made it safely home!

While we were driving home, I mentioned to Jim (in between asking him a million times if he's scared to drive) how appropriate it was to have a fresh snowfall the first of the year. It was neat because we talked about how it represented newness, purity, clean, fresh, all those adjectives and more. It brought great joy to my heart to think how the Lord does all these things in our lives.

I wanted a verse for the year-something to be reminded of and as usual, the Lord answered.

Be still and know that I am God

Psalm 46:10

There are many things that have happened that I will probably never understand. I have spent a lot of time and energy trying to figure them out and asking God why things are the way they are. Instead of worrying, fearing man, and making myself sick over it, I need to know that He is God! First, to be still. Not to pick my brain trying to figure things out but to be still-be at rest.

Then, to know He is God. I mean really know that He is God! Not just sing the words or read the words or repeat them to someone else in their time of need, but to really know that I know that I know that HE IS GOD!! Nothing escapes Him, He sees all, He knows all. Knowing that with all my heart and mind will allow me to be still!

Here are a couple pictures of our New Year's snowfall from my balcony!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T00:28:00.000-08:00

May the love of Jesus Christ fill your lives with joy, peace, love and hope this coming year. He is our all in all. In these times where nothing stays the same, He remains! He is the same yesterday, today and forever!
God's precious Son, our greatest gift ever!

Renewed promise

2008-12-11T09:48:00.000-08:00

Only the Lord!

This past year has been one I might be inclined to title "Mr .Toad's Wild Ride", you can substitute my name for Mr Toad! It's been one of trial and questions, things that challenged my faith in ways I had not known before. For a period of time I was bewildered, astonished, uncertain. There were days I could do nothing but cry. Some days they were tears of pity but most were days of simply crying out to the Lord for answers, for comfort, for His peace. We can read through so many things in the bible and accounts of things that people went through and not always is an answer given as to why God allowed things to happen as they did. We all know that in our trials we can use them to draw us nearer to the Lord or become so bitter by them that we find ourselves at a distance from Him.

During these times, God wouldn't let me roam far from Him. It was like He had a short leash and if I dared to run, He would pull me back to Him. His Words became life in ways I cannot explain unless you have had to cling to it as I did in order not to lose my mind. I would pick up different devotionals that were around my house throughout the day and cling to the words in them, at times begging God to show me some promise-give me hope that this too shall pass. Always, He was faithful. There were days I would cry aloud and pray to Him and then I would read a Psalm and there were some of the exact words that I was praying! Is that our great God?!! I understood for the first time what Jeremiah may have meant when he said "Your words were found and I ate them and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts." You get to the point where you crave God's Word so much-you find yourself scouring through the pages, looking for something to nourish your soul and bring strength to your body.

On the Sunday Jim was asked to pray about moving to Hungary I was teaching Sunday school and the verse for the kids that month was from Deut. 31:6-Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." It's dated 2/11/01 in my bible.

The other day, as I was reading 1Chronicles, I became overwhelmed with God's faithfulness and once again His perfect timing. He renewed this promise to me and as I have been struggling with fear for some reason, He gave me a new verse, but the same meaning. There is an excitement that goes beyond comprehension when we read God's Word and it comes alive in our hearts and in our lives. Knowing that those words are not only for the people of old but for us! For our hurts and pains, our questions, our times of sorrow. There is so much changing in this world and yet He will never change! His Words are the same always! Nothing new can be added! What joy there is in knowing this and walking in it!

I am going to try to do a 12 Days of Christmas songs starting tomorrow! Ha ha-we will see how that goes. I had an idea to write about some of my favorites so we will find out tomorrow if it really happens or not!

I pray that your day is filled with all the goodness of the Lord!

Strangers in the land

2008-12-01T09:43:00.000-08:00

Happy belated Thanksgiving! Hope you all ate to your heart's content and were reminded of many things to be thankful for!!
We had a great day-we celebrated in Montebelluna with the bible college students and staff. It was fun! We cooked a whole turkey at home which is a first for us in the last 8 years! Unfortunately, it was also the day to use our oven for the first time. Not a good time to realize that either A) you don't know how to work it properly or B) there's something wrong with the oven!
We put it in and about 1/2 hour later the top was getting very dark. Hmm, 4 more hours to go this doesn't look like a good sign! Well, after Mr Fix It, oops I mean my darling, wonderful husband looked and opened the door, looked again, opened the door yet again, we put foil over the top and let the bird cook a few more hours. It was doing fine, but the oven just didn't seem hot enough so darling, wonderful husband decided to crank the oven to the max!!!! In the end, the shy, non argumentative wife had the brilliant idea to put the turkey in the roasting pan on top of the stove and finish cooking it. Ever so cleaverly, she even said it in such a way that darling, wonderful husband thought he came up with the idea!! LOL
Of course I had been up late the night before awaiting the arrival of said husband from his 4 day trip to Baja (Hungary that is). He stayed true to course and arrived many hours later than I had expected which meant that I didn't have the groceries needed to do my cooking for Thanksgiving. So, at 9pm, I joyfully greeted him at the door, gave him a great big kiss and told him it didn't matter how late he was and that I was exhausted, would have to stay up half the night cooking and then get up early enough to prepare the turkey for the oven. After all, it is the thought that counts (isn't that what we have been indoctrinated to believe) and as long as he thought about coming home earlier all is well in Italia!
I fiercefully shredded carrots to lovingly make a carrot cake, spread out bread all over the kitchen and bedroom to stale it out enough to make stuffing, chopped bunches of celery and cried my way through a few onions. Ah, the joy of cooking-isn't that a book or something?????
Well, the carrot cake was too moist, didn't end up cooking the right way but darling husband took care of that. He cooked it about 4 hours and it is still moist, but being the doll that he is, he decided he wants to eat it! What a man I tell ya, what a man!
Of course, in the end, everything worked out well. The stuffing was great, turkey moist and delicious and we are still happily married :)

As we drove to Montebelluna on Thanksgiving, it hit me that we are strangers in the land. We live here and yet we have a whole different culture. There were plenty of cars on the road but none were hustling and bustling with piles of baked goods in their trunks to get to Cousin Mary's for a bountiful meal. They were all just going about their business as usual. Not one person had the same purpose as we did. None of them were going to be celebrating the day like we were.
The Lord gave me a beautiful picture as we as Christians live in this world. We are to be strangers in a sense. As we see people hurrying about, going about business as usual, we need to realize that we are looking forward to something they know nothing about. We are to think differently, behave differently, speak and act differently than the rest of the world. Everyday we can celebrate Jesus and look forward to the day when we will see Him face to face and we will sit down and enjoy that feast with Him! And the good news is....no worries on the cooking, we know it will be perfect!!!
We had our first snowfall last week. I had to enjoy it alone since Jim was in Hungary but I was quick thinking and took a picture for him to see. Now you can enjoy it too :) Also, the most precious little baby in the world in her costume. What an adorable little spider!!

Enjoy and may the Lord's face shine upon you today!

Our personal God

2008-11-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

There are those days when I just stand in absolute amazement of how God works. He is so personal and knows everything we need. The past week was a difficult one. The poor economy effects so many and causes so many of us to really trust the Lord to provide for all we need. I kept reminding myself that God provides always and that He promised His children would never have to beg for bread.
Well, I thought I was strong and could handle things that were coming our way but suddenly I just had a really hard time. I had heard about something someone bought and it was so expensive and to me outrageous that one would pay so much on something so temporal. We were getting ready to go to Montebelluna for church on Sunday morning and I just started to cry wondering why God works the way He does. I thought aren't we even good enough to receive the crumbs that are left over? I know it sound so pathetic of me to act like that but I was having a really hard time with this. Saturday night Jim was teaching (we are going through the Psalms) and he was talking about David's heart. He did cry out to the Lord and sometimes thought things were unfair but then he paused because he knew their end and he was grieved. Honestly, I couldn't even think at this point about the person's end. I was so focused on the here and now, paying our bills, etc. and why it all seemed unfair to me! Yes, a pity party!

So, on our way to church I kept trying to focus on the truth and prepare my heart. Craig was teaching on Abraham and Lot. He talked on how Lot chose for himself and had his eye on the temporal. Then, Craig talked about how people are living for the temporal, living for the house, the pool, etc and then mentioned this item and the exact amount that was so bothering me! AHHHHH, Jim and I just looked at each other and smiled. Sounds simple I know, but to me it meant the world. It meant that God saw my tears, He saw my broken heart and my questions and He put it all in perspective for me! He does care and He cares enough to remind us of what is eternal and what is temporal. Don't we serve an amazing God! He is personal-so personal!

It's getting wintery here in Padova. The cold is creeping in and the air is quite brisk! We see snow on the mountain tops already on our way to church. It is far enough away to be pretty and not have to shovel :)
Calvary Padova is doing great! We are getting a few people who are curious to hear what we are all about and what do we think about Jesus and it's great to have them come out. Michele is a guy from the Congo and he is a regular to the church. He has an amazing voice and used to lead a choir. We want him to start one up here in Padova. His son (14) and daughter (16) came the other night and that was a treat because they have musical talent like their Dad. Michele has a heart for evangelizing so we are going to go to the city center and pass out some tracts on Saturdays. Saturdays are always a late night-we get home close to 11pm and then eat our dinner! Dinner in Italy is usually late but this is pretty late!
I pray you are blessed today and just know in your heart how personal the Lord is, how much He truely cares about even the littlest of things!!!

Here are some pictures from the summer when we had a team from Santa Barbara come and we went to Venice.

Where the Italian missionaries shop :)

after all, when in Venice........................

Randon thoughts

2008-11-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

Election Day........hmmm.......well, I can't say I am surprised by the outcome. While I am extremely disappointed in who was elected, life continues. It might be because I just finished my study in 1 & 2 Kings, but reading through you see the ups and downs, the good, the bad, and the ugly (ha ha-sorry I couldn't resist).
The story of Jehu is one that really stood out to me. (2 Kings Chapter 10)Here we see Jehu used and commended by the Lord for the good he did yet the last things written about him was that he didn't walk in the ways of the Lord with all his heart. For whatever reasons, they aren't written for us to read, Jehu wasn't willing to give the Lord his whole heart. I certainly wouldn't want that as the commentary on my life. What a challenge to go before the Lord as David did and ask Him to search us and know us, to cleanse us and fill us with more and more of Him! Let's not be half-hearted Christians!

So, I said I would show you some pictures of our kitchen. Ok-well here we go ( I even have a couple bonus shots for you) :)

In the first picture you will see that this is my dish drainer. The drainers is built in to the cupboard and you stack your clean dishes in there and it drains on the sink-I am getting the hang of it now. First few days I was putting stuff in there and it would fall out. One night I put a bowl in there and it actually fell out, hit me on the lip and gave me a sore inside! How's that....I think if there are strange things that are going to happen they will happen to me. I am convinced it has nothing to do with my hair coloring (tho that's another story...starting to show the roots) it is just happenstance...is that a word? I always wanted to use it but didn't know when and now seems like a good time!

Without further ado, here is the drain..

Pretty cool huh-it's not bad getting the water off the sink either-just drips a bit

Now for the cupboards:

Pretty nice wouldn't you say. They are used, but I like them a lot and they hold a lot! I love all my pitchers/urns whatever you call them. You can find them all over here for so cheap!

Here is the bonus feature. Not only will I include the photo but I will include some advice. Little tidbits from an older woman (yes I said older not old!!!) GLOVES! I love wearing gloves! I never thought of it until we moved to Italy. Here, everyone wears them! There is a huge selection in the grocery store. Trust me! It took me a good 15 minutes to figure out which ones to buy. I don't know why I didn't wear them before. They protect your hands from all the chemicals, hot water, etc. Start wearing them to do dishes, mop, etc. They really do protect your hands. I will say that I purchased some cheap yellow ones and they don't hold up as well. Maybe for doing dishes they are fine, but mopping, cleaning windows, all that heavy stuff they didn't last too long. I found these blue ones and they are so comfortable!! Wow-who knew I could write a paragraph about gloves!! Ha ha. ok-here are mine:

(as I think about it, it is kind of strange that I actually took a picture of these)

Ok-well I think I spoiled you enough today with all these wonderful photos.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice-lift up holy hands to our God, the Maker of all things :)

Guess what?????????

2008-10-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

I am actually writing this post on my very own desktop, from my very own home!! What is so interesting about that you might ask....well.....that means we have internet! Yes dear friends and family we have finally rejoined the wired households of the world. Ah, but did you happen to notice I said "wired". Yes, we ordered a wireless modem and they hooked up the wrong one. No problem right...........WRONG!!! Jim phoned the telephone company today and after about a half hour they said.."Ok, we will be out on Nov. 21 with your WIFI modem". What a great birthday present that will be for Jim! Amazing isn't it!
So, other than that, things are taking shape in our home. God totally blessed us with a kitchen. We were searching and searching and went into a few used stores but they were still expensive. We kept trying to go to a certain used store but always missed the hours-remember...things close between 1-4. Finally we made it there and found a kitchen! The price was amazing and though it took some elbow grease to clean it, it looks great in the kitchen! Lots of cupboards which I love! (You can see the pics in future post) We had to buy a stove top but it came with the oven. I was able to get some good oven cleaner and scrub it out and it looks brand new! Pastor Craig came over for the day and installed the cupboards, sink, electricity and gas. What a help he is!
I have been reading 1 and 2 Kings the past months for my devotions and have been learning so much! There is a certain sadness as you read about all the different kings and you watch the decline of a nation because of compromise and pride. It never starts out big...as an account is given for each leader it often says the one did worse than the one before. How sad to see that this happens and what a great warning to us all. Yet, in the midst of the evil, good could be found. What a hope that is! What encouragement for us!
Sandy Dunn was telling me years ago about reading a Proverb a day-since then, I have tried to be diligent to that. Jim and I were talking the other day about it and how you can read God's Word so often and yet still not grasp all there is in it. I was reading Proverbs 24 (on the 24th :) ) and v10-If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strentgh is small. Wow, it about threw me off my seat. I was having one of those days..maybe even weeks...and God really challenged me through those words. I don't want small strength!
If you would, please pray for me-for strength, increased faith and to keep my mind fixed on Him!
Here are some pictures...I have so many I want to upload but it would take too long so I will add a few at a time.
These are from Scharpie and Zita's wedding and the kids are some of the kids at the church in Padova. ( I know I look like a camera hog huh!)

A month later.................

2008-10-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

Hi there everyone! We are still alive and sort of kicking. Kicking at the goads perhaps :) Just had to say a quick hello and that we have no internet yet! We have waited a month and the guy finally arrived yesterday and then couldn't find the cables underground.
I have decided we should start an internship over here. It would be one for those who desire to grow the fruit of the Spirit in their lives in a hands on atmosphere! Patience is something we have all prayed for and here in Italy you will have the opportunity to work that out in your life. Gentleness, now that is a good one too-hmmm, sort of like when the worker finally shows up at your door to do some work and you have this joy beaming from within you that Yes, we will accomplish something today, and only to have him put up his hands and tell you he has no clue. Yes folks, gentleness....self conrol...........oh I love that one! I think we will leave any explanation of that fruit out of the blog post for today. LOL!
So, we came to Hungary to get our Visas. They were to have arrived the last time we came to get them-but alas, decided to wait til a couple days after we returned to Italy. Oh what fun :)

Good thing though-the Lord is continuously pouring out His grace. I love being His child. There really is nothing better than knowing we can talk with the Creator of all things! Amazing to ponder! I love His Word, His comfort and yes, even His discipline!

Praying we will get a kitchen soon-sandwiches are getting a bit old-though the cold cuts are good in Italy.

Join us in praying for the church in Baja, Padova and the bible college in Italy. The kids are awesome. We spent time with them at speakers week and got to know them a bit better. I love seeing youngsters on fire for the Lord! Such a desire to follow after the things of the Lord. They are our future!

Ok-must go now-hopefully we will be online soon! Sorry-no pictures they are on the other computer....practice that patience LOL!
Oh the matchless love of Jesus!!!!
Gloria Dio!

And we are off........

2008-09-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ha ha, so you thought I was already living in Italy, sitting back on my terrazo and eating some sort of rich in calorie, highly delectable, Italian cuisine. Well, guess again!
I can only be reminded over and over again that the Lord says My thoughts are not your thoughts and My ways, not your ways! He has a plan and sometimes it's just a tad different than mine. (ok well a lot of times)
We ran into problems with the truck company that would have been overseeing all the care of our household goods-(I am thinking of writing a book entitled My Life In A Truck) LOL
Well, one thing led to another and we ended up having to find someone else at the midnight hour. (not literally) :)
It turned out to be an amazing blessing because our neighbor found one for us and it was cheaper than the original guy we planned to go with. He will also deliver it in less time than the other guy. That's what we like to hear!
God so blessed us this past week in amazing ways! He does know our breaking points and always proves Himself faithful. The girls and I had just been talking about how we have faith for everyone else's situations, but when it comes to our own, it's difficult to believe. Once more, God has proven above and beyond what we could think or ask! We are humbled by His love! We are thankful for those He uses!
So, dear friends please pray as we leave this am for our journey and hope to make it to Montebelluna in time for new student orientation. If you haven't checked out the CCBC Italy site-go to the right and click on the link. There is quite the handsome photo there too :)

Thank you for your prayers and as soon as we have internet I will try and post some photos.
May the Lord richly bless your day!
CIAO! or should I say "Gelato"!!!

Just a few more days

2008-08-27T23:06:00.000-07:00

Yep, we are scheduled to move in just a few days *key work being "scheduled"
It's been quite a trying time to get a truck to move us that is big enough and can actually go to Italy. Most don't have international insurance, don't take credit cards, etc. It's so weird that places still don't take credit in Europe. The truck should be here Tuesday and we will head out in the evening and be in Italy Wed morning. Jim still has to come back here to Hungary for a couple days to wrap things up and I will just stay in Padova and begin the unloading task!
On a good note, the utilities are in place. We thought that was going to be a nightmare trying to set those up but it turns out the Lord was very gracious to us and all we need to do is go to the gas company to get the gas turned on. Hopefully it will be a quick procedure!

Jim had to go last week and sign all the documents for our new flat in Italy. By now, you faithful blog readers should know what I am about to write next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes,,,,,,,,,you guessed correctly! I get a text message from Jim...."please pray the car isn't working". Apparently it was a belt or something like that. Whatever it was it cost about 200 euros! Yeah, that was money that was just burning a hole in our pocket and we had wondered how we could get rid of it LOL!
Now, we are looking to replace a bearing. Do I know what a bearing is? Of course not, but this I know...it needs replacing and we can't make the trip without it.

I find it amusing to hear things like "Wow, how lucky you are...you "get" to move to Italy. Yep, that's right folks....we "get" to move to Italy LOL..I suppose it is better than getting to live in the uttermost parts of the world where starvation and depravation are. Location wise, it is awesome! There is a world of beauty in Italy and the country has so much history and beauty in it. However, there is a spiritual battle going on! This is huge. From the moment we said Yes, we will go, there has been one problem after another with our car, with other things, and we know that these things happen in life, but we also know that spiritually speaking, we are being tested big time. God is so faithful though and He has seen us through each battle as it arises. It's almost like I just expect things to happen now. Praise the Lord that all things are in His control and He already knows how things will work out before we do!
It's harder than you know to be away from our children, grandbaby, our parents, friends.
We know the promises of God and trust in each one of them, but some days I just ache! It's a time in my life I thought that we would be living in our own home, enjoying our grandchildren, etc. I am not complaining here-just having one of those days as our girls and son-in-law are all getting together at Grandma's today to celebrate their birthdays! But, as challenging as some days are, I can honestly say I would dwell in a tent and be in God's will than live in a beautiful home outside of His will!
Here's a song I like by Barlow Girl- I really like the words to the song.

I know I know..........

2008-08-10T00:03:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I have updated but we have been incredibly busy. Another house hunting trip to Italy and this time we found a flat. It just got to the point where we were so tired of looking and this one Jim really likes and the price was right so we put in the application for it. I think the confirmation came as Jim bit into a sandwich and his newly fixed front tooth broke! Yep....it was the icing on the cake......oh wait a minute, no it wasn't :)

We decided to leave about 4am the next day to head back to Hungary. We made it a bit past the border and the car overheated!! Yes, another exciting moment in our ventures of Italy-Hungary. We ended up having to leave the car for a few days and ended up being the water pump. How fun!!
Fortunately, we have two of the most faithful gals in our church here in Baja and they drove the 3-1/2 hours to pick us up and bring us back to Baja. Praise the Lord for Andi and Magdi. I don't know what it is going to be like without the two of them. They are such amazing servants of the Lord!
We were blessed with the money to go to the missions conf in Austria so we will head out later on. I love this conference. The Lord always blesses the teachings and I get so ministered by them.

It's always a great time to catch up with other missionaries around Europe and see what the Lord is doing in their lives and churches. Please pray for safe travels :)

Here are a couple pictures of our new flat. No kitchen at all-just all blank walls and space! Pray we can find a kitchen to be donated!! We need a stove, sink, cupboards, etc! We have the fridge so that is a good start! Also, please pray we will be able to rent a vehicle to transport our furniture from our house in Hungary to Italy.

We have the top level of the flat. It's basically the same layout we have hear but on one level. There are 2 bedrooms and a smaller office/bedroom, kitchen and living room.

O magnify the Lord with me, let's exalt His Name! Psalm 34:3

Promises

2008-07-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

We had quite the time since I last updated. We went with the Santa Barbara team to Italy and it was adventurous to say the least!
Our car decided to have problems the minute Jim took the team to the train station in Baja he heard a rattle-muffler. So, we had one of the guys at the church fix it and headed on our way to Italy via Budapest for a night and Milstatt for a night.

Of course the weather in Padova was over 100 every day we were there but hey-we have air conditioning in the car right???? Let's just say that when it wanted to be on it was on and when it needed a break, it took one! Get the picture??!!! So one of the days we head to Venice with the team and as Jim parks in the parking garage the battery light went on. Needless to say when we came back to the car it wouldn't start. Oh the fun now begins.
So you must picture this. Jim says, ok-one of you girls needs to steer (it was Charlotte, her husband Ed and Jim and I) Well, I am not steering, no way, no how! I think I would freak out. So we decided to let Jim steer and Ed, Charlotte and I would push! Yes, skirts and all, we are pushing the car. Well, I guess in all fairness it was mostly Ed, but Charlotte and I must have had some impact :) Here we are pushing and we are getting close to the part where the parking lot starts to make the curvy turn and I am just praying inside-Lord there is no way that I can push while going around a bend. Those of you who know me know that coordination is not one of my spiritual gifts! LOL

Anyway, the Lord had mercy upon us and at just the right time Jim started the car and we headed back to Padova. The car broke down again after a few days and this time it had to be put on a truck and taken to the repair shop. A new belt, new alternator, headaches, sore back for Jim and a whole bunch of euros later we were on our way back to Hungary!
Just one of those times where you ask the Lord....Lord why now? Whey did this have to happen now? I sometimes think He feels like saying...why not now...as if there is a better time for these things to happen :)

We ended up staying an extra week after the team left to find a place to live but didn't have much luck. We learned a lot about Italian culture that week. We learned how important the afternoon lunch/siesta is. So important that an hour before it starts not much gets accomplished so that you aren't in the middle of something when the lunch begins and then about an hour after it ends you are just getting back in the swing of work again. On the last day, we finally found a realtor franchise that seems helpful and we pray that things will go well next week when we return.

Last week was pretty gloomy and we had a rainstorm one of the days. I happened to look out my window and saw a beautiful rainbow right in my backyard. It was such a gift from the Lord! It was a rough week and you know how you have those times where you know the promises of God and His faithfulness but you just need some extra assurance-well, it was like God gave the rainbow just for me at just the right moment. I grabbed my camera and did my best to mark the memory. I love how personal the Lord is. He knows what His children need and His Word just comes alive in our lives as we cry out to Him.

Some of our girls were baptized last week at the family conference. It brought tears to my eyes seeing them make this commitment before the Lord. We have been together all year for women's studies and watching them grow in their relationship and seeing Jesus at work in their lives is so precious!
So many beautiful memories! The Lord is indeed good isn't He!!!

Team SB

2008-06-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

What a great week we have been having with the Santa Barbara team!! Lots of this and that getting done at the church ie-painting, repairs, etc. All the things that aren't big by themselves but add up to lots of work!! It was great to walk into the church and see all that the guys had done!

Lars and Emily also taught the youth group some fun stuff-lots of crazy fun to be had. The time in the Word was a great reminder of Jesus being the door and the safety we can find in Him alone!

Yesterday proved once again to be a day where we saw God do amazingly and abundantly above and beyond all we could think! We had a Kid's Day and weren't expecting more than about 20 kids. Well, over 40 kids came and not only that but many of the parents came in the afternoon and joined us for lunch and more fun games at the park. It was great to see kids from all ages playing, hearing and acting out bible stories, doing fun crafts and singing praises to the Lord!! Such a blessed time!

Here are a few photos from the youth group. Charles from SB has a great talent for art and led the kids in painting the skateboard ramps. I'll add the ones from kids day when we get back.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel today to make our way through Budapest, Austria and then on to Italy with the team. Pray for energy as we endure the heat and humidity, travelling graces, health, etc. We will be in Padova for a few days with the team and Jim and I will stay on after they leave in hopes to find a place to live. Actually, we MUST find a place so we can begin the moving process.

Thanks for praying!! :)

Little Miss Juliet

2008-06-12T06:20:00.000-07:00

Finally a sweet little photo of the most beautiful grandbaby!!! Am I a bit biased ??? LOL!!!
Jim finally got to meet his little granddaughter and was thrilled to feed her! What a blessing!
Thanks for all your prayers and those who helped make this trip happen for Jim. It meant so much to him!
Jim was able to get a lot of our paperwork done for Italy also. So much to do to apply for our Italian citizenship but it will be worth it. Now all the kids want to apply too. You never know how the Lord might use it in the future! I think it's funny how our ancestors were all trying to get to America and become citizens and now we are trying to go back to the countries they came from.
Please be praying for the team that will arrive from Santa Barbara next week. We will be busy doing fix up work around the church, having a kids day and if I am lucky, maybe get some more packing done. We will also head to Padova the following week and look over the city with the team, pray and perhaps scout out places to have an outreach the following year. Lots to do and so we covet your prayers. Pray they will be healthy and for good weather to do all we want to do!
So without further ado.....here is the Princess :)

Siegen Conference

2008-06-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

We were so blessed to be able to go to the Servanthood Conference at the Siegen church a couple weeks ago. We went last year and it was awesome but this year it just didn't seem possible to go. The dollar has dropped so much and everything is more expensive. Gas alone is between 7.50 -8.00 dollars a gallon. (sorry to our US friends, we don't feel your pain) :) just kidding :)
Anyway, the conference started on Tues and we rec'd a phone call on Monday telling us that if we wanted to go it was covered!! How amazing is that! God is so good and we knew there were things the Lord wanted to speak to our hearts since He made the way for us to go. It was a double blessing because we were able to go a couple hours from the church and pick up some boxes that were shipped full of clothes for the church. We brought them to the church yesterday and everyone had a great time picking out things to wear!! Thanks Kim and Martha!!!! :)
At the conference we were able to see some old friends from SB church and meet some new ones. The messages were great and Jim and I both went up for prayer to have a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. There was such a joy and a power in the prayer! It was one of those that I just want to carry with me as a reminder when I feel blah. Our friends Sadie and David were there and Pastor Ricky and some others prayed for us too. We are ready!! Ha ha-just remind me I said that!! There's just something about it when people are praying for you and you know they really want to be praying. It was a good reminder to me too because when I pray with people I want them to know that I want to be praying for them, it's not just a formality or something I do.
I wrote down a few highlights that spoke to my heart during the conference. Of course there were many things, but these are the main things. (You can click on it for a bigger size)

Back from Italy

2008-05-29T07:52:00.001-07:00

We returned home to Hungary early this am. Such a long drive and we got a late start from Italy. We didn't leave there until about 5 or so and got home 4:30 this am!! Talk about tired!!
It was a great trip and we got to meet the people at the Padova fellowship. Such a sweet group of people and we are excited about the work the Lord wants to do there and also all over Italy!
It was strange to be in a big city and smell all the different smells, fight traffic and be surrounded by so many things! After 7 yrs here in Baja with a population just under 40,000, I realized how used to my surroundings I am. It's weird to think that we will drive more and I can't just walk everywhere. In Baja, it's so easy to get around and just use the car for cold days and food shopping!
Trying to find a place to live is proving to be quite a challenge! In Italy a place is usually furnished or not furnished. Unfurnished is great since we have our furniture already but unfurnished usually means no kitchen either!! AH-what a difference! Then, if you look at a furnished place, you have all their style-which wouldn't really bother me, but I mean their pictures on the walls (weather you like it or not) and their furniture which a lot of times is old! We looked at a couple places yesterday but nothing really worked for us. One was nice, but a bit further than we would like and also no kitchen whatsoever. Plus, we want the students to feel free to visit us on weekends and it would be too difficult to travel by train. Hopefully we can find some places to look at the end of June when we return.

Please keep our house hunting in prayer and all the packing!
Also for our little granddaughter-Juliet. She is home now and I can't wait to get some pictures!!!!!!

Grandbaby is born!!!

2008-05-19T23:17:00.000-07:00

Christina gave birth to her little girl around 9:30pm Monday!!!! She weighs in at 8lbs 15oz. Congratulations Christina and Bryan!! Can't wait to see a picture!!!!!!!!!

Graduation

2008-05-16T02:30:00.000-07:00

We travelled to Vajta on Tues night with a group from the church to celebrate Sharpi's graduation from bible college. He is officially the first graduate from Baja after all these years!! We are so proud of him-he's been so faithful and such a committed servant. He will continue serving as the youth leader here in the church.

Here are a few photos from the graduation.

The Graduate
He looks at home here !!!

Sharpi's Dad, Mom, Zita, sister Szandra

Magdi and Andi

Yes, we are very proud

New blog

2008-05-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

We decided to start a blog about all the goings on around here. We want to keep everyone updated regularly as to what's going on and also have a place we can post pictures for all to see.
So.........hope you will enjoy reading it and please leave us some nice comments if you stop by :)