The Celebration Continues....

The presents are opened and the mess is cleared away, but still I hear the angels singing, glory to God in the most beautifual way. May our praises, ministry, and love never cease all year long.

My heart is sad as this season passes, but as I begin to think about new beginnings, a new year, a new me..... I start to smile..... Youth Group events to plan, potluck to chow down upon at church, the smell of the new earth creeping through the snow, the flowers beginning to blossom, churches to visit, summer to journey through, sun, warmth, water rides, vacation plans, leaves falling and enjoying the color, and preparing for blessing to give once again.
So much happens in a year.... this one.... May it be a fantabulous year for all!!!! :-)

Take a Moment to Breathe....

Something I have learned the last couple of days. Life becomes so busy right now with family coming home and only 4 days till Christmas. I need to take a moment and breathe............

A breath for my King of kings, Lord or lords, Prince of peace, and so much more

Beautiful Dangerous Snow....

I have always grown to love snow itself, the cold not so much, but the snow, as it covers everything making it pure. It is just so beautiful.
But...... I realized as I woke up to many inches of snow quickly accumulating and a sheet of ice on bottom, that I no longer enjoy the freedom of "snow days"..... Work game as does life ..... No Matter What.
So, Joe and I plowed the streets as were everyone else, the snow is falling so fast that the plows can not plow quick enough. But Thankfully all is well, I am at work, and Joe is safely home.
Let the fun begin........

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter,
day and night will never cease." - Genesis 8:22

The Feeling of Finality....

Wow, what a weekend. Friday Joe and I were on the radio talking about sending churches and missions. Then saturday I had Christmas play practice with the kids, and then that night I had my first big event that I have been planned for weeks... Our mystery dinner for the EMY's group in our church. Sunday morning I was a church early for choir and then pretty much had lunch and booked it back to the church to set up for the Children's Christmas play that night. So I got to the church about 3:30 began to set up and then had to go and practice our Cantata that out choir is doing from 4:30 to 5:30 and at 6 the show began. Can I just say how good GOD is, I was so worried on Saturday when mistake after mistake was being made but it was the most encouraging thing to see all those kids have such a good time and they remembered ALL of their lines. Oh they did so good. Then when it was over, our choir practiced again for about and hour!!!

These weekend was no relaxing time at all, but so spiritually fulfilling, although I am physically week, I am so spiritually full. It is amazing how God works in you when you are working for Him!!

Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings. - Proverbs 22:29

O Lord, I ask for strength to do, the task that You've assigned; help me to work with diligence, lest Your name be maligned.

The Christmas Season....

What do you write about during this time. So much is happening you would need to write 5 books in order to fit it all. But GOD is still good and Christ the center of it all.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. - Matthew 1:23


Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth ... may we begin to see the world in the light of understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. Amen.

- Karen L. Oberst

Another Crazy Weekend...

God is good. I am blessed to be a part of His ministry. Even though it may be hectic and full. He is still good. I have another fun filled weekend ahead of me full of ministry. Tonight Joe and I go to a youth's home to have a bonfire with the youth group yeay! Then tomorrow we have a program that we are doing with all the kids in the church so that the parents can go shopping.... Kids Free Shopping Day. Then right after that is the Children's play practice. Then Sunday is church in the morning and Olympians at night. Wow.
No wonder I can't breathe.... I went to the Doctor yesterday and she thinks that I have viral respitory infection thing-a-mababer. So I have meds. And she said to get lots of rest and liquids. The liquids are no problem at all, but the rest hmmmm, well maybe I'll just do everything a little slower. ;-)

Have a great day everybody!!

For Unto Us A Child Is Born.....

I began thinking today, as I am decorating my work place with shiny figurines , bulbs, and snowflakes, what Christmas has come to mean to me. I find to often I get excited about lights and shiny things. So today I began to really read through the birth of Christ in the gospel and I came across something that I really didn't see before.....

Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, BECAUSE
He will save his people from their sins."

Jesus didn't come so that we could have Christmas trees, Christmas movies, and/or presents, we have all those things because He came to die and save us from our sins, so that we may enjoy Him every year through things like decorating the Christmas tree with family to spend time with them blessing them in love ('Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.") and presents, so that we may bless others with things full of love and to give to those in need ("He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27).

Christmas trees, and movies, and presents, and these things are not wrong (unless of course it takes total focus of off Him), but of course that never happens.. ;-) We do them to show our excitment, thankfulness, and love that we have for our savior who came to this earth to take our punishment so that we may live freely in Him. YEAY!!!

Ok so now that I had my time on the soap box (sorry). I just got so excited because I never thought about it this way before, it is so awesome!

So let us sing out For Unto Us A Child Is Born...... That He may take away the sins of the world!

The Normal Routine....

I never thought I would hear myself say that I was happy to be back in my normal routine this week. I was "somewhat" relieved to come back to work and get back into the swing of things. I have so much coming up in the next few weeks and it is nice to dive into it again. It helps me to not cry......

Yes my parents left at 4am on Saturday morning... My Birthday. I didn't think it would be as hard as it turned out to be. I am not angry or filled with selfishness... just sad, sad that it will be a while until I see them again. And I was sad for the kids that they had to leave our family home. But when a call came from Dad and said that all of them are super excited about the house and town, I felt much relief.

So here starts a Monday morning with few weeks until Christmas. And life is good because God is in control and He is with me always.

Colossians 2: 6-7

My declaration of Thanks.....

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

I get to see my sister today and my family tomorrow................ YEAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Coming....

Only 1 and 1/2 days until my holiday begins....
Family, Food, Fellowship....... and tears! I'm so excited

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Thank you God for giving me life, so that I may enjoy the ones around me.

My thought for the season...

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I begin to think about all the million and two things that I am so thankful for. But it's funny how all the other doubts, sadness, and fears follow with that. So I have decided to take Colossians 2: 6-7 as my passage for this week, and what I will focus on what to be thankful for.
Do you remember the first time you were saved? The feeling of release, pain, guilt, and joy....
the feeling of...Thankfullness? Let us not forget the day we were saved, the day the Holy Spirit made real to us the beating and death Christ endured for our sake!
Oh thank you God for sending your son. And let me not forget to share with those my joy and thankfulness, let me not forget to proclaim you and give a chance for others to realize there thankfulness for what you have done for them!

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

The Little things God uses....

The last few days have been hard....

My body completely shut down yesterday. It didn't like the fact that I have so many things I am doing and that my emotions are going crazy!!!!!

Only 9 days left until D day(when my family leaves). It is a bitter sweet time for me. It is sad to see family leave but exciting that they are beginning a new! Leaving home at 17 to live in Syracuse and being "gone" from the home since then, I guess it is not as hard right now realizing that I will not see them so often. Or maybe it's because I am heading up the children's christmas play at church, putting together a "mystery dinner" night with the married couples at our church, picking out songs and arranging times for the Ladies Ensemble to sing at church, Bible Studies, Birthday and Christmas shopping, Planning Thanksgiving with my sister, and Working 8 to 5 Monday through Friday..... Ahhhhhhh!

But then it is the little things God uses to remind me that He should still be first and that life is still happening around me. So yesterday as my body shut down and sadness, happiness, stress, worry, and lonliness began to fill my moments, I walked into work this morning feeling broken. So broken that I would never be able to be fixed. Then I read my sister's blog. "the little thing that God used" She reminded me that I still have a family who cares and understands my frustration because they too in fact are facing the same struggles. So as I weep while my pieces are being put back together, I am gratefull. For God, my husband, my families, my church...but mostly today, I'm gratefull for..... My sister, I LOVE HER....VERY MUCH

Have a great day Heather.... :-)

Quality Time with Family.... And Doubts that Follow!

"You shall have no other gods before ME!" Exocus 20:3

My weekend was filled with nice refreashing moments of family time. Friday my Mother-in-law and I went and began our wonderful adventure of Christmas Shopping. Can I just say how good God is that He has brought my mother-in-law and I together so well! She is a blessing and a joy to spend time with.
Then Saturday I spent most of the night with my brother-in-law Isaac. We ate chinese, drove fancy wegmans car karts, and ran aroung the church cleaning up after a wedding.

Needless to say all these things began my thoughts and doubts of Joe's and my future together. Someday, no so far away, I will be living in another country, where the comforts of home and family will be no longer, (until furlough 4 years later). And I will begin developing different family relationships in that country.....

Oh Lord help me, as family and comfort begins tearing me from my calling. Help me to be focused on You and You alone!

"God must rule our hearts if our feet are to walk His way."

Surgery What!?!?!?!?!?!?

Yes it is true, the "s" word has come upon me....
I went to the oral surgeon yesterday to have a consultation on my wisdom teeth. And oh yes, soon and very soon I will have my right side wisdom teeth "ripped out of my head" or as the Dr. put it a nice "slit and tug". That phrase still boggles me. And being so fair skinned of course I will have brusing and a slower healing process. Oh joy, but hey at least I will get some time off of work.... yee haw!

On another note..... kids are so adorable to watch when they get a gift...
Joe and I had Bible study last night and it was our friend's son's birthday, so we gave him some coloring books and he was so excited. I love giving to excited people. You get that warm tingly thingy inside knowing that you made someone's day.

It's fun... :-)

The Excitment of the Seasons....

It was so encouraging to spend time with friends and family this weekend. Although afterwards you can feel so incredibly worn out but it is so totally worth it. Fellowship, Food, and histerically laughing Fun..... What could be better.
Life starts again today with work, basketball, and Bible studies... yeay!! And the Chirstmas shopping begins!!!!

Using David's Prayer as My Own...

"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall Itake counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him." And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken. But I have trusted in Your loving kindness; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."
- Psalm 13

When Satan attacks he attacks hard, Oh how David's knew men's hurting souls.... Let us praise the Lord in all of our iniquities.

I love you God.

My Unexplainable Quirks...

Yes, Ok, so call me crazy but there are just some things I can not explain about myself. Like what kind of person would come to work and listen to Christmas music when it is not even "Halloween" yet? I must be the only one ;-)
Joe is coming home Friday night hopefully. I am so pumped!
And I get to give a devotional at the Ladies breakfast this Saturday. Oh it is so great to glorify God! I love how God uses each one of us....

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord." 1 Corinthians 12:4-5

The Busy Season...

So much to do.... so little time to write :-)

The Comfort of learning God with Family...

The last couple of days have been well not incredibly unbearable but lets just say not to pleasent. Being without your husband is a hard thing.
But I praise the Lord and I am very thankful that I can still get to Bible study and learn God's words with my church family. Let me just say that I love my church and the whole family. It is nice to worship the Lord with such great people.

A Two Week Void.....

I am sure I don't have to tell all of you loving wives how hard it can be when your husband is gone for a long period of time....
Tears, Lonliness, Depression, Aching............ but at the same time.......... joy, a moment of freedom, a time of self concentration.
Joe left yesterday for Harrisburg PA. He is gone for two weeks, it is hard, but both a time for growth and reward.

"As for me, I trust in You, O Lord. "
Psalm 31:14

A Challenging Truth....

God wants complete obedience
Excuses will not do;
His Word and Spirit point the way
As we His will pursue

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." 1 Sam. 15:22

One sin becomes two when it is defended.


A night of relaxation..... kind of..... Joe and I are watching "the Boy" Isaac tonight while "Mom and Dad" go to dinner with friends. It will be a nice change of pace, than continual running....

A Fullfillment in Fellowship and The Word

I just love Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I know that this may sound a little odd, but Joe and I go to two Bible Studies every week one Tuesday and one Wednesday, teaching the same things. It is hard to try to explain but there is something about Fellowship and learning the Word with others believers that is so fullfilling!!

I am again amazed by God and how he works just at the perfect timing...
Yesterday was just one of those days that the discontent of people was truly annoying and it was hard to continue loving them and being "good" to them. And then of course today I read......

" Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" Romans 12:21

God is such a good God.

Search my, O God, and know my heart today!
Try my, O Savior, know my thoughts I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

Running on fumes...

It was a Monday...........enough said.

"Most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor 12:9

God's strength is best seen in our weakness.

The Migrane Begins...

I didn't realize that after a hectic weekend, full of ministry and fun, that one could recieve such a migrane. But I had it coming... This weekend was amazing, as it was our sending church's missions conference. On Friday I worked from 8am to 4:30 and then headed to teach a children's program at 7pm at church until about 8:30pm. Then Saturday morning Joe and I headed to church around 8:30am and were there until 9:30pm. In the morning I did a 3 hour program with the kids and then in the afternoon we had a meeting and then at night we had an international dinner with the church. My heart is so full when ministry is in progress. Many times I feel as though I would be absolutely content in Church functions, outreaches, and Missions everyday and in every moment of that day.
Of course then there was church this morning and then I did a children's program this evening. So as I say the migrane has begun, so the IBprophane and sleep begins to invade my night until work comes knocking at the door tomorrow!

What a Mighty God we Serve!

A Humble Ache

I just have to say how much I appreciate God. Today has been one of those days, where nothing absolutely terrible has happened but little things seem to annoy you. And it wasn't until a couple of minutes ago was I humbled by my sister's powerful words...
I am now aching terribly inside. Not in a bad sense of the word aching but in a God using, refining sense of the word. So I began thinking about the last 5 years and how God has been so amazing not only in my life but in my family's life.... So I begin to become content in knowing that their is still more work to do....

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without adversity."

"He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

One point for the Husband

I am so excited to announce that my Husband is a wonderful man...
As my body winces to the sound of my radio wake up call I am reminded that, for my good, but to my dismay, I have promised myself to walk every morning. My feet begin to touch the floor and all of the excuses begin to flood my mind, and I head for the bathroom door to begin my shower....
But wait what is this, my husband gets out of bed and begins getting dressed. As I look at him with a concerned face, he stares at me and says...
"What are you waiting for... get your sneakers on"
So Joe and I walked out the door and began a 20 min brisk wake up walk together. God is so good!

"Nurture your marriage and you'll Nourish you soul"

The Struggles of Life...

What looks like just an accident
When viewed through human eyes,
Is really God at work in us -
His blessing in disguise.

Oh how true this is... There are so many times that life seems so trival and has no eternal purpose... but as Joseph so clearly shows us in Genesis 50... "what you meant for evil, God meant for good" Oh how great God is that everything in life has eternal value!!!

Home Again

Home again! There are mixed emotions with this statement. Yes it is a relief and some excitment when one arrives home. Comfort zones begin to set in and your own bed is such an amazing feeling, but at the same time. With the anxiousness to want to me on the mission field and getting just a taste of it this past week, it is hard to come home.
But God is good and the week was amazing. It was so exciting to be in the Jungles of Costa Rica and on the beach in a resort. What fun!
Now reality sets in as it is back to work tomorrow....