The Struggles that Refine....

Well, what do I say, I am surprised, not at all.....

Joe and I headed to Michigan on Thursday very excited for a long road trip and much talking. But as we reach half way into Canada. Our peace was broken by "that noise again". Before we left we had our car fixed because it was running really rough, and of course that didn't fix it. Being in Canada we were kind of trapped, so across the border we pushed the car to drive another 2 hours before being looked at. Praise the Lord that we were able to have it looked at right away and headed to our hotel. What a blessing in disguises it was that Joe and I spent a night in a very nice hotel! But came the next day driving to our destination another 40 minutes away and the "problem" came back. So finding another "car doctor" they did what they could but told us that this was ONLY and temporary fix to get us across Canada and back to Syracuse. But Praise the Lord we made it home safely Saturday night and we were able to go to our home church on Sunday. Where we spent ALL day at church preparing for a get together on Wednesday.




Oh so much to go through, so much stress, and so much blessings. But I am very thankful for my struggles. As pastor preached Sunday morning.....

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. "

- 2 Corinthians 1 :3-7

May I be refined

Beautiful.....

Oh yes everyone, that is right. They are my sisters!!! :-) I love them very much......

:-)

Divine Interruptions...

A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. - Luke 10:33

God's will comes to us in strange ways, often in the form of interruptions. Just when we think our duties are done for the day and we've settled in for a quiet evening at home, someone calls on the telephone or shows up on our doorstep asking for our time. "Are you busy?" they ask.
The best thing to do is to stop looking at these intrusions as interruptions. Instead, we should take them as opportunities that God is sending us to serve those in need—to listen well, to show love, to help them on their journey toward intimacy with God.

One early Christian writer, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, said, "Love is the duty of the present moment." No matter what else we may have planned, love is our duty.
"Who is my neighbor?" I ask. Jesus answers, "The person in need I'm sending your way."

- David Roper

Lord, if I'm feeling rushed today,I

need your eyes to help me see

That when an interruption comes

It is an opportunity. - Sper

An interruption may be a divine appointment.

Staying in the Sunshine...

I admit, I miss the sunshine. I am teased by the shortness of sun and the forth coming of the cold and snow. Why do I live here? Is what I often hear myself saying. But reading a miscellaneous daily bread today I realized that I can always be in the sunshine.....

In his book The Best Is Yet To Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of a little girl in London who won a prize at a flower show. Her entry was grown in an old cracked teapot and had been placed in the attic window of a rundown tenement house. When someone asked how she managed to raise such a lovely flower in such an unlikely environment, she said she moved it around so it would always be in the sunlight

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love" (John 15:9).

We abide in Christ's love when we show love to others. Jesus made this clear when He said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love . . . . This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (vv.10,12-13).

We feel the warmth of Christ's love when we obey His commandment to love and serve others. That's the way to stay in the sunshine.

-Richard De Haan

Our love for God is seen in our love for others.

God is in Control....

Wow, what a weekend. Joe and I were able to spend time with good friends that we haven't seen in a while. They have a "soon to be" 2 year old, 1 year old, and another baby on the way. It was so refreshing to play with their girls. At first going there I thought, oh no, what if I get really discouraged, after 3 years of marriage not having any children. But no way, I had a great time and learned more and more that God is in Control, and He has a perfect time or way for whatever is to come.

I just have to praise the Lord, because so many BAD things are happening lately and I am becoming more and more joyful as they happen. I am just so amazed at this. Usually I freak out, break down crying, and have a hissy fit. But not this time, I kinda like it :-) PRAISE THE LORD!!!

"..who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer."

- 2 Corinthians 1:4-6

A Roller Coster of Thoughts.....

*I know to some, this may sound a little weird :-) but I can see myself growing, growing in my fruit. For example, dummy me, forgot that 24 (my alltime, most favorite show, thanks to my sister) started at 8pm and was a 2 hour special. Now back in the day ;-) I would have freaked out. Cause come on now, I missed my most favorite show, but tonight as I sighed, I immediatly moved on and now wait until next Monday when I can be entranced once again.
So again I state, that may have sounded wierd, but I am really excited that God comes first!!!

*So, in normal life..... :-) I am still working full time, which is hard for me for many reasons. But God knows the timing that we will head to Mexico and I just need to wait. Only 4 little letters that are just so big :-)

*I am so hyper but it is late I must go to bed..... more to come!!!

The Refining of My Soul....

I hate the days that everything in the world goes wrong, just so that we can be tested. I mean I thought sitting in a hard metal/wooden chair to take a multiple choice test that I didn't study for was hard. Yeah, I see it differently now. I would much rather take multiple choice tests that the ones life gives us.

BUT...

The blessings and rewards that flow when you know that you have obeyed, is one of the most amazing moments ever! :-)

Yeah so I had a hard day yesterday, but to GOD be the glory......

"We all, ... beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image" - 2 Corinthians 3:18

Difficulties of life are to make us better... not bitter

Memories of the Past....

My weekend was amazing. Joe and I had a mission's conference to go to in Binghamton. It was great to relive my memories of the past. Spending most of the day with old friends began stirring up feelings that I had been longing for. We got to visit our "youth group" at Grace on Wednesday and Just as I expected I got to hear the wonderful screams of Betsy welcoming me "home". It was amazing to see the youth painting the youth center. It looks awesome!!! Then for the rest of our days, we headed back and for from the cafe to our missions conference. We stay we the Bleuer's and we are totally and completely blessed. They are the most amazing couple. And I was even able to spend a night with "the girls" I LOVE THEM!!!! Thank you God for the great Memories of the Past.

"Friends are friends forever, if the Lord is the Lord of themAnd a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not endThough it's hard to let you goIn the Father's hands I knowThat a lifetime's not too long... to live as friends."

Willing To Share....

My heartbeat since obey the Lord and heading into missions is being willing to share. Not just the gospel but my heart for the ministry. To see a life converted or to see a life blessed and grow is an amazing feeling that is so hard to explain.

Today is my last day of work this week!!!! yeay. Joe and I leave to head to our old stepping grounds.... Binghamton. It will be nice to be back for a little while, even though we will be swapped with a missions conference. :-) We will share our ministry and our burden and hopefully encourage and bless as many people as possible. What a great God we serve. :-)

I LOVE SHARING.....

Love is giving for the world's needs,

Love is sharing as the Spirit leads,

Love is caring when the world cries,

Love is compassion with Christlike eyes.

" Be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" - 1 Timothy 6:18

Be Still And Know

Something I am learning each day is to be silent, not just in my daily devotions, but when all of like seems to be chaotic I need to be calm. I need take "baby steps" to the finish line. And give God ALL the glory before, during, and after.....

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; spend much time in secret with Jesus alone!

" Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted on the earth!" - Psalm 46:10

Spending quiet time with God will bring quiet rest from God

A Relaxing Weekend....

Words I never thought I would understand again finally rang true to me this weekend.
As the Olympics began I was able to watch the start of them. A little disappointed that Mexico was not competing, none the less it was amazing to watch the beginning.
Sunday we were able to go to our sending church Beacon. It was nice to be back 'home' again. :-)

So my week begins 'somewhat' relaxed. Walking into work I was faced with our office reconfiguration and way to much testosterone!! And the words from my Doctor "call back tomorrow for your results" But I rejoice, knowing that it is for a season and may my LORD be glorified. :-)

The Brighter Side....

Winter is not over. Is all I can say, it was amazing to wake up to a pure white world, and I began thinking, through all of the Business of life, trials, and pre-field ministry. I am beginning to melt into madness. I know God is big enough, I know He loves enough, and I know that He is soveriegn over ALL things. But there are times when the words can not penitrate the iron spirit.

Then there are times, when a little, simple, and quite voice really gets your attention.

In this case mine came from the famous bear......

"It's snowing still. And freezing. However, we haven't had an earthquake lately."

- Winnie-the-Pooh

So my thought process begins to align with Mr. Pooh Bear...... I will see the brighter side of things!

"We all,... beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image." - 2 Corinthians 3:18

The difficulties of life are to make us better - not bitter!

The Joy of a Day Off....

Oh yes that's right.... I played hooky yesterday.... and the great part is ..... I GOT PAID FOR IT. :-) This week is tax free week... so what else would I do with my hooky day other than go shopping... And boy did I shop :-)

I love days like that and I can't wait for the day that my days will be full of ministry work, instead of insurance....

But until then.... Bring on the hooky days :-)

Only by God's Strength....

Only by God's strength..... will I be able to face today.

Only by God's strength..... will I be able to stand today.

Only by God's strength..... will I be able to smile today.

and Only by God's strength..... will I be able to live today.

It's just one of those emotional days today. Nothing really is world chattering. Just a very sour day.

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him." - Psalm 28:7

And It Was So.....

No matter what may come to pass,
God's precious Word still stands,
This universe is held intact
Within His mighty hands.

God said it. I believe it. That settles it.

Exhausted......

The one word that describes the whole weekend. What an awesome time Joe and I had though. Friday at 5pm we left our church with 31 youth kids headed for snow camp. Friday night was introduction time, dinner, chapel, games, and LATE night discussions. Saturday was a non-stop day.... Breakfast, Chapel, Snow sculptures, winter games, hiking, tubing, dinner, skits, chapel, games, and more LATE night discussions. Sunday we had breakfast and packed up to head to church just in time for service.

Then Joe and I headed over to Amour of Light Baptist church in Victory, NY to present our ministry. After that we headed over to the pastor's house and had dinner with them. We finally got home at 11pm unpacked got ready for the next day and was in bed by midnight... huhhhh.

But as exhausting as it was Blessings and rewards overflowed from minsitry and I wouldn't trade it for the world! :-)

" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7

To get the most out of life, make every moment count for Christ.

A Fulfilling Weekend...

A Crazy, but fulfilling weekend. Friday and Saturday was full of preperation for Sunday presenting at a new church. We presented, I sang, and then taught Jr. Church. Joe and I felt good leaving there yesterday. Support from this church is not off in the far distant, I can practically taste it. Yeay!!!!
There is something about being in your home church that is just a great and wonderful feeling. Sunday night came with "more" teaching at Olympians and then FINALLY, the 2 hours I have been waiting for.......

24 has fulfill all my expectations....... and that is all I'm going to say about that ;-)

T.G.I.F.....

These letters have so many memories behind them.....

School is out and pizza is on it's way, bellies are stuffed with the plump breadsticks and the cheesy sauce. The TV is turned on and laughs are outpouring from our 4 favorite T.G.I.F. shows.....

A run is made to Mcydee's or Burger King and then headed to the "annex", friendships grow closer, memories are made, and laughter is to it's fullest.......

Work is done, the drive home is short, and preperation is made for visiting a church on Sunday....

How many different awesome memories these 4 letters have had over the years........

That Rekindling Feeling.....

Yesterday, As I sat in a slump moment at work, I begin filling up my time, until 5pm when I can be gone for the day, with surfing any xanga/blog/myspace I can find. And what is this that I see..........
I was playing around on all my different sites that I am hooked up to and found lots of friends that I couldn't keep in touch with. I almost started crying. Yeah yeah, I know I'm a sap but how exciting it is when you have found people that you got so close to at one time and when you moved you lost touch, to be able to find them and talk to them again. YEAY for the internet!!!!!!!



Welcome Each Day As A Gift From God....

Go, Go, Go.....

"On the Road again" is mine and Joe's life slogan. Of course the year is started off with excitement and craziness.
This Sunday we visited a church to share out mission's burden for the first time in 3 months. It was nice to get back into the swing of things and this church is now seriously considering supporting us. YEAY!!
Now our months begin to follow with Youth Group, Choir, Pre-field, Women's Ministries, Early Married Years group, Bible Studies and Children's Ministries. It may sound like a lot but oh how wonderful it is to serve the Lord.....


"We are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building."
1 Corinthians 3:9

"Apart from Me, you can do nothing" - Jesus