Finally! Once again I am learning how to put my trust in Him and not my own plans or schedule. Every day holds a new surprise and carries with it the lesson of leaning not on my own understanding, but seeking Him and His purpose for each day. I was once so comfortable with my busy schedule and list of things to do each day-knowing it would never be finished in one day. Usually I am a foolish procrastinator, but where there is less opportunity for distraction here in the usual ways, I am learning to take advantage of those opportunities to dive into the Word and reading books I have never gotten around to. I am learning so much!
Due to the delay, I will first update you with the most recent happenings, and hopefully later this week post some reflections of events in the past few weeks worth sharing. This past week, the open house finally took place to celebrate His provision with family, friends, and community. Before this though, Lakshmi (my roommate) and Debbie arrived safely back home with our new addition-Joshua. He is more autistic than we had originally been informed, but is adjusting surprisingly well. The children in the home are also adjusting better than expected. It is going to be difficult to get him to take vitamins or other medication to help with some of the bowel, skin and behavior problems he has, not to mention food he needs for both. We are hoping once he adjusts and settles in we can find something for him that he likes. In the meantime keep praying for his transition and progress in the home, and for all of us to adjust.
I have no new requests, but to ask you to continue to lift us up to Him. There are days where I can sense physically that you are lifting me up to Him, and I am so thankful to have you here with me. I have been so blessed in the past weeks by the encouragement of those around me, and witnessing ways in which once again He was and is at work despite my great weakness. It is bitter-sweet to be in the final stretch of my time here, eager to return to all of you and share in person what a gift He has given me here, and my heart for what I hope is in the future. At the same time, I want to take advantage of every day I have left here and know it is going to be very hard to stay away long enough to finish the preparation I believe He is asking me to do from home. He still has much to teach me and change in me before I am able to dive in fully here-in His will and time. I don’t want to forget what He has taught me or change my mind about the direction He is taking me from here, and yet still to trust Him in every step that He has me right where He wants me and is using me.
Specific details to come, I hope some pictures, and sweet stories of His Power perfected in weakness.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Never say Never...
I received an e-mail this week from a dear friend who was commenting on how each of us had all said at different times things we could never see ourselves doing, and now all three of us have done exactly those things. I said I'd never come back here alone, and while I understand very clearly and am so thankful I am never truly alone, here I am half-way around the world from home as independent as I have ever been. Yet again I have to correct myself, because I have never been more dependent on Him.
The reason I bring this up is not only because of the recent e-mail, but because I was just promising you all updates over the coming week... and of course in this country's fashion, plans change and I am leaving here tomorrow for the home in the community once again. I will be back next week, hopefully finally able to post regularly and get some pictures up.
Along the theme of Never say never-especially to the One who is King of making the impossible nevers into probable possibilities- I also thought I'd never find myself in ER or ICU other than as a patient or visiting a friend or family member, but this past week I have been in both and seen more than I ever expected. Once again, that is our Mighty Father for us! He is just full of surprises and I am so thankful that I can depend on Him. I was reading in 1 Corinthians this morning, chapter 15, and found these words from Paul in vs 10 so relevant:"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." The first part of this is so true and so relevant, and my hope and pr for my life is that the second would be proved true... I have seen it in part already, but I believe there is more to come. I just know I could not have come here or be doing what I am now if it were not for this Truth! Praise Be to Him Indeed!
As I leave here again, ask for Him to make me useful in this time of need in the home, that Lakshmi would be able to attend her training, Deb go and smoothly bring back our new 5 yr-old boy at last, (both of them by a last-minute train still waitlisted) and me be able to come here for at least part of next week, and all of us return safely to the house, children and staff in tact! I am sure you can read between the lines here and I trust Him to lead you in your petitions on our behalf. He is certainly encouraging me with little ways I see Him at work in my heart and beyond my abilities to reach out to the people here in such great need. What a wonder it is to be kept in Him and by Him and above all else for Him!
The reason I bring this up is not only because of the recent e-mail, but because I was just promising you all updates over the coming week... and of course in this country's fashion, plans change and I am leaving here tomorrow for the home in the community once again. I will be back next week, hopefully finally able to post regularly and get some pictures up.
Along the theme of Never say never-especially to the One who is King of making the impossible nevers into probable possibilities- I also thought I'd never find myself in ER or ICU other than as a patient or visiting a friend or family member, but this past week I have been in both and seen more than I ever expected. Once again, that is our Mighty Father for us! He is just full of surprises and I am so thankful that I can depend on Him. I was reading in 1 Corinthians this morning, chapter 15, and found these words from Paul in vs 10 so relevant:"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." The first part of this is so true and so relevant, and my hope and pr for my life is that the second would be proved true... I have seen it in part already, but I believe there is more to come. I just know I could not have come here or be doing what I am now if it were not for this Truth! Praise Be to Him Indeed!
As I leave here again, ask for Him to make me useful in this time of need in the home, that Lakshmi would be able to attend her training, Deb go and smoothly bring back our new 5 yr-old boy at last, (both of them by a last-minute train still waitlisted) and me be able to come here for at least part of next week, and all of us return safely to the house, children and staff in tact! I am sure you can read between the lines here and I trust Him to lead you in your petitions on our behalf. He is certainly encouraging me with little ways I see Him at work in my heart and beyond my abilities to reach out to the people here in such great need. What a wonder it is to be kept in Him and by Him and above all else for Him!
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