tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61813927463609778522024-03-19T03:49:41.445-05:00God Still Speaks!This blog is for Christians to share testimonies of God working in their life so that we can be an upliftment to others, claim His name, and show non believers what God is doing in His church today!stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-7643128048347374142013-08-22T12:50:00.002-05:002013-08-22T12:51:19.295-05:00What a Difference A Year Makes!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is a post from my Facebook account. I know it's not my
typical "form" But I had to share what God is doing in our lives
right now. God Bless!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have testimony to share. You don't think God has a plan?
You don't think He's working? Read on:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Most of you know Keith (my husband) lost his job last year. He asked our
Bible class to pray for him (He's never done that) and in three days (God
confirms in 3's) he got a new job. BUT the pay was A LOT lower. I got not one,
but two babies to watch last year, which equaled the EXACT amount Keith lost.
Keith's tips were really bad at Papa J's. So, I decided to raise my sitter
rates. I labored over that decision for a long time but once I sent the emails
off, I felt peace. Immediately, both of my baby's parents went to look at
daycares. I thought, "Why did I feel peace?" I thought I had made the
wrong decision. I eventually lost both babies to the same day care. When the
last baby left, I told Keith, "God has to have a plan, because this makes
no sense, so much, there just has to be one." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It took a whole year for us to see God's complete plan...Had
Keith not lost his job and made less money, had I not got the babies to get me
up and moving, had I not gotten sick, which changed my horrible diet, and
helped my digestive tract, I wouldn't have had the financial help, the energy,
or the stamina to be......accepted for Cosmetology School!!! Most of you guys
know I have been doing hair for years but could never afford the school. God is
ALWAYS working. Even in the "poo" He's working! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Proverbs 3:5,6</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.</i></span></div>
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stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-84487057539090213192013-06-11T09:06:00.003-05:002013-06-11T09:06:49.587-05:00God Still Speaks!: My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less<a href="http://godspeakstestimony.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-hope-is-built-on-nothing-less.html?spref=bl">God Still Speaks!: My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less</a>: A lot of people know this song, but some may not understand this concept, (I didn't for a long time). Here's the last stanza: Whe...stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-25383571921921076572013-06-11T09:06:00.001-05:002013-06-11T09:06:27.408-05:00God Still Speaks!: A Look Back February<a href="http://godspeakstestimony.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-look-back-february.html?spref=bl">God Still Speaks!: A Look Back February</a>: (I became very sick in late January and have been battling food intolerance for several months. Please forgive me for not posting monthly a...stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-64520738709159437262013-06-11T09:03:00.000-05:002013-06-11T09:03:09.770-05:00A Look Back February <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(I became very sick in late January and have been battling food intolerance for several months. Please forgive me for not posting monthly as I planned. Here is February's post. I am getting better, thank you Jesus! I will try to catch up.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last February we
were looking for a church home. We were visiting a lot of churches! All my life
I thought it would be fun to visit different denominations and see different
perspectives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The problem with this is life happens in the middle. I remember wishing, during this time, we were planted somewhere, so we could have our church
family pray over us. We did find our church family last February. I wasn't sure
about it at first. I had many conversations with God. He assured me this is
where He wanted me and when it was time to leave I would know. I am so happy I listened to him. Keith and I have never felt so close to a group of
Christians in our lives. We feel very blessed to be a part of our congregation.
OK on to the "life lessons" February....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>February 1</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Loved this post from a friend and shared it on my Facebook page: "Heard this at church and it really gave me a new perspective on miracles. A miracle is a glimpse from God, how He intended things to be to begin with. Our sin is what made them out of the ordina</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">ry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>February 5</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm watching Joel Osteen and he said that not everyone will uplift you or celebrate you. I knew that, but then he said, "Don't worry about those because God has people He selected to do that job, just for you." Makes you think about all your relationships, who is genuinely happy for you and those who act happy but say snotty remarks. More of our time should be given to the cheerleaders. God gave them to you. Ask yourself, are you a cheerleader in someone's life too?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>ROMANCE</i>: Doing something sweet specifically tailored for your loved one without being told.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>February 13</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">God shows us how important love is. This is, to me, why Valentine's is special. Tomorrow is LOVE day. So even if you don't have a significant other, show your LOVE to the ones who matter in your life. Take tomor</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">row to show someone j</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">ust how much they mean to you. If you're sincere, a girl worth her salt won't care if there's a gift to go with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>February 14</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Even though it is so important for a father to make his daughter feel special on valentine's, it's equally important for a mom to do the same for her son. We show them first how they are to be treated when they leave our home. Boys need to find a good loving woman, just as girls needs a good loving man. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I keep thinking of the words I heard from a preacher a few weeks ago: We are made by God for a purpose. We are made to do good works for God. If you don't know what your purpose is or you can't define what good works you're doing, ask yourself why? Why aren't you doing what you were made to do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>February 27</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I can't say this enough: When you hear that voice, however it comes or speaks to you, when God prompts you to say something or helps someone, please be obedient to it. You never know what circumstances the person is going through or how much they need to know what God wants them to hear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>February 29</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Favorite quote from The Basement (a youth service) last night: Every morning when you get up, ask yourself, "How am I going to make Heaven bigger?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 13:4-8</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." </i></span></div>
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stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-44533556302654371312013-06-11T08:16:00.003-05:002013-06-11T10:24:10.246-05:00My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A lot of people know this song, but some may not understand this concept, (I didn't for a long time). Here's the last stanza:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When He shall come with trumpet sound,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh may I then in Him be found.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dressed in His righteousness alone,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Faultless to stand before the throne.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">First verse, uh oh! He's coming with trumpets, from where? Heaven? You mean there's music in Heaven? OK, I'll leave that alone and not rag some of my fellow members.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He goes on to say may I then be found dressed in (Jesus') righteousness alone, (I'll) be faultless to stand before the throne.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Judgement Day is a GLORIOUS day for Christians. When the Bible speaks of us giving an account of what we've done on this Earth, Christians will have Jesus give our account. He steps in front of us and pays our debt. We get to hear. "Well done good and faithful servant." HALLELUJAH!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think churches focus on the sins and then say you'll have to give an account of these actions because we're not supposed to sin, and if we continuously live in a sinful state, away from Jesus, or if we're an unbeliever then yes we will have to give an account for those. But some don't make it clear to Christians that Jesus continually cleanses us every day of our sins BUT does want us to ask forgiveness. Why? To show obedience, humbleness and fear/respect for our Creator. (1 John 1: 5-9)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Maybe it's away to keep everyone "behaving or acting right." Maybe that's why it's not explained better. Although, there is nothing wrong with reminding us how we should act. Like I've always said we need both types of sermons. The love, power, authority(we have through the Holy Spirit) and the conviction sermons. Or as we say where I'm from, a "Come to Jesus meeting." :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>1 John 1: 5-9</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from ALL sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.</i></span><br />
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stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-14746891079650541612013-01-17T20:43:00.000-06:002013-01-17T20:43:17.774-06:00A Look Back (January)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Here is my collection from January of last year. As I looked on these, I remembered that Keith, my husband, had received word he would only be working four days a week until further notice. My prayers were on this. I do not remember why I wrote the one about my divorce but I believe it's very prevalent to parents in this situation.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"When there is a divorce, you get the same questions. When there is a bad divorce and your child looks exactly like your ex, you get the same questions. Most of you (Facebook friends) know what happened in my first marriage. As I was watching Tucker, my son, walk into the store last night, I noticed he even walks like Andy (my ex).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They haven't had a tremendous amount of contact over the years and so I always get tickled when I see his characteristics come out in Tucker. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me what a merciful God we have. He took every good quality Andy has</span><span class="textexposedshow" style="font-size: large;"> and put it in this sweet young man. Even though the marriage didn't end as it was intended, God still honored me with the good memories and the love that was shared. God is good isn't He?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"There is always someone worse off than you. There is always someone better off than you. Quit comparing your life to everyone else and do what's right for you; which may be a tent in the woods, or a mansion in the hills. You are your own fate."</span><br />
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<span class="textexposedshow" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You don't realize what a blessing it is to be born poor, until you are required to repeat those skills later."</span></span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~Stacy~</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>James 2:5</b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Listen my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?</i></span><br />
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stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-70599167477597980852013-01-17T19:35:00.000-06:002013-01-17T19:35:11.714-06:00A New Year, A New View<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have left my blog dormant for a while for two reasons. One, I realized every time I had testimony to share, I was reporting miniature versions of it on Facebook. Two, we placed membership at a new church, which was also a new faith to me. We have now been there a year. I have been waiting on God to direct me, waiting for Him to tell me when I should bring this concept up at the new church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have felt God tug on my heart for a few months now. Before Christmas, I decided that for 2013 or at least part of it, I would go back through all my posts from the previous year on Facebook, and post them according to the months. I'm sure I will still create mini posts there and will try to incorporate them here as well. Although, this blog has been set up to share testimony of God's work in our/my life, it is so beneficial when we receive divine revelation from the Holy Spirit as well. One of the HS' jobs is to provide us comfort. He gave me so much last year. I want to post those as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As always, if you have testimony that you would like to share where God has done a working in your life, please feel free to email me with your testimony. If, however, you receive revelation, spiritual guidance, spiritual wisdom that would benefit, uplift and edify the Church, feel free to send this to me as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>John 14:26</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.</i></span><br />
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stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-45079885973781110412012-04-09T08:38:00.000-05:002012-07-17T10:33:45.289-05:00My Healing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have put this testimony off for a while, frankly, because I do not understand how the whole "healing thing" works. I know how it worked in the Bible. I have heard stories of people being healed. I, myself, never knew anyone who had been healed by God, that is, till my dad's healing. I think I put this off too, because I thought that if I lost faith, or something went wrong, some how my healing would be taken back by God. I wouldn't want people to think I was lying. It's funny how the devil likes to take something miraculous and twist it just so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have had back pain since I was ten years old. My first real problem with my back was when I was 26. One day, my back went out, and I couldn't get back up. (insert joke here) This continued off and on for several years. When we moved to Birmingham, I saw a chiropractor, who told me that I have three bulging discs; one at the top, the middle, and the bottom of my back. The disc at the bottom of my back gave me the worst pain. There would be times that medicine and chiropractic care would help. Then there were times I was out of commission for several weeks. I could only lay in bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">My story of testimony, began in April of 2011. Although I have three bulging discs, there are only two that really bother me. The one in my neck and the one in my lower back. I had never had all three go out on me before this year. They were overlapping in pain. I would get one almost healed and the other would go out. I had been walking, almost every day, till December; until it became too cold to walk outside. I started back in the spring. When I started having so many problems with my back, all at once, I couldn't exercise at all. I was blessed just to get around the house. I was going to get something out of my cabinet in the kitchen, when I heard God tell me, "If you will go walk, your back will be healed." I looked up, and said, "Let me get my shoes on!" Now, I assumed, that if I could start walking, no matter how slow or small, it would strengthen my back up, and I would get better. This is what was in my mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I started walking around my block. I looked like a little old lady, barely moving. As I walked, I prayed and praised God. I spoke with Keith, (my husband), over the phone, about a lesson I heard that day. When I finished speaking with Keith, I began praying again. I started back to my house. I was across the street, when I heard a voice say, "Why don't you pray for your back to be healed?" You have to remember, when I heard God speak, I thought he meant my back would get better. I didn't think He meant no more pain. After I heard the voice, I wasn't sure. I felt like if God wanted to heal me, He would without asking. I had been so consumed with this book/blog. For one time in my life, I wasn't thinking about me, my needs. I said out loud, as I'm walking, "I don't know if I should." The voice said again, "Ask and it will be given." So, that's what I did. I prayed that God would heal my back in Jesus' name. I don't remember the prayer. I don't remember my words. I know they weren't fancy or scripture filled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I was about to cross the street to get to my house, when a red truck went by. I waved at the person. (Now mind you, the whole time I'm walking around my huge block, I am in pain.) All of a sudden, I felt that feeling again; the presence of the Holy Spirit. By the time I took my first step onto my yard, the bottom of my back started feeling funny. It kept feeling funny. When I reached my door and opened it, I had no pain! I couldn't believe it! I came in the house and started jumping up and down. Then, I danced around, twisting, shouting, you name it! I had my own song going, "Go Jesus! Go Jesus! Go! Go! Go Jesus! I had tears streaming down my face and I praised God over and over!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">When my kids got home from school, I told them what had happened. Ethan didn't believe me. You see, when my back goes out, they have to help me to the kitchen, the car, the bathroom, well, not in the bathroom, but you get the idea. Ethan said, "If you back is well, hop up and down." I did. He said, "Do jumping jacks, run in place." I did. Tucker and Ethan sat there in amazement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The way I would describe how I felt for the next couple of days is numb. The area on my back that hurt so bad (the lower part) was numb. There were times where it was like I could almost feel some one's hand untwisting my spine. Does this make sense? It's the only way I know how to describe it. I've had pinched nerves, this was different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">As I said before, I wasn't sure how this healing thing works. I didn't know if I would be healed for a day, a week, a month, or a lifetime. I'm not sure if the Bible explains this. I didn't want my healing to go away though. I wanted to shout it out to everyone what had happened, but I was afraid. I only told my family what had happened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Here's the kicker to this: I have cataracts on my eyes. I now have to have someone go with me, if I'm going someplace new, because I can't read the street signs. I have horrible IBS. My IBS, basically, kept me home-bound for all of my late twenties to early thirties. I have already spoken about my teeth. So why my back? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I don't know. I don't know why He chose my back. I don't know if there was going to come a time where I would need surgery or not be able to walk. I don't question the "why." I am so thankful that God looked down on one of His children and provided healing for her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">(I had told God that after one year if my back was still the same I would post this. I know it's not right to put limits on God or give God an ultimatum but, I feel like God knew this was so new to me, I pray for forgiveness, I pray He understands why I did what I did. So here it's been one year and no pain! Praise God He is good!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>Philemon vs 6</b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><i>I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.</i></span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-46844244024567411902012-02-22T12:09:00.000-06:002012-02-22T12:09:23.786-06:00God Still Speaks!: The Gideon Bible<a href="http://godspeakstestimony.blogspot.com/2012/02/gideon-bible.html">God Still Speaks!: The Gideon Bible</a>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-86568880879941806392012-02-22T12:08:00.004-06:002012-02-22T13:45:21.679-06:00The Gideon Bible<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to share a story I heard just a few weeks ago. While my family and I were visiting a church, a Gideon sponsor came to the podium to speak. I guess I never thought of them having spokespeople. I thought the company shipped Bibles to hotels rooms only. I had no idea who the Gideons were or how the company was started. I learned that Gideon sponsors go through out the world providing Bibles. So far, they have reached 190 countries and have translated the Bible in over 90 different languages. They provide Bibles to the military, prisons, hospitals, and convalescence homes as well. As we listened to the sponsor, he told an amazing story of God's power. This is the testimony I would like to share with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Two Gideon representatives had gone into a little school house in Portugal. When they walked in, there was one teacher, teaching about 95 students. Immediately, she knew who they were and she began saying, "Praise God, the Gideons are here! Children, they have come and brought us Bibles so we can learn God's word in English!" The two representatives looked at each other, because they knew the box they had contained Bibles in Portuguese. They explained to the teacher that their team brought Bibles in the local language. The teacher responded, "No, I know you have English Bibles, because I have prayed to God for a whole month that you would come and bring these for my class." Not knowing what to do, and feeling bad, the representatives opened their box. What they pulled out was Bible after Bible in English! They couldn't believe it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When they left the teacher and students, they looked at each other and thought, "Oh no! We have brought down nothing but English Bibles and we will have to have the Portuguese Bible's shipped to us while we're here." They went out to their car and opened the other boxes they had in the trunk, they were ALL in Portuguese. When they got back to their headquarters, they asked if any boxes had been brought that were English. The response was no. All the Bibles that had been shipped were in Portuguese! The Gideon sponsor, who was speaking to our congregation, looked at us and said, "Folks that box went into the room written in Portuguese and God transformed the box to English!" The congregation shouted, Praise God! Amen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I love hearing stories of God's work. I know I normally have a testimony straight from the person who has experienced God's love and power, but this testimony meant so much to me. I hope that it will give you encouragement too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For only $5 the Gideon company can produce a Bible to be distributed. If you would like more information on how you can help, or if you would like to become a Gideon sponsor, visit their website at: </span><a href="http://www.gideons.org/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">http://www.gideons.org</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Mark 4:14</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>The sower sows the word</i></span></div></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-30275858194359859112012-02-01T12:34:00.001-06:002012-07-17T08:27:47.109-05:00Is It Worth It?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I asked myself this question a lot last year. Once I stepped out in faith for God, and began this journey with the blog/book idea, things changed in my life. I was sick off and on for most of the year. We had more money, family, house and car problems than we ever had prior.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> The attacks were prevalent and very real. This is why I hesitated to write this post. I would never want to discourage someone in their faith, but bare with me, it turns out good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> It's so funny that we ALL want the glorious blessings of God, and want the warm fuzzy feel of his love, but man, none of us want the persecution do we? None of want to admit sin in our lives causes attacks from the enemy, and that's why we have hardships. Most importantly, if you don't know how the devil attacks you're blaming God or others for what he's doing to you! The devil loves that. He never wants credit for his evil deeds. It reminds me of the line from the movie, The Usual Suspects: The greatest lie the devil every created was that he didn't exist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> In writing this post, I am not going to claim I know all about the devil's power. I do know that the devil is very masterful. He knows the human condition inside and out. He knows our weaknesses because people in general, are the same historically. We all typically follow a pattern. The Bible tells us in Luke 10 that the devil came to steal, kill and destroy.I know God allows things. I know He stops things as well. He is the ultimate judge and the final play is always in His playbook. I believe we have a purpose and plan designed by God before we were born. He gives us the free will to do it or not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">There is a reason Ephesians 6 tells us who we fight against in this world. It states: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> You see, for me, when you walk without knowledge of spiritual w</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">arfare, it's like getting your driver's license with out ever driving a car, and then trying to drive. That's dangerous when you think about it. This is why I couldn't let this post go. It is so important to understand and learn what you are working with, or in this case, who is working against you, so that you can properly prepare yourself and fight as God tells us to do later in Ephesians 6.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The best thing that came out of all of this for me, is learning from James 4, that when we are being attacked, we have the POWER to tell the devil to leave in Jesus' name and he is REQUIRED to leave us!! Hallelujah!! I lived almost 40 years not knowing this. Thank you God, I do now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">So, let's go back. Through all of these attacks, I kept the faith. I called out the devil in Jesus' name, I prayed etc. But the attacks kept coming. Then I got angry. I got angry at God. I was angry, because I know the power I have through Him, and I know the power the Almighty has. I knew He was allowing this to happen! WHY? I have asked Him this over and over. It is OK to be mad at God. David was, in the Bible, and God loved him so. But, I think, while we are mad at him, we're not going to hear him clearly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I would say to God, "Please God, don't allow this. I can't go through this." I put limits on what God can do constantly. Isn't that funny? Knowing that He created everything that I see in my world, and I breath because of Him, I still say, "Nope, not ready." He knows what I'm ready for and what I'm not. Otherwise, it wouldn't come to me. It's like that popular quote says, "If God brings you to it, He will get you through it."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> I am not proud to admit this, but after months of being attacked, I backed down. I stopped posting on my blog. I let my language get bad. I didn't care if I made it to every service at church. I did this on purpose. I needed to get off Satan's radar for a while. My family needed it. We all were dealing with too much, including my children. I think you can take a lot till you see your kid start to go through it too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I started talking to my husband, my mom, and my preacher about how I felt. I hated what I was doing. I wanted to be just like Peter. Full on, wide open, crazy on fire for God! The problem was, I was just like Peter; denying God like crazy. God gave me a vision of a book. My family and I had gone to the beach for my birthday. We stopped at a convenient store on the way down. Inside, they had a little book rack. Keith pointed it out to me, because one of the books was on spiritual warfare. God gave me the vision to say, "Hey, go read up girl!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> He confirmed this through a friend of mine at church. She was raised in a different faith than me. She wakes up every day expecting miracles to come out of the wood work, and to stomp the devil with her feet through her Bible and her mouth! When I talked to her about my issues, she said, "Are you learning about spiritual warfare? What books are you reading? Are you praying the devil off every day? Who's your prayer group and are they praying this evil off of you?" She said this like it was just as normal as making a sandwich. As I listened to her, I thought, "See this is the stuff I need to know!" But was I doing this? Not all of it. Once again, wanting all the blessings, loving the messages God was sending me to give to people, but not doing the work. I was not asking God to show me if there is sin in my life that is causing these attacks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I began to go back in my mind, and think of all the stories I have been able to share with you this past year. I would never have experienced any of this, nor ever know this side of God, had I not stepped out in faith. Will I still be attacked? Yes! And, if this posts helps a lot of you, I will get attacked harder! But, we know the ending. God has already defeated the devil. AMEN!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I'm already on the winning team. I have to stop listening to the whispers, like in youth games, where they are screaming SIKE! SIKE! SIKE! Those aren't from God. He's got my back. He's got your back, but you have to be real about your part in this. One of the best things I heard my preacher say was if God is loving, and merciful enough to give his son, give us grace, don't you think he's loving enough to smack us upside the head when we're wrong? (I'm paraphrasing but my pastor won't mind.) He said, " I don't want to worship a God that won't "deal" with injustice in this world, just as much as he would shower love on us." It hit me like a ton of bricks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">My job now is to learn more about spiritual warfare. I write this to you, to give you a leg up. When you feel called by God, and are ready to step out and follow him; go learn about what the devil is going to try to do to you. I also ask that as you read my posts, you will pray for me and my family. You will pray that God keeps the evil one away, and that if I, or my family is causing a reason for the enemy to be present, we will be aware. Pray that when God allows things to come on my family that we will have discernment. We will learn the lesson, and move on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">(So if you ask me now is this worth it? I will say yes! When I started this post, I couldn't with all my heart say that. I didn't understand why I needed to post this now, when I wrote it so many months ago... All in God's timing. He was changing my heart.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><b>2 Thessalonians 3:3</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><i>But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>Psalm 34:19</b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all of his bones; not one of them is broken.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><b>Timothy 4:18</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-89127375763188384632012-02-01T09:43:00.001-06:002012-02-01T09:45:10.076-06:00$2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><img height="152" src="http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens15494741module133915691photo_1290027635christmas-vacation.jpg" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;" width="400" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I wonder how many of you are like me. You are Clark Griswold. You try to make Christmas the most magical, special, fun filled holiday of the year. In this process, we normally wear ourselves out trying to make the magic happen. In the end, it never goes the way you planned. Someone ends up crying, yelling, or in my case a dog having diarrhea and me dry heaving; but I digress. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's very easy to make a hallmark Christmas when you have plenty of money. When you are used to getting bonuses and they go away, because the economy is so bad, it gets hard. This will be our third year, I believe, with out the bonus, and it's the worse one yet. We were already behind due to a lot of extra bills this fall. If you live pay check to pay check, you know that once you get behind, it's hard to catch up quickly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's also my fault. I never want to say no to the family. Granted we don't have live an extravagant lifestyle by no means. But I want the family to feel normal and not know when we are financially strapped. Because of the three issues I have mentioned, Christmas is tight this year. We haven't had one in a while where I cried. Now, mind you, we're not starving. We have a roof over our head, God is good. But as Americans, we are spoiled! Every time I want to whine to God, I think about how I have clean water, heat, air, a house, a car etc. Then, I don't want to ask God for anything and feel bad all day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I finally had to put my foot down this week and say no to everything. We didn't have money and I mean, I had a $20 in my pocket, and that was it. I told the kids not to ask for anything and get used to hot dogs and Ramen noodles this week. I went to Wal-Mart with my $20 to buy some groceries. We were out of milk, but as you know milk is almost $4. I didn't have the four dollars, so I went on and checked out. With the two dollars I had left, God spoke to me and told me to put the money in the Salvation Army basket that they have out during the holidays. We normally do this, but when you don't have money, you don't think about being so generous. I said, "Are you crazy? I only have two dollars!" God said, "Put the money in and see what I do."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I did what God asked me. When I woke up this morning I found out that Keith made double what he normally would in tips, so I have enough for supper tonight and tomorrow. Then, I got an email from car insurance company saying I would get money back, and my bill would be less this month. This is something my insurance company does every year, but the fact I found out the next day after doing this meant something to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was my fault for spending too much, and trying to turn this holiday into a material one. I was not a good steward with my money. But, even in my sin, my brokenness, God still had compassion for me. Because I obeyed Him, He still blessed me. God is good to me always. I wish I could say the same about myself. It's all a learning lesson. I am so thankful I have a God that loves me more than I deserve and takes care of me. Maybe this year, I should start a new tradition at Christmas....that doesn't involve presents! </span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-62475139232011488812011-11-06T15:25:00.001-06:002011-11-07T15:07:01.386-06:00Will You Feed Me?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One night, my son and I were on our way home, and we needed to stop and by some groceries. We normally do not go to the Wal-Mart we were near. I just don't like the way it's set up, the area, etc. But that night, I told Tucker, I feel like we need to go to this one. We were not in there two minutes when an older lady, who looked, not rough, just disheveled, came almost running toward me. She said, "Will you please buy me some food? My boyfriend used all the money. He got to eat, but didn't let me. I haven't eaten in three days. " I said, "Well what do you want?" She told me she would take anything. We went around the store, and I got her some food to eat. I took her to the check out counter and told her to pick a drink out to go with her food. After the clerk rang me up, I slipped some money into her hand. I told her not to tell the boyfriend she had the money. I hugged her and kissed her cheek, then I walked off. Now, I'm a touchy kind of person, but I don't normally kiss people I don't know. (This is irrelevant to the story, but when I kissed her cheek, it was like kissing my mom's or my grandma's cheek.) I don't know why. I was very comforted by all of this. Maybe God knew she needed affection, and He prompted me to do so. She wasn't very clean, so that made it even more odd to me. (Maybe it was to teach me, to quit judging the outside, that love is love.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I went back to shopping and she followed my son and I. She said, "Hey! Come here." She gave Tucker and I the biggest hug, then she was gone. One thing I hate about the times we live in, are that you have to wonder; are you getting scammed by someone? I told Tucker that night, whether she asked for food from just me or a 100 people, she was in a place where she needed help. I also told Tucker, when something like that happens, you help. I said, "There is no way I am going to stand before my Maker and explain to him why I didn't help her."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I felt bad after we left. I thought, maybe I should have bought her a whole buggy full of groceries, but I didn't know if she had a car. I thought, what if I should have stayed to make sure the boyfriend didn't come after her. Should I have drove her to a shelter? I played all this in my head. I was so taken back by her. I just did the first thing that popped in my head. I prayed for her that night when I got home. Don't ever forget how powerful prayer is. God whispered in my ear, just to change my routine a little, so He could show His glory and feed one of his children who was starving. Do you ever wonder what He's whispering in someone else's ear for you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Matthew 25:34-40</strong></em></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong><sup>34</sup></strong> “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24044"><strong>35</strong></sup> For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24045"><strong>36</strong></sup> I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’</span> </em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24046"><strong>37</strong></sup> “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24047"><strong>38</strong></sup> When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24048"><strong>39</strong></sup> When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’</span> </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24049"><strong>40</strong></sup> “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’</span> </em></span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-25810465855682148542011-09-29T09:13:00.000-05:002011-09-29T09:13:09.831-05:00Talents, Gratitude & Lessons Learned<div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>(There are so many more wonderful posts by Jenny on her blog</em> <em><a href="http://mojennymo.blogspot.com/">mojennymo.blogspot.com</a></em> <em>I wanted to end with this. I encourage you to go visit her blog, look at the pictures, read the stories, and find the info you need for donations.)</em></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">TALENTS</span></strong></i>: I really was concerned about A LOT of things going in to this trip. One of the main things that weighed on me was this: I wanted to be able to use my talents as a photographer. I didn't want to spend my whole trip hiding behind a camera and not connecting and making relationships with the people I met. God showed up in a big way on this one! I made sure to not pop my camera out immediately upon arrival at any given place. When I did, I discovered literally hundreds of kids who probably never had their picture made before; many who had never actually seen themselves in a mirror. They were literally meeting themselves for the first time through my camera. Kids who are not prone to smile (this did take a little coaxing), came out of their shells as soon as they knew that my camera was not going to hurt them. I could show you hundreds of pictures like these:</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI25cTLaCaR18eKcO9ttU2I-5UQwVADvyoEj1ohRhu-SJrZ4UPBn_vfJZ9ZeU4v1_j7wQKmpZcAaXmLuLghydxDVl4geQY7_60V-H1QlQMHkRACGOyEEMv6FswhoXAfXaytFD0IOAT_gYE/s1600/DSC_0442+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI25cTLaCaR18eKcO9ttU2I-5UQwVADvyoEj1ohRhu-SJrZ4UPBn_vfJZ9ZeU4v1_j7wQKmpZcAaXmLuLghydxDVl4geQY7_60V-H1QlQMHkRACGOyEEMv6FswhoXAfXaytFD0IOAT_gYE/s320/DSC_0442+PS.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3YRBKJec7zyNTQGnjTAVM77Eyllxji2zSXREbSBO1dt4LcOubygI0pElO6WDgfqd2uj4S32JpBu81rbvtrqJvBmatJMWKj4a8hC3YZxyiM92hPwYlMTxfkGMbAQk8YXaBbAy68v3PR1P/s1600/DSC_0451+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3YRBKJec7zyNTQGnjTAVM77Eyllxji2zSXREbSBO1dt4LcOubygI0pElO6WDgfqd2uj4S32JpBu81rbvtrqJvBmatJMWKj4a8hC3YZxyiM92hPwYlMTxfkGMbAQk8YXaBbAy68v3PR1P/s320/DSC_0451+PS.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These are some of my sweet friends from Pillars of Hope. Street children, but smiles so big, that if you can just get them to come out, it will forever change your heart.</span><br />
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I can't exactly call being a single mom a talent, however, God still used that facet of my life to give me great opportunities on this trip. I alluded to that in my post about the Karamajong women. That was not the only time I was able to use that part of my life to demonstrate God's faithfulness and give hope to some very sweet single moms.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Karamajong women</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKfat5CtekOsAJb1TMio87l4y_JcqzB36KQkNx9FtHztJt3NiCNF5KeuJa7lSUIFFJzXQ2v1xo5kwcv_wWmjLRspc6jHmra3XUBz5qeVoT8H8zGXS4moouN1iyotkKIK6u3YkGj9d19xg/s1600/DSC_0624+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKfat5CtekOsAJb1TMio87l4y_JcqzB36KQkNx9FtHztJt3NiCNF5KeuJa7lSUIFFJzXQ2v1xo5kwcv_wWmjLRspc6jHmra3XUBz5qeVoT8H8zGXS4moouN1iyotkKIK6u3YkGj9d19xg/s320/DSC_0624+PS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My first ever sermon-all about being single moms</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68gUsXUgpGbhIlzTDpRi82mixCJmmXY6W6NE1NBT05WbaV0BCFyjPSfKfTmGd06cplSTelOWshf9HAyr4XwS9a1Jalz9fPSkN3YTwc-XyJqvrYE8midFJ3w5tNIXrhvB2Zjzs0TqDplqZ/s1600/DSC_0639+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68gUsXUgpGbhIlzTDpRi82mixCJmmXY6W6NE1NBT05WbaV0BCFyjPSfKfTmGd06cplSTelOWshf9HAyr4XwS9a1Jalz9fPSkN3YTwc-XyJqvrYE8midFJ3w5tNIXrhvB2Zjzs0TqDplqZ/s320/DSC_0639+PS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Teaching them how to make bracelets</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When we were able to serve alongside the women at Fiwagoh, I was able to chat with them while we scrubbed shoes and floors etc. They were all stunned to find out I was a single mom just like them. I think these African women have a picture in their mind of what a single mom is. Lets just say I don't think I am in that picture.....they are. Women like them, not women like me. So when they found out that we shared that, I would hear them whisper to the other ladies "She is single mother....yes her! This one right there!" It blessed me in such a big way to be reminded that God can use whatever He wants to, anything in our lives, for His GLORY.</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">GRATITUDE</span></strong>:</i> As you know, the other thing that weighed heavily on me was missing my kids. I was just sure that every baby that I held would remind me of my kids and break my heart over and over. It was my number one prayer request, that I would be able to be present and let my heart be open to these kids, without the constant reminder that I was missing my own babies terribly. Because of all of your prayers, I was able to do the work God called me to do in Africa, without the heavy burden. Yes, I missed my people, but I was covered with a sense of peace that can only come from God. I am so very grateful for your prayers. They worked. :o)</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">LESSONS LEARNED</span></strong>:</i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are some lessons I learned while in Africa, that I shall now bequeath upon all of you. You are welcome in advance.</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">With the proper medication and equipment, you can sleep for many hours on a plane.</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Orphanages don't have wi-fi. Or hot water</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Lots of missionary type chicks have tattoos. I like that.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Granola bars and dried fruit can take the place of many meals.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Wild kittens are scary.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Songs from Sister Act 2 are applicable in many situations.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It is winter in Kenya.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You can shower with only scalding hot water, only cold water, water that comes from below and water that comes from above.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Tiny travel towels are super absorbent, quick drying and convenient, but your friends will make fun of you.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Squatty potties are for the birds.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Cows and goats that are free to roam, don't pay attention where the poop.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Kenyans really can run fast.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes you just have to pee in the woods....or on the side of the road.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you are a coffee drinker, bring Starbucks Via packs with you to Africa. They are expensive, but they will save you from being really grumpy.....and they can be used to bribe your friends.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Buses in Africa are built out of magic. They can go through mud, over huge bumps, and turn on a dime.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In June/July, it is WAY hotter in Alabama than in Africa.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">African people are amazing and resilient. Americans are lazy.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Through prayer, a pack of 48 flushable wipes can multiply and last 2 weeks, with enough to share.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Don't eat any sort of meat on a plane.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Don't try to use your Southern manners in the Kenyan market. They don't care, and it takes too long.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you don't want to buy it, don't make eye contact.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you use the wrong the wrong combination of power adaptor/convertor, you will set stuff on fire.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Video taping friends while they sleep on a bus is funny.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Febreeze comes in a travel size and can work wonders on already worn clothes.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One person CAN make a difference. I have met many such persons.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">African children's voices raised in praise to our King will bring you to tears.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A child who has nothing can still have great joy.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">God cares for the orphan and the widow.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Bring many types of medications when you go far away. You and others will likely need them.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hanging out with a bunch of 20 somethings will make you feel pretty old.....until you remember that you are old, but still awesome.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Man can live on bread alone. At least for 12+ hours on a plane.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It rains between 2 and 3 pm in Kenya this time of year every day. Like clockwork.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">African women are born with a natural ability to make all things crafty.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You should never mess with women's intuition. Seriously. Don't do it.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When 22 women travel together to Africa, your bus drivers become your best friend. Abus and Daniel are the man....s.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">African people think blonde and gray hair is hilarious.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Children in Africa can create games and entertainment out of literally nothing.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I think I am going to have to make a sequel of "Lessons Learned" because I could go on forever!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Blessings,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>~Jennymo~</em></span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-19669915919989830402011-08-30T11:47:00.001-05:002011-08-31T10:27:13.625-05:00A VERY Emotional Day<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>(Post 3 from Jenny)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We tried to fit a good bit in to one day today. So, we got up and on the road early this morning, to the second prison. You probably noticed from my post yesterday, but we have to be very careful about specifics regarding these facilities, for many reasons. The main reason is that Sixty Feet is doing such an amazing work with these kids, and we don't want to do or say ANYTHING that would cause that to stop for any reason. They are giving these children hope, and for most of them, that is literally all they have.<br />
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We got a pretty good rain yesterday afternoon, so the roads were not so great on our 2 hour drive today. We went to a totally different facility that is much farther out in to the rural areas. Most of the trip was made on dirt roads, which had been converted to mud roads by the rains.<br />
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The drive was long but interesting. It was our first time to be that far out in the rural areas. We were able to see much less of the street vendors, shops, downtown etc., and much more of the mud huts, grass roofs, cows, goats and pigs. When we arrived at the facility, it was time for the children to have their breakfast. We were able to serve them some biscuits (cookies basically) with their porridge, which was a treat for these very shy and guarded kids. Then, we went into a large room, where the children that we were working with sang songs for us and worshiped. All I can say about it really is, you will just have to see the video. They sang and praised and then they all prayed, out loud together, but individually at the same time. They all were very clearly, pleading to God for hope....it was overwhelming. Most of us cried. Some of us (me) had snot and tears running down their faces by the time they were finished. When the kids looked up from their prayer time, they certainly must have wondered what on earth was the matter with all of us.<br />
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Then, we sang a couple of songs with the kids and started our t-shirt craft. It is very likely, not one of those kids have ever had a t-shirt that no one else has worn. Much less, one with their own name on it. Or, one that a herd of weepy mzungus helped them decorate. They had a great time and were all very creative. We were very concerned from the start, about having enough t-shirts for all of the kids. We didn't want to offer something like this to some and not all. When we got towards the end of the line, the girls who were handing them out, saw about 20 more kids in line, and only 1 more shirt. They started to panic and asked Diana what to do. She said "All we can do is pray." So they did. Then another team member opened up a zipper pouch in the suitcase. Guess what? More shirts. We all cried some more.<br />
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Later, we went out in to the yard (much bigger than yesterday) and did bubbles, balloons, jump rope, soccer and just played with all of the kids. It was tough to be there. It was tough to leave.<br />
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We decided to take the other road out, which turned out to be a mistake. The mud was even worse on that road than on the first, and we got stuck. A bunch of children from the village were all out running and waving at us, and those sweet kids proceeded to push our bus out of the mud. We hydroplaned for a little while, but then we got back on track....sort of. We got stopped by the police once we got on the paved-ish roads. They probably just wanted to see what a whole bus full of white people were up to in that part of town. The officer came on our bus, said "Ha-looo" to us all, and sent us on our merry way. We got stopped again, but I don't think the officer even messed with us once he realized we were all white...and women.<br />
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We finally got back to Namirembe Guest House. We had to literally get our lunch, switch out our donations, and leave. We were already late to Royal Hope Academy, and we didn't want the children to have to wait on us any longer. So we hustled on over there, only about a 20 minute drive.<br />
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We were greeted on both sides of the road, by all of the school children, lined up singing and clapping. It was so sweet. We went in to their large classroom, where they sang and danced for us some more. We sang for them some as well. Rebecca shared a little and welcomed us all. We went out in to the yard area and just played. We were able to see the kids classrooms, play their games, and I took A LOT of their pictures. Little Ruthie, who you will see when i am able to post a few pictures, stole the show immediately! She is the sponsored child of my friend Amanda, and I wanted to keep my eye out for Ruth so I could meet her. I never imagined she would find me! She was the life of the party the whole time. We all had sweet, happy, kids playing and hanging all over us. It was just what we all needed after a very sad morning.<br />
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We had the honor of going back to My Fathers House, where Rebecca, Michael, Charity and the 16 children they have taken in, live. Charity made the most wonderful dinner for all of us; potatoes, fried rice, noodles, green peas, pineapple and watermelon, that wasn't even all of it. It was fabulous. We all began to eat and then the power went out. Without skipping a beat, Rebecca, Michael, Charity and the children just went right along with what they were doing. I am sure that wasn't a first for them! We were able to talk and eat for a while with Rebecca and the kids, then we painted the girls toes outside, by lantern light. We gave them all the donations we had brought, hung out for a little longer, then we had to be on our way. Rebecca and Charity prayed. We all cried. The most surprising thing was, I realized that Ruthie was crying too. She kept saying " I want to go toooo America!" Bless her sweet little heart.<br />
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Can't wait to post some pics from today so you can put all the pieces together, but that will have to wait, because I have a low Internet signal, and I must go shower and wash all the caked dirt off my feet. :)<br />
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The place we are staying in Jinja for the next 2 nights, doesn't have power. I probably won't be able to post again for a couple of days. But, I will try to write the blogs and just post them when we get back to Namirembe on Friday.<br />
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<em>Goodnight!<br />
~Jenny mo~</em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Philippians 4:19</strong></em></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. </em></span><br />
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<img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT4H4xVHc5XGwKnxhi5DibIZ2iLVPCS4MDqMusD3WldZfuMnvr6cr8Jbo4sbYRrMWIAs5kdW8e31t6Q2m_MEL65Q5x4Lgf3nfQibkwpGAOdP5zzy3ZXUdHWsw43tuXSPXcdx7gXrFLMFx/s640/DSC_0123+PS.jpg" width="425px" /> <br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A very warm welcome </span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdoVupdn16j7PHKdZBJ7Hea_i0JK3TGhXsy3qnx6JIR7jZjJSGr_Tx862xZsfxmcWHG1ZCTSic1PWQx5lDIaUfqtvpES9GyWrbJWtRx5Nst9EoQAuxSmTcmbkh0lyI0vOHROgZZE3Z79K/s1600/2+girls.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdoVupdn16j7PHKdZBJ7Hea_i0JK3TGhXsy3qnx6JIR7jZjJSGr_Tx862xZsfxmcWHG1ZCTSic1PWQx5lDIaUfqtvpES9GyWrbJWtRx5Nst9EoQAuxSmTcmbkh0lyI0vOHROgZZE3Z79K/s640/2+girls.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG0nfMuKOv2zIAIt4PCKCJioQuLMTueYCW4LlFyK-Lb45-cWzwX28pedgxUF7r3UaqR4j9HMBChOz3OwQa6m8CADEhkTW-QvwXP0f4IglSYJ8Snp6D95_MNjMO9g2TkXigOcLm2bKkJ23/s1600/DSC_0126+PS.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG0nfMuKOv2zIAIt4PCKCJioQuLMTueYCW4LlFyK-Lb45-cWzwX28pedgxUF7r3UaqR4j9HMBChOz3OwQa6m8CADEhkTW-QvwXP0f4IglSYJ8Snp6D95_MNjMO9g2TkXigOcLm2bKkJ23/s640/DSC_0126+PS.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJxtR6RVMyoZeBsCB-JcKEDLyf1S3cemND2adjol_gmZU7j5JCOV8-X2-YMOjZ717hEPVTj39mi3A_QLB66qMNpCnFUQYkKBgLrQ3NF6iKIMFyb39_2WFo2Uk2XzQGmdBsLf1Ldhn9vdB/s1600/DSC_0127+PS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJxtR6RVMyoZeBsCB-JcKEDLyf1S3cemND2adjol_gmZU7j5JCOV8-X2-YMOjZ717hEPVTj39mi3A_QLB66qMNpCnFUQYkKBgLrQ3NF6iKIMFyb39_2WFo2Uk2XzQGmdBsLf1Ldhn9vdB/s1600/DSC_0127+PS.jpg" width="266px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The kids who are new to the remand centers are not allowed to wear shirts, I think for the first 2 weeks</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIMLpVd6U_EKkNXRfb6nlyo_35A2bz3G6t60H9G6zKlkw3R2_l0b-PcMWaA9v0UfBrIO2qrzNB3r8xbMX5W4YSPFJ_Y2nWG3IBXBF4NqkTwla2DZWiKqByEwM50DGDCaxU0bbOD6uXy6j/s1600/DSC_0137+PS.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIMLpVd6U_EKkNXRfb6nlyo_35A2bz3G6t60H9G6zKlkw3R2_l0b-PcMWaA9v0UfBrIO2qrzNB3r8xbMX5W4YSPFJ_Y2nWG3IBXBF4NqkTwla2DZWiKqByEwM50DGDCaxU0bbOD6uXy6j/s640/DSC_0137+PS.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This little guy had special needs. We decorated his shirt for him. Broke. My. Heart.</span></i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNQ6QVHetKxiZA0sA5R1p7nWeAmsCI_YP245ZZrPvCmDkhbH6iEypqd4SXyh9-vaz7hvdKHU60c3VOf8l_mm8L1naa1xR_MMyz5KaXRmiIb_Pr5uxRJqog0BRtHTt_X2ZfH6vw4IkhG7z/s1600/the+kid.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNQ6QVHetKxiZA0sA5R1p7nWeAmsCI_YP245ZZrPvCmDkhbH6iEypqd4SXyh9-vaz7hvdKHU60c3VOf8l_mm8L1naa1xR_MMyz5KaXRmiIb_Pr5uxRJqog0BRtHTt_X2ZfH6vw4IkhG7z/s640/the+kid.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This is the boy who almost left in tears. We got his shirt just right and he was so happy.</i></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JbDvfP5zZ5TVCDnSEG4dgpGl-Jz0eVZBbd_ZUDUTCXdEF3ldaMWcgxtUX3w1rk32pv9GwIqzRhn8zpanfz-j7u4ywSzcluLf7BmfR5VZtXOTc1nW6J3Sq4I6R94qw7vg7mBBvUGw2RL8/s1600/The+Shirt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JbDvfP5zZ5TVCDnSEG4dgpGl-Jz0eVZBbd_ZUDUTCXdEF3ldaMWcgxtUX3w1rk32pv9GwIqzRhn8zpanfz-j7u4ywSzcluLf7BmfR5VZtXOTc1nW6J3Sq4I6R94qw7vg7mBBvUGw2RL8/s640/The+Shirt.jpg" width="349px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don't even have words for how this moves my heart.......</span></i></span></div></em></span></div><span><em></em></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15XgVmsu8T5bE0SBnveOe7G2hEc9q6Aa1gPIopSuDpbgeukMFu6CYMsNk0q0jELJnFod_wm_oV-XhxtXz75telhMlTblwBgxsDqTOZxK_X5hRUWIfQmNnpX24iN8wtfkNFNM-gq4AaMGD/s1600/DSC_0230+PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15XgVmsu8T5bE0SBnveOe7G2hEc9q6Aa1gPIopSuDpbgeukMFu6CYMsNk0q0jELJnFod_wm_oV-XhxtXz75telhMlTblwBgxsDqTOZxK_X5hRUWIfQmNnpX24iN8wtfkNFNM-gq4AaMGD/s320/DSC_0230+PS.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I still can't believe that these kids (who did not know us) pushed our bus out of the mud.....</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEetohA3GdE4pd0QV2DuzriRpmN9pnEa8ADqae5w8oCmtyHu-cxyuJC5hyud9AWsJMRLR-3bdvmgqL1G20yDlOeEHo0x5Fbp95TEVtTh7XRqINPmzhAtHd7BsxKdofjgZxXMW1LIiaM-Q/s1600/DSC_0232+PS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEetohA3GdE4pd0QV2DuzriRpmN9pnEa8ADqae5w8oCmtyHu-cxyuJC5hyud9AWsJMRLR-3bdvmgqL1G20yDlOeEHo0x5Fbp95TEVtTh7XRqINPmzhAtHd7BsxKdofjgZxXMW1LIiaM-Q/s400/DSC_0232+PS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hooray! We are free!</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq-qhpZTGKnwhsmLgCmAiVsIvLIcfXVrgBkvleH3kpV1NDvo4fJN68lJ4TzUfqadfGHDdDvVzOaL-HNsYMoTFKGkRNgQbZaK4BFX4UxI0RQyr8nLOtejaUtsycwhyphenhyphenZTNYNwc9Uit5gk85/s1600/DSC_0242+PS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq-qhpZTGKnwhsmLgCmAiVsIvLIcfXVrgBkvleH3kpV1NDvo4fJN68lJ4TzUfqadfGHDdDvVzOaL-HNsYMoTFKGkRNgQbZaK4BFX4UxI0RQyr8nLOtejaUtsycwhyphenhyphenZTNYNwc9Uit5gk85/s320/DSC_0242+PS.jpg" width="213px" /><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yep, that's a pink chicken.....</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></em></span>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-49753004095168536202011-08-27T21:59:00.001-05:002011-08-31T09:55:44.708-05:00So Many Questions.....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">(Post 2 From Jenny)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShgCahCQQWo6XJQmF-6iDoL07VeDpPZwGc9Ty5aLWDpYHFKtTTLDn4FI3o94bV__EjQvsaVNpwkXVmekGkt2Hg3AMoBSbj7hd2ANRQqIofgeghYuVjLhW-Z-zlWlpMlIv6uhH1seMRVoI/s1600/DSC_0081_1+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShgCahCQQWo6XJQmF-6iDoL07VeDpPZwGc9Ty5aLWDpYHFKtTTLDn4FI3o94bV__EjQvsaVNpwkXVmekGkt2Hg3AMoBSbj7hd2ANRQqIofgeghYuVjLhW-Z-zlWlpMlIv6uhH1seMRVoI/s400/DSC_0081_1+PS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>(The Guys with all the questions)</em></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Today was our first day ministering to the kids at the first remand center we will visit. They greeted us with a song that was beautiful even though none of us understood a word of it. Then we went around the circle and introduced ourselves to all of the kids. They truly wanted to know about us which was so neat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We taught them a couple of songs with motions which they enjoyed, and then shared the gospel with them….via translation. We then split in to groups and helped the kids make salvation bracelets….I was surprised by how many of them did not even know how to make a simple knot. They really loved the bracelets but enjoyed seeing us smile and talk to them even more. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I spoke with one boy who spoke great English. He said he had been in University before he came to the Remand center. He said he hopes to go back when he gets out. I hope he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Then the fun began. Boys were constantly on the drums. The soccer balls came out and we played in the small strip of dirt that they have as their “play” area. Beach balls, balloons, kick balls all were flying through the air. The kids had a great time and so did the team.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As our time began to come to a close, 2 boys I will call M and H sat with me and began to ask me so many questions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“Why are Americans so (motions with his hand out from his hips) fat?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“They tell us that Americans eat snake and frogs. Is this true?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“They tell us that if we come to <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region> they will take us at the airport and question us and arrest us. Is this true?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“Is it possible for a boy from <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Uganda</place></country-region> to marry American woman”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“How can we ever make it to <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region>?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“Why does <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">America</country-region></place> have all things and are so rich, but we because we are brown are all so poor in this whole country?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“What are the prisons for children like in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region>?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The best answers I could come up with were pray because God can do anything and work hard to get your education. I know I probably left those boys with more questions than I did answers, but I hope that I gave them at least the smallest glimmer of…..hope.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It is amazing to me what a world opens up inside of these children with a simple smile and eye contact. One asked me why we would come to <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Uganda</place></country-region> for vacation. I told him we were most certainly not on vacation and that we came because we care about him and God does too. I told him we were missionaries (they knew what that meant but I just think our group of women was not what they had pictured) and we want to pray for him and tell him about Jesus.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>Blessings,</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>~Jennymo~</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>(Jenny, after I read this, this is the verse God showed me)</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Ecclesiastes 12:10</strong></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85d2EYiYXdeRRnUIAz900idj5NTOBSGD-EHl0FIdm9pmAzKYwTRhc-IUs7cGeiuFdua0q-tt5_M9Pevu9vq8iJA1twtbjMbbPdDasqd4jLYFcz2rX7jSIKm4Mpbf2pYx_OIUdsT1s_iMj/s1600/DSC_0015_1+PS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85d2EYiYXdeRRnUIAz900idj5NTOBSGD-EHl0FIdm9pmAzKYwTRhc-IUs7cGeiuFdua0q-tt5_M9Pevu9vq8iJA1twtbjMbbPdDasqd4jLYFcz2rX7jSIKm4Mpbf2pYx_OIUdsT1s_iMj/s400/DSC_0015_1+PS.jpg" width="266px" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P_mEKHTjKAUQrkEugqBFEdiKs4ZzLgx7YbEG5fAVW3HvHuG3HEqLa8MN1L-6djOg8PWLUYhnWW0BwBKFA_-ixVgI9pIBpnVE762vZpx5VU9t-DC0MQ9_z1REMpcLK85wvJivnTw3AzU5/s1600/DSC_0029_1+PS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P_mEKHTjKAUQrkEugqBFEdiKs4ZzLgx7YbEG5fAVW3HvHuG3HEqLa8MN1L-6djOg8PWLUYhnWW0BwBKFA_-ixVgI9pIBpnVE762vZpx5VU9t-DC0MQ9_z1REMpcLK85wvJivnTw3AzU5/s400/DSC_0029_1+PS.jpg" width="400px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ary9IKPW8fiGKd-LyKgxniQd7GS6PhhgQMC3pSfKn_8iHPLbPKOhfOCCTNxVZxMuKlJB02hnDWtyUTYSmGe00Ruvs5_GNa-RjltYVtT-pP4S3o3AEXKC3IXojtGDrmC1C1DPOcNsTiXu/s1600/DSC00143+PS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ary9IKPW8fiGKd-LyKgxniQd7GS6PhhgQMC3pSfKn_8iHPLbPKOhfOCCTNxVZxMuKlJB02hnDWtyUTYSmGe00Ruvs5_GNa-RjltYVtT-pP4S3o3AEXKC3IXojtGDrmC1C1DPOcNsTiXu/s400/DSC00143+PS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NdwDJZQe2wt2K71AfI_FnDij8oUjfKmr5ZzZh_szz0nTznm7s_9QeRvxEPj_UVDauuHlpBavvimnzHfAgPWFT6D4eqvwSqn77WpicnI7FhYjH7WkBM-h2zKMTpUoxusZ0bneBDuTdsdz/s1600/DSC_0033_1+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NdwDJZQe2wt2K71AfI_FnDij8oUjfKmr5ZzZh_szz0nTznm7s_9QeRvxEPj_UVDauuHlpBavvimnzHfAgPWFT6D4eqvwSqn77WpicnI7FhYjH7WkBM-h2zKMTpUoxusZ0bneBDuTdsdz/s400/DSC_0033_1+PS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(All pictures by Jenny Clark)</div></em></span></span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-72745967096353108092011-08-25T11:14:00.007-05:002011-08-31T10:08:29.649-05:00I Don't Think We Are In Kansas Anymore...<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3906763478566448079"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>~The next 3 posts, at least, are going to be from a sweet lady I met at church. She went to Africa, on a missionary trip, to visit a children's prison. Yes, you read that right. It was a great eye opener reading what she posted, and God worked through her team the whole time she was there. I will be taking these from her blog: mojennymo.blogspot.com, in case you can't wait to read what happens next!~</em></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">OK, so these Africa posts are going to be mostly me journaling things I have seen and experienced, devoid of my usual witty banter. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I meet up with my friend Jenny Dixon, who just HAPPENED to be not only in our same hotel but on our SAME FLIGHT to Ethiopia to adopt their daughter....what a cool God thing to see a familiar face on such an unfamiliar trip!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The air travel was actually not as bad as I had thought it would be. It was looooooong, but not unbearable. I slept a lot so that made it go by faster. Then we arrived in Ethiopia. I lost a day in there somewhere.....and I am still not totally sure what day it is now, but I know it is dark outside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">After a quick hour and a half flight to Entebbe, our air travel for the first (of 3) legs was complete! We were greeted by our friend from Cannan Children's home, with a bus to tote all us crazy women, and a truck to tote all of our huge luggage. Before I even got off the sidewalk at the airport, a car came at me so fast that I was sure he would hit me, and half my luggage flew off my cart. He hustled out of his car exclaiming "mzungus!" (white people). I knew it would happen eventually so why not get it out of the way right at the start. Then the drive through Kampala began.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was exactly what I expected and totally not what I expected. I assumed that the "rural" areas and the city areas were separated, at least by a little distance. But that is not the case in Kampala. We saw goats just hanging out on the side of the road. A bull with horns so big I would swear they weighed more than he did. Unattended children everywhere....mostly small babies. No way to tell if they have mothers nearby or if they are street children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Women wearing no shoes, were</span> selling shoes on the side of the road.....not one of which had a match. Just a sea of individual shoes....I guess you just try to find 2 that sort of "go" together. Women with baskets of bananas on their heads. Women grilling corn over a grill that I am sure they probably also carried on their head, from wherever it is that they live. The mannequins in the store fronts wore African clothes, but they were all white. And all wearing very strange expressions on their faces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And then there is the traffic. Not only do they drive on the wrong side of the road, but they drive 2, sometimes 3 deep on the wrong side of the road. And the motorbikes. They are everywhere. They just come whizzing by your window between 2 cars that were way to close together to start with. It is a wonder one vehicle in this city still has it's rear view mirrors in tact. Each motorbike 1, 2 or 3 deep with passengers. They honk their horns as if it will make any difference at all. It doesn't. The "traffic police" blow whistles and wave people to move on in LITERAL bumper to bumper traffic as if it will make someone hurry. It doesn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">After a brief time to get settled in at the guest house, five of us went out with Michael from My Father's House, to exchange currency and get some water, bread, peanut butter etc for the team for lunch tomorrow. I didn't expect the traffic to be insane-er than it was the first time. I didn't expect the dudes with rifles outside the currency exchange place, although I was grateful they were there. I didn't expect to see a woman in the dirt on the side of the road pulling up her drawers after doing her business there in front of God and everyone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Then we went to the market where you can buy anything from Nike soccer balls to doormats to bread and peanut butter. All very surreal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The traffic was even worse on the way back and that is when we saw the street children. Sitting on cardboard mats, spread out at an equal distance from each other, begging. For anything. One little boy, about 4 years old , came up to our can and we have him all the peanut butter crackers we had through the window. He smiled and ate at least 2 before he even got back to his "spot". The we saw a mother who couldn't have been more than 15, set her 1 year old baby down on the sidewalk while she plundered through the trash for something to wipe her hiney with. I guess the baby had a dirty diaper.....just no diaper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">So, we are experiencing a great deal of culture shock and exhaustion. Going to bed now. We will be at the prisons tomorrow so pray for that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Whoever has my babies, kiss them extra much for me tonight please!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Much love,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>~Jennymo ~</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Mark 16:15 </strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.</em></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN3yBr3NfLoEqDOgAWmkuCBsYL3w6kUklu88bM6kDJhg998iHfEGd5M0VDP9Wbgo3ndbc8v50fe5Nwds2-x7hgb1PEOkfD0LVfrVmNmzIWwO7AAXY6bvpHSdmC-4dCYm3-Sw5BzD_bD_Q/s1600/DSCN2773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN3yBr3NfLoEqDOgAWmkuCBsYL3w6kUklu88bM6kDJhg998iHfEGd5M0VDP9Wbgo3ndbc8v50fe5Nwds2-x7hgb1PEOkfD0LVfrVmNmzIWwO7AAXY6bvpHSdmC-4dCYm3-Sw5BzD_bD_Q/s320/DSCN2773.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first glimpse of Africa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are heeeeerrrrreeee!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Begging street children everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign on our house at Namirembe</td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2"><span class="post-labels"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-68911107327802391882011-08-16T09:53:00.000-05:002011-08-16T09:53:34.914-05:00Angel In The Rain<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As I made my way to the doctor’s office early one morning, I noticed a strange site. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The skies were pouring rain and a sad man stood at the curb, staring at me. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He was not a person that anyone would take notice of---he had a beard and long, wet hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at me as if to say:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can’t you help me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I did not want to miss my appointment, so I drove on, but could not get this man’s face out of my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I finished at the doctor, I drove back to the spot where this pitiful man had been standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was upset to see that he was no longer there and even wondered if I had imagined seeing him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I drove to the nearest store, bought a biscuit, juice and an umbrella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove around for a few minutes, hoping to see him again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never did, so I placed my plastic bag in the same spot where I had seen him at the curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never know if he found my meager offering, or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a very large tree near the curb; maybe, just maybe he had taken shelter under that tree from the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to think that he saw me leave the bag and that he had something to eat that day and a much needed umbrella.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Part of me wonders if this was Jesus standing there that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He certainly looked the way I would picture Jesus today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was an angel trying to tell me not to ignore “the least of these”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only hope that God will continue to open my eyes to see those that He would help, and to never forget His words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A cup of cold water (or an umbrella) given in My name will not loose its reward”!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">~Emily~</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Matthew 25:34-40</strong></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. <span class="woj">For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,</span> <span class="woj"> I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’</span> </em></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><span class="woj">"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?</span> <span class="woj"> When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?</span> <span class="woj"> When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’</span> </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><span class="woj">“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’</span> </em></span><br />
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</div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-81050809330645571412011-08-10T14:36:00.002-05:002011-08-10T14:49:37.537-05:00Publix<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">At first I didn't want to post this, because I believe, as the Bible tells us, not to share good deeds. We're not to toot our own horn or brag about a tiny moment where we act as we should. So, I let this experience marinate on my mind for a few days. I then realized the story itself can show others, that you never know how something so small, can be so big to someone else. As you read, please understand that is where my intent is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was the morning after we had gone to see The Basement for a second time, (see The Basement testimony). My oldest, Tucker, had one of his friends over, and I was rushing in to Publix, to get some breakfast and lunch food for them. I got in line, and of course, I had to get in the line where the lady was taking forever!! I was sitting there saying to myself, "Well if there's going to be a lane that's messed up, you get in it Stacy!" Then I started saying to myself, "Hurry up, hurry up, HURRY UP!" While I was having a selfish hissy fit, I noticed that the lady was shaking trying to get her money together to give the cashier. She was trying to decide whether to buy toilet paper. I grew up very poor, and I know what that feels like. I couldn't sit there and have a woman have to decide that. I pulled a $10 bill out of my purse and gave it to the cashier. The little lady looked at me and said, "What are you doing? No, don't do that, please, don't." I wouldn't listen to her, partly because she was going to have some toilet paper, and partly because I wanted her to get out of my way! I had to tell her I was going to take that toilet paper and get it myself. I told the cashier not to listen to her to get my point across. The little lady said, "At least take the change." I told her no. The Holy Spirit then had me remember what Annette Henderson said not long ago. (Annette is a mentor at my church) I looked at her, and said, "We are supposed to take care of God's children aren't we?" Isn't it sweet that God brought those words to my mind to say to an elderly lady?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Something happened that I did not expect. This little old lady began tearing up and said, "God sent you to me! Do you know that? I know you're an angel and he sent you to me." We ALL know I do not qualify for angel status, so we don't need to address that comment. I just looked at her and smiled. Then, she came up to me as she was crying, and said, "I lost my husband a few weeks ago. I just got back from the doctor, and he told me I have cancer." Well, what do you do with all of that, while you're in line to buy food? I was taken back. She then said to me, "I prayed to God to help me, to show me He's listening and then you show up and do this." All I knew to do for that pitiful woman was grab her and say, "Can I pray for you?" She said, "Please." So we prayed right there in the line; that God would bring His peace over her and her family during this time of sorrow. We prayed that she would be healed in Jesus' name. We prayed when she goes back to the doctor, they will see no more cancer there. Amen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">She took her groceries and toilet paper and left. I turned to the people behind me and apologized for holding the line up. I explained a little of what happened, and they said they understood and figured something was wrong. When I got out to the parking lot, I saw her heading to her car with tears just streaming down her face. She looked so lost. You know that look, when you lose someone or have been told really bad news. I went home, and told the boys what had happened. You never know, and I know I have said this in other posts, how God will use you if you let him. Praise God He still used me, even though I had a bad attitude to start with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday, I was in Publix again, with Tucker and his friends. I was about to leave, and the girl bagging our groceries said, "Hey, you're that lady aren't you? You're the one who prayed for the lady not long ago." I said, "Yes, that was me." She said, "I told my mom what happened. Did something good happen to you after that? Did God bless you for it?" I told her being able to witness what happened, was a blessing to me. We got on a conversation of how things have been changing in my life; how we are having healings and great things happen at our church. So much so, that I started a blog, so we could share what's going on. I told her, "Next time I come in, I'll give you the blog's name." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As we were leaving, the boys wanted a drink out of the machine. I told them we were almost home, they can wait. For some reason though, they had to have one, and it took forever for the drinks to come out. Once again, I was getting frustrated and impatient. Then God prompted me, "Didn't I just teach you this lesson?" I dropped my groceries and my purse, wrote down the blog name, and gave it to the cashier. The girl I was talking to had gone out to the parking lot. I have got to learn to listen more when God prompts me. I've got to stop being so impatient sometimes, and ask myself, "Why is it taking so long? Why can't I get home quickly?" Sometimes, it's just a hectic day. Other times though, there is a reason; a quiet gentle whisper, asking a favor. I pray that as I grow more, I will stop screaming in my head, "Hurry up!!" and start asking, "Did you just say something God?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Ephesians 3:7</strong></em></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.</em></span>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-25856351725990664972011-08-08T09:07:00.000-05:002011-08-08T09:07:41.274-05:00The Week I Walked With God<div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here is another powerful testimony of when John Marc and I met for the first time...<br />
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I had just turned 35 years old. I was sitting in my new house that I had just purchased, with my new furniture, new rugs, etc., but no one to share it with. I was beginning to think I would always be alone and would never meet my soul mate. That night, my father came over because I was hosting a birthday party for my mom. Before he left, I remember sobbing and asking him to please pray that I would meet my mate because I was so incredibly lonely. I had dated many men but never "just knew" as they say. He said that he would diligently pray for me to meet my husband every day. Oh, the prayers of a righteous man avails much. My dad has since gone to be with the lord; but oh, how faithful his prayers were. He was praying as a father would for his daughter to meet a godly man. He prayed fervently every day and night for the next 3 weeks for me to meet my husband.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was a crisp Fall day in October of 2001, when John Marc Green stepped into my office. I was working as a school counselor at Epic Magnet School in Birmingham. I was in charge of our annual "Say No To Drugs" campaign and had set up guest speakers to speak on drug awareness. The principal approached me, and said that a reporter from CBS 42 News was going to be interviewing me for the story on Red Ribbon Week. I remember when she introduced me to John Marc I thought he looked too young for me ( I thought I was an old maid) even though he is only 4 years younger that me. I remember my father was standing right next to him when the principal introduced us, because Dad had brought a friend of his to be one of the guest speakers for the program. Now that I look back, I know that was God because he had placed my father and John Marc right next to each other as we met. Anyway, I remember when John Marc started speaking, his voice was so soothing and there was something different about his countenance. His eyes had a warmth to them and I was drawn to his level of maturity. I can't say it was love at first sight but there was definitely something different about this man. The story aired that night and I thought I would never see this man again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Instead, he called "to see how I liked the story" and the rest is history. We dated for only 5 months before we were engaged. There were many spiritual moments where we felt God was in the middle of our relationship and was confirming that he had placed the two of us together. There was one particular moment that stands out the most. We were sitting outside the church we were attending at the time, under a huge cross with a lake behind it. John Marc had tears in his eyes as he said "Mimi, look where we are sitting; we are sitting in the shadow of the cross." I knew then that I was to marry him and that God would always be in the midst of us. When times get rough, we always remember the time when "we sat in the shadow of the cross." </span><br />
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We were married after the next 3 months with my father walking me down the aisle in tears. He knew, as I knew, that his faithful prayer for his daughter had been answered. But that is not the end of this story. About a week before I met John Marc, after my father started praying, I experienced one week of what I now know is "the anointing of the Holy Spirit." I have never before experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit so strongly in my life. It was as if Christ were literally walking right alongside with me. I had an unspeakable joy. I felt love immeasurably. People were asking me what had happened because I was just not myself. I was not doing anything differently. I was not taking any new medicine. I was just filled with the Holy Spirit and could not contain it. Never before had I experienced anything like this. It felt wonderful! This feeling lasted for about a week and then I met John Marc. The timing was unmistakable. I knew without a shadow of a doubt what God was telling me. He was telling me "Mimi, I am about to bring you your soul mate, the man that your father has been praying for. But I never want you to forget what this feels like because it is greater that what any man on earth can give you...always remember that I am the one you can turn to when man lets you down, I will never fail you, never forsake you. I am about to bring you the man that I hand-selected just for you, but don't forget what you and I shared the week we walked together." <br />
~Mimi~<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Psalm 37:4</strong></em></div><em>Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.</em></span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-30805992623872933242011-08-01T18:29:00.000-05:002011-08-01T18:29:32.276-05:00Met By Grace<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A few months ago, I was walking into Target, when from behind me, came a loud, crashing, noise. I turned around and saw that a lady had just smashed her car into the back of another person's car, damaging their bumper and tail light. I stood there thinking, "Boy, I sure am glad that she didn't back into my car, and I am glad that I'm not her." I took my time walking into Target after I saw this happen. I must regrettably admit that I was being Ms. Judgment that day. I wanted to make sure she didn't drive off since she had done some significant damage to the other vehicle. I tried to convince myself that I was hanging around because it was my civic duty as a beneficial, contributing member of society, to look out for the other guy and make sure the right thing was done. I wanted to make sure that this lady owned up to what she had done. Well, she did re-park and make a phone call. This satisfied me. She seemed to be taking the proper steps to take care of it, so I went on in and did my shopping. When I came out, I saw that she was still there with the police and I knew that she had done the right thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A few weeks later, I walked out of Bed Bath and Beyond at the Summit. I got into my car, cranked it up, put it in reverse, looked in my rear view mirror, and backed out of my parking space the same as I always do; turning my wheel the proper amount to get out of the space and drive off. However, this time I didn't have the same result as I always do. This time, rather than being able to drive off happily, I plowed into the back of a large Ford extended cab pickup truck! The truck was hanging out of its parking space two feet more than the other cars. "Uh oh," I said, as I was in disbelief over what I had just done. I parked my car, got out, looked at my vehicle and it had a huge dent in it. Cringing, I then went over to the truck that I had hit and thoroughly inspected it. I didn't see a dent on it, not even a ding, not even a mark of paint, not even a....uh oh. There was the tee-tiniest little scuff mark in the world on the bumper. It was probably less than an inch or so in size, and it was so faint. I got my "mommy fix it bag" out, and went to wiping their bumper with a baby wipe, but guess what? The tiny little scuff mark still remained. It wasn't going to go away. I knew I needed to wait around for the driver of the vehicle to come out so I could show him what I had done (hoping he would let me off the hook of course). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">After waiting around a good 20 minutes or so, I called my husband, Mike, and began convincing him and myself that there was no need to hang around any longer. I had come up with so many excuses as to why I thought it would be acceptable to drive off at that point. After all, it was barely even noticeable, and I had my little three month old Lydia in the car with me. I needed to go pick up Matthew from preschool. I needed to go get ready for a surprise jewelry party I was having at my house that night; and my husband has cancer and is going through chemo, and he said it would probably be OK to leave...you name it, I came up with it. Even though all of the things I mentioned were really going on, they still didn't give me an excuse to run from my current dilemma. After waiting this long, I convinced myself that the driver of the vehicle could have been in any number of stores; no telling where they were, or when they would be back. A handful of people had come out into the parking lot and left in their cars, but no one had come out to that ol' truck, so I left. Yes, I drove off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> I was running. I was taking complete control over the situation by not facing the situation at all. That's when God reminded me, "Tonya, don't you remember when you saw this happen to someone else just a few short weeks ago? Don't you remember what your response was? Even though no one hung around to make sure you did the right thing, I am here and I see you." "Uh oh," I thought again, as I glided off down Summit Parkway. Even though I feared what the outcome might be if I met face to face with the driver of the vehicle, I knew I needed to go back. God told me to turn around and make just one last loop around the parking lot; watching to see if anyone came out to that truck. So, I did and when I arrived, I parked next to the truck for a quick second. I briefly considered the idea of writing a little note to the driver stating what I had done with my phone number on it. I was just about to look for a pen and piece of paper, when I noticed a lady walking out into the parking lot headed in the direction of the truck. She was the driver of that big thing? How unexpected! She passed by the faint little scuff mark without skipping a beat, and began to open her door and get in. I hopped quickly out of my car, went over to her, and told her what I had done. She took a little gasp as she headed towards the back of her truck to look at the bumper. When she saw it, she let out a sigh of relief, and told me that she wasn't a bit worried about that. She told me not to worry about it, but she appreciated me hanging around to check with her. She was so sweet, gracious and forgiving. I let out a big sigh of relief, and thanked her for letting me off the hook. I realized it could have turned out differently. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As I drove off, I began to learn a much needed lesson that I wanted to share with you. Rather than attempting to control the situation, rather than running away from my problems, rather than letting fear direct me, I let go and let God that day. I put myself out there, and made myself vulnerable and I put it in His hands. I subjected myself to whatever He would allow to happen, and submitted myself to allow for His outcome. When I did this, I was met by grace. Not just the sweet lady's grace, but His grace. He showed me that I can trust Him and that He will take care of me, but I have to give up the control. He was helping me see I needed to give up the control, not just over this situation, but over all that I had been going through and am still going through. He wanted me to see that I can give it over to Him, and He will<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>take care of me. No matter what happens, I will remain In His Arms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>~Tonya~</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span></strong></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.</i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <strong>Proverbs 3:6</strong></span></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Psalm 119:133 </strong></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.</span></i></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-22576154481184311602011-07-25T11:44:00.002-05:002011-07-25T16:40:50.109-05:00The Basement<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>(to visit go to: thebasementonline.com)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A month ago, I took my sons to The Basement. For those of you who do not know what this is, it's a movement started for the youth in Birmingham, which has now gone global, to glorify God. They are unconventional, loud, and anointed! I do believe my age finally came out that night. I like to think I'm still 16, but the soon to be 38 year old showed up. As I stood there listening to the music, with my ears covered, watching all of the kids, I was taken back. I realized I had <em>never</em> seen that many young people raise their hands and praise God. All you could see, anywhere you looked, was God's little ones singing to the top of their lungs and just praising! AMEN!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While I was singing one of the songs, God spoke to me about a young man in front of me. There were three young men, maybe in their very early twenties, praising God. Now, the boy to the left was just beyond. He was filled to the top, overflowing, with the Holy Spirit. At first, I thought I was supposed to talk with him. So, I asked God, and He said, "No, the boy in the middle." God told me to tell this young man that He was about to do something mighty in his life. When He does this, he doesn't want him to keep it to himself, but he wants him to witness it to others. Now, since the boy was openly praising God, it made me wonder, if what God was going to do would be so great, that it might scare the boy, and he would be afraid to tell people. I know I feel that way still.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Now, it's not easy, or I should say, it's not easy for me, to tap a stranger on the back and say, "Hey! How's it going? I've got a message from God for you!" As I grow in my walk with God, maybe it won't be anything to say this. But for now, I wrestle with it. In fact, when I got the message, I was upset. I really wanted to experience The Basement, the way my son did. Yes, I see now, how silly this sentence is. What I have learned, is when God gives me a message, He will just stir me up, and flip me upside down inside, till I can't feel comfortable, unless I do His will. So, I said out loud, "OK, I'll tell him!" I had to wait until the music stopped for him to hear me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While I waited for the song to end, something crazy happened! Once I said I would deliver the message, I started feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit. I have felt that before, that's not what floored me. This is the only way I can describe what happened to me, so bare with me: Although I did not see him, I felt with everything in my spirit, there was a HUGE warrior angel surrounding this boy in front of me. It was so strong, that it knocked me back, and I fell into my chair! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Once the song ended, I tapped the young man on the shoulder. When he turned around and looked at me, he was rather rough looking; his friends were rather rough looking too. I thought, well maybe someone just brought them to this tonight. (because I don't <em>truly </em>see, I'm still working on this) I told the boy the message. I told him I am very new to all of this, I don't know how it works, or if I'm supposed to say it different. He just stopped, looked at me, and smiled. He said, "Thank you for your obedience to the Spirit and God." I then told him about the presence that I felt, and how it knocked me back. I told him, he must have a big ol' angel around him. He looked at his friend and smiled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> I went back to listening to the lesson and he did too. They sang some more songs, and then it was time to go. I was trying to tell my son what had happened to me, when he came back to his seat, but it was so loud, he could not hear me. When it was all over, I was going to hug the boy and thank him for giving me such a wonderful gift that night. Before I could turn around, he grabbed me, hugged me, and thanked me. It was very powerful. As the boys left, I looked down the row and saw that they had a man with them who was a little person. Do you remember me saying how "rough" they looked and my thoughts on them? They picked that little man up and carried him like a child. I saw them afterwards, and they carried him everywhere. For young kids, not to care what others think, and just love up on someone who has a disability, tells me they were a special group of young men.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I wish I would have got the young man's name or number to find out what God did in his life. Of course, that's what I want. We all love to know don't we? We, as humans, as Christians, are constantly asking God, why? Why? WHY? I'm sure He does what our mom's did, and what we do, and says, "Because I said so." I decided I would go back to The Basement again. I want to try to experience what my kids have received. I may bring a pair of ear plugs this time. But, if I go, and God speaks to me again, I think I'll be alright with that experience too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">~Stacy~</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>John 10:27</strong></em></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.</em></span>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-58235340887240094292011-07-18T19:01:00.000-05:002011-07-18T19:01:16.316-05:00Sarah Rodas' Testimony<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>God is a Subtle Suitor </em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our world is full of high tech computer graphics, super-fast information transfer, interactive virtual reality experiences, and a constant barrage of sensory distractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all of this intensity, our expectations are heightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are disappointed if a movie looks anything but completely real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We expect constant entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get bored easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing one thing at a time feels too slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We skip Epcot and go straight for the newest, fastest roller coaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> W</span>e want our fries super-sized and our movies I-max, 3-D, Dolby surround sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With such a world as this, we can virtually see the most exciting things from the comfort of our living room couches; just from human inventions. We expect God to be infinitely more impressive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, He did create all of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even created the ability to invent such clever things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> H</span>e made the sun, rainbows, and the Grand Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made the crystal clear waters of the Virgin Islands, the mighty great white shark, the beautifully complex human body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God surely is much more impressive than anything we have seen yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The truth is, yes, God is going to blow you away and completely amaze you when we are able to see His full glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being in God’s presence, turned the very skin of Moses white. He glowed and had to wear a veil over his face, for the rest of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the most beautiful thing about God, to me, is the humble way that He courts you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has revealed Himself to me as a subtle suitor: willing to wait, loving abundantly, needing nothing in return, being completely there for you, and loving unconditionally, forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does all of this in ways most of us don’t even notice, much less fully appreciate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a long time to see what He was doing in my life, but when I realized how he had courted me for so many years, I was blown away. And to think, I couldn’t even see Him most of the time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was a girl who always seemed to have a boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had long-term relationships from the age of three, it seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The psychology behind that is another story, but suffice it to say, I devoted a lot of my time and energy to boyfriend/girlfriend relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were few times in my life, where a boy was not the center of my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I do not recommend this to you young people out there!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, finally, I found myself in the throes of a painful divorce and then a long dry spell of men in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Through this dry time, I began to learn about myself. I did not see God clearly, but He was there, like a parent who lets you learn on your own, but always there, loving you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These years for me were good, even though they were hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent the time in reflection and growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, I felt lonely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not fully see how God was admiring me from afar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was there in every hard turn, with a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t push Himself on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just carefully, almost anonymously, placed lessons in my path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could choose to step over them, and sometimes did; but He extended his hand for me to take when<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was loving me truly- not like the men I had been focusing on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was allowing me to be me, making my own choices, mistakes, accomplishments, and yet never leaving my side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was there, ready to build me up, asking for nothing in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I learned so much about myself in those years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned what I wanted in life and what I had to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had spent so much time trying to be in relationships that I did not know who I was or who I wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was purposeful to shelter me during this time, and He literally hid men from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would walk through a restaurant, a store, the mall, and try to find a man I would even consider; and there were none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a strange phenomenon to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could do it any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not think of one person I knew, or see one man in a crowd, and think, that is a man I could imagine myself with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This went on for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would tell people this and they did not really believe me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would point out attractive men and my eyes were just closed to the them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually wanted to see someone, but could not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was sheltering me from myself and protecting me, yet I did not even realize it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After a while, some men began to come into my life that were interesting to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was cautious, but lonely and hoping to find love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met the man who bragged and told tall tales about accomplishments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met the man who was too smart for his own good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met the guy who thought he had it all together, the artist, the leader, the one with charisma, the good looking one, the not so good looking one, the thinker, the strong but silent type, the mama’s boy, the work-a-holic, the devoted one, the one who looked good on paper, the one who shared a chemistry with me, and wow I definitely met a few that really needed me to fix them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through each one, I learned a specific lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is now so clear how God was leading me through, but at the time, I just noticed that as the major ones moved on, I was still ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was anxious at times for my future to be settled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was confused at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I was learning lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not the same, naïve girl, who always needed a guy to feel complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was more and more ok. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I came to a place in my life, where I knew I could not settle for just some guy to pass the time with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed the person God had in store for me or, I needed no one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had become content with that idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew God could be my focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had, after all, everything I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would love me unconditionally, and never leave, cheat, lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was all I truly needed. That thought began to comfort me, and give me strength in a way, I had not experienced before. He was not telling me I would be alone to raise my daughter, or to go through life with no companionship, just that I needed to put my trust in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would stand up to any test I gave Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was loyal to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And still, He did not push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let me find my way closer and closer to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice was so gentle, comforting, quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was learning to be more discerning in my choices, and God, like a best friend who secretly loves you, supported me through every heart ache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was slowly giving me strength in Him, but letting me find my own way. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finally, I found myself in a class at church, about human sexuality; not sex per se, but how it is to be fully man, and fully woman, in relationships with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God brought me so many words of wisdom in that class, until I became very convicted about where I was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt strongly that God was asking me to be a Christian woman, following His guidance, putting Him first, and yet willing to share with someone all I had to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was in control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was to focus on this beautiful life He had given me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I finally gave over to His ways, that is when God showed me how much He loves me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like He went down to the jewelry store and picked out the most precious ring that He knew I would love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed to have been thinking this all along, because the gift He gave me, was made by Him. It had so many special details, I knew they were crafted and chosen just for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not a diamond ring he picked out for me, but a man who was very good at showing me the love of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sal came into my life like a whirlwind and God’s voice was all over him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This man seemed to have so many good traits that were perfectly designed just for me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was uncanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we learned more and more about each other, it seemed that God had led us down two paths that were meant to merge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even took the times we had gone down the wrong paths and turned them for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man God had prepared for me, wants to live a moral life; he is a man of honor. He works hard, loves family, and has musical talents to support my daughter’s gifts. He likes to build a home for family and friends, likes to travel, honors his commitments; he can teach me things in patient ways. He likes to cook and watch movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We value so many of the same things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what stands out most in Sal, is how much he loves me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He <em>wants</em> to love me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to make me happy in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He works hard to give me the life, God wants me to have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sal is a loving person, who is willing to sacrifice everything, to show me love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never leaves my presence without giving me a loving hug or kiss; no matter how late he is running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carefully listens to what I say and thinks about it. He always tries to notice what I need and provide it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is so focused on caring for me, supporting me, and making me feel safe; that it can be nothing less than God’s love, coming through this man. He is my gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had asked God to build me a man, it would have been this man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sal is not perfect, our relationship is not perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in a broken world and we are broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, my husband is someone to share the burdens of life with, and he wants to do this with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God said to me, that if I can see Him, who is the creator of it all, and let Him love me, He will shower me with love and gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does this in many ways, but He does it most, through the people in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly believe that if we allow ourselves to be conduits of God’s love, we will live in a world overflowing with joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants us to live in joy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may have other plans for you, but He has a plan and it includes joy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The secret is to give over to His plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen, learn, allow Him to speak to you and through you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Be sure, He will not push us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not a forceful, insistent suitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a gentle, subtle suitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is helping, protecting, waiting, loving, even if you keep Him away, He is reaching out, trying to love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not need you; He simply wants you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to shower His love on you and through you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to be yours and you His.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will wait for you as long as it takes, but I say, don’t make Him wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>Sarah Rodas</em></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><strong>Ephesians 3:14-19</strong></span></em></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (NLT)</em></span></span><br />
</div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-84281418600278877762011-07-13T09:34:00.000-05:002011-07-13T09:34:56.777-05:00Annette Henderson's Testimony<div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Lost in a Sea of Grief</em></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My journey on the sea of grief began on July 17, 1990. It was one of the most bittersweet days of my life. On this day, my first born, Laura Michelle Henderson, came into the world. Four and a half hours later, she left my arms, to be in the arms of Jesus.</span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Often, the world assumes that grief is easier for Christians to bear. That is not true! As a Christian, I know that God is all powerful. He could have intervened and healed my baby, but He didn't. I had to deal with that. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever been there; knowing that God could have intervened, but He didn't? That is a hard place to be!</span><br />
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</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I had read about the stages of grief. I found myself going through shock, denial, then I was stuck in the middle stage of anger. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I hit an emotional brick wall, when I realized my anger was fully directed at God. I didn't know what to do with it. I thought that good Christian girls weren't suppose to be angry at God. So, I did what I always do when I'm angry at someone. I stopped talking to him! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I stopped praying to God. I stopped reading his Holy Bible. I still went to church, but I was only going through the motions. Most of all, I quit trusting in him. I felt He had let me down when I needed Him the most!</span></div><div></div><div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">During this time, two books came into my possession. The first book is called <u>Empty Arms</u> <em>by Sherokee Ilse</em>. This book was filled with practical advice. One of the main points was that grief is unique to every individual. Your grief will not look like your spouse's grief. You need to give one another permission to grieve in your own way. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This was timely advice. I was already feeling resentment towards my husband, because he didn't seem as heartbroken as I did. His grief looked very different from mine. When I shared this concept with my husband, we gave each other permission to grieve in our own way. Just because I was having a bad day, didn't mean he had to have a bad day. The opposite was true as well. Just because he was sad, didn't mean I had to feel guilty for having a good day.</span></div><div></div><div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The other timely book that came to me was <u>If God is So Good, Why Do I Feel So Bad?</u> <em>by David Biebel</em>. This book encouraged me to be real with God; to share my feelings of anger with him. I couldn't believe it. Wasn't I supposed to be like Job, the great man of patience? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I read the book of Job, and found that he was very real with God! Job was angry, frustrated, and depressed. He never lost faith in God, but he freely express his feelings to the Lord. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I went back to the grief book, and it explained that God already knows you're angry. Perhaps, God would rather have you talk to Him in anger, than not talk to Him at all. The book went on to say, that being angry with God is not the same thing as unbelief. After all, we don't get angry at someone we don't believe exists. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I thought about this idea of being real with God for several days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One afternoon, I decided it was time to to share my anger with the Lord. I started telling Him how unfair it was that a baby who was loved and wanted was taken; while other babies are thrown into dumpsters, and born to abusive parents. I ranted and raved, and basically pitched a fit. I had myself a good old pity party! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When I was spent and could not shed another tear, I was overcome with this feeling of peace. The Bible describes it as "<em>the peace that passes understanding"</em> (<em><strong>Philippians 4:7</strong></em>) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It felt like God was wrapping me up in his arms, saying to me, "I know, I know."</span></div><div></div><div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">At that moment, three distinct thoughts came into my mind.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">First, even if God stood right there and explained why my precious baby had died, my human mind would go,"Huh?" I was not going to understand why my baby had to die, while I was here on this earth. The second thought, was that I would see my precious child again. Third, when I see my child again, she will not say,"I wish I could have lived on earth."</span></div><div></div><div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Things changed between the Lord and me after that day. I got back into his word. He showed me He understood my pain. <em>"He is a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering." <strong>(Isaiah</strong></em><strong> </strong><em><strong>53:3</strong>)</em> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He understands the depth of our heartache. <em><strong>John 11:35</strong></em> tells us, <em>"Jesus wept."</em> He was crying because He understood the grief of his friends even though He knew He would resurrect Lazarus from the dead.</span></div><div></div><div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Ultimately, God showed me He understands what it means to lose a child. God gave His only son for us. <em>" For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (<strong>John 3:16) </strong></em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It is freeing to know that I can be real with God. When those waves of grief come, I can hold on to Him and He will lift me up. He is the only one who can take my heartache and exchange it for joy!</span><br />
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</div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> <em><strong>Isaiah 61:1-3</strong></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them on crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of despair." </em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em> </em></span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181392746360977852.post-74665795073515396702011-07-12T22:17:00.000-05:002011-07-12T22:17:10.265-05:00Child-Like Faith<div class="content" id="c260ec3cdbad4e89829f8a9d31aa6d00"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">God is working daily in peoples' lives. We need to encourage others to have their eyes and ears open, be in tune with the Holy Spirit, and be ready to receive. I would like to share a story with you. Through our tragedy, God showed His love for our family. As usual, He spoke to me through a child. Let me explain:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Several years ago, I was attending a revival. A complete stranger came up to me and said something that I will never forget. He said I would be used by God one day, to share with others, about having a <em>child-like faith</em>. Filled with the Spirit, that same night, two other men who were strangers, said the same thing! One man said this to me before I left the church. The other man, rushed over to me, when I was getting in my car. He said he had to come tell me this before I left. I could not deny this. This was confirmation through the Holy Spirit. As I stated before, for me, God confirms things in three's. The Holy Spirit has spoken to me so many times through children. I HAVE to be obedient, and share with others, about having a child-like faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Tuesday, June 22nd, our pet dog Sandy passed away. She was scared of the storm and dug her way out of the fence. She was hit and killed by a car. Even though we were devastated, God used this tragedy, to show Himself, and bless us through none the less, a child. It was a very sad day and we had all been crying. At one point, Jack, our six year-old, through his tears, put his arms around my husband to comfort him. He said "Daddy, don't be sad, you were a good daddy to Sandy, just like our daddy in heaven is good to us."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have been given so many messages from children. For me, it was like God was saying, "It will be OK, I am with you." For our little six year old to compare my husband's love with our Father's love, it was so special and comforting to me. Sometimes, I think it's just this simple. We want to complicate God's love, His message, His presence. That day, our mourning was turned into joy, as God spoke to us through the mouth of a child.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>~Mimi Green~</em></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Matthew 18:2-4</em></strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."</em></span></div>stacyc730http://www.blogger.com/profile/05851856067076542067noreply@blogger.com0