6 Days Before Spain

We are almost down to one hand in the count down!  We are going to be on a plane before we realize it!

Today we got out itinerary for the 10 days we are in Spain.  That really made it feel real.  I'll post the itinerary as it gets closer, but we will be staying with three different families in Spain who have three very distinct ministries.  One is our supervisor and he and his family are involved in traditional church planting and ESL.  Another family is involved in sports ministries as well as ESL and some social ministries.  The last family has a strong focus on youth (which by the way, in Spain is defined as a much broader age group than here in America - teens through twenties).  We will also get a chance to attend worship, Bible study, and ESL classes. 

No news on the house showings, but God was gracious and the snow stayed away until after our showing today.  Keep on praying as we wait on God's perfect timing to answer yes. 

It's snowing here, finally.  School was cancelled lat night because snow was forecasted, but we didn't see any snow until about 3:00 this afternoon.  School is already cancelled for tomorrow.  Let it snow all it wants now, but please, oh please, by Sunday let it all clear out so that we can make our flights!

7 Days Before Spain

Oh my!  7 days = 1 week.  It is definitely time to get serious about getting ready to go.  Finished shopping today, I think.  One more trip to Target and I'll be done (or at least until we start putting things in the suitcases and discover what we forgot).  Hard to believe at this time next week we'll be in the air, halfway between America and Spain.  I do believe that the excitement is finally over taking all the other emotions. 

It has been a full day - we started the morning briefly sharing our story at Pinedale Christian Church in Winston Salem.  What a warm welcome we received!  Two other ministries presented as well (also hoping for financial support).  It was cool because one ministry was here in the state, one was in the United States, and ours of course was in Spain.  Judea, Samaria, and the Utmost Ends of the Earth all at one time.

We had open house this afternoon and although only one family came through, our realtor said they seemed interested.  Keep on praying.   No feedback from the family that saw it both Thursday and Saturday yet and if the weather cooperates we have another showing tomorrow morning.  Wouldn't it be fabulous for it to sell before we leave next Sunday?!

Tonight I read the following facebook post from a fellow worker in Spain - just sent chills up my spine.  God is moving in Spain and we can hardly wait to see it and experience it.  I know God doesn't need us to accomplish His plan, but it is exciting to be given the privilege to serve Him this way.

Capacity crowd at the Centro Evangelico-Cristo Vive Hoy worship service. In addition to a capacity crowd we had 5 new visitors. For the past 8 wks we have had at least 3 or more new visitors each Sun. Almost all of them returning for consecutive wks. It is so amazing and humbling to watch God build His church here in Guadalajara, Spain.

Countdown is on - tomorrow the suitcases come out of the attic!  This is definitely the ride of a lifetime!

8 Days Before Spain

I cannot believe it is only 8 days before we leave.  It seems like we have been talking forever about going to Spain and it is only a week away.  I wish this was a countdown to our "forever" trip to Spain, but our first look is so very exciting.  Our #4 common question is how long after you return from this trip will you actually move to Spain?  That is a good question and we wish we knew the specific answer.  We continue to pray that we will be in Spain sometime this summer, but the actual date is dependent on when we have 100% of our financial partnerships.

Our house showed today to a family who saw it on Thursday.  We continue to wait and trust in the Lord.  He knows the perfect timing, but wouldn't it be great if we had an offer before we leave next weekend for Spain.

Tomorrow morning we will be presenting to the mission team at Pinedale Christian Church.  We get 15 minutes to tell our story.  It will be a challenge to figure out what is the most important and crucial to share.

Tomorrow afternoon we have open house.  Three other houses in the neighborhood also have open house, so hopefully this will create a lot of traffic through.  I've got apple cider and homemade cookies to make the house smell like home.

Life continues to be crazy around here.... but in 8 days, whether I am ready or not, we will begin our journey.

9 Days Before Spain

Another common questions has been #3 Where are you going?  Our standard answer is the Madrid area, but that is a pretty vague answer and refers to a large area of the country.  Hopefully this map will help.  Each "blue balloon" represents a place where we may spend some time.  You can click on the map and zoom and move around to get a better idea. 

Thank you to our new financial partners.  Yesterday we received notice of three new on-going partners as well as a one time gift.  Each partner puts us one step closer to not just a visit to Spain, but instead a permanent move.  Continue to pray with us as we prepare and how God may have you involved in the journey. 

   

View SEND Spain in a larger map

10 Days Before Spain

Ten seems like such a smaller number than eleven or twelve.  I know it is all psychological, but still.... it seems like we are almost ready to go.  There have been two questions asked repeatedly over the past several days, so thought I'd answer them to the world today.

#1 - Are you excited?  Yes and no and a whole lot of other answers.  95% of me is excited to see for the first time the land where God has called us.  I continually think of Genesis 12:1 where God told Abraham to go to the land where he will show him and Abraham headed off.  I kind of feel like Abraham right now.  We've headed off and we are finally getting a peak into our "promised land."  But there is also a part of me that is a little nervous and fearful.  All about the unknown.  What if we don't like it?  What if the SEND team there doesn't like us?  What if our children hate it?  What if?

#2 - What are you going to be doing?  That is actually a question we keep asking ourselves.  We will fly into Madrid and then spend the next 10 days with different SEND team members.  We will join them for some of the ministries they already have going and purposefully pray through where we seem to be the best fit.  The kids will get an opportunity to see the missionary school (Hannah is actually hoping to be allowed to spend a day in school with another Hannah) and a public school.  We will do some sight seeing (statue of Don Quixote is on the top of Hannah's list, anything to do with soccer or bulls is on Alex's list).  We will basically attempt to immerse ourself into the culture of Spain so that we can return with a better picture of the need in Spain.  We will also be privileged to participate in the SEND Spain day of prayer on the 22nd, a day where all team members come together to pray over Spain and the ministires of the team.

11 Days Before Spain

OK - life is crazy! we haven't shown our house in forever.... the people with the contingency offer opted to let it expire instead of continue it, we dropped the price (again) as well as offered an incentive, its cold outside, I borrowed furniture to stage the house differently (it was delivered Saturday while I was sick and is all still sitting in the front room unstaged and in the middle of the bonus room), I hired a cleaning lady to come in and help me catch up (she comes tomorrow after the showing), scheduled open house for Sunday (don't ask why - one week before we leave for our vision trip) and YES - you guessed it....

they just called and want to show the house tomorrow morning.

I work in a southern baptist church so Wednesday nights are almost as sacred as Sunday mornings so I'm there until 8:00 tonight...ugh!

pray for endurance and laughter and for a buyer.  God is in control - thank goodness!

12 Days before Spain

We leave for Spain in 12 days.... so I invite you to join me for the next 12 days as I prepare to go and process the whole realm of emotions tied into our first trip.

I have been sick for nearly a week so I am behind my "to do" list by quite a few miles.  The house needs to be in order for a big publicity push that is happening later this week.  Alex is trying to do school work that is due today and while we are gone.  Hannah is trying to squeeze in an extra week of school's work.  Zach is trying to get classes figured out and his living arrangements for while we are gone.  Scott has trials at work to schedule and is praying they won't all be while we are gone.  I am kicking off winter classes here at church.  We are speaking at a church this Sunday.  And then of course, there is the never ending pile of laundry.

But hey, a friend called and asked if I'd meet her tonight at Chick-Fil-A, so there goes the to do list for a little longer.  Fellowship and relationship trump cleaning.  Besides, Chick-Fil-A is in the Wal-Mart parking lot and I can pick up some things on my shopping list for the trip at the same time.  How is that for being a multi-tasker?

Our God - the Creator

I am still recovering from the crud.  I don't remember the last time I stayed feeling this bad for this long, but I am beginning to see the end of it.  Unfortunately, the whole time I sat around on the couch and bed the to do lists were not getting any smaller, in fact I kept thinking of things that needed to be added to them.  Can you believe we are headed to Spain for our first visit in just 15 days!  All kinds of emotions wrapped up in that - a whole different post coming in regards to those feelings.

Every time I get a cold I get a cough that drives the whole house crazy, especially when I keep them all awake, so I decided this crud would be different.  Thursday night I took cough syrup with codeine.  It knocked the cough out, but unfortunately it had another side effect - nausea.  Apparently codeine should not be taken on a empty stomach.

Now for most people nausea is uncomfortable but not worthy of a blog post, but for me nausea is a whole different story.  Let me explain.  Back up in history to 2007 and the three years prior to that.  Ever since having my first child I had struggled with indigestion.  I saw doctor after doctor and tried drug after drug in all kinds of combinations.  By September of 2007 I was surviving on Maalox - went through a bottle every two or three days.  I kept one in the car, in my desk, in the refrigerator (tastes worse but works faster if cold), upstairs, downstairs, in my purse, ...  So finally my only option left was surgery.  This surgery reconstructed the valve between the stomach and the esophagus.  And I have been Maalox free since the day before surgery!

The only down side to this surgery is that I will never be able to throw up again (sounded like a positive at the time of the surgery, but have since learned that it is not necessarily one).  I can still feel nauseated, just do nothing about it.  Reminds me of my morning sickness days.

So Thursday night I laid in bed, curled up, miserable, and crying and praying that God would just heal me instantly.  Instead, what I heard and learned in those still quiet moments of the night was that God, our Creator, could not be outdone.  He created our bodies perfectly.  He designed them to work just how they needed to work.  He knew every body part and system and placed them in the exact spot of our bodies for the perfect plan and man just can't duplicate His perfection.  I am grateful for modern medicine and the gift of normalcy this surgery gave me.  I even think of God's perfect design in the way He created the stomach to allow for this surgery (inquiring minds who need to know more - I had the nissen fundoplication done), but man just can't match God's creation.

So God created mankind in his own image, 

   in the image of God he created them; 

   male and female he created them

So, today from the couch, I continue to praise God for his perfect creation - one that only God could do and man could not match.

Ugh

No posts for a couple days - the crud has hit.  I do not remember the last time I felt this bad - heading to bed and plan to stay there for at least a day, maybe longer.  Had planned to clean and sort all day tomorrow - oh well, best laid plans don't always go my way.

Pray for a quick recovery and for no one else in the house to get sick.

See you in a few days.

Muslim and Geography in a Spain Classroom

One more reason why Christians are needed in all of Europe....

Muslims find 'ham' comment hard to swallow

an article regarding a recent incident in a geography class in Spain

Gladys Aylward

A friend told me to read the biography of Gladys Aylward, that  I would relate to parts of her story.  She was one phenomenal lady.  She was told that she would not make a good missionary and that the missionary board would not take a risk on her - too many risk factors that she would fail.  So, convinced that she was doing what God called her to do, she set out to find a way to be obedient.  Once she reached the mission field she was determined, creative, and most of all - stayed intimately connected to her Savior.

Looking for a good book to read while the snow melts - find a copy of one of the many versions of her biography or get the movie to watch and be inspired to serve the Lord in a whole new way!

A Day of Nothing

We have nearly 6" of snow on the ground and here in North Carolina when it snows the world stops.  Last night all services were cancelled for church today so we had a slow, morning and actually slept in (Hannah slept until noon).  The rest of the day has involved watching church on TV, playing Phase 10 with the kids, eating more junk food, the boys going out in the snow, and consideration of a nap.

All, in all, it has been great to just stop and enjoy family and let my body catch up with rest and refreshment.

Here are a few pictures of the view from our front and back door (pictures compliments of Alex - I still have on my pajamas and thus no picture taking for me).

Two Little Boys

Yesterday I had the opportunity to encounter the Holy Spirit in the parking lot of Costco. Yeah, I know it was two days before Christmas and I should have been avoiding Costco at all costs and that the Holy Spirit is the last thing you would expect to find in the parking lot - but our God is creative and perfect!

Wednesday I got a call from a friend I haven't seen him in a few months, but the last time we had talked he had said he was praying for creative ways to involve his children in our going to Spain. Money was tight and he wanted it to be someway that his young boys (age 5 and 7) understood and were a part.

What he had to say when he called left me overwhelmed with how much God loves me. You see, as a family they had been talking about our journey to Spain and how they could be a part. The boys decided to give up some presents in order to become financial partners. We decided to meet yesterday in the Costco parking lot (half way between our homes) for them to bring me their gift and for me to give the boys prayer cards of their own.

And on the outskirts of the parking lot, I encountered the presence of the Lord. I had never met the wife or boys, but instantly I knew that we were joined together through a love of Jesus. The boys drew us pictures (see below). I gave the boys a letter telling about Spain and life there. As they left, the family promised to regularly pray for our family and for the people in Spain to want to hear about Jesus.

I don't need any more presents tomorrow, this was enough. It wasn't about the size of the check, but instead about the fact that the savior whose birth we will celebrate tomorrow brought two families together in a Costco parking lot for a moment of worship and an encounter with Him. There is nothing sweeter!

Is that really in the Bible?

Ever have one of those phrases stuck in your head that you pull out at times of need thinking you are quoting scripture only to find out it really isn't?

Yesterday we got some disappointing news and all day long I kept telling myself to keep my eyes on the goal... even had long conversations in my head about what was the goal - reaching Spain or a relationship with Christ that was deeper and more intimate (yes, I knew the answer was relationship just had to keep reminding myself).  So this morning I decided to find the verse I was so terribly butchering since I hadn't memorized it, only to find out that it was no verse at all.  It was proverbs from life (which of course I butchered too). 

Oh, there are plenty of verses that tell me the same thing - but just one more reminder that memorizing scripture is essential to life - otherwise, all kinds of things that do not necessarily line up with scripture will take it's place.

Hebrews 12:2  "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Praise, Prayer, and Partnership

Our newest Praise, Prayer, and Partnership went out electronically last night (with a few hitches, but got them fixed).  If you didn't receive it electronically, send me an email and I'll make sure you are on the mailing list.  Yes, you can continue to just read it here, but there will be some prayer requests that will not be wise to share on a public blog and I'd hate for you to miss those. We are dependent on your prayers as this journey would be impossible without you!

Watch for our next newsletter in January and follow our first trip to Spain right here on the blog.  This is an incredible journey!

Dec 2010

Shopping

Ok - so today I decided it was finally time to start getting ready for Christmas - yes, I am aware it is only one week away.  I went to the new Tanger Outlets in Mebane and was quite disappointed.  Found Zach a pair of tennis shoes (he was with me so I'm not spoiling a surprise) and then left for Alamance Crossing.  Found much better deals there!

I had the whole day to myself.  I felt no pressure to hurry up and move on.  There were no crowds.  I was not trying to out give or check names off the list.  It was fun to look for gifts that would mean something personal to each person I was shopping for.  I had saved and budgeted for shopping so it was nice to know what I could spend, not fret over it not being enough, and find good deals.

I must say this new perspective on Christmas and it's real purpose had returned the fun!  Try it - you might like it - a Christmas about memories and meaning - not one about stuff.

An Odd Spot in Life

I'm struggling with Christmas this year.   It's an odd season of life I find myself in.  I don't get it and people around me don't get it.  I'm not sure what "it" is.  Christmas, as we have done it in the past, has lost some of it's glitter and glimmer.  Hannah, my Christmas-aholic, is subdued this year.  Alex is content with what he has.  When I've asked them why its different this year, they just say their focus has changed.  It's almost like something has died.

But what is it?  Why is there this feeling in the bottom of my stomach?  Why have tears come so much easier than laughter this season?  Am I losing my mind?

I was listening to the radio in the car and praying to God to give me the words for a narrative I am writing today.  Asking God to make the words that match His heart and the real meaning of Christmas.  Asking God to give me words that those at the service will understand, really understand, why we even celebrate Christmas.  Then the song Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath came on.  I had been praying that exact message when the song began.  I have been praying that God would allow me to see the world around me from His eyes and to be able to put it in words.  I realized God has been answering that prayer and that is part of the season of life I have entered.

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach

Give me you heart for the ones forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see

I have begun, and only begun, to glimpse the world through God's eyes.  I have so far to go and yet just this tiny glimpse has changed my life. 

Most of you think I am referring to Spain.  Yes, I have seen a country of lost people in a way I have never seen before.  Not because I wanted to see Spain that way, but because God answered my prayer.  I keep sharing statistics with you, but I see so much more than numbers.

When I recently learned that Spain has the highest rate of cocaine and heroin addiction in all of Europe I cried.  I saw people who have no hope who have turned away from the only true source of hope to death.  If you know me, I'm not usually all that emotional, yet the tears flowed.  I was just glimpsing at them through the eyes of Christ.

More recently I have discovered a population right here in Greensboro.  The refugees from Vietnam, Burma, and the Congo.  Did I ask to see these people?  No, I asked to see the world from God's eyes and He opened just a tiny window. 

Oh - don't get me wrong.  As I have asked to see the world and people through God's eyes I have seen so many precious things - beautiful creation, the voices of children, the laughter of mistakes, the arms stretched around a hurting one, families, voices of worship, and more. 

The problem with this prayer is that it has shook my world.  My priorities are changing (even more than before).  My heart's desires are shifting.  My calendar looks different.  I feel like I no longer "fit in."  It's just an odd spot in life.  When I began to pray to see the world from God's perspective I am not sure what I expected.  I wasn't prepared to begin to feel like an outsider in my normal circles of life.  I wasn't prepared to be as heartbroken as I am.  I wasn't prepared to become so tender hearted. 

And now I sit, less than two weeks from Christmas, trying to figure out how it all fits together. 

Financial Partnership

We received a new monthly financial partnership commitment today.  God is faithful to provide and to meet our needs - in his own timing in his own way.  In addition two new people gave one time gifts.  When all these gifts are registered, we will be at 27% monthly and 40% outgoing.

It is exciting to see how God is continuing to provide.  I haven't talked about financial partnership in awhile, but it continues to be an essential part of our reaching Spain.  We have to be at 100% in both accounts before we can go to Spain. We are still continuing to pray that God will be provide for 50% before we leave for Spain on January 16.

Just a few reminders -

• SEND is a 501c3 organization - meaning your gifts are tax deductible.  If you are looking to make some final year end donations, would you pray about the possibility of partnering with us?
• Your monthly partnership does not have to begin immediately - you can turn in your partnership commitment form now and indicate that the partnership begins at a designated time in the future.
• Your partnership does not have to be monthly - you can partner monthly, quarterly, or annually.  Perhaps each December you would be able to give a predetermined amount or perhaps each April after taxes?  
• Direct Pay - you can choose to have your partnership automatically withdrawn or you can mail a check.
• This is partnership - not a bill.  We do depend on your on-going partnership, but we also believe that God knows today what tomorrow holds.  We are trusting that if God impresses upon your heart to become a partner, He knows what financial hurdles are ahead of you and will provide - either for you to be able to give, or for a new financial partner to join us if things get difficult.  No one will be sending you a bill or tracking you down if life changes for you.
• The partnership form is easy to find on the blog.  Feel free to give the form to us and we'll mail it in for you, or you can mail it to SEND directly.  If you do not turn in the form, it is difficult for SEND to count it in our official partnership.

Thank you for prayerfully considering how you may partner with us.  We look forward to the day that we will land in Spain, with all of our material possessions, and begin a new life.

Psalm 25

In you, LORD my God,
   I put my trust.

 ² I trust in you;
   do not let me be put to shame,
   nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
   will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
   who are treacherous without cause.

 ⁴ Show me your ways, LORD,
   teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
   for you are God my Savior,
   and my hope is in you all day long.
⁶ Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
   for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth
   and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
   for you, LORD, are good.

 ⁸ Good and upright is the LORD;
   therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
   and teaches them his way.
¹⁰ All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
   toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
¹¹ For the sake of your name, LORD,
   forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

 ¹² Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
   He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
¹³ They will spend their days in prosperity,
   and their descendants will inherit the land.
¹⁴ The LORD confides in those who fear him;
   he makes his covenant known to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the LORD,
   for only he will release my feet from the snare.

 ¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,
   for I am lonely and afflicted.
¹⁷ Relieve the troubles of my heart
   and free me from my anguish.
¹⁸ Look on my affliction and my distress
   and take away all my sins.
¹⁹ See how numerous are my enemies
   and how fiercely they hate me!

 ²⁰ Guard my life and rescue me;
   do not let me be put to shame,
   for I take refuge in you.
²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me,
   because my hope, LORD, is in you.

 ²² Deliver Israel, O God,
   from all their troubles!

Way of Man or Way of God?

Well, I can stick my head in the sand and I can feel that pit in the bottom of my stomach or I can cling to the fact that the God I serve works according to His ways and not those of man.  I will choose to believe, regardless how much the world and Satan whispers in my ear.

It is not always easy to trust when God's ways are different than man's, but there is such great assurance that comes from knowing I don't have to understand His ways nor trust man's ways. I pray that the day will come when I automatically trust and don't fret first.  What a slow learner I am!

I am reading the book I Will Carry You, The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy by Angie Smith (wife of one of the member's of Selah).  It is a book about the relationship she has with her Heavenly Father through the lost of her daughter.  There are moments in the book when I have to stop reading because of the tears of sadness and there are others where I have to stop reading because of the tears from the lessons God is teaching me through her story.  I have never experienced the great grief she is walking through, but I have questioned God in circumstances.  She says at one point in the book "I am pretty comfortable saying He is in complete control until the ground grows weak beneath me.  At that point I tell Him what He should do to fix it.  While I know there isn't anything wrong with asking God to intervene, there is a gentle surrender that I was drawn to in this story (story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus).  Recognize who He is - kyrios (denotes sovereignty) - and tell Him the problem.  Leave the rest to Him.  ..... there is always room for doubt wherever God has made a way for faith."

What about you?  Will you allow Satan to whisper in your ear or will you recognize who you serve?

What's the Real Purpose of Christmas?

This video spoke loud and clear to me - perhaps it will to you too.

1 in 200 vs 1 in 40

In Spain, according to several sites on the Internet

1 out every 200 Spaniards considers themself an evangelical christian
1 out of every 40 Spaniards considers themself a Muslim.

Put differently - I attended church yesterday with approximately 600 people (all 3 services combined)

If this was a general population in Spain, 3 of us would have been evangelical Christians and 15 would be Muslim.  582 would be considered a variety of things - Catholic (to be Spanish is to be Catholic, does not mean they actually have a relationship with Christ), Mormon (the 2nd fastest growing religion in Spain), Jehovah Witness, Buddhist, nothing, and so on.

Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for a transition to Spain.  Pray for new financial partners (and pray about becoming one) as well as for the spiritual preparation we need to live there.  Pray for the Christians that already live there - both the native Spaniard and the missionaries - as they try to share the love of Christ.  Pray for the lost - that their hearts will become tender to the true story of Christmas.  Pray that your heart will be broken for the lost - in your own back yard and across the ocean.

Heart Broken

Over the next couple of posts I am going to try to share what is going through my mind, heart, and soul.  I want you to weep with me.  Not because it is a sad story, but because the Lord Jesus Christ who loves you enough to have died for your sins is weeping.

Today, in a casual conversation on facebook with a friend, she mentioned that one of the largest mosques in Europe is in Madrid.  Sounds just like one of the many statistics I have been quoting for months, right?  Unfortunately she didn't quit chatting there.  She then shared that her cousin had just two weeks ago converted to Islam.  Her mother is the only Christian in her family.  (Her cousin doesn't live in Spain)

What does this have to do with me?  What does it have to do with you?  I don't know, but I do know that it is time for me to wake up.  It is time to quit living in my safe little environment and realize that the Lord is weeping over the lost while I sit in my comfortable little life and pretend that all is OK.

Just two weeks ago I delivered meals to people who live right here in Greensboro that practice Buddhism and Islam.  People who feared for their lives and gave up everything and yet still today have no hope for tomorrow.  When will my heart be as broken as Christ's? 

(while I am writing this Hannah and I are watching the movie To Save A Life, a story of teenage suicide and pregnancy - one more picture of a hopeless population - however, this movie is a picture of what the love of Jesus can do - check it out)

#23 - Heating Pads, Ice Packs and Tylenol

Yesterday I returned to the gym to meet with my trainer (yes, I paid extra for this privilege) after not stepping foot in there for two weeks.  Oh my!  Today I am not sure which I regret more - skipping for two weeks or returning, but I am definitely thankful for heating pads, ice packs and Tylenol.  Just not sure which place hurts the most to put the heating pad on.

#22 - Kitchen Surprises

I was out of town all day Friday and Saturday and then worked a 13 hour day yesterday.  Needless to say, my kitchen was a disaster.  I left this morning early for the gym and didn't have time to do anything about it before work.  I then stopped at the grocery store and cleaners on the way home and walked in ready to roll up my sleeves and tackle the kitchen - but it was already clean!  Zach had cleaned the kitchen and started the dishwasher.  What a gracious gift!

#21 - Operation Christmas Child

I am just sitting down after helping at our local collection center.  I have no idea how many boxes go through that center, but our church did 926 shoe boxes.  It is so very heart touching to think that 926 children will not only hear about the love of Christ, they will experience it, perhaps for the first time.

#20 - Moments that can only be comforted by Christ

This morning I find myself in a dark hotel room trying to be quiet for a little while longer (Hannah and I are doing two college visits and she, like any good teenager, is sound asleep and I am wide awake).  My normal routine is to begin my morning with prayer, before my feet even hit the floor.  (don't put me on a pedestal for that behavior - many days that prayer is just a desperate cry to get me out of bed and through the day)   This morning as I was praying a name and a situation began to weigh heavily on my heart.

It had nothing to do with today.  It was someone I needed to talk with later this week, but my busy brain had not even begun to think through that.  Yet, I couldn't shake it from my thoughts.  I prayed for the person and I prayed for the situation.  I even prayed for my reaction without knowing I was going to need to allow God to be my reaction.  I then got up and turned on the computer.

The first thing I saw was an email relating to the situation.  It was sent at nearly midnight last night and was not what I was expecting (or even wanting) in regards to the situation.  I really wasn't even expecting anything to be said about it until middle of next week.  Yet there it was.

And yet immediately, even though there was hurt and disappointment, frustration and even a little anger - the presence of Christ was here.  He prepared me before I walked into this situation and He was present as I read the e-mail.  I felt Him.  And as I process the disappointment I know that Christ, who walked before me, will continue to be my comforter. 

This is just a little thing, yet it has reminded me this morning that God does give me glimpses of His character so very often.  He is the Great Comforter.   And this morning, as in many other moments of this journey, He is the only one capable of comforting.

#16 - Eye Opening Experiences

It would be so easy to live in a little bubble and never travel outside not only my comfort zone, but my "world."  Last night our family, along with another family, was blessed with the opportunity to deliver Thanksgiving meals to 20 refugee families.  The majority were Burmese, but a few were from Vietnam and the Congo.   They did not know we were coming and they spoke very little English. 

Thank goodness a friend who works with a ministry to them accompanied us because we would have been lost (it was dark and we didn't have apartment addresses) and probably uncomfortable.  But she knew every name, knocked on the door, and soon we found ourselves inside being introduced as her "christian friends" and listening to her try to explain to the only one who spoke English in the house (usually a young child) about thawing the turkey before you cook it and how to fix it.

I have lived in this area for a total of 16 years.  I knew there were some refugees in Greensboro, but I had no clue how many.  I never stopped and thought of why they were here.  I lumped them all into the same category - people who moved from other countries to find a job. 

These people are here because they fear for their life.  God broke my heart for these people as our friend shared pieces of information and stories.  As we were leaving she shared one final story, one I'd like you to consider.

There are three children living alone - ages 17, 18, and 19.  They fled here on student visas because they are faster to get than refugee status and they did not have time to wait.  Their father was a medical doctor and was killed first.  Their mother was then killed.  Their two older brothers have disappeared and are believed to have been killed.  It was declared the entire family would be killed.  They have no source of income here (student visas prevent them from working).  They have no source of transportation.  They speak very little English.  Their visas are only good for one year.  And, they do not know Jesus. 

All night I had to ponder what would Jesus do?  And if I know the answer to that question, then what will Cindy do?  And if you are reading this, the question goes a little further, what will you do?

No longer is "ignorance bliss" allowed once God allows these experiences.  So, what will we do?

(We talked with our friend last night about opportunities to minister.  If you want to know more, send me a note)

Today I am thankful that God often steps into my life and allows eye opening experiences.  May I never be the same afterwards.

#15 - Modern Medicine

(decided I'd let #14 just speak for itself)

Today we will celebrate Alex's 12th birthday.  What fun today will hold!

Alex was due on Christmas day - so you do the math, he was just a little early.  I had a fabulous doctor who trusted his "gut instinct" instead of science and kept me in the hospital for observation.  Things quickly changed (my placenta had begun to rupture) and if we had gone home (20+ minutes away) we may never have held Alex.  He was then born via emergency c-section and taken immediately to NICU where he spent two weeks. 

His first year of life was filled with visits to emergency rooms (where even one nurse got to know us by name) and lots of visits to specialists, but today he is a healthy, growing boy who you would have never imagined came home from the hospital weighing less than 4 pounds.

Thank you God for gifting us with Alex and for providing us the care that was needed to enjoy him here on earth. 

Deep Fried Oreos

OK - after my post about my favorite breakfast foods and the responses I have gotten, I have to share with you that today I sampled a fabulous southern delicacy that I loved.... DEEP FRIED OREOS!  They were fabulous!  Sprinkled with a little powdered sugar - definitely a piece of southern heaven!

#13 - Diet Coke and Chocolate Chip Cookies

A perfect breakfast, unless of course a chocolate chip cookie dough pop tart is available or white chocolate covered oreos.

#12 A Day Away From it All

Today I am thankful that I can just walk away from it all and enjoy a time of sweet fellowship and refershment.  Today is a "stick my head in the sand" kind of day. 

Today and tomorrow I am attending the Women of Faith conference here in Greensboro.  That last Women of Faith conference I attended was in Charlotte two weeks before Alex was born (he'll be 12 next week).  All I remember is laughing so hard I was afraid I'd go into premature labor (he wasn't due until December 25) and then tears flowing so easily as the speakers so "lightly" would pounce on my toes. 

This year's speakers include:

• Marilyn Meberg
• Patsy Clairmont
• Lisa Welchel
• Anita Renfroe and
• Sandi Patty

and the music is by STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN!

I cannot wait because today I can use a little laughter and refreshment.

Sharing the Journey

Tonight we are sharing the story of our journey and how God is working with Gospel Baptist Church.  We are excited make new friends and to see how God is using a church "in the middle of nowhere"to reach the world.  We are also excited that we will be able to reunite with some friends of the past who have made this church their new home.

Pray that tonight God will use our words to share of the great need in Spain.  Pray that the people will hear God's heart and not our words. Pray for our children as they are all in different directions tonight.  Pray for the ministries here at Cornerstone to flow smoothly in my absence.

Thank you for your partnership of prayer!

#10 - Coupons

We are trying hard to watch every penny we spend.  Stick to a budget like we never have before and tighten the budget on top of it.  100% debt free is our goal (and requirement before we can go to Spain).

I had a coupon for buy one get one free at Mimi's that expires Friday so Scott and I dropped Alex off to school and headed to Mimi's for a date this morning.  YUM!  Pumpkin pancakes with the company of my husband.  What a perfect way to start the day!

#9 - Intercessory Prayer

Most will look at this item and say "I too am thankful for those who pray for me," but I am actually thankful for the ministry of intercessory prayer for others.  The Holy Spirit has prompted me to pray for several friends recently and have found out later there was a great need at that time.  But what I realized over the last several days how much the Holy Spirit ministers to me when he prompts me to pray for others.  Something incredible and indescribable happens when we pray for others.  What an amazing God I serve!

#8 - Cameras

I know that cameras may seem like a crazy thing to be thankful for, but a camera allowed me to relate to my kids this weekend.  They all went on a youth fall retreat and came home with 100s of pictures.  Through those pictures stories were told with emotion and vision.  What a treat!

Also includes video cameras.  If I can figure out a way to get the video of Hannah and Becky doing their skit guys video on the blog, I will.  It will make you laugh until you cry and then cry because of it moves you. 

I am so very thankful for cameras today!

Day #7 - Freedom of Religion, I think

(edited version)
Running late this morning, so you'll have to wait until this evening to answer the question I know this title
created.  Why does she think she is thankful for freedom of religion?  Shouldn't she be ecstatic about it?

Great morning at church with two families heading to the mission field - one is heading to Madagascar, one is heading to a place where it is illegal to be a Christian.  Made me ponder just a little more my thankful topic for today.

I am grateful for religious freedom.  I am grateful that I can bow my head in prayer or raise my voice in praise and not risk being put in prison or worse.  I am grateful that I have the freedom to believe in whatever religion I desire, and very grateful that I know the one true God.

But, I think that freedom sometimes prevents me from really experiencing God.  I think that freedom may even be a part of why we Americans are not seeing a great change in the christian community. 

This is a great map of the status of the evangelism of people groups of the world.  Look at countries where persecution of Christians occurs.  The colors are changing.  Christianity is growing.  Someone recently said me to me that Christianity almost always flourishes when they are persecuted for their beliefs.  I'm not sure I agree with the "almost always" but it did make me think.  Wonder why that might be true?  The answer - you can't be a lukewarm christian under persecution.  Either you believe with everything you are and are willing to risk it all for what you believe, or yo don't. 

So perhaps, this freedom of religion that I have keeps me (and maybe you) from experiencing Christ for all He is.  Perhaps, just maybe, this freedom of religion allows me to be a baby christian for way too long.

Just something to think about today.

Thanksgiving Update

This week has been crazy and I have fallen behind on being thankful.  But tonight I want to share my thankful thought.

Wednesday, November 3, Day #3 - Thankful for Friends
Today was a hard day.  We learned some news on Wednesday that Satan so wanted to claim as a victory.  I struggled all day long to focus on Christ, the true victor.  It didn't take much to bring me to tears or to focus on the "what ifs."  I spent more time quoting scripture and listening to praise music this day than I have in a long time.  I was determined to not give in, but as my body grew tired, it became so much easier to dabble in the doubts than to claim victory with my Savior.  And yet, at the end of the day as the tears flowed, a dear friend wrapped her arms around me and instead of wallowing in my issue, she quoted powerful scripture and allowed me to cry.  She held me up when I was struggling.  I am very thankful not only for this one friend, but for friends in general.  Life is hard at times and friends are definitely a gift from God (especially those who point me to God and stand in the gap for me when I just struggle to stand).

Thursday, November 4, Day #4  - Thankful for Internet
Maybe Internet seems like a crazy thing to make it on the list as #4, but this morning I opened my email to find three notes from friends who knew of my struggle yesterday.  At 6:30 in the morning friends had been able to reach through the Internet lines and minister immediately.  Back when I was a child, it would have taken three days to have received their notes of encouragement and prayer.  I know that as we reach Spain sometime next year, I will become even more thankful for the ability to connect across the many miles.

Friday, November 5, Day #5 - Thankful for Chocolate
Those of you who know me are probably wondering why it took so long for me to list chocolate.  I truly believe it is a major food group and a great gift from God.  My favorite way to relax is to curl up in my over sized chair with a diet coke and a Reese cup. 

Saturday, November 6, Day #6 - Thankful for Daylight Savings Time
I so need the extra hour of sleep tonight.  Thursday night I was at church until 10:00 as I was responsible for the local association's annual meeting. It was great, but it was late.  Friday I spent the whole day getting ready for the big yard sale that was held today, and today was the yard sale.  My throat hurts and my eyes burn so I know a cold is on the way too  Tomorrow is Sunday and is a long day for someone who works on a church staff, so tonight I thank God for the gift of an extra hour of sleep.

What about you?  Are you keeping your list up to date?  Is it getting harder to come up with something you are greatful for or are you struggling to keep tomorrow's item to yourself?

Quick Note

Yesterday was crazy, today is even crazier, and I haven't a clue what tomorrow will be, but I promise to come back and elaborate on my thanksgiving list.  Maybe on my lunch hour today?  Oh wait, do I really get a lunch hour?

What about your list?  What four things are you thankful for?

Thankfulness, Day 2 - My Family

As much as they drive me crazy at times, I am thankful for my family.  They are more than I could have ever asked for.  They are just perfect for me.

There's Scott - who has overcome many obstacles in his life to become the man he is today.  His desire to be a Godly husband, outweighs any of his shortfalls.  There is nothing more powerful than a husband who will pray, out loud, with his wife.

Then Zach, my first born.  Oh how I remember when I was pregnant with him.  We had already lost three babies before they were born and twelve weeks of bed rest with him at the beginning of the pregnancy stole much of the joy that comes from being pregnant, yet God answered that prayer and Zach arrived.  He dreams big and has always known what he wanted to be when he grew up.  And although growing up has not always been easy, he knows whose he is and I am confident that on the other side of "growing up" is a strong, christian man.  He is a hard worker and has a huge servant heart.

And four years later came Hannah.  She is so much like me that we often think for each other.  She was the only child who waited on her due date to come and actually proceeded to wait two more weeks.  Maybe that is why she still likes to sleep late today.  Driven and focused, she is learning to relax and enjoy the moment.  She has an innate ability to reach the "castaways" in life and see them for their God given strengths, and not just look at what the world sees. 

And four years later God gave us Alex.  Born way too early, He came into the world fighting for life.  To this day he still fights to live life to its fullest.  Impossible to punish because the world is his playground, and if you take away one part, he'll find another.  He has taught me to live and laugh.  He keeps me young.  God has given him that personality that lights up a room.  It is impossible to stay down very long when you are around him.

God has been good to me - what a wonderful family!

Season of Thanksgiving

I am learning new things about blogging and enjoying every moment.  I have joined a challenge of thanksgiving and invite you to also join the challenge.

Can you name something everyday you are thankful.  Some may be serious, some may be fun.  But for a month list something you are thankful for.  Sounds easy, but if it is so easy why do gripe so much more than we express our thanks?

Today - I am thankful for God, who in his great mercy and love, saved me from an eternal separation from my creator and source of peace, hope, joy, and love.

Follow the rest of my list on the sidebar.

To Mr. and Mrs. Vermont (and children)

I know that we have probably broken all the real estate rules - no contact and no relationship before all is settled, but God had different plans.  Regardless how it all turns out in the end, we have become friends and bound together with a love for Christ and a passion to see the whole world hear the name of Jesus.  Through this blog you have had an opportunity to share your support and prayers for us, but it is kind of a one way communication - so today's post is a prayer and note of encouragement for you.

Dear Vermont Family,

The road to Spain on this journey of obedience has not always been easy.  It has been filled with days of excitement and peace, and on other days there has been an overwhelming lonely feeling and a desperate desire to just hold.  Some days we have forged ahead confident in God's leading, and other days we have stood still in His presence and asked for Him to give us the courage to even take a baby step.  Some days we have been frozen in our footsteps and God has had to wrap His arms around us and remind us He is in charge and faithful, and other days we have been running at such fast speed that we had to stop and turn around and get back into pace with Him.

When we began to sense God calling us to follow Him in a different way than ever before we prayed for many things, but one was that we would not go ahead alone.   We knew we weren't going ahead without Christ, but we didn't want to go without "people" either.  We prayed that through our obedience many others would become a part of the picture.  Little did we know how that would look.  Little did we know who would join us without hesitancy and who would run as far away as possible.  We never imagined the number of people we would meet along this journey.

The morning that Mr. Vermont saw our home I had reached the end of my rope.  As I drove to church that morning alone (I leave before anyone else and usually have at least one child with me, but that day no one came along) I just poured my heart out to God.  I told God I was tired and done fighting Him - but since He was working on a different time frame than I was, would He please answer our prayer regarding the house in a God size way.  Instead of just asking Him to sell the house so we could move on, I begged God to do a great work that gave His name all the glory and awe that He deserved.  I was finally willing to wait on not only His timing but His greater purpose than my selfish, exhausted desires.

As we connected with you we have been overwhelmed by how God answered that prayer.  His answer to this point has been greater than even my imagination.  I told someone yesterday that the story of our connecting is just too bizarre to even make up.  Oh, if I could just live in that point of surrender at all moments of my life.

We pray for you each day, as do many others who are praying for our journey.  You will forever be known to many as Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous from Vermont (how your posts on the blog appear) and how our lives have crossed paths will always serve as a testimony to the greatness of God.  Thank you for being a "rule breaker" and sharing your journey with us.

Heavenly Father, creator of the world, the One who is all knowing and whose plans are greater than ours, we give you our praise and and recognize your glory and the awesome God that you are.  We rest in your plans and your faithfulness and lean totally on you today.

We pray Lord that if it be in your will that today's showing of the home in Vermont be the final showing needed and that even in the sale of that home we will see your perfect will and plan.  Lord, this morning as Mrs. Vermont and the kids are running around to put the final touches on the house for this afternoon's showing give them peace and without interruptions.  Give them sunshine coming through the windows and may this potential buyer walk in the front door and experience your presence in a home, not a house.  Give the whole family your peace that passes all understanding.

We, the Hunters, have lived in separate states before and know the stresses that come to each family member.  Lord, we boldly ask in your name that you move quickly and bring this family back together.  Lord, our prayer is that the holidays are spent together in one new home and not apart.  And Lord, while we wait on your timing we pray for each family member to have the wisdom to make decisions they face each day, the strength to resist temptations that come from separation, and the love for each other that flows out of a love for you that controls the tongue and the attitudes when frustrations arise.  Grow the family in their love for you and for each other as they travel this season of life.

We give you the glory and the thanks today for the answers you will provide. 

In the only name that deserves our praise and worship,
Amen.

Vermont Showing

Just a quick prayer request - the Vermont family (ones with a contingency offer on our house) have a showing on their house on Friday at 4:30.  Please keep them in your prayers tomorrow.

Does the Fine Print Matter?

I have struggled all week over this post.  Not because I think this post will be controversial or anything like that, but instead it involves sharing some very transparent thoughts regarding how my Christian worldview and faith is played out in the real world.

Last week in a casual conversation about a "good" activity that was coming, someone made my vision of good come crashing down.  You see, I was talking about a charitable activity that was coming up in my life and what a great idea I thought it was and what a difference this charity was making.  Then the person in this conversation asked me if I knew that this charity gave a portion of its proceeds to Planned Parenthood.

Oh wait!  That wasn't part of the plan.  So, thinking they were overreacting - not sure how I could think anything related to funding abortions was overreacting, but it was a more comfortable reaction - I did some research.  Sure enough, but they did a good job justifying it - again, not sure how I could think that one either.

Then came the question - so what am I going to do about this information.  My first thought was shout it from a facebook status - but realized that was just to stir a pot of controversy and get attention.  Thankfully I prayed before I typed.  My next reaction was to tell everyone I encountered - but again, that wasn't for any good reasons, other than to let others feel as uncomfortable as I was.  Then my next reaction was to talk privately with someone I respected and seek their advice and direction - should I tell the activity coordinators this piece of information and demand they pick a new activity?  Their advice - pray about (now why wasn't that my first reaction?) and seek God's direction in how to handle it.

Hannah had been involved in the original conversation and she is taking a worldview class, so we began to hash it out.  Did their justification make it ok to support a charity (via another one) that I disagreed with?  Was it ok to keep the information to myself and just not support the activity (ignorance bliss for the rest)?  I have influence with the group sponsoring the activity, should I use this influence and insist on a change or lead them to make a change?  And it all kept coming back to the thought, but they are doing great work.  They are changing the face of the world they touch.  What happens if all Christians pull out their support?  Who else will do what they are doing?  Then through the conversations with Hannah we came to this question...

"Do I have enough faith in God to believe that even without giving in to what I believe is wrong He can provide?  He can accomplish all that is needed to be accomplished without compromising?

I'm still working through these questions and still listening to all God wants to teach me.  I can't say I have honestly figured out all the answers, but I can say there is something refreshing in going through this discovery process with scripture and prayer.  I am also grateful that I serve a God who allows me to come to Him with an honest and earnest desire to draw closer to Him and to seek to walk in His ways.

Before you judge my reaction, what about you?  What would you do?  What if this charity deals with a topic very close to your heart?

One last lesson I learned, do your homework.  Before I support another charity I will do a lot more research than ever before.  Ignorant bliss is no longer an option.

Host a Night of Tapas

What are tapas?  According to Wikipedia "Tapas (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtapas]) is the name of a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or warm (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid).  The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them.  Also, in some countries it is customary for diners to stand and move about while eating tapas."

Over the past few months we have been inviting our friends and family to our house for a sampling of Spanish cuisine and to hear the story of our journey to Spain.  As we continue to pray for 50 partners at $50 per month to enable us to be at 50% by Christmas we are inviting you to pray about hosting a night of tapas for your friends.  Would you consider opening your home sometime in the next month for a night of tapas and the journey?  We'll bring the food - all you have to do invite friends/family.  No high pressure sales or arm twisting - just an evening of great food, conversation, and sharing the exciting journey of our new ministry.

If evening doesn't work, Scott or I would love to meet with you and your co-workers at lunch or Cindy loves to meet with ladies on Friday morning. 

We look forward to filling our calendar and meeting your friends and family.  It is so much fun getting to know new people!

Faith in a rope, but...

This weekend at Family Camp I climbed the stairs of a 3 story wall and attached myself to a rope and jumped off.  It was insane and I did it really to just prove I could.  I was determined to not let my fear control the situation.  I volunteered to go first and did fine until I got up to the top.  I attached all the ropes and backed up to the edge (the whole time holding on desperately to the posts at the top), then they told me to just pretend to sit down and the ropes would catch and I'd be just fine.

I held my breath, said a few prayers, closed my eyes and went for it.  When I finally got off I had a blast!  I even went back up the stairs to do it a second time.  I was feeling pretty proud of myself, and then...

Pride comes before the fall.  The session at camp on Saturday night was on faith.  Lots of talking about Peter walking on water and the faith he demonstrated during that storm.  All was well until the speaker began to compare faith in a rope to faith in God.  His question became "why can we place our faith in a small rope and a camp worker that we know very little about yet we struggle to place our faith in the God who created the universe?"

What about you?  What "rope" do you put your faith in and yet struggle to trust your life to the God who created the universe?