Monday, May 30, 2011

Thailand - "Are you going back?"

   I am often asked whether or not I will be returning to Thailand anytime soon.  It's an honest question and appreciate everyone's interest!  I've been home now for almost 9 months and I cannot believe it.  It has truly been wonderful to be home with my family and friends here.
There are not, however, very many days that go by that I don't think about Thailand and my friends there. Sometimes there is a deep loneliness I feel without them.  I have thought so many times of how wonderful it would be to go back and see everyone. But, right now, that's really the only reason I would have for going back....To see my friends.  And although that would be wonderful in of it's self, to go back for long term on that basis alone is not a good foundation. I have felt no leading from the Lord whatsoever to go back long term.   If He says "Go", then yes, I will go. But, right now, He is saying "Stay home". And of course, I'm not going to complain about that!

I learned a lot in Thailand. I learned how to at least slightly begin to understand and live in a different culture, I got my pride and patience tested through all those language classes, and I also had the privilege to begin more relationships that I ever thought possible for one person to have at one time. Each person I became friends with, missionary or Thai, was and is a blessing in my life.  God used them to teach me so much about myself and the areas of my life that need change or growth. I can't begin to tell you how humbled I feel to have been able to spend that season of my life there. But, even all that, cannot override the joy and peace I have for being back home. I have experienced a new found love and compassion for my "own" people here in Kentucky that I have never quite felt before.

In Thailand, God was preparing me for my future, and at home, He is preparing me for my future. I look forward to what is ahead.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Bands For Life - Sudan


   My brother, John, is selling wrist bands for Sudan! He explains more below:



Hey everyone! I am selling Unashamed wrist bands for $5.00 each to raise money for Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP’s) in Sudan. IDP’s are persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence. In Sudan, there are so many of them and they need our help! They need blankets, mosquito nets, clothes, hoes, seeds, and malaria medicine. I only have about 25 wrist bands left, so get them while they last. Just post a comment on this post and leave your address so I can mail them to you. Thank You!!!
God Bless,
John



To go directly to John's blog post please click the link below.
http://ontrackwithgod.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/bands-for-life/

By the way, I just want to clarify that John is not making any money off of these for himself. He truly wants to help these people in Sudan.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

One who is worthy

"Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best. I put before you what I have found to be the best - One who is worthy of all our devotion - Jesus Christ. He is a Savior for the young and the old. And He, only He is the One who can bring out the best that is in us. Lord, here I am."   - Eric Liddell

Friday, May 20, 2011

"We do nothing. He does everything. All glory must be returned to Him. God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful. Pray for us that we may not spoil God's work." ~ Mother Teresa

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

John and other things :)

Yesterday afternoon John got his senior pictures taken and I was able to tag along. I, of course, brought my camera with me. This is just one, but if you click the picture you can see more!


Friday, May 6, 2011

"Be strong and courageous."

 I have the tendency to only read in the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.  But in the last couple of weeks I have been reading more in the Old Testament and it has been fascinating.  I feel like I have opened an old history book that has been collecting dust upon a shelf and I am now being refilled with the knowledge it holds in a fresh light.

Except for a few exceptions,  it has not been much of a desire of mine to fill my brain with a bunch of war stories. And that is exactly what the first half of the Bible is filled with! It's still kind of hard for me to read about people being stoned or hung to death (or worse), but instead of this time only being able to focus on the grossness of war, it has been amazing to see the hand of GOD on each of those situations! I read of Joshua's bravery and faithfulness even when he felt like he had no more strength left. I read of Elisha's humbleness and passion to see the Israelites return to the Lord. I read of Rahab, who's bravery helped to save God's people and then, I am also brought to tears when I read of her redemption.  And do I have time to talk about David, Malachi, Jeremiah, Esther, Deborah, Moses, Miriam, Ruth, Abraham, Jacob, Eleazar, Samuel, Caleb.........Shall I go on?

My heart yearns to walk with God like our early fathers and mothers did. Those people stood when no one else was standing. They fought, even when things looked hopeless. They kept talking though no one seemed to be listening. The expectations were high; for some, very high. But they were obedient.

Oh how my heart cries out to the Lord for an outpouring of His Spirit upon this generation. Our culture's expectations for young people are so low and it's robbing us of our passion, courage, dreams, and work ethic. We are the Joshua's and Esther's of this generation. And it's time for us to be strong and take courage.