Happy Birthday!!

What a special day my class made for me.

This has to make my list of BESTEST Birthdays and it's because they all reflected the Love of JESUS today. They all really surprised me.

I love their hearts!!!! I saw the Risen Christ in them today in so many ways and that was the BEST gift ever. I am blessed to be able to love and PRAISE JESUS with them.



My hope and prayer is that they continue to let the SONshine with their JOY!!



I shared two quotes with them on our class blog the other day. One is about JOY, since it is something we have talked about all year. JOY being putting Jesus and Others before Yourself. The other was about bringing sunshine into lives. I actually changed sun to SON..............they just seem right to post here too.

I fling JOY- beyond my next-door neighbor's fence, clear across town, and into the universe. Then it curves right back to me. Sometimes with a whack on the head when I need it. Sometimes with a thwack into my heart. Sometimes landing with a crack at my feet. But it always comes back. No doubt about it. by Barbara Johnson

When we bring 'SONSHINE' into the lives of others, we're warmed by it ourselves. When we spill a little happiness, it splashes on us. HOPE uncovers new possibilities and shows us what can be done. It wrestles with angels, looks impossibilities in the eye and winks. Hope springs eternal. Hope supersedes all good intentions. Keep going by the power of GOD's grace. Dare to believe that HE has planned greater things right around the corner. by Barbara Johnson

Again, this was a very special day for me. Thanks to my class and all my other loved ones who sent a wish. What a beautiful day to see the reflection of GOD's love. And I just happened to turn another year older.........I pray that the next year in my life is even more a reflection of who CHRIST IS!!!! For I want my life to be ALL about HIM, not me.

God Always Has a Plan B

I was given a book with this title as a source of encouragement. I recently finished reading it and 5 quotes really stand out in my mind that I want to share. I think they say exactly what has been on my heart a few different times recently. They speak my thoughts much better than I could, so here they are:

PEOPLE need each other-- no matter how much we insist we don't. Nobody is an island, an entity unto herself, or a Lone Ranger. We're in this thing called community, and part of the joy of community is sharing the weight. The weight of burdens, losses, loneliness, and fear. Look around you, my friend. Who's there for you? And who are you there for? Take a careful look. Even those who insist they can make it on their own may just be waiting for you to reach out and help. Be there and available. ---Luci Swindoll

I have always felt blessed by the community of people that GOD has brought to my journey. After being away these past months, I know even more how special they are to me. How much they mean to my life and how very much I love and miss them.

WE come to God with nothing and we are given everything. There is nothing you can do to earn it, to be worthy of this love. It is a gift. ---Shelia Walsh

So,
LIVE every day to fulfill your personal mission. God has a reason for whatever season you are living through right now. A season of loss or blessing? A season of activity or hibernation? A season of growth or incubation? You may think you're on a detour, but God knows the best way for you to reach your destination. ---Barbara Johnson

And
OVER the years, God has been faithful to his work, protecting me and providing for me at every turn. I've never regretted my decision to trust God. My experience underscores the importance of those few profound moments in each person's life, where a significant choice is to be made. Moments when the choice to walk with God, or to go our own way, will have consequences for the rest of our lives. It is at such times that our compassionate Father draws closest, whispering love and hope in our hearts. ---Ritz Schweitz

Therefore,
OUR capacity to feel, to think, and to experience is so great- to taste the sweetness of joy that life can bring, to bask in the peace of God, to worship on the mountaintops, to ride high on loving and being loved. All of these are wonderful and precious gifts, and I'm so thankful for them as I journey through this earthly life. ---Kathy Troccoli

Praise JESUS, for it is what this journey is all about!!

God filled good-bye

Today was the last day at the church for Pastor Tim. We had a picnic and a time of sharing and thanking after service. A moment in time soooo filled with the abundant love and presence of GOD.

All I can do is Praise HIM for allowing this pastor and this body to be a huge source in meeting and finding HIM on a weekly basis, while I was here in Korea.

What a unique church filled with so many from so many different countries. A place where this pastor allowed the Holy Spirit to move and have control of each and every service. He is going to be missed by many here, but though he is leaving..........the presence of the LORD will remain.

Time Well Wasted

This is actually the name of a country album by Brad Paisley, but it is interesting how it fit into my thoughts of the weekend.

I was praying and questioning if I had wasted time here or if I had really spent the most of every opportunity and moment that I have been a part of. I feel like I have given my all and been present every day, seizing the moments with GOD's abundant love, and meeting the RISEN CHRIST in so many ways. Yet, did I still waste time? Could I have given more?

And then as GOD always does..........HE spoke directly to my heart and gave me an answer to my questioning.

Sunday morning, Pastor Tim spoke on Ephesians 5:1-21. He had three points: 1. Walk in love, 2. Walk in God's light, and 3. Walk in His wisdom.

He asked what we would do if we were given $86,400 every day, but we had to spend it all that day. We could invest it, buy things, etc......we just couldn't carry any of it over to the next day. But remember that we would get another $86,400 then.

Ok, so we wouldn't get that much money every day, but we are given 86,400 seconds every day and at the end of it every second is spent. Once the time is gone you can never get it back.

We need to invest or spend time with GOD, which is NEVER WASTED. We also need to invest time with others, making every effort to encourage one another with an attitude of Praise. And spend time with ourselves in gratitude.

Do you know that time spent laughing improves the quality of life? My heart feels like it has been forever since I have truly laughed........I look forward to lots of moments of laughter once I am home.

Pastor Tim encouraged us to make the most of our time and invest ourselves where we are. Once he said this, I got the warmest feeling in my heart.

He went on to mention his time here in Korea and the many people he met in his 13 years who had wasted time.

Then the REAL part hit home in my heart. It was something I had never heard or at least considered before. Numerous times I have heard messages about planting seed, watering, and harvesting, but Pastor Tim mentioned 'plowing'. He said maybe some are called to break up fallow ground, this is tough and may make you feel crushed. He stated that the hardest work was being used as a plow.

He concluded with saying, "You may not know where their heart is, but the Holy Spirit will use you if you invest your time where He has placed you." You won't know if that is to PLOW, SEED, WATER, or HARVEST.

I realized I have been here to plow fallow ground. Fallow, by the way, means plowed and left unseeded for a season or more. Yet, I have also been witness to planting seed, watering, and reaping a harvest in many ways. All other stories in their self which I haven't shared.

PRAISE THE LORD.......HIS Love endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)

I must add how the album title came into play. Sunday night I was looking at some downloaded songs someone had shared with me. One of those songs was on this album and the whole thing was downloaded. I just found it interesting that it fit into my thoughts.

Not to mention, Our Daily Bread touched me too and continued my thoughts. I read both Sunday's and Monday's (getting ahead for the week with my students). Of course, you can go read these for yourself if you want.

However, Sunday's is titled "He Wants More" GOD loves you and wants you to know HIM. -Cindy Hess Kasper

And Monday's is titled "On Purpose" Glorifying GOD means putting HIS character, HIS will, and HIS ways into action in all that we do.......The purpose of our lives is to let others see what GOD is like as they watch and experience HIS love through us. What a profound privilege it is to mirror GOD's love, mercy, grace, justice, and righteousness to a world whose heart is "veiled" to GOD's truth! (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Our purpose is to show others less of us and more of HIM. That's living on purpose with a purpose!- Joe Stowell

I can only Hope that I live my life this way. After all, I'm not anyone special and definitely not qualified.......just a girl from a small, little town in southern Michigan, who's desire is to live each moment on purpose with a purpose of showing less of me and soooo much more of HIM!

And as the words of the song go........may it be time well wasted!

Skirt

The skirt I wore today brought memories and a time of reflection and revelation to my heart.

I bought myself this skirt as a Birthday gift last year (though I used the gift card I was given at Christmas by my parents to purchase it).

With it on today, I recalled the very first time I wore this skirt. It was Sunday before my Birthday. I was pretty bold, even for me, after church. A day that revealed lots to me. A day filled with many blessings and possibilities from God.

Then, I recalled the last time in Denver I wore this skirt. It was a Saturday, the day before I left to come to Seoul, South Korea. I remembered standing in the garage of the family who means so much to me in my heart, watching a car pull up and feeling my heart skip a beat when an amazing person got out and walked towards me. An unbelievable moment for me that feels like it only happened yesterday. A moment I felt so much Hope.

Later that day, I got to jump on a trampoline in my skirt with some of the most awesome kids I know and love soooo very much. At that moment, I looked up and saw the faces of so many who have been a part of my journey thus far, at least in Denver. A moment I felt so much Love.

These memories came in the midst of a day when I felt as though I had no strength left. I wondered how I was really going to make it the next 26 days. Well, I know I will make it, but I know I can't do it. It will be the LORD who cares me through.

I needed these memories today more than I can express. They were a loving touch from God. However, at the same time I felt so much anxiety about coming home. They revealed to me what it is I am afraid of. I know I have lost a little bit of who I am, or at least was. I am afraid that I won't get that part of me back.

And with my Birthday fast approaching, knowing I am ever getting closer to '40', I notice how much gray is in my hair. I have never had this much before. The gray reminds me how tough this has been for me and on my heart.

I guess I'll just have to get my hair highlighted when I cut it to donate again. Though, I don't know if my heart will ever be the same.

Mother's Day

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her.

Proverbs 31:28

Of all the earthly things GOD gives,

There's one above all others:

It is the precious, priceless gift

Of loving Christian mothers.

--Anon.

Adventure Ahead?!

Our Daily Bread for Tuesday, May 8, 2007, Titled 'THE ADVENTURE', got me really thinking about the next adventure in my life. WE ALL KNOW that every single day and part of my life has been and is an adventure in itself.

ODB used Esther 4:13-17, emphasizing verse 14. "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Then stated, "Adventures can be fun- and scary. They usually involve a bit of the unknown. As we walk in fellowship with GOD, it's likely that our lives will have many unique adventures-opportunities to serve HIM. If we're reluctant or scared and we turn down an opportunity, we miss out. Will God still get the job done? Of course. But someone else will receive the blessing....Esther was naturally frightened to take this assignment. But GOD used her courage and faith to deliver her people. Trust GOD to show you the way. Adventure ahead!"- Cindy Hess Kasper

This came in GOD's perfect timing for me. I have no idea what my tomorrow holds, other than I am moving back to Denver and where I will be living. And waiting for all of GOD's words in Bali to play out in HIS Plan. I think of Jeremiah 29:11 (even 12-13) at this moment.

Anyway, I came back from Bangkok and really felt an urge to send my resume to other Christian schools in the Denver area. So Sunday night I sent 26 emails out. I was still hoping for a job at my school from last year....but on Monday I received an email letting me know that they would be closing. God prompted my heart and I listened.

So at this moment, I have no idea what is in store for me when I get HOME. However, I am trusting God to show me the way. I am just ready for more moments to meet the Risen Christ in.

As I wrote the other day, 2 Corinthians 1:9b "But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on GOD."

Praise Jesus!! and Adventure ahead!

Sawasdee Ka

I just got home from spending a couple of days in Bangkok, Thailand.

It was an opportunity that God put before me and I seized the moment to experience the city I REALLY wanted to work in.

It was an interesting and fast weekend..........but hey, I got to eat sticky rice and mango with coconut milk again.

I really love the Thai people........and pray that I can go back some day in the future.