Technology

Well, this is my third try.  Obviously I haven’t figured out my computer.  Or I should say word press and how it works.   That is the main reason I haven’t moved to word press before.  I wasn’t sure what to do.  I already had a blog written and saved it – I thought.  But now I can’t find it.   Technology is not my thing.  Give me something to type or something secretarial and I am fine.  Or have someone show me and let me do it.  Then I can learn what to do.

I am enjoying the cool weather.  I like to be able to wear long sleeves and not be hot. 

 We have been going through a hard time.  It’s hard to blog when things are frustrating.  i don’t want to complain and people probably get tired of hearing about it.   I need to learn to keep my focus on God and on loving others.  There are so many other people who are far worse off than I am. 

I need to look at the answers God has given and the blessings he has given.   I need to learn how to truly worship Him when things are tough as well as when things are good. 

 Just thought I would share some random thoughts from today.

Journeying together,

Wait

A friend of ours wrote this song. It has really been encouraging to me. It is where I am at right now. Hopefully it will encourage you if you are going through a rough time.

Lessons Learned

Well, today I was reminded of two things.

1 – God blesses people and it is humbling and awesome at the same time. Something happened today that reminded me that God does care and is taking care of us. It brought tears to my eyes.

2 – When we pray and ask God to help us, He hears. He answered my prayer today that something I had to do would go smoothly and without hassle. Even though I was nervous He gave me strength and I didn’t need to fear because it ended up not being a problem. He went before me and made the way straight.

I was reading a prayer letter today and she talked about having to learn to be “tougher”. She has learned to stand up for herself living in another country. But then she said “But I have found these strengths to also be a weakness as God has reminded me recently that in standing up for oneself, we must not forget to show His love and grace.” That struck me. How often do I go off, maybe not at the person themselves. That feeds into my heart and that is not good because that will come out sometime. Or I may get frustrated at that person on the other end of the phone who has messed up the appointment or whatever. My tone says a lot to that person. And that tone doesn’t speak Jesus to them. And mostly where I am convicted is how I talk to my husband and son. Most times I don’t hear what my tone really sounds like. So I am asking God to show me, before I speak so that my tone speaks Jesus loves you and I love you.

Journeying together,

Baby

It’s hard to believe that 16 years ago today I was holding a baby. Now he is a 16 year old, learning to drive and enjoying life.

He had fun today playing football outside and on video with some of the guys from church and the neighborhood.

Yes, his favorite team is the Patriots and he is excited that they get to play tomorrow in the Super Bowl.

A friend of ours made this awesome cake to help celebrate his special day.

We thank God for Taylor and are excited to see what He has in store for him in the coming years.

Journeying together

Only God

I feel like Jehoshaphat. He and the Israelites had three enemy armies coming at them. “…O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

Right now there are so many things regarding our cafe coming to a head. We are feeling overwhelmed. We don’t know what to do in this impossible situation – there is nothing we can do but wait and pray.

Jahaziel – He reminds the Israelites “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. … Take your positions then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you.”

It is a very scary place to be. There is nothing to do but totally rely on God and place yourself in His hands for the outcome. It is hard to sit back and wait to see how and what God will do. You feel like you need to be doing something.

I can only pray that I can come through it shining for Jesus. That the devil will not get a foothold in our lives and God will protect us and be glorified.

I know He is with me and will go with me through whatever comes but the unknown outcome sometimes scares me to death.

Journeying together,

Andrea

This one is for you Andrea. I am not sure what to say.

Actually today was pretty good. My neighbor and her girls came to church. They haven’t been yet since we have been at the theaters. You can pray for them. Diane and I prayed with her and she sat with me in church. I pray God is drawing her and her husband to himself. C3 can have a big part in that. They are hurting right now.

It’s hard when you don’t know what to say. But maybe that is good. Listening might be the better thing. And praying.

I talked with my family on the phone, did some e-mail, rested, worked on a present for my niece.

Who knows what this week has in store. I just ask God that He helps me through each day with His grace and that my responses would be pleasing to Him.

Journeying together,

Patti

Visitor

Yesterday one of the girls who used to work at our cafe came to church with her sister and her sister’s boyfriend. They had asked to come before but never came. When we asked, she never could. They told Taylor this week they were going to come and then called me on Saturday. They came. They seemed to like it. The sister said it was similar to a church they were visiting in Miami when they were there.

YEAH!

Contentment

The truth is that if God wanted us to have more right now, we would have it. . . . If we were supposed to be in a different situation in life, we would be in it. Instead of always saying, “If only this” and “If only that,” God calls us to glorify him to the fullest right now. . . . Contentment means wanting what God wants for us rather than what we want for us. The secret to enjoying this kind of contentment is to be so satisfied with God that we are able to accept whatever he has or has not provided.” -Phil Ryken

Great Day

I had the great privilege today of helping debrief two of our missionaries. Just to sit and listen to where they have been, the ups, downs, exciting and challenging is just awesome. There are some great caliber people out there serving God and it is a privilege to serve them.

Last week I helped with another couple. It is exciting to hear how they are being used. I now have three countries I want to go visit and I am sure there will be more as I am able to see and hear their stories.

Weekend Away

Tomorrow we are leaving for St. Augustine when Taylor gets home from school. We have been there many times visiting friends so we have already done the tourist thing. Now we can just relax and enjoy, go do something if we want to or sit on the beach or by the pool. I am looking forward to being away from home for a few days and just enjoying our time.