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Africa

As I sit in the waiting room full of people from all walks of life, I think of the lines of people waiting in Kitale for a doctor that is on strike. I think of how many children woke up in the streets, how many we're afraid to sleep, how many didn't wake up.

There has been good and bad post about the Kony 2012 video going around. Is the organization on the up and up? Don't know yet, but I do know that it has brought a lot of attention to the problem and that can't be all bad. We don't have to send them money, but do something, even if it is only telling one other person. Plant a seed. It is a fact that there are invisible children in Africa. Here are a couple of organizations that I follow, www.until then.com and www.mattawchildren.com

The EBC Hospital Ship

We had a guest speaker at Ebenezer yesterday, Ron Barker. He was funny, honest, direct, and probably stepped on a few toes, including mine. He also planted a seed, a seed that I hope grows into a Hospital Ship.

He stated that churches fall into two categories. The Love boat and the Hospital Ship. Everyone on the love boat is full of love, knows love, gives love; they Hospital ship is full of those needing love, needing forgiveness, needing rescue. I hope that we can spill over the limit of our walls with the spiritually sick, let them know that there is a Hospital Ship with people that love them and that God loves them and wants them to be well again. I am not saying that everyone that already attends my church does so in perfect spirituality, quiet the opposite. We are all human, and we all struggle with sin each and everyday. But we have God's Love, His Word, pray, and each other to heal us when we are sick.

I am currently reading Obeying the Great Commission. God wants us to spread His love and the gospel to others. Yes I'm going to Kenya to do this, but it starts right here. Are we turning into a Love Boat, keeping all the Love that God has for just us? If we are, that is the biggest sin of all. We KNOW what He wants us to do, and if we aren't doing it we will be judged on day for that.  I also believe with all of my heart that Ebenezer is a Hospital Ship. Our Fall Festival, VBS, programs with the public schools, recovery programs, adult missions, youth missions. Sometimes I think just knowing Mrs. Betty Moore Bell will get you a long way on judgement day. She truly has a servants heart. I want that kind of heart. I want us ALL to have that kind of heart.

Last week I shared food with a seemingly homeless man. As I handed him the food on two occasions, he said "may God bless you and keep you." And even if he was really wanting money for drugs/alcohol, on those two days he was fed with love. He was reminded that people can be good and that God does work through small things. It may have been the next day, it may be next week, month, year. But at some point he will remember the kindness that was shown him. I thank God that He used me to show it.  I was a "nurse" from the Ebenezer Hospital Ship, healing with love and kindness.

Rainy Day Rantings

I lay in my bed with a roof over my head worrying about the rain outside. I don't want to put my rain jacket on and get in my car and drive in the rain. I don't like rain. I complain about rain.

I get to work and look at my new friend Kimberly's FB post. Last night while I was in my comfy bed, she was rescuing two 10 year old girls from the sex slave trade in Nairobi.  Earlier this week, two new little boys are taken in at Mattaw. One's mother is in jail for wanting to kill him. I reflect on the children Katie has saved in Uganda. Picture her digging the bugs our of their feet, bathing them, loving them.

I know there are forgotten children here in the states. But the it's hard for me to picture here in the states, your mom and dad just going to find work and not coming home AND social services not getting involved. These kids are just left, on the streets, no one cares, they are considered filth. Adults just walk by them lying there, and don't even look down. Or if they do, it is to tell others not to get to close to the filth. It breaks my heart. I can't wait until we are there, helping, reminding them that they are loved, if by no one other than me,  by God their Father.

Hey Mama

Hey Mama,
I cannot believe it has been 5 years since you left this earth. I know that you are in Heaven with our Lord and are well and happy. I miss you terribly everyday. But I'm OK most of the time and actually happy too. I feel you with me and I know that you are proud of the path my life is on.

Caleb is getting so big, he's 14 now. He is doing very well in school and is involved in sports. You would be so proud! He is involved in the youth group at Ebenezer. His teachers say he participates openly in classes. He's polite and well mannered. He and I still talk about you often, he has great memories with you.

We have been through some ruff times in the last 5 years, but we have come out of it OK, and me stronger in my faith. I am so glad that I trusted God to be in control of my everyday life, not just my Sundays. I know that thru everything we do, He is in control and wants the best for us. Caleb and I joined Ebenezer in November 2010. We started going with Mimi and Papa and just felt it was time to become part of the church family. Caleb has gone on some trips with the youth and made some really good friends. I have a wonderful sunday school class and a bible study group that I don't think I could do life without anymore.

I have been on a journey of spiritual growth Mama. I love it, crave to study more. I love my Drawing Room time with God. I love that I pray my way to work most mornings. This wonderful journey is taking me to Africa Mama. I am going to work in a children's village in Kenya this summer. Can you imagine?! I would have never seen myself leaving the United States, much less going to Africa. You remember how afraid of planes I was? My friend Sherrie helped God help me with the fear of flying.God has made it possible for me to travel with a group from church to Kenya to share His love with these children. I know you will be with me every step of the way.

God sent me Sherrie Gilreath from Atlanta since you've been gone. She lost her mama too. I finally was able to see what I look like with a full head of hair! She has been a good friend. She has also been a great encouragement in my spiritual growth.

I talked to Jeannette and Daddy every now and then. Ricky is still mad at me for spending time with Melanie and the boys Thanksgiving 2010. I am hoping one day he will realize how important family is. Melanie lets us see the boys when they come home. They are all getting so big. Hard to believe that Caleb will be driving in a year!

I know you already know all of these things, but I just felt the need to write it down for you to see on this Anniversary of you starting your life with our Savior. I am so happy for you, but still get really sad here at times. I know you are happy and don't want us to be sad. I know you were ready. I love you Mama!


Wawee

Happy Day

Happy that I could share my testimony. Happy that I could thank my church family for their love. Happy that we live in a nation where we can meet and openly praise God. Happy that I met some new people by going to both services at our church. Happy that I had three laughing boys at the lunch table. Happy that I get to spend time with my Kenya group this afternoon. Happy that our church family will share a meal this evening. Happy that even though tomorrow will be 5 years that my mom passes away, she was with me this morning as I shared my story of giving my life to Christ.


2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Your life paints the picture of His Love & Mercy

I have been preparing to give my testimony at our worship services this coming Sunday. I have just sat down and started typing, letting God guide me to what to put on the paper. I think my notes have changed at least once a day since I started this process. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why I was asked. This past year has been pretty horrible for my family. They economy and housing markets have made us make changes and get rid of most of our material things. Adjusting to sharing a home with my in-laws. Recovering from surgeries. We've had better years. But as I wrote, pages and pages started filling up.

This has been one of the best years of my life. When I sat back and read the words I had on the paper, I realized that although we have gone thru some tuff times in the last couple years, I am happier than I have been in a long time. We are blessed. Blessed to have a roof over our heads, family that loves me, a good job, and on and on. I also know that all of this is because Jesus has never left my side. I gave him my yoke and he has showed us the best in the situations we dealt with and all I can do is praise Him.

I was reading Matthew 25 this week since that is what David will be giving his message on. And because I am trying to make it all  about me, I think what do I have to give for God's use? Then I go back and start reading my notes. It's not how much we have, but how well we use what we have. I pretty much have nothing left (material possessions). But I do have and have used the love God has given me. If nothing else I pray every morning that others may see how God has changed me thru my daily actions. I want to ooze His love. I want people to ask me about my new outlook and be able to share what God has done in my life.

AHA! This is why David asked me to give my testimony - for the Glory of God

Making Me Like A Wave

I sat in front of my computer one day in the summer of 2011 and watched a 10 minute Youtube video. This video was about a children's village, seemingly worlds away from Florence, SC. I had a couple lunches with your Youth Pastor and talked about the opportunities for our church to send a group to this village in the summer of 2012.

God immediately started talking to me about this journey. I call it a journey because it is not just a trip, at least not to me. I have been on a journey with our Lord to prepare to visit the children of Mattaw Children's Village. We often wonder why God doesn't stop things that we perceive as bad from happening. I have learned over and over again that it is when we feel at our lowest, that God is at his strongest in our lives. If we just give the worries, anxiety, pain over to Him, He will comfort us and eventually we will see the good that comes from the situation.

Since 2009 I have had 3 surgeries because of problems with discs in my neck. Before the last on in 2011, I felt hopeless, depressed, scared. To top things off, because of my surgeries and recovery times, it was beginning to be hard to make ends meet with our monthly bills. We asked for assistance from our mortgage company and they said we had to be in default before we could apply for any kind of assistance. So, that's what we did and applied for all of the assistance programs that were offered and that we could find on the internet. The problem always seemed to be that we had jobs that were "too good" or we weren't behind enough, or we were too behind. In January 2011 I started praying for God to give me a peace with all of this. I gave it to Him because I didn't know what else I could do. I was in constant pain awaiting a trial procedure and totally fed up with the mortgage companies. So I prayed. Looking back I realize that is where I should have started...in prayer, but then I wouldn't have this story to tell you about God's amazing plans for my life.

I prayed and my husband and I talked and it was decided with our family that we would try combining households with his parents. They could use the monetary help as well and we could also help in other ways around the house and yards. Again, I pray. Are we doing the right thing? Are You sure this is where we are suppose to go? I had a great peace. I knew this was all going to be ok.

So we are back now to late summer of 2011. I start seeing signs from God everywhere that I am suppose to go to Africa. I see Africa EVERYWHERE I look. So, I go to the first meeting and when the deposit deadlines are laid out I told God, "Ok, if I'm suppose to go, I am giving it to You to get me there." Every deadline has been met, all because He is in charge.

My heart is being changed by His love and I know how much more blessed I will be the more I share His love. Since just sharing enough money for a cup of coleslaw blessed me beyond I imagined, I can't fathom the JOY that is awaiting me at Mattaw Village. Make me like a wave dear Lord, and use me as a tool of love.

Weepy or Leaky

My friends at work call me YAYA Weepy, because I cry at the drop of a hat. Good cry, bad cry - you can count on me. This week I think I am changing my name to Leaky......I have been so blessed and am so amazed at things that are happening to me and thru me, that it is all just leaking out! Every day this week I have "leaked" while talking to a client. Funny how God is using ACS Financials to also share His love and for me to receive His love from the clients I have spoken to. Buying cards and stickers to send to a little girl in Kenya, "leaking." Telling others about the precious 8 year old I am going to hug in June - "leaking." Sitting back and looking at how important my church family is to me - "leaking."

OK, that is all

Have a blessed week, ya'll!

Jump In and SERVE

My Pastor and friend posted this challenge in his blog today:

You can acknowledge the fact that your church IS NOT perfect, but be glad God has given you a church family.  And you can jump in and LEAD … jump in and SERVE … be a part of the SOLUTION, not a perpetuator of the PROBLEM.  There are problems in every church.  The Lord KNOWS Ebenezer has it’s share of problems!  Why are there problems in every church?  Because NO CHURCH IS PERFECT.  Every church is made up of imperfect people.  So, you can ask God “Where can I make a difference?” and when He shows you, jump in and MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  Part of the SOLUTION, not a perpetuation of the PROBLEM.  Which will you be?

I choose SERVE. We can't all make a difference in the same way. What we do is go to the Word and PRAY. God will show us where and how He wants us to serve. I would have never in a million years dreamed of going to Africa to share God's love. South America, sure; NY, New Orleans, California, Florence - bring it on. But God hand picked me to go to AFRICA. Justin can tell you that I often text him with "My heart is not right enough to do this, I think I made a mistake, I don't think I am suppose to go, I can't raise that much money." And 10 out of 10 times I get reminded that I can't do this. But God can. 

Bible study that I signed up for months ago begins, I go by my book and on the About the Study Page I read, "the Book of James and its many themes. Among them is his clear and blunt call to a faith that shows itself through Christians serving the poor, the widowed, and then orphaned." HELLO - coincidence? I think not. At a meeting we were reminded of the verse that Mattaw was founded on, Isiah 61:3b (Message) "Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory."  The very name Mattaw is the English spelling of the Hebrew name for garden or planting.  The first week of out study we reminded in Luke to grow strong and wise with grace of God, and to grow in wisdom and stature with favor of God. OK, Justin was right and God is getting my heart ready for this experience. OR maybe getting ready will be the experience for me, I know it has been so far. 

So, maybe you aren't called to serve in Africa, Georgia, Honduras, or even Florence. But you can pray for your church family members. You don't have to go out of your way to support them, but don't go out of your way to be negative about what God is calling them to do in their life either. Don't understand why anyone would want to do this, why we are going so far away....I don't understand why people like beets. Evidently that is not for me to understand, but I'm glad Mimi likes them and enjoys them. Thank God we are all different and all called to do different things to the Glory of God. Just ask Him, He will show you to where you are suppose to be. And you never know, you may end up in a children's village half way around the world one day.

and the award goes to...

and the award goes to....

I have been given a coveted Blog Award.  I would like to thank my friends for your support and encouragement.

Ok, now let's get serious....a friend of mine sent this "award" to me and I thought it looked like fun. 

Here are THE rules:
1. Thank the person(s) who gave this award to you.
2. List 7 things that people may not know about you.
3. Pass it on to 15 other bloggers

Jessica, I don't really know how to put into words what you have come to mean to me. You accept and love unconditionally. You are an eloquent writer, wonderful mom, and great friend.  I thank God, and Tory, for putting us together. Sometimes I sit back and laugh at the way you can bring our group back into focus (it rather reminds me of herding cats at times). I treasure the day I stepped into the classroom full of Beloved Beauties.

7 Things people may not know about me

1. 1. My uncle played guitar with Bruce Sprinsteen, but decided to get married instead of stay with the E-Street band.
2. I have been bitten by a duck (or is it pecked)
3. I had no idea vegetables came in a can until we moved to SC
4. I used to drive to Hartsville everyday to ride horses
5. My son and I were baptized together in November 2010
6. Was offered a job at the Charlotte Airport right out of high-school as a translator
7. Have tactile issues with clothes

I don't know 15 other bloggers

Being Perfect

In this time before my mission trip I know God is molding me to be what He needs to use me in Kenya. I also know this has nothing to do with my physical appearance. I had a great experience in May in finding, and wearing a wig. However, in the 7 months since then, I have realized the following

1. Wigs are hot
2. Wigs are expensive
3. Wigs squeeze your head
4. Wigs fly off if they are not squeezing your head
5. Wigs are itchy

I am not a "girly" girl. Never have been. The wig for me was not to feel "girly" but I thought it would make me feel normal. Well, after these 7 months I feel more normal with it off. Now comes the worrying if people will accept me, make fun of me, laugh at me. Will I now, not feel like a woman? On facebook, of all places, I see a page for Bald Barbie. Awareness for women that are hairless for whatever reason. Love it! So then I start thinking. Is the Wig how I really am? No. Will I still wear one, sure. Just not all the time.

January at ACS is extremely exhausting (thank goodness people only close their books once a year). We are now at the end of week 2. I woke up this morning thinking, "I cannot wear the head squeezer to work today." So I showered, got dressed, put my hair in my backpack, and left the house. I stopped at our church (they have prayer breakfast on Fridays for the youth) and got some church family loving and no one laughed or pointed or anything.

OK, on to work! And no one laughed, or pointed, or anything. Then I opened my email and found my Proverbs 31 Ministry Encouragement for Today - Being Perfect. God sent me just what I needed today!  I love how He does that.  I am perfect to God, because He made me. Doesn't matter how fluffy I am or the lack of hair. He created me to do his work, so I am perfect, perfect for sharing the love of God with others!

New Year, New Me

I have prayed that I am going to Kenya for the right reasons. I have also prayed that have a servants heart.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to read the entire Bible by 12/31/12. As I have been reading the last 5 days God has really spoken to me. I realized that if I spent 1/10 of the time in the Word that I spend on social media, I would have one amazing relationship with Him. I see notes I have jotted in my Bible....pray for God's agenda, not mine," "give me a servant's heart." Then I see underlined, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have...1Peter 3:15.

OK, He is showing me the way! Spend more time in the Word. Don't just read the words to say you have read them. Let the words change you. So I have decided to cut back on "cloud time" and spend more with my Lord. He is preparing me for the greatest adventure of my life this summer. Paige said to be flexible, God will mold us into what He needs before we leave. Please keep me and everyone in our group in your prayers in the coming months as we are "molded" into the messengers we need to be to spread the love of God.

Happy New Year Ya'll

Was blessed to spend New Year's Eve with friends that Chris and I have had for over 23 years. Most of the group came as Chris' package deal when we started dating. For years and years we would spend every New Year's Eve together at the beach. No matter where we were with work, school, life, we would all make the trip to Surfside Beach and spend New Year's together. Then came more marriages and children. The beach house was sold, people move away....

But this year several of us were able to spend it together again. We talked and laughed about the New Year's of the past. Thanked God we are still alive and never arrested (propane tank on the beach). Our children all got along as if they were already friends and understood the bond we all have with each other.

And then came the cannon. I guess I should mention that one of the group activities used to be to see what could be blown up or shot with the most "show."  All of these 40 something  year old men were running around like the teenagers planning, loading, and shooting the cannon. Again, I thank God no one got hurt and we weren't arrested. Fun was had by everyone from 3yrs old on up!  It's like we just picked back up from the last time we were with these friends. I am so happy we were invited. The only down side was I am not used to staying up or out until 1:30 in the morning.

The New Year begins and I am with my husband, son, and good friends...great start to 2012! I am so looking forward to see how God uses me this year. He has big dreams for me and I look forward to the changes in my life and the lives of others that will take place in 2012! Happy New Year Ya'll