Women of Faith

I am blessed to have a number of wonderful women of faith in my life. Women who live life dependent on God and seeking his will. I want to share about one particular group of women and the amazing influence they have had in my life.

Seven years ago, I was frustrated at not finding a teaching job, confused about what to do, and looking for an evening Bible study. I asked the coordinator at church about whether there were any options. The only studies for women were during the day--when I hoped I'd be working. So, I was a bit discouraged. I think only a short time later I learned that a group was going to start.

I attended this group with mixed feelings--not really sure what to expect being the youngest member and in a completely different life situation than the others. But, as I shared and listened, God knit our hearts together in an amazing way. At the end of that school year I was working full time and preparing to move to Romania to teach at Bucharest Christian Academy. They prayed with me and sent me off with their love--many of them choosing to support me through prayer and finances.

My expectations were low and I figured that after I'd been gone a few months they would forget about me and our paths would rarely cross. Instead, this amazing group of women continues to keep in close contact with me. They bless me each Christmas with a wonderful package full of fun things from home. Each summer I'm in MN we get together.

Just earlier this week we spent the evening together. I think I laughed more in that one evening than in the previous month. It was wonderful to sit with these amazing women of faith and hear about the work God is doing in their lives. One woman is trusting God as she goes back to school, sitting beside classmates years younger. Another is moving to a new townhouse in preparation for serving overseas. Many are living in the midst of struggles and loss, painful times, and yet you wouldn't guess that by the way they speak or act.

These women have become dear friends and coworkers, encouraging me and refreshing my spirit each time we're together or connect. I left the house that night with an amazing sense of God's presence and love for me shown through the lives of these special women. His care evidenced through their 'hands and feet'.

Twin Cities 'Best Kept Secret'

Maybe it should have been obvious to me during they four years I traveled between Roseville and Lakeville. Logically, there should have been two viable options for traveling the distance. But, somehow I always headed down 35W...and inevitably spent hours of my life sitting in traffic or avoiding road construction. I had come to believe that was the best way available to traverse the distance between the two cities of significance in my life. But, this year I've come across a far better way...35E. I've traveled the distance between Roseville and Lakeville/Burnsville at least 6 times recently and haven't really been stuck in traffic for more than 5 min of the entire commute (even during rush hour). So, I'm a 35E convert.

Horsey ride:)
Enjoying her swingset together.

Rain Check

I stopped by Rainbow Foods this week to pick up a couple items for a friend before some coupons expired. I went to find the right bag of sugar and found the shelf empty (imagine my surprise). There was an employee scanning some products in the aisle so I approached her...

'I'm looking for this coupon item, can you tell me...'
'Rain check,' she replied and walked toward the end of the aisle.

I was a little shocked and confused with the brevity of her response. Yes, I still remember what a rain check is, but was totally lost and confused about where I might find such an item. Was I supposed to follow her or find a service desk or what...
So, I cautiously called to her departing back...

'Um, can you tell me...'
'Service desk or check out'

I'm guessing she wasn't trying to make me feel like an idiot, but truthfully I was 'close' to tears...not knowing how to survive in a world that clearly I am supposed to fit into. It seemed like something so small and insignificant and yet somehow it felt bigger...

Culture Shock?

I've been noticing that there are some significant differences between the public restrooms here in the US compared to those in Romania. It's made me smile so...

-they exist...it's likely that even large stores in RO won't have public bathrooms available
-they're free...yes, sometimes you pay to use them in RO
-cleanliness...this can tend to be questionable in RO
-toilet paper is supplied...I am in the habit of being sure to have kleenex with me and use it more often than not
(I did have to smile as I walked into a bathroom in Caribou earlier this week and found it lacking in toilet paper.)

it's the little things that make the difference....

Horsey and Healing

It was a matter of emergency. Kyle was leaving to go get a last-minute item for our family gathering on Friday and Abigail wasn't about to let him leave without a fuss. Deborah was lying on the couch giving her legs a rest. So, I took the plunge and offered.

I offered a 'horsey/piggy-back ride'. Up until this point I was tentative to use my foot in this way, not wanting to risk stumbling or hurting my foot further while carrying a little one on my back. It was such fun to 'gallop' around the house, distracting Abigail from the departure of her father and hear her laughter in my ears. What a fun way to start the day.

I'm trying to find a picture to share with you:)

Different Worlds

I only traveled 20 hours, but it would seem that I'm in a different world:)

• people leave their houses unlocked--we arrived at my sister's house to find she and Abigail were out shopping but we managed to make our way into the house
• it's quiet--while driving, while sleeping, at any time...it seems so quiet
• people generally obey traffic laws--whether it's the number of lanes or stop signs it all seems so orderly
• I don't feel strange about leaving my purse in my car as I carry groceries into the house
• air conditioning--it's cold
• everyone has a car
• fridges are huge
• church services are shorter and kept within a certain time limit
• hugs--it is fun to be around people that give hugs
• family--most of my family lives in this world so I love to be around them

It's fun to be a part of this world and I'm looking forward to discovering more differences between the two worlds I live in :)

Treasure Chest

Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

I was thinking the other day about this verse...what Mary pondered and treasured. Was it the fact that others were coming to worship her son? Did she ponder how long the shepherds must have traveled in order to arrive in Bethlehem as her son was born? Was she in awe of the new life before her? Did it surprise her that so many people knew of her son? Was she suddenly aware of the ways God was working? Did the realization that the little baby in front of her was the Son of God cause her to pause and be still?

That got me thinking about the things the I've stored in my own 'mental treasure chest'...things that I ponder in the quiet moments.

Some of the things in my treasure chest are not things I'm proud of or would like to have there. Discouraging words or situations often stay in my mind or pop up in the stillness more than I would like. I sometimes wish the good moments of life or the successes would be the ones that came to mind first. I'm working at allowing God to renew my mind so I hear above all the other voices his voice of love.

Ephesians 3:18-19
...may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

There's another treasure chest I cherish. Both electronically and 'physically' I have notes and cards that many people have given me throughout many years. These are words of affirmation and encouragement that I turn to when I'm finding it hard to combat the discouraging thoughts. I'm amazed that God chooses to allow us to so greatly impact the lives of those around us. I hope that I've contributed to the encouragement of many--that my words can be life and hope-giving instead of discouraging. Perhaps they can be words that they can treasure.

Hebrews 10: 24, 25b
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds...but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Wonders of Modern Medicine

I've always known that medical things are generally cheaper here in Romania than in the United States. Today, it was confirmed. I had xrays taken--for $18 (which I have to keep) and purchased an 'orthopedic shoe' for another $24. Can't imagine what that might have cost in the US. Little joys in life:)

Voice of Truth

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I need to be listening to His voice alone--to truth instead of all the other voices competing for my attention. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the sheer number of other voices I hear. Many of them seem right and good-worthwhile to listen to. Some that shouldn't be given any attention or credibility seem to sound the loudest. It's so easy to allow His voice to be drowned out. But that isn't what I want.

Voice of Truth

Casting Crowns

Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me