Truth

Why is it that we find it so much easier to believe the lies that satan throws in front of us? This weekend, I had a chance to explore truth with a friend, to explore the lies that we believe. I find that it is so much easier to believe truth for others and hard to integrate truth into my life. Unfortunately, that means that each day I choose to believe lies over truth, the truth gets harder to believe.

Lord, I have heard Your truth and refused to beleive it in my life. Please help me to hear Your truth and choose to believe it! Please bring people into my life to help me believe. Thank you for revealing yourself to us and for loving us even when we don't believe!

Let It Snow:)

Snow has come once again to Bucuresti, Romania. My roommate tells me it started in the middle of the night, but I can only be sure there is snow on the ground and it is still lightly falling. The city looks so much brighter and cleaner with that thin layer of beauty shrouding the dirtiness beneath. I can't say that I am looking forward to walking on snow or ice, but looking out on the city from the 8th story of my apartment building, it looks beautiful.

Father God, I thank you for your beauty and the world you have created that shares some of that beauty with us. May we turn our eyes to you.

Goodbye

It seems to be the regular pattern here to celebrate the comings and goings. God graciously brought us a number of new teachers and families this year at BCA and others are leaving. A number of our Korean families are leaving mid-year to return to Korea. Another family will be leaving because of medical reasons. It is hard to see dear friends and precious students leave, not knowing when we will meet again. For many, we have the hope that if not on this earth, we will be reunited in heaven. Praise God!

Still

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

Hillsong United
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan

The last two months have been beyond what I could have anticipated. The beginning rush of school just hasn't seemed to end. It is such a blessing to know that I can find rest with Christ-that I know that He is Lord of everything and knows what is right around the corner too!

Satisfied

Am I satisfied with Christ alone? I would like to think that I would be able to honestly reply to that question affirmatively. However, I find myself hesitating. What is it about living in the world that I feel like I need things to hold on to or people to fill my days? If I had to choose between the things of this world or my relationship with God, how trivial the things would seem and yet they hold more allure for me than I wish they did.

God, help me to know that if I have nothing else in this world, that you are enough. May your love, grace, strength, presence, hope, guidance, support, refuge, faithfulness... be more than enough to satisfy me-that I won't turn to anything else, but instead cling to you.

Bland

I think that (bland) is an accurate portrayal of my life in Romania at this time. The city doesn't have much color, the food doesn't have a distinctive taste, and there isn't much spice in my life.

I made my normal trip to the piaţa (market) today to get fruits and vegetables for the week. It was amazing to be surrounded by the sounds, smells, and colors within that space. I had a wonderful time wandering between the booths looking for the best price and quality and enjoyed interacting with the people selling.

As I left the market and journeyed home, I tried to finds bits of color within the city that I maybe hadn't noticed before. There is an apartment building being painted shades of blue (most are still cement colored).

There are flower stands on most corners-freshly stocked today with bright and beautiful flowers.

Our apartment is bright and welcoming as well-what a blessing!

I think also of the laughter last night with dear friends, recounting our summers and last week-the "adventures" that may not have been so funny at the time, but as we looked back, we could see the humor.

On a recommendation from a friend, I made peach jam this afternoon as well and I am looking forward to a new flavor in the fridge.

Last week I learned to Cha-Cha (just in case I might need it). Perhaps this week I will learn the Salsa or re-learn the Waltz. How is it that I had to come to Bucharest to do that:)

It is encouraging to think about the little things that bring light and color into my life-especially as the blandness can be a bit overwhelming at times. It is my prayer that God would continue to open my eyes to the pieces of beauty that He has placed in this country, city, and the lives I interact with each day.

Wounded

There isn't really any other way to describe it. I don't know that you even would have spotted it, unless you chose to look into my eyes. I tried not to let on, didn't want others to know that my heart had been pierced deeply-I wish it wasn't so. I want to be one of those people that isn't bothered by the little things, but I find that I am-that I feel deeply-both the joys and the pain (sorrows). So, my heart is wounded, my confidence shaken, and my eyes downcast. I don't deal with this very well. It isn't a comfortable feeling and yet one that I find I confront more than I want to.

I turn this evening to the Great Physician-for I feel that he alone knows the truth of this wound and can speak truth to bring healing. Perhaps, if it causes me to look into the eyes of my Heavenly Father and seek to listen to what He says about me instead of believing lies, perhaps then being wounded isn't such a bad thing after all. Perhaps some good can come from the cleansing tears and the wounded soul.

Psalm 147:3-5-
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.

Isaiah 61:1-3-
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has appointed me to preach the good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and
release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and
provide for those who grieve in Zion-

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and
a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Filling Station

So, the first things that comes to mind is a gas station-at least in my mind. However in Bucharest this has taken on a new meaning for me...

Along the "canal" that I walk along (fondly called the Dimboviţa) there is a filling station. Trucks stop along here to fill their "tanks"-not with gas, but with water. The purpose: to drive around and "water the streets" before returning to start the process over. Why water the streets? I guess it helps keep the dust down-at least until the water evaporates. This goes on from spring until fall before snow and ice descend on the city.

I was thinking this evening as I walked home that it would be great if we had a place to be refueled. There are many days when I return to my apartment ready for refuge and rest.

As I pondered that, I realized that our "filling station" isn't confined to one location or season. If we long to be filled, God has promised to fill us. How amazing! No canal needed.

Matthew 5:6-Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Romans 15:13-May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 16:11-You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Lord Jesus, please come and fill me with your love, strength, joy, and grace. Thank you for being available-anytime, anywhere.

FROG

Fully Relying on God

After I wrote my last email, I continued to see frogs everywhere-coming up the stairs in a house, inside a car door, clinging to random windows or doors. Somewhere in the midst of life, I lost count, but I didn't lose sight of the message-at least the one for me.

As I worked this summer to raise support, I was certainly asking God for his help, but I know that I was also doing things my way. As the time for my departure neared, it was evident to me that in my strength, I would not be returning to Romania this fall.

Graciously, God "began" (continued) to work and provide for my support needs. In two weeks I watched him blow away my efforts and provide in unexpected ways-beyond what I imagined was possible. As he began providing, I began to allow him to work, relying on His power and strength. My faith grew in ways I might not have chosen, but are necessary.

I wish I could say that I knew it was going to happen, but I only knew that God was able-not whether or not he was going to choose to act on my behalf in that situation in "my timeframe".

It is my prayer that I would continue to rely on God-fully and not allow what I perceive to be great strength in myself to interfere with the plans that God has for me-His timing and location.

How Not to Be a Lutheran

So, in my best attempt to be a Lutheran, I decided to participate in communion the last Sunday I was in Hutchinson. As the ushered up the front rows, I asked my sister to explain what the proper procedure was in this church, I figured I was "ready". It was pretty simple really: You go up, grab a cup, kneel and then the elements are served to you. I didn't think to ask about what to do if there isn't any room to kneel. Why would I need to know that?

Everything went as planned until I went to kneel and there was no room at the end of the row. The one thing I hadn't counted on.

Not knowing what to do, I knelt in the middle where there was room. The bread had already gone by. An observant pastor caught that and brought me a “wafer”. So, needless to say, I was supposed to start a new “row” when that one was served, but in the midst of the moment, I didn’t know what to do.

After church, we had a good laugh! I can only imagine that a few other people did as well!