A new adventure...heading out Into the Field...

At 4am tomorrow (Thursday, October 1), I head off for a new adventure!  I will be traveling with doma international to Ukraine!  This is a new country, a new ministry, and wonderful new friends for me! 

I am excited about the opportunity to love-on and serve the orphans and others that we'll meet.  I am curious about the experiences we'll have, the cross-cultural learning and ministry that will take place, the laughter which will undoubtedly be abundant (especially when I attempt my limited Russian vocab), and the opportunities for personal stretching of faith and comfort.

I can't wait to see how and where God show's up! 

I'm not sure what my internet access will be like, but I'll post updates as I'm able!  You can also stay in touch with us via Julie Clark's blog (she's the founder of doma).

Pray big...believe big...big things happen!

Prayer, Praises, and Miracles

I don't know about you, but I don't spend enough time praying, praising, and expecting miracles. 

Throughout the Bible we are repeatidly told of the importance and power of prayer.  Romans 12:12 says, "Rejoice in home, be patient in tribulation, be in constant prayer."

The Old and New Testaments speak verse after verse of God's people praising Him for the good and the bad times in their lives.  James 5:13 says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise."

We know that He can do and has done miraculous things across not only our lives, but all of history.  Why then should we not have an attitude of expectation that He will continue?

Today I pray for specifically for friends who are experiencing significant health challenges; that the Ultimate Physician might do His work in them.

I give praise for all of the incredible blessings - big and small - that I have been given.

And I ask for, and expect, miracles to take place which will lead to the release from Ukrainian customs the containers we have shipped in order that we can distribute their contents to the orphanages while we're there October 1-11.

Thank you, Lord, that you can do all this and so much more than we could ever think to ask.

Don't Wait - Thrive!

How much of our lives are spent waiting?  Of this, how much is our own self-imposed waiting? Sure, we are supposed to wait for traffic lights to turn green to go, wait until we turn 16 to drive, wait until after dinner to eat dessert...

But how how often do we wait because emotionally (or culturally) we think it is something we are supposed to do?  We think we have to wait until we have more money...until we have a better job...until we're marrried...

Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Where did we get this notion that we're supposed to wait?

"GO".  Not "slow down" or "check back later".

If you are single, or know someone who is, I would like to extend the invitation to attend Thrive '09 - the Ohio Christian Single's Conference on October 16-17, 2009.  Keynote speaker Chris Coppernoll will lead us through the conference theme of Faith, Hope, and Love.  As one who typically runs in the opposite direction of anything labeled "singles", I can tell you that I was very pleasantly surprised when I attended last year.

Interspersed through the conference will be interviews with those who have made the decision not to wait.  But to go and to do.  For those who are interested, there will also be several ministries participating and ready and anxious for you, to get plugged in.  Interesetd in running?  Maybe you'd like to get plugged in with Team Up 4 Orphans.  Do you like coffee, are looking for a fundraiser, or want to serve Honduras?  Then Heart to Honduras may have what you're looking for...

Who knows who you might meet or what you might hear that causes something to click or stir within you?

Won't you join us?  Stop waiting.  Go.  Thrive!

Trust

"And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day's problems; live in vital union with him."

Colossians 2:6