*sigh*
We have yet to inform either of our parents of our intent to enter the mission field. We've told a mere 3 people so far (outside of our small group). Hopefully they've honored our request to keep it to themselves. I'm sure they have, but then again...I'm never really sure. Is that an awful way to think?
Don't worry. We plan on 'spilling the beans' soon. You see, we have to. Our preliminary candidate applications for Africa Inland Mission are sitting in the mailbox, ready to start their journey to New York, where they will be reviewed. I'm still in shock. We actually doing this. We're applying to become missionaries. Actually, we're applying to enter a 2-year program that gives you a "foundation for a lifetime of ministry". I'll get to specifics in another post, 'kay?
All I can imagine right now is how un-okay with it our families will be, should we be accepted. I'm praying that they will find peace in our choice to pursue this opportunity.
Wednesday - August 18, 2010
*BIG sigh*
Today went much better for me and the kids, in case you wanted to make sure I haven't harmed my children after yesterday's post. Spending the day at Grandma and Grandpa "Tanner's" definitely helped!
While we were there, the kids were able to run around with some cousins and have a good old time while Grandma and I canned some potatoes. We (I say we very loosely) were able to can 14 quarts, and only 2 of them didn't seal! Yeah!
I haven't yet done my devotions, so that's where I'm headed. I'm hoping I have my listening ears on so that I continue to experience God-breezes like I did yesterday!
Today went much better for me and the kids, in case you wanted to make sure I haven't harmed my children after yesterday's post. Spending the day at Grandma and Grandpa "Tanner's" definitely helped!
While we were there, the kids were able to run around with some cousins and have a good old time while Grandma and I canned some potatoes. We (I say we very loosely) were able to can 14 quarts, and only 2 of them didn't seal! Yeah!
I haven't yet done my devotions, so that's where I'm headed. I'm hoping I have my listening ears on so that I continue to experience God-breezes like I did yesterday!
Tuesday - August 17, 2010
I had to write this down on here before I head to bed for the night...
I know Josh wants us to go into missions. Specifically, African missions (for now--we'll see where we're led as we go!) I have my reservations, but they've been lessening more and more as we continue to start on this journey. And tonight, tonight I was assured by God that we should be moving forward with this "missions thing" as I've been calling it.
You want to know what happened, don't you? I was reading through a devotion in my bible titled "Imperfect Parents". Oh, boy did that hit the nail on the head today! I've felt out of sorts and cranky and quite honestly, irritated with my kids all day. Estelle spent the day blatantly telling me NO to any task, no matter how small. Zeke decided he's not even partially potty-trained anymore and wet himself twice, along with yet another doozy of a mess for me to clean up after naptime. And Norah. Norah has decided she needs to not only have me in sight, but be in my arms and/or have my FULL attention. Or she fusses. Loudly. Not fun for anybody! Anyway...I'm way off track now! {Sorry!}
The devotion I read talked about how David was imperfect--yet was immensely blessed by God. Thank you, Lord for showing me that even a MAJOR biblical figure has imperfections. Now all I need to do is remind myself of that and then take action to change my attitude (which in turn, changes the kids' attitudes)!
After reading, I started writing in my journal and then decided to look back through some of the previous pages, to see if anything jumped out at me after the rough day I'd had with my own children. There were two phrases, from different pastors, at different churches that BOTH led me to feel that Josh and I are following the Lord's will for our lives, no matter how crazy it seems to those around us:
I know Josh wants us to go into missions. Specifically, African missions (for now--we'll see where we're led as we go!) I have my reservations, but they've been lessening more and more as we continue to start on this journey. And tonight, tonight I was assured by God that we should be moving forward with this "missions thing" as I've been calling it.
You want to know what happened, don't you? I was reading through a devotion in my bible titled "Imperfect Parents". Oh, boy did that hit the nail on the head today! I've felt out of sorts and cranky and quite honestly, irritated with my kids all day. Estelle spent the day blatantly telling me NO to any task, no matter how small. Zeke decided he's not even partially potty-trained anymore and wet himself twice, along with yet another doozy of a mess for me to clean up after naptime. And Norah. Norah has decided she needs to not only have me in sight, but be in my arms and/or have my FULL attention. Or she fusses. Loudly. Not fun for anybody! Anyway...I'm way off track now! {Sorry!}
The devotion I read talked about how David was imperfect--yet was immensely blessed by God. Thank you, Lord for showing me that even a MAJOR biblical figure has imperfections. Now all I need to do is remind myself of that and then take action to change my attitude (which in turn, changes the kids' attitudes)!
After reading, I started writing in my journal and then decided to look back through some of the previous pages, to see if anything jumped out at me after the rough day I'd had with my own children. There were two phrases, from different pastors, at different churches that BOTH led me to feel that Josh and I are following the Lord's will for our lives, no matter how crazy it seems to those around us:
-You have defined yourself short of what God sees you as and wants to do through your life.I was amazed at how connected these two phrases are, and how they calmed my crazy emotions about this crazy adventure we're beginning...I'm definitely attacking that AIM preliminary application tomorrow!
-We are to become the person God chose for us to be, not the person we choose to be.
Monday - August 16, 2010
I've been inspired to start this blog by Rev. Dave Barber, who spoke at the family camp we attended last week in Northern Wisconsin.
He spoke of pursuing God's will in our lives. Talk about hitting the nail on the head! Josh and I have been contemplating entering the mission field, so his message really resonated with us.
As a result, we have decided that we are going to purposefully, intentionally, and earnestly inquire of God as we continue on our journey into the mission field. We are unsure of exactly where we will be led, but we want to be sure that we are following God's leading.
With that said, we are going to do a Daniel fast beginning after Labor Day. It is our hope and our prayer that through this fast (and the prayers that will be prayed throughout it) to hear God in whatever capacity He chooses to speak to us.
He spoke of pursuing God's will in our lives. Talk about hitting the nail on the head! Josh and I have been contemplating entering the mission field, so his message really resonated with us.
As a result, we have decided that we are going to purposefully, intentionally, and earnestly inquire of God as we continue on our journey into the mission field. We are unsure of exactly where we will be led, but we want to be sure that we are following God's leading.
With that said, we are going to do a Daniel fast beginning after Labor Day. It is our hope and our prayer that through this fast (and the prayers that will be prayed throughout it) to hear God in whatever capacity He chooses to speak to us.
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