It's Thursday. I have been in Rogers over a week now! Where has this past week gone??? It flew by. I have had the chance to get so much accomplished and to have many meetings with people to see where God is taking us in this new season of serving.
Monday was a holiday and I felt strange not pushing and pushing to get things done. But I ended up allowing God to lead in my activities (He closed a few doors) and got some nice rest, had lunch with Nana Ruth, found a clearance chair for my office (yay) and spent time on communication (phone, email and facebook).
Tuesday, Wednesday and today have been full of meeting with people. I love this part of my 'job'. My office is pretty much set up. I decided to put some things I had in my nyc apartment in the office, instead of just leaving them in boxes. It's simple and cozy. It reminds me of working from the apartment the last 6 months I was in nyc. I have a visitor's chair for guests and my special tea chest (a gift from a dear friend) filled with various flavors of tea. Just ready for people to stop in for a meeting, prayer or just to chat. (If you are familiar with FBC Rogers facility, I am located off of the game room at the ROC) Feel free to stop in and say hi. Of course, I'm out of the office quite a bit as I meet with people in places that are most convenient to them. But when I'm in, I hope you find my digs hospitable.
I got my hair cut today at lunch. It was amazing that I got there in about 5 minutes. It took me 1 hour and 2 buses to get across town to Allison in nyc. I said a little prayer for Allison today as I thought of her. Sweet memories. Anyway, Carolyn and I had a great time of chatting and getting to know one another. And I love the way she did my hair. Short, simple, no fuss. ahhh.
This evening is the Medical Clinic here at the church. I'm going to stop by for a while. I have missed all the volunteers a lot while I was gone. It's hard to believe that it's been going for all these years. God has really blessed us with the opportunity to touch the lives of the people who call upon the clinic. I'm so thankful for the dedicated volunteers who come to work there. God uses all kinds of opportunities. Sometimes big and flashy. Sometimes small and simple. He knows best which circumstance needs to be in place for which people. It's all important and all essential to His work when He is the one in control.
I've had a few days of yucky health. My liver is trying to rebel, but it's not going to keep me down!! I'm praying about which doctor to start seeing since I'm back in Rogers. Also, I picked up a few more healthy (natural and organic) foods today. I've been really physically tired this week and I think it's all related to my liver. I'm just taking it easy and going to bed early. (maybe my body is in shock from the early bedtime!!) I do appreciate your prayers as I continue to learn how to take care of this carcass. :)
I've been in touch with people from nyc. I love being able to email, text and facebook them. It's like I'm still there sometimes. I have caught myself thinking about going to a restaurant or shop or juice place or something and then remembering that I don't live there. I'll figure it all out one of these days. (of course, about the time I figure anything out, the rapture will happen and I won't have to keep track of where I live any longer! woohoo!)
Well, better scoot over to the Medical Clinic and lend a hand.
More people to see! yay!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
May 24, 2009
Sunday afternoon. It's been a good weekend so far. Very restful. I don't quite know what to do with myself in this laid-back land.
Friday, I worked on unpacking boxes and setting up my office a little. I had the help of my friend Joe. I got to have lunch at Number 1 Buffet, one of my favs in Rogers. Also got the chance to shop in a little 'everything' kind of store. Spent a whole $1.00!!
I've been able to fit a small nap in each day. My body is in 'healing mode' since I'm here in a more relaxed mode. I'm sleeping well, also. Rogers is so good for my health. :)
This morning was a really nice time of worship. Bro Wes got in at 2am this morning from 20+ hours of travel back from a mission trip to Nicaragua. He did a good job of preaching and letting God speak through him. I know he had to be so very tired. It was great getting to see so many people in the halls. Hugs and smiles all around!
This afternoon I took some things over to Deanna's house, where I will be living. I get the use of a bedroom (with 2 whole closets!!!), a bathroom of my own, and a den with a sofa and tv. I also get to use the rest of the house, including a REAL kitchen and laundry room, living room, dining room, fenced in backyard and part of the garage. I just can't believe how gracious Deanna is and how God is providing for me. I met Jet - the dog, Lucy Alice - the cat, and the 4 fish in the outdoor pond/fountain. Deanna says I can use her sewing machine - yay!! I just can't ask for more. I am so blessed!!! Also, I decided to name the car Chariot. (I'm known for naming vehicles) Everyone has been so kind to me. It makes me want to be even more loving to others...
It's been very interesting experiencing all of the emotions and revelations from God as He has brought me here to serve. He has grown me in so many areas. He has deepened my faith and strengthened my obedience. It's like He has added vivid color to black and white or watercolor views that I had before. I feel that anywhere I live will be temporary, but 'home' for as long as He has me there. I feel that every moment is special and should not be wasted or taken for granted. Every encounter and relationship should be cherished and explored and nurtured. The less I try to hang on to things for security, the more God provides for me, both physically and emotionally. My living expenses are markedly less than living in nyc. However, I am still living on donations and pledges, and have a lot of catching up to do with taxes for 2008. So I will still be living on a very tight budget, but He is providing for me in many special ways. I am so thankful to everyone who continues to support me financially. And even more appreciative to those who often lift me in prayer. Thank you!
The less that I am in control, the more trusting I am in Him. I love this growth He is doing in me.
I am looking so forward to meeting with people and see where God is working and how we can all be involved. God is in the relationship business and I love being a little helper. I am very thankful that God is allowing me to experience these 'seasons' of serving in my life. I am so blessed!
Friday, I worked on unpacking boxes and setting up my office a little. I had the help of my friend Joe. I got to have lunch at Number 1 Buffet, one of my favs in Rogers. Also got the chance to shop in a little 'everything' kind of store. Spent a whole $1.00!!
I've been able to fit a small nap in each day. My body is in 'healing mode' since I'm here in a more relaxed mode. I'm sleeping well, also. Rogers is so good for my health. :)
This morning was a really nice time of worship. Bro Wes got in at 2am this morning from 20+ hours of travel back from a mission trip to Nicaragua. He did a good job of preaching and letting God speak through him. I know he had to be so very tired. It was great getting to see so many people in the halls. Hugs and smiles all around!
This afternoon I took some things over to Deanna's house, where I will be living. I get the use of a bedroom (with 2 whole closets!!!), a bathroom of my own, and a den with a sofa and tv. I also get to use the rest of the house, including a REAL kitchen and laundry room, living room, dining room, fenced in backyard and part of the garage. I just can't believe how gracious Deanna is and how God is providing for me. I met Jet - the dog, Lucy Alice - the cat, and the 4 fish in the outdoor pond/fountain. Deanna says I can use her sewing machine - yay!! I just can't ask for more. I am so blessed!!! Also, I decided to name the car Chariot. (I'm known for naming vehicles) Everyone has been so kind to me. It makes me want to be even more loving to others...
It's been very interesting experiencing all of the emotions and revelations from God as He has brought me here to serve. He has grown me in so many areas. He has deepened my faith and strengthened my obedience. It's like He has added vivid color to black and white or watercolor views that I had before. I feel that anywhere I live will be temporary, but 'home' for as long as He has me there. I feel that every moment is special and should not be wasted or taken for granted. Every encounter and relationship should be cherished and explored and nurtured. The less I try to hang on to things for security, the more God provides for me, both physically and emotionally. My living expenses are markedly less than living in nyc. However, I am still living on donations and pledges, and have a lot of catching up to do with taxes for 2008. So I will still be living on a very tight budget, but He is providing for me in many special ways. I am so thankful to everyone who continues to support me financially. And even more appreciative to those who often lift me in prayer. Thank you!
The less that I am in control, the more trusting I am in Him. I love this growth He is doing in me.
I am looking so forward to meeting with people and see where God is working and how we can all be involved. God is in the relationship business and I love being a little helper. I am very thankful that God is allowing me to experience these 'seasons' of serving in my life. I am so blessed!
Friday, May 22, 2009
May 22, 2009
I flew from NYC to Rogers AR on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. This was a milestone in my life and a huge transition geographically, physically and emotionally. God's plans and grace and mercy were evident in many ways. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be obedient to Him. It's not always easy, but it's always right.
So many people were praying for my flight. It was amazing. I felt such a calm. My plane circled NYC after takeoff and I was able to get a wonderful view of the city. I could actually make out Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side, which is just a block from my apartment. It was a nice way to say goodbye. That was truly a 'God thing' and such a blessing to me.
The planned 4 hour flight actually got into DFW an hour early so a short layover ended up being long enough for me to grab some lunch before my final flight to Northwest Arkansas. The short 46 minute flight to XNA was the same as many of the subway rides I took just to get across the city on some days. The circumstances around an amount of time can be so different. God is the creator and holder of time, and it is amazing sometimes to see what He can do with it.
I arrived at my friend Nana Ruth's apartment and was accidentally locked out. It was a beautiful day and I just sat on the steps, surrounded by my luggage and wrote in my journal. It was just the way I had started my day in NYC. It all seems surreal sometimes. It all makes me so aware of how much God is in control of our lives. He can give us the most awesome experiences. It's hard to believe that He would care enough about me to have every second of my life on His mind. It's amazing and humbling. I'm so thankful for the times He allows me to sit and really think about things like that.
Wednesday night was filled with a quick dinner out with Nana Ruth and an early bedtime. It was such a long day (up very early, physical travel, emotional ups and downs, excitement) and I slept like a baby! It's so quiet here compared to the background hum of the city noise.
Thursday, I spent at the church in a couple of meetings, gathering information and doing some recon work on getting up my office. I got to grab a quick nap before Nana Ruth got home and then we went to pick up the borrowed vehicle that the Eaton family have so graciously allowed me to use. I'm famous for naming vehicles and I'm calling this one the Chariot. I am blessed beyond words by this wonderful gesture. I made my first Walmart stop to pick up some food, personal items and stuff for the office. What a treat to walk through a store with wide aisles, pushing a shopping cart and finding cheap prices!!!
Today, I worked on unpacking boxes and fixing up my office, with the help of my friend Joe (who was a great help and good company). I love my little office. It's small, plain and shows signs of being well used in the past. A lot like the spaces in NYC. I'm putting it together with odds and ends of furniture and some personal items of my own. It's going to be a great place to work, pray and visit with all the people I'll be networking with. I'm very thankful.
In some ways it seems that I never left here or spent 2 years in NYC or experienced all that has come my way in the last few years. But in other ways, it's evident that something has happened in my life since I was last living here. I see a growth in me as a person and as a Christian. I am so thankful for the opportunity to love God more deeply, seek Him more diligently, share Him more boldly, follow Him more obediently, and experience Him more intimately. I love where I am in my walk with Him. And I'm so excited for what He is bringing into my life for my near and continued future. There is so much to be done for His kingdom and He is so worthy to be honored and praised and obeyed.
So many people were praying for my flight. It was amazing. I felt such a calm. My plane circled NYC after takeoff and I was able to get a wonderful view of the city. I could actually make out Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side, which is just a block from my apartment. It was a nice way to say goodbye. That was truly a 'God thing' and such a blessing to me.
The planned 4 hour flight actually got into DFW an hour early so a short layover ended up being long enough for me to grab some lunch before my final flight to Northwest Arkansas. The short 46 minute flight to XNA was the same as many of the subway rides I took just to get across the city on some days. The circumstances around an amount of time can be so different. God is the creator and holder of time, and it is amazing sometimes to see what He can do with it.
I arrived at my friend Nana Ruth's apartment and was accidentally locked out. It was a beautiful day and I just sat on the steps, surrounded by my luggage and wrote in my journal. It was just the way I had started my day in NYC. It all seems surreal sometimes. It all makes me so aware of how much God is in control of our lives. He can give us the most awesome experiences. It's hard to believe that He would care enough about me to have every second of my life on His mind. It's amazing and humbling. I'm so thankful for the times He allows me to sit and really think about things like that.
Wednesday night was filled with a quick dinner out with Nana Ruth and an early bedtime. It was such a long day (up very early, physical travel, emotional ups and downs, excitement) and I slept like a baby! It's so quiet here compared to the background hum of the city noise.
Thursday, I spent at the church in a couple of meetings, gathering information and doing some recon work on getting up my office. I got to grab a quick nap before Nana Ruth got home and then we went to pick up the borrowed vehicle that the Eaton family have so graciously allowed me to use. I'm famous for naming vehicles and I'm calling this one the Chariot. I am blessed beyond words by this wonderful gesture. I made my first Walmart stop to pick up some food, personal items and stuff for the office. What a treat to walk through a store with wide aisles, pushing a shopping cart and finding cheap prices!!!
Today, I worked on unpacking boxes and fixing up my office, with the help of my friend Joe (who was a great help and good company). I love my little office. It's small, plain and shows signs of being well used in the past. A lot like the spaces in NYC. I'm putting it together with odds and ends of furniture and some personal items of my own. It's going to be a great place to work, pray and visit with all the people I'll be networking with. I'm very thankful.
In some ways it seems that I never left here or spent 2 years in NYC or experienced all that has come my way in the last few years. But in other ways, it's evident that something has happened in my life since I was last living here. I see a growth in me as a person and as a Christian. I am so thankful for the opportunity to love God more deeply, seek Him more diligently, share Him more boldly, follow Him more obediently, and experience Him more intimately. I love where I am in my walk with Him. And I'm so excited for what He is bringing into my life for my near and continued future. There is so much to be done for His kingdom and He is so worthy to be honored and praised and obeyed.
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