Saturday, January 30, 2010

It's the end of January. That went fast!

Back to cold weather and lots of snow this weekend. It sure is pretty. Tomorrow I will venture out for church, but otherwise I've stayed inside, just because I could. :) I'm getting soft living back in the burbs!

My home church (FBC Rogers) has sent its first team over to Haiti. Doctors and nurses and other medical people. It's amazing that we can see pics of them at work. We take so much for granted. It's wonderful to see the pics and feel closer to those we are praying for.

The Maiers opened up their home and hosted moms and kids from their neighborhood to put together some packets to send to the kids in Haiti. I was lucky enough to get to help a little bit. It was fun. Candy, gum, salvation bracelets, stickers, hand made cards, small toys and ribbons for girls' hair went into the little bags. John took the bags with him to Haiti. He gave them out and they were a big hit with the kiddos. He posted a pic of some of the girls with ribbons in their hair and a boy holding a small stuffed animal. Something so simple to do can give a feeling of caring and hope. Mary Claire was sweet enough to share a message from John and a pic of him and some of the kids with those who went to her house to help with the packets. A way to connect the dots of people across the world and across vast differences in circumstances. God has so many pieces to His grand plan. (follow the Haiti team by visiting FBC Rogers on facebook)

I start next week on a new 10 week workout program at the Adult Wellness Center. I've been walking there about 5 times a week. Now I will start a 5 day workout which will include 3 days of cardio workouts and 2 days of working out on the machines. I think it will kick my behind, but I'm ready for it!! (although I feel like a slug after 2 days of being snowed in and sitting around on the computer most of the time!)

I've had to make some difficult choices lately due to time management. There is so much of God's gift of life to live, but it doesn't all fit together at the same time. After some soul searching and lots of prayer, I felt that I needed to let go of the Precept Bible Study I had started a few weeks ago and use the time that would have been spent in class and the hours spent studying each week on serving with Cuerpo Vivo and immersing myself in the Spanish studies. I already miss the Precept class and getting together with the ladies and sharing what God reveals to each of us from the same Scripture. But I know that this choice is what He plans for me right now. It has made such a difference in my mind retaining new vocabulary and deepening relationships with some of the folks from Cuerpo Vivo. I have a less time-consuming Bible study to work on by myself for now. I'm enjoying it. And I'm spending more time each day hitting the Spanish books. I feel like I'm able to jump in to language study with both feet. Pray for me people!!!

Due to the weather, FBC Rogers will have 1 service instead of 3 and all other activities will be cancelled for tomorrow. Since the 1 service will be at the same time as the Cuerpo Vivo service, I'll only get to go to one. Spanish service it is!

It's really been moving to hear about all the teams from so many churches going to Haiti to serve. FBCR will send 3 more teams between now and the end of March. Some of my friends around the country have mentioned that people have went from their churches, too. Something like this shows the true meaning of 'Kingdom' work and Believers reaching across religious denominations and man-made boundaries to minister to others in the name of Christ alone.

This is God's world and His creation. His power and love are beyond our comprehension. We all should fall on our faces in awe and reverence and adoration of His sovereignty. I want to remember this first thing every morning and the last thing every night. Oh, how I love my God.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Weather in the 50's and 60's. Running around without a coat on in January. Just a week after minus 0 nights. crazy


My cold is finally gone and I'm feeling good! I started back to walking at the Adult Wellness Center. I'm going Saturday to have a trainer put me on a workout program with the machines. I need to get in shape for the mission trip to Nicaragua in March. That's my short-term goal. Then there's summer and so on... My first choice in walking is to walk outside in the fresh air. But I do like to walk at the Wellness Center when it's too cold or nasty outside. I enjoy seeing people from church there.


I was working on some email maintenence today and was reminiscing about friends from many states that God has blessed me with. Sometimes we get so busy getting from day to day that we need times of reflection to really appreciate moments.


I've had a good week so far. Good Spanish class and Bible Study, a couple of productive meetings, lunches with some friends, friends over for a Pampered Chef party, and it's only Wednesday! A couple more lunches, a few more meetings, a lot more hours on the computer in the quiet of my den, workouts, and studying. I love my life!


There are so many things to be praying about concerning Haiti. So many people dead and missing and hurt and homeless. I went on a junior high mission trip there in the early 70's and I remember how poor the people were during regular circumstances. I just can't imagine the devestation and chaos and feeling of hopelessness. God can and will be exalted and honored through this wild time. People will look to Him for comfort and answers. Christians and non-believers alike will be drawn to respond to help. Not only will be people be comforted, but Christians will be able to minister to the hurting and to the lost volunteers as well. So many layers of God at work.


A few doctors from FBCR are going to help next week, along with one of our pastors and some people I know from Central Baptist in Jonesboro. It's wonderful to see doctors sacrificing time away from their practices to travel to a very unsafe place to work in tandem with other medical personnel. My respect and prayers go with them. This will be a long, difficult journey involving many people. There is a lot of prayer coverage needed. Our God is bigger than all of this and He is worthy of praise for His sovereignty, no matter the circumstances.


Jet went to the groomer's today. It's not his favorite thing by a long shot! When he gets close to the door to the grooming area, he hits the deck! All four feet go out from under him and he hugs the floor with his belly. He doesn't enjoy baths and especially doesn't like to have his paws trimmed and nails clipped. It's quite tramatic for him and he is always very tired when he gets home. He was so glad to see Deanna and me walk in. He's such a gentleman in all circumstances and his balking wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't so big and heavy. But he smells sweet now and he's soft and shiny and is getting lots and lots of hugs and scratching tonight.


I want my spirit to be shiny and clean and fresh and sweet. I need to spend more time in the Word to allow my life to be filled with God's sweet grace. I want my heart to feel clean and renewed and refreshed. I need to quit balking at the things that take time and energy and discipline and I need to be willing to commit to what God asks of me so that I can be the person He is constantly creating me to be.

Monday, January 11, 2010

People are thawing out now. It was in the 40's today. Quite a heat wave after the single digit highs of last week. Having the sun shine always makes the day better even when it's cold.

I worked from home Thursday, Friday and Saturday and got so much done. It's so quiet that I get focused and time flies by. I love having my new printer. Just $25 on Black Friday. It was worth getting up early and the scar on my foot from the display. :)

I started studying the Isaiah Precept Bible Study this week. It's going to be really good. I especially love the discussion time we have each week. Tomorrow is day 1. Can't wait!

I finished the book by Francis Chan, Crazy Love. It was really convicting and challenging. It encourages being simply and totally sold out for God. I love being able to live a life that is more stripped from a lot of the 'worldly' things and just plain simple.

I finally got to see pics of my new great-nephew, Colten. He's a cutie! I heard him squeaking in the background while talking to my sister on the phone today. I was told that he doesn't know his nights from days yet. But I think it's a conspiracy by all babies just to show Mama who is boss. I sent him some cute little socks today. I wish I could hold him.

Our staff meeting today covered calendar events through October. There's a lot that goes on in the church. It was interesting when we got to the months that we will probably be moving equipment to the new building. I haven't been to the new building for a tour yet, but I hear the construction is coming along nicely. The way time flies, we'll be moved over there before we know it.

Kids went back to school today after being out an extra week due to the bad weather last week. I know they will regret that extension come June when there's an extra week of school. Judging from Facebook posts, it looked like some mothers were ready for the kids to get back to school. I think cabin-fever was hitting everyone.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the people that lived on the streets in nyc while I was living there. Even if they had a bed to sleep in at night, a lot of them spent their days on the streets or going between day shelters. I remember some days being really cold and I would think about not getting out to serve at the shelters and soup kitchens. But then I thought about those people who were spending hours every day in the weather and I was quickly humbled and on my way out the door. I pray that I never get too complacent that I think a little discomfort for me is a big deal. I pray that God will keep those people in real need on my mind and in my prayers. I also pray for God to show me ways to serve these people in His plan. And I'm so thankful when He does.

There are so many ways to touch someone else's life. I just want to be open enough to sense God leading me to 'who' and 'how' He plans for me to share Him. Please pray that for me. (and for yourself, too)

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

It's been over a week since the last post, but I thought for sure that I had written one, evidently not. Let's see, what all has happened...

New Year's Eve was nice. I got some work done at the church and then ran errands and went to the store for some items to make 'healthy junk food' for Deanna and I to celebrate New Years. We had home-made guacamole, low-fat spinach & artichoke dip, and other stuff. Yum!! Then we were both in bed early. ha! The last time I remember looking at the bedroom clock, it was 10 minutes till midnight. I couldn't even make it those last 10 minutes. oh well...

On New Year's Day, we worked on the kitchen pantry, which I have been threatening to attack for months. After about 5 hours, we were finished and the pantry looks great. We even found tons of food that we didn't know was in there! It looks like a little market now. It will be so much nicer to fix meals now that we can find everything. I need those 'pantry' days for my heart and mind sometimes. A good cleaning out and organizing of thoughts and feelings would do me good often.

The weather on Sunday was pretty snowy and cold. It was fun driving to church. It reminded me of living in Indiana and driving in snow many winters. The attendence at church was low (understandably) but the message was really good, and then the service for Cuerpo Vivo was cancelled. I was home by noon instead of 2pm. I put on my jammies and fixed lunch and took a nap! What a great day!

Monday, I got up at 4am to get ready for a road trip to Little Rock with Becca and little Phillip. We left Rogers around 6am and drove very slowly on the slick roads. It took twice as long to get to Alma, but with the exception of a bad patch near Russellville (where vehicles slid off the road and we even called the police about one fresh accident) the roads were better the rest of the way to Little Rock. We made it to Children's Hospital just a little late for Phillip's first appointment. One of the ladies there said she expected us to cancel since we were coming from NWArkansas where the roads were so bad. We felt good about the trip and had lots of prayer cover, so of course, we would show up!

Phillip had a great consult and test and we were on our way to the McKnight's house by lunch time. We enjoyed some very yummy roasted veggie sandwiches from Mimi's. We rested for the remainder of the day and had a nice dinner with Bill and Connie. I had grabbed about a 5 minute snooze in the waiting room at the hospital, so I was feeling pretty good. Poor Becca was so tired. She grabbed a nap while Connie cooked and I played with Phillip. Later that evening, we girls had fun just gabbing (and solving all of the problems of the world-ha) and then it was lights out. Everyone seemed to sleep really well and we felt good Tuesday morning.

Tuesday was filled with 2 more Dr visits at ACH, which were great!, and then we picked up Connie and our stuff and started for NWA about 1pm. The roads were clear all the way home and we made it back by 4:30-ish. It was a fun trip and I'm glad that I got to go. And it was great to hear about the great reports from Phillip's doctors!

Today I went to the church for my weekly meeting with John. It's funny that we spend the first few minutes talking about what new apps we have found for our phones. His suggestions have been very helpful. We had a very productive meeting. I like those kind. I did a little catching up on things at the church and then ran errands and got some shopping done before the winter storm that's supposed to come tonight. I was blessed to be able to pick up some things for a friend to make her day a little easier. I also got a call about providing a coat for someone in need and headed back out to the other Walmart and then delivered the coat. I love errands like that.

I'm looking forward to a couple of good days of working in my den. There's lots of planning and prepping to be done on some projects for spring and I'm looking forward to getting a lot accomplished.

I also picked up the study book for the next Precept Bible Study that starts next week. It's big and meaty and I can't wait!!

Something funny happened at Walmart today. I was looking at a soup display and all of a sudden someone rammed into my cart. I looked up and there stood Bro Tommy with a mischievous grin on his face. He's such a rascal sometimes. :)

My second great-nephew was born after midnight this morning in Indiana. I wish I could see that cute little guy. I can't wait to see some pics.

I'm reading a great book by Francis Chan titled Crazy Love. It is so good. I love simple, down to earth books about faith. This one can be 'in your face' and is really convicting. I recommend it highly.

I'm enjoying my quest to know God on a simpler and deeper level. I want to cut through all the fluff and distractions of this world and just listen to Him and grow in Him and share Him. And I'm going to enjoy the journey.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The last few days have been graciously quiet and simple. Sunday at church was simple in both services (Anglo and Hispanic). Many people were out of town for Christmas and the weather was really cold. It was a great day for a nap. I laid down at 3pm and didn't wake up til 6!! But I still was in bed relatively early that night. It felt good to relax and rest.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of working with some great volunteers who helped me sort and organize a lot of stuff in the Missions Office. It would have taken at least all day for me to do it myself. It only took a couple of hours with the volunteers. I was blessed to have them there! I got to take a late afternoon nap on Monday, too, and slept for another 2 1/2 hours. I must be getting old and worn out! ha

Today I was blessed to get to run some errands and do some chores and then walk at the Wellness Center (what a great place! glad I'm over 50 so I qualify to join!) and then have lunch with my friend Zandra. While I was in Pea Ridge to meet Z, I stopped by the pharmacy to have a quick conversation with my friend Michael. I need to get together with him and Vickie soon. (yes, his wife's name is Vickie, too, so we call me 'Vickie-not-my-wife'. it sounds funny at first, but it works great) Anyway, it will be good to spend some time with them.

This afternoon I stopped by a consignment store that people have been telling me about and found some wonderful bargains. I decided to use the money I made from cat-sitting on some clothes. It was a nice place. I found some good bargains.

Speaking of the cat... I went by the Breazeale's house the last 3 mornings to feed the cat (Toby) and give her an insulin shot. She is a very docile cat, but she gets under the furniture and you have to fish her out. She doesn't fight you, but you gotta reach her first. The first 2 days I had to move the love seat and coffee table to get to her. On Sunday morning, I had to crawl under the huge Christmas tree (with a very low clearance) where I got a very small touch of her paw. I grabbed her collar and it snapped off. After crawling on my belly like a Marine, I finally reached her and got her out. I was sweaty and had pine needles in my hair, but I won!!! She was sweet and we had no further incidents in feeding her and getting her shot taken care of. Today, I only had to grab her under the sofa, no furniture moving involved, and she came willingly. All in all, it was fun and I enjoyed taking care of her in the mornings.

I made a ton of fudge last week and I've been sharing it with people each day. I put some in jars and decorated the lids to look like snow people wearing ear muffs. They turned out kind of cute. They looked funny on the table all together like a crowd of snowmen. (and the fudge turned out good, too!)

I have a bunch of computer work to do tomorrow, so I'll be working from my little home office. I'm looking forward to checking a lot of items off of my to do list. Can't wait to see how God leads the day.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Ahhhh... a quiet day of relaxing. This week has been very busy and so much fun. I have truly enjoyed this Christmas.

Wednesday was spent finishing up delivering the Angel Tree gifts and Food Boxes. I was blessed to spend more time with the Janes kids while Mom did some last minute shopping and errands. I like hanging out with them. I went to bed early again. I'm getting too old for all these reindeer games at Christmas!

Thursday morning, I got up early and hit Walmart one last time. It was very pleasant to get there before the crowds descended. I got to spend some time with Sarah and be her personal elf. I wanted to get to Springdale and back before the weather got too bad. It sure changed quickly from one day to the next. Earlier in the week I wasn't even wearing a coat!

I came home Thursday afternoon and made some cranberry relish salad and some more fudge. I ended up making 36 pounds of fudge this year. It's so easy and I have so much fun trying different variations. It seemed to be a big hit with everyone. I like to taste it, and then I'm done. I'd rather pig out on savory stuff. But, it might be dangerous to have extra fudge around the house. Deanna has already called me a temptress since she is a fudge-aholic. I'll take some to church on Monday and tempt the staff.

Christmas morning was nice. I gave Deanna a snuggie with Arkansas Razorbacks all over it. Now she can root for the Hogs and still be warm! Deanna and I had a quiet morning and I cleaned up the fudgy mess in the kitchen. I had left about 8 batches to dry and needed to cut and bag it. Deanna finished cleaning house to get ready for company for the evening. Bryon and his 3 youngest kids came over for lunch. They were late and Deanna was starving. We almost started without them! After lunch, they went to Karyn's for awhile and we had a little more quiet time here.

Christmas evening was filled with lots of people and pets and food and fun. We had snack food and played 'dirty Santa' with some interesting gifts. We had 22 people, 5 dogs, 1 cat and 2 rats (yes, someone brought their pet rats to Grandma's house). But no partridge-in-a-peartree. I ended up with a car emergency kit as my dirty Santa gift. I really liked it. I also received an ice-scraper glove, too, so I'm ready for the road! A Haynie cousin was gracious enough to give me the gift box that her gift came in. The box is round and has the word JOY on the top. I love it!!

Cora and JD spent the night with us and we all had a quiet morning. It was really cold, but JD wanted to go outside for a while. We wrapped him up in his coat, my gloves, hat, earmuffs and scarf. He looked like a true New Yorker! He was sweet and cleaned off some of the snow from the sidewalk and driveway. Jake and Elaine came to pick up the kids and they all left around 1pm for their 22 hour drive back to Las Vegas. Heidi, their dog, had been staying with us and Jet especially enjoyed having her here. She is such a sweetie.

I took my Christmas decorations down from my 2 rooms. It took all of 10 minutes. Then dusted and straightened up the den. The rest of today was spent just relaxing, playing on the computer and reflecting. It's been a good Christmas.

I have enjoyed so much getting to be a part of the Angel Tree and Food Boxes. That was the best Christmas gift for me! Sharing the love that God gave us through Jesus' birth is the best! God has blessed me so much. I'm truly thankful.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Below is the Christmas Letter that I sent out to prayer partners.

Wishing everyone a great Christmas week!

Joy 2009

Greetings!
It’s hard to believe that 2009 is coming to an end in just a few weeks. It has been a year of many changes and lots of blessings, the fullness that only God can create.

I moved back to Rogers AR in May and began a period of time that included transition as well as service. It was really strange to acclimate myself back to suburbia after living in NYC for 2 years. There was a lot of adjustment on many levels.

It has been great to be working in NWA again. VBS, Mission Rogers Youth week, Back To School Bash, Thanksgiving Meals and Christmas Angel Tree and Holiday Food Baskets have kept me very busy. I have loved working with all the volunteers and getting to know new people and renew friendships. God has truly been faithful in His blessings!

After 12 months of feeling ill and 11 medical tests, a knight in shining armor finally removed my gallbladder in November and I am reveling in good health. I would have loved to have been ‘healed’ sooner, but God knew it would take me a year to really get committed to a healthy lifestyle. I’m thankful for His faithfulness and ready to respect the health He has given me.

God has been stretching and growing me through so many circumstances this year. A great Precept Bible Study, personal Bible studies, inspiring books, new friendships, many ministries to be involved with, Spanish classes, helping with Cuerpo Vivo (Hispanic Church), the promise of new ministry opportunities for next year… It’s been a full year.

I’m so thankful to all who help to support me through money, prayer and love. I’m so honored and humbled to be allowed to serve fulltime as a missionary. It’s my heart’s desire to please Him with every minute of my life and I feel very lucky to be able to do that.

As Christmas approaches, I am giddy as a child and reverent as an angel when I think about Christ’s birth and how important that moment in time is to all mankind and all eternity. I’m filled with joyous songs of celebration and praise.

My prayer for you is to have time to slow down during this season of hustle and bustle, to remember and truly celebrate Christ’s birth, and enjoy family and friends. Sing praises, lift prayers, share love and experience the Joy that God has given us as His children.

Blessings to you, my friends!
Vickie