the typical normal

Hey world!

Feeling mellow today as I am just living this morning in "normal" mode. Went to the grocery store, picked up my daughter from her sleepover, made banana bread for my new neighbor and hanging out with my three children while my husband is at a conference...

Who would have thought that I would have a typical morning and thoroughly enjoy it.

Being a missionary in the USA is so different, but I know I have a ton to learn about it!

uncovered a different life lived

Hard to believe that one year ago, John and I knew we were leaving Jos, Nigeria Africa and started the process of packing up our life once again. Gosh, we were so tired...

Kenny, I loved him so much. He just became reunited with his mother.

But, months later, this now feels like home, Cincinnati, Ohio USA and the process of settling in is over and we are not tired (okay, well maybe on some days). Seeing the days and weeks behind us, I get so nervous that my memories will leave me of the days lived internationally.

Some dear friends that we worked with and rented our home from...

Friendships made, children loved on and a part of the family, ministry moving forward, characters being developed within each of us and the Lord showing me daily a bigger picture of who He is and how He provides for those He loves.

The village where we would go weekly and daily to see friends.

My prayer?- that I will continue to see who He is from another angle, another life being lived. Characters still being formed from under a sphere of convenience. His provisions showing themselves in different ways. I think I just need to open my eyes with a small tilt and see a more intentional way of living.

Where I bought my meat in Jos... over the counter service, wouldn't you say?

Truth is - ministry is here and it still needs to be moving forward. Friendships are forming with those who have no knowledge of Christ (a thought I cannot imagine) and children still need to be loved on and encouraged to believe the best in themselves as they start to really see how God sees them. Lies need to be removed and replaced with truth!

I can live this life and this is the one chosen for me. I can live it knowing my thoughts will become more vague of the past but my thoughts will become more clear of God. My eyesight at a tilt will become the eyesight of my daily. I can move forward today knowing this is the day the Lord has made!

not who I am but who He is

I like looking at these photos because they bring peace to my heart. These pictures are located in KY along these trails that our family was hiking a few months ago. There was no one around and it was quiet and it was just us, nature and a few birds chirping along the way.

This is my personality at its core. I don't mind being busy, don't mind having to rush around to meet different needs, but in truth, if I stay that way too long something breaks down. I think I referred to this process in an earlier email.

I definitely feel as if I am a minority. The enemy can convince me in moments that this trait makes me boring or I am weak in my lack of abilities. I continually must remind myself that yes, I can strive to be more of who I am in Christ... but I must not strive to be more of who the world wants me to be, even the well-meaning world.

Lately, if I would allow myself I can become in a panic at the mere thought of some things. Truly I feel as if I am a thought away from a mental breakdown. Why? Nothing really worthy of a breakdown, but much thought going on in my head nonetheless. BUT, I was looking at these pictures today while at the same time remembering that I have the choice to take a step back and trust the Lord with each minute, each thought... and when I take the time to recognize this and allow the Spirit full control again, I am able to swallow and move forward in the confidence of His ability and His calling in the moment.

So, once again I am reminded even if I am weak, it will be this weakness that shows He is strong. In the end, it doesn't really matter who I am but really it matters who He is! Praise God!

work

Just a little update...

We have bought a home AND I have been asked by Back2Back to fill in a gap in the home office for the next few months, part time. So, we move in a week and a half... and I am working 4 days a week with hours that are perfectly in between the kids school hours.

I feel blessed and nervous all at the same time...

More later, just wanted to get this out there for whatever reason.

Have a great day!

uncovered conviction

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

There is something in these words that today has stirred my heart. I am praying for the Lord to show me why...

uncovered legalism

I am finishing a bible study called "Gospel Transformation" and it has been just excellent for me. Anyway, today's thought was the idea of legalism and how it can lead to lack of joy and bondage. I just thought I would put up a list they had because I love it so much. Enjoy!

20 reasons why legalism saps the joy out of life

1. Legalism substitutes loving our neighbor with loving ourselves.

2. Legalism substitutes humility with pride.

3. Legalism substitutes a heart relationship with Jesus with external conformity.

4. Legalism substitutes honesty with pretense.

5. Legalism substitutes God’s approval with people’s expectations.

6. Legalism substitutes burden-bearing with burden-giving.

7. Legalism substitutes the power of the Spirit with the powerlessness of rules.

8. Legalism substitutes innocence with guilt.

9. Legalism substitutes the gentle Lord with a hard taskmaster.

10. Legalism substitutes sonship with slavery.

11. Legalism substitutes accepting God’s love with earning God’s love.

12. Legalism substitutes the joy of repentance with the remorse of lingering sin.

13. Legalism substitutes liberty with bondage.

14. Legalism substitutes Christ’s righteousness with self-righteousness.

15. Legalism substitutes kindness and gentleness with forcing, demanding, and compelling.

16. Legalism substitutes the law of Christ with a perverted use of laws.

17. Legalism substitutes the freedom to love with unlimited obligation.

18. Legalism substitutes encouragement with biting and devouring.

19. Legalism substitutes relationship with alienation.

20. Legalism substitutes free grace for a manipulation of God’s grace.

Enjoy your day living in freedom!

uncovered heart

This photo represents to me our family vacation to NC: (in case you cannot tell what it represents fully, let me share with you) - memories, food, family time, laughter, beach/hiking, card playing, etc... were you able to get all of that from this beach photo? :)

Now, vacation is finished and a new year has begun and with the whirlwind of those days gone by, I realize that I have had a lot of great times, but have missed the heart of daily spending time with God.

First, I realize there is grace upon grace because of Jesus so these thoughts are not full of condemnation as much as a bigger awareness of missing my Lord and Savior. I have been reminded through the Holy Spirit that there is nothing that can replace the intimacy I am allowed to enter through the Scriptures! This heart reminder has given me back balance, love for others, peace, freedom and genuine humility of finding my place once again in the perspective of God's view.

I am thankful for this reminder and often wonder why I am so surprised when I am reminded of how God is the lover of my soul. So, a wonderful family vacation honoring God is good. But, I am excited to once again jump into the land of the other living and give His goodness away.

2012

Happy New Year!!

I don't have much to add at this current moment except that I do desire to see some things change in my life for the year 2012...

But, probably most grateful that I know I don't have to because God's mercy is new every morning. AND, I am already new in Him.

May my praise be true to the Lord all year long!