Too Blessed.

I'm Too Blessed To Be Stressed,
Too Anointed To Be Disappointed

I refuse to be discouraged,

To be sad or to cry.

I refuse to be downhearted

And here's the reason why:

I have a God who is almighty;

Who is sovereign and supreme;

I have a God who loves me,

And I am on His team.

He is all wise and powerful;

Jesus is His Name;

Though everything else is changeable,

My God remains the same.

I refuse to be defeated!

My eyes are on my GOD!

He has promised to be with me,

As through this life I trod.

I am looking past my circumstances,

To Heaven's throne above.

My prayers have reached the heart of God.

I am resting in His Love.

I give thanks to Him in everything.

My eyes are on His face.

The battle is His; the victory is mine;

He will help me win the race!

I repeat "I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!"

Author Unknown

Visa Run.

"Be ready to leave either Friday, Saturday, or Monday."

Being duly warned, we weren't exactly surprised when we had a staff meeting last Thursday night and decided to leave for the Thai/Burmese border on Friday at noon. Carolyn and I threw our stuff into suitcases, made sure our work was up-to-date in the office and patiently sat around Friday morning at 11:20 ~ "ready." The minutes ticked by as we waited for our Thai co-worker to get something at the mall that needed to go with us on our trip. We finally pulled away from our little soi at 2:10, which wasn't a problem because we were ready!

About two hours north of us is another missionary who used to live in Bangkok. This missionary's daughter needed to renew her visa, so we stopped outside Big C (the equivalent would be like a K-Mart/Wal-Mart) to pick Sarah up and continued our way west. By the time we completed our journey, it was dark and we were pretty tired:).

Sarah needed to get back home asap, so early, early, early (did I mention early???) Saturday morning, we got up and headed to the border. It didn't open up until 6:30 so we meandered a bit, just biding our time.

Can you tell it was early? :D

This is on the bridge between the two countries.

One of the (many!) things I love about Thailand: fresh fruit!!! We snagged some bananas, oranges, and papaya for us to munch on at the house during our trip.

Who would have thought Popeye would be hanging out in this border town? :D

This is a fairly typical sight. In fact, we've seen four people on motorcycles with people holding onto bags of groceries or boxes with computer equipment in them. Is now a good time to mention we took a motorcycle home the other evening? :)

Welcome to our shower! This is a dipper shower, although there was a shower nozzle on the wall that shot out coooold water. Take your pick;).

This is at the start of our trip going home. The town we were in is located on the other side of a mountain, so the first hour is spent just getting back to the main road! 18-wheelers will pass other 18-wheelers on these curvy, twisty mountainous roads, so the prayer for safety was never far from our lips!

The beautiful mountains of Thailand (with telephone wires thrown in there for good measure!). A picture just doesn't do it justice, so take my word for it;).

All in all, it was a great trip. Because we were there for 5 days, we were able to see more things than we've seen on our previous trips. We didn't do anything touristy (trust me, crossing the border to renew a visa is not my idea of fun), but the Lord did open our eyes to more needs people-wise and expanded our vision for souls!

Wandering In To Say Hi. [*HI*]

Hello!

I'm still alive (which is a good thing because how weird would that be having a dead person typing on this blog??? Strange, I know.)

Anyway, we had a whirlwind of a trip to the border and came back today to be hit with a mega-load of problems, thankyouverymuch,devil.

With that said, I think I'm going to bed. What a day!

Btw, I did get a new pair of brown Hush Puppies tonight, after wearing my Wal*Mart special brown sandals for six years. Shoes are so refreshing and fun to shop for, don't you agree?

Complaining Or Rejoicing?

The assistant pastor at my church sent this out in an e-mail last week. It was so good and encouraging that I thought I would share it here. It was written by a pastor out in the Midwest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COMPLAINING

Devotion for March 24, 2009

"And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp." Numbers 11:1.

The children of Israel were guilty, on numerous occasions, of displeasing the Lord. In this example, "when the people complained, it displeased the LORD." Their complaining angered God. They complained about the general difficulty of the journey, the presence of giants in Canaan, the lack of food or water, the absence of Moses when he was away seeking God, etc. Complaining sometimes brought God's chastening hand against His people. Most people would not consider complaining to be a serious sin, but when "the LORD heard it; . . . his anger was kindled."

We all have, at some time or another, been guilty of complaining. Why would complaining so displease the Lord? For one thing, those who are complaining have usually been blinded to the wonderful things that God has done or is doing. God had delivered these people from their Egyptian slavery and given them hope and promise for the future, but those realities were momentarily forgotten. Having forgotten God's great blessings, they focused on their present lack, and the result was complaining.

Complaining also indicates a lack of contentment with God and His will. From a prison where Paul was rejoicing, he wrote that we are to be content with the basic necessities of life. Not only is complaining an expression of personal discontent, it also helps to spread discontentment.

Complaining discourages others and affects their attitudes and spiritual growth. Just as a grateful spirit can be contagious, a grumbling spirit can be infectious. Complaining demonstrates a lack of trust in God. God is trustworthy and He wants us to trust Him. He consistently met the needs of these Israelites by providing them with manna and water out of the rock, and by destroying their enemies. To complain is to forget all the ways God has guided and provided in the past and to assume that He has somehow become incapable of supplying now. Complaining is a serious sin and must be taken seriously. It displeased the Lord then, and we can be sure that it displeases Him now. Let us purpose to develop and maintain a positive attitude, free from complaining.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After I read that, I jotted down a simple note and put it where I would see it several hours each day: Am I complaining or rejoicing?

Just today, my co-worker and I caught ourselves complaining about something. Three of us are currently in a border town where boundless photo opportunities present themselves because many cultures and people groups are represented here. We were getting frustrated with our lack of ability to capture the moment and both voiced some discontentment with cameras. As soon as we verbalized it, my co-worker said, "I got this camera for free, so I really shouldn't be complaining." I agreed with her and then thought about the camera I'm using. Because my own camera is in the shop right now getting fixed, Pookie graciously allowed me to borrow hers. Not too much wiggle room to murmur and complain for the Lord has been very good to us!

Wisdom In Watching Out.

I very rarely post about singleness because life is just too short and there's too much to do for the Master. Plus lots of other people cover that topic sufficiently, so I would just be adding to the chaos and confusion:).

I did, however, read an article on YLCF, and thought Lanier had a bit of wisdom when she posted about Watching Out For Wolves:

But romance is not a game, much as the standards of this world would like to convince you otherwise, and the things that might be somewhat niggling before you marry will inflate into giants of intolerability under the magnified intimacy of daily life together. You must be courageous enough to demand not perfection, but a rigorous, relentless honesty, in your intended as well as in yourself. You must be willing to walk away if the man’s professions don’t match up to what you know to be true of the character of the Christ-like. For at the end of the day, the only one who is going to have to answer for your choices is…you.

To read the rest, go to part one and part two.

Inconsequential Details About An Airport Run.

After spending a month here with the team, Myra flew home this morning. We do airport runs every couple of weeks or so, and it was time to go again this morning:). I made the comment to Krinny that you know we go to the airport waaay too often when we know exactly where everything is! Anyway, here are some random pieces of information about the latest airport run:

• Getting up and going to the airport at 5 AM is just a wee bit early.
• The food vendors on our street are actually up and cooking by 5 AM.
• Unfortunately, pork-on-a-stick is not available at 5 AM.
• Check-in gate H at Suvarnabhumi Airport was hoping with 147 passengers checking in. We passed each and every one.
• American Airlines did not have a line, for which we were thankful.
• Starbucks on level 2 made a killing off of our team. 6 people + need for caffeine = lots of moola.
• People wear some pretty incredible weird things in an airport.
• Ditto on the hairstyles.
• Suvarnabhumi Airport looks very different in the morning light. We don't experience this much since most flights arrive/depart at midnight. By the way, it's pitch black at midnight.
• Because of the early morning airport run, a nap may or may not have been taken at 4 PM.
• It's so nice to sleep in one's own bed again!

Monday Ministry Highlights: Seeing The People.

As I write this, my co-workers have just shut down their computers for the day. Stomachs are growling - dinner has been ordered from a street vendor for those who want it. I'm opting to eat some left-overs in the fridge and take a nice long walk this evening. Our busy days flow together and we often "lose"...

(To read more, click over to the KJV blog directory)

A Drawn Out Answer To An Often Asked Question.

While going through some pictures this week, I found this on our network:



I can't really tell you who tweaked it in Photoshop; perhaps it was this girl or maybe even this one. Regardless, it now sits on my computer desktop and has been a constant reminder for me to keep my mind stayed on the Lord.

The Lord had placed a special burden upon my heart for missions when I was 16 and that burden didn't fade over time. When I came to Thailand in June 2007 on a short-term missions trip, it was with great anticipation and much excitement. I had such peace and knew I was right where God wanted me to be. When it came time to leave Thailand in August 2007, I didn't want to come home but knew the Lord was taking me home. That was a very real struggle for me, but ultimately I saw the Lord's wisdom in it all.

As I spent last year home in the States, the Lord continually pressed upon my heart Thailand. Time and time again, I poured out my heart to the Lord with my desire to return. I well remember a verse that Bro. Tom Gaudet (the missionary family I'm working with) shared with me in early 2008:

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..." ~ Ephesians 3:21

He then said to me, "Let God do the exceeding abundantly part."

The Lord did that very thing (Each Step I Take records it all), and I began to share God's leading with family and friends. Invariably, one of the first questions I would be asked was this: "How long are you going to be gone?" My original answer was a pat, "until May and then I'm coming home to baby-sit my nephew while his parents take a missions trip."

That answer worked really well in Pennsylvania. Not so much in Thailand. When I returned to Thailand, I felt like I was coming home. Suddenly it didn't make sense to return home in May to baby-sit. You may laugh at this, but within days of returning to Thailand, I began to pray for direction as to when I should go home. No, it wasn't because I wanted to leave Thailand; it was quite the opposite! Within a couple of weeks, I was calling my brother and sister-in-law to say I couldn't come babysit my nephew while they went to Israel. My brother's response was very telling: "I didn't think you were going to come home in May." He was more perceptive than I was, and was very gracious in allowing me to back out.

The question of coming home still lingered, although most people didn't really ask it during my first couple of months in Thailand. Within the past two months though, it has really picked up speed. In fact, a couple of people have jokingly accused me of avoiding the question. Just last week, one of the ladies I used to work with asked me when I was coming home and I replied, "I'm really not sure... waiting for the Lord's timing. My timing is never, but I think the Lord's timing is a little sooner:)."

And that is, I believe, a fair assessment of where it stands. The Lord has given me the answer of wait regarding my prayer of direction. Wait is just as much of an answer as yes or no, but perhaps not as "definable" to my finite mind. Wait. Such a small word. Such a weighty command. Such a necessary task.

Tentatively speaking, my one-year visa expires at the end of July. If I exit the country and renew it again before it expires, 90 days are supposed to be granted to me. Anything is possible with the Lord and I have full confidence in His leading.

I found this a while back on Chantel's blog and thought it very fitting to share now:

The Call to Service

The call to Christian service
Is a call from God above.
He sends us forth to serve a world,
And save that world through love.
He calls for you, He calls for me;
‘Tis God’s own voice that says “Go ye.”

The call to Christian service
Is a call from men without.
“Come o’er to Macedonia” –
Can you hear their dying shout?
They cry to you, they cry to me.
Let’s go while still they plead, “Come ye.”

The call to Christian service,
Is a call we hear within.
Our own hearts seem to whisper,
“Go and save this world from sin.”
May your sincere response now be,
“I’m wholly Thine, Lord, please send me.”

~Adlai Esteb ~

That last line is echoed in my heart: "I'm wholly Thine, Lord..." If the Lord chooses to keep me in Thailand for an extended period of time or take me home to PA within a couple of months, so be it. I wholly belong to the Lord and am His to use.

My Latest Find - "Tooth Utensil Hook."

After an exceptionally busy day dealing with the Nepalese language -- we have to work while the translator is here! -- we decided to go to Future Park, also recently renamed "Walmart" by us:). While walking through a store similar to a dollar store, I saw something called a "Tooth Utensil Hook." The English directions had me laughing so hard, and so I thought I would share it with ya'll! I promise you this is exactly what it says:

Suitable Places (smooth surfaces)
The Surfaces Of Ceramic Tiles, Stainless Steel, Metal Paint Surfaces, Combination Bathroom'S Plastic Cement Sufrace.

Non-suitable places (concave and convex. rough and ground surfaces) Wooden walls .plaster walls. concrete walls. flower glass and semifinished glasses.

CAUTIONS:
The sucker will not damage the wall surfaces and it's easy to fix or dismantle. Due to the vacuum installation if the air goes in it will come off easily. In order to keep the sucking strength please follow the methods.

1. If the wall surface or sucker is clirty, it will come off easily, please clean it.
2. If the surface is easy to slide please put a little salad oil in the sucker. it can prevent the air or water from going in.
3. Dropping sucker or old sucker has weak sucking streng the please goak it in water for 5 or 6 minutes and dry it.
4. Don't put too weight on the hook.
5. Dont put the valuables such as watches .clocks. cameras or mirrors on it.

Gotta love it! My new word is going to be "clirty" instead of "dirty":).

Wee Hour Happenings.

The sweetness of being right is so not enough at 3:43 AM.

Earlier today --- I should use the word yesterday, because that is indeed when this took place --- Pookie got up mid-afternoon and uttered some dangerous words: "Anybody want coffee?" Now you have to understand something here. We joke and laugh that Pookie is affected by coffee, but there are some pretty hefty reasons behind the joking. Myra discovered this first hand one night last week. Pookie had had coffee one particular day and was zinging around at night so Myra had taught Pookie new words to an old lullaby:

Go to sleep,

You little creep,

Close your red, blood-shot eyes.

Go to sleep,

You little creep,

And I hope your teddy bear dies!

(So that there is no character assassination going on here, Myra's older brother sang this to her during a sleepover with a friend many years ago as a joke. Said older brother is now a preacher:D)

Pookie loved it and has been going around singing it since then. Except she doesn't sing it as a sweet lullaby, but rather in a really creepy voice. But I digress.

So when Pookie uttered those fateful words in our office Monday afternoon, I turned to her and said, "Does that include you Pookie?" She giggled and said yes. With thoughts of who the victim is when Pookie has coffee (that would be me), I suggested maybe a half of cup instead of an entire. cup. of. coffee. As I turned back to my computer, I said, "Just as long as you don't jump on my bed."

Oooh, sometimes I hate being right.

With an extra person staying with us (Myra), I've been using a mattress on the floor as my bed because Myra's got some back problems. I'm also generally the first person in bed, so in the back of my mind, there's this subconscious fear that Myra or Pookie are going to step on me on the way to their beds.

So imagine my great surprise when I rolled over onto my side in the middle of the night and promptly ran into.... something. I was still 99% sleeping at that point, so I began to whack the thing because the last time I checked, my beady pillow is pretty soft. As I whacked at the object, I became more and more awake. I finally sat straight up in bed and to my surprise and astonishment, none other than Pookie was laying on my bed! I had been smacking her leg the whole time. Once I realized that, I felt a little bad that I was waking her up, but she was in my bed:).

So now that I was completely wide awake, I came downstairs. As I checked e-mail, I heard a thud on the stairs. Carolyn was as shocked to see me as I was to see her:). Soon after using the bathroom and returning upstairs, I heard another thud on the stairs. This time it was Pookie:). I said, "Um, so why were you in my bed?" And she replied, "Well, actually, I thought you were in my bed and I couldn't figure out why you were in my bed!"

So I'm not necessarily blaming it on the coffee-drinking episode from Monday afternoon, but as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to need coffee to stay awake later on today in the office!

And we all know how much I love coffee....

... or NOT!