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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Shifting

I stand, I stand in awe of you. I stand, I stand in awe of you. Holy God to whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of you.

This morning, I am reminded of who he is and why he has brought me here. Amidst this time of continual shifting, he is God. He is an everpresent rock. He is to be worshipped and adored. He has brought me here to share his story, so that others can do the same. What an honor that he would choose to use us, his children, to spread his name.

The plans are continually changing. I am in D, and even as I am so ready to move on, to get to do whatever the next thing is, I am thankful for time to draw close to him. The what and where of the plan is changing, but the calling remains the same. He has made it clear that he has brought me here to share his story with the women who do not yet know it. Being surrounded by those who have never heard his story, and do not yet know him, makes the hot days tolerable and the waiting worthwhile.

I am thankful for the reminder that the most important thing each and every day is to spend time with him. I pray that I will remember this, even on the days that are so full of tasks and responsibilities.

Ask that the father would draw me closer each day and that he would provide clear direction in such a transitional time.

Ask him to grant wisdom in each decision and patience to wait on his timing.

~Heather

Friday, April 24, 2009

Sunday, April 19, 2009

When Seeing Stinks...

Sometimes it's not fun being the one who can see the situation for what it is, for more than those around you can recognize it to be.  At times, I find myself in these situations; especially, as I am walking close with the Lord.  

Right now, someone dear to me is hellbent on spiting.  At least, this is how it seems.  So insecure is she. So unsure of most everything, she finds herself barreling down a path she has convinced herself is right.  She is headed for disaster and will take advise from no one. What are we to do? 

Waiting on the Lord is not a passive state. Just as, walking in obedience is not always active. What am I to do? If I speak, I risk exasperating.  If I remain silent, I risk my silence being viewed as approval. 

I have a hard time believing that she must experience great hurt to learn. This is the advice I have received from dear friends. 

What is the role of family in someone's personal decisions? Does speaking the truth, in love, encompass speaking when it will not be heard?  

All I know is that she is headed for disaster - and she is taking people with her.  It's not fun to be in this position. Especially, when you do not know to speak or remain silent.   

~Sarah

Saturday, April 18, 2009

What will the days bring?

Grace, grace, God's grace; Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God's grace; Grace that is greater than all my sin.


He offers so much more than I deserve. I am ashamed that I get so frustrated. Why is it that I think I deserve to be in control? I identify so well with Paul's writing in Romans. He shares, "I do not understand my own actions. I do not do what I want, but the very thing I hate." (Rom 7:15) A Know-it-All Control Freak is not what I want to be. It is something that I dislike seeing in myself and others, but it seems that I am so often this person.


The Lord is showing me and teaching me new things about himself, myself, and others, everyday. I know so little; he knows everything. I sacrifice so little; he sacrificed much. Everything feels completely out of control; he created everything, it is all under his control.


I truly believe that now is the time for South Asia. I believe that he is going to do things in the days to come beyond what we can even imagine!


Every day is full of countless unknowns. There are more unknowns today than maybe I have ever experienced. I like a schedule. For me, a plan, including a detailed "to-do" list, is a good thing. This week, my plan and to-do list have been deemed void. There is nothing wrong with them, but they will not be needed or come to fruition at this time. There are possibly big changes in the air. Change is so often for the better, however, it is quite often extremely difficult.

What will the days ahead bring? That is yet to be known. As each days comes, a new measure of trust must be extended. He has a plan. Changes do not surprise him; they surprise only us. May we each seek to share his story with those who have not heard, no matter the cost or inconvenience to ourselves.

Ask that the father would help me to be faithful to his calling.
Ask that he would bring a peace over the decisions that must be made.
Ask that he would give an abundance of grace to extend.

~Heather

Friday, April 17, 2009

H'ville

H'ville: A city located on the holy river. An opportunity to engage with others in spiritual converstaion. A day to enjoy the sights and sounds of India, while interacting with, and praying over the people and land.
Ask that the Father would show himself to these who are coming to worship only his creation. Ask that he would reveal himself as the creator, the only one who is worthy of worship.

an offering of milk presented to the river

a family who spoke a little English, taught us a few Hindi phrases, and allowed us to share with them

~Heather

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Afraid - Faith - Excitement

I can't help but be excited that Heather has made it to South Asia. When I think about all that will take place, I know that this time is going to be wonderful. I am not so naive as to ignore the times when I am still a little sad. However, I try not to let my flesh do all the talking.

I found that there exists an ample amount of fear in Heather going overseas. This is not a surprise - but is also not welcomed to my "I'm a big girl, I can handle it" worldview.  But what was shocking came in my thought process when I chose to dwell in that fear. I realized that I approached the situation, when in fear, as if Heather were dying.(I know - morbid.) I would cry and tell Heather, "I don't want this to be over." My fear had convinced me that this was a finalization, a termination of a friendship. So convinced was I, I was morning her move as if she would not exist anymore. 

Heather and I are reading through the book of Mark. I love pacing through Scripture with her. God has spoken to my heart so much through the book of Mark.  To my fear He says, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" Faith....faith. To my entire being He tells the story of the Rich Young Ruler. The Holy Spirit reminds me that it's not in what we have and can do; but, in the things that we can't.  I can no more orchestrate my life and sustain myself that the Rich Young Ruler could sell all his possessions and give to the poor. It's not in what we can but in what we can't.  Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on the young ruler.  After all, aren't we all unable to jump some hurdle or another?

Who knows what lies ahead? Many hurdles are to come.  Some hurdles may be insurmountable.  But we cannot be afraid.  Because what is impossible needs only to be submitted to the Master's hands.  He is faithful by His very nature.  It is in our obedience, not our defiance, that we come to know His patient anger, steadfast love and redeeming plan. 

Sarah.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

A new day!

This morning I woke up to a whole new life, I think.

Everything just looks, smells, sounds, and feels, well, different. My eyes are open to the amazing amount of lostness that surrounds me. My nose is stuffy, but still able to take in the aromas of a poverty stricken environment. My ears are filled with honking horns, roaring engines, barking dogs, and early morning vegetable salesmen. But, above all else, my heart is calmed by the peace of our Father. His mercies are new every morning; great is his faithfulness!

~Heather

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The most difficult thing

My last 5 days in America were spent in Fort Worth with Sarah. Those days were full. They were full of so many different things.

We laughed; we cried.

Such sweet memories were made, memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. Pictures were made, Mexican food was eaten, long drives were taken, late-night talks were had.

I desperately wondered whether I would be able to get on the plane and say good-bye, for a little while. I laid in bed trying to think of ways to make the days longer or the time better.

The Lord is good. Our time was great. This will not be the last. In years to come, we will look back on it with appreciation that it was there.

The Lord has plans. He will protect and provide for each of us as we learn to live on opposite sides of the globe. He has promised me, and he always keeps his promises, always.

Knowing this, still didn't make saying good-bye and flying away any easier. Leaving my best friend was the hardest thing I have ever done, I think. Saying good-bye to what has been and what is familiar. It's just not such an easy thing to do.

But, again, I know, and today, and choosing to trust, that the Lord has plans. He has plans to prosper us, and not to harm us (Jer 29:11). Those are the plans that I want. Those are the plans that I want for Sarah, too, even more than the plans I can imagine myself.

Somewhere, I am finding joy in the sacrifice, joy in knowing that we are each walking in obedience of the Lord, joy in knowing that those who do not yet know our Father will hear his name and of his truth, and joy in knowing that there will be a special sweetness in the day that I do get to see Sarah again.

The Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever (Ps 106:1).

~Heather

Monday, April 6, 2009

5:30 pm

It's 5:30pm, on April 6th, 2009, and I can't text or call Heather's cell phone any more. Her plane is gearing up to leave the runway. Everyone is seated. Everyone buckled. The plane is backing up. The pilot is welcoming the masses to the flight bound for London. The plane is now getting in line to wait its turn. As the speed increases, I sit here wondering what she is thinking - what is she praying?

While the moment is heavy, my heart notices the opportunity for God to show Himself faithful.

The trees are faster, now. The engines louder. The runway is approaching the end. I sit here, at my kitchen table, looking out the window at the same sky Heather will be flying through. Its a beautiful spring day, in Texas.

The plane's nose points up. I do not get to go and she has too. The wheels begin to collapse. She is off to a new world, a new adventure. The force of the plane is matched only by the anticipation of her heart. I sit here and cry.

What will be will not be what is. It's this time, this sacrifice, this grief that cultivates the hope needed to know God is at work.

Climbing to its elevation, that plane carries my best friend. Roaring through the sky, that plane is something I cannot, and do not want to, stop. Maybe she is seated by the window looking out at the same sky as me.


~Sarah