Wednesday, April 25, 2012

There are no Orphans of God.....

I know it's been a while since I last Blogged. This time I'd like to go into a little more detail about how God is changing our hearts and minds about our Calling. Where are we and what is Children's Bible Ministry?

What is Children's Bible ministry and why do we love it so much? The time it got started was when prayer was taken out of schools. A man in Florida was burdened and started getting school districts to allow "Release Time" which is where they take kids out of school for an hour once a week to hear a bible lesson and learn about Jesus. From Florida "Release time" moved up the east coast. In the 70s CBM opened the first Summer camp in Florida. This gave the kids from "Release Time" opportunities to leave a secular home and praise the Lord for a whole week.
Since the 70s CBM has opened 7 camps here on the east coast.

Here is where we come in. There are 2 camps that are fairly new one in Virginia about a 2 hour drive and one in southwest Pennsylvania about 4 hours.
Rob has been developing a gift for repairing and building things. The SW Pennsylvania camp has only been running Since 2010 and still needs Full Time missionary staff and one need being facility upkeep. Virginia is also in need of Full- time staff but what the needs are? We are not sure yet.

Why have we fallen in love with them? Because of their mission and the new lives they give these kids. They are going after this generation as young as 5 and someone has to because a lot of these kids are raising themselves. Having 11 children come to know the Lord in just 4 months with our club in our home, has given us a taste of a ministry that we want to be a part of for the rest of our lives.

What happened to Sierra Leone?
Well it's still there duh! Just kidding we love africa, always will and we would love to go back. God however has revealed to us a couple things that kind of have shown us that He had a different plan all along. However short term trips are not out of the equation. A major one is that we have discovered that Ahna has a gluten sensitivity. If we were to go over seas full time it would be very difficult to get food over there that she can eat and her nutrition would be a difficult obstacle to over come.
The other one is that I studied nursing in a California and it will take me a lot of money to get my license here. I could already have it but if I had gotten it I would have had to change my license again in a year or so when and where ever we may serve. I guess you can say God is saving us about 400 dollars.

What's the process like?
There is the application and resume.
Then after the state board approves it there is an interview with them. Then our file is sent to the national office in Tennessee where they approve us for Candidate School. Which is a week in Tennessee getting us ready for service and support raising. Candidate school is going to be held in October this year and we're praying that everything will be approved so we can be there.

So somethings you can pray about:
1)Ahna's gluten free adjustment.
2) that Rob's job he was offered a month ago starts soon.
3) that God guides us through this application process.
4) be praying that the Lord lays on your heart churches that may want to be partners in sending us. (they will be contacted only after we have the approval to start building our support.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

" This little light of mine"

It's time to cure the blogging itch and let everyone know what has happened to my family. God has blessed us so much and what I am going to write will seem contradicting to that statement! When Rob had surgery in October we fell behind in rent a couple months. A few weeks ago Rob was told he no longer had a job due to his boss wanting to keep the work in the family. And due to this and our past due rent we were evicted. Ok there was the blow now let me back up a few weeks and start in on the blessings.

A few weeks earlier I announced to my Sunday school class that 11 children had made decisions for christ. They have supported us in this endeavor in prayer since the beginning. That next week we got a call from Children's Bible Ministry (kids club people) saying they want to talk to us about serving with them full time as missionaries. If we take a position it will be at a kids camp. Rob would be head of facility care. Rob and I had both become equally animated about the opportunity which was the first time. He always had hesitations with the other opportunities. There was no hesitation with this one. We have prayed and we had my Sunday school class start praying. All the while a thought a pastor put in my heart years ago came to mind "Be ready to go, but be willing to stay". So we started considering this and we still believe that God has put Africa on hearts for a reason. Although it maybe farther in the future. Sierra Leonne is a desire of my heart but I will be content with serving short term for now. Also I am happy with the feeling that this time it's both of us feeling the Call to the same place equally.

The Blow hit us 2 weeks or so after this. When I told my Sunday school class to pray I was told Satan doesn't want us going anywhere for the Lord and he'll do anything to prevent us from going. My teacher looked at me and said "this is just a speed bump on the road to the field don't let this be more than what it is because Satan wants to derail you from your Journey."
That day saying came to me from a missionary speaker "the bigger the trial the more Glorious the Victory!". My class then surrounded me in prayer and after studying more about Paul they stood in line to embrace me. My class had lifted my burden that day. I felt home even though technically I was almost homeless. The next week I started working and wasn't able to attend church and they had taken a love offering for my family. 20 women gave us 450$ dollars. I never felt that kind of love before. That's the church folks!!!!! I have amazing sisters and when they commission us out when that day comes its going to be the biggest party Halethorpe has ever seen.

Where are we now?
Physically we are staying at Roberts mothers house. I am working with 2 families now doing nanny work. They are broken families that I am happy To go in with my light shining. Rob has been offered a job but we aren't sure when it will start. Hopefully in the next few weeks. God knew this was going to happen way before we did. And He puts us where he wants us. We have remained faithful and are excited about where He is going to lead us to start a new kids club. Continue to pray for us God is just getting started with our blessings. Satan is playing us hard and we know he will as long we are doing what God wants us to. We are letting Him lead and in doing so he reveals himself to us in little ways through out the day to tell us He's there.

How can you pray?
Pray for our decision making with (CBM)
Pray robs job will start soon so we can be in a new house before the heat of summer hits.
Pray for the children I watch they are my mission field right now.
Pray for me and seperation anxiety from Jason, oh he's fine he could care less that I'm working, but me I need to adjust to being away from him. Thank you all for your support and prayers but know that we are allowing ourselves to be led and we are listening not just praying. Love you all and miss most of you!
meg

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

"And step by step you'll lead me"

...And I will follow you all of my days"
I think this is my 3rd cold this winter and I'm getting really frustrated. It's made me think about warmer climates. What will it be like to live in an area of the world where it's between 65 & 85 all the time, all year around. I'm thinking about Sierra Leone more and more. The Lord is deffinately making this burden greater. I have started having the mind frame that I am not suppose to be here. Wether it's Africa or not working for the Lord is all I want to do. Oh I know I need to work, but I can't help but read about efforts around the world. Than I wonder when is it going to be me. When are you going to use these hands Lord, that I have committed to you for the rest of life?I think it's harder knowing what your suppose to do with your life and having to wait to do it, than not knowing at all. I itch with it all, I get so anxious. I also know that it God's timing and I have to be patient. I have to take it step by step. He will lead me and I am learning what trusting in Him really means. I think that I know where my heart is but my mind has been in turmoil. My realization is that Satan is the king of discouragement. Our doubt, our debates has been what for? Discouragement! It's time to have an understanding of what is my mind getting in the way of my Calling. Faith and Trust that nothing is impossible with God needs to be my crutch!

Lord take my hands and use them for you, here and where ever you are sending me! Give me the stamina to do what you want me to do, for my health, for a job, for my walk with you and for our calling to serve you. Amen

Sunday, January 29, 2012

"We were made to be Courageous"

We were made to be courageous!
In church today we heard a missionary speak today about 4 things we need to carry with us as we journey through life.
So here is my take on what I heard!
#1 Our Christian Legacy
One of the examples the preacher gave was Charles Wesley. This man wrote many of our Hymns that we sing today. I read a biography on his mother and remember them talking about how she would throw her apron over her head to have alone time with God. When that apron was over her head everyone knew to leave her alone. She had 19 children but only 9 survived to adulthood. It's amazing to me that he got to grow up in a such a house where Charles saw his mother retreat to God everyday no matter the struggles they faced. Taking what he saw everyday he once told someone that God burdened him to write ten lines of praise everyday. He did this everyday for 50 years and in doing so completed over 3,000 hymns. What a legacy that over 300 years later we still are singing his hymns.
Are we doing enough as parents that our children will turn to the Lord and serve Him in everything they do? Are we leading by example to serve the Lord in everything we do? Not only that but can people around us tell that we are different?
#2Pride in our Father
I can't remember what the preacher called #2 but this is what I view what he was telling us. We have this heritage we want to have and pass around to those around us. How do we do this ?by surrounding ourselves with Him. What books do we read? What music do we listen to? I like what he called himself "A world Christian". What he meant is every time any kind of news brief or outside influence is in the home he asks himself 1 of 2 questions. Where can I see God in this situation ? or How can I pray that God makes himself known in this situation?
Are we doing that ? Are we praying for our president and politicians every time they come on TV? Do we pray for the deadly car accident on the news? You understand what I'm getting at don't you? Jesus was in constant communication with God and he always knew what God wanted him to do even if he wasn't comfortable doing it. Now that He set as free from the bondage of sin we have access to that same type of relationship and that is totally awesome to me and a goal of mine. That in every situation I go to him first. The music we listen to , the literature we read and the shows we watch on TV help in starting that state of mind.
#3 No Fear Got God
As Christians the Bible says that living a life for Christ is difficult, that temptations are much more and trials are much more. I know that's because Satin is ever present and he hates that we are God's children. Life is scary and God is ever testing our limits. Fear is everywhere but we do with that fear is what matters. The Greek word for fear is actually more closely translated to the meaning of the word cowardes. What is the opposite of that? Yes courage. Here is my new meaning behind the phrase "Fearing the Lord". Having the understanding that without the Lord we fear and are cowards, but when we have the Lord yes we have fears especially of the unknown but we can be courageous.
#4 Just Do It!!!!!!!
Yeah I think this phrase says it all, but let me explain why this hit me in between the eyes this morning! Rob and I know where we are suppose to be headed and what our purpose is. God took this phrase and screamed it in my ear because I think we've been using everything that's been going on to distract us from His purpose. I can tell you now that we'll be working on that over the next few weeks. We need to be persistent for the Lost. Yeah I have a kids club in my home once a week where 11 children have prayed with me and asked God to lead their lives. At times it humbles me but part of me wants to do more because it's not enough. God has given me a burden like Charles Wesley. I just need to do it!!!! No more putting everything on hold just because of our insecurities.
Time to have faith in my heavenly Father, stand up and be courageous while I take my legacy and be persistent about sharing it with the Lost.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

" I will serve you while I'm waiting" continued

I am so excited that I just figured out how to blog on my I phone. We are still out a computer but now I feel back in the loop. I now feel I need to update you on our journey to the field.

So I decided that if I'm going to serve the Lord on the field,I need to make some changes in my life. So we have kind of put things on hold. A few months ago when Rob was going through all his stuff with his hernias. I slipped on some stairs and twisted my knee. It still bothers me a lot especially in this cold weather. I know that I am way over weight. I never felt it though. I always looked in the mirror and always saw someone fatter than I felt. When we first got to Maryland I was able to run up the stairs. Now since I hurt my knee I feel like an old lady going up and down the stairs. I am starting to feel the affects of my weight for the first time in my life. I now feel every pound every time I take a step, get up from a chair, climb a stair, etc. I came to the realization, how am I suppose to work for the Lord in another country if it hurts to climb stairs? I asked myself what am I doing to myself? I decided to do something about it.

I dont have the 300$ that my mother and others I know are spend a month to loose weight, so I did the only thing I knew to do. I made an appointment to see a doctor. One of the things she suggested was seeing a counselor to see if we can figure out what my relationship with food is and see if we can find another way of coping with stress. Everybody has coping mechanisms and I've discovered that when I am stressed is when I can easily pack on 30 or 40 pounds in a few months. So now I am on a new journey with my therapist. Most people would be like "Meg why are you sharing this? This is personal". Yeah it is but everyone can see that I have a weight problem. I want you all to know that I know I have a problem. There is a lot of women that are big like me and are comfortable with themselves and can feel beautiful and they are beautiful. Me however I am not comfortable in my own skin. That and i no longer feel beautiful and wonder how anyone can view me as such. I am also ready to do something about it. I know that God views me as beautiful but I think it hurts Him to see me hurt. As far as the therapist goes he's helped more than I ever expected. He's asked Rob and I to come In and unload. Which is something we would normally do with a pastor but we don't have one right now. I told him I was scared to write everything down that's happened to us in these last 8 years. When we started to tell our story he was astonished that with what all we've been through. He said he hasn't seen this many trials in any 1 marriage before. That and he probably wouldn't see this many trials in a marriage of 50 years or so. He said you need to decompress "how many people are in your life out side of family that know about everything that's happened to you? I think you need to unload and just have someone to listen". I can't tell you how refreshing that is to hear. Someone to listen? I feel like this could really help. Who knows maybe I'll write a book. God is already revealing a lot to me about the heart of my weight problem! I am however taking one step at a time. You may not see me loose any for a while but we'll see. The motivation is slowly building. Do me a favor don't pity me just smile and say "That's honesty" and then pray for me. Missions is not happening until I can take action for myself and get myself healthier!

Friday, November 11, 2011

"I will serve while I'm waiting"

Yeah I miss blogging. Rob went back to work a couple weeks ago and he has filled our house with laughter once again. He is feeling so good that the whole family can't help but be happy. Be praying for my I have an unspoken prayer request that I don't feel comfortable talking about. It's made me very weary. Just keep me in your prayers! I'll blog again soon!! 

Monday, October 17, 2011

I'm singin in the rain...I'm singin in the rain!

It's fall and unlike California we actually get a fall here. We have had tons of rain this year and in just the last week the leaves had started changing color. This is something I love about the east coast.

I feel as if God is continuelly testing us over and over and I am becoming weary. We are 2 weeks behind on our rent I have 20 bucks to my name and I needed a job 3 weeks ago. Rob obviously has some nerve damage from the surgery that put him back to bed today. I'm sitting by the phone waiting for this job to call me back that I really really want. It makes me sick to think I might not get it and I want it so bad. Stress has made my stomach upset and I have started coughing like crazy.

I know that all this is preparation for the field and putting complete trust in the Lord. I have complete confidence that He will provide. I'm just human and can't help but tell God to hurry up and remind Him that I have tithed everything he has provided. Weary? you say. I'm tired of the testing and asking Him to stop. It is certainly taking it's toll on me. I almost feel old. Am I complaining no just sharing how I feel.

Even with all this going on my son Robby reminds me to keep "singing in the rain". He sings like an Angel and he'll sing "Lord I lift your name on high" or  "little drummer boy" and pretty soon all five of us are singing even Jason tries to sing. It humbles me. When I have a short fuze or I'm frusterated or just tired my 7 year old brings me back to what it is all about. I am looking forward to the holiday season. At the same time I miss my new naz family. I am looking forward to robs family traditions that have always been the same and amazing. I can't wait for my kids to experience it as well.  I think I am done with this blog and I've given my hurt and I am glad I have such an awesome family.

Lord put your hand on us and help us out of this rut. Thank you for your faithfulness and thank you ahead of time for what you are providing us! We love you and we serve you with our lives! Thank you for our marriage our children and shine FM that we wake up to every morning!

AMEN!