For All Who Wait

Waiting is on purpose, a plan from the Lord to prepare our hearts for what is next. His purposes. He is here. He is with you. Love Him. Worship Him as you wait- the highest praise. He is worthy. This is RIGHT (to wait).

The way is ahead though you can't see it. It is good. GOOD. It glorifies Him. His purposes will be fulfilled.

Waiting is only a season. Let the strivings, ambitions, hopes die. He will return them, purified. Ready for the service of the King. Many will see and praise Him because of it.. His work.

Don't fear. He will sustain you and give you new strength. Strength for days to come. He knows what He is doing.

from the Holy Spirit Dec 2010

The Word of the Lord

"Then Job replied:

Doubltess you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!
But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you.
Who does not know all these things? ...

To God belong wisdom and power;
counsel and understanding are His.
What He tears down cannot be rebuilt;
the man he imprisons cannot be released.
If He holds back the wters, there is drought;
if He lets them loose, they devestate the land.

To Him belong strength and victory;
both deceived and deceiver are His...

He reveals the deep things of darkenss
and brings deep shadows into the light.

My eyes have seen all this,
my ears have heard and understood it.
What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
But I desire to speak to the Almighty
and to argue my case with God.

You, however, smear me with lies;
you are worthless physicians, all of you!
If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom...

Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him;
I will surely defend my ways to His face.
Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godly man would dare come before him!

Now that I have prepared my case,
I know I will be vindicated..."

and this is the word of the Lord. Amen.

Job 12: 1-3, 13-16, 22 and 13:1-5, 15-16, 18.

Class of 2010

So, I realized that closure is important in life. I should not leave my blog unfinished even though we are seeing each other on a weekly basis now. The last month in Gainesville was busy in a good way. Final presentations... NARM in Orlando (boy, were we nervous and braindead afterward)... visit home to Charleston wonderful...graduation... moving back home. Waiting...

It is good to be finished. I marvel at what God did in those three years. He is so faithful. Now, resting some to recover and be ready. Enjoying the family. Charleston. Praying for what is ahead. Excited about Perspectives this spring! Missing birth.

Last night at church: Out times are in His hands. We don't have to understand. My trust is in You.

Taking a Break...

Well, sort of. I'm writing my next entries in a blog for my time in the Philippines. Katie mentioned I write one and since there is so much to tell, I went ahead. I want to write about so much, but will try to write once a day. We'll see. Can't wait to hear about your travels as well. It is www.eachnewdayphilippines.blogspot.com. Check it out!

Christ in You the Hope of Glory

When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely ignored and you don't sting or hurt with the oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ... that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice is disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence... that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, irregularity, any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, and spiritual insensibility and endure it as Jesus did... that is dying to self.

When your're content with any food and offering, any clothing, any climate, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God... that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown... that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor questions God while your own needs are far greater desperate circumstances.... that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself an can humbly submit, inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment raising up within your heart... that is dying to self.

Taken from Corrie ten Boom's writings

Filipino

So, there used to around 70 languages in the Philippines due to the influence of other coutries and islands nearby. Finally, American and Filipino were labeled the official language. So, I am trying to teach myself some words before I go. I definately hope to find more, but these are some I came across...

hello mabuhay (mah-boo-hay)
how are you? kumusta ka? (koo moos tah kah)
yes oo (oh-oo)
no hindi (hin dih)
please paki (pah kee)
thank you salamat (sa lah mat)

Good morning Magandang umaga
I don't know hindi ko alam

The Philippines

Sunday afternoon I walked down to the library to find some books on the Philippines. I left with a whole bag full. I will tell you a little of what I have learned so far.

The Philippines are what is called an archipegalo of 7,107 islands, 880 being inhabited. It is the world's longest broken coastline. It has gulfs, lakes, waterfalls, and volcanos. There are three regions: upper, central, and lower. I will fly into the capital, Manila, which is in the upper region. From there, I fly to the city I will be living. I will live in Davao City (pronounced Dah-baw) situated in the lowest region called Mindanano. Davao is in the third largest city in the Philippines.

There are two seasons in the Philippines- wet and dry. I happen to be there during wet season which is when the typhoons come. I am thinking that Charleston is good preperation for this, huh? Humidity and hurricanes, though I like the fact you can escape inland with hurricanes.

I am delighted that rice is the main food in the Philippines! And I am especially hopeful that the food takes after the name as Davao City is "little Japan!" As for Adobo that you mentioned I eat, it is a favorite among Filipinos. It is chicken and pork cooked with garlic and soy sauce. Sounds yummy, especially if it is with rice, which is likely.

I read more- history, politics, culture, lifestyle, religion, language. Nothing is like being in a place, but I figured this was a head start. Still not fully sure of what to expect, but getting excited!

Oh, Sissy

So, it has been a grueling week. I was tired before I got called in yesterday. But, what do you do, right? So, I was here and choosing to be glad. I told myself this is much more fun than playing games or watching a movie. We did what we do. Not as long of a night as it could have been. Then, I had to clean while the midwife made a trip to the hospital. I was to pick her up. Done with cleaning. Still waiting. Home. Went to sleep. Called in an hour to go pick up the midwife. Drove across town to the hospital. Picked her up. Dropped her off. Then, the icing on the cake. I dropped my stinkin phone in what I thought was an empty cup in the cup holder in my car. It starts making a strange noise and blinking. I realize it is wet and was relieved that it still appeared to be working. Then, as I get into the bed... it stops working. I do NOT want to get called in again and I do NOT want to be dealing with this.

So, back out of bed to drive to the birth center to call the midwife to let her know that I do not have a working phone and if we get a call to ring my doorbell and I will come. No calls. Wake up. I decide to go to church and then go to the Verizon store afterward. First, devotions. I was thinking I should read the one from yesterday again. It was one difficulties. No, I will read the one today. It said not to say, "we can't afford it" but to remember God as our provider. What a good message for my day.

Not sure if my phone will be salvaged or if I will get a new one. But, today at church Hannah let me borrow her phone while I am on call and trying to fix my broken one. The beginning of provision!