Seriously people, I cant write a blog post. I have 7 drafts in the past few weeks. I cant seem to finish them. Tomorrow, I will hop in a plane just to hop off the plane, hop in a car just to hop out of the car, climb up a mountain and climb back down it, and make it just in time for Thanksgiving Dinner with my family.


I am so excited to see what I call "Gods Prime Creation" ( dogs rank in this category) tomorrow. My heart is at rest in His creation, because it was in the mountains where I learned to find rest in His Word. Grab hold of His truth and flee from evil.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Remembering why I loved the things I once Loved.

My goodness, I can hardly find time to write!

                          I have so many great and exciting things going on! I cant post any pictures on Facebook about what I do. I have to keep the kids privacy in mind. But we just finished a week of VBS for the preschoolers. I just simply love preschoolers, maybe because they don't understand the worries of the world, and preschoolers are fun.
                          Blessed am I. I had no idea what moving to Chaska would do to my life. I spent a whole year, realizing that I actually made the decision to go to Chaska over Taiwan.... and I was just boggled that I did that. But God guides... and He shows.
                           I get an opportunity to begin a new ministry, that involves every member in our congregation. From Adults, to children, to infants. We are starting "The Story", by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. Small groups, Bible Studies, children's programs... I have been so busy writing, studying, coordinating, programing, and having many discussions about it. I will continue to be busy, because we have one month till we start the 31 week study! But God is good, all Glory to Him.

                            I had a chance to attend a WMPL ( World Mission Prayer League) meeting 2 nights ago in Minneapolis. I had some nervousness about attending it for many different reasons. I had been praying about attending WMPL for months. I knew I would fall in love with the ministry, and I don't know if I have time for that. haha So.. I put on a brave hat and adventured down there. What a beautiful place, with people who Love the Lord. There was a couple from Bolivia that spoke. They spoke of their ministry, struggles, their family, and their passion to serve.

I left encouraged.

Encouraged to follow the gifts and passions God has given to me.

I also left focused.

Focused on what He has called me to do in Chaska. 

I left knowing I am loved by the King

And I remembered again, why I loved the things I once loved.

I'm done writing. If I keep writing I wont stop. Please continue to pray for me, my heart is aching in areas and it is joyful in others. But, God has only showed His faithfulness and love for me.

I need to hike a mountain.

"Be still my soul"

Learning those words.  What a beautiful hymn that speaks truth.

::June::

The past few weeks have been nothing but a round and about challenge of life kinda roller coaster.

I have been praying a lot about direction. The Lord has guided me here to serve in Minnesota, but I have been torn here and there in certain areas of my life. Relationships, jobs, youth, family, travel, community, etc... what comes first? Living with no family around, but yet a HUGE field that is in need of Christ... It has been nothing but a story to see how this new place in Minnesota has become my home.


Here are some things that happened the past few weeks

Met a houseful of Christian ladies who are serving Christ in Minneapolis

Said "goodbye"

Flew across the country to celebrate a wedding of 2 very close friends

met 78 new day campers :) what joy they were.

took a break from painting.

re-evaluated

Spent many hours working.

ran a lot

dreamt

laughed with the girls

::took photos::

prepared

prayed

and so much more.

 

In 2 days I leave to take my youth to the gathering in Texas: for 9 days we will be there.  We shall see what stories I come back with!

 

 

Prayer
Thanksgiving
He is faithful
He who guides, provides
 

Trinity Sunday

Tomorrow is one of my favorite days in the church year, it is Trinity Sunday.  The Trinity can not be understood, it cannot be picked apart in clear explanation, and it remains out of our comprehension. However, what we do know about the Trinity is truth. The Trinity has stood as a foundation to our purpose and use as Christians in the World today.


 A few years back, I was in the debate with my degree selection back in college. I was going back and forth with Ecclesiastical Art and or Theological studies.  So I decided to do both, in a different way.
In Fall of 2009, I began to build a Stained Glass Window. The essence of the Trinity was my inspiration. As I look back, I cant believe I finished it! A year and a half went by, and it was complete.

But still, my art does not come close to the understanding of the Trinity. It cannot depict the nature and existence of God in its context, texture, and expression, neither can my words. When I finished, I was so glad to be done. I couldn't look at it for a few months because I still knew it wasn't complete. The window just didn't say it all, not even close.  

 

The Trinity is an important part to the Christian Doctrine. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God but yet 3 persons. Their character, purpose, and actions are recorded in the scriptures, but until we see our Lord on the final day we cannot comprehend the Trinity.

The Trinity was also a doctrine not accepted in the religious culture in my home town. It was pressed on my heart to discover and learn more because of its rejection. Where are people refusing this doctrine? What is making more sense to them then the Trinity? My hometown was filled with members of " The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". This doctrine is denied by their church body because it clashes with their understanding of their own purpose.  Perhaps another time I will go into more detail, but as you can see the Trinity was a doctrine pressed against me at a young age.

Here is a blog that I really enjoyed, it focuses on The Trinity and Missions! http://wmpl.org/2013/05/trinity-sunday/ 

 

What we do know about the Trinity is found in the Word of God. As we continue to read about the Father as a sender, the work that Christ did,  and the work of the Holy Spirit  we learn more about each character and their unity with eachother.

 

Praise the Trinity for using all of us in His own time, for His glory and purpose, and for giving us the strength to declare our Lord as Holy.

 

 

Now... I have to teach this to children. :) :) haha. Lord give me the Words.

 

 





 

There are so many joys today. The Sun is out, My friend Kelsey is graduating from College and delivering her speech, the children are filled with crazy happiness, and I spent all day yesterday with a 6 day old baby. ( for those of you that know me... this shocked myself)  Today, it is my day off but I like to work ahead, so that I can enjoy my days and not get behind. For Monday, we have to pick out some hymns for a funeral service we are having at church. Since my church is so young, this is the 2nd funeral we have had since last August. My Pastor and I are blessed with the opportunity to comfort with words of truth, from the Grace of God to a family that is mourning.


2 weeks before Thanksgiving 2011, Rachel and I got in our car and made the hardest trip we have had to make. We woke up and drove, from Milwaukee to Detroit. We knew we would arrive upon a "goodbye". Grandma Ella was saying goodbye to us all. Of course, we saw joy that day. She just wanted to play go fish, and talk about her life. She told us a story about how she danced with our Grandpa, and fell in love with him. Very romantic, I know. But it wasn't just that story she left us with. With a wonderful voicemail to our whole family, letters, cards, etc...   She left a passion. Her heart  was confident in the Lord and his promises. As a child she knew the Word of God, it was engraved in her, like an inscription. The Holy Spirit gave her the Word to recite in her memory, and reflect upon. We saw her recite the Word. Not reading from the bible, but it was internalized in her heart.  I have seen this in my Mom.  When all else went in life, Grandma Ella still had the foundation of Gods Word. 
When we said our goodbyes at the hospital, I knew her prayer was for us to be able to say " Jesus is my life, my hopes foundation, and my glory and salvation" with all confidence. Because this is truth.
Every tear, prayer, hug, and grasp. Rachel and I knew what was ahead. We knew it was Life.  I just pray that in times of despair, and in our weakness,  we may all return upon the knowledge and hope we were given in our Baptism and through his Word. To God our Lord be praised for this.

For Monday, We praise Jesus for the Salvation he has given to us all, the gift of eternal life.

 

On my heart imprint Your image, Blessed Jesus, King of grace

That life's riches, cares, and pleasures Never may your work erase;

Let the clear inscription be: Jesus, crucified for me,

Is my life, my hopes foundation, And my glory and salvation.