Growing up my dad's favorite movie was always Chariots of Fire, that old runners movie about an olympic runner (Eric Liddell) who refused to run in his race because it was on Sunday, the Lord's Day. Growing up I can't say that I liked the movie, nor that I understood it fully. You see it's an 80's movie, so the "old school" quality and acting were not high on my list. Besides, it's all about running which I hate with a passion. To this day I am not even sure if I have seen the movie in it's entirety.
Well not only was this one of my dad's favorite movies, he also had a favorite quote. Eric Liddell says in this movie, "when I run, I can feel His pleasure." That's the kind of quote that can send chills down your spin and may only rivaled by the images of Moses speaking with the the Lord in the burning bush, or maybe the sight of God as He, with His own finger carves out the 10 commandments.
Yet even though my spine was adequately chilled by all these I don't think I really and truly grasped what they meant or the fullness of their significance. What does it really mean to "feel God's pleasure?" And is it even possible? Growing up I dismissed the movie and the questions with little to no thought. Maybe because it was too hard. Maybe out of laziness. Maybe out of fear or maybe because I just didn't care.
Last night however I made the statement to someone, "I just LOVE ministry!" and they asked me why the "outburst?" I had this overwhelming feeling of fulfillment and joy, of well pleasure but I didn't really have an answer. I tried to give some reasons but as I walked away they felt shallow. Yes it was AWESOME that we had 3 new kids at Kids Club as a result of our Saturday Halloween outreach. Yes it was so rewarding to see a return student from last year at Youth Group again as a result of the Saturday outreach. But the more I thought about this, the more I realized that was not it. As the night went on and more kids signed up to attend Dare2Share this weekend my joy and enthusiasm was building, but not because of numbers. Not because of feeling successful. So then what was it? I couldn't describe it, nor could I understand it myself. Well until this morning.
This morning is when Eric's words, the quote of my Father during childhood, rang true in my heart. "When I run God, I feel Your pleasure." That's what it is. It's not about numbers or tasks or programs. It's about running this race of life here on earth, being confident that you are smack dab in the center of God's Will, His perfect and pleasing will. It's about while there doing His will and being used by Him. It's about knowing that God is watching, saying "My child, well done." It's about sensing the smile and joy, the pleasure if you will that is on His face as He watches His child glorifying Him in their lives.
So this morning my blurred vision came into focus, last night I felt God's pleasure and it was good.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Nocturnal Dilemmas
I am a night person, I am a morning person...what does that even mean? Are we genetically different or are some of us just REALLY good at making our bodies mind us? Have we trained them well to follow direct orders, Go to Sleep! Wake up! My husband apparently has his person scared silly, because he can fall asleep on command. However, mine is apparently obstinate and has a strong will because rarely does it listen to me. But let me back up a bit.
I have always considered myself a "night person" believing that it would be impossible for me to function well in the AM like those evil dawn risers. However, a couple of years ago miraculously I began to, upon occasion, emerge from the safety of my bed around the hour of 3:30am. I would successfully dress myself and drive myself to work, where I would joyously partake of fabulous caffeine and customer connections. There would be a smile on my face and dare I say a spring in my step, all before the sun came up. It was then that I first began to consider one could actually convert.
I marveled at my own transformation, such a balanced life I now was leading. Fully functioning and part of "the real world" as my dad would always call those morning people, I had joined the ranks and was feeling quite proud. I had actually grown up. Although I could not explain it I found myself somehow experiencing some sort of sick gratification that I had bested my genetic make-up, proved the hecklers wrong and willed myself into a "morning person." Success!
Confident and joyful that my transformation was complete, I will admit it, I may have become slightly haughty. And as they say, pride goes before a fall. After two years of this life I was just sure that I could ride on it's coat-tails into the sunset. Well maybe that was my problem, too much focus on the sunset and not enough on the sunrise. With the joy and freedom I found in separating myself from the great coffee god starbucks, I relaxed. This would be my first mistake.
You see after two years of arising during the wee hours of the morning, I believed my nocturnal nature had been bested. No, it had been beaten and beaten soundly. How can two years of work and discipline be destroyed by one week of reward? Well my friends I am living proof that it can indeed. I am living proof that once a nocturnal, always a nocturnal. However I have come to some realizations of which I will share with you; whom obviously lead an exciting life because you are here reading this blog but we'll talk about you some other time.
Observation #1: Heidi Lyn Anderson Snider IS a "night person" through and through (sorry dad, it's true). Observation #2: This is NOT a bad thing, regardless of however much her father or her husband may indicate that it is. Observation #3: There is a "Personal Choice" option - this is the choice to go against nature and choose to counter act your natural genetic state, becoming a functioning morning person. Observation #4: Heidi Lyn Anderson Snider is sitting the fence on whether to embrace her natural state or to become a "functioning morning person" Observation #5: It's lonely at night which may have some influence over observation #4.
What conclusion do all these intelligent observations lead us to? That I may need something better to do at 12:47am than blogging. Thus the dilemma continues.
I have always considered myself a "night person" believing that it would be impossible for me to function well in the AM like those evil dawn risers. However, a couple of years ago miraculously I began to, upon occasion, emerge from the safety of my bed around the hour of 3:30am. I would successfully dress myself and drive myself to work, where I would joyously partake of fabulous caffeine and customer connections. There would be a smile on my face and dare I say a spring in my step, all before the sun came up. It was then that I first began to consider one could actually convert.
I marveled at my own transformation, such a balanced life I now was leading. Fully functioning and part of "the real world" as my dad would always call those morning people, I had joined the ranks and was feeling quite proud. I had actually grown up. Although I could not explain it I found myself somehow experiencing some sort of sick gratification that I had bested my genetic make-up, proved the hecklers wrong and willed myself into a "morning person." Success!
Confident and joyful that my transformation was complete, I will admit it, I may have become slightly haughty. And as they say, pride goes before a fall. After two years of this life I was just sure that I could ride on it's coat-tails into the sunset. Well maybe that was my problem, too much focus on the sunset and not enough on the sunrise. With the joy and freedom I found in separating myself from the great coffee god starbucks, I relaxed. This would be my first mistake.
You see after two years of arising during the wee hours of the morning, I believed my nocturnal nature had been bested. No, it had been beaten and beaten soundly. How can two years of work and discipline be destroyed by one week of reward? Well my friends I am living proof that it can indeed. I am living proof that once a nocturnal, always a nocturnal. However I have come to some realizations of which I will share with you; whom obviously lead an exciting life because you are here reading this blog but we'll talk about you some other time.
Observation #1: Heidi Lyn Anderson Snider IS a "night person" through and through (sorry dad, it's true). Observation #2: This is NOT a bad thing, regardless of however much her father or her husband may indicate that it is. Observation #3: There is a "Personal Choice" option - this is the choice to go against nature and choose to counter act your natural genetic state, becoming a functioning morning person. Observation #4: Heidi Lyn Anderson Snider is sitting the fence on whether to embrace her natural state or to become a "functioning morning person" Observation #5: It's lonely at night which may have some influence over observation #4.
What conclusion do all these intelligent observations lead us to? That I may need something better to do at 12:47am than blogging. Thus the dilemma continues.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Farewell to Joseph
So in my job at church I am now dabble in a few more areas and age groups. One of these just happens to be the smaller munchkinlike ages. I have been enjoying this new endeavor and even spent the month of September teaching Sunday School. It turned out to be a good time for me and I am sure a splendid time for the kids, cause let's face it...I am kind of a big deal!
During the month of September we learned about the different parts of creation, including fish. Well because I am so fabulous I decided to get my fabulous class a class fish. Good idea right? No Great idea right? Currently I am thinking, not so much. You see all the wonderful munchkins were excited about this fish when I introduced him. We contemplated names and finally settled on Joseph, we loved this fish, we fed it and cared for it. Still sounds like a GREAT idea, right?
Well unlike the class pets in school classrooms, my "children" are only in class one day a week. Therefore, the care of Joseph falls on into the capable hands of one Heidi Snider, aka the big deal. This care has been going well for several weeks now. Sunday we fed Joseph in class. Tuesday and Wednesday I personally fed him and he swam around his tank. Thursday I decided I should feed him again only to find that Joseph was no long swimming but instead floating around his tank. My heart sank as I began to ask myself WHY I thought this was a good idea...I am still waiting for an answer.
So tomorrow is decision time. I must decide whether Joseph will stay forever dead or if I will attempt to resurrect him like every good parents does for their child's first pet only prolonging the inevitable. Yes my friends only time will tell, but I hope Joseph has a twin!
During the month of September we learned about the different parts of creation, including fish. Well because I am so fabulous I decided to get my fabulous class a class fish. Good idea right? No Great idea right? Currently I am thinking, not so much. You see all the wonderful munchkins were excited about this fish when I introduced him. We contemplated names and finally settled on Joseph, we loved this fish, we fed it and cared for it. Still sounds like a GREAT idea, right?
Well unlike the class pets in school classrooms, my "children" are only in class one day a week. Therefore, the care of Joseph falls on into the capable hands of one Heidi Snider, aka the big deal. This care has been going well for several weeks now. Sunday we fed Joseph in class. Tuesday and Wednesday I personally fed him and he swam around his tank. Thursday I decided I should feed him again only to find that Joseph was no long swimming but instead floating around his tank. My heart sank as I began to ask myself WHY I thought this was a good idea...I am still waiting for an answer.
So tomorrow is decision time. I must decide whether Joseph will stay forever dead or if I will attempt to resurrect him like every good parents does for their child's first pet only prolonging the inevitable. Yes my friends only time will tell, but I hope Joseph has a twin!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
H2O World
Well last night marked the kick-off of yet another year in Youth Ministry. I work with a ministry called MERGE 4:12 Student Ministries. We minister to JR. & SR. High Students and try to introduce them to Jesus Christ as we encourage them to MERGE their lives with Him.
Last night we kicked things off with a night of water, shaving cream, dog poop and ice cream...in no particular order. We enjoyed the presence of 21 students excited to be there and getting VERY wet. My particular favorite was seeing Jake & Kyle all covered by their teammates for our shaving cream snowman competition. Good times, good times.
It's going to be great year, we have a great team. Great students, and loads of fun around the bend. If you think of us, please keep this ministry in your prayers. Anything can happen when there are teenagers are involved =)
Last night we kicked things off with a night of water, shaving cream, dog poop and ice cream...in no particular order. We enjoyed the presence of 21 students excited to be there and getting VERY wet. My particular favorite was seeing Jake & Kyle all covered by their teammates for our shaving cream snowman competition. Good times, good times.
It's going to be great year, we have a great team. Great students, and loads of fun around the bend. If you think of us, please keep this ministry in your prayers. Anything can happen when there are teenagers are involved =)
Sunday, August 09, 2009
It has beady eyes and a long tail
While pondering the greater things in life tonight and NOT sleeping I found that my lovely dog Lyla awoke from her slumber. We have a delightful little couch she likes to sleep on, she at one end and I with my handy computer at the other. She arose and wondered around the living room, into the dinning room for water and back again. All this, very normal indeed. Until, she took interest on the other side of me, behind the rocking chair. My curiosity now raised...
...I glanced over her way to see what had struck her fancy. You see, Lyla likes to torment flies or they like to torment her, I haven't quite figured out which one yet. She is also a master spider hunter, just the other day I saw her paw one to its death right before my eyes. With this at the forefront of my mind I glance her way, nothing. She remarkably lost interest and again accompanied me on the couch, where she now lays sleeping soundly. I on the other hand have tremendous peripheral vision and caught a distinct movement from behind the rocking chair to the area behind the couch where I sit.
Now I am a relatively intelligent woman, I quickly take an inventory of all LIVING things that are SUPPOSED to be in my house. Lyla is sleeping beside me and is too large for that movement just seen. My husband is innocently (used loosely) sleeping upstairs in bed, and again too large. So I begin to rely on my past experiences for explanation. Am I over reacting? Yes, it's happened once or twice before. Though not quickly identified by the average human eye, I am a back woods, U.P. kind of a girl and the thoughts that this evokes are NOT PLEASANT to say the least! I give you two words...SHREW - MOUSE...UGH!!!!!
Yes, that is the next place my mind took me. My heart sank, my pulse raced. I craned my neck to view behind the couch as I sat there, not wishing to place even my little toe on the floor. Nothing. UGH! I began to doubt my eyes, that darn peripheral vision can play tricks on you. But no, I must be sure. With the lights low and my faithful guard dog and protector husband both soundly sleeping I bravely arose from my place of safety on the couch, one foot, two feet and quickly made my way to the garage. Fortunately I had just put away all of our flashlights in the garage and was quickly armed for the investigation.
I cautiously returned to the living room, flashlight in hand. From across the room I shined the light underneath my seat, nothing. I moved the light toward the center of the couch, still nothing. A little further, where the sectional connects there it was! I had to take a step closer, oh no there it was! THERE IT WAS a MOUSE! It's beady little eyes staring back at me, taunting me. Ick! There it was, beady eyes and little tail trying to pretend that it was cute, but I won't be fooled you little monster! I know what you are. You just wait, it's on my little friend.
I set my flashlight down, unsure of what my next move should be. It is far too late to enter into battle tonight and Boris looks as though he is a feisty little monster. No Boris, our altercation will have to wait until the marrow. Sleep well my little beady eyed varmint, for it may be your last!
...I glanced over her way to see what had struck her fancy. You see, Lyla likes to torment flies or they like to torment her, I haven't quite figured out which one yet. She is also a master spider hunter, just the other day I saw her paw one to its death right before my eyes. With this at the forefront of my mind I glance her way, nothing. She remarkably lost interest and again accompanied me on the couch, where she now lays sleeping soundly. I on the other hand have tremendous peripheral vision and caught a distinct movement from behind the rocking chair to the area behind the couch where I sit.
Now I am a relatively intelligent woman, I quickly take an inventory of all LIVING things that are SUPPOSED to be in my house. Lyla is sleeping beside me and is too large for that movement just seen. My husband is innocently (used loosely) sleeping upstairs in bed, and again too large. So I begin to rely on my past experiences for explanation. Am I over reacting? Yes, it's happened once or twice before. Though not quickly identified by the average human eye, I am a back woods, U.P. kind of a girl and the thoughts that this evokes are NOT PLEASANT to say the least! I give you two words...SHREW - MOUSE...UGH!!!!!
Yes, that is the next place my mind took me. My heart sank, my pulse raced. I craned my neck to view behind the couch as I sat there, not wishing to place even my little toe on the floor. Nothing. UGH! I began to doubt my eyes, that darn peripheral vision can play tricks on you. But no, I must be sure. With the lights low and my faithful guard dog and protector husband both soundly sleeping I bravely arose from my place of safety on the couch, one foot, two feet and quickly made my way to the garage. Fortunately I had just put away all of our flashlights in the garage and was quickly armed for the investigation.
I cautiously returned to the living room, flashlight in hand. From across the room I shined the light underneath my seat, nothing. I moved the light toward the center of the couch, still nothing. A little further, where the sectional connects there it was! I had to take a step closer, oh no there it was! THERE IT WAS a MOUSE! It's beady little eyes staring back at me, taunting me. Ick! There it was, beady eyes and little tail trying to pretend that it was cute, but I won't be fooled you little monster! I know what you are. You just wait, it's on my little friend.
I set my flashlight down, unsure of what my next move should be. It is far too late to enter into battle tonight and Boris looks as though he is a feisty little monster. No Boris, our altercation will have to wait until the marrow. Sleep well my little beady eyed varmint, for it may be your last!
An Update...
So if any of you still check this blog you may have realized that you are 1) insane because I NEVER update it and 2) wondering if I am still alive. Well I am here to tell you that both are in fact true, you are insane as I have not updated this blog for over a year and yes I am still alive.
I have taken a prolonged furlough from the blogging scene and tonight find myself wondering why. Why has it been so long? What I have I really been doing with myself? And while I find myself extremely interesting and quite the BIG DEAL, do others enough that this should be resurrected from the furlough? Might I again join the realm of the bloggers? These are really quite important questions, but even greater still is the question of...what in the world should this blog be about NOW?
You see in the birth of my blog there was an intentional purpose, to keep friends and family privy to the exciting happenings of one, Heidi Anderson. That mission accomplished I was presented with a barrage of questions regarding my intention of "updating" this blog. I rapidly assured all that yes in fact I would try, however i found quite quickly I no longer understood my purpose here. Now living back within the Continental US and only a short car ride or a quick phone call (yes Bethany I understand the irony) away from communicating my everyday activities and "happenings" is this blogging thing really a necessity in my life? Is it really they manner in which I wish to communicate with those I care about most? Most perplexing however is, what in the world would I share?
Many people use this blogging thing for their travels around the world, ministry and such. Been there, done that. Others utilize it to communicate and update family on the "happenings" in their day to day lives. Hmmm, interesting. Still others to share and discuss political, religious or nonesensical opinions. Again, hmmmm. Interesting, but not really up my alley. Lastly there are those that find this forum adequate to share the facetious events in their families lives, particularly their children. While there are probably many more uses for the blogging venue it is this last one I have come to realize which most closely represents my own purpose here in the blogging world, however, I am struck by one drastic flaw - I have NO CHILDREN. Dog yes. Husband yes, but no children. The thought had crossed my mind that IF you are still reading this I might venture to write about the "happenings of Josh, Heidi AND Lyla" henceforth. However, upon quick further review I realize that I NEVER want to be ONE OF THOSE people! You know the ones.
So it is thus with a heavy heart that must close this little update which has no specific point or purpose. I leave you tonight still wondering about the fate of my little blog. Will it ever again have a purpose? Will I ever be privy to it's direction? And most importantly, am I just leading you on? Only to again take yet another furlough from your world of blogging? I guess the only way any of us will find answers is to yet again take the chance and check the blogs. Farewell my friends, until next time - whenever that might be.
I have taken a prolonged furlough from the blogging scene and tonight find myself wondering why. Why has it been so long? What I have I really been doing with myself? And while I find myself extremely interesting and quite the BIG DEAL, do others enough that this should be resurrected from the furlough? Might I again join the realm of the bloggers? These are really quite important questions, but even greater still is the question of...what in the world should this blog be about NOW?
You see in the birth of my blog there was an intentional purpose, to keep friends and family privy to the exciting happenings of one, Heidi Anderson. That mission accomplished I was presented with a barrage of questions regarding my intention of "updating" this blog. I rapidly assured all that yes in fact I would try, however i found quite quickly I no longer understood my purpose here. Now living back within the Continental US and only a short car ride or a quick phone call (yes Bethany I understand the irony) away from communicating my everyday activities and "happenings" is this blogging thing really a necessity in my life? Is it really they manner in which I wish to communicate with those I care about most? Most perplexing however is, what in the world would I share?
Many people use this blogging thing for their travels around the world, ministry and such. Been there, done that. Others utilize it to communicate and update family on the "happenings" in their day to day lives. Hmmm, interesting. Still others to share and discuss political, religious or nonesensical opinions. Again, hmmmm. Interesting, but not really up my alley. Lastly there are those that find this forum adequate to share the facetious events in their families lives, particularly their children. While there are probably many more uses for the blogging venue it is this last one I have come to realize which most closely represents my own purpose here in the blogging world, however, I am struck by one drastic flaw - I have NO CHILDREN. Dog yes. Husband yes, but no children. The thought had crossed my mind that IF you are still reading this I might venture to write about the "happenings of Josh, Heidi AND Lyla" henceforth. However, upon quick further review I realize that I NEVER want to be ONE OF THOSE people! You know the ones.
So it is thus with a heavy heart that must close this little update which has no specific point or purpose. I leave you tonight still wondering about the fate of my little blog. Will it ever again have a purpose? Will I ever be privy to it's direction? And most importantly, am I just leading you on? Only to again take yet another furlough from your world of blogging? I guess the only way any of us will find answers is to yet again take the chance and check the blogs. Farewell my friends, until next time - whenever that might be.
Monday, April 14, 2008
AFTER Pictures coming SOON...
I have been in my place for a few weeks now, and yes I know the pictures are LONG overdue. I will try and take some and get them on here soon!
Monday, January 21, 2008
House Closing
I closed on a 3 bedroom townhouse January 11th. It's a fixer-upper but I am thrilled! Last week we started tearing it apart and I started to get REAL excited! I tried to post some pics with this blog but was having trouble. Stay tuned for future pics of the place and work we are doing.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Life is Flyin'
Wow, life is flying by! Its great but it is racing by. So what exactly is happening? Starbucks is great, but I drink too much coffee. Ministry is good and exciting. God is gracious to have blessed me with good students and a great church.
Last Wednesday night we had a Night of Worship at youth group. We had been planning it for a couple of months and had lined up a band to play for us. Less than 24 hours before this night was to take place I received a call that they were cancelling on me. I was completely at a loss for what to do. I wasn't sure how to find replacements or if I should just cancel youth group. This was supposed to be the culmination of a series of devotions we had done on worship. We wanted to sing as well as to have four different worship stations for students to visit during the evening. Stations such as reading through scripture, a creative corner and prayer requests and thanksgiving. I decided that I had no idea how but we needed to have this night anyway. Later Tuesday evening I received a call for the drummer of the band that had cancelled. He told me he had lined up replacements for the next night and we were on again. All I can say is that when it was all said and done it was a powerful night and I really felt the Lord moving. If I had choreographed it, I don't think it could have been more perfect. It is amazing how God takes the most uncertain of circumstances and makes something incredible!
Tonight was a Christmas party to end the year. Relaxed but good. We just kicked back and enjoyed some pizza, kareoke, contests and gift exchange. Its neat to be a part of something that I know God is working through. Although there have been some ups and downs we are now averaging around 10-12 on Wednesday nights and having higher participation. I am so encouraged at what God is doing in some of these students lives and I pray that He ignites a fire in their hearts and blesses me with the priviledge to watch it burn for Him.
Last Wednesday night we had a Night of Worship at youth group. We had been planning it for a couple of months and had lined up a band to play for us. Less than 24 hours before this night was to take place I received a call that they were cancelling on me. I was completely at a loss for what to do. I wasn't sure how to find replacements or if I should just cancel youth group. This was supposed to be the culmination of a series of devotions we had done on worship. We wanted to sing as well as to have four different worship stations for students to visit during the evening. Stations such as reading through scripture, a creative corner and prayer requests and thanksgiving. I decided that I had no idea how but we needed to have this night anyway. Later Tuesday evening I received a call for the drummer of the band that had cancelled. He told me he had lined up replacements for the next night and we were on again. All I can say is that when it was all said and done it was a powerful night and I really felt the Lord moving. If I had choreographed it, I don't think it could have been more perfect. It is amazing how God takes the most uncertain of circumstances and makes something incredible!
Tonight was a Christmas party to end the year. Relaxed but good. We just kicked back and enjoyed some pizza, kareoke, contests and gift exchange. Its neat to be a part of something that I know God is working through. Although there have been some ups and downs we are now averaging around 10-12 on Wednesday nights and having higher participation. I am so encouraged at what God is doing in some of these students lives and I pray that He ignites a fire in their hearts and blesses me with the priviledge to watch it burn for Him.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Let the Bloggin' Begin
Well, I started this Blog to keep in touch with people while living in Portugal last year. I have now been back in the states for over four months and have been nearly bloggless for the entire time. After much soul searching and sleepless nights I have decided that this may be an interesting way to continue to keep people up-to-date on my thoughts, happenings and ministry.
So, while I encourage you to defer your excitement until a later date - preferably until after time has proven that I am up to the challenge or living an exciting enough life to hold your attention - I encourage you to check in once in a while for updates, prayer requests or merely a humorous diatribe.
As I know you will all be waiting with baited breath, I will try and begin this bloggin' soon.
So, while I encourage you to defer your excitement until a later date - preferably until after time has proven that I am up to the challenge or living an exciting enough life to hold your attention - I encourage you to check in once in a while for updates, prayer requests or merely a humorous diatribe.
As I know you will all be waiting with baited breath, I will try and begin this bloggin' soon.
Hmmmmm, Thanks Giving
So, its only two more days until Thanks Giving and I must say I am thrilled! I love Thanks Giving and have to admit that it is quite possibly my favorite holiday of the entire year. On one hand it makes me think of the words of a modern day philosopher (Brian Regan), "how do I get all that goodness in me?!" and on the other hand it is just such a relaxing time to be with friends and family. A holiday without all the commercialism and hype of so many others. One that in many homes gets over looked as it is smashed into oblivion by Halloween and Christmas. Thank goodness that is not the destiny of Thanks Giving in my family! So, as I write this little tidbit for you to read I sit in anticipation for this, my favorite holiday...let the count down begin!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Home Sweet Home
I have arrived home sweet home and it is good! I arrived on June 15th safe and sound to the beautiful state of Colorado. It has been good to be home and the transition has been smooth thus far.
This year in Portugal has taught me much and I can already see God's fingerprints throughout it. I want to thank you for your financial and prayerful support throughout this year. You have been such an encouragement and have played a vital role in my life as well as the ministry in Portugal! Thank you!
One way in which I see the Lord's fingerprint this year is the mighty way He has been preparing me for the next phase of the journey. This next phase actually brings me back to Colorado. On July 1st I will be starting as the Youth Director at Highland Baptist Church and am so excited! My heart is very full with the joy and excitement of the role God has called me to play in His Kingdom work and the blessing of being able to remain in Colorado and close to many of my dear family and friends. My cup is overflowing and I would covet your continued prayers as I embark on this new adventure.
Thank you again for all you have done this year!
This year in Portugal has taught me much and I can already see God's fingerprints throughout it. I want to thank you for your financial and prayerful support throughout this year. You have been such an encouragement and have played a vital role in my life as well as the ministry in Portugal! Thank you!
One way in which I see the Lord's fingerprint this year is the mighty way He has been preparing me for the next phase of the journey. This next phase actually brings me back to Colorado. On July 1st I will be starting as the Youth Director at Highland Baptist Church and am so excited! My heart is very full with the joy and excitement of the role God has called me to play in His Kingdom work and the blessing of being able to remain in Colorado and close to many of my dear family and friends. My cup is overflowing and I would covet your continued prayers as I embark on this new adventure.
Thank you again for all you have done this year!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
iN JeRUsAleM...
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 
Left: A Daughter and Mother singing an African hymn, the mother is harmonizing (this one is for you mom).
This past weekend I attended the first Action Bible Missions Conference. The church I have been attending here in Portugal is part of a group of churches called Action Bible and it was such a priviledge to participate in their first every missions conference.
The conference took place in the Algarve (south Portugal, a popular vacation place for Europeans) near the cities of Olhao and Faro. Action Bible has a small camp located there which housed people from outside of the area and provided the facilities for our meetings.
To say that this weekend was refreshing and encouraging to me would be an understatement. As I prepare to return to the states and look toward what part God has for me to play in His great plan I have felt drained and even discouraged. I began this weekend asking the Lord to renew me, to teach me, to help my heart be open to whatever He would have me hear this weekend - He answered my prayer abundantly! No, the Lord did not come down and tell me what the next phase of my life will look like. He did not give me a call or burden for a particular country, people or work. What He did do was draw me closer to Him, renew and encourage my spirit (in exactly the way I needed), and displayed His mighty and great work as many shared the vision and experiences in missions. I walked away from this weekend excited about what God is doing in missions.
Throughout the weekend we had worship through music and the word. Two speakers brought the word throughout the weekend, Pastor Paulo from Lisbon and Pastor Edison from Brazil. On Friday night Pastor Edison spoke from Acts 1:8 and shared that we need to be reaching our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth simultaniously.
This concept hit me. Many times missions has been spoken of as Going, and only Going to the ends of the earth. What hit me is that each one of us has a call from God to play a part in this great plan, God's plan to reach all the world with the truth of His love and forgiveness. We must understand the role that He is calling us to play if we are to reach our own Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, as well as the ends of the earth simultaniously - not one is less important than the other.
Pastor Edison also spoke of the need to see the world through God's eyes and know the world with the mind of God. I am still wrestling with the depth and responsibility of all this. What does this all mean? What would it look like in my own life? In the life of the American Church?
Pastor Paulo made a statement on Saturday that really hit me. He said, "we can teach whatever we want but we can only multiply what we are." Wow, simple but profound! To share the love of Christ, to encourage people to grow in their relationship with Christ, to fulfill Christ's statement in Acts 1:8 and so many of His other commands - it must begin in me. You see it is not the one that yells the loudest, but rather the one that humbly walks steadily forward with their eyes afixed on Him that will make a difference in this world.
On Sunday there were probably around 300 people in attendance and Pastor Edison gave a call to missions, around 10-15 responded. It is my prayer that this is the beginning of a powerful movement of believers in Portugal that will stand in their Jerusalem while they help to send others out into all the world.
I pray that in my own life this will not be a soon forgotten experience but that I would rather be changed and with the Lord's help understand what I must do in my own life before I am what God would use to multiply in His Kingdom.
What will your response be? Are you being His witness in your Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria? Are you responding to His calling you to Go or to enable others to Go into all the world? I pray that you are hearing clearly whatever role the Lord is asking you to play in His amazing plan.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
I declare today: "I HAtE pUbliC TrAnsPOrT dAy!"
Those living in the lap of luxury driving from point A to point B in your very own little car may or may not chose to read this blog, that's fine. And heaven forbid that anyone so gluttonous as to have 2+ cars at their beckon call should have to hear the woes of my own self-inflicted condemnation. However, for those fellow sufferers of the pain and anguish thrust upon the habitual public transit user please do read on.
Um, so yeah I pretty much LOVE (heavy on the sarcasm) Public Transportation. As a matter of fact I have decided to declare this my own special "I hate public transport DAY!!!" and I am not even kidding. Many of you (those of you who still read this rarely updated and often times boring blog) may be wondering why on earth I would say such a thing. Or if you are anything like my mother you are saying to yourself, "Well, hate is such a strong word she probably just strongly dislikes it." No I hate it, its that simple and let me tell you why.
Today is Thursday. Ordinarily I am not partial to any particular day of the week however I am seriously considering boycotting Tuesdays and Thursdays, but that's a blog for another day. Anyway, Thursday is Portuguese tutoring day and that generally means I need to leave my home at 9am (when not receiving a ride from my teacher) to travel a distance of a 15 minutes drive (by car) in order to reach my destination on time for a 1030am tutoring class at PBI. I was supposed to catch a 9AM bus and as I was grabbing my iPod I looked out the window (at 850) to see my bus speed by - YES, this is going to be a great day! Being the problem solving, quick thinking, lovely young woman that I am, I quickly consulted my bus schedule and realized that a bus going the other direction could get me within walking distance from my destination and would be here at 9AM so I grabbed my iPod and headed out the door thinking to myself how humorous it would be if I would miss this bus too (NOT really, I am kidding here - I don't think I would have laughed at all) so as I am walking toward the bus stop I see my bus coming at me and think - CRAP! So I stick my arm straight out and point with my index finger (the universal "hey stop the bus I want to get on sign here in Portugal") praying that it will stop even though I am not at an actual bus stop.
Well fortunately the bus driver either wanted to tie his shoe, look at the lovely roses planted on the side of the road or, and far less likely, he took pity on me and pulled over. This thus began my 40 minute ride and 10+ minute walk to my Portuguese tutoring. To make matters even better at 1030, when we were supposed to start, Ana (our tutor who is awesome by the way) was not there and Bobb's phone rang. It turns out she had gone to my house to pick me up and wanted to make sure that I was actually at PBI since I was not at home.
So let's recap, I have now missed one bus, nearly missed another, both of which I did not even need to take, helped cause our tutoring to start 30 minutes late, had Ana waste gas driving out to my house to pick me up even though I was not there, and its only 1030am. Yes, this is the best day ever!
I would like to tell you that my Public Transport woes got better but that would be a lie and if there is one thing I hate worse than Public Transport that would be lying. So all I can say is I miss my Honda and am looking forward to the day when public transport will no longer be my master and I can hop in my Honda, play my favorite CD and drive, for no reason whatsoever, to my favorite store (target) and buy absolutely nothing because I have no money. Ah, man that's gonna be great! But until then I will continue to make my own holidays and consider boycotting various days of the week. Got to run, I don't want to miss this next bus!
Um, so yeah I pretty much LOVE (heavy on the sarcasm) Public Transportation. As a matter of fact I have decided to declare this my own special "I hate public transport DAY!!!" and I am not even kidding. Many of you (those of you who still read this rarely updated and often times boring blog) may be wondering why on earth I would say such a thing. Or if you are anything like my mother you are saying to yourself, "Well, hate is such a strong word she probably just strongly dislikes it." No I hate it, its that simple and let me tell you why.
Today is Thursday. Ordinarily I am not partial to any particular day of the week however I am seriously considering boycotting Tuesdays and Thursdays, but that's a blog for another day. Anyway, Thursday is Portuguese tutoring day and that generally means I need to leave my home at 9am (when not receiving a ride from my teacher) to travel a distance of a 15 minutes drive (by car) in order to reach my destination on time for a 1030am tutoring class at PBI. I was supposed to catch a 9AM bus and as I was grabbing my iPod I looked out the window (at 850) to see my bus speed by - YES, this is going to be a great day! Being the problem solving, quick thinking, lovely young woman that I am, I quickly consulted my bus schedule and realized that a bus going the other direction could get me within walking distance from my destination and would be here at 9AM so I grabbed my iPod and headed out the door thinking to myself how humorous it would be if I would miss this bus too (NOT really, I am kidding here - I don't think I would have laughed at all) so as I am walking toward the bus stop I see my bus coming at me and think - CRAP! So I stick my arm straight out and point with my index finger (the universal "hey stop the bus I want to get on sign here in Portugal") praying that it will stop even though I am not at an actual bus stop.
Well fortunately the bus driver either wanted to tie his shoe, look at the lovely roses planted on the side of the road or, and far less likely, he took pity on me and pulled over. This thus began my 40 minute ride and 10+ minute walk to my Portuguese tutoring. To make matters even better at 1030, when we were supposed to start, Ana (our tutor who is awesome by the way) was not there and Bobb's phone rang. It turns out she had gone to my house to pick me up and wanted to make sure that I was actually at PBI since I was not at home.
So let's recap, I have now missed one bus, nearly missed another, both of which I did not even need to take, helped cause our tutoring to start 30 minutes late, had Ana waste gas driving out to my house to pick me up even though I was not there, and its only 1030am. Yes, this is the best day ever!
I would like to tell you that my Public Transport woes got better but that would be a lie and if there is one thing I hate worse than Public Transport that would be lying. So all I can say is I miss my Honda and am looking forward to the day when public transport will no longer be my master and I can hop in my Honda, play my favorite CD and drive, for no reason whatsoever, to my favorite store (target) and buy absolutely nothing because I have no money. Ah, man that's gonna be great! But until then I will continue to make my own holidays and consider boycotting various days of the week. Got to run, I don't want to miss this next bus!
Monday, April 30, 2007
wHo WAnTs 2 bE a MoVIe StAr?
Saturday night was the execution of a bunch of planning. We put on a night called, "Who wants to be a Movie Star" for the youth. There were abou 15-18 people in attendance and as you can tell from the pictures everyone had a great time. I had the opportunity to share a devotional with the group with the help of Ron Fairbank's translation.
We sent 3 groups out into the city, armed with a video camera and a few props, to make short skits.
I was delightfully surprsed at the enthusiasm seen from everyone when we watched the videos later that night. Everyone was involved and was having fun playing their parts.
I think there the only mistake was when I announced the wrong winner - oops! It really was a great night of fun. Thank you for all of your prayers for this event. We are planning another event for May so please continue to be praying for the details to fall into place. Thank you!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Return Set
Well my ticket has been purchased, the date is set. It's offical, I will be returning home to Colorado on June 15th. This means I have 8 more weeks here in Portugal and to be involved in various committments and opportunities. Please pray that during this short time God will use me and that He will help me to finish my time here well.
I have learned a lot this year, grown in many ways (some painful) and met some wonderful people. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for the next phase of this journey.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Porto & Braga
Last week Bobb, Bri, Terence and I ventured north of Lisbon to the city of Porto for two days. Porto was previously the capital city of Portugal and is currently known for its production of Port Wine in the nearby Douro Valley. We all thoroughly enjoyed the visit, seeing many of the sights and just enjoying the "slower" pace of this smaller city. While Porto's architecture seems a bit more run down than Lisbon, I loved the city, its feel and my time there.
Located on the Douro river, Porto has six bridges giving access to and from the city. The above bridge is one of the older looking bridges and was my favorite giving cars and pedestrians access to the Gaia side of the river on the lower level and the metro and pedestrians access from above.
A view of Porto's river front from the Gaia side of the Douro
On our second day in Porto we climbed the over 200 steps of a church tower for this view of the city. Yes Grandma I did count them but I don't think their published number was correct. Then again, they didn't let us go up that last flight of stairs.
Inside the church I was really struck by all of the religious statues and how vivid and even gruesome some of the biblical characters are depicted. Mary above has blood running down her forehead because of some sort of spear hear. Next to her in the church was a statue of Judas with an axe.
On the third day of our trip Bobb, Bri and I headed to Braga. It is one of the cities most influenced by the Catholic Church. The church pictured above is from Bom Jesus, a large religious sight just outside of Braga. In addition to the many religious scenes and statues displayed throughout its grounds there are also several restaurants, hotels and gardens. This was one of my favorite sights both for its own uniqueness and it view of the city.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
On the RoAd aGaiN
Tomorrow morning I will rise before the sun and hail a passing autocarro (bus) and thus begin a journey to Porto, a must see city north of Lisbon. I am excited to visit the city and experience the culture which I am told is a bit different from Lisbon.
Bobb, Bri, Terence and I will be making this journey and I hope to be able to share some great pictures and stories from this latest adventure soon.
Have a wonderful week!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Cristo Rei & Castelo de Palmela
Saturday was a great day spent with Lisa, Jurgen, and Susie. We went to visit the Cristo Rei. Its a large statue on a hill across the river overlooking the city of Lisbon. It is a statue of Jesus and is supposed to symbolize that He is watching over the city. The statue is a church(ish) room with a very contemporary painting covering the front wall and these three stainglass windows in the back. I was really struck by how colorful and contemporary looking it all was.
Lisbon has two large bridges one called the Vasco de Gama after a Portuguese Explorer and the other, pictured above, is called the April 25th bridge (guess which one's my favorite). You must cross the April 25th bridge to visit the Cristo Rei.
I must admit, as I looked up at this statue and saw the sun shining down on it through the clouds I could not help but think of Jesus being baptized and the heavens opening up as God said, "this is my Son, with Him I am well pleased"
After our time at the Cristo Rei we made our way to a winery and waited for it to open and take a tour - It never did open!
Once we confirmed that the winery was not to open that day we decided to have our lunch at a nearby castle and see the sight. We drove to the Castelo de Palmela (which happened to be free- amazing!) and ate a wonderful lunch and saw the castle. This castle had an amazing view and was fun to explore.
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