Thursday, May 31, 2012

I Am One



As excited as I am,
I am also terrified.

I KNOW I am going to see things
that will break my heart
and change my life forever...

However,
we only live once.

It's time to make a difference!


"I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God,
I will do."
 

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:13:15 



Sunday, May 20, 2012

My Trip to Uganda and God's Faithful Provision





I’m ecstatic to share with you a breathtaking testimony that
God’s provision is UNDENIABLE.
True
Realistic
Honest
Faithful
Authentic
Factual
Genuine
Indisputable
Unquestionable
Irrefutable

Catchin my drift?


All throughout my marriage I have seen the Lord provide for my family in ways that are precious, powerful and sweet reminders that HE is in control, not us.  (phew)

From the moment Chris and I said “I Do”, the Lord has abundantly blessed us in ways that we know, without a doubt, are direct provisions from Him.

A few examples would be:
* Chris’s whole college tuition was paid in full.
* Surprise check in the mail that paid off our cars.
* Along with 100 other times the Lord blessed us with money
to help with the needs at that time.
* Family orphan fundraiser “Bread FOR Life” raised over $7000 to date.
(I mean, really, who would have ever thought that baking
a few loaves of pumpkin bread would do THAT?)

I am serious when I say; God’s provision is perfect and true.



You may wonder…

Are we rich?
Do we have fat bank accounts?
Are we swimming in $100 bills?
Do we blow our noses with $50’s?

No. No. No and NO!

We don’t own a house.
We don’t want to.
We don’t have new cars.
We don’t need them.
We don’t wear expensive designer clothes.
Thrift store shops have way more treasures
than any mall could ever.
We don’t own a boat.
We rather camp.
We don’t seek the latest and greatest of anything.
It’s all going to burn someday anyways.

Ha! That is seriously how I look at things.

I have told my husband 1000 times and I will continue to encourage this message to him…
we don’t need anything!




Now don’t get me wrong. I am not bashing or speaking ill of anyone who owns a home or a boat or anything like that. And hey, if you blow your nose with a $50.00 bills, more power to you. All I am saying, for our family, WE don’t need those things.

Life for me is about serving Jesus,
teaching my children to love and serve Jesus
and trusting Him to provide for our daily needs.

That’s it.



So anyways, here is my cool story I want to share:

As most of you know I am leaving for Africa in 2 weeks.
Uganda to be exact.
 I am traveling with a mission group 
We are going to love on the babies in orphanages,
feed the children on the street of Kampala
and lead a VBS for about 450 children while the men in our group teach a pastor’s conference for the men of Uganda.
Sounds pretty powerful, right?

I can’t wait.

Chris and I knew it was the Lord’s will for me to go on this trip.
We started praying.
Realistically, we do not have the almost $4000 needed to send me on this trip but we knew… we knew if it’s the Lord’s will,
He will provide. 

Several people from our church inquired about the finances and we left it at that. After some time went by,
it was time for me to send off a check.

In faith, Chris and I wrote the first check from our saving account.


 (Honestly I thought, “Well Hannah is going to be a missionary anyways, she doesn’t need to go to college. And Phoebe, well, she doesn’t need a fancy beach wedding, she can get married in our backyard and we can BBQ. Poor kids. Haha)


Thankfully,
 God’s plans are not our plans.

His ways are not our ways.

Chris and I were completely ready to write the second check.
We figured, God has always provided for us,
why He would stop now. He wouldn't!
He will provide the money for anything we need in the future as well as right now.


Within days of me sending off my final check,

it happened.

The news that shocked me, blessed me and made me cry.


We got the news that, 
My trip is being
PAID IN FULL!

Every penny of my trip is being funded.

Covered.

Provided for.

Every.Penny.

Praise GOD!

This is just another example to me that when God’s heart is the center of your heart,
He will take care of us.

He will take care of my family.
He will provide for ALL our needs.


I prayed that there would be support… but seriously?
The whole trip?
Paid?

YES!

My God owns ALL the cattle on a thousand hills.


(and He owns the hills too)
~wink~

He doesn’t need our little savings account to accomplish His work. In fact, He gives it back.
I just received a REIMBURSEMENT check from my first check.
 

Only HIM.

So I am here to remind you...

God’s provision is UNDENIABLE
True
Realistic
Honest
Faithful
Authentic
Factual
Genuine
Indisputable
Unquestionable
Irrefutable


"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever."
 Philippians 4:19-20





Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Before I go...



Even before I go... I KNOW!

I just know.

I am undone for the children of Uganda.

Is it even possible to know that my life will never be the same,
even before I go do what it is I'm going to do?
 
Apparently so.
 
I am forever changed
and I haven't even stepped foot on the plane yet.

Oh goodness... my. my. my.

What to do with me.




Lord Jesus... prepare the way!