Blessings

I love to hear a song that ministers and speaks to my heart. There have been many songs over the years that have encouraged and strengthen me. One of my current favorite songs is "Blessings" by Laura Story. 

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise.

It is true that this world is not my home. At times it is easy to forget that and to allow things of this world to discourage and get me down. But if my eyes are fixed on Jesus and my heart reminded that we are strangers in a strange land, I can have the strength to smile and get through another day. 

The desire of my heart can not be satisfied by the things and emotions of this life. True, abundant life can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Universe. What an amazing thing that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe loves me!! 

Travel and Grace

This past week I flew down to Indianoplis for a conference. My first layover was in Seattle. I had a couple hours, so was stretching my legs and decided to get some coffee. Stopped at Seattle's Best Coffee - the guy working at the counter asked if he I worked at the airport. "uh no." He said I looked familiar.... maybe I've been through Seattle Airport too many times if a guy who works there recognizes me. haha

Took me 12 hours to get from Fairbanks to Indy - 2 layovers. But was excited to get there. Stayed with my awesome friend, LL! We had a great couple days together..... we'll just leave it at that and not go into all the craziness of late nights.... and ping-pong..... and etc. ;) 

picture dedicated to Michael C. :p

having fun

The conference I was invited to and attended was the 2nd Annual WorldView Ministries conference. I'm still somewhat shocked that I got an invitation, but so glad I did!! There were about 45 of us in attendance; about half of whom I already knew. A few I hadn't see in 6 years! It was an incredible, refreshing couple days of being among other believers who have a passion and vision for Bible Translation! Wow! We were encouraged and challenged by our two guest speakers and also the presentations of the various ongoing and upcoming translation projects. 

It was a huge blessing to be among such dedicated people for those few days. Thank You, Lord! 

friends - gotta love the tie-dye 

At the end of my trip, I decided to tack on a visit to some friends in Illinois. I was somewhat uncertain how my visit would go, but God is good. After all God has been teaching me this past winter about His abundant, merciful Grace, it was wonderful to see it displayed in another's life. Another person who was hit even closer to home by the tragedy that I faced a few months ago and to hear him give praise to God in the midst of the trial. Wow. 

My heart is full from this past week. 

love these girls

laughing together :D

thankful for God's grace

Carnival Sunday Surgery

Well, I had wanted to share pictures from our Carnival from June 2nd. But somehow I managed to go through the entire carnival without taking a picture. Mmmm, so sorry. It did go well and we had over 600 people in church that day. It was a beautiful day! Sunny and hot. :) 

I do have a couple pictures actually from Carnival Sunday, though they have nothing to do with the Carnival. It seems Jordan was racing his brother the night before down their long, dirt driveway.... on tricycles. Yes, tricycles. Dumb mistake if you ask me. Anyways, he was well on his way to beating his older brother when he bit the dust. The cleaning job they had done on his scraped up knee was pitiful. So, I offered to clean it for him. He agreed, though halfway though pretty sure he changed his mind. :) 

I'll spare you the up close and personal pictures of his knee. Let's just say it was the worst scraped knee I've ever seen. Lots of dirt and even shredded skin. But I got it cleaned up with a bit of help from Ryan. It hurt during the cleaning (and scrubbing) :/ but he said it felt better afterwards. 

So, that was my excitement on Carnival Sunday. At least it wasn't an actual Carnival injury.....  One of those is enough for a lifetime. :/ 

getting started

surgery at the kitchen sink ;)