Almost dead

There are advantages and disadvantages to be back in your hometown.  God took me way down to Alabama where during a college outreach, I heard about the holiness and love Jesus has for me.  I surrender my life to service to the King.

Now, I live back in the area of my childhood knavery and roguishness.  Most of the times, I eagerly look forward to share what the Lord has done.  Sadly, other times, I want to hide.  My Master has gently reminded me that I am a new creation and the freedom from insecurity is a choice.

Surprisingly, I ran into a woman who was like a mother to me during my life when I had no mom.  (divorce etc.)  We were both looking for each other and was able to reconnect after 6+years over lunch yesterday.  She retold me a story that I have no remembrance of when I was in high school.

She remembers that on one occasion I was angry and rejected so I broke into her house and was in a state of hopelessness that I told her I would go home and kill myself.  She noticed that this was not just a threat but a real possibility.  So, she asked me to promise that I would not do any harm to my body for the night, and wrote out a contract that I signed.  She kept the letter. Shocked,  I looked at her across the restaurant and had the overwhelming feeling of thankfulness. Not only did the images of my children, and life flash before my eyes what she had saved by keeping me to a promise. But, also that she cared enough for me at a point of desperation.  Tears easily run down my face, as I am so thankful for her act of love to someone who was hopeless.

It is good to be home.  I want to be that kind of godly woman to the hurting and hopeless.

Come dine with me

Correction and Grace.  As a parent wanting to teach and train our children, I often find myself at a loss of what to do.  I see the behavior and attitudes of our children, and long for a complete transformation immediately.  Then the Lord, sheds light on my own selfish-sinful behaviors that haven't been instantly evaporated and I walk humbly and shower grace to my children.  I really do love the book "Parenting is your Highest Calling: and 8 other myths to avoid".

The other day, I learned some parenting principles from THE BOOK (Bible).  One of my dear ones did something bad being selfish, and angry. I wanted to scream!  Thankfully, a friend was willing to pray for me and encourage me (no advice just prayer).  The next morning while reading my Bible was the verse in Revelations 3:19-21.  It states that the Lord is at the door and knocking, wanting to come in and dine with the believer.  However, the believers at the time had done many things wrong.

My child had wanted to just forget about the situation, but I told the child that if you would repent that Jesus says he LOVES you and wants to dine with you.  He will forgive you.  He says he discipline those he loves and it is good for you.

The child repented and then I said, "What is your favorite meal?" "Why?" the child asked.  Because God wants to dine with you and we want to celebrate your decision to come back to a good relationship with the Father.  The child said, "I don't deserve that." It was a sweet teachable moment. As I embraced the child, and I said GRACE. He loves you and we do as well.

 (our back yard)

The meal was a special breakfast for dinner complete with greasy bacon.  I am so thankful for God's Word, and the study we have been doing about the Prodigal God with the Father at the banquet just wanting his child to come and eat with Him. (More on that later).

suffering from a distance

When I start to pray, God prompts me to bring different people to my mind.  Right now, like most of you, can probably list a handful of people going through enormous amount of pain or sickness.  The dreaded "C" word or others who are hurting.

Another one today came to my knowledge, of a person who just loves Jesus but is walking on eggshells with his life in God's hands like Pastor Jim Eller (above).  Ugh.

I know it is good enough to pray, but often I want to do more.  What do you do to encourage, comfort, lift-up people in your life who is hurting?

Bruce & Carol Britten our dear co-workers in Swaziland who's only daughter is battling cancer.

Which will you choose?

I love the challenges Pastor Dahms makes during his weekly teachings from the pulpit. A few weeks ago he encouraged the congregation to read the Bible in a year.  Great sermon that tackles all the obvious reasons to and cast out the theory that it is unobtainable.  

In thinking about raising our children to know God, we are choosing the CCV plan.  It is a five day plan (our weekends has enough of its own craziness).  And it is simple.  I plan on playing the audio version of the NIV dramatized.  Too keep my childrens attention as they read it, I will stop the audio and if they know where we are at exactly they will win a prize.  Fun!  

YouVersion has many reading plans. (click on YouVersion for a link)

Which one will you choose?

CCV: The Bible in ONE Year

Plan Overview

The Bible in ONE Year Reading plan was designed by Christ's Church of the Valley to help you read through the entire Bible in one year. Each week day you will be provided with readings from the New Testament, Old Testament and Psalms or Proverbs. There are no readings on the weekends to allow you to catch-up or get ahead.

I can't help it butterflies...

I still cannot believe it has been 14 years of married life to James Embree. Before James arrived at our lunch date, I had the nervous butterflies in my tummy.  I am still so much in love with him.  I have learned so much about my self and how to be generous and thoughtful from my husband.  He has mastered things that I only dream about.  He has an amazing work ethic, but knows how to play and tend to things at home.  I married a man of character who loves the Lord and seeks His will for our lives.  I am the luckiest girl alive.  He is not only fun to be around, but he is an amazing father.  I just love everyday with James, but since today is our anniversary I wanted the world to know.

I am also thankful for his parents Max and Donna as they raised him so well.  I am glad that they can both have an influence on our children each week now that we are in Alaska.

Dream date:  Lunch at Turkey Red (thanks Mr. & Mrs. Earley), skate skiing at Coyote trails in Peter's Creek, Mission Impossible movie, with our first Qdoba dinning in Anchorage.

Far away still

It is ironic, that I still feel far away.  As a missionary, you deal with being away from  your families while serving in a foreign country.  It is the bittersweet time of waiting for that skype call and coordinating  the dinner/parties so that you come home to receive or make the long distant call.  Well, now I am back home in Alaska with some relatives near (my parents are thousands of miles away).  It was special to enjoy the celebration at church and with them for a lovely simple dinner.  Nevertheless, I spent some of the day praying and missing my African family.  Now, I have the reverse to miss.  But, I did get to make the skype call to Africa and greet my dear friend Mary.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Passport to Purity

So, today I am going to be doing the Passport to Purity adventure with my oldest daughter Hannah.  It is so precious to be open and truthful regarding sex and God's perfect design.  I love how James during our discussion says, "No dating until 25!" I really can't imagine Hannah being married but, I know that this time together will open the discussion and the transparency that every parent longs for.

We are thankful for Lazy Mountain Bible Church providing this excellent resource.  

African Blanket to Snow Blanket

So being gone for one entire year from our country we love, gives me another opportunity to vent/reflect.  Most people ask,"Do you miss Africa?" Of course! The people that was so interweaved in my everyday life are now a distant memory.  I miss seeing the butcher, the beggar that taught me how to give, the beautiful smiles from children at church.  Oh my beloved 6 am running partner Lee-Ann.  My daughter heckling Shane across the street. My neighbor Chris who fixed our car.

One of my favorite experience was when a group of Zionist ladies who became our monthly prayer group showered my friend Carol and me with a heavy African Blanket.  It was given with great joy and fanfare. The ladies surrounded us as we were wrapped in the heavy blanket and sang and jumped in a circle.

The Bible College students that were so kind to share their joys and trials. We even had a student that was so poor, but I NEVER heard him complain.  He walked for miles just to study God's Word.  It also hurt to see people treated unfairly and the effect of sin in families and crime.

I loved introducing children to God's love and His power. I think the best part was that God was glorified and allowed us to join in His work.

Now in Alaska, things are similar.  Not the same, but similar.  We are still in the ministry full time. I am leading Bible studies, and meeting with women one-on-one.  I have been humbled to hear that a family right in our city has no food and is scared.  God is continuing to work building His church.    I am still deeply hurt to hear of people rejecting the most loving and caring God to self-centered religion.  I also see sin gradually erode peoples lives to the point of destruction.

I have been humbled to see the generosity of the church when it comes to needs.  So many choose to not be trapped by the lure of materialism that surrounds them.

Today, we got another 8 inches of fresh snow to cover the land in a white blanket, but I am so glad God has given me my "African Blanket" to remind me of our other home.

things I learned and would love to do

We had a great Bible study last night.  I am humbled by the work of the Holy Spirit because as I was working on the questions and it wasnt untill the evening until we were all togethr did I understand the dissapointment and doubt that Elijah faced.

He was called by God to preach to the Israelites but they rejected God. Even after the show down at the alter and see the mighty Hand of God. all he could hope for was death.  

Lord keep my eyes focused on Your true character.

Also next year I want to have new people over every week.

Mexico

I am about to head to Mexico for the second time.  Last week, we had a great, smooth, trip with Uppa and me flying standby (so it is free) but only if the plane is not full. The problem is that I had some major tooth work that needed to be done. I was quoted I needed 5 crowns. Ouch at $1600 a piece in Alaska, it was not going to happen.

Well, thankfully Uppa knows the dentist in Mexico and I am able to get the work done professionally and at a fraction of the cost in Alaska.  I also got to meet some amazing missionaries who serve in the local mission and church at the border.

I am praying that we make all of our connections this time as it is getting close to Christmas.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha's World: Lord don't you care?

Okay Blog world,  I am thinking back to where I have felt overwhelmed to the point of either depression or lack of motivation to do anything.  The biggest example is when it is time to move for me. Thankfully being a missionary, I got to cross that hurdle multiple times.  Moving that is.  Sometimes I did great, but most of the time I wanted to hide and sleep. Not wanting to face the boxes, and the reality of transition that is not what I would of chosen. I hated the fact to leave people I love.  It is a form of rebellion that I see in my life.  If I do nothing, than we won't move.  :) Silly if you think about it.

I am like Jonah who hid in the bottom of a ship going the opposite way when God wanted him to do something he didn't want to do.  Or like my daughter who can hide in the most awkward places when called on for her chores.

However, the best advice I learned is to take baby steps. Sometimes I just set the timer for 15 minutes to work. Then I will take a break.  Often in those 15 minutes I do see some inroads into the giant task and it motivates me to keep moving. And also to trust the God of the Universe really does know best.  I also have people pray for me and ask me what I did during the tough times when I would rather just hide in my bed and sleep.