A Time to Share

Yesterday I had the wonderful blessing of visiting with a dear friend from Romania.  We met 8 years ago while I was helping with a youth camp, and then again 7 years ago during my summer in Piatra Neamt, Romania.  We have kept in touch since then, but not nearly as often as either of us would like.  I suppose that when you are living in two different countries, living two separate lives...while you may still be in fellowship with each other, the fellowship is not as close as it could be when shared.

It was wonderful seeing her.  God has called her to serve in a country where it is not particularly safe towards Christians.  She is serving those who could lose everything if they gave their life to Christ: family, friends, their home...  Spending time with her reminded me of how important it is to know what God is doing around the world.  Here in America, we get so busy.  So focused on us.  Our life.  Our church.  Our job.  We lose sight of the bigger picture.  Christ, and spreading the gospel to those around us and across the globe, to further His Kingdom as His Spirit leads. 

When I worked at Mission to the World, it truly came home to me that if we are not going, and we are not sending, we are disobeying.  As I reflect on my time with my friend, and how I live my life, it begs me to evaluate if I am going or sending...or disobeying.  Where is my time and energy spent?  Yes, right now my son demands more energy than I could ever imagine I had!  But God has put people in my life, all around me, and there are opportunities everywhere to share the great news of the gospel.  And I am called to go to them, seize those opportunities, send people financially and prayerfully, and love like Jesus loved, letting His light shine through my life, so that this dark world can have Hope that is only found in Him.

Last Several Attempts

Good morning, friends.  My last several attempts to log onto my blog have failed.  I'm not sure as to why, but finally, today, it worked! 
I should know better than to say 'I want to write about a new chapter a day from the Bible.'  Having a baby changes everything.  I can make plans of what I want to do, but when it comes down to it....unfortunately...there are not enough hours in the day for everything that needs to get done.  And my blog goes on the back burner.  However, mornings like this, when I have a moment, I want to try and write about what God is doing in my life!

My son is sitting next to me on the couch, kicking his little legs to classical music as he watches Baby Einstein.  3 days ago was his 4 month birthday.  Every moment with him is a blessing.  Even the moments that seem they will never end as he cries, or fusses, or just makes me feel inadequate.  I'm constantly being reminded that he is not mine first.  He belongs to the Lord.  Praise God that He is giving me the opportunity, the blessing, to raise him!!!  I hope I do not take him for granted!

Ever since we left Athens, I have missed my previous job.  Not because I don't LOVE being a stay-at-home mother and wife, but because I miss working for the Kingdom.  Well, I have just been offered a job, one in which I didn't apply for nor know was available, in which I only need to work a few short hours a week, and can do so from home or the office.  If I am in the office, Roman can come too!  Praise God for this opportunity, a little more income, and for it all being a blessing handed down from above.

Have a beautiful day all!!

Luke 1

Silly me.  I should have known better than to say I would blog a new chapter each day of the Bible, and then go out of town for 11 days!  I hope your Christmas and New Years was wonderful.  It was so joyful being with friends and family, and having my little boy to share everything with!  Luke 1 fortells the birth of John the Baptist, born to prepare the way of our Lord.  When his father, Zechariah was told by an angel that his wife would conceive, Zechariah doubted.  His wife, Elizabeth, was advanced in years and barren.  Because of his disbelief, Zechariah was silenced until the birth of John.  While Mary was pregnant, she visited Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. (Luke 1: 41)  She immediately knew Mary was carrying the Lord.  Mary remained with them for about three months and they rejoiced together.  During that time was when Mary wrote her Magnificat: 

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name.  And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hears; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent empty away.  He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."  Luke 1:46-55

 After John's birth, Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophecies regarding God's mercy and his new baby:  "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."  Luke 1: 76-79 And that is just what John did.  Growing strong in the spirit, he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance in Israel.  Goodness, all this talk about babies!  Here is my precious baby boy.  I pray that God has a special purpose for him and will see Roman through to its completion.

This is Roman with his Uncle Christopher.