I received my Haiti team manual today from MTI.. Woohoo.. Am so excited. There are 16members on our team including Joe and Linda, directors of Haiti Foundation of Hope. So I'm excited to get home and soak up all the good information in the Team Manual, and can't wait to meet the rest of the team in May. One thing that stood out to me was the packing list...They gave each of us a long list of stuff we need to bring, personal items, clothing etc, and stated it all needed to fit into one carry on bag as that is all we are allowed to bring. A challenge. Should be interesting.
This past week has been crazy, at home, at work, everywhere, you name it. Kind of like when it rains, it pours. My husband has been out of town for work, the kids and I been battling sickness, my cat literally (as my son calls it) Jackie Chan'd my dog and about took part of his ear off (did I mention my husband is gone?), and I think most everyone have called asking for something, whether it be for a favor or just my time, all of which I don't seem to have a lot of right now.
I am always telling my daughter, "You're my favorite favor girl you know that?" especially when she grumbles when asked to do something. But she does it, she may complain the whole time, but she does it!! ;o) So here I am complaining. My problem. I have a hard time saying "No". I guess I'm what you call a people pleaser. I can just hear Dr. Phil's voice saying "And how's that working out for you Mel?". Well, it's not.
So how do we do it? How do we live being more of a Mary and less of a Martha? That is SUCH a lesson the Lord keeps teaching me - to stop "doing" and just "be" in His presence. Amazing - and I hear it loud and clear, but it's still so hard!
By the way, the dog, after 2 hrs of profuse bleeding both in the house and outside, some cornstarch, a bottle of superglue, some gauze and tape and standing outside in the snow for 1 hour trying to hold pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding at 9pm in 20 degree weather, is just fine. The cat is on the run, I believe celebrating his victory!!
I am looking forward to this weekend to catch up on some much needed sleep and rest, so I can be done with the flu!
Many Blesssings~M
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Disaster Response
Well I had my interview for MTI's disaster response team, which went very well. The disaster response team responds to emergency situations all over the world and their strategy is to develop a high-impact relief and rehabilitation program to provide emergency, lifesaving health care assistance and services to populations at risk through natural disaster, displacement, and conflict. They focus on the most vulnerable people as security and access permits.
Right now MTI has disaster teams in Darfur Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and the Gulf Coast. You can see what they are doing here. Medical Teams International Disaster Response
Right now MTI has disaster teams in Darfur Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and the Gulf Coast. You can see what they are doing here. Medical Teams International Disaster Response
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Sisterhood
What is so wonderful is that GOD knows what we need in all areas,
including our relationships. The long term, the short term, the challenging ones, the silly ones. Family, friends, neighbors, coworkers- we can all learn from one another and our lives are enriched as a result.
I have been blessed to have women in my life to who have brought so much joy, love, laugher and trust. The fellowship and friendship with them add much depth and texture to my life, even when I don't want it at the time. Each one brought into my life for a specific reason and purpose. It's easy for me to see why God loves these women so.
These women are my sisters, my friends, my spiritual mentors and have become my family. When someone is gone it is noticed. We need each other. One may need to borrow the strength of another during times of trials or uncertainty. And you know it's God thing when a sister can tell you to sit your rear down and take off your running shoes. What began hesitantly for me, quickly blossomed into a close friendship...a sisterhood....a place so inviting you can let your hair down and be yourself...a place you long to visit everyday because it's as comfortable as your favorite chair, a good book, worn-out slippers and a cup of coffee. The closeness I feel participating in fellowship with my sisters is completely amazing. There is humbleness, obedience, sincerity in learning God’s word, and LOVE. And if laughter is good medicine, then we should all be well medicated!!
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
~ I Corinthians 13:4-8
Many Blessings ~M
including our relationships. The long term, the short term, the challenging ones, the silly ones. Family, friends, neighbors, coworkers- we can all learn from one another and our lives are enriched as a result.
I have been blessed to have women in my life to who have brought so much joy, love, laugher and trust. The fellowship and friendship with them add much depth and texture to my life, even when I don't want it at the time. Each one brought into my life for a specific reason and purpose. It's easy for me to see why God loves these women so.
These women are my sisters, my friends, my spiritual mentors and have become my family. When someone is gone it is noticed. We need each other. One may need to borrow the strength of another during times of trials or uncertainty. And you know it's God thing when a sister can tell you to sit your rear down and take off your running shoes. What began hesitantly for me, quickly blossomed into a close friendship...a sisterhood....a place so inviting you can let your hair down and be yourself...a place you long to visit everyday because it's as comfortable as your favorite chair, a good book, worn-out slippers and a cup of coffee. The closeness I feel participating in fellowship with my sisters is completely amazing. There is humbleness, obedience, sincerity in learning God’s word, and LOVE. And if laughter is good medicine, then we should all be well medicated!!
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
~ I Corinthians 13:4-8
Many Blessings ~M
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Unpredictable
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure."
~Helen Keller
Many people have been so surprised to learn of Darcy's passion to join this mission trip. I hear many of the same responses, "Will she be able to "rough it". Many thoughts going on. It amazes me and also at the same time, it opens my eyes. I bet many thought the same about me when I first went on a mission. It strikes me that security is really a longing which my heart may never realize. And then it strikes me that to be truly secure would be the worst thing in the world. Why would I want a complete guarantee that my life was “in the bag” regardless of my actions? Such a promise would stop me from pursuing, discourage me from learning, and eliminate the presence or need for motivation. What a blank life. What a scary abiss of an existence. Surely God who made us, Who sees us tempted, frustrated, scared, and out of control, understands this to be the only way that we will begin to look for Him. We cannot “find” Him. We cannot secure complete understanding of His provision for His followers. But we can feel insecure. We can feel desperate. We can feel afraid. And this is what causes us to jump off a cliff, to follow the impossible, to keep asking questions, to continue to seek something much greater than our own lives. A “daring adventure,” then, is not a blind leap into oblivion for an adrenaline rush and a few bruise, but rather, it is a plea for something which puts the randomness of life into some perspective and shows us the way to live with purpose. True freedom that comes from knowing we live accountable to a higher calling. This is probably makes no sense and maybe this is just all a part of the caffeine detoxification I'm in right now! :o)
Darcy is an amazing woman with a huge heart and a contagious smile. God has GREAT things in store for her on this trip. And I'm honored and touched to be able to serve next to her.
Life is unpredictable. But even for my fear of heights I’d rather have that cliff than a warm bed and a “security deposit.” Bring me that horizon…
~Helen Keller
Many people have been so surprised to learn of Darcy's passion to join this mission trip. I hear many of the same responses, "Will she be able to "rough it". Many thoughts going on. It amazes me and also at the same time, it opens my eyes. I bet many thought the same about me when I first went on a mission. It strikes me that security is really a longing which my heart may never realize. And then it strikes me that to be truly secure would be the worst thing in the world. Why would I want a complete guarantee that my life was “in the bag” regardless of my actions? Such a promise would stop me from pursuing, discourage me from learning, and eliminate the presence or need for motivation. What a blank life. What a scary abiss of an existence. Surely God who made us, Who sees us tempted, frustrated, scared, and out of control, understands this to be the only way that we will begin to look for Him. We cannot “find” Him. We cannot secure complete understanding of His provision for His followers. But we can feel insecure. We can feel desperate. We can feel afraid. And this is what causes us to jump off a cliff, to follow the impossible, to keep asking questions, to continue to seek something much greater than our own lives. A “daring adventure,” then, is not a blind leap into oblivion for an adrenaline rush and a few bruise, but rather, it is a plea for something which puts the randomness of life into some perspective and shows us the way to live with purpose. True freedom that comes from knowing we live accountable to a higher calling. This is probably makes no sense and maybe this is just all a part of the caffeine detoxification I'm in right now! :o)
Darcy is an amazing woman with a huge heart and a contagious smile. God has GREAT things in store for her on this trip. And I'm honored and touched to be able to serve next to her.
Life is unpredictable. But even for my fear of heights I’d rather have that cliff than a warm bed and a “security deposit.” Bring me that horizon…
Friday, February 08, 2008
Home Church
My daughter is playing “church” right at this moment. I’m quietly listening in from the next room. What peaked my attention was hearing her talking about having Jesus in your heart and going to heaven when you die and getting to be with God. I'm willing to bet if I go in there right now all of her dolls and stuffed animals make up the congregation. Bless her little (or should I say big?) heart.
She was given a microphone for Christmas. And she started out with High School Musical songs and then moved on to her little spiel about God. As I continued to listen, she went into worship leading. Singing worship songs and even read a bible story. It’s the kind of moment you just want to capture in your heart forever.
Hearing her sing “Lord, Reign in Me” has done my heart the world of good. Imagine what it must have done for God’s heart?
Kids are amazing aren’t they? They wear their hearts on their sleeve. If they believe in something, the believe in it 100% and they aren’t afraid to tell everybody about it. We can learn a lot from them can’t we?
Dear Lord, Thank you that you use my children to remind me of how important your word is. What a blessing they are to me in so many ways. I pray that as they grow, your Word will always be their most precious possession. Amen.
She was given a microphone for Christmas. And she started out with High School Musical songs and then moved on to her little spiel about God. As I continued to listen, she went into worship leading. Singing worship songs and even read a bible story. It’s the kind of moment you just want to capture in your heart forever.
Hearing her sing “Lord, Reign in Me” has done my heart the world of good. Imagine what it must have done for God’s heart?
Kids are amazing aren’t they? They wear their hearts on their sleeve. If they believe in something, the believe in it 100% and they aren’t afraid to tell everybody about it. We can learn a lot from them can’t we?
Dear Lord, Thank you that you use my children to remind me of how important your word is. What a blessing they are to me in so many ways. I pray that as they grow, your Word will always be their most precious possession. Amen.
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