Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are
between you. A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other.
In the last 2 months, I've learned alot about friendship,
about sisterhood, about family. I've grown closer to my
sisters, and have first-handedly watched a traumatic event
bring a group of women closer, hand in hand,
so nobody is left facing anything alone.. We always got
each other's back...
Zeta Sigma
I’ve heard it said a sorority
Is a waste of time; but I know better…
For I have seen the love and walked
In the splendor of sisterhood…
I’ve heard it said that a sorority
Is sad; I can’t agree…
I’ve heard it said that a sorority
Is a dull, selfish place; It can’t be true…
I’ve seen the affection, watched it
Fill my heart, the very air…
When one is gone it is noticed.
We need each other
One may need to borrow the
strength of another during times
of trials or uncertainty.
I’ve heard it said that a sorority is
Harmful, but they are wrong…
For I know my sisters…watched them
Strive to save a cause, spend of themselves…
And I’ve watched them hope, dream,
And aspire, side by side…
I’ve heard them say these things,
But I would disagree…
Because for every shadow I have
Seen a hundred rays of light…
For every plaintive note I’ve
Heard the symphony of joy…
For every penny-weight of bad,
I’ve found a ton of good…
Good in nature, in people, in my sorority…
I’m thankful I belong.
Much love, ~M
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Worry is a 4 letter word
No? It should be. The bad kind of 4-letter word, of course.
A while ago someone told me that my worrying is basically just my inability to trust God. And I didn’t like that one single bit. Mainly because it was true. I worried therefore I did not trust God.
As a Christ follower, I shouldn’t even allow this word to pass from my lips. So, I am trying not to use it. I use the word “concerned” instead. My pastor recently spoke about this and I almost laughed out loud during the message because I DO THIS. A LOT. Saying I’m concerned about something makes me sound a whole heckuva lot wiser.
If you’ve known Christ for any amount of time, you have probably heard a message preached about worry. And the likelihood that it included Matthew 6:25-34 is incredibly high. If you aren’t familiar with this passage, I suggest you read it.
EVERYDAY.
In a book I'm reading it says:
"We’re never going to overcome worry by eliminating reasons to worry. Rest assured, life isn’t going to suddenly fix itself. God wills that we overcome worry even when overwhelmed by reasons to worry."
Something dawned on me the morning I was reading this particular devotional. Why don’t I just turn my worry into prayer.
Stop the applause. I’m a genius. Tis true.
Actually, I realize this is quite elementary. Many of you are nodding your heads in agreement because you’ve been doing it for years. Some of you, like me, have forgotten how to turn a concern into a petition to your Heavenly Daddy. And I imagine there are a few of you who’ve never thought about this before. If that’s you, let me put some hands and feet to this.
When you worry if you will ever get married, stop and pray. When you worry about your child’s safety, stop and pray. When you worry about losing your job, stop and pray. When you worry if someone you love will soon die, stop and pray. If you should choose to follow my advice, it may seem like all you are doing is praying.
I think that’s the point
From the lips of MC Hammer…
We got to pray
Just to make it today
I said we pray (pray) ah, yeah, pray (pray)
We got to pray
Just to make it to pray
That’s word, we pray
I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. Feel free to go back through the lyrics and sing it. Oh, and make sure you say, “Aw yeah”. That really does it for me. :o)
Many Blessings, ~M
A while ago someone told me that my worrying is basically just my inability to trust God. And I didn’t like that one single bit. Mainly because it was true. I worried therefore I did not trust God.
As a Christ follower, I shouldn’t even allow this word to pass from my lips. So, I am trying not to use it. I use the word “concerned” instead. My pastor recently spoke about this and I almost laughed out loud during the message because I DO THIS. A LOT. Saying I’m concerned about something makes me sound a whole heckuva lot wiser.
If you’ve known Christ for any amount of time, you have probably heard a message preached about worry. And the likelihood that it included Matthew 6:25-34 is incredibly high. If you aren’t familiar with this passage, I suggest you read it.
EVERYDAY.
In a book I'm reading it says:
"We’re never going to overcome worry by eliminating reasons to worry. Rest assured, life isn’t going to suddenly fix itself. God wills that we overcome worry even when overwhelmed by reasons to worry."
Something dawned on me the morning I was reading this particular devotional. Why don’t I just turn my worry into prayer.
Stop the applause. I’m a genius. Tis true.
Actually, I realize this is quite elementary. Many of you are nodding your heads in agreement because you’ve been doing it for years. Some of you, like me, have forgotten how to turn a concern into a petition to your Heavenly Daddy. And I imagine there are a few of you who’ve never thought about this before. If that’s you, let me put some hands and feet to this.
When you worry if you will ever get married, stop and pray. When you worry about your child’s safety, stop and pray. When you worry about losing your job, stop and pray. When you worry if someone you love will soon die, stop and pray. If you should choose to follow my advice, it may seem like all you are doing is praying.
I think that’s the point
From the lips of MC Hammer…
We got to pray
Just to make it today
I said we pray (pray) ah, yeah, pray (pray)
We got to pray
Just to make it to pray
That’s word, we pray
I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. Feel free to go back through the lyrics and sing it. Oh, and make sure you say, “Aw yeah”. That really does it for me. :o)
Many Blessings, ~M
Monday, May 19, 2008
Faith from Beginning to End
What must we have to be empowered to do God’s work?
I read this last night about the necessary ingredient.
"Faith is the foot of the soul by which it can march along the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move more swiftly; but faith is the foot which carries the soul. Faith is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of earnest piety to move well; and without faith the wheels are taken from the chariot, and we drag heavily. With faith I can do all things; without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to do anything in the service of God. If you want to find the men who serve God the best, you must look for the men of the most faith. Little faith will save a man, but little faith cannot do great things for God.”
May God enable each of us to have great faith. Have a great week! ~M
I read this last night about the necessary ingredient.
"Faith is the foot of the soul by which it can march along the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move more swiftly; but faith is the foot which carries the soul. Faith is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of earnest piety to move well; and without faith the wheels are taken from the chariot, and we drag heavily. With faith I can do all things; without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to do anything in the service of God. If you want to find the men who serve God the best, you must look for the men of the most faith. Little faith will save a man, but little faith cannot do great things for God.”
May God enable each of us to have great faith. Have a great week! ~M
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Team
So I returned home today from my trip up to Washington. The kids went to Grandma's while Darcy & I went to our team meeting Saturday. It was such a good meeting. All but 2 members of the team were there.. So we prayed, and we talked (ALOT!!!) and we got to know each other. I met Papa Joe and Linda, who right when I entered through the door greeted me with a big hug and a "Bonjour". The directors of Haiti Foundation of Hope with hearts of gold.. I also met Glenn, Janet, Ryan, Roger, Ann, Laura, Gina, Mariah, Joan & Seto (Steve)... all great people with whom I'm looking forward to getting to know each of them.... 2 members were unable to be at the meeting due to emergencies but will still be going with us. I look forward to meeting them as well. All in all it was a GREAT weekend with GORGEOUS weather. All the supplies & medicines I've collected were taken up and packed to be hauled over with us.. YEAH!!!! I'm very excited about this!!
Many Blessings,
~M
Many Blessings,
~M
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Counting Down
34 Days and Counting. Darcy and I were talking today on the phone and how much stuff we still need to get. Friday we leave for our team meeting up in Washington. I'm excited to meet the rest of the team as well as learn more about where and what we will be doing. Darcy and I will also have the opportunity to pick up the things we still need to get, etc., while we are up there.
It's hard to believe it's almost here. This trip is so different than my trip last year. But it's also been a learning experience as well. This week several people came up to me and just learned that I was going on another trip and wished me well with some encouraging words. Other's brought in some OTC meds and reading glasses to take with me. I'm so grateful as I'm sure the people in Haiti we see will be as well. A friend of mine asked me if her church could add our team & I to their prayer list. To be honest I was almost relieved when she asked me that because I have been feeling like I have been prayerfully preparing and armoring up 'alone'.
I'm always told you need to do what God has called you to do Mel. Well first and foremost He's called us all to LOVE. Not to make money, not to play the drum, not to be the best, but just to LOVE. Love people. I love what I do. As a mother, as a wife, as a nurse and as a sister in Christ. To love others in the way He has loved me. And this includes missions. If I had a dollar for every act of kindness and love shown to me throughout my life, I'd be a rich person. I feel I am a wealthy woman because of it. They didn't have to, but they did anyway, and it was acts that have forever impacted my life. I will never be able to repay what all has been given to me, but I can pay it forward.
Ok, I'll stop babbling now. These are my thoughts for tonite. I guess what sparked this was a question I was asked last weekend by a dear friend. Why missions? This isn't the first time asked and I know not the last. But I know not a lot of people are supportive of me going to Haiti with the recent trouble that's been occuring with the food riots. I fully trust the organizations I'm traveling with, and would never jeopardize my role as a mother to my children and as a wife and have been prayerfully asking my Father if this is what I'm supposed to do. His response? "Well I don't see anyone else jumping up to do it, do you?? So who's going to help?"
It's hard to believe it's almost here. This trip is so different than my trip last year. But it's also been a learning experience as well. This week several people came up to me and just learned that I was going on another trip and wished me well with some encouraging words. Other's brought in some OTC meds and reading glasses to take with me. I'm so grateful as I'm sure the people in Haiti we see will be as well. A friend of mine asked me if her church could add our team & I to their prayer list. To be honest I was almost relieved when she asked me that because I have been feeling like I have been prayerfully preparing and armoring up 'alone'.
I'm always told you need to do what God has called you to do Mel. Well first and foremost He's called us all to LOVE. Not to make money, not to play the drum, not to be the best, but just to LOVE. Love people. I love what I do. As a mother, as a wife, as a nurse and as a sister in Christ. To love others in the way He has loved me. And this includes missions. If I had a dollar for every act of kindness and love shown to me throughout my life, I'd be a rich person. I feel I am a wealthy woman because of it. They didn't have to, but they did anyway, and it was acts that have forever impacted my life. I will never be able to repay what all has been given to me, but I can pay it forward.
Ok, I'll stop babbling now. These are my thoughts for tonite. I guess what sparked this was a question I was asked last weekend by a dear friend. Why missions? This isn't the first time asked and I know not the last. But I know not a lot of people are supportive of me going to Haiti with the recent trouble that's been occuring with the food riots. I fully trust the organizations I'm traveling with, and would never jeopardize my role as a mother to my children and as a wife and have been prayerfully asking my Father if this is what I'm supposed to do. His response? "Well I don't see anyone else jumping up to do it, do you?? So who's going to help?"
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
From HFH
Mounds of meds
May 6, 2008 | Linda Markee, Foundation Board Member
A team of five Americans, including three Haiti Foundation of Hope board members, is currently in Terre Blanche. They are working to unload medical supplies from a container sent by Medical Teams International. Here’s a report from one of the team members:
I'm very tired and don't know when the generator will be cut, but I wanted you to know that we made it to Terre Blanche safely. Delamy had no new surprises this time, but we were greatly surprised by the amount of medical equipment and medications that Medical Teams International (MTI) sent on the container. It was almost overwhelming.
Last night after our long bumpy ride up here, we were treated with a delicious dinner by Elvire. Then we were so revived that we put together all the shelving. Today, we put all the equipment in the place where it belonged. We started sorting the mounds of OTCs (over the counter meds like Tylenol and Aspirin). Yes, I said mounds. We think the Lord has a plan for us to help many people so we will be donating medications to some of the area hospitals as well as to some of the other pastors. We feel so grateful to MTI for sending all they sent. The clinic staff is so excited that the clinic is beginning to look like a clinic, rather than just a building. We were all busy putting medications on the shelves.
You may be asking, Are you hot? YES. Are you tired tonight? YES. Are you pleased tonight? YES. We will all sleep well tonight before starting again in the morning with the medical supplies still waiting to be organized.
May 6, 2008 | Linda Markee, Foundation Board Member
A team of five Americans, including three Haiti Foundation of Hope board members, is currently in Terre Blanche. They are working to unload medical supplies from a container sent by Medical Teams International. Here’s a report from one of the team members:
I'm very tired and don't know when the generator will be cut, but I wanted you to know that we made it to Terre Blanche safely. Delamy had no new surprises this time, but we were greatly surprised by the amount of medical equipment and medications that Medical Teams International (MTI) sent on the container. It was almost overwhelming.
Last night after our long bumpy ride up here, we were treated with a delicious dinner by Elvire. Then we were so revived that we put together all the shelving. Today, we put all the equipment in the place where it belonged. We started sorting the mounds of OTCs (over the counter meds like Tylenol and Aspirin). Yes, I said mounds. We think the Lord has a plan for us to help many people so we will be donating medications to some of the area hospitals as well as to some of the other pastors. We feel so grateful to MTI for sending all they sent. The clinic staff is so excited that the clinic is beginning to look like a clinic, rather than just a building. We were all busy putting medications on the shelves.
You may be asking, Are you hot? YES. Are you tired tonight? YES. Are you pleased tonight? YES. We will all sleep well tonight before starting again in the morning with the medical supplies still waiting to be organized.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Becoming More Like Mary
It's been busy around here. 43 days left til we leave. I've been gone or busy the last two weekends. Kids are playing baseball, so it seems each nite dinnertime is later and later.
Where is Jesus in all this clutter that is taken place around me?? How can I hear Him amidst the constant noise? Even as I have been desperately trying to steady my gaze on Jesus, I still feel so scatter-brained when all I want to do is focus all my attention on God and what He wants to say to me. It becomes very easy to replace our actual relationship with our Father with the ins and outs of life...relying on what we know and how we're gifted to get us through each day instead of drawing from the deep well of the presence of the Lord offered to us with every new day, hand in hand with brand new mercies. Often times I feel like my heart is buried under so much clutter with task lists and deadlines coming out of my ears, all in the name of Jesus. But every day I neglect to quiet my heart and listen for His voice in the stillness, I have robbed myself of the greatest opportunity...far beyond what I could ever accomplish through e-mails or phone calls...the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus and be completely honest, completely understood, completely loved. I am learning and will continue to learn throughout my life that my tank empties quickly and after a few days of running around on auto-pilot, all I have left are fumes. Who needs fumes? Not me. Not the person next to me. I want to know what it means to walk by the Spirit at all times, and the only way I can operate in the Spirit and not my flesh is to find out what pleases Him, to find myself drawing from His presence every day. Lord, help me. To really know Him, not just know about Him. To have a sense of what He is doing all around me now, not relying on past experiences or encounters to get me by. They are now stale. Worthless. Smelly. What is most important? What is the thing that lasts, that cannot be taken from us? Mary knew. She sat at the feet of Jesus and hung on His every word. How she loved Him. Not because of what He could do for her or the miracles He could work in her life. No, she loved Him because He was life to her. Just being where He was was enough. Is that so for us? Am I content to sit quietly before the Lord for however long, asking nothing of Him but that He would make Himself known and come a little closer? Or is He just a means to an end for my career or my relationships or my...insert your own end here. God forbid. He is everything. And in a world that seems to often be spinning out of control with busyness and expectations and daily struggles, He is still here, calling and waiting, extending an invitation for us to come, and simply be where He is. In the presence of Almighty God.
Blessings
~M
Where is Jesus in all this clutter that is taken place around me?? How can I hear Him amidst the constant noise? Even as I have been desperately trying to steady my gaze on Jesus, I still feel so scatter-brained when all I want to do is focus all my attention on God and what He wants to say to me. It becomes very easy to replace our actual relationship with our Father with the ins and outs of life...relying on what we know and how we're gifted to get us through each day instead of drawing from the deep well of the presence of the Lord offered to us with every new day, hand in hand with brand new mercies. Often times I feel like my heart is buried under so much clutter with task lists and deadlines coming out of my ears, all in the name of Jesus. But every day I neglect to quiet my heart and listen for His voice in the stillness, I have robbed myself of the greatest opportunity...far beyond what I could ever accomplish through e-mails or phone calls...the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus and be completely honest, completely understood, completely loved. I am learning and will continue to learn throughout my life that my tank empties quickly and after a few days of running around on auto-pilot, all I have left are fumes. Who needs fumes? Not me. Not the person next to me. I want to know what it means to walk by the Spirit at all times, and the only way I can operate in the Spirit and not my flesh is to find out what pleases Him, to find myself drawing from His presence every day. Lord, help me. To really know Him, not just know about Him. To have a sense of what He is doing all around me now, not relying on past experiences or encounters to get me by. They are now stale. Worthless. Smelly. What is most important? What is the thing that lasts, that cannot be taken from us? Mary knew. She sat at the feet of Jesus and hung on His every word. How she loved Him. Not because of what He could do for her or the miracles He could work in her life. No, she loved Him because He was life to her. Just being where He was was enough. Is that so for us? Am I content to sit quietly before the Lord for however long, asking nothing of Him but that He would make Himself known and come a little closer? Or is He just a means to an end for my career or my relationships or my...insert your own end here. God forbid. He is everything. And in a world that seems to often be spinning out of control with busyness and expectations and daily struggles, He is still here, calling and waiting, extending an invitation for us to come, and simply be where He is. In the presence of Almighty God.
Blessings
~M
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