I am at a spot where I am having to go back and remember the promises of the Lord. I am also having to repeat it back to myself over and over. He has promised to provide all of our needs and then some for the people of South Africa and Lesotho. He was the one that told us to go on the 13 of Sep, He is the one who has worked out every last detail. Yet, we do not have all our monthly support!
Today, was the first day that I actually got a little panicky and you know what the Lord did? He brought me back to the things I KNOW. He reminded me of the past when He provided, out of the blue, in a way I never planned ie: the house we are living in now on the day we needed a house. I can look back at the house situation and I knew God had spoken that He had a home for us and it would be free. The morning we had to be out of our house and we still did not have a home, I was worried! But, God did His thing and He showed up right when we needed it. He fulfilled His promise.
I do not know how God will do this? I can't even tell Him how I think He should do it. I just know He will because He is faithful when He tells us something. We can trust Him!
Someone told me today that they read our blog and as we go they were going to continue to read and WATCH! The word watch, jumped out at me. I have thought on this word all day. They will be watching, but they are not watching me or my family, what they are watching for is to see the hand of God. It was like God gave me a little jolt and said "Andrea, people are going to watch and see My Name be lifted higher, My name be glorified!" People are going to watch and they will see the hand of God.
I pray that people see Him all over our lives. I pray that they see prayers answered and people saved. I pray that they will see Him do impossible things and He will do them with absolutely no problem. In this the people watching will build up their faith and then others will watch them. Praise God!
Back to the faith filled life I go. This is not easy, our flesh and minds can kick into over drive and bring doubt. To life in faith is to be doing battle with the enemy and combating him with the truth. He has promised to provide! I have to believe that and I am excited to see Him do it in the way He chooses. I pray that it builds my faith and it builds others.
Please pray for us right now. We have 2 weeks left and so, so much left to do. Hopefully I will wrap up packing and storage this week. I also need to finalize what we are going to be able to bring and then clean the house. We are not sure where we will be staying the weekend before we leave, please pray that we will find a place to lodge. I would ask that you would ask the Lord to provide for us in monthly donations and in start up cost. And that He would fight our battles against the enemy. We also need to sell our car, my dining room table and a trailer, I would like to get what they are worth and be blessed by these payments. Oh, we are also praying that we can find a home to rent in SA, we need one that will be available in the middle of the month when we get there. We have found out that it is more difficult to find homes mid month than at the 1st of the month... God can do it and knew the date we were to go, just lift it before Him!
I appreciate each of you that takes the time to stop and read (and watch) our blog. I pray that you would be blessed and encouraged! Thank you for taking a moment to pray for us, we really need the prayer cover right now and feel so blessed, knowing that we have so many faithfully praying for us.
Blessings,
Andrea
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
To all the nay sayers... listen up ya'll cuz this is it!
These are my ramblings for the night... I don't know if they make a lot of sense, but it helps me to journal my thoughts.
When you choose to do something off the beaten path, you will have some gasp in horror and try to change your mind. They will act like you are being foolish. They will tell you that living by faith really isn't the way to go. I especially love this one... "Why don't you just get a real job?" Some people that are spewing their wisdom in our direction have well meaning hearts, others just can't wrap their mind around being "called". This lifestyle we are choosing makes no sense.
In the last few days I have had to go back and read my journal. I have kept a journal, in great detail, of the last 10 month. I'm so glad I did this, knowing that the enemy will come in and try to defeat and steal, kill and destroy. I can go back and look at how He spoke, at what He has done, how He has directed. The Lord has been everywhere. He has provided in ways only He could. He has built our faith and made us do thing that have been uncomfortable, all to build our trust in Him. He has taught us to hear His voice. I love this!!!
Listening to the Lord and hearing His voice, is huge! I love how in the last few years God has really worked on this in me. Now, I recognize Him and will follow wholeheartedly instead of questioning if it was God. This has a great purpose in the life of a Christian, because there will also be other voices that speak contrary to what you heard the Lord speak. Sometimes contrary messages even come from people you love. Others can view what God is doing in our lives as risky, dangerous, not a real solid foundation for our family. There is crime, rape, Aids... the list goes on. We don't have all of our support, yet we are still going.
Let me tell you WHY we are still going... Because GOD said to go!!! He has been very clear that we will be safest in His plan. He has been very clear that He will provide everything we need financially. I have watched Him do miraculous things in our lives just in the last 10 months. He provided a home the day we needed to be out of our old home, for free and it is over 8000sq ft. He provided for our passports, visas and air plane tickets, all without us asking. He has provided every bit of support we have without us fundraising. I don't know how He plans on protecting us, I don't know how He will support us, but I KNOW (ginoskos) He will... Because He said so! There is no firmer a foundation.
When you choose to do something off the beaten path, you will have some gasp in horror and try to change your mind. They will act like you are being foolish. They will tell you that living by faith really isn't the way to go. I especially love this one... "Why don't you just get a real job?" Some people that are spewing their wisdom in our direction have well meaning hearts, others just can't wrap their mind around being "called". This lifestyle we are choosing makes no sense.
In the last few days I have had to go back and read my journal. I have kept a journal, in great detail, of the last 10 month. I'm so glad I did this, knowing that the enemy will come in and try to defeat and steal, kill and destroy. I can go back and look at how He spoke, at what He has done, how He has directed. The Lord has been everywhere. He has provided in ways only He could. He has built our faith and made us do thing that have been uncomfortable, all to build our trust in Him. He has taught us to hear His voice. I love this!!!
Listening to the Lord and hearing His voice, is huge! I love how in the last few years God has really worked on this in me. Now, I recognize Him and will follow wholeheartedly instead of questioning if it was God. This has a great purpose in the life of a Christian, because there will also be other voices that speak contrary to what you heard the Lord speak. Sometimes contrary messages even come from people you love. Others can view what God is doing in our lives as risky, dangerous, not a real solid foundation for our family. There is crime, rape, Aids... the list goes on. We don't have all of our support, yet we are still going.
Let me tell you WHY we are still going... Because GOD said to go!!! He has been very clear that we will be safest in His plan. He has been very clear that He will provide everything we need financially. I have watched Him do miraculous things in our lives just in the last 10 months. He provided a home the day we needed to be out of our old home, for free and it is over 8000sq ft. He provided for our passports, visas and air plane tickets, all without us asking. He has provided every bit of support we have without us fundraising. I don't know how He plans on protecting us, I don't know how He will support us, but I KNOW (ginoskos) He will... Because He said so! There is no firmer a foundation.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14
In the words of my pastor today: We should only be tethered to this world while we're seated in heavenly places in Christ. Get heavenly minded! (Steve Berger) We are aware of the risks, the disease the crime, but if we did not go to Africa we would be outside of God's will. We cannot and will not conform to what people say because we know what God has said! Our sojourn on this earth is super short, a vapor, my life begins when I get to my Heavenly Kingdom, but I want to live for that Kingdom today!
I care deeply for many that have offered their advice and warned us about what is going on in South Africa. I love many who have their own ideas about when the best timing would be for us to go.
Here is what the Lord has been working in me:
Hab 2:1 I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me.
Because of all of this waiting and watching it has made us very in tune with hearing His voice!
Heb 3:15 "Today if you hear His voice , do not harden your hearts."
I have learned to hear His voice and act instead of second guessing Him. If I do step out prematurely He is always there to redirect.
Romans 4:20-21"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
If God speaks to us through His word, and through His Spirit I cannot waver through unbelief. He spoke, I heard and now I must obey.
I guess when it comes down to it, I desire wisdom and Godly counsel... I crave to be in the presence of wise Christians and listen to their wisdom. I have a teachable spirit and desire God's best in my life! But, when people speak contrary to what the Lord has spoken to us I only have one choice and that is to do the Lord's will.
I am thankful for the support of those that have watched God's hand on us since the beginning of this journey. I am so very thankful for the prayer warriors in our lives and I am thankful for the people God has and is raising up to support us. It has been humbling to watch God do this! I pray that in everything we do HIS NAME BE PRAISE. That people will see God glorified here on Earth!
This now concludes my ramblings!
Blessings Friends,
Andrea
I guess when it comes down to it, I desire wisdom and Godly counsel... I crave to be in the presence of wise Christians and listen to their wisdom. I have a teachable spirit and desire God's best in my life! But, when people speak contrary to what the Lord has spoken to us I only have one choice and that is to do the Lord's will.
I am thankful for the support of those that have watched God's hand on us since the beginning of this journey. I am so very thankful for the prayer warriors in our lives and I am thankful for the people God has and is raising up to support us. It has been humbling to watch God do this! I pray that in everything we do HIS NAME BE PRAISE. That people will see God glorified here on Earth!
This now concludes my ramblings!
Blessings Friends,
Andrea
Monday, August 23, 2010
Perspective
In the last few days I have begun to get weepy about leaving. Let me clarify, I want to go, my heart LONGS to be there with the people God has called us to be with. The reality that we may not get to see people from the States, again is setting in. We have now said good bye to a handful of people that we wont get to see again before we leave... it was a real goodbye!
The Lord has been so sweet to me gently allowing my emotions to flow, but also reminding me of His purpose for me and our family. This is from Jesus in Luke 4 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He appointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD"
Is. 25:4. For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress."
Psalm 10:14 "You have been the helper of the orphan... O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed."
Is 41:17 "The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them."
This is just a small portion of Scripture on the poor, needy and the orphaned. There are over 300 verses on the least, last and lost.
I know here on Earth I may not have the opportunity to see some people again, this is hard on my heart and my flesh, YET I have hope. I live in eternity, I am not confined to my earthly body and if I do not see some again here I have great hope that I will see them again in Eternity... YES! I may be sad in my flesh, but my Spirit reminds me of the truth and hope we have in Jesus Christ! I cannot turn from the call Jesus has put on us because of my flesh, I cannot be held back from His best and His purpose. I must pursue Him, I must chase after Him and go wherever He leads. God knows what He is doing and I don't want to miss anything He has for me and my family.
Deut. 15:7. I"f there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks."
Is. 58:66 "Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"
The Bible has made it clear what we are to do, what I am to do, and this strengthens my heart in my weak moments. Truth girds me up and gives me courage to trust that the Lord will take care of all the details. God has said that He will bless us and take care of us and our gloom will be taken care of.
Prov. 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.
Deut. 15:10. You shall give generously to [your poor brother], and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.
Is. 58:10. "And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."
I just have to say Is 58 ROCKS!
As encouragement to myself and our friends and our families, let us all look at what the Word has said and trust that the Lord will take care of us, not to be afraid, or weep like those that don't have hope. I know that this is God's doing, He has been all over it, let's trust Him to keep doing His thing.
Here is a little perspective: I read a story today about a young lady in Africa, She is 23 years old and weighs 37lbs (let that sink in a minute)... my 8year old weighs double that!!! She is starving, quite possibly to death. Her family has stopped caring for her because they think she will die. She was naked, lying in her own waste, unable to even sit up. She had no water or food or hope of living.
A wonderful woman, Renee, went to her and cleaned her up, dressed her and covered her with blankets and the love of the Lord. No hospital would take this young lady, so Renee took her home and cared for her. She made her nutritious, vitamin laden drinks and gave them to the girl. This young girl has lived, she is still dangerously ill, but she is experiencing the hands and feet of the Lord through Renee. Renee is a modern day hero, she is going to people that do not have help, food, water, basic life giving necessities.
This is not just a story, this is going on right now across the Ocean from us. This young woman has a name, Nabakoza, and a beautiful face and a spirit that is longing for the living water only Jesus can bring. There are many other people like this young girl that just need someone to come and help. The need is great and far outweighs the few helpers. I have to be the hands and feet of Jesus! I have to keep the picture of this young lady before me. The need puts things into perspective, I am giving up nothing and gaining so much. I am thankful that we live in an age that we can keep connected via phone, internet, skype and all the good things we have available.
My heart is strong in the Lord and I am ready for His call and His will. I am sure that in the next 3 weeks we will have some rough emotional times, but I know His plans and purposes and they are good.
To read about Nabakoza yourself you can at www.servinghischildreninuganda.blogspot.com
Blessings friends,
Andrea
The Lord has been so sweet to me gently allowing my emotions to flow, but also reminding me of His purpose for me and our family. This is from Jesus in Luke 4 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He appointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD"
Is. 25:4. For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress."
Psalm 10:14 "You have been the helper of the orphan... O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed."
Is 41:17 "The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them."
This is just a small portion of Scripture on the poor, needy and the orphaned. There are over 300 verses on the least, last and lost.
I know here on Earth I may not have the opportunity to see some people again, this is hard on my heart and my flesh, YET I have hope. I live in eternity, I am not confined to my earthly body and if I do not see some again here I have great hope that I will see them again in Eternity... YES! I may be sad in my flesh, but my Spirit reminds me of the truth and hope we have in Jesus Christ! I cannot turn from the call Jesus has put on us because of my flesh, I cannot be held back from His best and His purpose. I must pursue Him, I must chase after Him and go wherever He leads. God knows what He is doing and I don't want to miss anything He has for me and my family.
Deut. 15:7. I"f there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks."
Is. 58:66 "Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"
The Bible has made it clear what we are to do, what I am to do, and this strengthens my heart in my weak moments. Truth girds me up and gives me courage to trust that the Lord will take care of all the details. God has said that He will bless us and take care of us and our gloom will be taken care of.
Prov. 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.
Deut. 15:10. You shall give generously to [your poor brother], and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.
Is. 58:10. "And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."
I just have to say Is 58 ROCKS!
As encouragement to myself and our friends and our families, let us all look at what the Word has said and trust that the Lord will take care of us, not to be afraid, or weep like those that don't have hope. I know that this is God's doing, He has been all over it, let's trust Him to keep doing His thing.
Here is a little perspective: I read a story today about a young lady in Africa, She is 23 years old and weighs 37lbs (let that sink in a minute)... my 8year old weighs double that!!! She is starving, quite possibly to death. Her family has stopped caring for her because they think she will die. She was naked, lying in her own waste, unable to even sit up. She had no water or food or hope of living.
A wonderful woman, Renee, went to her and cleaned her up, dressed her and covered her with blankets and the love of the Lord. No hospital would take this young lady, so Renee took her home and cared for her. She made her nutritious, vitamin laden drinks and gave them to the girl. This young girl has lived, she is still dangerously ill, but she is experiencing the hands and feet of the Lord through Renee. Renee is a modern day hero, she is going to people that do not have help, food, water, basic life giving necessities.
This is not just a story, this is going on right now across the Ocean from us. This young woman has a name, Nabakoza, and a beautiful face and a spirit that is longing for the living water only Jesus can bring. There are many other people like this young girl that just need someone to come and help. The need is great and far outweighs the few helpers. I have to be the hands and feet of Jesus! I have to keep the picture of this young lady before me. The need puts things into perspective, I am giving up nothing and gaining so much. I am thankful that we live in an age that we can keep connected via phone, internet, skype and all the good things we have available.
My heart is strong in the Lord and I am ready for His call and His will. I am sure that in the next 3 weeks we will have some rough emotional times, but I know His plans and purposes and they are good.
To read about Nabakoza yourself you can at www.servinghischildreninuganda.blogspot.com
Blessings friends,
Andrea
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Please fill up our calendar with your prayer and support
We leave in just 3 weeks and 2 days... ahhhh! I sometimes still can't believe it. God has continually shown us His provision, His goodness, His plan and ways and His purpose. We are always amazed that He has asked us to go, but we are very confident that this is exactly the path He wants us on.
Since we only have about 3 weeks left we are asking our friends to sign up to pray and support us. The highest amount one can spend a month is $31, this is completely do able for so many. Think about how much you all drop going out to eat or Starbucks. Just pick a day 1-31, for the days of the calendar and pray on that day and support us with that amount of money.
I just had a friend sign up for a one time donation of $120, this will be a full year of $10mt, so she gets the 10th of each month to pray for us and we pray for her and her family. Please sign up with her and support us. I am going to put the calendar up and as days fill up you can see the progress with us.
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We have 28 more days to fill up each month... please help us out!
To donate go to our website www.therenderfam.com and go to the donate tab. Then email us so we can fill in the date on the calendar. email shelby@therenderfam.com
I'm excited to see God provide in such a simple way. I love that we can both be praying for each other on the same day.
Be Blessed,
Andrea
Since we only have about 3 weeks left we are asking our friends to sign up to pray and support us. The highest amount one can spend a month is $31, this is completely do able for so many. Think about how much you all drop going out to eat or Starbucks. Just pick a day 1-31, for the days of the calendar and pray on that day and support us with that amount of money.
I just had a friend sign up for a one time donation of $120, this will be a full year of $10mt, so she gets the 10th of each month to pray for us and we pray for her and her family. Please sign up with her and support us. I am going to put the calendar up and as days fill up you can see the progress with us.
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We have 28 more days to fill up each month... please help us out!
To donate go to our website www.therenderfam.com and go to the donate tab. Then email us so we can fill in the date on the calendar. email shelby@therenderfam.com
I'm excited to see God provide in such a simple way. I love that we can both be praying for each other on the same day.
Be Blessed,
Andrea
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The calendar of prayer and support
Shelby had an awesome opportunity a few days ago to have coffee with a seasoned missionary. What a great time to be able to encourage each other. This missionary gave Shelby some wonderful advice. He spoke about how prayer is HUGE when you are on the mission field.
This missionary came up with a great way to have prayer support every day and have financial support. What he did was take a month of the calendar, 31 days, and he has a person sign up for a day. If I was asking you to sign a day on my calendar you could pick the 10th of the month and on that day you would pray for us and our needs. This is two fold though, you would also pledge $10 every month. So on the 10th you pray and you also send $10 for the month. If you picked the 15th you would pray on the 15th and also pay $15 for the month... so on and so forth.
This would be so amazing for us, if people would sign up and pray and support us in this way. If we had a whole calendar filled we would have almost $500 a month and people praying for us every single day!!!
On the day you sign up we will also pray for you. At the beginning of your prayer week we will email you our requests and we would also like it if you would tell us your needs. We will be faithful in prayer for you, as you are to us. Now, say you sign up for the 31st and it is Feb (no 31 in that month). You would still pray on the last day of the month, whatever the date and also still send your $31.
We want this to be really simple and easy for everyone. When you sign up you can email us at shelby@therenderfam.com and send us your top 3 dates, then when we get back with you on the date you go to the website and donate. Your donation can be the whole year of support or just a monthly with drawl, so if it is $10 a month, you could also donate $120 for the year, if that is easier.
Please be prayerful about picking a day for us, 1 -31. It is a doable amount for so many without being overwhelming. This will help us on a spiritual front and a financial front. Also, if you want to support more than $31 FEEL FREE!! We don't want to stifle anyone :) and we will pray for you too!!!
Love you all,
Andrea
This missionary came up with a great way to have prayer support every day and have financial support. What he did was take a month of the calendar, 31 days, and he has a person sign up for a day. If I was asking you to sign a day on my calendar you could pick the 10th of the month and on that day you would pray for us and our needs. This is two fold though, you would also pledge $10 every month. So on the 10th you pray and you also send $10 for the month. If you picked the 15th you would pray on the 15th and also pay $15 for the month... so on and so forth.
This would be so amazing for us, if people would sign up and pray and support us in this way. If we had a whole calendar filled we would have almost $500 a month and people praying for us every single day!!!
On the day you sign up we will also pray for you. At the beginning of your prayer week we will email you our requests and we would also like it if you would tell us your needs. We will be faithful in prayer for you, as you are to us. Now, say you sign up for the 31st and it is Feb (no 31 in that month). You would still pray on the last day of the month, whatever the date and also still send your $31.
We want this to be really simple and easy for everyone. When you sign up you can email us at shelby@therenderfam.com and send us your top 3 dates, then when we get back with you on the date you go to the website and donate. Your donation can be the whole year of support or just a monthly with drawl, so if it is $10 a month, you could also donate $120 for the year, if that is easier.
Please be prayerful about picking a day for us, 1 -31. It is a doable amount for so many without being overwhelming. This will help us on a spiritual front and a financial front. Also, if you want to support more than $31 FEEL FREE!! We don't want to stifle anyone :) and we will pray for you too!!!
Love you all,
Andrea
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
God determines.... not me!
Acts 17:26 (New International Version)
26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God just gave this verse to me. It was one of those verses that I probably read over and over and it never jumped out at me, but now it has jumped out at me and attached itself to my heart.
I LOVE knowing that he knows the times set for us and the exact places we should live! This is such a comfort as we do not know exactly when we are leaving or exactly where we will be living. To know that He does and his timing is perfect, that his plans are perfect puts so much joy in my heart.
In this one verse He confirms our calling to go to the whole earth, and brings comfort to what I have been worrying over, our move. I love how he meets all of us right where we are at, and directs us to right thinking. He is so sweet to me.
Tomorrow morning our Visa applications are being sent out!!! Whew! I am excited that all of the preparation for the Visas is done and that they are going out the door. Please pray that the Embassy looks favorably on our Visas and they get approved and sent back quickly. Then the next step is boarding a plane to South Africa. We are really on the home stretch and I am so ready to go.
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| Here is our application... you can just pray over it :) |
While we are waiting for our Visas to return to us, I will be getting rid of the rest of our belongings. We will each have 3 bins that we can take. We are pairing down and getting rid or storing everything except our 3 bins worth. We have made quite a dent but there is still much to go through. I have lots of work to keep me busy. We just keep doing what we are supposed to do while God does what he does in preparing the way.
Keep us in prayer that we are diligent in what we need to get done, that the Lord sustains us with health and energy, and that we have time to spend with family and friends without having to worry about all the stuff that needs to get done. We really appreciate you all holding us up in prayer!!!
Blessings,
Andrea
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Vacant yet Full
We are living in an almost completely vacant home. None of our children have bedroom sets anymore. Most of our furniture has sold, the only reason we still have couches is because the people that bought them are selling their house and asked if we could use them for awhile longer so they wouldn't have to put the couches in storage. My kids are appreciative of this fact because they still have something to sleep on.
It is strange to walk through your home and have mostly empty rooms, but it also gives me an odd kind of joy. I don't know if I can explain it??? We are just getting really close to being completely freed up to go. This is unbelievably exciting to me.
I have been thinking a lot about the 4.5 billion people that live on this earth, that are going to hell if they died today, and that 26,000 children will die today of starvation and preventable disease. I am so thankful that we are a step closer to going and giving a portion of that 4.5 billion Christ and a portion of that 26,000 may be saved because we can help. I am praising God for the opportunity to help the World, to go and preach the gospel and to save the least, the last and the lost.
It has definitely been a journey parting with everything we own. Things seem so important at first and then as you give things up it gets easier and easier. It is all just stuff! As we have been going thru some of our storage stuff, there were a few box's that had mildew growing on them and it reminded me of Matt 6. It talks about storing up our treasure in Heaven where moth and rust (and mildew) cant destroy. How true! Everything on this earth has a time frame, a beginning and an end. My stuff is not eternal, anything I own today someone else will own at a different time. Nothing here on earth is REALLY mine. My treasure is in HEAVEN! My life is in HEAVEN, my citizenship is in HEAVEN!!! This changes one's perspective on stuff.
Matt 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness... if we are truly seeking the Kingdom of God that could mean that we may see some changes in our lives. Seek in this verse means sincere seeking, a careful concern and earnest endeavor. Heaven would be our end and Holiness would be our way. We would prefer heavenly blessings over earthly delights.
The rest of the verse states... and all these things will be added to you! If we truly believed this truth we would see such a change in our lives and the world around us. That the best way to be comfortably provided for in this world is to be intent upon a Heavenly world.
The thought of the church living like Matt 6: 33 excites me! The thought of me living like that excites me. In no way have I got this life figured out, I am learning every day. The Lord teaches, and corrects, and leads me everyday. So today as we unload more stuff from our almost vacant home, my heart is full, my spirit is pressed closer to the Lord and I am a step closer to boarding the plane to Africa!
May the Lords name be praised and all Glory given to God!
Andrea
It is strange to walk through your home and have mostly empty rooms, but it also gives me an odd kind of joy. I don't know if I can explain it??? We are just getting really close to being completely freed up to go. This is unbelievably exciting to me.
I have been thinking a lot about the 4.5 billion people that live on this earth, that are going to hell if they died today, and that 26,000 children will die today of starvation and preventable disease. I am so thankful that we are a step closer to going and giving a portion of that 4.5 billion Christ and a portion of that 26,000 may be saved because we can help. I am praising God for the opportunity to help the World, to go and preach the gospel and to save the least, the last and the lost.
It has definitely been a journey parting with everything we own. Things seem so important at first and then as you give things up it gets easier and easier. It is all just stuff! As we have been going thru some of our storage stuff, there were a few box's that had mildew growing on them and it reminded me of Matt 6. It talks about storing up our treasure in Heaven where moth and rust (and mildew) cant destroy. How true! Everything on this earth has a time frame, a beginning and an end. My stuff is not eternal, anything I own today someone else will own at a different time. Nothing here on earth is REALLY mine. My treasure is in HEAVEN! My life is in HEAVEN, my citizenship is in HEAVEN!!! This changes one's perspective on stuff.
Matt 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness... if we are truly seeking the Kingdom of God that could mean that we may see some changes in our lives. Seek in this verse means sincere seeking, a careful concern and earnest endeavor. Heaven would be our end and Holiness would be our way. We would prefer heavenly blessings over earthly delights.
The rest of the verse states... and all these things will be added to you! If we truly believed this truth we would see such a change in our lives and the world around us. That the best way to be comfortably provided for in this world is to be intent upon a Heavenly world.
The thought of the church living like Matt 6: 33 excites me! The thought of me living like that excites me. In no way have I got this life figured out, I am learning every day. The Lord teaches, and corrects, and leads me everyday. So today as we unload more stuff from our almost vacant home, my heart is full, my spirit is pressed closer to the Lord and I am a step closer to boarding the plane to Africa!
May the Lords name be praised and all Glory given to God!
Andrea
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