WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

God can use our personal needs to open doors for us to connect

20160222132419514_0005

Hebrew 13:2  “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (ESV).

Like many of you, after many months of raising support, much reading, planning and prayer, we looked with anticipation and mixed emotions to the day when we would say our goodbyes to family and life as we knew it. We would soon be leaving America and proceed to a new place of calling in Asia, the Philippines. Did we mention we were also exhausted?!

THE WHIRLWIND:

  • We were  married in December 1980
  • I graduated the next May 1981
  • We spent the entire  summer with 40 something young people in Philadelphia doing inner-city work
  • During the month of August we joined a singing group and started  traveling with the group in September. At the same time we began our deputation (raising support and building partnerships) before leaving for the Philippines the following year.

20160222132419514_0003Jim, my husband, lead this singing group of young people, where they would sing and he would preach. Our plan was that we would minister in various churches during the year and then all of us would finish up with a trip to the Philippines in May of 1982. I was only 23 at the time, with no kids. Jim was 25 and we had only been married for about a year and a half. Most of the students on the team traveling with us were only a few years younger than we were at that time.  

After arriving in Asia, our plan was to do a month of mission work with the team. Jim and I would then stay, making our new home and career as missionaries in the Bohol, Philippines,  while the young people made their way back to the States.   (more…)

What is your Story?

God, our Heavenly Father's providential hand is guiding your story

February is the month of “Happy Valentines“!   This blog is one of God’s love stories to me.   Maybe you can relate in some way.

Psalm 27:10 “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” (NIV)    

Maybe when you think of your life you may feel, it is one big waste or perhaps you feel unsettled, dissatisfied, or  living in pain. Are you experiencing another transition? Are you looking for that day when life will feel normal again? You scream, “Will I ever feel settled again?” or  “Will this pain ever go away?” Maybe not, but there is one place you can go.

MEMORIES: 

I have this early memory as a little girl of one of my safest, most secure and restful moments with my earthly father. I would climb up into my parent’s bed, dragging my favorite book with me (at the time it was Black Beauty) and plopping myself next to my dad. (more…)

GRANDSLAM

Mentoring and Playing Tennis: Life Lessons

II Timothy 2:2:  and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men (and women) who will be able to teach others also”

IMG_1529 (2)

As Jim and I were out hitting yesterday on the tennis court, I remembered the early days of when we first began playing. I smiled and couldn’t help but thank God. We have come a long way since then.

It also dawned on me, my experience of training to play tennis mirrors in many ways mentoring. Can you think of something you didn’t know how to do but now you can perform without thinking? How did you become so competent? Take even something like learning to drive a car, there are life lessons everywhere that we in turn give to others. Mentoring is in nearly every level of life.

(more…)