Waiting Patiently

I just returned from a week of extreme physical labor with my mission team.  My body ached and cried out to me every day that I climbed out of my bunk bed.  Knowing that I was part of being the “hands and feet of Jesus”, serving, praying, singing, clapping, crying, loving and rejoicing with my team and “Texas family” made me forget those physical pains.

Today I will share just a glimpse of what we did one day.  Our team went to deliver Christmas gifts to two Mexico churches that we are supporting.  It was an amazing joy and love that overflowed in my heart to see these children wait patiently for their names to be called. 

Once they received their gift, they had to wait and wait and wait and wait until every one of their names were called. For a child that must of seemed like an eternity!  Then, after a short word, they were given the go ahead and the room echoed cheers and screams of joy for the new gift they received.

Tears flowed from my eyes as I searched for the girl and little boy who would open the gifts I purchased.   I packed a school bag full of supplies into a medium size box and I purposely used red shiny paper so that I would be able to spot the gift.  I found the girl right away, so I hugged her and told her as best that I could in English, that gift, came from my heart to hers.  Here we are with our photo taken together, but then, finding the little boy was not so easy.  

I tried taking a photo of him receiving it, but he ran so fast back to his mother that I only caught the back of his head.  So I had to be a detective and search for the “striped, plaid shirt that was in my photo.

Remember the days when we had to take the film from our camera into Walgreen's  or a photo store to get it developed before we saw the photos?  We had to wait two or three days back then, or more.  Now you can get them developed within 24 hours.   My smart phone camera is awesome. I can see him instantly after taking the picture.  Finally I found him with his mother in the court yard, but he didn't have my red papered gift; he was playing with his brother’s new gift!  I don’t know his name, but he was so sweet!

Later I learned that for some of the children, it was their very first Christmas gift they ever received!  Wow!  That is mind boggling!  Well, after all that excitement we were even more blessed to serve the whole church a meal out in the courtyard!   I was too busy serving them for a photo, but God received the glory and we received Joy and hearts full of love!

Our children waited so patiently for their gift and just like them, we are waiting for Jesus Christ's return - God's greatest gift!  

Revelations 22:12 says “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."

May we remember to be watchful and earnestly seeking Him for His return!  I hope you find Joy in serving Jesus as much as I am!

Blessings!

Joani

Go and Serve

I have been asked a few times "why do I want to serve on a mission field?

Why go to a place that is foreign, where there is sickness, diseases, war, troubles and poverty?

Isaiah 6:8 - "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

I heard God speak to my heart many times, after listening to our pastor preach sermons about the “Great Commission”.  I wanted to be obedient and follow Him when I have that opportunity.  Many years went by as I said “No” to the opportunities because of “Life, jobs, family, children or fear”.   Maybe I had excuses but it was also God's plan and His timing of when I should go.  Five years ago I went on my first trip to Mexico and it was a eye-opening experience.

When the opportunity comes and I put excuses before God, how can I face Him?  I will be on my knees, crying and seeking forgiveness because He does not want one soul lost!  I want to be one who hears “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

A week ago "Grace Beyond Borders" Mission team was commissioned to "Go and Serve” in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Texas and Mexico.  I am happy to be a part of this team!  Pray for us as we “Go and Serve”.

Blessings,

Joani

Joy in Seeking Jesus

I am so excited to travel and go on the upcoming mission trip.  This will be my second mission trip to Mexico!   I really wish that I had taken Spanish in high school, although, knowing the language would help but, it isn't a necessity.  I will rely on a friend to help when I need to communicate.

Today my fellow mission teammates and I packed up a U haul trailer filled with tools, supplies, clothes, and Christmas presents from our church family.  I love my church family!  They are so generous when it comes to giving to the children!  We will have the opportunity to see the little ones faces as they open up their gifts.  So much Joy!!!  How exciting!

This joy reminds me of when I became a Christian.  Some woman led me to receive Jesus Christ back in August, 1980 while I was at camp and they probably were filled with joy as I said "Jesus I need you" in my life, and in my heart!  Pam, (and Susie), if you ever read this…. Thank you!  Thank you, for leading me to the "Cross"…to accept Jesus in my heart. YOU have seen my pain, and my tears. my face as I received Jesus Christ in my heart the day that I couldn't do it no longer without Him!  I can't tell you how often I think of "Windy Gap" and "Young Life” and how I wouldn't be the person I am now without your leading and Christ's direction in my life.  You were able to see that joy! 

Being raised in the Christian faith doesn't mean that you're a believer, whether Protestant or Catholic.   My parents raised me in the knowledge of the Christian faith….teaching me about the stories in the Bible and of the Trinity.  I went to Christian grade and high school and studied the Heidelberg Catechism but that didn’t make me a follower and believer of Jesus.   But saying "Yes I am a sinner, confessing my sin, and accepting that I need a Savior and Yes to Jesus I need You in my heart to save me - a wretched sinner....who can't go on anymore without Your grace and mercy and forgiveness, yes, I need you to change me from the inside out! Yes that makes me a believer.  A renewed, refreshed, reformed, changed, transformed heart does!  I have a new spirit within me!

It's a mystery to me....how He, God could love me and my crap, and  love me so much that He would send His SON' - JESUS- to die for my sins!  Why?  So that, I , would be with Him in heaven.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world (or me, JOAN) that he gave His one and only Son(Jesus), that whoever ( or JOAN) believes in him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life.  

Why?    For Eternal life!  He died for me so that that I will live with Him one day in eternity.  Heaven is my final resting place.  If you don't believe in Heaven, then there is only one place left.  Hell.  I don’t believe in purgatory.  I can’t find it in the Bible… (So if you do, please share where with me) 

You see my friends who are reading this………God, our creator, doesn't want anyone to go to Hell!    He doesn't want anyone to perish!  He loves you and me so much!  He wants us to be with Him in eternity!   His son, Jesus Christ,  bore the punishment for my sins on the cross so that I will live with God forever.

Jesus says in John 14:2 -4 "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

To me, it is a great comfort to know that I have a room prepared just for me by my Savior!  One day, I will be in heaven, see Jesus and all of the saints, my loved ones, my grandparents, my earthly father, and most of all, my creator and maker, my heavenly Father!   

May you find Joy in seeking Jesus today!

Joani

God IS THERE

Four little words:  THE LORD IS THERE  written at the end of Ezekiel 48:35.

Did I need to read this devotion today!  Yes I did.  Yahweh Shammah in Hebrews means THE LORD IS THERE!

After worrying last night about my Mexico trip fears, God spoke to me through my devotions.  "I will be there"!   Fears and unknowns are just part of the trusting. 

 Quoted from my devotions:

"Philip Yancey once observed "faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse."  Oh that we would trust him even if the twists and turns never make sense this side of heaven.  That's what trusting God is all about.  As we live and move and have our being in Him, the dark places become opportunities to trust that He knows the way and to hold on tight..He is Yahweh Shammah, THE LORD IS THERE"  

Then I read  Isaiah 43:1-3, 5

1 But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

5  Do not be afraid, for I am with you..."

Tears started to flow...I  am feeling ashamed for not having faith and trusting in God.  I know that he is preparing my heart for Mexico.  May I truly not fear and trust Him on the road ahead..  May I look for the opportunities to serve and show the love of Jesus.

Blessings!

Trust and Obey

I like to journal and this is one of my journal entries from Monday.

"The anxiety I am feeling right now is fear.  Fear of the unknown.  I don't know what to expect or what lies ahead and I am already worrying.  Why, Joan do you worry so much?  I feel like one of Jesus disciples right now, thinking to myself what is going to happen tomorrow as I journey with Him on the road to the unknown?  Sleep was impossible tonight!  I lay here tossing and turning, thinking about the trip . 

When sleep is a issue, I read, watch some tv, listen to music, or sing.... usually all of the above.  One of the songs that came in my head is a childhood hymn. "Trust and obey"

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

 

The other song that came to mind is a more contemporary song called "Mighty to Save..."  

Everyone needs compassion, Love that's never failing;  Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness, The kindness of a Savior; The Hope of nations.

Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me, All my fears and failures, Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow Everything I believe in, Now I surrender.

My Savior, He can move the mountains,  My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see, We're singing for the glory of the risen King... Jesus 

Shine your light and let the whole world see, We're singing for the glory of the risen King... Jesus

My Savior, He can move the mountains,  My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

-Hillsong United

Jesus, help me to trust in you for all my fears and worries and walk with you on this journey."

After I sang, I was able to fall asleep...a little exhausted the next day, but my praise to Him was what matters. Who needs sleep?  

Joani

Growing in 2015

Last year I wrote a post about being “Rooted in 2014”.

As the New Year starts most people start again and try to change and become a better person so they set “new year’s resolutions, new diets, new exercise plans, new goals, and new beginnings.”  We had a lot of “New” beginnings added in our lives.

2014 was a beautiful, blessed year!  We started with a new, cute, Puppy, “Jake” who is now an energetic, crazy, lab who adores us!  We adore him too! And…. now we have THREE dogs!  We are crazy, but loving them all!

We also added 2 beautiful grandbabies in our lives.  How precious “Logan and Mackenzie” are to us and we are enjoying them as we watch them grow. They are such a joy!  We are very proud grandparents and already have fun spoiling them!  I will never forget the tears that flooded my eyes as I read the Christmas story to them.  Lord willing, I will like to do this again each year with them.

“Hubby” and I spent many weekends camping in our new camper with all the bells and whistles and more pleasures (than “roughing it”) with friends and family.  How we ever survived in a small bubble tent years ago? I can only say now….I love the pleasures! We’ve made some great memories and saw some beautiful places where we never have walked or hiked before.

We are blessed to be healthy for the most part less some aches and pains of age. I am blessed with life to live another day to serve Jesus and run the race.  Life is precious and a gift to me and you. 

I can answer “Yes” to my “Rooted in 2014” questions: 

v  YES - I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior (a long time ago back in August of 1980 -which means yes, I am a born again Christian)

v  YES - I am rooted in growing my faith. I am reading many books and one I love is “Knowing God by Name”.   “El Roi” (Hebrew) is a new one for me.  He is the “God Who Sees.”   (See Genesis 16:13).  He sees everything we are doing, knows all the joys, the hurts and pains, the tears and sadness.  He knows what we are going through and also knows what lies ahead.  What a comfort to know “El Roi” sees and takes note of me!

v  YES - I am being strengthened spiritually through God’s word, Christian radio, and the messages I hear a Grace Church – Lansing.  Being part of a community of believers in Jesus Christ gives me encouragement and love that you can’t find or buy at a grocery store.

v  YES - I am more in love with Jesus each day I am walking with Him.  When I am not, I crawl back and repent, start all over seeking forgiveness and pick up where I left off.

v  Is Jesus the CENTER of my life?  To be completely honest with you…Not all the time.  “Joan” gets in the way and tries to do things her way. This is where I bow before the throne of grace and ask for Him to be ‘MY CENTER” all over again.

My goals were, (and still are) focused on growing in my relationship with Jesus, being rooted in Him, and learning more about Him.   This goal is a daily, lifelong race. When I get to the finish line, one day, I WILL BE in “Heaven”!  I will see my Savior and lay all my gifts or “crown’s” at His feet and worship Him in spirit.

My roots are deep in Jesus and this year growing as I seek Him.  It is my prayer for you in 2015 that you will seek Him and grow with me as well! 

Many Blessings to you in 2015!

Joani