Turning Up the Heat

By

Happy October beloved! This month has been both slow and fast for our family. Main highlights include Husband turning in his first essay for TC, Hacob had his first live performance at CBU and Zachary helped out at a church cleanup. Also, with the exception of Zachary, we all got COVID (he had it in January), so that has been what a lot of this past month has looked like for us. Our Father has shown us three things: one, He is faithful to provide; two, all things are working together for good; and three, how to serve and be served.


We are thankful, the Lord is faithful (even if we are faithless) to provide just what is needed for the day. I am home and was able to take care of Hacob, when he was sick. And then my husband was able to work from home to take care of me for two weeks. We also had ten meals, a flower pot and sunflowers delivered. Also, eight different people brought us groceries, necessities for the house, vitamins or medical support items (humidifier, oximeter, etc). We were overwhelmed by the lavish outpouring - especially families we had just met a week prior. There was not a day we went without someone asking how we were and if they could bring something. I was also able to get medical attention and medicine, when needed. 


All things... Having to skip out on church activities and gathering with others has not been enjoyable, and I found myself asking, how is this good? Is there another way to sanctify me? There were nights I was in so much pain and delirium, I asked God, are you calling me home? And His still small voice responded, I am not finished with you yet. I have good plans for you. This is part of the preparation for what lies ahead. I waste nothing. I am with you. You do not need to be afraid. Look to the cross. Your current suffering does not make sense to you, but trust me. I am in control. Back to reality: what I know is a speck, compared to the infinite wisdom of our all-knowing Lord. He is always working on a billion things around and within. One huge blessing in disguise, getting COVID has made it possible to travel to Rome in January for the conference, without having to get the vaccine. 

There is a difference between obligation and service, and that was made very clear this past month. And I have seen from my prayers and asking for tangible things from my husband how much I continue to struggle demanding vs. requesting, ingratitude when things are not to "standard" and making my needs the most important. Husband is definitely learning how to serve, and I am learning how to receive it (and vice versa). May we follow the example of Christ serving and elevating the needs of others (Mark 9:35, 10:44). 

Do you know how a fever works? The body heats up to kill off a virus or bacteria. This is a good and natural pre-programmed response, and yet we get fearful and do not desire our temperature to rise. In terms of spiritual well-being, the Lord knows just how much heat we need, to expose and bring to the surface that which needs to be eliminated. We are thankful His hands are on the heat, because many times we would not turn the dial, even if it means refinement. Our Father sees how everything is working together, and He will be sure to equip us for all that is needed, along the way. 


Praise Reports:

  1. Rick has been attending TC since August 30, and is enjoying fellowship, accountability and growth in knowledge and retention - a different elder was also able to join him one evening
  2. Hacob has continued serving/leading with church facilities
  3. Zachary has been faithful keeping up with his reading for and participating in youth studies on Wednesdays and Sundays
  4. God has been faithful to provide for our family - October 16 marks one year that I have been out from work

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

  1. Continued direction/balance with ministry (+ faith, patience, wisdom & obedience), especially as Husband continues bible training 
  2. Faithfulness in our current season
  3. Unity in marriage & family 
  4. Physical healing for me (ongoing fatigue, sleep & COVID residuals) & our ability to conceive
  5. Continued provision &/or direction for me with work 
  6. Zachary's salvation
  7. The Italian Theological Academy's "Shepherd's Conference" in Rome, January 2022 - how we can support & attending

Comments

  1. Alysha MillerOctober 30, 2021 at 9:16 AM

    Wow, I am so grateful to hear you are all on the road to recovering after a battle with Covid. Also what a great perspective to have at such a trying thing and that the Lord has made a way for you to get to Europe while sticking to your convictions. He works in mysterious ways and ways we will never fully understand this side of Heaven. Praising Him for your diligence in the faith and the edification your lives bring to the body by being servants of our Lord and reflecting Him/representing Him in the way you live out your callings. <3

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Obedience in All Seasons: A Tale of Two Laborers

By
Image
2019 was not a path I would have chosen for myself , if given the choice. As Rick and I began our quest knocking, seeking and asking God for His leading and blessing with missions in April, we had no idea what or who to expect. “Incidentally,” the day of our first conference call vetting a mission’s agency in May, we bumped into a very wise pastor-friend. He advised us, ‘Make sure you know their doctrine, statement of faith and stance on controversial issues like marriage and abortion.’ Upon talking to the rep, it was very clear, not all mission's agencies are created equal . We scratched them off the list, fast. Our next call was with a family from Italy. Night and day – they were very friendly, lively and sound. They also indicated the team’s need is long-termers. Many come and go, but not many come and stay. In June , we began hosting a weekly home bible study and potluck on Saturdays with 4 couples. We learned so much about the differences between hosting and hosp...
Read more

Sticking to the Plan

By
Image
Good day Beloved! Husband and I would like to share a bit about how our last week has gone and give God all the glory (video recap here ). As you know, we set out for Rome on Sunday, January 9 to attend a conference and meet a missions team. We were compliant with travel regulations and documents but were detained in Zurich by customs. We did all we could practically to get through but were sent back to L.A. on Tuesday, January 11. It is with sadness we share this news, coupled with hope, encouragement and greater faith. This week, we would like to highlight three ways the Holy Spirit has been moving in strangers, the church and us . On Our Way to L.A.X. L.A.X. Airport Line for Document Check & Boarding Passes Zurich Airport, On Our Way to Customs & Connecting Flight Once the Chief of Police said, 'It's not going to happen folks,' referring to us passing through to Rome, tears began to pour out, and I began to sob, processing the reality that our trip would not go a...
Read more

Going Back to Rome with Good News

By
Image
"But the angel said to them [shepherds], 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people" ( Luke 2:10, NASB ). Beloved, when you think of "great joy," what comes to mind? My prayer is that your great joy is in Christ alone . This advent season, Husband and I rejoice as we reflect back and look forward to visiting Rome on January 9-23, with the privilege of sharing this precious gift with others in Italy. We need your faithful prayers more than ever, as this could potentially be the location where God is calling us to serve long-term (to be confirmed). As such, this month we will share on: 1) past events, 2) our upcoming trip, 3) the need in Italy and 4) ways we are at looking to the Lord for practical provision (for the formal approved support letter, click here ). 1) past events: when Rick and I began courting in May 2014, there were no discussions or desires to be missionaries - where we are today is a testame...
Read more