"Ten-year-old Hyun Joo was different. Few North Korean children know about God. But Hyun Joo believed in God and trusted Him. Hun Joo’s parents were Christians. They shared their faith with their daughter even though they knew they might be punished if officials found out. The country’s leaders want to people to honor them, not God. Hyun Joo’s parents wanted her to know about Jesus, in spite of the obstacles. They prayed that God would use her to change North Korea. One day, Hyun Joo’s aunt, Mrs. Kim, came to her home for a visit. But the house was empty. The family had vanished. A friend later told Mrs. Kim what had happened. Hyun Joo’s teacher at school had asked her, “how did you get such a good grade on your test today?” “By God’s grace,” Hyun Joo answered. The teacher was angry. She dragged Hyun Joo out of the classroom. Then her family disappeared. No doubt the government took them away. No one has heard from them since. Inspired by reading about North Koreans like Hyun Joo, a church made up of about forty neighborhood kids in St. Marc, Haiti, decided to help North Koreans are very poor, often sick, and do not always have clean drinking water or enough food. The Haitian believers understood what it was like to be without. They, too, lived in poverty. But the teacher explained that North Koreans have additional obstacles. They can not go to church when they want to, or own a Bible, or learn about Jesus. The Haitian children said they would be very afraid if they did not have God to help them. When the teacher told them how VOM launches Scripture balloons into North Korea, the Haitian children offered to help. One little boy handed the teacher a Haitian dollar, worth twenty cents in the U.S. Other children gave what little they had to send to OM to help North Koreans learn about God. Even though the children had their own problems to overcome, they felt excited to help North Korean children who suffer from the greatest tragedy of all-- being without Jesus. 'We as Haitians need to be more thankful,' said one."
As I read this story in the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter, tears came to my eyes almost immediately. Having been to Haiti (the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere) this September, I saw first hand what I had been told by many people before: the beautiful country of Haiti has so much poverty. However, these Haitian children, although themselves overwhelmed by many needs, gave their resources in order to help the people of North Korea. So often I even forget to pray and give faithfully for the persecuted church. Even though I have been blessed beyond measure, have all of my needs completely fulfilled, have been saved by a holy GOD, have a wonderful family and friends, and much more (believe me the list could go on and on and on), I so often forget to do so many things. I could share the gospel with people I meet more. I could take advantage of more opportunities to give, I could pray more faithfully, I could give more to the persecuted church (just like the children in Haiti, who probably had next to nothing). The point is this: I COULD DO SO MUCH MORE FOR GOD'S KINGDOM!
The above story made me realize just how guilty I am of not doing all I can. After all, God has given me the greatest gift, salvation! (Plus many more gifts!). What can I do but give Him back everything that He first gave me? Isn't this the very least that He deserves?
I just wanted to share a little bit of what God's been teaching me lately... God has some very wonderful ways of humbling me! Whether it's through a ten-year-old girl in North Korea that I've never met, or some little school children in Haiti (again whom I've never met!) But the main thing I wanted to say is this: would you be in prayer for me? Would you pray that I would serve God more, give Him more... give Him my everything? I would really appreciate it! And it would be my joy to pray for you, too, if you have any prayer requests. Thanks guys!!!
"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded..." Luke 12:48
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tournament!
Saturday was our the first tournament I've been to this year for speech. I competed in Apologetics (questions about the Bible) and Impromptu (you have two minutes to prepare a five-minute speech on one of three words/quotes that you draw). For my dear friend Haley, this was her first tournament. We had so much fun together, and hanging out in between rounds with Liana, Jessica, Grace, Sophia, Hannah, and others. It was a huge blessing to be able to pray together, encourage each other, watch other speeches, and catch up with others and see what God has been doing in their lives. And of course, competing in Impromptu for the first time (excluding speech camp :) was a real adventure, too!
To start off the day, Jessica, Liana, Haley, and I all practiced speeches for each other. Then it was time for impromptu. The first round of impromptu I spoke on the quote "Where there is room in the heart, there is always room in the house." That was very fun! Then I watched Haley give her impromptu on "Two people cannot long be friends who cannot forgive each other's faults." She did a great job and you wouldn't be able to believe this was her first year of speech. Then we had apologetics... Haley spoke first on "The meaning and significance of Jesus' claim that He is the 'Son of Man.'" Then I spoke on "The meaning and significance of Jesus' claim that He was the 'Son of God.'" That, too, was fun!
Then we had lunch, talked with Liana, Jess, Hannah, and Gracie, and just had fun! Then, back to speaking... more impromptu. I spoke on the word "trust." This was not nearly as good. I didn't do a very good job, but, God had a plan, of course. Then Haley spoke on "Risks" and then another friend, Catherine, spoke on "Reputation." It was fun to watch them, too! Then, finally, it was time for our last speeches for apologetics. I spoke on "The meaning and significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God." Then, Haley spoke on the same topic in a different room, and our friend Grace spoke on "Provide evidence for the historical existence of Jesus." It was wonderful to watch them both, I can learn a lot from them!
That was the end of our speaking day, so Haley and I headed upstairs to watch Grace and Sophia's second duo round!!!!!!! It was AMAZING, just to let you know. Probably the best duo I've ever seen. Ever. It was so funny. Haley and I were laughing soooooooo hard. It was on the piece "Drama on the High Seas," and it was so good.
Then, Haley and I went back to the sanctuary for the awards ceremony. I ended up getting third in apologetics-- To God be the glory!-- and I had a number of friends who placed in different events. Grace go 2nd in Individual interp., and Grace and Sophia got 1st in their duo (of course!) Also, Sophia got 2nd in Apologetics, and placed in her Persuasive and I think in Individual interp, too!! She's amazing! All in all, it was an amazing day!
If you would like to hear about the tourny from my friend Hannah's point of view (plus see an absolutely ridiculous picture of me) here's the link: http://xian-na.blogspot.com/2009/11/tournament-pictures.html
If you want to hear Haley's experience, here's the link to her blog: http://bigsisteroffour.blogspot.com/2009/11/tournament.html
And if you'd like to know Sophia's opinion on wearing hose to the tournament: http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/11/tournament-attire.html
Well, that's pretty much it! God gave everyone a wonderful day at the tournament, I think! And I'm so glad that there were so many people there desiring to share God's word with others.
Grace,
Rachel
To start off the day, Jessica, Liana, Haley, and I all practiced speeches for each other. Then it was time for impromptu. The first round of impromptu I spoke on the quote "Where there is room in the heart, there is always room in the house." That was very fun! Then I watched Haley give her impromptu on "Two people cannot long be friends who cannot forgive each other's faults." She did a great job and you wouldn't be able to believe this was her first year of speech. Then we had apologetics... Haley spoke first on "The meaning and significance of Jesus' claim that He is the 'Son of Man.'" Then I spoke on "The meaning and significance of Jesus' claim that He was the 'Son of God.'" That, too, was fun!
Then we had lunch, talked with Liana, Jess, Hannah, and Gracie, and just had fun! Then, back to speaking... more impromptu. I spoke on the word "trust." This was not nearly as good. I didn't do a very good job, but, God had a plan, of course. Then Haley spoke on "Risks" and then another friend, Catherine, spoke on "Reputation." It was fun to watch them, too! Then, finally, it was time for our last speeches for apologetics. I spoke on "The meaning and significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God." Then, Haley spoke on the same topic in a different room, and our friend Grace spoke on "Provide evidence for the historical existence of Jesus." It was wonderful to watch them both, I can learn a lot from them!
That was the end of our speaking day, so Haley and I headed upstairs to watch Grace and Sophia's second duo round!!!!!!! It was AMAZING, just to let you know. Probably the best duo I've ever seen. Ever. It was so funny. Haley and I were laughing soooooooo hard. It was on the piece "Drama on the High Seas," and it was so good.
Then, Haley and I went back to the sanctuary for the awards ceremony. I ended up getting third in apologetics-- To God be the glory!-- and I had a number of friends who placed in different events. Grace go 2nd in Individual interp., and Grace and Sophia got 1st in their duo (of course!) Also, Sophia got 2nd in Apologetics, and placed in her Persuasive and I think in Individual interp, too!! She's amazing! All in all, it was an amazing day!
If you would like to hear about the tourny from my friend Hannah's point of view (plus see an absolutely ridiculous picture of me) here's the link: http://xian-na.blogspot.com/2009/11/tournament-pictures.html
If you want to hear Haley's experience, here's the link to her blog: http://bigsisteroffour.blogspot.com/2009/11/tournament.html
And if you'd like to know Sophia's opinion on wearing hose to the tournament: http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/11/tournament-attire.html
Well, that's pretty much it! God gave everyone a wonderful day at the tournament, I think! And I'm so glad that there were so many people there desiring to share God's word with others.
Grace,
Rachel
Friday, November 6, 2009
On the balcony in Haiti!
So the story behind this picture... the Infimel vitamin company donated vitamins to us to give to GLA, so we were taking pictures of the kids with them. I love this one cause it looks like they're all under interrogation!
This little one is so skinny-- I'm sure you can see from the picture, but his legs were also very thin! He was adorable and had the cutest personality!
Sitting in the Bumbo seat
She was ticklish!
Oh, she was such a sweetheart.
Monday, October 26, 2009
One day after VBS this summer...
This summer my dear friend Haley and myself put on a VBS at my Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Ken's house. After one day of fun-filled VBS, I went back with Haley to her house and goofed around with her and her brother, Curtis. Anyway, we had a good time and I was laughing so hard looking at these pictures tonight. So for your enjoyment... here they are.
Oh my. I have but one pardon for my facial expression: no one is perfect. Yep, that's the best I can come up with...
I love the look on Curtis's face! AND... Haley, trying to wink and put up two fingers at the same time. She's so talented!
Oh my word. This is so my favorite. We're a mighty gloomy looking bunch, are we not?!?
Oh my. I have but one pardon for my facial expression: no one is perfect. Yep, that's the best I can come up with...
I love the look on Curtis's face! AND... Haley, trying to wink and put up two fingers at the same time. She's so talented!
Oh my word. This is so my favorite. We're a mighty gloomy looking bunch, are we not?!?Sunday, October 11, 2009
God's Perfect Plans
This post really has nothing to do with me or my family and it isn't even something that I've written. But, I was reading this today and God touched my heart with several things from this story. Please read it; it challenged me and I hope you can learn from it too.
Roger Simms had just left the military and was anxious to take his uniform off once and for all. He was hitchhiking home, and his heavy duffel bag made the trip even more arduous than normal. Flashing his thumb to an oncoming car, he had just about given up hope when he saw the taillights flash on a shiny, black, expensive car, so new that it had a temporary license in the back window... hardly the kind of car that would stop for a hitchhiker. But to his amazement, the car stopped and the passenger door opened. He ran toward the car, placed his duffel carefully in the back, and slid into the leather-covered front seat. He was greeted by the friendly smile of a handsome older gentleman with distinguished gray hair and a deep tan.
“Hello, son. Are you on leave or are you going home for good?”
“I just got out of the army, and I’m going home for the first time in several years,” answered Roger.
“Well, you’re in luck in if you’re going to Chicago.”
“Not quite that far,” said Roger, “but my home is on the way.
Do you live there, mister?”
“Yes, I have a business there.”
And with that, they were on their way. After giving each other brief life histories, and talking about everything under the sun, Roger (who was a Christian) felt a strong compulsion to witness to the gentleman about Christ. But witnessing to an older, wealthy businessman who obviously had everything he should ever want was a scary prospect indeed. Roger kept putting if off, but as he neared his destination, he realized that it was now or never.
“Mr. Hanover,” began Roger, “I would like to talk to you about something very important.” He then proceeded to explain the way of salvation, ultimately asking Mr. Hanover if he would like to receive Christ as his Savior. To Roger’s astonishment, the high car pulled over to the side of the road; Roger thought for a moment that Mr. Hanover was about to throw him out. Then a strange and wonderful thing happened: the businessman began to cry while affirming that he did in fact want to accept Christ into his heart. He thanked Roger for talking to him, saying that “This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.” He then dropped Roger at his house and traveled on toward Chicago.
Five years went by, and Roger Simms married, had a child, and started a business of his own. One day, while packing for a business trip to Chicago, he came across a small, gold-embossed business card which Mr. Hanover had given him years earlier.
When Roger arrived in Chicago, he looked up Hanover Enterprises, and found it downtown in a very tall and important-looking building. The receptionist told him that it would be impossible to see Mr. Hanover, but that if he was on old friend, he should be able to see Mrs. Hanover. A little disappointed, he was led into a posh office where an elegant looking woman was sitting at a huge oak desk.
She extended her hand, “You knew my husband?”
Roger explained how Mr. Hanover had been kind enough to give him a ride home.
A look of interest passed across her face. “Can you tell what date that was?” “Sure,” said Roger, “It was May 7th, five years ago, the day I was discharged from the army.”
Roger hesitated. Should he mention giving his witness? Had it been a source of contention between the two, which resulted in a marital breakup or separation? But once again, he felt the prompting of the Lord. “Mrs. Hanover, I must tell you, your husband accepted the Lord into his heart that day. I explained the gospel message to him, and he pulled to the side of the road and wept, and then he prayed a prayer for salvation.”
Suddenly she began to sob uncontrollably. After several minutes, she regained enough control to explain what had happened: “I grew up in a Christian home, but my husband did not. I had prayed for my husband’s salvation for many years, and I believed God would save him. But just after he let you out of his car, on May 7th, he was killed in a horrible head-on collision. He never arrived home. I thought God had not kept His promise, and I stopped living for the Lord five years ago.”
The truth is, friends, Mrs. Hanover quit, but God didn’t! She failed to realize that as the great eternal God, He does ever watch over His Word to perform it.
I really want you to be able to draw your own conclusions from the story, and to let God speak to your heart. But I just wanted to write a couple things about what God placed on my heart from reading this: first of all, it reminded me how fleeting is this life. This life is so temporary; there are few guarantees. But there is one guarantee: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) The second thing that this story abruptly reminded me is the same thing that Mr. Simms realized right before Mr. Hanover dropped him off. He realized that if he wanted to share the gospel, it was "now or never." So often I forget this. So often I'm content to just to wait to share the gospel with people. But aren't we commanded to "go"? Aren't we commanded to try to reach people now, with the time God has given us? This is a big challenge and something I was thankful to be reminded of. The final thing that I learned from this story is how God's plans are perfect, because He is perfect. Mrs. Hanover quit on God, but God never failed to keep His promises. God is awesome!! I hope that this story touched you as much as it did me. God bless you, friends.
Roger Simms had just left the military and was anxious to take his uniform off once and for all. He was hitchhiking home, and his heavy duffel bag made the trip even more arduous than normal. Flashing his thumb to an oncoming car, he had just about given up hope when he saw the taillights flash on a shiny, black, expensive car, so new that it had a temporary license in the back window... hardly the kind of car that would stop for a hitchhiker. But to his amazement, the car stopped and the passenger door opened. He ran toward the car, placed his duffel carefully in the back, and slid into the leather-covered front seat. He was greeted by the friendly smile of a handsome older gentleman with distinguished gray hair and a deep tan.
“Hello, son. Are you on leave or are you going home for good?”
“I just got out of the army, and I’m going home for the first time in several years,” answered Roger.
“Well, you’re in luck in if you’re going to Chicago.”
“Not quite that far,” said Roger, “but my home is on the way.
Do you live there, mister?”
“Yes, I have a business there.”
And with that, they were on their way. After giving each other brief life histories, and talking about everything under the sun, Roger (who was a Christian) felt a strong compulsion to witness to the gentleman about Christ. But witnessing to an older, wealthy businessman who obviously had everything he should ever want was a scary prospect indeed. Roger kept putting if off, but as he neared his destination, he realized that it was now or never.
“Mr. Hanover,” began Roger, “I would like to talk to you about something very important.” He then proceeded to explain the way of salvation, ultimately asking Mr. Hanover if he would like to receive Christ as his Savior. To Roger’s astonishment, the high car pulled over to the side of the road; Roger thought for a moment that Mr. Hanover was about to throw him out. Then a strange and wonderful thing happened: the businessman began to cry while affirming that he did in fact want to accept Christ into his heart. He thanked Roger for talking to him, saying that “This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.” He then dropped Roger at his house and traveled on toward Chicago.
Five years went by, and Roger Simms married, had a child, and started a business of his own. One day, while packing for a business trip to Chicago, he came across a small, gold-embossed business card which Mr. Hanover had given him years earlier.
When Roger arrived in Chicago, he looked up Hanover Enterprises, and found it downtown in a very tall and important-looking building. The receptionist told him that it would be impossible to see Mr. Hanover, but that if he was on old friend, he should be able to see Mrs. Hanover. A little disappointed, he was led into a posh office where an elegant looking woman was sitting at a huge oak desk.
She extended her hand, “You knew my husband?”
Roger explained how Mr. Hanover had been kind enough to give him a ride home.
A look of interest passed across her face. “Can you tell what date that was?” “Sure,” said Roger, “It was May 7th, five years ago, the day I was discharged from the army.”
Roger hesitated. Should he mention giving his witness? Had it been a source of contention between the two, which resulted in a marital breakup or separation? But once again, he felt the prompting of the Lord. “Mrs. Hanover, I must tell you, your husband accepted the Lord into his heart that day. I explained the gospel message to him, and he pulled to the side of the road and wept, and then he prayed a prayer for salvation.”
Suddenly she began to sob uncontrollably. After several minutes, she regained enough control to explain what had happened: “I grew up in a Christian home, but my husband did not. I had prayed for my husband’s salvation for many years, and I believed God would save him. But just after he let you out of his car, on May 7th, he was killed in a horrible head-on collision. He never arrived home. I thought God had not kept His promise, and I stopped living for the Lord five years ago.”
The truth is, friends, Mrs. Hanover quit, but God didn’t! She failed to realize that as the great eternal God, He does ever watch over His Word to perform it.
I really want you to be able to draw your own conclusions from the story, and to let God speak to your heart. But I just wanted to write a couple things about what God placed on my heart from reading this: first of all, it reminded me how fleeting is this life. This life is so temporary; there are few guarantees. But there is one guarantee: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) The second thing that this story abruptly reminded me is the same thing that Mr. Simms realized right before Mr. Hanover dropped him off. He realized that if he wanted to share the gospel, it was "now or never." So often I forget this. So often I'm content to just to wait to share the gospel with people. But aren't we commanded to "go"? Aren't we commanded to try to reach people now, with the time God has given us? This is a big challenge and something I was thankful to be reminded of. The final thing that I learned from this story is how God's plans are perfect, because He is perfect. Mrs. Hanover quit on God, but God never failed to keep His promises. God is awesome!! I hope that this story touched you as much as it did me. God bless you, friends.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
September birthdays! (And everyone is soooo amazed!)
Hello, dear people. I have to tell you something that you are NEVER going to believe. I know like, sooooooooooo many people who were born in September. No joke. There are a ton of September birthdays out there!! Do you know how many people were born in September?? A lot more than in June, that is FOR SURE!!! (Yes, I was born in June and I have a somewhat difficult time locating other June-born people.) Anyway, there are so many beautiful, kind, wonderful people out there who were born in September that I just had to write this, since this is the last day of September 2009!
First of all, my beautiful sister Gracie!! She's wonderful! Happy birthday month, dear!!
Mom. Happy birthday to the best mother in the world!!!
Curtis Kovach. Yep, Curtis, you're really, really special! Hope you had a marvelous b-day!!
Rayni Frye... today is your birthday! Hope you had a great day. You're a special friend!
Jessie Cooper. Happy birthday girl!! Hope you had an awesome sweet sixteen.
Keziah Frye, same birthday as Gracie! Happy, happy birthday!
Kalahan Estoos, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope life in WA is treating you well!
Amanda Jackson! You're wonderful Amanda!! I don't know if you'll ever read this blog, but if you do, happy birthday month! I loved celebrating your birthday in Haiti with you.
I know that I could think of lots more people who have Sep. birthdays if I really put my mind to it. But, I was thinking of all those people recently and I wanted to make sure I included all of them. To all of my faithful September friends whom I neglected to mention in this post, I express my deepest apologies. Please let me know if I neglected to mention you and you have a September birthday!! I already feel bad.... ;)
Anyway, happy birthday to all those wonderful people and many more!! My love to you!! And, if you have a birthday in June or know anybody that I also know who has a birthday in June, please let me know!! So far, it's me, my cousin Lexie, my sweet friend Kailey, and one of my beautiful friends Jennine. Lame, I know. Anyway, happy birthday to half the population (aka everyone born in September)!
First of all, my beautiful sister Gracie!! She's wonderful! Happy birthday month, dear!!
Mom. Happy birthday to the best mother in the world!!!
Curtis Kovach. Yep, Curtis, you're really, really special! Hope you had a marvelous b-day!!
Rayni Frye... today is your birthday! Hope you had a great day. You're a special friend!
Jessie Cooper. Happy birthday girl!! Hope you had an awesome sweet sixteen.
Keziah Frye, same birthday as Gracie! Happy, happy birthday!
Kalahan Estoos, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope life in WA is treating you well!
Amanda Jackson! You're wonderful Amanda!! I don't know if you'll ever read this blog, but if you do, happy birthday month! I loved celebrating your birthday in Haiti with you.
I know that I could think of lots more people who have Sep. birthdays if I really put my mind to it. But, I was thinking of all those people recently and I wanted to make sure I included all of them. To all of my faithful September friends whom I neglected to mention in this post, I express my deepest apologies. Please let me know if I neglected to mention you and you have a September birthday!! I already feel bad.... ;)
Anyway, happy birthday to all those wonderful people and many more!! My love to you!! And, if you have a birthday in June or know anybody that I also know who has a birthday in June, please let me know!! So far, it's me, my cousin Lexie, my sweet friend Kailey, and one of my beautiful friends Jennine. Lame, I know. Anyway, happy birthday to half the population (aka everyone born in September)!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tricked into Giving Bibles away
“One day the teacher told us that we would play a special game. She whispered to us about a special book that our parents may have hidden in our homes. We were to wait until our parents went to sleep, search for this book, and secretly bring it to school the following day for a special surprise. I went home and immediately began searching for the book.
“The next day I was one of fourteen children who brought the black book, a Bible, to class. We were awarded bright red scarves, and the other students clapped as the teacher paraded us around the room.
“I ran home that afternoon because I was so excited to tell my mother how I had won the red scarf. She wasn’t in the house or the barn. I waited, but neither she nor my father came home, and I began to get scared. I was hungry and it was becoming dark. I began to feel sick inside, and I fell asleep in a chair.
“The next day police officers came and informed me that I was now in the care of the government. I never saw my parents again.”
An elderly woman from North Korea relayed this story. She never heard from her parents and is still struggling to find forgiveness. She is only one of many who have gone through such trials.
Let us be in prayer for the people like this lady in North Korea. It's so easy to fall into the trap of just believing that these people are just names or figures. It's easier still just not to think about it. Not to think about the pain and suffering that goes on around the world; not to think about how those who try to preserve the faith are brutally and heartlessly murdered and imprisoned around the world. It's easy to try to ignore it, or push away thoughts of it that arise in our minds.
But the people of North Korea who are suffering right now under the iron fist of a Communist dictator are real people. They are real people who are being deprived of the gospel. And they are real people who need the Lord. Because the heart of the problem lies in their need for a Savior. North Korea has robbed so many people of their Bibles, like in this story; they have done so much to deter the spread of the gospel. Yet the people still need the Lord. Still, even though darkness has filled North Korea like a plague, still, the people are hungry for the Lord. Still.
And they will continue to need the Lord. Forever.
Tomorrow, they will still need the Lord.
Still.
Forever they will need the Lord.
Still.
These people-- real people-- need the Lord. So please, join me in prayer for them. Pray continuously for the people of North Korea who are persecuted and not allowed to read the Bible. Pray that God would work a miracle so that they can know Him personally and experience His love. Pray, pray, pray. I challenge you to pray for them constantly. Do something that will remind you of them often, and pray whenever you're reminded. Pray with me for these people. Ask others to pray. These people need the Lord.
Still.
“The next day I was one of fourteen children who brought the black book, a Bible, to class. We were awarded bright red scarves, and the other students clapped as the teacher paraded us around the room.
“I ran home that afternoon because I was so excited to tell my mother how I had won the red scarf. She wasn’t in the house or the barn. I waited, but neither she nor my father came home, and I began to get scared. I was hungry and it was becoming dark. I began to feel sick inside, and I fell asleep in a chair.
“The next day police officers came and informed me that I was now in the care of the government. I never saw my parents again.”
An elderly woman from North Korea relayed this story. She never heard from her parents and is still struggling to find forgiveness. She is only one of many who have gone through such trials.
Let us be in prayer for the people like this lady in North Korea. It's so easy to fall into the trap of just believing that these people are just names or figures. It's easier still just not to think about it. Not to think about the pain and suffering that goes on around the world; not to think about how those who try to preserve the faith are brutally and heartlessly murdered and imprisoned around the world. It's easy to try to ignore it, or push away thoughts of it that arise in our minds.
But the people of North Korea who are suffering right now under the iron fist of a Communist dictator are real people. They are real people who are being deprived of the gospel. And they are real people who need the Lord. Because the heart of the problem lies in their need for a Savior. North Korea has robbed so many people of their Bibles, like in this story; they have done so much to deter the spread of the gospel. Yet the people still need the Lord. Still, even though darkness has filled North Korea like a plague, still, the people are hungry for the Lord. Still.
And they will continue to need the Lord. Forever.
Tomorrow, they will still need the Lord.
Still.
Forever they will need the Lord.
Still.
These people-- real people-- need the Lord. So please, join me in prayer for them. Pray continuously for the people of North Korea who are persecuted and not allowed to read the Bible. Pray that God would work a miracle so that they can know Him personally and experience His love. Pray, pray, pray. I challenge you to pray for them constantly. Do something that will remind you of them often, and pray whenever you're reminded. Pray with me for these people. Ask others to pray. These people need the Lord.
Still.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
It hurts when God makes you let go
Corrie ten Boom once said, "Hold everything in your fingers lightly... otherwise it hurts when God has to pry your fingers open, to make you let it go...." We should hold on to everything lightly. There is nothing in our lives that God is not more than worthy of. I have not yet read the book, "Crazy love" but I want to because I have read the title chapters. One of them is "Lukewarm and leftovers, God hates them both." We should not serve a holy God leftovers. He is awesome, more than worthy of our everything. We should hold everything loosely, because it hurts when God has to pry open our fingers to make us let go. Let's not give God the 'leftovers' in our lives. Let's not hold on to the pleasures of the world. Let's give God our everything, and not hold on to the things in this life. Isn't this the least that He deserves?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Gracie's "Gotcha day"
Today is Gracie's gotcha day, meaning it is the day we got her four years ago. I honestly can't believe it was four years ago. She is such a blessing. I can't even imagine my life without her.
For me, Gracie and Titus's "Gotcha days" are like their birthdays. It was the day that they were "Born into" our family. So I want to dedicate this post to Gracie and sharing what a blessing she is to our family and some funny things that happened along the way...
Since we have now had Gracie as a family for four years, I want to share the four funniest stories that happened to Mom and Dad in China. Some of them are slightly unpleasant, but they're amazing to think about anyway. I will start with number four and work up to (what I think is) the funniest.
4. While Mom and Dad were on the plane, Dad gave Mom the money belt. It had ten thousand dollars in it. No, I didn't accidentally type ten instead of one. It really did. They had to bring all that money to finalize the adoption. And they had to bring it all in cash. So once they landed in China, Dad asked Mama to give him a few hundred dollars to exchange for Chinese yen. Mom reached for the money belt (which had been around her waist) and it wasn't there. You can imagine her fright! She said that she grew pale, and when Dad asked her what was wrong, she said quickly, "Nothing!" Praise the Lord, she found the money belt that had fallen past her waist. I was cracking up when Mom told me this story later, but I'm sure it wasn't so funny at the time... This brings us to number two.
3. After one of their first days in China, Mom, Dad, and everyone else in their group went to a Chinese restaurant to eat. Mom said that she has never been so tired in her life. They had gone on just about every tour imaginable, had a time change, and were ready for bed. Everyone was just kind of eating, but not really eating at the same time. Then, all of a sudden, they heard this man vomiting profusely. Mom told me later that it sounded as if he was dieing. It just wouldn't stop. It went on for a few minutes, then a few more. Everyone was so tired and (now!) disgusted that they couldn't eat. So they just started laughing. Finally, after about ten minutes of this ongoing illness, the man just walked out of the restroom like nothing was wrong! By this time, everyone in Mom and Dad's group was laughing hysterically. This poor man was so sick but then acted as if he was perfectly fine. This story rightfully earns the spot of number three in the funniest China stories countdown.
2. This next story I truly wish that I could have witnessed. Mom and Dad were sitting in the lobby of the hotel where they were staying, and a Vietnamese lady noticed that they had adopted Gracie. They started talking, and apparently this lady and her husband were Vietnamese but had moved to Los Angeles, CA. It's funny, because Mom said that these people probably weren't independantly wealthy, but they certainly had enough to go on. So anyway, they were talking to this couple and the lady mentioned that her sister had just had a baby that she couldn't afford to keep. She asked if my parents wanted to adopt the child! Mom was thinking, 'First of all, you don't know us at all, and secondly, why don't you help your own family?!' But she just said, 'Oh, it doesn't really work like that. It would take lots of time.' The lady then looked kind of embarrassed, and I feel a bit bad for her. However, this definitely deserves number two! It is so funny that a whole five minutes after she meets my parents she wants us to adopt her neice of nephew!
1. The funniest thing that happened to my parents in China. Specifically, my mom. Well, she had to use the bathroom soooooooooo badly one day when they were visiting Summer Palace. So she went to a public restroom and nearly passed out. She told me that she has never, ever, ever in her life smelt something so incredibly and pungently AWFUL. Imagine the worst smell ever. This bathroom was probably about ten times worse then that. Not only this, but there was one poor woman who had to sweep everything into the holes that are used like toilets. There is no sewyer system, just a deep, dark hole that is used in place of a normal restroom. At least what we think of as normal. Mom couldn't work up the strength that would be required to go in there without passing out. So she left, but she decided to try one more time. So she went back in, and a girl was eating her lunch in the restroom, right outside the bathroom door!!!!!!! I cannot imagine. This is about as funny as it gets, folks.
Anyway, that summarizes the funny happenings of D & M (Daddy and Mama) in China. Do you agree with my order?? Which do you think is the funniest??
Anyway, back to Gracie baby. I can't even begin to tell you, Gracie, how special you are. You have brightened my life. I pray that as you grow older, you will grow into a young lady who fears the Lord and earnestly seeks His kingdom in faith and love. You are a gem. Next only to Jesus, you are my best friend, my most loyal companion, and my most loving little sweet heart. You are so athletic, talented, beautiful, and special. I love you! We are so blessed that Gracie is in our family, not just because of her talents, but because of her heart. God bless you, Grace Hannah.
For me, Gracie and Titus's "Gotcha days" are like their birthdays. It was the day that they were "Born into" our family. So I want to dedicate this post to Gracie and sharing what a blessing she is to our family and some funny things that happened along the way...
Since we have now had Gracie as a family for four years, I want to share the four funniest stories that happened to Mom and Dad in China. Some of them are slightly unpleasant, but they're amazing to think about anyway. I will start with number four and work up to (what I think is) the funniest.
4. While Mom and Dad were on the plane, Dad gave Mom the money belt. It had ten thousand dollars in it. No, I didn't accidentally type ten instead of one. It really did. They had to bring all that money to finalize the adoption. And they had to bring it all in cash. So once they landed in China, Dad asked Mama to give him a few hundred dollars to exchange for Chinese yen. Mom reached for the money belt (which had been around her waist) and it wasn't there. You can imagine her fright! She said that she grew pale, and when Dad asked her what was wrong, she said quickly, "Nothing!" Praise the Lord, she found the money belt that had fallen past her waist. I was cracking up when Mom told me this story later, but I'm sure it wasn't so funny at the time... This brings us to number two.
3. After one of their first days in China, Mom, Dad, and everyone else in their group went to a Chinese restaurant to eat. Mom said that she has never been so tired in her life. They had gone on just about every tour imaginable, had a time change, and were ready for bed. Everyone was just kind of eating, but not really eating at the same time. Then, all of a sudden, they heard this man vomiting profusely. Mom told me later that it sounded as if he was dieing. It just wouldn't stop. It went on for a few minutes, then a few more. Everyone was so tired and (now!) disgusted that they couldn't eat. So they just started laughing. Finally, after about ten minutes of this ongoing illness, the man just walked out of the restroom like nothing was wrong! By this time, everyone in Mom and Dad's group was laughing hysterically. This poor man was so sick but then acted as if he was perfectly fine. This story rightfully earns the spot of number three in the funniest China stories countdown.
2. This next story I truly wish that I could have witnessed. Mom and Dad were sitting in the lobby of the hotel where they were staying, and a Vietnamese lady noticed that they had adopted Gracie. They started talking, and apparently this lady and her husband were Vietnamese but had moved to Los Angeles, CA. It's funny, because Mom said that these people probably weren't independantly wealthy, but they certainly had enough to go on. So anyway, they were talking to this couple and the lady mentioned that her sister had just had a baby that she couldn't afford to keep. She asked if my parents wanted to adopt the child! Mom was thinking, 'First of all, you don't know us at all, and secondly, why don't you help your own family?!' But she just said, 'Oh, it doesn't really work like that. It would take lots of time.' The lady then looked kind of embarrassed, and I feel a bit bad for her. However, this definitely deserves number two! It is so funny that a whole five minutes after she meets my parents she wants us to adopt her neice of nephew!
1. The funniest thing that happened to my parents in China. Specifically, my mom. Well, she had to use the bathroom soooooooooo badly one day when they were visiting Summer Palace. So she went to a public restroom and nearly passed out. She told me that she has never, ever, ever in her life smelt something so incredibly and pungently AWFUL. Imagine the worst smell ever. This bathroom was probably about ten times worse then that. Not only this, but there was one poor woman who had to sweep everything into the holes that are used like toilets. There is no sewyer system, just a deep, dark hole that is used in place of a normal restroom. At least what we think of as normal. Mom couldn't work up the strength that would be required to go in there without passing out. So she left, but she decided to try one more time. So she went back in, and a girl was eating her lunch in the restroom, right outside the bathroom door!!!!!!! I cannot imagine. This is about as funny as it gets, folks.
Anyway, that summarizes the funny happenings of D & M (Daddy and Mama) in China. Do you agree with my order?? Which do you think is the funniest??
Anyway, back to Gracie baby. I can't even begin to tell you, Gracie, how special you are. You have brightened my life. I pray that as you grow older, you will grow into a young lady who fears the Lord and earnestly seeks His kingdom in faith and love. You are a gem. Next only to Jesus, you are my best friend, my most loyal companion, and my most loving little sweet heart. You are so athletic, talented, beautiful, and special. I love you! We are so blessed that Gracie is in our family, not just because of her talents, but because of her heart. God bless you, Grace Hannah.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Besides being a Christian
Yesterday we had a very fun birthday party for my Grandma Liv. We had it at her new house and we invited lots of her friends. My Grandma had told lots of her friends about our mission trip to Haiti, and while we were talking about it, one genuinely sweet, kind lady turned to me and asked if I was "the one" of my Grandma's grandchildren that was involved in different missions projects and if I was interested in Mission's work. I told her that I was, and after a few minutes of talking, she asked why I wanted to be a missionary. I could have seen this question coming. Seeing this as a good witnessing opportunity, I told her that we were Christians and that I had wanted to be a missionary since I was little. I think she thought this was a somewhat strange response. She replied, "But besides being a Christian, there must have been something else that made you want to do this; some light or something that went off at a certain point. What was it?" This question caught me off guard. I tried to think. Besides being a Christian, what else had brought me to the conclusion that I wanted to be a missionary? The answer: besides being a Christian, nothing. What else could make you want to share the good news other than being commanded by your Savior? We are not requested, but demanded to "Go and make disciples of ALL nations"! We have been commissioned by the King of Kings to spread the good news!
In truth, there is no reason besides being a Christian that I would want to be a missionary. Besides being a Christian, do you need any other motivation?!? This lady told me that sometimes it would be discouraging and disheartening to do service work. But I am reminded of Paul's words to the Philippians...
"For to you it is given on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake,"
It is a priviledge to be able to serve the King of Kings, even if it is disheartening or even scary sometimes. And we should need no other reason to serve Him then knowing that it is His command.
Besides being a Christian, what other motivation do you need?
In truth, there is no reason besides being a Christian that I would want to be a missionary. Besides being a Christian, do you need any other motivation?!? This lady told me that sometimes it would be discouraging and disheartening to do service work. But I am reminded of Paul's words to the Philippians...
"For to you it is given on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake,"
It is a priviledge to be able to serve the King of Kings, even if it is disheartening or even scary sometimes. And we should need no other reason to serve Him then knowing that it is His command.
Besides being a Christian, what other motivation do you need?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Speech Tourny morning!
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Here are a couple of pictures from the morning of the last day at speech camp.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
How Much Greater is God's Power Then the Power of Sin!
There was once a horribly sinful girl. She was selfish, fallen, and proud. So one day, God said to His angels, "We must break her." God molded her heart and led her to Himself. But she continued to sin. Time, after time, after time she would sin. So she ran away. Far, far away would she flee from Father's all-perfect, all-consuming, steadfast love. Then she would sin more. But the LORD brought her back. Each time she would sin, He would tenderly forgive her and bring her back to Himself. Finally, this spoiled little girl realized not only that she had been forgiven, but that she kept on being forgiven every single day. Not only that, but she also realized the enormity of her Father's love. So she tried to be better. She tried not to sin; she tried to do her best. But she still made mistakes. Seemingly she made the same mistakes, over and over. Whenever she would make these mistakes, she would once again turn away from her Father's perfect love. However, He would always come to her again and whisper ever-kindly, "My grace is sufficient for you." Never once did He abandon her. Never once did He forsake her. Whenever she would stumble, fall, or turn away, He would support her, pick her up, or pursue her. Then one day she said to Him, "I will serve you forever and ever." He replied, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
I know this story, because I am that girl.
Jesus Christ will never leave you nor forsake you. There is no storm that He cannot calm. There is no trouble that is too big for Him. There is no situation that is too great for Him. There is no problem that intimidates Him! Never will He leave you. Although we will stumble and fall, He will pick us up. Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. DO NOT BE AFRAID, NEITHER BE DISMAYED. For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." If you have sinned, do not lose heart. God is still waiting for you with open arms. Time and time again I sin. Oft just moments later I'll make the same horrible mistake. But I know that whatever happens, God still loves me. What a glorious feeling! What an amazing God!
In an attempt to express the inexpressible, a Christian business man kept on his desk the quote, "How great must be the God we need! How much greater is our God then our greatest need!"
Isaac Newton put it another way when he said, "I have made two great discoveries. The first, that I am a very great sinner. The second, Jesus Christ is an even greater Savior."
Jesus Christ's power is soo much greater then any power of sin!
I know this story, because I am that girl.
Jesus Christ will never leave you nor forsake you. There is no storm that He cannot calm. There is no trouble that is too big for Him. There is no situation that is too great for Him. There is no problem that intimidates Him! Never will He leave you. Although we will stumble and fall, He will pick us up. Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. DO NOT BE AFRAID, NEITHER BE DISMAYED. For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." If you have sinned, do not lose heart. God is still waiting for you with open arms. Time and time again I sin. Oft just moments later I'll make the same horrible mistake. But I know that whatever happens, God still loves me. What a glorious feeling! What an amazing God!
In an attempt to express the inexpressible, a Christian business man kept on his desk the quote, "How great must be the God we need! How much greater is our God then our greatest need!"
Isaac Newton put it another way when he said, "I have made two great discoveries. The first, that I am a very great sinner. The second, Jesus Christ is an even greater Savior."
Jesus Christ's power is soo much greater then any power of sin!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Speech Camp is Over :(
Well, yesterday was the mini speech tournament and end of speech camp and today Mrs. Kovach, Curtis, Reid, Jams, and Jack came to pick up Haley. Speech camp was soo fun!
Here are a few highlights:
~ Haley had her first speech tournament!! (It was a practice one, but great experience all the same :)
~ Getting to spend some time with friends that I haven't seen all summer.
~ Staying up late Wednesday night with Haley, practicing our speeches and trying to cut them down to the given time limit.
~ Seeing how many novices there were. It was so exciting to see how many new people the Lord brought.
~ God being glorified through the speeches. It was fun to see everyone praying together and encouraging one another before they gave their speeches on Thursday.
~ Watching Haley learn more about speech. Now she wants to join NCFCA (National Christian Forensics and Communications Associations) this year!
~ A lot of other things I'm sure too, but those were a few that were exciting.
I am so excited today and I keep jumping around. Talk about hyper!!!!!!!!
If you would like to hear about the first day of speech camp from Haley's perspective, here's the link to her blog: http://bigsisteroffour.blogspot.com/2009/08/speech-camp.html
Here are a few highlights:
~ Haley had her first speech tournament!! (It was a practice one, but great experience all the same :)
~ Getting to spend some time with friends that I haven't seen all summer.
~ Staying up late Wednesday night with Haley, practicing our speeches and trying to cut them down to the given time limit.
~ Seeing how many novices there were. It was so exciting to see how many new people the Lord brought.
~ God being glorified through the speeches. It was fun to see everyone praying together and encouraging one another before they gave their speeches on Thursday.
~ Watching Haley learn more about speech. Now she wants to join NCFCA (National Christian Forensics and Communications Associations) this year!
~ A lot of other things I'm sure too, but those were a few that were exciting.
I am so excited today and I keep jumping around. Talk about hyper!!!!!!!!
If you would like to hear about the first day of speech camp from Haley's perspective, here's the link to her blog: http://bigsisteroffour.blogspot.com/2009/08/speech-camp.html
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Please VOTE!!!!!!
As you can observe by looking at my sidebar, I am trying to take a poll to see how many people think I should write a speech on a certain missionary. Please voice your opinion! Thank you very much for your participation! :)
I have the cutest brother!
This is Titus being really cute. And by the way, I did not tell him OR Gracie what to say!! They came up with it "all by themselves" as Gracie would say.
I have the cutest sister!
This is Gracie. She was so sweet!!! See if you can understand what she says, it really is precious.
ADOPTED for Life (by Russell D. Moore)
My dear mama and I are right now reading an absolutely wonderful book written by Russell D. Moore. As you've probably guessed by the title of this post, it is called "Adopted for Life." Mr. Moore is dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. (Okay, I just got that from the back of this book ;) Anyway, This book is basically about his and his wife's journey to adopt their two sons from Russia. But it's also about the Christian life. It's about how we, as Christians, are all adopted by the King of Kings. He illustrates many of the parallels between physical adoption and spiritual adoption. C.J. Mahaney, who wrote the foreword for Adopted for Life, put it well when he said in the first sentence, "I was adopted when I was eighteen years old. I wasn't an orphan, the way most people think of that term. I wasn't an abandoned child. But I was in a condition far more serious: I was a stranger to the family of God, a slave to sin, and an object of the justified wrath of God." He continues on by saying, "It would have been extraordinary enough for God simply to redeem us, to forgive our sins, to declare us righteous. But He does not stop here-- He makes us His children. Galatians 4:4-7 'But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, coming into being out of a woman, having come under Law, that He might redeem those under Law, so that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.' Christian, if you have ever wondered whether God loves you, wonder no longer. God the Father has adopted you as His son or daughter through the person and work of Christ. Here you will find the richest proof of God's personal, particular, and passionate love for you." But one of the last things he says in his forward really compels me to write this, so here it is: "I am so grateful that my friend Russell has written the book you hold in your hands. I want many more people to read this story, to be amazed at God's love displayed in the doctrine of adoption, and to consider the possibility of adopting children themselves. You may not agree with all of Russell's conclusions, but his book will challenge you to carefully consider both the doctrine of adoption and its implications for your life."
So I challenge you, as a friend and brother or sister in Christ to read this book! I haven't finished it, but I am excited to read more! Whether you have adopted, have not, or think you might some day, this book will change your perspective on adoption... both in the physical sense (i.e. orphans in China and Russia and Ethiopia) and in the spiritual sense (i.e. sinners reconciled to a holy God.)
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!!!
So I challenge you, as a friend and brother or sister in Christ to read this book! I haven't finished it, but I am excited to read more! Whether you have adopted, have not, or think you might some day, this book will change your perspective on adoption... both in the physical sense (i.e. orphans in China and Russia and Ethiopia) and in the spiritual sense (i.e. sinners reconciled to a holy God.)
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!!!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal
God has blessed me with the best friend ever. 
Okay, we were being kind of silly in the picture. (I was being particularly nuts!) But really and honestly, Haley is such a wonderful friend. You may be wondering right now why I'm talking about Haley when the title for this post is "What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Well, it's because this year on my birthday card Haley wrote a verse that really sums up the Christian life. I was very touched by what she wrote on the card, but for the purpose of this post I won't put what she wrote but rather my own musings on this verse. The passage that she quoted is found in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed dayd by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." I think that this verse is so meaningful for a Christian, especially one who is going through a rough time.
If you are feeling discouraged right now, please do not lose heart.
If you are feeling abandoned, please do not lose hope.
The Lord never promised that the Christian life would be easy, but He DOES promise that the troubles that we endure in this life will lead to glory that far outweighs them all. The verses preceding this passage, chapter 4:7-9 say, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but no crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Although we may feel hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down, God will sustain us. And He is the only One Who sustains.
I remember a time I went through, a couple of years ago, when I felt very perplexed. I wasn't reading my Bible every day. I felt sad and discouraged. And discouragment often leads to desperation. And desperation- Jesus = more discouragment. You see my problem was not really what I thought it was, but rather that I did not depend more on Jesus during this time. He is the true Protector!
So I would encourage you if you are going through a hard time, don't do what I did. Instead of reading your Bible less, read it more. Instead of feeling discouraged and fearful, remember that we serve an awesome GOD who is far more powerful than discouragment and fear! And remember His promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
Now I know beyond a doubt that some of you reading this are going through a far worse time than I ever have. But all I can say is that the temporary struggle you may be enduring now is leading to an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
To God be the glory!!
With much love,
Rachel
Okay, we were being kind of silly in the picture. (I was being particularly nuts!) But really and honestly, Haley is such a wonderful friend. You may be wondering right now why I'm talking about Haley when the title for this post is "What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Well, it's because this year on my birthday card Haley wrote a verse that really sums up the Christian life. I was very touched by what she wrote on the card, but for the purpose of this post I won't put what she wrote but rather my own musings on this verse. The passage that she quoted is found in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed dayd by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." I think that this verse is so meaningful for a Christian, especially one who is going through a rough time.If you are feeling discouraged right now, please do not lose heart.
If you are feeling abandoned, please do not lose hope.
The Lord never promised that the Christian life would be easy, but He DOES promise that the troubles that we endure in this life will lead to glory that far outweighs them all. The verses preceding this passage, chapter 4:7-9 say, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but no crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Although we may feel hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down, God will sustain us. And He is the only One Who sustains.
I remember a time I went through, a couple of years ago, when I felt very perplexed. I wasn't reading my Bible every day. I felt sad and discouraged. And discouragment often leads to desperation. And desperation- Jesus = more discouragment. You see my problem was not really what I thought it was, but rather that I did not depend more on Jesus during this time. He is the true Protector!
So I would encourage you if you are going through a hard time, don't do what I did. Instead of reading your Bible less, read it more. Instead of feeling discouraged and fearful, remember that we serve an awesome GOD who is far more powerful than discouragment and fear! And remember His promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
Now I know beyond a doubt that some of you reading this are going through a far worse time than I ever have. But all I can say is that the temporary struggle you may be enduring now is leading to an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
To God be the glory!!
With much love,
Rachel
Friday, August 7, 2009
Nothing but Christ Jesus and Him crucified
Hello friends! Today, I would really appreciate your prayers. I will be speaking at the WATCH homeschool conference and I need prayer in a few specific areas. Please pray that I would...
1. Have a right heart. Please pray that I would remember the words in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'" Please pray that I would remember that God works more clearly through my weaknesses.
2. Do it all for Jesus. Please be in prayer that the only thing that I would desire to know is "Christ Jesus and Him crucified." I've been trying to dwell over 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 recently, and they are wonderful verses. The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians about how he first came. 2:2 "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crufied. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
3. Do well! Pray that God would use this speech and use me even though I am weak.
Thank you for your prayers.
1. Have a right heart. Please pray that I would remember the words in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'" Please pray that I would remember that God works more clearly through my weaknesses.
2. Do it all for Jesus. Please be in prayer that the only thing that I would desire to know is "Christ Jesus and Him crucified." I've been trying to dwell over 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 recently, and they are wonderful verses. The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians about how he first came. 2:2 "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crufied. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
3. Do well! Pray that God would use this speech and use me even though I am weak.
Thank you for your prayers.
Monday, August 3, 2009
VBS pictures
Me during Evangelistic time. If you can see the picture, you'll notice the the children Dee, Cy, and Paul are stuck on one side of a huge cliff without any hope of reaching the other side. This picture represents black, our sin.
Myself, Samantha, and Alyssa ready to count for four corners.
Joe and Miss Awissa :)
Lots of the group during snack and movie!!
Brandon :)
Annie and Samantha
Brandon, Haley, and Annie during crafts
Sam with his "trust in the Lord magnet"
Annie with hers...
And Samantha with hers
Oh look! Jamie, Annie, and Anne playing four corners! And they were all wearing pink!
Keely, Sam, Jennine (taking a picture, naturally ;) and Danielle all ready for the lesson!
Everyone's running during four corners
The cupcakes we had on Thursday
Jamie and I. She was counting for four corners, of course!!
Anne and Annie :)
Me, teaching the lesson
Sweet Reid
(From left to right) Alyssa, Alex, Annie, Keely, Sam, Laura, Samantha, Danielle, and Jennine with the camera
Me and Jam getting ready for the day!!
Here are some more pictures of VBS at my Grandma Bonnies. Love, Rachel
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
In all my Washington days...
I have never, ever, ever seen a week in Washington that is consistantly this HOT!!! MISERABLE!!!!! AND HUMID!!!!!!!!!!! Haha I think the Lord is preparing us for Haiti...
But really, this is sad. 10:39 P.M. and I'm sure it's still over 85. It reached 98 here today... that's unusual for WA!!!
Oh well! The Lord is good and this weather will pass :)... I hope :)
Attempting to go to bed (probably in vain ;),
Rachel
But really, this is sad. 10:39 P.M. and I'm sure it's still over 85. It reached 98 here today... that's unusual for WA!!!
Oh well! The Lord is good and this weather will pass :)... I hope :)
Attempting to go to bed (probably in vain ;),
Rachel
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Pictures with Ellie the elephant at VBS!
My Grandparents made the most incredible elephant for our jungle themed VBS. We named her Ellie! Here are a few of the beautiful and sweet kiddos with her the first day.
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