Saturday, May 15, 2010

I (God) will...

We know from physics, specifically Newton, that for every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction. Paralleling that information, every choice we make, whether good or bad, has a consequence--some wonderful, some not so great.

"So that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me."
John 14:31

I felt called to go to Ukraine; I made a conscience choice. To show that I love God I TRY to do exactly as he commands and calls me to do. How do you show your love to Jesus Christ? What is He calling you to do? Are you doing what He has called you to do?

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
John 14:18

This verse comforts me, as right now, I feel like an orphan when it comes to finding a job. Before I left for Ukraine, I had a fabulous job, wonderful co-workers, and job security. On the flip-side, had I chosen disobedience, deciding not to serve Christ in Ukraine, I would probably still be teaching at that very same high school, with a great group of people, under fabulous leadership.

This I struggle with. I'm not going to lie; I feel abandoned by God right now. I am looking and searching for a job, yet I have not been able to land an interview. I know I am a good teacher--I also know that I am usually hired on the spot. A piece of me is crying out, "Give me a chance!" This verse is so sweet to my heart and ears. "I will not leave you" and note what God will do, "I will come to you."

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:5

I'm waiting God! Would you please come sooner than later, as this patience thing is hard! Lord, I am waiting, I have put my hope and trust in you, come to me, like you promise us in your Word! I (God) will...come!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Happy Birth!

Today my birthday buddy and I celebrated our 3/4 birthday with my Mom! :) Hence...Happy Birth--3/4 of Happy Birthday! Our lunch was fabulous, as you can see in pictures below and I am so blessed to be able to celebrate this special occasion with fabulous women! Thank you for making my day special!


Kit and I with our special foods and deserts. The turkey burger was awesome!


Mom with her super yummy food.


Mom and I...too bad both of us had our eyes shut.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

What burdens have you been blessed with?

You have been blessed with a burden, my daughter. And I envy that. I admire you.
--Freedom Writers

I shared this movie quote with my Mom, as I felt it speaking right to my core. "Mom, I have been blessed with a burden." My Mom's response, "Which burden are you talking about, Faith? You've been blessed with burdens." All I could think was, "You're right Mom, all of them." I do not foresee people envying the burdens on my heart, nor admiring me for what I do. I try to love God and others, like Jesus tells us to love. God gives us experiences to share with others--to lift people up and encourage them, to bring them closer to Him. I desire to bring you closer to Jesus Christ through this blog, through sharing my experiences.

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
--2 Corinthians 5:9

In 2 Corinthians 5:9, we learn that our ambition should be to please Jesus Christ. It is crucial that I have a strong desire and strive to please Him. I have been given these burdens for God's pleasure. I struggle with this. My friend and I were talking about this very matter the other night--God gives us things for His pleasure, at His will, so that He will be glorified. Let's be honest, sometimes, I don't want that stuff. I want Christ glorified, don't get me wrong, I just have no desire to be the next Job. That being said, as I write this, I continue to struggle with this, and I believe God honours us as we are challenged. Struggle well, my friends.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
--1 Peter 4:10
Shepard the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness
--1 Peter 5:2

Job hunting is never fun. And sometimes accepting those gifts and burdens that God has given you are just as difficult, as finding that perfect job. Yes, I love teaching high school math, but sometimes, I just want relief. To be a good teacher, you pay the price. The work is long, hard, and demanding; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Every year I am blessed with students that want to help me out in a variety of ways. I've heard it said, "It's the only thing they have to offer you (their help), do not take away that gift from them."

I am reminded of something shared to me, by a friend and pastor.

Henri Nouwen about the significance and power of touch:

Touch, yes, touch, speaks the wordless words of love. In friendship touch often gives more life than words. A friend's hand stroking our back, a friend's arms resting on our shoulder, a friend's fingers wiping our tears away, a friend's lips kissing our forehead --- these are true consolation. These moments of touch are truly sacred. They restore, they reconcile, they reassure, they forgive, they heal. Everyone who touched Jesus and everyone whom Jesus touched were healed. God's love and power went out from him (see Luke 6:19). When a friend touches us with free, non-possessive love, it is God's incarnate love that touches us and God's power that heals us.


Take up thy cross with willing heart and humbly follow after Me...let not its weight fill thy weak spirit with alarm; His strength shall bear thy spirit up and brace thy heart and nerve thine arm...
--Hymn, Take Up They Cross, the Saviour Said

As I look for employment, my prayer is that I keep in mind, this is not just about me and my wants--it's about where God has called me to serve. Yes, I know the work will be long, hard, and demanding. I also know that God has given me these gifts and burdens to serve Him, eagerly, and with excitement! His strength will carry me forward when I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually weak. Thank you, Jesus.

What burdens have you been blessed with? How are you serving Christ, with what He has given you? Are you leaning on Him when you are emotionally, physically, and spiritually weak, and exhausted to the core of your being? God has blessed you with a burden. How are you bringing others closer to our loving Saviour with that burden you have been blessed with?

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Congratulations, Graduate!

My little brother walked the stage, for his MBA on Saturday! I am very proud of him! He has one class that he will complete this summer. Dad was a Marshall for the ceremony, and Levi was graduating, so we had fun celebrating! Check out the pictures below! :)

Dad and Levi...note one proud Daddy!

Myself and Levi

Myself, Levi, Mom, and Dad


Some pretty flowers that I saw on the drive home. It was on a fairly busy street. I love the bird, just chilling out!

Fort Sam Houston Army 10-Miler

Distance: 10 miles
Goal Time: 01:40:00 (10:00 min/mi)
Actual Time: 01:36:28 (09:38 min/mi)

The drive down to FSH was rather pleasant and uneventful. Upon arriving, the first gate I chose was closed. I called Coach, and asked him where to go. He gave me directions. The second gate I chose, the guard did not want to let me in, because he was unaware that the race going on. I was then forced to turn around, and go back out to find another entrance. As I was entering the city street, Coach called, asking where I was. Crying, I very quickly explained that they were not letting me on, and this is where I was at. So...what does Coach do? He comes and picks me up. I parked at FSH Golf Course, and was given a ride by the race director himself. He brought me in as his athlete. Thank God! :)

Mile 0: Stressed, glad I made it, received my number, #69, and was glad to see Emily and James--two people that I have run with during training runs. I also ran into Kathleen, who was gracious to take my fleece, so that I did not have to run with it. James, Emily, and I started off, James, very quickly ran ahead, and Emily and I ran the rest of the race together.

Mile 1: Just over ten minutes, although James, Emily, and I, started in the back. We did this for fun. Not competition. James sped up and off he went. At our first water stop, I told Emily that I like to stop and drink the water. She does too. :) So we kept on going together.

Mile 4: I was feeling my toe. I've been taping them for runs, and icing them when I can. I hurt my big toe a while back, not sure how or what's wrong, but taping seems to help some.

Mile 6: I was encouraged, as our time was still right on par for my personal goal.

Mile 7: Kathleen and the girl scouts were handing out water--it was great to see Kathleen! I've done some training runs with Kathleen too!

Mile 9: I kept up with Emily, and Emily with me, until the very end. My hamstring were killing me, and she was about 30 seconds faster than me, for the last 1/2 mile.

Mile 10: Finished! And under goal time! :) Yippee!

This race is one of my favourites and I thoroughly enjoyed running with Emily. I skipped a lot of the miles, as I didn't really notice too much, as I was to busy talking to my new friend.