Saturday, July 31, 2010

An ICE COLD blessing

We are on the road again. I am trying to be better about writing more often.

We are in Decatur, AL on our way to Jacksonville, FL. Those of you who know anything about geography you know that Decatur, AL is about 6 hours out of the way to Jacksonville. Well, we came out of our way because of a church in Madison, AL with a heart for missions and missionaries. This church has a ministry to work on missionary cars for the cost of parts. This has been a huge blessing for us. You see our minivan has not had AC for about a year. So we have suffered in the heat because we could not afford to have it replaced. We heard about this church, gave them a call and now we have cold air again in the van!!! Praise the Lord! First of all it was a fraction of the price ($50) and second it was nothing major. Just a filter, a hose, and some freon!! So this goes again to show us that God is good all the time!!! I know, I know, I struggle with always having the faith I need. And I know that God is always working on me. But today again I was being taught a lesson about faith.
Thank you Lord for using me in spite of myself.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

I know, I know, it's been a while . . .

My last blog was in March. I know, I have not been good about writing. I will be honest. It's hard for me to write when things are slow or not going the way I think they should. I don't want to remember the rough spots, I don't want to look back on the tears. But I know without the tears and rough times the JOY would not be as sweet! It's the times when things are rough that I sit and cry "Abba Father" and tell God all about it. And it's the sweet, quiet moments when God speaks to me and says, "I have not forgotten you. I am teaching you how to live by faith."

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba Father.
Romans 8:15
Over the last few months God has grown my faith so much. I have seen many answers to prayer. I would like to share one moment with you.
It was the end of April and we had just received our Support Check for the month. Mike told me it was less than we had planned for. To be exact it was $460.00 less than the months before. I was devastated. How were we going to pay the bills for the month? How was I supposed to buy food for my family? How were we going to live for the next month? I cried. Mike told me to calm down and pray. What? Why is he not upset? Does he not see the problem? We have $540.00 to live on for the month of May!! I called my mom. I needed someone to panic with me. She said, "Cristy, just be still and let God be God."
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10
Over the next few days I didn't get much sleep. I was trying to figure out how to make this money. Surly there was something we could sell on eBay or maybe a garage sale. I still didn't understand why I was the only one so upset. Mike just kept on calling churches and never really acted like it bothered him. And I well, I was trying so hard to find a way out. The teacher I work with asked to speak to me during lunch. She said she needed to talk to me about her Grandfather who had passed away just weeks before. I was thinking, "Oh, she is coming to me for some spiritual advice." Little did I know, I would be learning from her. She told me that her Grandfather had put in his will for 10% of whatever was in his checking account to be given to a Missionary. She said, "Your the only Missionary I know." and handed me a check. I looked down at the amount and began to cry. It was for $513.76. She asked if the check was not enough money. I was sobbing and said, "No, it's just perfect."
You see, many years ago, God spoke to a man about leaving money after his death for a Missionary. God knew even then that our support check would be short. God knew I would need, yet another lesson on faith. God knew! And again I am reminded of these verses.
But my God shall supply all of your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Be careful for nothing;but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4