Saturday, September 17, 2011

Oh the joy . . .

Today I will be taking Rachal and Mike up to the West Texas Fair in Abilene to enter their artwork. It brings back so many memories for me. I remember as a child making crafts, drawings and once I even sewed something for the fair. The excitement when you bring your entry to the Modern Living Mall, wait in line, see all of the other entries, worried that yours is not good enough to win anything. Then after the LONG three day wait we would scan the paper each day to see who had won in each category. We would cheer for our friends when they won, we would cry when we didn't see our names listed and we would shout and dance when we saw our name in the winners list. Oh the excitement on the day our family would head to the fair. To go and see our artwork, our craft on display for all the world to see. (OK maybe it was only the Abilene area, but still!) And today, Tuesday, September 6, 2011 I will be walking thru the fair grounds again but this time as a proud parent and wife.

Rachal is submitting items from her pottery class and Mike is submitting pictures we took while in Japan. 

God is still God

{This post was written late at night on August 20, 2011 in a missions house in Knoxville, TN.}

God is still God

This post is a lot different than my last one. My last post I was upset – down about the house, saying goodbye, and moving on. God has spoken to me, He has whispered to my heart ~ God is still God!

Last week we were in Murfreesboro, TN in a missions conference. The theme was “How are we going to reach the world for Christ?” We heard four messages explaining to us Why, How, When, and Why again.

Why? – The cross. John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten son that whosoever shall believeth in him shall not parish but have everlasting life.

How? – With support. Prayer support and financial support.

When? – Right now! On this night we learned about a man who had cancer. He was a father of two, married to his love, son of a missionary, loved the Lord and he had cancer. We watched a video of this young man facing death and he said “If God heals me of cancer then God is God and God is worthy to be praised. But it God does not heal me, well then, God is still God and God is still worthy to be praised!” This young man went home to be with the Lord a year after he was diagnosed with cancer. With tears running down my face I prayed and asked God to forgive me for being so selfish. How could I be upset that God has asked me to give up my house? some of my friendships? and give up "normal"?

Here is his story


We ended the night with this song . . .

“Every blessing You pour out, I’ll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say, Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be the name of the Lord. You give and take away, You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name . . .”

He gives and He takes away. 
Sometimes we don’t know why, or how, or when . . . . But no matter if he is giving us a gift or taking something away God is still God and God is still worthy to be Praised!!

Why? – It’s all about the cross. No matter what, It’s always about the cross.

A few changes . . .

I tried to use another blog site.  I thought it would be easier.  I thought it would be better.  Well, as you can see, I have come "home"!  I will be moving  them over to this blog.  If you have read them before, sit back and read them again!! If this is the first time, I hope you enjoy what God has laid on my heart. 

Until next time . . . Cristy

On the move again . . .

It has been a while since I last posted something for the blog. I have many reasons for being so quiet. 

{1} I don't want to share when I am feeling down, discouraged, or stressed. 
{2} Sometimes I just don't feel that I have anything happen that is "Blog Worthy" 
{3} We are getting so close to leaving for Japan that I am a basket case. I can't get my thoughts together enough to put them into words.

So for the last three months I have been silent. [on the blog that is ] Today I will share a few of my thoughts, my feelings ~ my heart with you.

Since my last post we have been to Springfield, MO for May Fellowship Week at Baptist Bible College, back to Texas, moved the Merkel, TX, back to Springfield, MO for Candidate School, back to Texas, got a "new to us van", up to Iowa, back to Texas and now ::today:: we leave for Tennessee and Kentucky for two weeks!!

We have gained some new supporters and new friends along the way. But these last three months have been hard on all of us. We moved - we left our home in Mesquite, TX. We have known since day one of deputation that this time would come. We knew we would have to leave behind our friends, give up our space, our things. We all knew and had talk about this day. Oh Boy!! We were not prepared {I was not prepared} for how hard it was really going to be. I felt so bad as a mom, asking my kids to give away, throw away, and walk away from "NORMAL". I kept telling them, "Think about all the new stuff we will get when we get to Japan." It seemed to help a little. The day came when we loaded up the van and my parents truck and moved to Merkel, TX. We are living with my parents until we make the BIG move. We are getting settled in and things are working out great. The kids have never lived in a small town and think its just awesome that they can ride their bikes to the store. It's just that sometimes I hear "Mom, can we just go home?" And it breaks my heart because this is home now. This is normal now for now. Four kids in one bedroom is home now. Four boxes labeled with four different names to keep all your favorites things in is home now. How do I explain this to four great kids - without feeling like I have taken so much from them?

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I don't want anyone to think that I am not excited about Japan. I am THRILLED about Japan. I am excited about the adventures we will have. I am so ready to start a ladies ministry in the church and make new friends. I am excited to see how the kids will make new friends. I am worried about the language but I know that God will help me. I am excited about setting up house in Japan and learning how to shop a meal at a time rather than a week at a time. I am also excited to learn how to cook like the Japanese!! I am sure that will be an adventure all it's own.

I have so much to look forward too. I am thankful that you have chosen to follow us on
Our Great Adventure . . .

Until next time ~ Cristy