We'd like to thank all of you who have followed our blog. We have decided to no longer post on this blog. We pray that you continue to seek God and His will for your lives. May you live your day for Jesus and have courage to pick up your crosses and follow Him.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Super-living
Each day, I wonder what I was created for. I mean, what exactly as far as physically? Spiritually, we were made to love and serve God and also partake in His kingdom building. Physically, how do we do that? How do we physically serve Him and partake in His instructions for us to spread the Good News of Jesus? Simply, how do we reconcile our being to further His glory? I think we can answer that by the lives we live. Specifically, the daily work we are engaged in, whether in the house or outside of it (this is just one of many facets).
Where are you in your life right now? Are you doing something that you're not only passionate about, but darn good at it? Are you serving others at the same time? I firmly believe that each one of us possesses a talent and ability that we are uniquely blessed with and that God takes joy in seeing His children live out that talent/ability in our daily lives (sure, getting paid for it is a bonus!). Have you ever said to yourself, "Wow, I wish I could do that!" There is nothing like seeing someone sing and know that God made that person with that amazing ability that I can only dream of having!
I have seen so many people who are great at that one or two things that they know is their gift, but are too afraid to live out that gift and have that joy that comes along with doing what God created them to do because the risks that may follow from pursuing that gift. It is truly disheartening. I don't think He ever meant for us to have careers or activities that we don't have a passion for. This message isn't to belittle those who are working in fields that are not necessarily of their interests. Instead, this is to encourage you to seek God for wisdom about yourself-what your purpose is, what you're good at, not so good at, where does He want you to be, what does He want you to be doing. Take a chance. No, take it to heart. He only created us, He would know. . .
Where are you in your life right now? Are you doing something that you're not only passionate about, but darn good at it? Are you serving others at the same time? I firmly believe that each one of us possesses a talent and ability that we are uniquely blessed with and that God takes joy in seeing His children live out that talent/ability in our daily lives (sure, getting paid for it is a bonus!). Have you ever said to yourself, "Wow, I wish I could do that!" There is nothing like seeing someone sing and know that God made that person with that amazing ability that I can only dream of having!
I have seen so many people who are great at that one or two things that they know is their gift, but are too afraid to live out that gift and have that joy that comes along with doing what God created them to do because the risks that may follow from pursuing that gift. It is truly disheartening. I don't think He ever meant for us to have careers or activities that we don't have a passion for. This message isn't to belittle those who are working in fields that are not necessarily of their interests. Instead, this is to encourage you to seek God for wisdom about yourself-what your purpose is, what you're good at, not so good at, where does He want you to be, what does He want you to be doing. Take a chance. No, take it to heart. He only created us, He would know. . .
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Chicken & Toilet Paper
You know you have a good friend when they bring over chicken and toilet paper. I'm just sayin'. I hope you know how very much I appreciate your friendship and how THANKFUL I am for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Wendy
Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Wendy
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Why do we wait?
I am led to write about this thought based on some things that I have been seeing transpire over the past few months. When do we most likely take the time and genuinely seek God and His sovereignty? Is it when things are going great in our lives? Or is it when things are just going everything but great? It would be my hope that we are able to seek Him during both circumstances.
I am seeing so much suffering in the world that it makes me wonder how people who are experiencing this cope with their situations. When you've lost almost everything that means something to you, where do you turn to? Over the past two months, the Philippines has had enormous human loss and physical loss as it has been visited by at least four typhoons that have caused major destruction to the country. In the aftermath of it all, many have died, lost many of their houses and belongings and still many are becoming ill because of the spread of diseases from contaminated water sources and spread of disease transmitting insects. I have watched a video clip showing elementary schools not only teaching their students, but also providing shelter for the homeless. As I learned of the devastation, I sat there and thought, if I didn't know Christ, I don't know what hope I would have or who I would turn to to give me immediate peace amidst the chaos. My heart dropped for those affected, but I immediately prayed that it would be an opportunity for people to seek God and His ways through this tumultuous time. Sure enough, days after the first two typhoons, I spoke with a relative in the Philippines would said that the whole country is in prayer and many are turning to God for deliverance. Wow! On one side, I was relieved and glad that good was coming out of this negative situation, but on the other hand, I felt sad to think that it would take something like this for some to start to seek Him.
Recently, I just learned that another relative of mine has an advanced form of cancer. To my knowledge, he has been resistant to accepting God (let alone Christ) and even allowing His wife to learn about Him. Once he actually locked her out of their home because she went to a Bible study session. After that incident, she refused to attend another Christian venue in fear that she would be locked out again. I tell ya though, God has His plans and He is so much bigger than our pride and rebelliousness to Him. Since my relative's diagnosis and recent hospitalization, he has joined others to come before God and pray!!! I am so thrilled for his spirit (yet saddened by the pain he is enduring)! I only pray that he would accept Jesus' invitation to him no matter what the outcome is of his illness.
Has our society or humankind come to a point in history where we think we are fully self-sufficient that we don't need God in our lives? Will it take that "shaking of the heavens and earth" for us to be humbled and realize that He is the only one that can save us and grant us peace?
I am seeing so much suffering in the world that it makes me wonder how people who are experiencing this cope with their situations. When you've lost almost everything that means something to you, where do you turn to? Over the past two months, the Philippines has had enormous human loss and physical loss as it has been visited by at least four typhoons that have caused major destruction to the country. In the aftermath of it all, many have died, lost many of their houses and belongings and still many are becoming ill because of the spread of diseases from contaminated water sources and spread of disease transmitting insects. I have watched a video clip showing elementary schools not only teaching their students, but also providing shelter for the homeless. As I learned of the devastation, I sat there and thought, if I didn't know Christ, I don't know what hope I would have or who I would turn to to give me immediate peace amidst the chaos. My heart dropped for those affected, but I immediately prayed that it would be an opportunity for people to seek God and His ways through this tumultuous time. Sure enough, days after the first two typhoons, I spoke with a relative in the Philippines would said that the whole country is in prayer and many are turning to God for deliverance. Wow! On one side, I was relieved and glad that good was coming out of this negative situation, but on the other hand, I felt sad to think that it would take something like this for some to start to seek Him.
Recently, I just learned that another relative of mine has an advanced form of cancer. To my knowledge, he has been resistant to accepting God (let alone Christ) and even allowing His wife to learn about Him. Once he actually locked her out of their home because she went to a Bible study session. After that incident, she refused to attend another Christian venue in fear that she would be locked out again. I tell ya though, God has His plans and He is so much bigger than our pride and rebelliousness to Him. Since my relative's diagnosis and recent hospitalization, he has joined others to come before God and pray!!! I am so thrilled for his spirit (yet saddened by the pain he is enduring)! I only pray that he would accept Jesus' invitation to him no matter what the outcome is of his illness.
Has our society or humankind come to a point in history where we think we are fully self-sufficient that we don't need God in our lives? Will it take that "shaking of the heavens and earth" for us to be humbled and realize that He is the only one that can save us and grant us peace?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
There is Light
It has been almost two weeks now since I dropped my grandmother off at the airport and perhaps waved my final wave to her. I was sending her back to be with the rest of our family that is on the other side of the world. I was not supposed to have her go back for another week, but we were racing time.
In a matter of three and a half weeks from being released from the hospital, Grandma's health started declining. She was starting to not only show similar symptoms that led to her prior hospitalization, but the nature of her cancer was presenting new ones. She was now experiencing pain that could not be remedied by an antibiotic or over-the-counter pain relief medication. Confused, I spoke with medical staff from three specialties that have been following her case. I was not prepared to hear what they concluded about her current symptom. "Sorry, there's nothing else we can do to treat what she's experiencing. All we can do is get her comfortable." Comfortable? That's it? We're just supposed to wait and watch her illness take over??? Ugh, how I cried for that week as I watched Grandma grow weak and hear her slightly groan from the pain she was enduring. How can I just put her in a zoned-out state of mind when she is fully mentally sharp and able still? Could I just give her a small dose of the pain med and let her wing some of the pain in exchange for her awareness and being able to be functional? What do I do? I was at a loss for words let alone an answer. I cried out to God. I cried out to Him and asked Him for wisdom. I cried for him to deliver her from her condition. If He wasn't going to heal her, I prayed that he would grant her mercy and bring her quickly home to Him or grant her grace and give her peace and comfort until it is time for her to go Home. Nonetheless, I would trust Him with her and the situation. (At one point, I recalled jokingly, but slightly seriously asking Him, "God, are you trying to make a hospice nurse out of me?! " --This wasn't my first time dealing with pain medications as being a last resort to an illness.)
It didn't take long to see that there wasn't a reason to keep her from going back to our relatives sooner. By the day, her health was changing and it wasn't for the better. After one day of seeing her oncologist, we were able to bump her ticket 5 days earlier to fly out! We were all so excited although I knew I was going to miss her dearly. Not to mention the fact that I didn't know what kind of treatment she would have access to once she left this country and how much time she had left.
It's been almost two weeks since Grandma left and I have spoken with her a few times over the phone. Her children and the rest of our family is taking such great care of her although the pain she was experiencing here is still the same. I could hear the sadness in her voice, but I remember telling her in our last conversation to keep hoping and having faith in God and Jesus. She didn't say much after that, but I pressed on and said, "Grandma, be patient because you're still around and He's not done with you just yet." I could hear a faint sigh of hope.
One of the biggest lessons I'm reassured of from this experience is that we truly have God to lean on and to depend on in any given circumstance. That He is very real and very relational. I know it logically, but sometimes it slips my attention. I pray that I never forget the reality of it.
In a matter of three and a half weeks from being released from the hospital, Grandma's health started declining. She was starting to not only show similar symptoms that led to her prior hospitalization, but the nature of her cancer was presenting new ones. She was now experiencing pain that could not be remedied by an antibiotic or over-the-counter pain relief medication. Confused, I spoke with medical staff from three specialties that have been following her case. I was not prepared to hear what they concluded about her current symptom. "Sorry, there's nothing else we can do to treat what she's experiencing. All we can do is get her comfortable." Comfortable? That's it? We're just supposed to wait and watch her illness take over??? Ugh, how I cried for that week as I watched Grandma grow weak and hear her slightly groan from the pain she was enduring. How can I just put her in a zoned-out state of mind when she is fully mentally sharp and able still? Could I just give her a small dose of the pain med and let her wing some of the pain in exchange for her awareness and being able to be functional? What do I do? I was at a loss for words let alone an answer. I cried out to God. I cried out to Him and asked Him for wisdom. I cried for him to deliver her from her condition. If He wasn't going to heal her, I prayed that he would grant her mercy and bring her quickly home to Him or grant her grace and give her peace and comfort until it is time for her to go Home. Nonetheless, I would trust Him with her and the situation. (At one point, I recalled jokingly, but slightly seriously asking Him, "God, are you trying to make a hospice nurse out of me?! " --This wasn't my first time dealing with pain medications as being a last resort to an illness.)
It didn't take long to see that there wasn't a reason to keep her from going back to our relatives sooner. By the day, her health was changing and it wasn't for the better. After one day of seeing her oncologist, we were able to bump her ticket 5 days earlier to fly out! We were all so excited although I knew I was going to miss her dearly. Not to mention the fact that I didn't know what kind of treatment she would have access to once she left this country and how much time she had left.
It's been almost two weeks since Grandma left and I have spoken with her a few times over the phone. Her children and the rest of our family is taking such great care of her although the pain she was experiencing here is still the same. I could hear the sadness in her voice, but I remember telling her in our last conversation to keep hoping and having faith in God and Jesus. She didn't say much after that, but I pressed on and said, "Grandma, be patient because you're still around and He's not done with you just yet." I could hear a faint sigh of hope.
One of the biggest lessons I'm reassured of from this experience is that we truly have God to lean on and to depend on in any given circumstance. That He is very real and very relational. I know it logically, but sometimes it slips my attention. I pray that I never forget the reality of it.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Saying Goodbye
I cannot imagine all the feelings you must be experiencing having just said goodbye to your grandma. Though you escorted her to a plane, we both are aware the more reticent goodbye is soon to come. And I feel for you. I’ll freely disclose that I’ve felt like I’ve been saying goodbye to someone my whole life. Anticipating someone’s end can be a gut wrenching, heartbreaking thing to do. When I was thirteen, my parents sat me down in our living room, informing me that my older sister had a malignant cancerous brain tumor. I’ll never forget how I felt climbing the stairs and entering the bathroom where she’d been bathing (at any other time it might have been strange, my joining her in the bathroom) and shaving her legs. Our conversation was fragile, as doctors had explained to my parents that it would be unlikely she’d live six more months. I ached to make every word count.
Twenty years later…she’s still alive, she’s still here. The word “here” can be argued however, because she struggles with mental illness and addictions that are life debilitating. That’s a story for another time. My point is that even before her cancer diagnosis (for undisclosed reasons) I learned to await death as though it perched on my doorstep present as birds singing in the morning. I grew skilled at anticipating.
Almost a year ago my dad got the call that the spot on his lung was a 9cm. tumor. Cancer, again. And yet, he lives. He walks daily. He engages in conversation when I call on the phone. Pneumonia and other pesky signs of cancer have cropped up. It’s there. Waiting. And I’m here, waiting.
But I don’t live in the wait. Will my sister die? Yes, someday. Will my father die? Yes, someday. Will I die, absolutely (waiting for you, Jesus) someday. Until then, let my life be known for breathing, for delighting, appreciating and basking in the glory of what’s been given and not what will someday be taken away. Just as surely as we all die here; someday we’ve been blessed with the chance to live THERE. And in the meantime, to do a little livin’ down here.
I’m feeling for you, my friend.
Until someday. Living today.
Twenty years later…she’s still alive, she’s still here. The word “here” can be argued however, because she struggles with mental illness and addictions that are life debilitating. That’s a story for another time. My point is that even before her cancer diagnosis (for undisclosed reasons) I learned to await death as though it perched on my doorstep present as birds singing in the morning. I grew skilled at anticipating.
Almost a year ago my dad got the call that the spot on his lung was a 9cm. tumor. Cancer, again. And yet, he lives. He walks daily. He engages in conversation when I call on the phone. Pneumonia and other pesky signs of cancer have cropped up. It’s there. Waiting. And I’m here, waiting.
But I don’t live in the wait. Will my sister die? Yes, someday. Will my father die? Yes, someday. Will I die, absolutely (waiting for you, Jesus) someday. Until then, let my life be known for breathing, for delighting, appreciating and basking in the glory of what’s been given and not what will someday be taken away. Just as surely as we all die here; someday we’ve been blessed with the chance to live THERE. And in the meantime, to do a little livin’ down here.
I’m feeling for you, my friend.
Until someday. Living today.
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