God show us the way....

As I sit here watching the news of our new president my heart wells with tears. I am not entirely sure why there are tears. I think I am profoundly touched by the enormous process we go through to pick a president, the freedom we actually have to exercise. Both of the candidates had things I agreed with and disagreed with, how to pick a candidate when they aren't perfect. Who is perfect anyway except One? So many topics to cover and so many issues to deal with. Where do we go from here? 

Now is the time to embrace the moment at hand. Celebrate the historical moment, really take it in. It is also the time for the Church, the body of Christ to stand up. Put your energy, your strength, your money, your life where your mouth is. If you want to save babies from abortion then get out there and find that pregnant woman/girl and offer some help and hope. Don't just sit there and worry about the laws, make a difference in that one woman who needs your help. If everyone found one woman who was struggling with her decision and loved her to the core we might actually see a difference made.  Don't get me wrong laws are needed, but no can take away our ability to love and to show hope except ourselves.  There is One who can make changes to our country if we the people will step in and say "show me the Way". 

There is no time like the present  for the bride of Christ to make a difference in the world. People are hurting, hungry, scared, worried, losing hope. Stand up, reach out, give the Hope and the Love that Jesus has given you. Jesus  is not bound by politics, not ever. He is still on the throne, still loves his children, still calls to all who will listen. Body exercise your limbs, open your eyes, let your heart be moved to .........

Deeper shades of grace, that is what I seem to be seeing and feeling. We have been pretty busy at our new home, trying to unpack, put things away, adjust to a new country and some new ways of doing things. If that weren't enough to do, we have also added two kids to our family temporarily.  We are taking care of some dear friends 2 children while they are adopting another little girl, so 6 kids running around. Some would call us nuts, in fact a friend recently did, in jest of course or maybe not. Through all the craziness I think I have been seeing deeper shades of grace and mercy. 

I often wonder at all the different species of animals and plants. Why did God do it that way? Wasn't one type of monkey enough or how many types of flowers could there possibly be? And, what about all the colors, have you ever opened a crayola box and thought how did there get to be soo many colors. I wonder if that was/is one way God used/uses to show us Himself. He is so vast that He has to use many animals, plants, colors etc to reveal Himself, one just won't do. 

It is rather comforting to know that He is so big, that He can cover everything. That there isn't one thing, situation, issue, crisis that can escape His grace and mercy. As time passes, you would think I would understand more, I do, but then I also realize how much I don't know. God keeps me guessing, hungry to know more of Him. I can feel it in my bones, in my being if I haven't seen Him in a while. I know when we haven't spent enough time together.  Good friends remind you that you are missed, He reminds me too. Good thing there are deeper shades of grace to see and feel.

Chaos and Celebration!!!

So little time, so much to do. Isn't this every one's dilemma? I feel that way right now, so much to do, I don't even know where to start. Lots of boxes and tubs to unpack, dishes to do, laundry to find a place for, people to see, places to be. Oh well start somewhere, at least it is a beginning.

Actually, all the chaos is from a choice made to follow a plan laid out by another( and I don't mean Peter)! We are living in some very exciting times! We are amazed on a daily basis of God's goodness to us and His unbelievable trust of us. It is one thing to trust Him and quite another to realize that He actually trusts us. Hard to explain or imagine, but He does and I just hope we are able to live up to it. I guess that is where grace enters. 

We are also celebrating amidst all the other chaos. Peter has become an American, for more details on this, just ask. We knew that this was part of the plan. We have moved and boy do we have a few stories to tell. We have a new niece  and let's just say she sure is adorable. We get the ultimate privilege  of watching two of our dear friends children while they go adopt their awaited daughter. We are in harvest season, apples that is but hopefully it translates to a harvest of people walking deeper with God.  Our life is full and I wouldn't want it any other way. We are living abundantly and I don't mean financially either but wholly. We are trying every day to grab onto what is before us and do with it what we can. Makes me take really deep breathes every now and then. We also get to have two Thanksgivings this year- might have to muse about this next time. 

However the chaos enters, just embrace it, just never know where it will take you.

External vs. Internal

I find myself wondering about the external and the internal life. I often wonder does my external life, everything everyone sees and hears from me, match my internal life. I have realized that my internal life is a very private thing at times, something I can share many times with my friends, but not so much with others.  Does my internal beliefs and values match my outside? I wish I could say a resounding yes to this question. The only way I know to answer this question is to really pull apart what I believe and value. Sounds like fun don't you think? Could be if it wasn't such a scary, vulnerable thing to do. Really examine what I believe, sincerely and honestly look and think about what I value and then evaluate  do these things determine my outward activities.  Do my outward activities, what I do and don't do resemble my inside? This is the question that just keeps running around inside. 

 I have been reading many different books, articles, and magazines lately. Lots of things out there to determine my  life. Lots of issues, some political, some more spiritual than others , to look at. When you read these things, like modern day slavery and child trafficking, illegal immigrants, poverty, what do you do with these things? How do I read this stuff? 

These are the thoughts I have for now, my family is calling, but I want to continue on this train, even if I don't know where I will end up.