Matthew 5:16 -
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
I decided that I would continue this blog for the sake of my children.
I've always wanted to write, so that my love could be carried on for year's to come.
This faith walk journal will allow me to share my love of God in a tangible way.
I may not be able to write in depth each post, but I will share songs and scripture
that touch my heart. This is for Elizabeth, Maggie, and Bill.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
God's plan
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
The moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside pushing us along. If we don't know how to pray, or what to pray, it's OK. He does my praying for me sometimes. He makes a prayer out of
my wordless sighs, desperate thoughts and everyday whining. He knows me far better than I know myself.
He keeps me accountable. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Today was filled with questions, sighs, and whining for me. I had chosen a darling little girl named,
Carmen to sponsor. I was overjoyed to take she and her brother into town this morning to buy
some necessities, such as clothing, hygiene products, and favorite food items. Carmen and Walter
were beautiful, sweet, polite little ones ages 8 and 12 respectively. I understood that they had arrived with the last children that came to Emmanuel. I was delighted to help with children. I couldn't understand how anyone could abuse such precious children.
As we returned from town with back packs full of our bounty, we took photos and laughed like
the happiest people in the world. Walter and Carmen went back to their houses with a promise that
I would see them later this afternoon. I was preparing for lunch when I received a message to
come to the main office. When I arrived I saw Carmen standing with a group of adults. She and Walter
were being taken away by some relatives. Somewhere a judge had given custody to their aunt.
It was bittersweet. I felt betrayed that Emmanuel let me bond with these kids, only to be taken
away. I felt guilty that I was acting so selfishly. I felt fear that the children would not be safe with
the sister of the abuser. I felt joy at the possibility that they might be happy and safe for a lifetime
with their blood kin. I felt a broad range of emotions. I didn't understand at all.
I turned to the Bible. Here was the verse. Romans 8:28. I prayed for understanding. I prayed
for acceptance. I am powerless. I submitted that it is His plan, not mine. I am at peace. I will pray for Carmen and Walter tonight. May they have been exposed to the love of Jesus while they were here
at Emmanuel, so that they know God loves them no matter where they are.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
The moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside pushing us along. If we don't know how to pray, or what to pray, it's OK. He does my praying for me sometimes. He makes a prayer out of
my wordless sighs, desperate thoughts and everyday whining. He knows me far better than I know myself.
He keeps me accountable. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Today was filled with questions, sighs, and whining for me. I had chosen a darling little girl named,
Carmen to sponsor. I was overjoyed to take she and her brother into town this morning to buy
some necessities, such as clothing, hygiene products, and favorite food items. Carmen and Walter
were beautiful, sweet, polite little ones ages 8 and 12 respectively. I understood that they had arrived with the last children that came to Emmanuel. I was delighted to help with children. I couldn't understand how anyone could abuse such precious children.
As we returned from town with back packs full of our bounty, we took photos and laughed like
the happiest people in the world. Walter and Carmen went back to their houses with a promise that
I would see them later this afternoon. I was preparing for lunch when I received a message to
come to the main office. When I arrived I saw Carmen standing with a group of adults. She and Walter
were being taken away by some relatives. Somewhere a judge had given custody to their aunt.
It was bittersweet. I felt betrayed that Emmanuel let me bond with these kids, only to be taken
away. I felt guilty that I was acting so selfishly. I felt fear that the children would not be safe with
the sister of the abuser. I felt joy at the possibility that they might be happy and safe for a lifetime
with their blood kin. I felt a broad range of emotions. I didn't understand at all.
I turned to the Bible. Here was the verse. Romans 8:28. I prayed for understanding. I prayed
for acceptance. I am powerless. I submitted that it is His plan, not mine. I am at peace. I will pray for Carmen and Walter tonight. May they have been exposed to the love of Jesus while they were here
at Emmanuel, so that they know God loves them no matter where they are.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Matthew 10:42
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple,
truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
This is one of the simplest instructions of Jesus. Who can turn away from a needy child?
We all know the special place in Jesus' heart for the innocent children. And yet, when we
see a child with an affliction, we often treat them the same way that we do an adult with an
affliction. We judge. We pretend to overlook them. We often do extra for the precious little
ones, but turn away from the ones with special needs.
At Emmanuel there are so many children that have special needs. They range in severity from
mild mental retardation to advanced stages of cerebal palsy. With the recent addition of the
nearly 100 new orphans before Christmas, Emmanuel is swollen with physically and emotionally
suffering kids.
I must admit that I was heart broken when I saw the faces of children that were covered
with ringworms. I shook my head at the many little shaved heads of both boys and girls
who were scabby from the horrific lice beds that had been living in their heads for months...
even years. The staff and volunteers are amazed at how well they look now after only a month.
I don't know if I could have stood to see them at Christmas.
At Emmanuel they see no difference in the sick, and the well. They don't offer a cup of water
to only the fittest...they serve all. My lesson for today is not to be selective in those we serve,
I'll be offering a cup of water more often now. And I'll offer it to all.
Good night.
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple,
truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
This is one of the simplest instructions of Jesus. Who can turn away from a needy child?
We all know the special place in Jesus' heart for the innocent children. And yet, when we
see a child with an affliction, we often treat them the same way that we do an adult with an
affliction. We judge. We pretend to overlook them. We often do extra for the precious little
ones, but turn away from the ones with special needs.
At Emmanuel there are so many children that have special needs. They range in severity from
mild mental retardation to advanced stages of cerebal palsy. With the recent addition of the
nearly 100 new orphans before Christmas, Emmanuel is swollen with physically and emotionally
suffering kids.
I must admit that I was heart broken when I saw the faces of children that were covered
with ringworms. I shook my head at the many little shaved heads of both boys and girls
who were scabby from the horrific lice beds that had been living in their heads for months...
even years. The staff and volunteers are amazed at how well they look now after only a month.
I don't know if I could have stood to see them at Christmas.
At Emmanuel they see no difference in the sick, and the well. They don't offer a cup of water
to only the fittest...they serve all. My lesson for today is not to be selective in those we serve,
I'll be offering a cup of water more often now. And I'll offer it to all.
Good night.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Proverbs 31:20
"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."
Proverbs 31:20
The children of Emmanuel make this scripture so very easy to obey.. The moment I lay eyes on any
child here my arms fly open, and my heart swells. These precious ones don't know that they are needy. They expect nothing. They are grateful for all. As I give each and every hug, I am taught a new lesson in
gratitude. Love is what it's all about. Opening my heart as I open my arms is the call.
Today began with a late breakfast prepared by the wonderful young women of Emmanuel.
Afterwards, our Pastor, Kathy Lamon, her sister, Martha, and another team member, Cille
set off to paint faces. It must have been a first for many of the girls that we painted. We
painted rainbows, cats, and pretty, pretty princesses. The glimmer in their eyes as we turned
the mirror to them was priceless. They were beautiful in our eyes, and the eyes of God...
and they knew it.
We also served hotdogs to one house of children. They licked their plates clean of the ketchup,
and had ice cream on their noses from turning up bowls of ice cream. They treated this meal as
we would a filet and lobster. So grateful to have food...especially meat. God is so good.
My blog will be short today, because I am having connection troubles.
Loving Him through these kids...Beth
Proverbs 31:20
The children of Emmanuel make this scripture so very easy to obey.. The moment I lay eyes on any
child here my arms fly open, and my heart swells. These precious ones don't know that they are needy. They expect nothing. They are grateful for all. As I give each and every hug, I am taught a new lesson in
gratitude. Love is what it's all about. Opening my heart as I open my arms is the call.
Today began with a late breakfast prepared by the wonderful young women of Emmanuel.
Afterwards, our Pastor, Kathy Lamon, her sister, Martha, and another team member, Cille
set off to paint faces. It must have been a first for many of the girls that we painted. We
painted rainbows, cats, and pretty, pretty princesses. The glimmer in their eyes as we turned
the mirror to them was priceless. They were beautiful in our eyes, and the eyes of God...
and they knew it.
We also served hotdogs to one house of children. They licked their plates clean of the ketchup,
and had ice cream on their noses from turning up bowls of ice cream. They treated this meal as
we would a filet and lobster. So grateful to have food...especially meat. God is so good.
My blog will be short today, because I am having connection troubles.
Loving Him through these kids...Beth
Friday, January 13, 2012
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
The day started at 6:00 am. It rained overnight, and God sent a brilliant rainbow to welcome us. The children
were up and ready for the morning which included a devotional lead by ther older teenagers. The children sang
"If You're Happy and You Know It" at the top of their lungs. As we walked to the pavillion where they were
singing, we were swarmed with hugs and kisses.
I enjoyed doing a variety of things today. I did ribbon flip flops with a small group of 13 year old girls. After we
finished we walked to the "Tienda" for Pepsi and chocolate. We literally hung out in the magno trees. It made for
some good pictures. Team members are teaching rug hooking, making banners for the chapel, and braiding hair.
I'm not only working with the children , but working with my team mates. I'm learning new things at every turn.
Not everything was joyous. My visit to the clinic was sobering. Currently in the clinic is a new resident
named Giovanni. Giovanni is 18 years old with cerebal palsy. He currently weighs about 45 pounds.
He has much improved since he arrived a month ago. The first little girl that ran to me this morning had
the face of an angel...but covered with ringworms. She was another of the children that just arrived.
The children that make it to Emmanuel are the lucky ones.
It's time to head to bed. Dark has arrived, and my body knows that my day was full.
Lord, I want to say thank you for the blessing you gave me today. Goodnight.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
The day started at 6:00 am. It rained overnight, and God sent a brilliant rainbow to welcome us. The children
were up and ready for the morning which included a devotional lead by ther older teenagers. The children sang
"If You're Happy and You Know It" at the top of their lungs. As we walked to the pavillion where they were
singing, we were swarmed with hugs and kisses.
I enjoyed doing a variety of things today. I did ribbon flip flops with a small group of 13 year old girls. After we
finished we walked to the "Tienda" for Pepsi and chocolate. We literally hung out in the magno trees. It made for
some good pictures. Team members are teaching rug hooking, making banners for the chapel, and braiding hair.
I'm not only working with the children , but working with my team mates. I'm learning new things at every turn.
Not everything was joyous. My visit to the clinic was sobering. Currently in the clinic is a new resident
named Giovanni. Giovanni is 18 years old with cerebal palsy. He currently weighs about 45 pounds.
He has much improved since he arrived a month ago. The first little girl that ran to me this morning had
the face of an angel...but covered with ringworms. She was another of the children that just arrived.
The children that make it to Emmanuel are the lucky ones.
It's time to head to bed. Dark has arrived, and my body knows that my day was full.
Lord, I want to say thank you for the blessing you gave me today. Goodnight.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
They will know that we are Christians by our love
Be sure to Volume up when you click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrOywJnLj7Y
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call
you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I
have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have
made known to you.”
- John 15:12-15
No one told me that that this "mission" would begin before my departure date of January 12, 2012.
I thought that God had called me to go to Orphanage Emmanuel to be a servant to some special children. That's it. Just show up and serve. I had no idea that my blessings and lessons would
begin before I left. Today's lesson was best described in John 15: 12-15. My friends brought
items needed at Orphanage Emmanuel, but more importantly they brought their faith and love.
In our Sunday School class this morning we had some special guests, Clint Anderson and
Dr. Brad Pierce. They shared pieces of their walk with Christ with us. It was just breath
taking to feel God in the middle of the room as they detailed their call to leave Jerusalem
and take the message of Christ far and wide. These friends blessed me further by showing
me that where I am headed is just the beginning of what God has in store for me. And I must
sit patiently, and wait for my next lesson and assignment.
You see, John had it all right. Everything that I have learned so far has come from
my friends. The love and generosity have encouraged me to be a better friend...
to be more like Jesus.
God bless those reading this. May we continue to use each other to better do they will.
I love you... Beth
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Just Walk Across the Room
As I prepared tonight to teach a Wednesday night series at Gainesville First Methodist which begins next week, I couldn't help but think about Maggie's recent experience . Maggie decided to splurge yesterday afternoon, and treat herself to a manicure. Shortly after she finished she called me, and lead off with the following: " Mom, you won't believe what happened..." I swallowed, and listened.
She went on to detail how she had chatted with a stranger sitting next to her while getting her nails done.
She and the stranger talked about her upcoming mission trip to Orphanage Emmanuel. Maggie is so
reserved, I was elated that she opened up to a stranger. When Maggie got to the desk to pay she was
surprised to find that the stranger had paid for her manicure. The lady came back inside to tell Maggie just how proud she was of her courage in traveling to Honduras. Wow. What a lesson straight from the Bill Hybel book, "Just Walk Across the Room."
Maggie may not realize what her simple conversation did in extending God's love to a complete stranger. Hybel encourages to simply walk and talk outside of our comfort zone about the goodness
and kindness of God's love. I'm not very comfortable quoting scripture, or explaining my faith...
but I sure do know how to love others, especially the weak. I find pure joy in serving the less fortunate. I must remember that my walk across the room is not only to the poor, but to those watching me. My challenge is letting others know that what I'm doing is for God. After all,
kindness begets kindness.
Isn't it amazing that simply smiling at someone could make a difference of an eternity for someone?
She went on to detail how she had chatted with a stranger sitting next to her while getting her nails done.
She and the stranger talked about her upcoming mission trip to Orphanage Emmanuel. Maggie is so
reserved, I was elated that she opened up to a stranger. When Maggie got to the desk to pay she was
surprised to find that the stranger had paid for her manicure. The lady came back inside to tell Maggie just how proud she was of her courage in traveling to Honduras. Wow. What a lesson straight from the Bill Hybel book, "Just Walk Across the Room."
Maggie may not realize what her simple conversation did in extending God's love to a complete stranger. Hybel encourages to simply walk and talk outside of our comfort zone about the goodness
and kindness of God's love. I'm not very comfortable quoting scripture, or explaining my faith...
but I sure do know how to love others, especially the weak. I find pure joy in serving the less fortunate. I must remember that my walk across the room is not only to the poor, but to those watching me. My challenge is letting others know that what I'm doing is for God. After all,
kindness begets kindness.
Isn't it amazing that simply smiling at someone could make a difference of an eternity for someone?
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