Pressing On and Praying

Yes, I'm back!! Not that anything highly important was keeping me away--just everyday life. This is the crazy time of the year. However, that description does not distinguish it from any other time in my life. Tomorrow the kids have their open house and they are finishing off some projects to display. We have three more weeks of school, and it is extremely challenging to stay on task when all we want to do is play!!
I just wrapped up our bible study for the summer. As always, it was extremely challenging, revealing, and encouraging. I was in a very uncomfortable spot (again). Something outside of my comfort zone--something new for me. In March, our leadership team met together to pray and seek God's direction as to what we should study next. We had just finished a weighty and very raw study through Ephesians. Knowing we had only a few short months before summer, we knew we needed something shorter and perhaps lighter. Those of you who know me know I don't do "lighter" very well. Thank God for my sisters who balance me out! God lead us to a book, "Faithful Women and Their Extrordianary God" by Noel Piper. I would not have been naturally drawn to this for a bible study. First of all, it was not a book of the bible. Secondly, it had no study guide. But God revealed to me, through the wisdom of my sisters, that this was what the women needed at this time. The book chronicles, in biographical style, the lives of five ordinary women, used by God in amazing ways. As we went through the chapters, I wrote a study guide for each one. I was so inspried and convicted by the testimonies of these faithful women. I highly encourage you to read this book! I am always amazed at the ways in which God works to accomplish His refining work in the lives of the women I am privileged to know. I am doubly amazed when He chooses to work through me to do this. I know intimately what an impure vessel I am! Anyway, I was and continue to be blessed and humbled by the privilege of leading this study.

God again had a wonderful treat for us. We finished the book on Friday and the very next day our church had a women's retreat featuring the guest speaker, Noel Piper. Very cool!

We are preparing to leave for Haiti soon! In four weeks I am taking the kids in country for six weeks. I cannot tell you how excited we all are for this opportunity. We have been learning much of the country and culture of Haiti (benefit of homeschooling), However, I know that nothing can truly prepare them for the experience in a third world country. They have no idea how rich we are! I have been praying specifically for them. First, that God would strip them of any idols of the heart (vanity, materialism, self-confidence). Secondly, that He would captivate them! That they would indeed become cardonated Christians (Luke 6:38)--passionate for His Glory! Thirdly, that they would learn how to truly love others. This is the essence of the gospel: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Lastly, that the abstemious lifestyle of a Haitian missionary would be something so desirous, as to ameliorate our apathetic and comfortable hearts, not only when in Haiti, but when we return home as well.