From the heart.....
MORE TIDBITS Part 2
And random thoughts

.....It was a cold and blustery evening, an evening you just want to sit on the couch and listen to Christmas music by the fire. But I eagerly awaited the time to go to see Handel's Messiah that my husband really wanted to go see and had been bugging me for weeks to go. I gave into his desires and he bought tickets on the Tuesday before the concert. What a submissive, Proverbs 31 women I am. It was going to be a family event, that is everyone except my older son Billy participated. Even Bill's cello teacher and his girlfriend joined us. What began as night fulfilling my wifely duties of unconditional love for my husband (plus sharing in his interests too) became a very memorable evening for me this Christmas season. So we get in the car on that cold evening and travel a far to the wonderful town hall. As we are waiting for Bills guests, who walks in is two of my favorite friends from CBS Cindi and Jeana.
What began as duty became one of those magnificent musical experiences. Now you need to know that this is coming from someone who adores contemporary music and still loves Hard Rock. And there wasn't even and electric guitar! What is with that?
As I sat and the musicians entered the stage, to my surprise Jill, walks on to risers. Another one of my favorite people. So now I figured if Jill is here we are in for a treat. And I don't mean the fantastic entree's she cooks. Although that would have been nice before hand.
What came next was unbelievable. You see I knew the choir would be good. The NSO was fantastic and the soloists were smooth and very captivating especially the base. You see I expected to hear music and be entertained, in fact I anticipated excellence of the art but what I didn't anticipate was the words I was hearing would captivate me, a God moment happens and I listen. The lyrics from Messiah are from Scripture and it gave me great insight into the birth, the life and resurrection of the Messiah. It left a lot up to filling in the blanks but in the booklet they gave us it talked about prophecy "He was wounded for our sins" Fullfillment in that He was born to die. Yes this tender, loving baby was born for a reason and purpose. And last but not least He was born to bring us Salvation. You see being out and about and always rushing around past the lighted houses and candy canes you tend to miss all these wonderful facts that were so brilliantly, and creatively portrayed in Messiah.
About halfway into the evening I no longer was there out of duty but out of a stark realization that this is the Messiah that died for my sins so that I can have eternal life. And then finally the song that I've sang and heard so many times played and everyone rose to their feet. And I can hear:
And He shall reign forever and ever
King of Kings, and Lord of lords,
Forever and ever
Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah.
And it was amazing with tears in my eyes I have been touched again by my God who is Soveriegn. It was a pleasure to share this moment with such special friends and of all places at the Norwalk town hall, and to be reminded that HE IS The KIng of Glory. Then the evening ended with Worthy is the Lamb. And I was reminded how worthy He Is and how unworthy I am but I am at His feet, I will worship Him forever and ever.

It has been amazing as I have cried and questioned God over and over again and complained to Him and whined. And all I really sensed from Him was WAIT, BE STill. My Grace is sufficient, I am enough. I felt like I wanted to just walk away from it all and I could have, but He was holding on tight to me the more I bucked. And then it hit me on how over the past week He was pouring out everything to me. And He did it on the Highway Tuesday morning again. I was driving and I removed my everyday CD's as of late for some Christmas CD's and last year I bought a new one to listen to. And it was from a secular Artist Jewel, the songs name is called "Face of Love". And the Chorus goes: "for I have seen the face of love, the GRACE of God. I started listening to it over and over and it was such a comfort. The verse that came to me again was "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! Which is in today's devotional reading I did today. Which is a verse that has hit me before. I am His child and He does care. I believe that with all my heart. Then out of nowhere this Truck passes me in Tuesday MORNING Rush hour traffic, while my lane is stopped. And on the side drivers door it said "Jacobs Trucking". But what made me read it closely was there also was three crosses on the door. And then the Verse Philippians 4:13 was under the crosses. And I know the verse by heart, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And because I know that verse so well because everyone always misquotes it like I'm doing now but I for some reason I was stuck on "through Christ". For the rest of that morning when I got home I just could not believe that I could be so encouraged by a truck sign. And then it happened I had this joy and peace and I still have it today and it was given to me by God. No one else. I have felt His amazing love and His presence. See below the words to that song.

Face of Love

Until Tonight
My heart was just half full
I'd never known the fruit which fed the soul
But now I see what may put to rest my longing

For I've seen, the face of love
The grace of God, the face of love

In silence I feared my heart
Would remain words unheard
Inside a separateness of skin
But now I know that the skin just veils the soul

For I have seen, the face of love
The Grace of God, the face of love

So take my hand and knowing
With it I also give my heart
Wanting never to be separate again
Let eternity begin

If you were flame
I'd allow myself to be consumed completely
Were you wind I would wish you pass through me
But now I know that the skin just veils the soul

For I have seen, the face of love
The grace of God, the face of love

God is Good, all the time, all the time God is Good. What an incredible privilege it was to be able to go back to Belize again. It is so amazing there. First of all, you never know when an adventure or something unexpected may happen and when it does happen, you really realize how God is really Good and how he takes care of every detail. We were driving back from dinner on Saturday night and we stopped off at the burial grounds to drop something off and Chip mentioned to me that the van’s alignment did not feel right. We got to the burial grounds, and as we were leaving, Oscar yelled to us that we have a flat. Praise God, (not that we have a flat) but that we were told about this before we started driving at full speed. God’s protection never ceases to amaze me. But what happened next amazed me even more. Our team remained calm, just getting out of the van and playing with the kids and joking around. Truly the joy of the Lord was present. Secondly, five fearless men and one boy changing the flat tire without any complaining. And lastly Oscar helped us change the tire when he didn't have to. I was really blessed witnessing this and was encouraged by their servant attitude. It mighty seem easy to change a tire, but this was a rental, and to change the tire, they had to get on the ground, not a paved street like in the US, but a dirt road. Something so small but it meant a lot. Onto another subject, usually on the first two days of a mission trip (unless you arrive on a Sunday) were spent bonding with the team and getting acquainted with old friends. I was privileged to have four fantastic roommates: Lindsay, Ingrid, Shannon and Grace for the week. Hmm... 4 teenage girls. And we had so much fun. But my favorite part is worship time and group time. On Saturday night we spent time in worship at the Manse. Ernest Betson and Wes (the guy from Oklahoma) shared some things about what Jesus was doing in Belize. Earnest shared that they have been really working on outreach by having a men’s group while his wife Carolyn is doing the women’s group. Women’s ministries at Hope Church lent her the Breaking Free series by Beth Moore and in the fall they will do another Beth Moore study, Believe God. I was excited to hear that even in Belize, Beth Moore is well liked. Well, I’ll briefly share (nothing is brief when I'm doing a blog) what happened on Sunday. We had our own worship service at the Manse with Chip, as our leader, sharing about God’s Goodness to to tie in with the Hope Church series on God's Character. He spoke from Ezekiel, and then we had a time of worship in song, prayer and confession. God is Good. Then we were off to the caves and the Blue Hole. No jumping for me this time. Once again we had a day of refreshment before we starting work tomorrow. Then as usual we rushed back to Belize City to worship with Pastor in the Burial Grounds at Unity Presbyterian. I have one word Amazing. There was at least 30 or 40 people and all friendly. Ernest spoke on Luke 18, about letting the little children come. It was truly a blessing. By the way, during the music time the Hope Church team (all 15 of us) did special music. We had the whole church rocking with Lindsay and Brian leading on the Guitars. Well, I have to go and find some coffee which is scarce around here. I think someday I will open up a Dunkin Donuts or something in Belize.

Okay, so here I am with my friends at the Grand Canyon. All I can say is wow. I am in awe of God's creation. You can't walk away from that place without realizing how God takes care of the details. He is awesome.

I had an opportunity to spend a week with my friends away from my family although I had fun I did miss them. Sometimes I don't think you appreciate one another until you have some time apart.

Some thoughts on Sacrifice. Does anyone do it any more? Not sure. It's hard to sacrifice.

It's hard to sacrifice your life. Maybe we would do it for something we really believe in. Not sure.

It's hard to sacrifice time. As the clock ticks away are we doing something we want, are we doing something we have to do or are we doing something we trully believe in. Could it be that the things we are sacrificing we are really not sacrificing at all.

I was thinking in terms of plans we make, things we want to do, would we cancel them for someone or something? Would we do something for someone we don't care about? Not sure.

Think about it. But don't say you are one that sacrifices if you really aren't willing to give something up for something you really believe in.

Rocks

Different Shapes

Different Sizes

But for some reason there is something beautiful about them

There is something comforting about this picture.

Something so peaceful

This picture was taken at a time in my life

when I needed to feel the comfort of God, my rock and salvation.

A Empty Vase

Photo taken 1-9-07

Im thankfully aware of that Christ has filled that void in my Life.

No one or nothing else can fill that void.