(and just for the record, i didn't blubber-I only teared up a bit!)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Prayer
If you look at our support update box, you will see that we have achieved our goal of 100 prayer partners and are continuing to grow! And honestly, we couldn’t be more thrilled (we of course love to see those other numbers go up too!). Not being overly dramatic, not trying to guilt anyone or make you feel bad, but we want you to know we very literally feel your prayers...and lack of prayers. That sounds harsh, but I hope you understand what I am getting at. At this season of our life, doing what we are doing, we very keenly see, feel and sense the spiritual battle raging around all.
We all know it is easy to pray for someone when they have some big thing going on, but not so easy when it is daily lifting them up in prayer. An example, Brian had a great time at ECHO, learning, fellowshipping and making connections, he sensed your prayers carrying him through the week. Even just a day or two later he could tell people weren’t praying as much and the war was in full swing.
Do you ever, like me, wonder what in the world there is to pray about today (for us, or anyone else)? Do you think, I prayed for them yesterday for this, this, and this, it’s boring to pray the same things all the time-God heard me yesterday, why do I have to keep asking? (I don’t understand why God needs us to pray, other than that He desires that close relationship, that intimacy that comes from time spent with Him.) But God has called us to be the persistent widow petitioning Him daily before the throne of grace. God calls us to trust in Him for His timing, and sometimes (oftentimes) His timing isn’t ours. So we need to knock, knock, knock on His door, seek Him, that we may find Him, and whatever we ask for in His name and His will, He will give us, we just need to receive.
Prayer is a battle-it’s hard to get started, hard to stay focused, hard to keep praying until you get an answer (especially when it is not the one we want or think should happen!)
I confess there are times when my prayer life is dry, little to non-existent, routine, not-so-intimate. How thankful I am that God’s Holy Spirit is living in me and reminding me, convicting me, always drawing me to Him, even when I feel no interest or desire to pray at all. How cool to know that as a believer I have God, in the form of the Holy Spirit, right within me at all times. Sometimes we say, just pretend Jesus is sitting next to you and tell Him... Well, we have that and more!! We have God’s Spirit IN us. Unfortunately, we too often think of the Holy Spirit as that weird uncle who comes to visit. He’s lots of fun, does cool stuff, we love having Him around- but just hope He doesn’t show up when our friends are over!
Think of some the things we wouldn’t have without the Holy Spirit:
--there would be no earth
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)
In verse 26 of Genesis 1 He says, “Let US make man in our own image...”
--there would not be human life
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
--there would be no virgin birth
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
--there would be no Scriptures.
All Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-Breathed) 2 Tim 3:16
Those who wrote it “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” 2 Peter 1:21
--If there were no Holy Spirit, there would be no victory over Satan, no restraint of sin, no dispensing of grace for salvation, no victory in our trials, no second coming of Jesus Christ, and no participation for us in the coming kingdom of our Lord.**
What a blessing, what a gift God has given! I confess I don’t allow the Spirit to have more of me. I pray we won’t be afraid of Him, to share what and how He is working and leading us in our lives. The Spirit is moving around us all the time, imagine what He could be doing if we just acknowledged it!
Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer. Please continue to pray for us, allowing the Spirit to lead you. Remember, God knows what we need-and He loves it when we ask! Even when we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, bringing things to mind to lift up.
**”The Fire that Ignites-Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit” Dr. Tony Evans
We all know it is easy to pray for someone when they have some big thing going on, but not so easy when it is daily lifting them up in prayer. An example, Brian had a great time at ECHO, learning, fellowshipping and making connections, he sensed your prayers carrying him through the week. Even just a day or two later he could tell people weren’t praying as much and the war was in full swing.
Do you ever, like me, wonder what in the world there is to pray about today (for us, or anyone else)? Do you think, I prayed for them yesterday for this, this, and this, it’s boring to pray the same things all the time-God heard me yesterday, why do I have to keep asking? (I don’t understand why God needs us to pray, other than that He desires that close relationship, that intimacy that comes from time spent with Him.) But God has called us to be the persistent widow petitioning Him daily before the throne of grace. God calls us to trust in Him for His timing, and sometimes (oftentimes) His timing isn’t ours. So we need to knock, knock, knock on His door, seek Him, that we may find Him, and whatever we ask for in His name and His will, He will give us, we just need to receive.
Prayer is a battle-it’s hard to get started, hard to stay focused, hard to keep praying until you get an answer (especially when it is not the one we want or think should happen!)
I confess there are times when my prayer life is dry, little to non-existent, routine, not-so-intimate. How thankful I am that God’s Holy Spirit is living in me and reminding me, convicting me, always drawing me to Him, even when I feel no interest or desire to pray at all. How cool to know that as a believer I have God, in the form of the Holy Spirit, right within me at all times. Sometimes we say, just pretend Jesus is sitting next to you and tell Him... Well, we have that and more!! We have God’s Spirit IN us. Unfortunately, we too often think of the Holy Spirit as that weird uncle who comes to visit. He’s lots of fun, does cool stuff, we love having Him around- but just hope He doesn’t show up when our friends are over!
Think of some the things we wouldn’t have without the Holy Spirit:
--there would be no earth
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)
In verse 26 of Genesis 1 He says, “Let US make man in our own image...”
--there would not be human life
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
--there would be no virgin birth
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
--there would be no Scriptures.
All Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-Breathed) 2 Tim 3:16
Those who wrote it “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” 2 Peter 1:21
--If there were no Holy Spirit, there would be no victory over Satan, no restraint of sin, no dispensing of grace for salvation, no victory in our trials, no second coming of Jesus Christ, and no participation for us in the coming kingdom of our Lord.**
What a blessing, what a gift God has given! I confess I don’t allow the Spirit to have more of me. I pray we won’t be afraid of Him, to share what and how He is working and leading us in our lives. The Spirit is moving around us all the time, imagine what He could be doing if we just acknowledged it!
Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer. Please continue to pray for us, allowing the Spirit to lead you. Remember, God knows what we need-and He loves it when we ask! Even when we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, bringing things to mind to lift up.
**”The Fire that Ignites-Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit” Dr. Tony Evans
Sunday, April 27, 2008
happy 40th anniversary mom & dad!!!
Congratulations on a wonderful life so far-three sons, 11 grandchildren (8 girls, 3 boys), and lots of dogs through the years!!
Forty years is a milestone, especially in this day and age. You are leaving a legacy of faith and love for our children to look up to and follow after. THANK YOU!
PS--Thanks for dinner-but I didn't know you had to pay for dinner on your own anniversary!
Friday, April 25, 2008
grafting
Grafting is the practice of physically joining parts of two individual plants, so they will form a union and grow together. It is normally confined to closely related plants. But why graft? It is useful if a person wishes to change varieties on a tree now growing instead of removing the tree and planting a new one.
You can clearly see why Scripture speaks of grafting and how it applies to us. It began with God’s chosen people, the seed of Abraham, which grew into a mighty tree as you can see in the Old Testament. God would often prune that tree to try and keep it producing good fruit. We (Gentiles) were grafted into that tree, (that means we are cut off, separated from our former tree). Not to replace it, nor to become it, but to become part of it.
You see a grafted tree is not completely one or the other; it actually creates a new tree, one that has some characteristics of both. It is done so that the new tree will produce fruit quicker and a better product. But it can not be done unless the root and the trunk or base is of good quality. The tree had to have started out healthy. In grafting you literally cut off or into an existing tree, then you find another tree and you look for healthy shoots or buds and you cut them off. You do not do it recklessly but with care and precision. Then you splice the 2 together carefully, you even bandage it so that the wound will heal properly and become strong.
It is no accident that God uses this analogy, there are so many directions that you can go with it. So many lessons to be learned. I just find it so exciting. The one thing I have truly realized lately is the older I get the less I know. God is showing me how little I know, that is very humbling and exciting/nervous to know God has so much more HE wants to teach me.
You can clearly see why Scripture speaks of grafting and how it applies to us. It began with God’s chosen people, the seed of Abraham, which grew into a mighty tree as you can see in the Old Testament. God would often prune that tree to try and keep it producing good fruit. We (Gentiles) were grafted into that tree, (that means we are cut off, separated from our former tree). Not to replace it, nor to become it, but to become part of it.
You see a grafted tree is not completely one or the other; it actually creates a new tree, one that has some characteristics of both. It is done so that the new tree will produce fruit quicker and a better product. But it can not be done unless the root and the trunk or base is of good quality. The tree had to have started out healthy. In grafting you literally cut off or into an existing tree, then you find another tree and you look for healthy shoots or buds and you cut them off. You do not do it recklessly but with care and precision. Then you splice the 2 together carefully, you even bandage it so that the wound will heal properly and become strong.
It is no accident that God uses this analogy, there are so many directions that you can go with it. So many lessons to be learned. I just find it so exciting. The one thing I have truly realized lately is the older I get the less I know. God is showing me how little I know, that is very humbling and exciting/nervous to know God has so much more HE wants to teach me.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Back from ECHO in Ft. Myers, Florida
Sounds wonderful doesn’t? But I spent a good part of my time in a library studying, not outdoors, definitely not a vacation. It was a really good time just the same. Before I went I had prayed some very specific requests regarding my time there, and I believe those prayers where answered. I feel as though God has given me some clear direction as far as what I am to do and how. I received some more clear conformations that we are on the right road as well (I’ll tell more about that later).
So what/who exactly is ECHO? ECHO is a non-profit organization whose vision is “to bring glory to God and a blessing to mankind by using science and technology to help the poor.” To learn more go to www.echonet.org. There is more information there than you will know what to do with. ECHO stands for Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization. It is a tremendous resource for missionaries in the field in regards to agriculture issues. When I have a question, I can email them and they will do some research for me, so I don’t have to use my time to do that. Through their research and others they have been able to discover numerous uses for plants we probably would never find on our. For example, there is tree that is edible and when its seeds are processed and put into water, it will purify the water. And there are more uses. There were more trees and plants that have multiple uses as well, for me it was just exciting. But by the end of the week I was in information over load. I now see why a lot of people spend at least several months there studying and working. I plan on writing about what I learned and it is not all about agriculture. Actually what I learned about was my Father in heaven and His creation.
I also gained a better understanding of Scripture. How? Well I learned more about His creation and design and how it works. I gained a better understanding of some terminology in Scripture. Jesus often used agricultural as a reference (i.e. grafting, olive tree, grape vines, fig tree, wheat fields, harvest, soil types) when teaching and explaining things. Does God care about agriculture? You bet, HE does not and has not done anything haphazardly. It has all been done with purpose. In Gen.1:11-12 we see our Father created food from the land on day 3, on day 5 HE created the fish of the sea and the birds of the air. On day 6 HE created all the animals that are on land and then HE made man in His image to have dominion over ALL that HE created. We are to rule over the land and animals (be good stewards of it), not bow down to it. Why are so many people going hungry? God created food for us. Why? They/we are living in sin (not being good stewards of the land). Tell me does it make sense to live in a land in which you can grow food year round and your people are starving? Answer, NO. They are not being good stewards of the land that God has given them. The question for us, are we? And I am not talking about that global warming scam! To believe that we can destroy God’s creation before HE says, is giving us too much power. GOD is sovereign; He is not sitting in heaven worried that we are going to destroy His creation before He can complete what He has planned. That is just ludicrous! That does not give us license to do whatever we want. Being poor stewards is SIN, no matter what area (land, livestock, MONEY, time, gifts/talents/abilities/skills, EVERYTHING). It is all a gift, a precious gift and should be treated as such.
So what/who exactly is ECHO? ECHO is a non-profit organization whose vision is “to bring glory to God and a blessing to mankind by using science and technology to help the poor.” To learn more go to www.echonet.org. There is more information there than you will know what to do with. ECHO stands for Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization. It is a tremendous resource for missionaries in the field in regards to agriculture issues. When I have a question, I can email them and they will do some research for me, so I don’t have to use my time to do that. Through their research and others they have been able to discover numerous uses for plants we probably would never find on our. For example, there is tree that is edible and when its seeds are processed and put into water, it will purify the water. And there are more uses. There were more trees and plants that have multiple uses as well, for me it was just exciting. But by the end of the week I was in information over load. I now see why a lot of people spend at least several months there studying and working. I plan on writing about what I learned and it is not all about agriculture. Actually what I learned about was my Father in heaven and His creation.
I also gained a better understanding of Scripture. How? Well I learned more about His creation and design and how it works. I gained a better understanding of some terminology in Scripture. Jesus often used agricultural as a reference (i.e. grafting, olive tree, grape vines, fig tree, wheat fields, harvest, soil types) when teaching and explaining things. Does God care about agriculture? You bet, HE does not and has not done anything haphazardly. It has all been done with purpose. In Gen.1:11-12 we see our Father created food from the land on day 3, on day 5 HE created the fish of the sea and the birds of the air. On day 6 HE created all the animals that are on land and then HE made man in His image to have dominion over ALL that HE created. We are to rule over the land and animals (be good stewards of it), not bow down to it. Why are so many people going hungry? God created food for us. Why? They/we are living in sin (not being good stewards of the land). Tell me does it make sense to live in a land in which you can grow food year round and your people are starving? Answer, NO. They are not being good stewards of the land that God has given them. The question for us, are we? And I am not talking about that global warming scam! To believe that we can destroy God’s creation before HE says, is giving us too much power. GOD is sovereign; He is not sitting in heaven worried that we are going to destroy His creation before He can complete what He has planned. That is just ludicrous! That does not give us license to do whatever we want. Being poor stewards is SIN, no matter what area (land, livestock, MONEY, time, gifts/talents/abilities/skills, EVERYTHING). It is all a gift, a precious gift and should be treated as such.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
April
April newsletter is linked on the right. If you have been getting our newsletter over the email in the past, but DID NOT get April's letter in the past two days, please let me know.
Also updated the outgoing costs.
I think we are getting a *little* closer to getting the container out. We have a route and a rate. Now, just need to set it up and pray.
Brian will be back in two days.
Also updated the outgoing costs.
I think we are getting a *little* closer to getting the container out. We have a route and a rate. Now, just need to set it up and pray.
Brian will be back in two days.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
More realizations-God is cool, God is in control, God is and has been working it out!
From Brian on a recent conversation...
We seemed to connect, I think it had to do with the fact I had been farming on a smaller scale, having dairy-ed, a large garden, doing the work at the estate, having such diverse experiences and abilities. It hit me talking to him that part of God's equipping of me was a combination of all these things. I always thought the estate job was an answer to my pray for income in a hard time (and it was) but what I'm learning is the Lord has ulterior motives to answered prayers. Just like with scripture, there can be multiple applications. The prophetic may go beyond just the one moment but is tied to so much more.... it is like a family tree thing where you can follow the prayers and blessings/answered prayers back, and it is tied to another and another..... it just really struck me tonight.
We seemed to connect, I think it had to do with the fact I had been farming on a smaller scale, having dairy-ed, a large garden, doing the work at the estate, having such diverse experiences and abilities. It hit me talking to him that part of God's equipping of me was a combination of all these things. I always thought the estate job was an answer to my pray for income in a hard time (and it was) but what I'm learning is the Lord has ulterior motives to answered prayers. Just like with scripture, there can be multiple applications. The prophetic may go beyond just the one moment but is tied to so much more.... it is like a family tree thing where you can follow the prayers and blessings/answered prayers back, and it is tied to another and another..... it just really struck me tonight.
Monday, April 14, 2008
goings on
So what's going on? Well, Brian is in Florida. Please pray for a good time of learning about agriculture, but also some quiet time with God. Pray for sleep in a strange bed in a strange room with a roommate that snores.
The kids are okay, they got the icky stomach that seems to be going around. For the most part they are over it now.
Unfortunately, I got it last night. I am much better now, but of course mom being sick is never good. SO please pray I finish getting over it quickly.
Still nothing on the container. So very, very frustrating!!! Phone calls aren't being returned, neither are emails. There is just a block on this for some reason. PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT WHATEVER IS BLOCKING PROGRESS ON THIS WILL BE REVEALED AND BROKEN!!
We have a newsletter going out this week, so I will update all that on here sometime too.
Thanks for your prayers and notes of support!
The kids are okay, they got the icky stomach that seems to be going around. For the most part they are over it now.
Unfortunately, I got it last night. I am much better now, but of course mom being sick is never good. SO please pray I finish getting over it quickly.
Still nothing on the container. So very, very frustrating!!! Phone calls aren't being returned, neither are emails. There is just a block on this for some reason. PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT WHATEVER IS BLOCKING PROGRESS ON THIS WILL BE REVEALED AND BROKEN!!
We have a newsletter going out this week, so I will update all that on here sometime too.
Thanks for your prayers and notes of support!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Container Delays
The container has not gone yet. We are still working on it. But there is only so much we can do. We have to rely on others to get their stuff done on their end and it appears that is not happening. So what do we do? We keep praying, be that nagging widow from Jesus’ parable in Luke 18?
There is something the Lord spoke to me when I was praying about this container stuff and that is, it will go when HE says it is time for it to go. And that there are some things that HE is calling me to do here before we can go there. What are they? I don’t know. HE did not tell me that. I don’t think they are even directly tied to our calling in Zambia. Now that is the frustrating part. I want to get there and do the things to get us there. And if I do what GOD asks I will be doing what I need to get there, it just won’t look like it to the people around us watching. Does that matter as long as I am be obedient to what GOD is asking of me? The answer is NO it does not matter. Obedience is what matters!
There is something the Lord spoke to me when I was praying about this container stuff and that is, it will go when HE says it is time for it to go. And that there are some things that HE is calling me to do here before we can go there. What are they? I don’t know. HE did not tell me that. I don’t think they are even directly tied to our calling in Zambia. Now that is the frustrating part. I want to get there and do the things to get us there. And if I do what GOD asks I will be doing what I need to get there, it just won’t look like it to the people around us watching. Does that matter as long as I am be obedient to what GOD is asking of me? The answer is NO it does not matter. Obedience is what matters!
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Muscle Man
THIS IS THE MUSCLE MAN
This little stinker did not hold still for a good 20-25 minutes while we did the ultrasound. (Actually, i just checked the times of the pictures she took-it was more like 45 minutes, and after 100+ photos, still couldn't get just what she wanted!) The tech had me move this way and that, lay on this side, than the other, touch my toes, everything she could think of to get the picture she needed. Everytime she had it, he'd move.
This is Henry Wendell Kallevig. All boy, all trouble, even in the womb. Looks like we got another one like this:
This little stinker did not hold still for a good 20-25 minutes while we did the ultrasound. (Actually, i just checked the times of the pictures she took-it was more like 45 minutes, and after 100+ photos, still couldn't get just what she wanted!) The tech had me move this way and that, lay on this side, than the other, touch my toes, everything she could think of to get the picture she needed. Everytime she had it, he'd move.
This is Henry Wendell Kallevig. All boy, all trouble, even in the womb. Looks like we got another one like this:
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