I just returned home from a medical missions trip to Guatemala. It was my first missions trip and I was not sure what to expect. Now I know why. You can't go expecting anything because what you bring back from a trip like that is far more than any expectations that you could have had.

We started out a little slow. The government confiscated our medications and would not release them from customs, and we had to end up paying a large tax and bribe to get the medicines released to us. Once we prayed through that and got our medicines released, we went to work. We saw over 1000 people in 3.5 days. We went to an orphanage and saw the children and helpers there. Then we went to a church, an island, and up 9500 feet on a mountain to see patients. The people there have very little healthcare, and what they do have they cannot afford to pay for, so they are unable to be treated or seen by any type of healthcare provider.

We took a team of 6 doctors, 5 nurses, and 3 helpers and were able to see everyone that came out. We treated a lot of arthritis, skin conditions, infections, respiratory problems, and pain, and we gave everyone a pack of vitamins. We gave out deworming medication and gave eyeglasses to those that needed them. The medicines that we brought and distributed were only temporary fixes though. The one thing that we could bring these people that would last forever is the love of God. We were able to pray for them and hold their hand, hug them, tell them we loved them, tell them God loved them, and let them feel His love flow through us to them.

It was amazing in every aspect of the word. I cried as I left the airport to go there, thinking "what have I gotten myself into?". Then, I cried as I left to come back home, thinking "my heart belongs here". There is such a feeling of emptiness when you leave those places and the people there. Although I missed my family back home something terribly and longed to see them, I felt like Guatemala was where I was needed. It was where I felt "full" at and leaving it was pulling a part of my heart away with it.
The last morning before we left, I went to the rooftop and was spending some time praying. I kept hearing a bird on a bush beside me, so I looked over. It was a black crow and was perched so perfectly on the bush singing as loud as it could. I sat and watched it for about 2 minutes and then as quick as it came, it flew away, singing the whole way. I asked God what He was trying to tell me. I felt like He was saying, "You are like that bird. You are here only temporary to come and plant your feet firmly where I have you to work. You sing a beautiful song with the gifts that I have given you to use, but when I am finished with you here, you have to spread your wings and fly away to the next place.". That is not an easy thing to do. You start to bond with the people of Guatemala, you feel their pain, you see their hurt, you take on their burdens and spiritual struggles, you try to bring hope into their life, and then you have to leave. It pulled very hard at my heart strings as we left those places each day, but I found life in knowing that God put me here for only this short time. He knew that I would come and go, that I would land, sing, and then fly away again. He purposed me for this time and only for this time.
I cannot tell you how blessed I am by what I have been able to experience in those days. The opportunity that I had was such a life changing event for me and I praise God for the chance to serve.
God knows where I shall go to next. I have ideas, but He knows. In His timing will it be revealed. I know that this is part of my life now and I will go and do as He says go.
Until then, I will continue to spread my wings and fly...my feet will land when God is ready for them to.

Jennifer

God's Promise

My cousin sent this birthday card to me. She is dying from a rare disease. Her father died from this same disease a few years ago. She is 36 years old.

Always remember when God made you He did so with a purpose and a plan. He saw all your days before you lived one of them and placed over you the covering of his protective love. He has allowed nothing to come into your life that has not first been screened through that love. His hand has remained upon you to this very day. He calls you by name. You are his beloved child... the apple of his eye... the delight of his heart. Today you are in the exact place he wants you to be, and tomorrow he will be with you as he has always been- in goodness,in kindness,in faithfulness. ( Roy Lessin)
Genesis 15:1 I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

I am speechless. My cousin loves Jesus. She knows that her illness is a part of God's plan.
He has never promised that this life would be easy. In fact it is pretty hard at times. But one thing He did promise is that he would never leave us nor forsake us.
Our family prays for Misty to be healed, and we believe that with God all things are possible.

My prayer today is that I will be thankful for my health and that others would see Jesus in me.

Pray for my cousin Misty. Pray that God would heal her, and if for some reason that healing is not manifested here on this earth, that she will never take her eyes off of Him.
God is our hope,
Amy

God's Image.........

Amy shared this quote with me a couple of years ago. I was looking through some old files today and found it. I wanted to share it because it is so powerful:

At times when your children or even your spouse isn't quite measuring up to your expectations, remember that he or she was created in God's image not your image.

"the beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them."

Blessings,
Robbie

Desperate for Jesus.............

The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than two-edged sword.... Hebrews 4:12

Last night was the first night of Pursuing More of Jesus bible study by Anne Graham Lotz. It is a study that I would have never chosen, but I feel so strongly the Holy Spirit led me to this study. After months and months of prayer, I knew when I picked it up that I had felt the Holy Spirit. But every time I would look at the pages in the study guide, my flesh would tell me "no, this can't be the study, your girls won't like this study, the pages are completely blank except for one or two scriptures". It is totally Holy Spirit led. After the study had been purchased and the class was beginning to fill up, my flesh rose up inside of me and gave me so much doubt. We truly have a merciful God! Let me share what he did to give me peace. My twelve year old daughter came running into my room one day and said to me "Mom, I think God woke me up last night and told me which study you are supposed to do!" Now she knew how much we had been praying for the answer but she had no idea that we had already purchased the study Pursuing More of Jesus. I looked at her puzzled and she said "Mom, you are supposed to do a bible study on the Gospel of John!" I have to tell you I couldn't believe what she had just said. I looked at her like I had seen a ghost. I said "Gracie, that is the study we are doing! The Pursuing More of Jesus study is only on the Gospel of John!!!" Can you believe that? Confirmation. God can use anyone and anything to speak to his children. But the primary way is through his word. Even for our prayers to be effective we have to know his word!!!

I feel that God is showing me so much lately. I walk around all the time talking about how much closer I want to get to God but never doing anything about it. It's like I want all the benefits that God can bring to my life but I don't want to put in the effort it takes to know him better. I like the easy. Remember Amy and I like to stay in the pit. It is comfortable, familiar. We like it there because it is easy. Satan doesn't mess with us as bad if we stay in our pit. But when we get the courage to climb out and try pursuing Jesus again, Satan is there like a roaring lion waiting to devour us at any moment.

If we REALLY want to know God, if we REALLY want to understand who we are and whose we are, then the Bible has to have the highest priority in our lives. That is basically what the Pursuing More of Jesus study is all about. I understand why God wanted me to do this study now. It is time we stop reading other people's thoughts and what they say they heard from God. It is time for us to sit down with our bibles open , start out with prayer and get to know God. If it is our purpose to glorify God in all our ways then we have to know him first. Did you know that the Holy Spirit our comforter plays such a big role in our lives. I don't know about you but I feel so comfortable talking with Jesus. When it comes to God, I feel like I have a huge respect for him and I really don't want to get on his bad side. LOL.. But seriously the Holy Spirit, I don't feel like I know him and what his role is supposed to be in our lives. Let me share some of the wisdom that Anne Graham Lotz has shared in her DVDs in our class.

She showed us her bible and through her bible she had pictures of her Dad "Billy Graham"; and then there were lots of pictures of her grandchildren. She said every time she opened her bible and saw those pictures it reminded her to pray for them. Then she explained that when you or I open our bible there are pictures of Jesus all the way through scripture. It is the Holy Spirit's job as we read God's word to show us the pictures. That we might see Him, know Him, love Him. That we might even lay our lives down before him and live our lives in obedience to him not because we have to but because we love Him... Isn't that beautiful? So read your bible and look at the pictures of Jesus fall out before your very eyes!

So I invite you to join me in a pursuit of Jesus! You can start right now today. You do not have to be in this study, I will outline everything that Anne has taught us in her study. You can pick any scripture you want and apply these five steps and I promise you God will speak through his word to you.

Please just try this and comment back and let me know how it is going and if you have any questions or if you don't understand one of the steps.

First before you start anything spend some time in prayer with the Lord, ASK for the Holy Spirit's help with getting to know Jesus better through his word.

(You will need a notebook, bible, pen, highlighter)

Step 1:

Begin by picking a scripture any scripture that you love etc. Today I worked on John 10:1 because that was the scripture for us in our study guide. Take only one or two scriptures to begin with. Your goal is not to get through as much scripture as you can but to pick a scripture and spend time with it and to listen to hear Jesus speak. Let the Holy spirit do His work!

Then after you have your scripture read it and reread, take your notebook and open it to your first page and write the time and date in the upper right hand corner. Then write your scripture down in your notebook.

example: John 10:1

I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate; but climbs in by some other way is a thief and a robber.

When you have finished step one, make a verse by verse list of the outstanding facts. Don't get caught up into details; just pinpoint the most obvious facts. Don't PARAPHRASE, but use actual words from the passage itself. We want to be very careful that we don't add anything to the word of God. Look at just the facts; look for nouns, verbs, person, place or thing. Get rid of prepositions etc.

example: Man who does not enter by the gate is a thief and robber.

Step 3:

After reading the lesson and listing the facts, look for a lesson to learn from each fact.

Ask yourself: What are the people doing in the passage that I should be doing?

Is there a command I should obey?

A promise I should claim?

A warning I should heed?

An example I should follow?

Focus on the spiritual lessons (remember there is no right or wrong answer). These examples are what I heard God speaking to me. Yours will be different. His word is ALIVE and it applies to whatever is going on in your life. God will make it relevant!

example: There is only one way to heaven!!! It is through the gate; and that gate is JESUS!! Jesus is the gate!!! Is that not amazing!

This exercise blows me away; it works! God will speak to you if you are seeking him in his word.

Step 4:

This is the most meaningful step, you can't do it effectively until you have completed the first three steps. Rephrase the lesson you found in step 3 and put them in the form of questions you could ask YOURSELF, YOUR SPOUSE, YOUR CHILD, YOUR FRIEND, YOUR NEIGHBOR, OR YOUR COWORKER. As you write these questions, listen for God to communicate to you through his Word.

Don't get caught up on what you don't understand. Just look for the general principle and lessons that can be learned. Don't rush through this. BE STILL AND LISTEN FOR GOD TO SPEAK! This is where you can have prayerful meditation to discover meaningful lessons and hear God speaking to you.

example: Do I believe that the prince of this Earth is waiting like a roaring lion to kill, destroy, and devour me?

If you have time look up John 10:10; I did not read it until after I had wrote this. WOW!!!

The last step is to live it out; how will you respond to God's Word?

example: I am going to stay under God's wing for protection. I will not look to man for protection or the things of this world.

Just record what God is saying to you, and your response to him. Which response stood out to you? Then hold yourself accountable to follow through in obedience.

Sorry this has been such a long post; but I have to end this in prayer.

Father I just praise you for this wonderful way to learn to be still and hear you speak. Thank you so much for choosing this study. I pray that anyone reading this will give it a try and experience the awesome power of the Holy Spirit. We long for more of you. Give us the hunger and the desire to seek more of you. We want more than salvation; we want to be disciples for you. Use us Father. Let it be your will on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.

pursuing more of Jesus,

Robbie

" Let your words be few"

First of all the devil does not want you to hear this message, because in trying to review and edit. It was erased. So through Christ I will reveal what was laid on my heart.
"Let your words be few" was a statement on my refrigerator for a long time. Until I got tired of my husband holding it up when he had heard enough.
Psalms 141:3 says " Set a guard, Oh Lord, over my mouth: keep watch over the door of my lips."
This should be a prayer we pray every morning before we even get up. I'm as guilty as the next when it comes to rambling on about nothing or saying things that do not please God.
Below are just a few things to consider before speaking:
1. Is it true?
2. Is it kind?
3. Will it build up, will it edify the person of whom I'm talking?
4. Is it necessary?
5. Does the person I'm talking to need to know this?
6. If this were about me, would I want it shared with someone else?

Our job as Christians is to glorify God, to be a witness for him. It is not to condemn others. We are to love, listen, and be understanding. The Holy Spirit will condemn for us.

A very hurtful thing was said to me, but a life learning lesson. Someone a work said to me, " I didn't know that you were a Christian ?" Wow!!! talk about a conviction that stung my heart.

I want to be a light that shines for Jesus.
People are watching us and judging us. Be careful of not only what we say, but also what we allow ourselves to hear. If it is not pleasing to God, walk away. You may be talked about or laughed at, but they will respect you and you will glorify Jesus.

So as the song says, " Oh be careful little ears what we hear, for the father up above is looking down in love, oh be careful little ears what you ear. Oh be careful little tongue what you say..... for the father will cut your tongue off, just kidding. Just wanted to see if you were paying attention. You get the gist of the song. I do pray often for God to put a piece of tape over my mouth to keep it shut.
So lets pray for guidance and strength. Pray for understanding of his word. Spend time with Jesus. And let him speak to you. What he says is powerful. He will give you the answers you are looking for. Let your words be few and his words be many.
Love in Christ,
Amy

I only have a few more days before the big departure. I have been so blessed already by all that has been given and done for me. I have been blessed by friends and coworkers that have given things that only God would know I want or need. I have been blessed with a father and mother that have provided for me so that I have this opportunity that otherwise I may not have had. I have been blessed with inlaws that are willing to give up their time to come down and help with my "life" here so that I don't have to worry about all that goes on the week I am not here, plus they have collected so much for me to take with me to give to the children there. I have been blessed with a husband that supports me through all of our ministry decisions and gets excited to hear about new endeavors, and he is just plain AWESOME and I love him so much. I have been blessed with children that voice to me how important I am to them and how much they will miss me, but how excited they are for me to go and do God's work. I am blessed to have the support of a work environment that allows me to take time off without question and know that I have a job to come back to.
I am blessed with so much and so unworthy of any of it. I am blessed to even have the skills that God has gifted me with to be able to do something like this. I could have messed up so much over the years, in the beginning of my adult life, with some of the decisions that I made, but God snatched me out of a firey pit and set me on solid ground.
Thank you to everyone that has been there for me with prayers, thoughts, monetary gifts, time, supplies, and anything else that I may be missing.
You will all be blessed for what you have done for me. For what you have done for me, you have done for the Father.
Thank you.
Have I said that enough? I don't think so.
Thank you.
Thank you Jesus for your love and mercy and forgiveness and life.
Thank you thank you thank you.
I leave on Saturday morning very very early. I've heard that we may have internet availability at one of the places we are staying at so if I get a chance I will blog while I'm there, but if not...I will definitely fill you all in when I get back.

love
Jennifer

Okay, I just have to share something that God did. God blessed me through 2 beautiful women that I work with. These women are truly a blessing from above, and even if sometimes it is hard for us to receive certain types of blessings, God will allow situations like this to occur to humble us and show us His love through other individuals.
I was in awe of what God did for me through these 2 people and all I could do was cry and say, "God, why? Why me? I am so nasty and selfish and filthy? Why would you let this be done to ME? To me Lord, Why?"
"Because I love you my child. Because I cherish you my daughter. Because you are my daughter and I want to bless you. Just Because...that's why."
I don't have to have an answer. I don't have to know the reason behind certain things, but I have to be open to receive, and this is a VERY, VERY hard thing to do for a lot of us, including myself.
But, whatever they do for me, they do also for the Father.
I want to just say Thank You. Thank You Janice and Kim. Your works will not go unnoticed. Do I know what to say? No, words cannot express how I am feeling on the inside right now as tears fall down my cheeks again, but thank you. Thank You. Thank YOU.
I don't deserve a thing, yet God gives me everything. Thank you God for your love and for speaking. Thank you for women who are open to listen to your voice and be obedient to it.
I pray that they will be blessed in turn and that you open up the storm gates of heaven and let blessings pour down. POUR DOWN BLESSINGS FROM ABOVE.
Thank you.

Jennifer