One of my most pressing goals as the New Year began was to set a leave date.  Not just so that I can answer everyone’s top question it seems, but to be able to plan and set other goals.  Just over a week ago, I was still hoping for April.  It wasn’t seeming very realistic, though.

Last Sunday (a week ago), one of the Scripture readings caught my attention: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.” (Jeremiah 29:10)  While the concept of God’s timing is nothing new and very often prayed about and acknowledged in my life, the Lord was hi lighting this to me.  I don’t really understand it all, but throughout Scripture, I can see how God sets appointed times that are completed when the set amount of time passes. 

It’s always good to allow the Word of God to speak into our minds as we are making choices.  I think that, along with some other counsel and circumstances, helped me to let go of April and consider July, which has been a second target.  (As soon as I set July, there’s now a possibility of it being August, depending on a decision about another training…).

Then yesterday, the Old Testament lesson’s reading in Genesis 18:14 was on this same concept: “At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”  Okay, yes, Lord.  You have my attention regarding timing and that You have a set time.  May I not push or drag, but be in tune.  It’s always been my prayer, but I’m needing to pray this not just for a leave date, but for all of the things on my agenda.

Speaking of my agenda, there’s a lot going on!  I have a very full week next week at a missions conference where I’ll represent SAMS and share about what I do.  There are all kinds of events, tours, meetings, meals, and a banquet in addition to the services.  I’ve also been asked to speak at the women’s luncheon.  

I’m also thankful to be planning a few local events in February and March to get to share with friends and those interested in knowing more about SAMS or what I’m doing.  As time ticks without as much progress as I’m comfortable with, I confess the idea of God’s timing seems like a nice thing to talk about, but harder to submit to.

But submission would do me well and is clearly a message to me as this morning’s Bible Study “three-peated” the theme of God as the One who decides timing on matters!  I read, “After David was anointed by Samuel to take Saul’s place, he humbly served and waited until God’s appointed time to be recognized as king.” (Joanne Ellison’s Following the Call-Leading Courageously). 

Wow.  So, you can pray for me to not just be sensitive to, but submissive to God’s timing in all matters including a leave date, planning events, and really every area of life.  Please pray, too, for the days ahead as they will be long and busy.  Thank you!

It’s hard to escape the fact that December, at least in the US and the West, is a time of giving.  We exchange gifts.  Stores ask for donations to spread the cheer.  We give and receive Christmas cards as well as a multitude of end-of-year letters from NGO’s and people like me. 😉

I think it’s good to have a season of giving especially when our society continues to convince us that we need things that our predecessors happily lived without.  But I’m reminded that as God Himself said in His Word, the greatest gift to give is love.

As I read over its definition in 1 Corinthians 13 for this morning’s Bible Study, I was sobered as I am every time I read this passage.  It’s not just the fact that I see a lack of these qualities in my own heart and life, but other spiritual merits including generosity, are basically canceled without love at the core.  I think I can sometimes deceive myself that my spiritual gifts, faith, or generosity can override a bit of impatience of irritability, especially toward those who offer the same.  Of course, this is not so, according to the One with the right to judge.

Thank God He is not just a righteous Judge, but also merciful.  He Himself is our source of love, so we can confess our waywardness and selfishness and humbly ask for His love to replace our less-than efforts.

I’m thankful, too, that our God is constantly calling us to His love and in His divine wisdom and power can so arrange that today’s lesson in Spirituality of Fundraising would reinforce the call to love as first and foremost.  I’ll end with a quote on one of four ways to commit to wholeheartedness.  Perhaps it will encourage you as it has me to be rich in love, both giving and receiving.

Most of us want to give and receive love and to experience joy and peace.  We want to get along with people and to be patient and generous.  We hope to have adventure, quality relationships, and lots of laughter in our lives.  None of these things can be purchased.  Once we have created a personal picture of what wholeheartedness means for us, we can commit to that vision.  When we stray from our vision, we can return to God as the place of our security and the source of love that will fill our heart. 

Speaking of waiting, so sorry for the long delay in writing.  I went to SE Asia and was incredibly busy without secure Internet, so chose not to write.  In fact, I will most likely end this blog, but figured I could and should still use it to communicate for now, so I’m back. 🙂

I’m limited with what I can share and will use this to very briefly catch you up.  The trip was very good, helpful, and informative.  I suppose it’s appropriate that Advent began yesterday as I’m very much in a season of waiting.  Waiting on details, waiting on timelines, waiting to go!

I’m reminded that Advent is a time not just to wait with boredom, passivity, distraction, or impatience, but with purpose and preparation.  I’m grateful for a book I recently purchased at the recommendation of the New Wineskins’ workshop speaker: Henri Nouwen’s A Spirituality of Fundraising.  Raising support (aka finding ministry partners) is also the season that I’m in.  Going through this book is part of my personal preparation to work on my heart and mind during the waiting while transforming me in the process!  I really like his insights, approach, and example of prioritizing loving people over the task (not just of fundraising, but of ministry).  That’s a way that you can pray for me. :).  

May all of us guard against the distractions and plain busy-ness of the world’s view of Christmas and embrace the sweetness that comes with bringing our unfulfilled desires to the One who will fulfill them with eternity in mind, the One who is the Beginning and the End.  We wait for more than a day on the yearly calendar, but a day unknown to our calendars when our Lord will return and satisfy our longings with Himself.  Happy Advent, y’all!

…is one of my favorite things!  A large part of it is being with so many other like-minded, missions-minded people for the very purpose of informing, exhorting, and encouraging each other in God’s Great Commission to make Him known, but also fellowshipping and worshiping the God we serve.  In the words of one of my pastors I ran into the first night, “these are your people.”  These words echoed my own thoughts hours before “these are my people.”  Like I wrote in my last post, at New Wineskins, I get to be normal for a few days. 🙂

It’s like a huge family reunion with divine appointments everywhere you turn.  I admit it was exhausting for me, but the joy is more overwhelming than the stress of over-stimulation.  

It was so special to spend time with St. Michael’s group (I don’t have that group photo) and  to meet  some old and new faces from St. Andrew’s (group shot above).

I’m so grateful for all I was able to meet, including a few from or living in SE Asia.  While I was still serving with EE, I was completely focused on my responsibilities, committed to finishing well.  I didn’t have time to really think much about what’s ahead.  This was a perfect opportunity to start opening my mind and heart more for the upcoming transition.

It was affirming to hear the need for more workers in this area.  Friday was committed to unreached people groups, and many focused on M*slims or Hind*s, but no one on B*ddhists.  It’s not to say that there aren’t people serving them.  I know some!  But there’s a real need.  This need was reiterated by one of the Anglican deans who asked for help.  While the Diocese of Singapore is doing an excellent job from what.I hear and know, they pointed out their tiny population in comparison to the nations they are responsible for.  I felt thankful that SAMS and another Anglican sending agency are actively promoting the needs there.

Hard to believe that I’ll be going in a little over a week!!!!  Just for the placement trip.  Thank you for praying with me to discern God’s leading about the position, location, and timing.  It will be good to be able to share more!

My plan was to take two weeks of vacation after Congress before New Wineskins.  That was spoiled when Dorian delayed my return, and I had a series of unpleasant tasks (like insurance issues and credit card disputes) to deal with.  I was so adamant to have a vacation that I was stressing myself out trying to relax!

I finally accepted a week and a half into the two weeks that this simply wasn’t the time to take a vacation.  I had much to do to prep for New Wineskins and the upcoming trip to SE Asia.  While I knew I needed rest, I had peace that the timing was not now and surrendered my need.

As I read one of the questions in the Bible Study I’m attending, it spoke to me in a convicting, yet enlightening and even liberating manner.  It referenced Isaiah 30:15, and the thought that came was that spiritual rest comes through repentance, when I turn my heart away from the things I’ve let it wander to and back to God who deserves my complete affection.  

I started thinking holistically.  Yes, my body is tired, but what if I gave my spirit the same attention I’m desperately trying to give my body and soul?  And interestingly enough, it takes time to really search the heart and go deep with God, which in and of itself is a sanctified sort of rest.  

I haven’t arrived yet, but am pondering this and praying that my heart with align more with this truth.  I don’t want to just be a hearer of this word, but a doer.  I don’t want to idolize rest, but to worship the One true God who gives rest–body, soul, and spirit.  

In returning and rest you shall be saved.  In quietness and trust shall be your strength.  ~Isaiah 30:15