Because too many positive thoughts go unsaid....

photo credit

"One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement… It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word." William Barclay The Letter to the Hebrews. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24) Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

To Krakow and Back

The Florian Gate in the old city center

We made a quick-in, quick-out trip to Krakow, Poland last week for new visas. Despite moist, cool weather the whole time we were there, we had a good time and were able to accomplish what we set out to do! (We missed the 60-degree, sunshiny days by only 1 day. Oh well.)

I really enjoyed having a break from my usual mothering responsibilities, and it was fun to spend time together as a team. I had great hopes for posting to the blog while we were there, but the trip proved to be really fast and busy! Since I got back, it's been lots of rest, and lots of laundry. :)

Hanging with Denise on the night of our arrival! 

We did a lot of walking! One of my favorite stops is pictured in the background. ;)

Stopping for lunch at an Indian restaurant while waiting for our visas to be processed.

Visas! No one can understand our happiness who hasn't been through this process. BTW, this is
our wonderful team, minus Nathan and Katelin, who are back in U.S. right now.

With recent changes in immigration policy, staying long-term in Ukraine has become more and more of a challenge. It is doable, but the process can be confusing and full of obstacles. With the help of a wonderful lawyer friend and our local Ukrainian church, plus a lot of hard work and planning on Joshua's part, we were able to get our letter of invitation and other documents for obtaining the above visas. However, these visas are only valid for 45 days. In this limited time frame, we now have to apply with local government offices for extended registration in the country. This will allow us a one-year stay, with the potential for a second year extension. So far, God has made our way smooth and we believe He will help us through the remaining steps.

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us! We have seen God's hand leading us through this whole process. The children also did wonderfully back in L'viv with their caregivers.

She's Growing Up

"Toothless"

A Few Random Things

Pregnancy

I am currently at 9 weeks and doing well so far. I've had some queasiness on and off, but overall I've felt much better than I did with my former pregnancies. I thank God for enough energy to keep up with 3 little ones, despite periods of feeling very sluggish and lethargic. I'm not getting a whole lot done at this season except the bare essentials. And I'm resting a LOT, which is good!

The girls ask me nearly everyday how the baby is doing, and Abby especially is always probing for information about how the baby is growing, what size it is, and whether it will be a boy or a girl. :)

Trips and Travel

Krakow City Center

Joshua and I are heading to Krakow, Poland, next week, along with our team mates, to apply at the Ukrainian embassy for new visas. Immigration policies are constantly changing here in Ukraine, and it is a challenge to keep up with the various laws and how they are all interpreted or applied. We have already been through quite a process to obtain the needed documents to present at the embassy next week. Joshua especially has been working for weeks to make sure everything is in order. Please pray that God would bless our trip and that we would have no trouble getting the visas we need! The girls will be staying behind with a trusted friend here in L'viv, so we'd appreciate prayers for their safety as well.

Congratulations, Nathan and Katrina!!

A very, very close friend of mine, Katrina Rebsch, just recently called me to tell me about her engagement to a godly young man attending seminary in the Houston area. They have been courting for several months now and are in awe at the way God has brought this relationship together. If you're interested in reading an inspiring love story, you can check theirs out at Katrina's blog! You will be encouraged!

Optical Illusion

The Strength of My Life

The Lord is the strength of my life... (Psalm 27:1)

The fact that the Lord chose to give me life in the first place, upholds my steps, and performs things in and through me is a stunning concept. What a relief that I am not on my own but have been given everything I need for life and godliness! In recent weeks, when my strength has been more than usually taxed, these verses have been a source of encouragement to me.  I hope they will be to you as well.

It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect. (Psalm 18:32)

The Lord will give strength unto his people; The Lord will bless his people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)

For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? (Psalm 43:2)

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee... (Psalm 84:5)

Seek the Lord and his strength, Seek his face continually. (1 Chronicles 16:11)

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. (Psalm 57:2)

For in him we live, and move, and have our being…(Acts 17:28)

My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73:26)

Which holdeth our soul in life, And suffereth not our feet to be moved. (Psalm 66:9)

But thou art he that took me out of the womb…Thou art my God from my mother’s belly. (Psalm 22:9–10)

The Lord is the strength of my life... (Psalm 27:1)

When I'm Under the Pile

photo courtesy

One of my most hated sensations is that of being “under the pile”. So much to do, and the knowledge that it can’t possibly all be crammed into the available time slots. 

I think one day I woke up and realized that being an adult meant frequent bouts with this sensation. I still haven’t come to terms with it. I’m not one of these people that relishes being super, super busy, yet I often have to face that reality nonetheless.

Perhaps no generation has been as busy, bombarded, involved, pulled, hurried, and hassled, as the present one. Ironically, we have more and more time saving devices at our finger tips, and yet less and less time.  

Here are a couple of thoughts I try to keep in mind whenever I’m having one of those overwhelming days. (or 5 or 6 or 10 of them!)

1. Stop and ask God for wisdom. 

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

So many times when I just ask, the Lord will give me a game plan to go by--one that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Sometimes the Lord will reveal an activity that I can drop, much to my relief and the easing up of my schedule. God has a way of helping me sort and re-order my priorities.

“I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel…” (Psalm 16:7)

2. Focus on praising the Lord! 

Sing, put on music, offer thanksgiving, praise Him for the task at hand…

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)   

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8)

I try to remind myself that the feeling of accomplishment I look for in finished tasks is not what gives my life meaning. Having a clean house, the dishes done, dinner ready by noon, lessons studied and completed, emails answered, calls made, people visited--these are all wonderful things, but they are not what gives purpose to my life. Almost as soon as ever they are finished, they will be undone again, waiting for me to tackle them once more. If that’s all there is, then something is missing.  

photo courtesy

The purpose of my life--of any life--is to bring praise and glory to God. What better way to bring Him glory than to offer up praise? And, as an added plus, it’s almost impossible to feel anything but happy while doing it. :) So put on some music, sing, or pray a prayer of thanksgiving while you're washing those dishes!

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me…” (Psalm 50:23)

3. Evaluate and Blitz.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might….” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23)

Make a plan. Set a timer. Race against yourself or agains the kids, for fun. Get up early. Get the hardest thing done first. Do the best you can, with your might, and then rest when it’s time to rest. All those unchecked to-do’s will hold. 

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net