Interesting Book Review...

Thank you Dr. Jen Prior...
(and of course BBB) =)

Interesting article that makes me smile and also feel proud about my education.

Surprised by Love...

enjoy!

The Nations

Probably a month ago now I sat under a man who was teaching on Colossians 1:9-14.  He discussed how Paul's prayer life was essential in his ministry & pleasing to the Lord- and how we also need to follow in the example given to us by Paul in the same way.  He was very compelling on the urgency and importance of our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Christ; Specifically those among the nations.  He openly asked the attendees of this small group if they were actively praying for the nations and if so, how? A few people gave their methods of prayers to the group. One person shared how they pick a nation each time they are praying- and pray specifically for the Christians living there. Another person suggested to the group that you could use a method of prayer...starting with the broad and narrowing to personal specifics.  In that sense nothing would be left out of his/her prayers at a global level to the most intimate personal level. 

These were just two thoughts- I am sure there were more, I cannot remember exactly now what the others were.

At the time of this discussion- I was living close to Massachusetts Avenue where many of the Embassy's stand. I have biked this road a dozen times and many times have felt an inclination to pray for these beautiful homes...or I should say the people who inhabit them and in a deeper sense...the people they are here representing. It has been one of the neatest experiences of truly praying for the nations.  As I pass by each nation- often represented by its national emblem/flag I am burdened in my heart to pray for this specific group of people. I find it curiously interesting how the Lord will lay certain people/places on our hearts for specific purposes- all to do with His ultimate glory and plan...especially when we have no idea why? and thus have to hold tight to our faith in grace and trust in his sovereignty of all things.

Greg Gilbert, the leader/teacher of the evening quoted a few lines from John Stott's book Basic Chritianity. 

"The Christian life is not just our own private affair.  If we have been born again into God's family, not only has he become our Father but every other Christian believer in the world, whatever his nation or denomination, has become our brother or sister in Christ."

So good- and so very true. I sometimes get overwhelmed thinking about praying for Toni (&Ben of course) and Judson- wow. Talk about a load of prayers that must/should be offered up. I guess that is why scripture commands us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing!

I write this all now- because I received this email today from Samaritan's Purse and have enclosed the link to update you on what is happening in Sudan (I am sure many of you are already aware).  It is by God's grace alone that SP has been able to keep staff- and volunteers there at this time. Pray, however, specifically for the citizens of Sudan who know Jesus Christ- that they would be bold and strong and filled with the Spirit of truth to lead one another in truth & grace- and that they would be filled with an overwhelming peace that their God is still truly in control. 

Darfur- SP link

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

James 5:16

I literally live in the backyard

of our nations capitol.

I was walking home tonight and I couldn't even believe the scenery that was behind me.

As I turned around to shed a glance at the monuments behind me I could not help but to smile with joy at my present circumstances.

Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open unto you...

I have moved in with a group of young ladies from a good church. It is so refreshing to come home to people whom I know know the truth & seek it. As I am writing here tonight- I am also filled with a smile of joy because the past 2 hours have been filled with wedding planning.

What a fun time of life for Laura Beth... weddings truly are something to be hopeful for. =)

I have actually found my favorite wedding dress- Vera Wang (which might just make my dad say 'very wong' hahahaha). Looking forward to wearing it someday... I have enclosed the link of course. Vera Wang and the 'Divine Obsession' please watch this. =)

On the flip side of rose petals and engagement rings...

The Ugandan boys have passed the physical testing of their trying hearts. Both boys are doing splendid and are eagerly anxious to return to Uganda. I am looking forward to next week- I will be meeting up with the disassembled group from Memphis, New York and Indianapolis to re-unite Allan and Daniel with their fellow heart pals. =) A major blessing that all has gone well.

I am looking forward to these little ones being back home with their families and praying as they go that their hearts would be softened/opened to the gospel from this trip forward.

Quick update...

Thankful for you and your prayers over my life.

Growing

Always growing, always learning...

So thankful for the people in my life and the dear friends the Lord has blessed me with.

This week I have really been meditating on the different ways the Lord reveals himself to us. Creation is the most beautiful revelation of his glory (to the eyes that is...).  Out of all his creations PEOPLE are the most beautiful to me- especially, growing people.  I love the way the Lord brings people into our lives to reveal himself and his graces to us. Last night I read through a really good essay by Archibald Alexander on Growth in Grace. 

Read it my friends. =) Encouraging and edifying. 

Personally I found a single paragraph to be very convicting and challenging.

"Another powerful cause of hindrance in the growth of the life of God in the soul is that we make general resolutions of improvement, but neglect to extend our efforts to particulars.  We promise ourselves that in the indefinite future we will do much in the way of reformation, but are found doing nothing each day in cultivating piety. We begin and end a day without aiming or expecting to make any particular advance on that day. Thus our best resolutions evaporate without effect. We merely run the round of prescribed duty, satisfied if we do nothing amiss and neglect no external service which we feel to be obligatory.  We resemble the man who purposes to go to a certain place and often resolves with earnestness that he will some day perform the journey, but never takes a step towards the place.  Is it at all strange that that person who on no day makes it his distinct object to advance in the divine life, at the end of months and years is found stationary? The natural body will grow without our thinking about it, even when we are asleep, but not he life of piety, which only increases by and through the exercises of the mind, aiming at higher measures of grace.  And as every day we should do something in the good work, so we should direct our attention to the growth of particular graces, especially of those in which we know ourselves to be defective. Are we weak in faith? Let us give attention to the proper means of strengthening our faith and, above all, apply to the Lord to increase our faith.  Is our love to God cold and hardly perceptible, and greatly interrupted by long intervals in which God and Christ are not in all our thoughts? let us have this for a daily lamentation at the throne of grace- let us resolve to meditate more on the excellency of the divine attributes, and especially on the love of God to us- let us be much in reading the account of Christ's sufferings and death, and be importunate in prayer, until we receive more copious effusions of the Holy Spirit; for the fruit of the Spirit is love, and the love of God is shed abroad in our hearty by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. And so we should directly aim at cultivating and increasing every grace; for the divine life, or 'new man', consists of these graces, and the whole cannot be in health and vigour while the constituent parts are feeble and in a state of decay. " 

Sincere thinking about personal growth...

I am thankful for the men/women in my life who encourage me daily, weekly, monthly or even at times yearly to "re-align" myself, if you would, in the written word of God and daily obedience to it. 

" Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."

Philippians 3:15-17

Metro...

Welcome to DC. wow. Today was my first, successful, smooth, and what I would consider "empowering" day riding the metro! Thank goodness it was only on day two that I gained such quick (self-proclaimed) competency. HA! I decided it was well worth my money & efforts to give the metro's maps/schedules at least 3o minutes of my precious scrutinizing time after yesterday's tragic incompetent riding episode. Turns out reading has brought about victory once again in the world of Kata.
DC is fantastic. The weather has been unbelievable since I arrived. Yesterday I was able to bike to the monuments and watch the sun set over the Potomac. I feel very blessed to have ended up in this city for this season. Living close to the National Cathedral and American University has been so great as well.
Tonight, as I was rummaging through graduate programs...looking into different areas of study, I realized that there are just too many things in life to experience. I can't even begin to fathom how people choose their area of study!?
Deep down I would love to be a writer- I would love to write vignettes about the people and places I see & visit. An "in the field reporter" would be a fantastic fit. =) However when I discussed this with the woman whose home I have been fortunate to be living in (she is an editor) she said some very thought intriguing things. She really emphasized that it does not take a masters or even doctorate in English literature to make an excellent writer- but it takes time, people & experience.
If you have read any of the previous posts on my blog- you would realize in my case it would take a little more than those three things. For instance, an EDITOR, spell checker, proof reader, how about a thesaurus to have a little variety in word usage, and most importantly- readers.

J.I. Packer never intended to be an writer- this statement speaks for itself.
(I am in no way trying to compare myself to Packer...just a little encouragement that God is gracious and always working- his purposes will prevail and he will be glorified- in whatever measure he chooses to use & refine us).

So, in the meantime- as I continue down the educational road in medicine/nursing/healthcare...blah blah blah- I can dream about one day ending up on the Washington Post!
Until then- I will continue riding the metro (which is a breeding ground for good literature), continue in my nursing, and continue on to wherever the next airbus 330 might take me.
Once again, welcome to DC- glad you could join me.

Kampala Uganda

Lake Victoria

Only hours ago- well I should say a day ago- I was sitting in a beautiful, lush bustling country. The temperature was pleasant and the sun was shining. Lake Victoria was glistening and the storks were hunting for their next meal. I have just returned from Kampala Uganda transporting for Samaritan's Purse. It is close to 5am there now and I bet the sun is beginning to rise- and the roosters are crowing. Kampala is Uganda's Capitol city with roughly 2 million people. The people are beautiful and the children are many. Uganda has over 2 million orphans. Among those numbers (I don't know exact percentages) the AIDS virus is not uncommon. While I was there for a short while I was able to visit one orphanage that is run by a young American woman who truly has over 100 children. She is not alone- she has wonderful Ugandan residents who work with her and take care of all these little ones. As I was able to spend a small amount of time with a handful of the babies and kids my heart was broken again. I don't know how to describe the feeling you get when a little one lifts his/her arms and with droopy little eyes pleads with you to pick them up for a hug and attention. I don't think anything else in life gives me more joy than holding a precious little one.

Little ones at the orphanage

Whirlwind

January 31st, 2009
Sitting here by the fireplace on the shore of the great Lake Superior, thankful for the quilt that is doing an exceptional job in keeping my legs warm and toasty, and watching the waves crash up onto the icy rocky shore only feet below me, I can only think: how glorious!
It was just yesterday that I was in the bustle & hustle of the quaint DC proper of Georgetown visiting with my sister and her husband. And only 24 hours before that was I in Amsterdam with 5 mothers, each holding their little one and anxiously awaiting the next leg of their trip to the US for the first time. And only 24 hours previous to Holland, I was sitting in an Ugandan press conference- bringing a small bit of publicity into the fact that five Ugandan residents (those residents being children I might add) were being flown to the US to have open heart surgery- a necessity for them if they are to live past their childhood.
Thinking back through the past 72 hours my mind can only now think: how glorious!
What a glorious, sovereign, faithful, providing Heavenly Father I serve.
This past week has been a whirlwind of events and I cannot point to one area independent of the Lord's gracious hand. To God be the glory!
One of my favorite passages in scripture is found in Colossians 1:15-18
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all
things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through
and for him. And he is the head of the body, the church.
(so powerful if I understand what is being said...and who this passage is speaking of...amazing!)

I am always amazed at the times and events the Lord has for his people. Even now- sitting here by the toasty fireplace- waiting for the boys to return from snowmobiling I am aware of the fact that none of this would be great or possible if it were not from the Lord. I guess I am trying to say- whether I am sitting here in the cabin, or on a crowded bus in Kampala, Uganda- there is purpose to the time being spent. I'm learning how quickly time passes and I want to be intentional with each moment I have. I am thankful for the glimpse into a new culture and peoples and I can only imagine what the Lord has in store next for the 5 mothers and their babes. Pray for successful surgeries and tender hearts for the gospel in the upcoming weeks. I have enclosed a photo of one of our little ones who will have surgery this next week. She is beautiful- from a Muslim family- and loves life. I will be heading to Washington National Children's Hospital for the next three months where I will have the privilege to work with two of our little boys just brought here- who will have surgery in the next couple of weeks. I am looking forward to being at their bedsides as they are brought back from the operating room. Pray for my interaction with the moms and our wonderful translator, Olivia, as their boys are recovering in the ever intimidating ICU. I'll keep you posted on the surgeries. =) God is so good.
Pamilia and I- Kampala, Uganda January 2009

Thabiti M. Anyabwile

I was able to sit under the teaching of pastor & author Thabiti M. Anyabwile this weekend. =)

Anyabwile currently lives in the Grand Caymans with his wife and three children where he pastors First Baptist Church of Grand Caymans. He is affiliated with the 9Marks ministry where he grew his roots out of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Speaking with Anyabwile after the conference and truly just getting to know this man of God through his teaching was so refreshing and edifying. I am thankful for the church, the body of Christ, and for the grace given to us by God to remain faithful to it.

I have attached links to both Anyabwile's blog and 9Marks ministry. Both well worth your time for growth and maturing in your walk with the Lord! Just click on the name of where you want to go!

Enjoy!

Anyabwile

9Marks

44

Washington

J. Adams

Jefferson

Madison

Monroe

J.Q. Adams

Jackson

Van Buren

W. Harrison

Tyler

Polk

Taylor

Fillmore

Pierce

Buchanan

Lincoln

A. Johnson

Grant

Hayes

Garfield

Arthur

Cleveland

B. Harrison

McKinley

T. Roosevelt

Taft

Wilson

Harding

Coolidge

Hoover

F. Roosevelt

Truman

Eisenhower

Kennedy

L. Johnson

Nixon

Ford

Carter

Reagan

G.H. Bush

Clinton

G.W. Bush

and...

Barack Obama

Thankful for extended Family... =)

On the last excursion out east my first stop was in Charlotte to visit my college rooms and her family. There wasn't a whole lot going on in my neck of my woods... so I decided to catch the red eye and head to North Carolina. I was blessed to bring in the New Year with my favorite family from Charlotte. The McCutcheon's (Amory's parent's) & Anderson's are very dear to me.  

Charlotte North Carolina ... 

Bethany, Tucker, Penny & Amory

Maggiano's little Italy for Penny McCutcheon's birthday celebration. Thank you sugga daddy papa JOE. =) Such a treat. 

Bringing in the New Year right... Tucker by my side. 

Seriously guys...Tucker is really excited about that bottle...and when you said you were giving him the bottle- well, I had no idea. I think Proverbs 22:6 needs to be implemented here.

Sweet boy in his Radio Flyer. 

I do not think he could get any cuter than this. 

So thankful for healthy, happy babes!