A New Kind of Home

You know how sometimes when you are journaling you end up writing a little personal revelation. Then when you reread it you are like...whoa...I really needed to hear that. It's like a post-it note from God. A little reminder that He is still in control and He is still looking after you.

While I was emailing a friend today this very thing happened. I just wanted to send a little note to let him know someone from BR was keeping up with him, and wham...God gave me a little nugget. I was telling Caleb how things were going for Honduras and then when I reread the email I saw this:

"so i am gearing up for the move. it's hard to be here and there at the same time...but i think i will probably feel this way for the rest of my life. caught between this and that, here and there. i should learn to love it in that place. a place where God is the constant, the thread holding my life together. "

Please pray that I would do just that...not depend on my surroundings for encouragement or comfort but depend only on God who is everywhere I will ever be. If I can really be at home where ever He is then I will be at home everywhere He sends me.

Not Looking but Expecting

I have been pondering something for a few days now, so I thought I'd share it with you guys.

If faith is believing in what we do not see we have to develop another way to find God's blessing.

We can't look for it because it isn't there yet...we would continually say "Is this it?" "Oh this is definately the blessing I've been looking for!" "This has got to be it!" "I know this is from God." That is not faith...that is a sure set up for dissappointment...believe me. I have been looking for blessing under every rock and I have not found anything yet.

What we have to do is look to God and expect the blessing to come. If we have faith then we believe it is going to happen. We prayed for it. We felt a peace. We know God heard our cry. If we keep looking for the answer around every corner then are we really trusting God to provide in His timing...in his way?

No, I fear that in doing this we are really trying to fit God into our idea of what the answer to the prayer will look like. If we, instead, life up the prayer, look to God in faith and basiclly just try to forget we have the need altogether, God will suprise us with an answer that is abundant...more than we could ever hope for, imagine or dream!

John 13:7 "You do not realize now what I am doing but later you will understand."

I definately don't understand what God is doing in a lot of different areas of my life, my family's lives and the world, but that is no suprise because in Isaiah 55 He told us that His ways are higher than ours. That is where the faith come is.

So I have decided to stop looking for it and look to God instead...expectantly. I challenge you to do the same thing!

Always Praising?!

As many of you know I have been in a season of waiting. Waiting to go to Honduras, waiting to earn the money to go to Honduras, waiting to get the job to earn the money to go to Honduras...you get the picture. I have been waiting on things for my family as well...waiting for salvations, for them to live fully committed lives, for them to understand what I am doing isn't just something I think will be fun (although it is fun most of the time).

Right alongside this season of waiting has been a season of trusting. Trusting that God will provide. Trusting that He will take care of my family...I mean the guy has the whole world in the palm of His hand, right.

It has seemed like forever. Waiting and trusting takes a long time, but in reality it has only been about a month. So much has happened in this month that I have not really thanked God for. It took Israel 40 years to get to know God, to understand His character and they still got a lot wrong after all that time.

Now I see that along with waiting and trusting should always be praising. We can't just give God props when everything is going like we think it should. We should want to praise Him all of the time and for everything He does for us and to us.

I read something this morning and it really got me..."If you are really in God like you should be then anything that gets to you has been allowed by God to reach you. We should be thankful..." WOW! That paints a picture...I thought of being inside a God bubble and Him approving everything that came inside that bubble. Some of the things I like and some of the things I didn't. Some of them hurt me and some of them were awesome...but they all had purpose, they all took part in shaping me. Therefore I should be grateful, thankful even, for every challenge, every wait, every opportunity to trust and I should PRAISE God in all things.

I'm glad it only took a month for me to figure that one out. I don't want to have to go another 39 years and 11 months without praising God like He deserves. He is my rescuer, my savior, my provider. He is almighty, benevolent, caring, discerning, Elohim, father, great, healer, impassioned, just, kind, love, merciful, near, omniscient, present, quiet, righteous, sinless, trustworthy, unchanging, victorious, worthy, exalted, yearns for us, and He is Zion.

So learn this lesson quick. Through the waiting and trusting make sure you are also praising the God who gave everything for a chance to save you.

TV Binge

Still hanging in there?! I know you guys are probably starved for posts by now...bad Heather, bad! Well I am back. I did't really go anywhere. I guess I just kind of checked out of my brain for a few days.

I have a confession to make....I gorged myself of TV and junk food. For the past couple of days I have been feeling a little under the weather so I decided the thing I needed most was rest. So in the name of rest I pigged out on candy and ice cream and watched like 30 hours of TV. Talk about a bad idea.

I don't know about you guys, but I don't really like TV. Well, it's not that I have anything against the machine itself, I just have a problem with what's on the thing. I have watched about 10 movies and the best one was Evan Almighty, but I had seen that one before. So it was basically a big waste of time.

I rested my body but not my mind.

So, I had to let you guys know that I won't be forsaking you for TV any time soon.

Africa Pictures

Thanks to a friend of mine...Kristina...I have some new Africa pics that I didn't even know had been taken! I just had to share them with you guys!

Getting to know a Care Point Kid...I feel really bad that I don't even remember his name now. This was the day we gave our Samaritian's Purse Christmas Boxes to all of the regular kids. Christmas in May! It was incredible. I, a girl for the States, gave away a box that was made in the UK for a child in Swaziland! WOW...the body of Christ in action.

Building a sand pit for the kids at one of the care points. These two girls in the back ground were my special friends. The one in the pink stole my heart and never gave it back to me! Her name sounds like Toe-boo-gee-lay.

Me and Tobu walking to her house in the mountians! She is soooo cute!!

Hannah, Kristina and I

Unbelief Busters

Unbelief looks at God through the circumstances, just as we often see the sun diminished by the clouds or smoke. But faith puts God in front so you can see the circumstances through Him. (From Streams in the Desert)

WOW. How true this is. I find myself doing this all the time. It's an unconscious tendency so it is a hard one to break. Have you ever found yourself thinking the problem you are facing is bigger than God? Then you do it too!

Let's try and change this together. Next time we are faced with a struggle let's follow these steps:

1. Rejoice: I know that sounds weird. But the bible tells us to find joy in our struggles.
2. Look: See this as an opportunity for God to be glorified.
3. Worship: Praise God for who He is. Remind Him that you serve Him because He is worthy not because of what He does for you.
   
4. Release: Trust God with the outcome.
5. Stand: Let your faith be tested and grown by standing firm in what you believe.
   

EPIC

The brand NEW HPC worship album is out! This was a LIVE recording from the Amplified weekend I posted about a few months ago. You have got to get yourself a copy of this!

It is an incredible sound...the sound of a new generation crying out for God and making Jesus famous! Check it out here...http://www.healingplacemusic.com/epicworship/

Here are some of the lyrics..right out of the heart of HPC:

SEARCH MY HEART

words and music by Tabitha Montalbano

Is there any more of me that You desire
Jesus, all my days I live to lift You high
Take my heart, I remain in You
Change my life, 'til the old is new

Search my heart
Show me anything I'm holding back from You
Jesus I, live a life to please no one but You
Are there words to speak the glories of Your name
All the love You've given I cannot contain
Standing strong, for the faith in me
Lift You up so the world may see

I can't contain it
This love I hold
This world won't take it
This love that I know

River of Love

Taken from a train on the way to Manchupiccu, Peru

Ephesians 3:18

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

I can't help but think of God's majesty when I see His work in the world He created.

Llama Infatuation

Those of you who know me personally know that I am a member of "Llamas Anonymous." It is a support group for those of us in the Baton Rouge area who are addicted to the card game Dutch Blitz...which we have affectionately renamed...you guessed it..."llama."

Some of the group got together on fourth of July to celebrate the country's independence by playing llama into the wee hours of the morning. It was great fun. Shouting "LLAMA" as you throw your last card down to win the game is sooooo invigorating!

When I went to Peru last year I had the pleasure of meeting a real llama. I met a bunch of them actually and we had lunch together...OK it was more like I fed them, cause I just can't bring myself to eat raw alfalfa. Here is the proof...me with a 100% real, living, breathing llama.

Don't be jealous. LOL.

Lla...lla...lla...llama anyone?

Mama Mia

I just had to give a shout out to my mama. She is the most beautiful creature I know. She is strong and loving. She is intelligent and witty. She is fun and playful. And she is my mom!


I just know she is going to become even more beautiful as she discovers a deeper relationship with her creator. My prayer for her has always been that she sees her value. That she realizes what a treasure she is. That she takes hold of what God has planned for her, without fear, totally trusting in Him.

I love you mama!

Independance Day

I know I am a few days behind, but I am feeling freer than ever! I am still waiting. I am still trusting. My circumstances have not changed much, but my spirit is soaring! I have taken hold of some great freedoms in the past week. It has not been easy to hold onto them, but with God's help I will never let them go!

I declare freedom from manipulation. I declare freedom from destructive relationships. I declare freedom from shame. I declare freedom from fear and failure.

Jesus had victory over these things at the cross, I am a little late realizing this, but better late than never, right? Right! Something that I have to keep realizing over and over again is that these things only have as much power over me as I give them.

It's like a bully in the lunch room. He only bullies the people who let him bully. He won't take on the strong willed or the ones already protected. And that is exactly what I am! I am protected. I am strong willed.

And now I am choosing to live like it! I am standing my ground. I am standing in love. I am standing in forgiveness. I am standing in discernment. I am standing in grace and truth.

Will you stand with me? Will you stand for these things in your own life? Will you be free in Christ?

Pearls of Wisdom

The burden of suffering seems to be a tombstone
hung around our necks.
Yet in reality it is simply the weight necessary
to hold the diver down
while he is searching for pearls.
-Julius Richter

Being Refined

Thank you all for your prayers! I feel you all lifting me out of this. I am so grateful to have you all in my life!

God has really been speaking to me out of Isaiah..it is every where! It has been so good to find comfort in His word during this season. I read this devotion today...it has been one of many that have spoken directly to my situation this past week.

The verse was, Isaiah 48:10... "I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather I have refined you in the furnace of suffering."

This is the poem that accompanied the verse:

Pain's furnace within me quivers,
God's breath upon the flame does blow;
And all my heart in anguish shivers
And trembles at the fiery glow;
And yet I whisper, "As God will!"
And in the hottest fire hold still.

He comes and lays my heart, all heated,
On the hard anvil, minded so
Into His own fair shape to beat it
With His great hammer, blow on blow,
And yet I whisper, "As God will!"
And at His heaviest blow hold still.

He takes my softened heart and beats it;
The sparks fly off at every blow;
He turns it o'er and o'er and heats it,
And lets is cool and makes it glow;
And yet I whisper, "As God will!"
And in His mighty hand hold still.

Why should I complain? For the sorrow
Then only linger-lived would be;
The end may come, and will tomorrow,
When God has done His work in me;
And yet I whisper, "As God will!"
And trusting to the end, hold still.
-Julius Sturm

If that doesn't describe what I am going through I don't think any words would be able to. And so I have been whispering, "As God will!" And I will trust Him to the very end.

Feeling Forgotten?

It is possible to feel like you have been forgotten by God; however it is impossible to actually be forgotten by Him. You see, Isaiah 49:14-16 says,

“Yet Jerusalem says, ‘The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.’ Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palm of my hands.”

Our feelings change with the wind. Our emotions are ruled by our surroundings. Therefore, we should trust the Word of God above our feelings, above the emotions that try to overtake us.

This is a promise from God.

He will never forget us. He will never leave us. No matter how forgotten you feel. No matter how lonely, tired, isolated, or withdrawn you have been He has your name written on the palms of His hands. The same hands that hold the world.

So be comforted friends, as I have been, by these words. These promises are unchanging. They stand forever…yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Promises of God

The rainbow of God's promises is always above the trials and storms of life.
-Charles Shepson

Hanging On

OK, you have probably read the earlier post on waiting...and if you have been reading since then you probably picked up on a pattern in my posts.

Yes I am waiting for something. You guys are so smart.

There are a lot of things I am waiting on and still trying my best not to worry about them, but there is one thing in particular that I need you help with. I am waiting for a job. It is out there...just beyond my grasp but I know it is there and I know it is for me.

I am reaching the end of my own strength...sound familiar?

I am running out of money which is not surprising to me at all, but it is still a little concerning. I am running out of time, there are only 5 months left between here and Honduras. But there is something else that I am running out of and I can't quite put my finger on it.

Whatever it is... it hurts me to think I don't have enough of it. I am leaning hard on God. He has whatever it is that I need. If you have some time...a minute or two in the morning, before you eat lunch, while you are in the bathroom, whenever God leads you...please pray for me.

Pray that I will lean on God. Pray that I will trust Him. Pray that I will savor the wait. Pray that I will have victory over the fear that is threatening my peace of mind. I need you guys. I need your prayers. I need your help...now more than ever.

Savoring...

A friend of mine once told me that patience is waiting and being happy about it. I am trying to learn to savor this season of waiting. It is not as easy as one might think.

So what would the definition of savor be? Waiting and being so happy about it that you wish you could linger there a little longer?

Please pray that I would learn to savor this waiting season as well as all the seasons to come. I want to soak up everything I can from where ever I am.

Spanish Youth & an African Testimony

Last Saturday night I had the incredible opportunity to share the Swazi trip with the Spanish youth. It was so much fun! I got to show them pictures of the trip and tell them stories about the outreaches. I encouraged them to make it a priority to go on a mission trip because of its life changing impact.

I shared part of my testimony with them to show the amazing power of God at work in me. I told them you don't have to be perfect to serve God...you just have to be willing.

The night was so full of the Holy Ghost! God was there during the English service at 5pm. We had an incredible time of worship and followed the service with baptism. Then the Spanish Youth service started at 7:30 and His presence filled the room a second time. It is so cool to be able to sing to Him in another language...we sing the same songs, to the same God in different languages all around the world! So cool.

After I shared about Africa, we did a little Q & A. One question was, "What motivated you to go all the way to Africa?" I started to tell them about my nutrition degree and how I wanted to help hungry kids all over the world. But then something really cool started to happen...I shared something God gave to me in worship earlier that night.

He showed me a great hall with tons of tables set for dinner and everyone had their place to sit. God was sitting at the head table with Jesus but he didn't look happy, he looked concerned. He was looking around for people that weren't there. He noticed that there were empty seats and he was asking Jesus where they were. I was overwhelmed. I mean...all those people were already there. The party was kickin, but He was worried about the ones that weren't there yet.

He love us so much. He knows when we aren't with Him. That's why I am motivated to be a missionary. Of course I still want to do the nutrition thing, but it is much more than that. God loved me enough to notice that I wasn't there...He missed me. Is He missing one of those kids from Swazi or one of the patients I will see in Honduras? Is He missing you?