Planes and more planes

The reality of our immortality can gloriy the King of KIngs

Age has a way of creeping up on a person and suddenly you become aware of the reality of your immortality. That reality can either make you depressed which at times it has had that affect on me. But the flip side of that reality is an urgency to use what time and health is left to somehow be a part of bringing those out of darkness into the glorious light of Jesus Christ. We three couples in this picture could easily have stayed in our home countries and because of our age and health issue no one would blame us.
I remember being at a huge christian retreat with about 6 thousand people and the man of God brought a powerful message to a room full of mostly retired people. We were leaving in a week for the other side of the sea to serve to Papua New Guinea. Standing in line waiting to get in I started passing out our prayer cards only to hear that's great you are doing that but I could never do that. I wondered are we crazy at our age doing what we were about to do..we could buy a camper and travel around to retreat after retreat hearing powerful messages and hearing great music that inspires. The risk are sometimes great when living in an undeveloped country at our age but the benefits are great. Now we just look to His word for those powerful messages and spend time with folks like these in the picture who like us did not let their age and health issues stop them from allowing God to use those years of experience and wisdom gained through years of living life, being faithful in the small things God ask us to do. I would love to add more people our age to this picture to be a part of the exciting work of God in Papua New Guinea. Step out and join us.

Return to tropical paradise

After 10 months of a medical furlough we finally were able to return to our place of service in Papua New Guinea. A lot had changed in those few months, people had left, new ones had come. It did not take long and we were back into a routine and I realized that somewhere along the way we had learned to order our day which makes change easier. I think the biggest change for me was during those months in the states I came to the reality of my immortality and once again fought that battle of fear of aging and gotten victory by the grace of God. It's easy to say I want to age gracefully but another thing to actually live that way daily. God is so good and continues to use Ace and I to serve Him over seas. Actually I know it takes more grace to live with limitations that age and health issue bring and there is a peace from accepting those limitation. One thing that comes to mind is I am more choosy over the battles i pick to fight and there are many to fight. The enemy of our soul makes sure of that. Living with limitations gives me a passion to fight the good fight and let those go that will only drain me. Maybe, just maybe this 62 year old women is growing up and becoming a little bit wiser....it is good to be back to blogging and I look forward to a writing a couple of articles that God brought to my heart while in the states. My goal now is not only to be wise hearted but to be a courageous wise hearted women. Encourages someone today and you will give them courage.

A Wanna Be Courageous Wise Hearted Women

Courageous Pioneer Women

Hebrew 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
My fascination with courage continues to increase as I read stories of women who despite the oppositions drew from within themselves the ability to rise above what ever was opposing them. Change especially one that brings hardships takes courage. Which is why I love reading about those pioneer women who wanted something better for their families. As Christian women we should never be satisfied with where we are in our Christian walk. Especially as Christian women we need to be courageous wise hearted women and take hold of the opportunities that God sets before us daily. Even though we do not travel in covered wagons across the deserts or in ships across the ocean we can face our days as pioneer women.

1.Pioneer women weren't satisfied where they were (we should never stop being learners)
2.Pioneer women had a vision. (being a wise hearted women in everything)
3.Pioneer women were willing to travel. (it may only be across the street to talk to a neighbor about the Lord)
4.Pioneer women were aware of the hardships that this life can bring. (in this world ye shall have trials and tribulations)
5.Pioneer faced the hardship that came. (I sit my face toward the high calling of God)
6.Pioneer women accomplished much. (little is much when God is in it)
7.Pioneer women worked diligently.
8.Pioneer women lead the way for others. (all of us are leading someone)
9.Pioneer women prepared the way.

The word "courage" is in the words discourage and encourage. It takes no wisdom to discourage someone but we become a wise hearted women when we encourage others. What a challenge to my heart daily to encouraged instead of discourage, to be a courageous wise hearted woman.

Great Team

Recently we had our yearly regional conference where our missionaries come out from their bush location and for several days we get our hearts refreshed by our speaker Neal Burleson. During that time we hear from each of the teams on how the works is going in their location. One team just presented death, burial and resurrection to the people. Another is finishing up literacy and will be begin teaching the Bible soon. and another is into the disciplining stages of teaching. for those of on the support end we were encouraged once again how important our role is in keeping these young couples out in the bush to do what God has called them to do.

A Gathering of Wise Hearted Women

These are some of the highlights we ladies heard from our special speaker, Ruth Patton on the subject of "bearing one another burdens"
** Does the exhortation to "bear one another burdens"throw you into a guilt trip, making you feel that one more things is being expected of you? Or does it instantly get you into the "comparison mode", measuring how well you are doing in relation to others having people over or other acts of kindness?
** Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, the God is our salvation. He already is bearing my daily burdens! No sense both of us bearing them.
** Our daily burdens are tucked into our daily circumstances and each of us face different ones. The enemy loves for us make our circumstances our life instead of Christ being our life.
** Spending time alone with Christ, in His Word, listening to His truth, changes my perspective on what I am going through. As I cast my cares on Him because He cares for me, I get revived.
** Gal. 6:3 says that we are to show love for one another which is the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens. Most of us are people pleaser by nature and tend to think this verse means I should do whatever is needed being done. We all have a hard time saying "no" to people. There are many needs, and we are not asked to meet every one. NOTHING IS HARDER TO BEAR THEN A BURDEN WE ARE NOT CALLED TO CARRY.
** The real key to all this is our time alone with Christ. When we really let go of our own burdens because we embrace with our understanding that He is already carrying the weight of them for us, anyway, THEN we are in a position to look "other-ward". He can reveal to us if He wants us to do something, even if it is a hard thing, then He will empower us to do it. He will renew our strength.
**The hymn to the song, What a Friend We Have In Jesus says it best.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care
Precious Savior still our refuge, Take it to the Lord in prayer
O what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer
**What a blessed time we had a women of God seeking to become "wiser hearted women".

Tony, Tara, Scarlett and funny face Logan