Monday, August 24, 2015

Stung…..

Yesterday, following church we were all at my Aunt Myrna’s house eating Sunday lunch, which is what we all do following our church services each week. It is fun to watch. Picture my Aunt Myrna’s house as the hub and all the planes coming from different places passing through there before taking off for their weekly flights.

Anyway, as we were all sitting out on the back porch eating and catching up on our week, my little 3 year old great nephew was riding his cousin’s little John Deere tractor in the back yard. It wasn’t long before we heard a loud shriek of pain. As I jumped up to look down at him, I saw a large red wasp flying away. He got stung and it was not pretty! My cousin, her boyfriend, and I all headed to the local store for some Benadryl. By the time we got back in the car to head back to the house, my niece and mom passed us with my nephew on their way to the hospital. We pulled in a minute behind them and walked into the emergency room. Our little guy had morphed into a contorted swollen face with a rash solidly covering his upper torso headed to the top of his legs. He could barely see out his little eyes and was itching like crazy. Seriously, it just hurt my heart for him. And there was nothing we could do but make sure he had the medical help he needed. Now that we are aware that he can react to wasp stings this way, we are prepared with our EpiPens and Benadryl. He is much better this morning and we are praising God it wasn’t any worse.

As I think about yesterday, it reminds me of how life happens sometimes. We are just riding along enjoying the day and out of nowhere we get stung! I’m not talking about the things we see coming as a consequence to something we or someone else has done. I’m talking about the stings that come out of nowhere! The ones we aren’t prepared for such as being laid off, a spouse that walks in and announces they want a divorce, the loss of a family member or friend in an accident, a heart attack, etc. You know the kind of sting that makes your insides shriek with a pain that you feel will never stop, the kind that causes you to cry out to God and wonder why. It’s the kind of pain that there is nothing anyone around you can really do anything about except get you to the spiritual hospital and let God do the healing.

Recently we lost a missionary to the tragedy of a car accident while home on stateside furlough. She and her family served in Rome, Italy, alongside some of you that are reading this blog. It is my deepest prayer that God will be allowed to do the healing that only He can in those left behind in this world whether it be family or friends. As I listen to and read the many things shared about Kyra Karr’s life, it doesn’t take long to see that she lived her life for Christ. What a testimony all the way home. Please remember her husband Reid and the three children (all girls).

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Love you all…

His,
Vickie

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Kathmandu Update and More....

This past week my sister sent me a text and asked if I realized that there had been another level 4 earthquake just outside of Kathmandu, Nepal. I told her “no, I had not” and then took time to locate where it was in the country. The continued earthquakes and tremors in that part of the world are something I am very mindful of, but we as a team are not moved away from our belief that God has called us to minister to our missionary women in that part of the world. I am so thankful for this team of women going because they have sought the LORD and believe with me that we are to be on this trip. I say all of that to ask you to pray for us as often as God brings the team to your mind as we continue our preparations. Also, we have 4 spaces still open for team members. If you sense God tugging at your heart, contact me at vickie@purejoyinternational.org.

We have 34 women registered and 8 and ½ of those women sponsored already as of this blog. Thank you so much that you have begun to give toward the sponsorship of the women. I enjoy sharing with you along the way how the LORD is using you and others to meet the needs of the women coming to this retreat. I also am excited as several of you are already making gifts for the women in Kathmandu.
   
Several of the women coming have already shared a little about how difficult things are there because of the earthquakes. On the other hand, the opportunities to invest in the lives of the people have increased. Pray for them as they leave their touch on the hearts of those they come in contact with.

Today, during our discipleship time we heard the sirens going off. At first we thought it was the ambulance and then possibly a fire truck. As soon as we had settled on thinking it was a fire truck, the siren stopped. This was interesting to us because it sounded like it stopped close to Laura’s house, the place we were meeting. So, Laura checked out the garage door and then the front door and, “lo and behold”, the field across from her house was on fire.  We watched as the fire fighters went into action to put the fire out and all the volunteer fire fighters arrived with another truck. Working together they got the fire under control and put it out. They continued to water the field down for good measure.

Can I ask you something today? Are the sirens going off around you?  Is God trying to warn you about something and you haven’t quite figured out what it is yet?  Have you quit hearing the sirens (warning)? If so, have you checked to see if you are in the path of a fire? Have others come through that have noticed the fire and tried to assist in putting it out before it reached your house (life) and brought destruction?

There is something that keeps us from letting others come alongside us sometimes when the sirens (warnings) from the LORD are going off. It is called “pride”.

Proverbs 11:2 (ESV)
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. 

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 

Proverbs 29:23 (ESV)
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. 

Jeremiah 13:17 (ESV)
But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive. 

The inability to ask for help has cost many a good solid believer to lose their homes, marriage, families, ministries, and testimony to others.  May I encourage us today...when you hear the sirens going off...check for a fire.  It doesn’t matter if you know what started it or not...put the fire out first, then discuss it. (Smile)

Love you all and praying for you as a reader of this blog.

His,
Vickie