Plain and Simple

Jesus - - - me

He must become greater; I must become less.

John 3:30

socks...

It has been a busy couple of days. Fall semester has begun where I teach. There have been meetings, luncheons, preparation for class and the first session of courses to contend with. The students are back. The campus is a buzz. And the leaves have even started to fall! 

I have been praying about what to write on the blog because I know I have been gone from this for a bit. I kept thinking God would put some heavy duty lesson on my  heart...maybe connect it to this new start to fall semester...maybe to something one of my students' said or did...maybe to the beginning of football season...

...but nothing like that...

Only one image kept going through my mind...socks! 

Socks! I suppose it might have something to do with fall because as I looked at my cowboy boots this week I thought, "Oh I can't wait to wear fall clothes again!" And then, as the chill in the air hit during the evening this week, and I slid a pair of my favorite socks onto my toes, the lesson came...

BLESSING!  

Yep...blessing!  Socks are truly a blessing! 

You see right now my basement is full of donated shoes that will eventually adorn the feet of over 80 orphaned children in Africa. For many, it will be the first pair of shoes they have ever seen, let alone wore!

So then it hit me...as the comfy, cozy pair of socks wrapped my feet...some people don't even know what socks are!!!  It is simply a miracle for them to get shoes, let alone socks!

How blessed are we???  Wow! The things we simply take for granted, things we don't even think about, things we would not even ponder not having! I will never look at my socks in the same way again!

Socks...who would have thought?   

God can literally change my mind with the simplest of things!

She writes! He laughs!

Tears of joy flow from my face as I see the incredible picture of Lucy holding a pencil to paper and little Moses laughing in his caregiver's arms! 

WOW!  Our God is an amazing God!

He does sustain and protect the orphans and all of us!

He is the great physician, the great provider, the great healer, the great comforter, the great and mighty Father!!!

"I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy!"

Psalm 140:12

This picture just exemplifies that verse doesn't it???? I just love it when God allows us the picture of the Bible coming to life in our lives!!!!! WOW!

The Jog...

So I have been jogging. It isn't my favorite activity, but at age 40, it is something I hope will keep my heart pumping!! And it also is a time for me to be alone, listen to music, and pray.

Last week Doug decided he would jog with me on occasion. So the first night we started out and he ran slightly behind me, each of us with music crankin in our ipods. He was very generous in keeping at my pace, but I just couldn't focus on my run. I kept wondering if he was keeping up, if he was wishing I would go faster, if he was trying to say something to me. My mind was off track and my jog suffered.

The next evening we went out again and while I loved the romanticism of my husband and I jogging through  town side by side, wind blowing in my hair, my calves getting tighter and more muscular by the moment...I just couldn't focus on my run when he was with me.

So, the next evening, I politely asked if he would mind running next to me instead of behind me. I thought at least if I could see him and feel him beside me, then I would be able to focus. It started out ok, but I still was having trouble with the run. About midway through our run, we came to a small portion of sidewalk and Doug began running in front of me.

It was like a whole new world! I could see him! I could follow him! I could tell if he was turned around trying to tell me something! I could follow his pace and let him lead! I could focus and pray and enjoy my run again!!!

I was thinking this is similar to my walk with Christ. You see, when I just let Christ lead, it all goes as planned. He doesn't want to go at my pace...Dear Lord, I would wear Him out!! He doesn't want to follow me! He wants me to follow Him! He wants me to be able to see and hear when He is trying to tell me something! He wants to led me through the mud puddles and obstacles in the path of life!

Jogging together with Doug has been great since I have let him lead...and you know what...the same is true when I give up the lead to Christ!

"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

Exodus 15:13

Lucy with Sam

A little blury...but this is Lucy getting the attention at The Covering! The boy in front of her is Sam. He is the boy who escaped the horrendous orphanage they were all in and walked miles to the hotel The Raining Season team was staying at to get help. He literally risked his life for the kids there, and Lucy was one of them! Today they were reunited at The Covering!!! Such a beautiful picture!

PRINCESS....

We were heading into the house after a long day of shopping. Faith was two at the time and she was lagging behind a bit...diddle dallying to look at something in the van. She finally made her way to the driveway but as I stood at the open door, holding umpteen bags of groceries, I said, "Faith, come on honey...let's go..."

She stopped square in the driveway, flung the wispy blonde bang out of her bright blue eyes, put her hand on her hip and said in the sternest voice a two year old can muster, "Mommy! I told you my name is PRINCESS!" 

Oh...I love that girl...and that nickname has stuck with her ever since. Just last night as I tucked her into bed I prayed for her, for the girl she would become, for the man she might marry some day, for our day today and for our new family and friends across the miles in Africa. Then I kissed her gently on the forehead and said, "Good night Princess!"

Read the update below from Cari who is living in Sierra Leone:

"On a completely separate note, Lucy came home today. She is smiling and happy. It was fun to watch Sam, Betty and Fallah greet her and play with her. She has a small plastic, red chair that she sits in like it's her very own throne. That and her hot pink cell phone, purse, and napkin use after every bite of food earned her a new middle name...Princess."

Call it coincidence. Call it what you like. We are calling it God's hand in our lives...the little princess was meant to be a part of our hearts!!!!

And the best part is knowing that we are all daughters of the KING, Jesus!

Hoping to get more updates soon...
Jen

That Pesky Fly...

I am sitting here at my kitchen counter, enjoying the delightful taste of Starbucks new Via iced coffee....mmmmm....caramel machiatto...smooth, refreshing, tasty! 

Bzzzz....swat!
Bzzzz...swat!

That pesky fly!!!  This thing is the biggest fly I have ever seen! It almost sounds like a bee buzzing around the kitchen. I can't stand it! 

Seriously...why did God create flies????

I started thinking about my best friend from my time at Iowa State. We just had lunch together. I so enjoy that time with her. We share what's going on in our lives, laugh about our children, and pray with each other. She is a woman of courage. A woman of faith. A woman of conviction and insight and love.

And - I venture to say she won't mind me saying this - well, I pray that she won't mind - but she was also a fly at one time!

When we first met years ago, we were sharing a dimly lit room in the basement of a building in central campus. She had one child. I had three. She was going to become a therapist. I wanted to be a college professor. She drank alcohol and swore. I was helping plant a church.

I hated going to my office! To me, at the time, she was a fly...pesky and bothersome...when all I wanted to do was get work done, get my Ph.D. and get on with life...she was there...in the room...buzzing around...bothering my plans!

But you see...God taught me something...He taught me that everything...everyone....He creates has a purpose!  He taught me that it wasn't about my plans but rather about His plans! Slowly I saw the inside of my co-worker. She shared her heart. I shared my story. She shared her sorrow. I shared scripture. She shared her life. I became a part of it! 

Did you know that flies have a purpose? There are thousands of different kinds of flies in the world. Some help spread pollen from flower to flower. Some flies help dead things rot away. Others enrich the soil. Flies have a purpose. They do more than buzz around the kitchen! There is more to them than what I see on the outside!

So you see, that fly in your life...the one buzzing around your head as you simply try to enjoy your latte...

well, God has a purpose for it - for him - for her - Step up sister and find the purpose!

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters."

Psalm 24:1-2

Our Story...

LUCY!

LUCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday Hoops t-shirt from her daddy in the U.S.

Toys from her big sister...

Love from us all....

She is a fighter...continue to pray for God's healing hand on her and the other children!

1 Samuel 13:16

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!"

What a Day!

I am trying like crazy to get pictures posted of Lucy but it is not working...you will have to go to Cari's blog:
http://adventuresinlistening.blogspot.com/

Be sure to check out her t-shirt...a holiday hoops shirt from Doug! And...the toys that Faith gave me in Feb. to give to her!!!!

Dear Lord...you are an amazing God! WOW! On our knees praising your holy name!

A verse from God today in Malachi 3: 16-18 "On the day when I act, they will bemy own special treasure. I will spare them as the father spares an obedient and dutiful child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve and those who do not."

The people of Sierra Leone are seeing GOD today in our love of His children!!!! AMEN!!!

God's kids...

 

They are at the hospital. Doctor believes they are extremely malnourished! Getting them fluids, x-rays, etc...

Keep Praying!!!!

Today!!!

Today the Lord has shown His face!
Today He has renewed the strength!
Today He has saved the outcast for His plan!

Today...

Today I awoke to two frantic text messages from my friend Tina. She needed me to call immediately! The news she would share would bring a flood of emotions! Tears stream from my face as I type!


Today...our little Lucy is officially the 82nd child to be placed in the care of The Covering orphanage! A little guy named Moses will join her as number 83! Today, she is being wrapped in the arms of our strong male caregivers as they transport her to a wonderful hospital the Lord provided!  Today she will feel love and warmth and care! Today she will begin a journey in a home where Christ is preached and love is felt!

Just think about that...this little girl who stole our hearts over a year ago...has NEVER felt the arms of a strong man. This little girl has NEVER had medical care. Today...today...she will get both!!!

My heart is pounding at the thought of God's hand in this journey!  He is so faithful! He is so good! He only asks for our faith and obedience!

Today....we need to raise the money to continue the care and support of Lucy! It is difficult for Doug and I to ask for help. We want to do it ourselves. We want to sell everything, give it all, and yet...God is calling others to join us. I can't imagine if my friend Tina would not have swallowed her pride and invited me to the journey of Lucy.

So today...today I ask for your help!  We need prayer! Please join us in claiming 1 Samuel 13:16 "Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes." Pray that God would provide knowledge to the pediatricians and nurses. Pray that God would heal Geraldine so she can return as Lucy's caregiver. Pray that God would smooth our adoption process and bring a healthy Lucy to us in the United States.

We need funds! $30 a day is what it will cost us to provide the hospital care! Please take a moment and consider helping us defray the costs of her care. Her life and the life of Moses will forever be changed by this day. Won't you please consider being a part of this?

"Today is the day the Lord has made! We will rejoice in it and be glad!!!"

Let us know you are praying by commenting below.
You may send donations to:

The Raining Season 1608 Boulder Drive, Sartell, MN 56377. Just mark your check "Lucy".
or you can donate online at www.therainingseason.org

the lull....

So, it has been a while since I have posted...no, my 40th did not knock me down or anything like that...I think I just have been busy with life and also somewhat in a lull...

A lull...there just hasn't been anything slapping me in the face that seemed worthy of writing about...nothing jumping off the page...nothing taking my breath away...

I mean don't get me wrong...a lot has been happening...big stuff...good stuff...great stuff...

My brother is quoting scripture to me on the phone!
Our little Lucy is going to be moved to The Covering Orphanage next week!
The Raining Season had a container DONATED to them to carry goods to Africa!
My boys started football and just look so cute in their full pads, eye black and helmets!
My husband jumped 100% fully on board with adoption!
My father's cancer has shrunk and his physical healing is beginning to match his fabulous spiritual healing!
My little nephew had a successful surgery on his ear drum.
I have had great conversations about Christ with college kids, and friends, and co-workers.

Lots of good stuff! Great stuff really!

But just writer's-block as they call it.

And then today, today...the words lept off the page at me...

Psalm 148 verse 1 was all I needed to see...


"Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above!"

JUST PRAISE HIM! Today, this day, no matter what the circumstances, no matter where your heart is, no matter how lousy things look around you...find the good my friend...see the glory...look for His touch, His whisper, His call...step out of the lull....PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM!