Upcoming Dates of Interest: September 7th Speaking at the RHEMA Bible Church called to the World LINK Team. 7PM at the Family Activity Center in Broken Arrow, OK
October 7th PRO-Vision Missions Dinner- 5:30PM at Banner of Truth International, Rockford, IL October 9th "BLOOM BOLD!" Women's Mission Event 10:00AM at Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay, WI
October 11th Sharing with Young Women at Door of Life Church in Sister Bay, WI
October 14th-30th Trip to Athens, Greece to help Rev. Spyros Voulgaris in LOGOS Church and the new RHEMA Bible Training Center extension campus opening in Greece.
PRO-Vision for
PRO-Vision
God has already provided the majority of my expenses for my upcoming ministry trips. Even my tickets are already purchased! My heartfelt thanks to the churches and individuals who have already given to make this possible! At this point I am still trusting God for an additional $500 for anticipated expenses. I will need to have this in hand by the time I leave for Greece on October 14th. Anything received above and beyond this amount will remain in a special account designated for future ministry trips. Visit my "Partner with the Vision" page if you are interested in contributing. Thanks for making an eternal investment into the lives of others! Please note that, at this time,
contributions are not tax deductible. Prayer Points
For an ever-increasing revelation of true love
and humility.
For boldness to speak as I ought to speak
For wisdom, protection and health as I travel
For divine connections
in every day Galatians 2:20-
...for it is no longer I that lives but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Welcome to my "Stay Connected" page! I'm back from my most recent overseas assignment to NE Asia! Unfortunately, I was unable to post BLOGs while I was there, but will continue to post regular updates on this page now that I am back. If you are interested in an overview of what took place, simply contact me, provide your mailing address, and I would be glad to send you a newsletter by mail. I'm also preparing for my next overseas trip to Athens, Greece, October 14th-30th. Your taking time to check-in with me here means so much as I know that you're joining me in the journey! I always welcome your comments, too! You can click on the "comments" link at the end of any BLOG entry, or
for general communication, simply click here.
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Although my BLOGs are a great way to stay connected, I also send out a monthly e-newsletter! And be sure to include your physical address as I send out things by regular mail 3-4 times a year as well.
BLOGS are listed with the most current first. To leave a comment, click on "comments" to leave your message and scroll down to the entry fields. After your comment has been reviewed, it may or may not be posted for others to see, but Sarah will be able to read all that are submitted.
Just a quick one today. Last night I got together with a friend of mine for some simple fellowship but also to talk about Greece. She and another friend of mine oversee the Stateside office for Pastor Spyros Voulgaris (Helpers International) who I will be connecting up with in Athens in October. She has also traveled there herself more than once and I knew she would have insights to share.
It was so much more than an "informational meeting", though. I so treasure the relationships God allows me to share with people. We talked about our testimonies and what God has done in our lives over the years, and that in itself was an incredible blessing. But as she shared about the people of Greece and what she knows God desires to do in their lives and in that nation, tears welled up in her eyes. It was the compassion and love of God... HIS heart for them being expressed right there in my midst.
So while the practicalities of the "how to's" and "what not's" were important, it was the opportunity to experience, to capture and to take hold of God's heart for Greece that meant the most to me last night. More than ever, I'm anticipating what God has in store for those two weeks. I go to be His representative to the people. To love them, to learn from them, to experience life with them, and to live and express His life in their midst. Thanks for your prayers as God continues to prepare my heart and theirs for the time I will be there.
The weekend came and went so quickly, but so much took place during the Women of Glory meetings in Arkansas. I learned so much about loving people, taking my authority, embracing my place, and walking in dependence on Him. Each message shared had common threads of knowing who we are in Christ, letting go of the old to take hold of the new, getting rid of weights in our lives to be able to run the race of the changing seasons ahead of us with JOY!
There were moments of seriousness throughout the weekend, but lots of laughter, too. And I believe God used both to bring a renewed freedom in the lives of the women who attended. People received healing in their physical bodies as well as release from some other burdens that had been holding them back. There is a new determination to see ourselves as He sees us and to be the Women of Glory He's created us to be!
I helped with some of the more technical aspects of the weekend as the "official" sound person. It was a new experience for me, and without any true expertise in the area, the Lord really helped me to be creative in some of the microphone set-ups for the ladies. And in the same way that I leaned on Him for help in that area, there was a fresh place of leaning on Him when I shared on Saturday morning as well. I exhorted the ladies to live their daily lives out of the overflow of remaining in constant communion and fellowship with Him. Knowing Him is the principle thing!
Whether they were speaking or attending, every woman in those meetings with a relationship with the Lord... and every person reading this BLOG... has a treasure on the inside just waiting to be shared. The treasure in these earthen vessels of ours is Him, and I encourage you today to take time to be conscious of His presence within you. His love changes everything... in you and around you... so live loved today!
It's been a great weekend of learning, sharing and connecting... and ending today with the purchase of my tickets to Greece! I'll leave October 14th and return on the 30th.
But some other great things happened this weekend, too. Victory Church in Tulsa, OK has an annual conference called "Word Explosion". (You can watch services by visiting http://www.victory.com/watch.php) While the conference officially began on Saturday night, Friday and Saturday are also known as "Missions Explosion" where they hosted a missions conference for those who are serving on the field or are simply interested in what missions is all about. I was able to attend both days and gleaned a lot of valuable information... much of it practical... and also made some God-connections along the way. I reconnected with friends I knew as well as made some new ones. I take great joy in seeing the Body of Christ committed to working together in unity.
One of the things that struck me was the number of missionaries who were more in need of PEOPLE provision than they were in financial provision. There is such a need for people with all kinds of skills... spiritual and practical... to come alongside ministries already established overseas. That's why I take great joy in doing what God has called me to do... going where He leads to be PRO-Vision for people... encouraging and supporting them in the vision God has given them. Athens, Greece will be my next opportunity to do just that. Maybe He would have you to be a PRO-Visionary Missionary for a couple weeks somewhere, too!
In just the last few days my time in Greece has been confirmed and I've had doors open to share in three other places. I am joyful at the opportunities. The Lord had laid it on my heart that I would be doing more traveling and sharing in the States this next year and a half, but to see that beginning to unfold causes me to stand in awe of His faithfulness yet again. He's put things on the inside to be shared- through the Word, through my testimony, by His grace- and He is leading me to people and places to do just that. Even in 1:1 conversation with people, He is in the midst and speaking. It's so wonderful! HE is so wonderful!
So much has happened in the last week, and in the midst I hold fast to the simple reminder that He gave me a few days ago... The principle thing is knowing Him! Everything else flows from that. It's interesting. I was finishing up my newsletter to send out and thinking about putting updates here on the website, too, and in some ways I didn't want to do it. I thought to myself, "I don't want to 'boast' about what HAS happened or 'boast' about what is GOING to happen. I only want to boast in HIM!" And yet the Lord corrected me... In sharing here or in a newsletter, I'm allowing others to be a part, and in reality I AM boasting about Him and what HE is doing. Not only that, but I know it's important to share because for all who pray or give financially or take an interest through following my journey with Him... all of these are sharers in the joy of what God is doing, too, and they (YOU!) need to see what you are a part of.
If you don't get a newsletter in the mail by next week, it's because I don't have your mailing address. If you'd like to receive a copy, feel free to e-mail me and I'd be glad to send you one. For now, I'm lifting up in prayer all who may read this BLOG entry... that God would continue to unveil His great love and marvelous plan for your life. We are co-laborers together with Him!
It's hard to capture all that could be shared about RHEMA's Campmeeting services that ended this last Saturday! The best thing would be to watch the services yourself, but in a nutshell, we were challenged to step up in many areas through the week as we were encouraged in our faith and in our individual callings. It really is a new season to be stirred to action and to stand firm in our faith. I'm thankful for the solid Rock of the Lord and His Word that never changes!
Today I attended one of the sessions at World Outreach's "Fire for the Nations" (FFTN) Missions Conference as well. A number of the missionaries they support shared vision, photos and testimonies of what God is doing in their region of the world. Those things always stir my heart, as well. Many times we don't realize what God is doing in and through people EVERYWHERE! The couple from NE Asia whose office I oversee will also be back tomorrow. It will be good to get caught up on what has been happening there as well.
This weekend, the team for the Women of Glory conference will be meeting to pray and prepare for the upcoming meetings in Bentonville, Arkansas, August 19th-21st. Cindy McKinney is leading and coordinating these meetings and I'm looking forward to being a part. There are many things stirring on the inside, these days, and I believe some of those things will be able to be shared that weekend.
This last weekend I traveled to Siloam Springs, AR to be part of a monthly gathering of some area churches as they pray for the Body of Christ and the NW Arkansas region. My heart has still been stirred to be praying regularly for the Body of Christ as a whole, and this was another good outlet for that. I love to see different churches joining together for His purposes, too. Outreach Center, where the event was being hosted, also has a huge heart for missions and the world.
Each month they gather for their "Kingdom Come" services, the flow is a little different. This time, the person leading shared that the direction we would be going in was to declare things through giving testimony. Not only was it encouraging, but it was also powerful. And without anyone planning it, by the end we recognized a common theme in the testimonies. In a nutshell, two words can capture it... Hope and Old. I know that may seem strange, but testimony after testimony told of family members who were elderly finally giving their lives to the Lord after years of standing for their salvation. There were other testimonies of elderly people being healed and their recognizing "God still has an assignment for me here".
One of my favorites spoke of a women who's husband passed away when she was in her late 60's. Not long after the Lord spoke to her heart and told her that now was the time for her to go overseas. She had always wanted to be involved in missions, but her husband had not wanted to be involved in anything like that so she never went. Now God was asking her to go and she said, "Now, Lord? Do you realize how old I am?" But God DID know what he was doing, and she served the next 20+ years on the field until her death in her late 80's.
I remember the Lord once speaking so clearly to me that there would come a day when there would be no unused members in the Body of Christ... from the youngest to the oldest, all would work together in being co-laborers with Him. So be encouraged. Whether it's a loved one who has yet to receive the Lord or if you're wondering if there's anything for you to do in His Kingdom work, it's not too late, and you're never to old!
Well… the pace in Illinois always tends to be quite a bit faster than Wisconsin, and my time in Rockford is already done! With my mom, grandparents, sister, nieces and nephews, and lots of friends and church family in the area, the time fills up and flies by quickly! It’s been 11 days of celebration, though.
First, I was able to spend time with my 2- and 4-year old cousins (and their mom and dad, too!) on my way to Rockford. I hadn’t seen the youngest since he was just a baby, and although the visit was brief, it was so good to spend the time that we did.
Baking birthday chocolate lava cakes with the boys! Guess who got to lick the beaters? :^)
I got to Rockford just in time to be there for my Mom’s birthday, too. My nephews and I spent time baking and then my nieces did a beautiful job with decorations. It was a day filled with flowers for my Mom, too… and I was so thankful to be a part of it all.
Sunday brought a wonderful 4th of July service where we declared our DEPENDENCE on God followed by our church picnic at the Evan’s farm and fireworks with Grammie and Grandpa. And the celebrating continued the next week when we had a birthday bowling party for one of my nephews.
My beautiful mom with some of her birthday flowers.
Meals with mom, outings with my grandparents, fellowship with friends, special times in the park with my nieces, and a beautiful wedding yesterday all carried on with the festivities and full schedule… and God takes delight in our making time for seasons like these, too.
He’s also continued to give opportunities to encourage and exhort, along the way. I was able to share briefly with House of Refuge Church and Banner of Truth Family Church today and afterwards met some precious people who also have missions on their heart. Even tonight, after a side trip to St. Joseph, IL to hear Patsy Cameneti share, I met another young lady who has a heart for Asia and is considering going to RHEMA for missions training at some point. I love how God causes our paths to cross with people of like hearts!
Now I’m on my way back to Tulsa. The couple I help in Asia will be back to the States in a couple weeks, and while I’ve been doing things for them even while I’ve been up north, there will be more to put my hands to for them when I return. I’ll also be putting together my summer newsletter to mail out when I get back. I know many people have been asking for more details on the trip I took this past Spring, and those will be included with the mailing. Remember, I will only be able to send that out via regular mail, so if you don’t think I have your current mailing address, please e-mail that to me soon!
My niece being prayed for before her baptism by immersion.
Tomorrow I make my “official” transition to Rockford, IL for my visit there. I actually went down on Saturday to be there for my niece’s baptism, though… a quick turn around, but well worth the trip. (Having a new vehicle has already proven to be a major blessing!) Once again, I’m thankful that I can be close enough to home for some of these milestone events for family. Being overseas… and even being 12 hours away in Tulsa when I’m stateside… causes me to miss out on certain family celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries. A baptism only happens once, though, and it was a touching service for all who were involved. My Grandpa, who turns 90 this November, was in tears to be able to witness his first great-grandchild make a public declaration of her faith in Jesus Christ. He wasn’t the only one… And we look forward to the day when the others will make that most-important life-decision, too.
Preparing the soil to sow the seeds!
My final days here in Wisconsin have been spent focusing on the yard, although there have still been some odds and ends around the house. Really this is phase one, but it’s been a very fruitful time. There have been a number of things that my Dad could not physically do by himself, and it meant so much for him to allow me to come and do those things for him that he could not do on his own. I know it was not always easy for him, but his being willing to receive what I came to offer actually ministered to me and brought me joy… and I believe blessed him as well.
It’s been yet another parallel that God has shown me through my time here. In so many ways, that’s why God sent Jesus. He came to do spiritually what was impossible for us to do on our own. It’s genuine humility to come to the point of realizing that we can’t do things on our own and to receive the gifts He offers to us, but in doing so, we actually minister to the Lord and bring Him joy simply because we receive the love He so freely gives. And dependence on Him is not just for our salvation, but a daily necessity… that brings daily delight… both to Him and to us.
Now that I’m leaving, what my Dad will need to do is to maintain… that is that part that he CAN do. But I’m so grateful that when it comes to spiritual things that while there are things that God asks us to do that we CAN do to maintain our fellowship with Him, it’s still His grace and strength and indwelling presence that enables us TO do what we CAN do. Philippians 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed my suggestions, so now, not only with the enthusiasm that you would show in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out your own salvation with reverence, awe and trembling. NOT IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH, for it is Christ all the while effectually at work in you, energizing and creating in you the power and desire both to will and work for His good pleasure, satisfaction and delight.”
Thank you, Father, for this time you have given to me, for the lessons you have taught me, and for your presence that goes with me even as I leave this place…
This trip has certainly been an adventure… and the Door County, WI leg of it has one week to go! Much has happened since I last wrote. There’s been a lot of work, a couple side journeys… but the car searching is done! I am now the proud owner of a 2002 Toyota Highlander… although in my heart I consider it the Lord’s vehicle for His purposes. He orchestrated a lot to get the vehicle into my hands… too long of a story to share everything here… but thanks to a friend in the Chicago area who could go check it out, a 5AM- four-hour- beat-the-clock road trip with my Dad, and the favor of God evident again and again, it’s official!
On our way home from Michigan.
In the midst of the work being done in the house, Dad and I also have had some refreshing times built in. We took a spontaneous 2-day trip to Michigan to be there as my Uncle and Aunt celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary and got back to Door County in time to enjoy a relaxing Father’s Day with church, a special Norwegian lunch, and wildflower hunting.
The message at Door of Life church was an especially timely one as Pastor Ed House shared on “Transition”. It was perfect for both my Dad and myself in new seasons we’re stepping in to. And the theme scripture for my time up north was one of the verses that came up as well… Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you and the thoughts I think toward you,” says the Lord, “They are plans for peace and not for evil, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, good plans for your future and to give you hope in your expected outcome.”
I’m on day five of my time in Door County already. The routine is so different here. In so many ways it’s like another missions experience. That being said, I’m mindful of needing to guard my time with the Lord… keeping Him at the center of all. God spoke much and did much in these last two months I’ve been home, in part to equip me for the time I will be here. I want His purpose to prevail in every day… in every encounter… in every task.
I am here on a mission, of sorts… cleaning, yard work, sorting through Grandma’s things, encouraging my Dad in this new season of his life. A friend and I used to joke that everything was missions training… that daily life was preparing us FOR the missions field. I think a better perspective and truer reality, though, is that daily life IS our missions field—whether we’re at home, down the street, on the job or overseas.
In so many lives, cleaning and sorting are being done on a lot of levels lately, but the most important work to be done is a work of the heart, and only God really knows how to work with the heart. I’ve been asking God to continue teaching me in this time, too… and He is. There are always so many parallels in the natural to spiritual things, and God can speak through trimming out dead branches from the bridal wreath bush in the backyard, or in cleaning years of build up off the kitchen cabinet doors, or in a myriad of other ways. I’m so thankful for His presence and that He teaches us through both His Word and through daily experience.
It’s amazing how much the principles I learned in missions school apply to daily life. Love and humility, again, are the keys. Just like I wouldn’t go into a foreign place thinking I “know it all” (which I certainly don’t!) and that I can “fix everything” with “my ideas” that are “best”, I have to be mindful not to have a similar attitude wherever I am… including here. I may not choose to do certain things like other people, but it’s important to focus on the majors and not the minors, and love does not insist on its own way.
Jesus came to love and to serve, and so do I. Help me to do it well while I'm here, Lord...
That's me rescuing a turtle on my camping trip in Arkansas. Sometimes even turtles can use a helping hand!
The last couple weeks have been full of incredible God-connections with precious friends. I am so thankful to be part of the Body of Christ! We need one another… to sharpen, encourage, comfort, correct… and simply to be in fellowship and enjoy each other just like the Father enjoys spending time with us! I consider myself incredibly blessed to know so many people with a love for the Lord. Lunches, prayer times, “coffee”, even camping… all have been part of these last few weeks, and I’m thankful. The end of the school year at RHEMA usually means a lot of people are transitioning to new places, too. They can be bittersweet times because those we’ve come to cherish are moving away, but mostly I rejoice because I know people are simply stepping into what God has for them in a new season… and we all need to be in our place!
I was also asked to do another balloon training for a RHEMA team who will be going to Kenya later this month. I’ve really come to love doing that. Once again I brought the evangelism message to pass on, and as God would have it, it matched up perfectly with an assignment they knew they would have with some kids for part of the trip. God is so good! When I was in Asia this last time, I’d also learned how to do a few new animals… like elephants and giraffes… just perfect for where they will be in Africa. God sees ahead and He provides… PRO-Vision!!
Now I’m preparing to take a trip north to spend time with family. It’s a been a year since my Grandma passed away, and so I’m going to be spending about three weeks with my Dad in Wisconsin to help with things in the house and to go through some of Grandma’s things. It means so much that my Father God has made this opportunity available. It was challenging to be on the other side of the world when my Grandma passed away… far from family during an important time… but this trip will be a gift in so many ways. I’ll be able to spend about 10 days with my family in Illinois, as well.
God cares about the things that are important to us and like an old song says, He makes a way where there seems no way. Just like when I go overseas, I’m trusting that while I know some of the good things He has prepared for this trip, that it will be far more than I even know. I’m also still on the hunt for a vehicle but after lots of research have narrowed it down to a Toyota Highlander. It has been quite a learning process… and faith walk… for sure, but it’s been good. I’d like to have a vehicle before returning to Tulsa in July, so thanks for standing with me! I know He has the right one out there for me!
My days have been so full of joy it’s almost overwhelming! It’s the overflow of taking my place in Him. I was reading today that He is my exceeding great joy, and when I looked at the Strongs in that verse it was amazing. In essence, it reminded me of the truth of His works being “exceeding, abundant, above and beyond all you could ever dare to ask, hope or think… according to His power that is at work in you”. And, oh, the laughter! There have been times when I have been laughing in the Holy Spirit… with a motivation that comes from down deep and carries with it a power. Other times, though, it’s just a bubbling up of joy all through my day. With joy I draw water from the wells of salvation!
This week I made some major steps toward purchasing a car, too. I know in my heart that I will be in the States more in the next 18-24 months (even though I will still be taking shorter-term overseas trips) and so I need a vehicle. I’d given my vehicle away prior to going overseas last year but now it’s been stirring more and more in my heart to be ready to do some traveling Stateside while I’m here, so I’m in the process of looking for an appropriate vehicle. It’s definitely been a faith project for me, but at each step, I’m following the promptings of the Lord. The vehicles I’m looking at are beyond my natural means, but that’s actually part of what stirs my joy and excitement! God started it. He’ll finish it. And He will receive great glory because while it is impossible for me alone, with Him all things are possible because I believe and trust Him. It will be fun to see what He does!
RHEMA graduation was also on Friday. I knew a lot of the international students who were graduating and felt a special connection with the School of World Missions group too, so it was wonderful to be a part of celebrating this milestone with them. As a RHEMA graduate myself, commencement services are always a special reminder of my own graduation day and the charge given to our class to go forth into this generation. “…I was trained so that so the world I could go, RHEMA taught me what I needed to know… It’s the Word and the Spirit the sweet Holy Ghost, a light to the nations, a glorious hope. I will not forget my foundation- the years I spent at RHEMA. I’ve learned the truth so I’ll carry the flame and I’ll go… never the same….”
What joy these last weeks have brought! It’s been so refreshing to get into somewhat of a “normal” routine, and part of the “norm” has been setting aside more time for prayer. I’ve had such a burden to pray for the Body of Christ… an assignment that I believe I’ve had for a long time… and it is so fulfilling to be “in my place” in being obedient to MAKE the time to do it! The Lord has been teaching, molding, and shaping me more through the process, too.
This really has been a season of refining and defining. Recently I took incredible joy in recognizing how I am a seed planter… a catalyst. Many times I plant an idea, or train in an area, or help others to get started with something new, but then they take it forth and it multiplies. And yet I have the privilege of being a part, even if I’m not the one “doing”!
This came especially clear this last week. At the Wednesday night service, someone who had been on the short-term Columbia missions trip approached me. “You’re the one who taught us the balloons, right? I have to tell you about what happened!” I’d done balloon animal training with them before I left for Asia, and one of the things I passed on (a seed planted) was an evangelistic message that could be done with the balloons. The Lord had given me the idea for it when I was in Peru, but I was never able to do it in front of the kids. It was the same thing when I was in Australia and the same thing when I was in Asia. In all these places, I’ve been able to do other things with balloons, but never the message. But in training others with it, they WERE able to use it. She went on to tell me the story of how they'd had an opportunity to go into a public school and that before they even gave an official altar call that kids all over began raising their hands to accept Jesus! Oh how that blessed me to hear! A seed planted reaped a harvest in a place I’ve never been and may never go, and yet God still allowed me to be a part of what He did there! And as I left church that day, I saw the man from the church who had taught all of us who went to Peru how to make balloon animals driving out of the parking lot and I thought, “And it all started because HE planted a seed in ME!” I was overjoyed.
Talking with the woman who had gone on the Columbia trip gave me a deeper appreciation of the impact all of us can have… in the lives around us, and in lives around the world. Whether we are sowing seeds of finances, time or talent… or even seeds of a hug, a smile, or a listening ear… we usually never know the wider-spread impact that it can have. We ALL can be seed planters… and experience the joy that comes in the giving. What seeds will YOU sow today?
My heart is stirred in so many ways. The Women of Glory Conference was a great blessing to be a part of. I believe God worked things into the hearts of all who attended… including myself. Each of the messages were distinct and yet connected as a whole. We were able to spend time praying on the University of Arkansas campus as well.
So much of what the weekend touched on was arising and taking our place in the Body… not drawing back from the things He has called us to do. Part of that, for me, was actually sharing in the conference. It’s been stirring more and more in my heart about being a voice for Him… proclaiming His Word. It’s part of what PRO-Vision has always been about. Coming alongside people and being a support to (PRO, in favor of) the vision God has given them will always be a facet of what PRO-Vision is, but proclaiming His Word in order to help people SEE themselves (and others) as God sees them, that’s being PRO-Vision as well.
Although I’ve had opportunities to teach, exhort and share, this women’s conference was an even more significant opportunity to step in to what He desires to do through my life in impacting lives for Him. Just before the conference, a friend wrote and told me that she felt like the Lord was shifting the direction of her prayer for me from “blooming boldly” to instead pray that “the blooms I PLANT will be rooted and grounded, growing up into the full stature and measure of fruitfulness He has for them to accomplish in and for His Kingdom”. What joy that brought to me! That as He continues to have impact IN my life, that in remaining consecrated to Him that He will work with me to have impact on others THROUGH my life. More than ever, I recognize that it has absolutely nothing to do with me… that the treasure in this earthen vessel is Christ, and it’s Jesus Christ that I proclaim!
I’m still walking out what that all looks like… and it will be a life-long journey with Him… but I take great delight in knowing the One in Whom I confidently place my trust along the way. He truly is my all in all… my everything. As the theme of Women of Glory proclaimed… “I am a woman of Glory. I am arising with faith in God’s Word. I am arising with God’s power. I am arising in God’s Love. I am affecting change and igniting revival in this generation!”
I arrived back in Tulsa two days ago. God’s grace is always so apparent with my travels. I am always able to rest well on long flights and things go smoothly. I flew from Jakarta to Tokyo to Los Angeles to Dallas to Tulsa. So many connections this time were a little taxing, but I still did well, especially considering that I was having significant physical challenges just prior to my coming home. God is faithful.
One unique experience coming home was when I arrived in LA and went through customs. The customs officer didn’t think I looked like my passport picture! As a result, I was asked all kinds of questions to verify my identity. It was a very strange “welcome home,” I must say!
As God always reveals, I found purpose in being in Indonesia for the short time that I was. Some was personal. I remember talking to a friend in ministry prior to my leaving to go overseas and telling her that I didn’t know why I was going all the way to Indonesia, but that I knew it was in God's plan and that I trusted He would show me. Her response was not what I’d expected. “Maybe He just wants you to rest.” It was a unique perspective and one I hadn’t considered! And He did use part of that time as a refreshing place for me both through the Word that was shared and ministry that took place. The last day of the retreat was especially significant in that regard. But there was more purpose than just that, too. As God so often does, there were specific people that He had ordained for me to connect with and minister to. I love how He sends us for the “ones”!
Tomorrow I leave for Arkansas to minister at the McKinney International Women of Glory Conference. My friend Cindy contacted me a couple weeks before coming home to ask if I would speak. I believe God has something to share through each of the speakers, and I’m looking forward to being a part. After the conference I will be spending a few days at a prayer cottage there in Arkansas as well. It will be a time set aside with God to look back on this last trip and get refreshed for what’s ahead. I’m thankful!
My heart is stirred in so many ways. The Women of Glory Conference was a great blessing to be a part of. I believe God worked things into the hearts of all who attended… including myself. Each of the messages were distinct and yet connected as a whole. We were able to spend time praying on the University of Arkansas campus as well.
Although I’ve had opportunities to teach, exhort and share, this women’s conference was an even more significant opportunity to step in to what He desires to do through my life in impacting lives for Him. Just before the conference, a friend wrote and told me that she felt like the Lord was shifting the direction of her prayer for me from “blooming boldly” to instead pray that “the blooms I PLANT will be rooted and grounded, growing up into the full stature and measure of fruitfulness He has for them to accomplish in and for His Kingdom”. What joy that brought to me! That as He continues to have impact IN my life, that in remaining consecrated to Him that He will work with me to have impact on others THROUGH my life. More than ever, I recognize that it has absolutely nothing to do with me… that the treasure in this earthen vessel is Christ, and it’s Jesus Christ that I proclaim! 
As God always reveals, I found purpose in being in Indonesia for the short time that I was. Some was personal. I remember talking to a friend in ministry prior to my leaving to go overseas and telling her that I didn’t know why I was going all the way to Indonesia, but that I knew it was in God's plan and that I trusted He would show me. Her response was not what I’d expected. “Maybe He just wants you to rest.” It was a unique perspective and one I hadn’t considered! And He did use part of that time as a refreshing place for me both through the Word that was shared and ministry that took place. The last day of the retreat was especially significant in that regard. But there was more purpose than just that, too. As God so often does, there were specific people that He had ordained for me to connect with and minister to. I love how He sends us for the “ones”!