True Riches

Last Saturday I had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with Yuki, the international student I am privileged to host for meals. Praise the Lord! May she surrender her life completely to the Lord. If there has been any doubt as to whether or not I have been a good steward in my financial plight, those doubts should be laid to rest. Why's that? Luke 16:11 says, "If you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon (material things, especially money), who will entrust the true riches to you?" Since the Lord has obviously entrusted me with the true riches in Yuki's life, I can conclude that He must consider me faithful in the use of money and other material things. Praise His Name! I'm also feeling more freedom at church. Praise the Lord for that, too! I had the privilege of visiting new parents and their newborn son in the hospital last Wednesday. Life has a better feel to it, and I'm very thankful.

Progress Report

I had an international student over for lunch and the afternoon on Saturday. We looked at my photo albums and did origami. She listened to stories about my life, including missions, lessons learned, and how God answers prayer. She wants to do more! Praise the Lord! Please pray for the Lord to open her heart to receive Him. I've seen a doctor and have other related appointments. I have taken first steps towards rehabilitation. Please pray. I'm still looking for employment, and am exploring additional ministry opportunities at church. Joni & Friends website has alot of resource listings.

Going Forward

The Sunday morning message this past Sunday was about going into the promised land, as opposed to going back to Egypt. This has great relevance for me. There are those who would tell me to go on disability. To me, this would be "going back to Egypt." It's not about disability. It's about hope, and obedience. I have a new doctor who will help me along towards rehabilitation. Praise the Lord! I have been going to training for a new job, too, although I am not sure this is the job the Lord wants me to have. It could lock me into an agreement that would give me no more income than I've had before. And it could prevent me from getting another job during the agreement period, unless, perhaps, it would be another part-time job. It would also prevent me from going to evening church meetings, except Sunday. Many decisions. I had a "date" with my brother on Monday. I thank God for my brothers.

New Beginnings

Since I last posted a blog, I have had one job interview, and a hopeful contact at a local school corporation. The interview was about a job that would involve late afternoons and evenings. This would take away all the church meetings I attend during the week. There are a number of drawbacks, but it would be better than nothing, which is what I have now. The position is similar to tutoring. The latter (with the school corp) has to do with working with special needs kids, one of my favorite things to do. It also has few, if any, of the drawbacks the first job has. But I need an offer! I am also searching for another doctor. Not every Christian doctor is on the same page, and I need one who is willing to respect the decisions my family and I make. I am grateful to have a family and friends who stand behind me. God is so good! Hope is vital to a person's well- being. Give no one the right to destroy that! Family and friends are important, too. I am hopeful of a real job in 2007. If I get one, I probably wouldn't need Vocational Rehab. But I could do that with private doctors, too. So, please pray as I embark on physical rehabilitation, and financial health in 2007.

New Beginnings

Since I last posted a blog, I have had one job interview, and a hopeful contact at a local school corporation. The interview was about a job that would involve late afternoons and evenings. This would take away all the church meetings I attend during the week. There are a number of drawbacks, but it would be better than nothing, which is what I have now. The position is similar to tutoring. The latter (with the school corp) has to do with working with special needs kids, one of my favorite things to do. It also has few, if any, of the drawbacks the first job has. But I need an offer! I am also searching for another doctor. Not every Christian doctor is on the same page, and I need one who is willing to respect the decisions my family and I make. I am grateful to have a family and friends who stand behind me. God is so good! Hope is vital to a person's well- being. Give no one the right to destroy that! Family and friends are important, too. I am hopeful of a real job in 2007. If I get one, I probably wouldn't need Vocational Rehab. But I could do that with private doctors, too. So, please pray as I embark on physical rehabilitation, and financial health in 2007.

Holiday Reflections

This will be one of the more memorable holiday seasons. I was able to get together with family & friends (3 events). We had a family conference concerning my current life challenges. There was some helpful input and lots of support. Praise the Lord! If my situation serves to bind the family closer together, it will be worth the trouble. Even if I didn't get other gifts (I did - more than expected), this would be the best gift I ever got for Christmas.