God's Grace and Blessing

What an amazing first day in Belgium!

We are having a great time. We walked all over Namur today and got to know the city - and the chocolate! Tonight Kevin and I had a late dinner at an amazing little cafe on the street with John and Jackie. We laughed and laughed at our attempts speaking French with a waiter who only knew French, German, Greek, and Arabic.  We were a sorry sight, but had an amazing meal and relaxing time.

It is so funny to me here. Growing up going to Epcot at Disney World has spoiled me... I can't get over the feeling that I am at Disney and not actually in Europe! I can not wait to see how God is going to bless this trip for He has already answered so many prayers: Even since we have left.

Thank you all for your prayers and support/. We are blown away at your generosity and love. I can't wait to inform you of even more of the wonderful things that are going to happen here!

Trust

Today I am trusting God.

I'm giving Him my children...
   and He's using my mother's help.
I'm giving Him my health...
   and He's blessed me with a few wonderful doctors.
I'm giving Him my time...
   and He's asked me to go bless some friends and their city.
I'm giving Him my nerves...
   and He's teaching me to rely on Him in everything.
I'm giving Him my logic and reasoning...
   and He's proving to know so much better.
I'm giving Him my concerns...
   and He's giving me peace.

I've given Him so little... and He's giving me joy, peace, security, and love: For eternity!

Expectation

Do you have a dessert, food, or activity that you rarely get to enjoy, but absolutely love? Isn't it odd and sad that when you build it up in your head too much that it just doesn't meet the expectations and you then become disappointed in it? As I was driving around today, that's how I began to be afraid it would be for this upcoming trip to Belgium. God's hand is in it so evidently, and we have so much anticipation, that I began to fear nothing much would happen and I would be disappointed.

Then I realized I was wrong.

I am to wait expectantly on the Lord. Psalm 37:7 It's not like He can't fulfill anything and everything. I then questioned my motive: Why was I expecting this trip to be so great through Him?  (1.) Because He is making a way, and, (2.) because I want to bring Him exponential glory.
Those are both solid Biblical reasons.

So?
God will work in great ways in the coming week. I know it. Now, I just need to experience it.

Being Stuck

Yesterday I had a detox session, and one of the procedures was a hand bath. Both of my hands were submerged for half an hour without being able to take them out at all. Basically I was stuck there. When it's a foot bath at least I can read or study. You just don't realize how dependent you are on your hands until you can't use either one of them. You also don't realize how often your nose itches...

This time, however, was perfect timing. I told you Sunday that I wanted to learn Psalm 139 by heart, and this was my first chance to take me at my word: Was I really committed to it, or not? So I opened my Bible beforehand and laid it next to me. And for the next half hour God and I enjoyed a precious time as we engraved the first 6 verses on my heart. It was a beautiful time of worship. Those first few verses led splendidly to a meditation of love, devotion, and encouragement, that truly can not be described.

This is what I prayed and poured out to Him in love through the words He gave another thousands of years ago. How marvelous His works and words that they still ring so true!


¹ LORD, You have searched me and known me.
    ² You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
    You understand my thoughts from far away.
    ³ You observe my travels and my rest;
    You are aware of all my ways.
    ⁴ Before a word is on my tongue,
    You know all about it, LORD.
    ⁵ You have encircled me;
    You have placed Your hand on me.
    ⁶ [This] extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.
    It is lofty; I am unable to [reach] it.
Psalm 139:1-6

Engrave

Today has been a sweet time with God once again.
In the past, I was never one to underline and write in my Bible, but over the last several years I've begun to underline. I love opening His Word and hearing all He has to say to me in this way. It's like little love notes He's left as a passage jumps from the page and has made me long to have those words engraved on my heart even more.

So today I have picked a passage to memorize. It's actually a whole Psalm- that makes it easy and in a neat little package. Psalm 139 in particular really spoke to me this morning and is a good reminder and teacher as well.

Take some time today to find a passage to engrave on your heart. Let them become joy to you.


Your words were found, and I ate them.
    Your words became a delight to me
    and the joy of my heart,
    for I am called by Your name,
    LORD God of Hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16