God Is Right Beside Me!

What an opportunity a blog is! It's a chance to share life's lessons, to exhort, to keep in touch, to share the Joy of the Lord and how we can live a full life serving Him! I love this picture, because even when the past is so narrow and we feel alone, He's there! He's ALWAYS there! I am so blessed daily, yet often the daily things are taken for granted and not even mentioned or noticed!

Firstly, Kane is back in church and has had a change of heart. AMEN! Pastor McLain said the "old Kane" is back, and I just hope and pray that Kane will continue to be faithful to the church and grow closer to Christ, serving Him whole-heartedly! It's the only way to be fully at peace! Please continue your prayers for Jaden. He knows what's right, but he's still struggling with consistency. These guys are my best mates from since we've been in NZ, so if you're praying for me, please add them along beside!

Secondly, and so dear to my heart is the blessing of my wonderful parents! I can't stress enough what a blessing they are to me, more and more every day! I see so many things that go unnoticed by most church people, because when you're a pastor's kid- you're constantly around the problems and the heartaches of your dear church family. How great the burden is, and how much greater it would be if we didn't have Christ to bear it! I love to watch my mother in action, and to work along beside her. She's my hero, and I long to be like her, in generosity, in humility, in almost every way! (nope- she's not perfect! who is?!) I love that she's not perfect, because it's an encouragement that even when I make mistakes, and she makes mistakes, we are just working on getting closer to Christ and becoming more like Him. I have alot of Godly women examples and I love watching them! However, as I am getting older and having more and more opportunities of service in the church, I am definately finding more things I need to change. The other day, I was cleaning up from a teen gal's thing we had, and I was starting to get annoyed because several of the gals were just mucking around and not helping. Then I thought about my mother, and how often, as a Pastor's wife- you have to do so many things because more often than not, people won't volunteer to help. How I long to have a Godly attitude- consistently- when those times come! By God's grace, I pray that I'll get better... :)

One last thing before I head off to sweet slumber... today I was encouraged as I saw Jenny and Edwin. Amidst the trying of their faith with her lung cancer and continuous complications, they are still joyful. They are upholding such a Godly testimony there in the hospital where Jenny worked until she got sick, and where Edwin continues to work. I have no doubt that thousands of people are praying for her, and I am glad- for she is my dear sister. She is an awesome example of joy amidst heart-ache. Please join in prayer for her too! What a comfort to know that God is good- ALL the time, and He has that perfect, unfathomable plan! Our God is so good!

Psalm 119:2
" Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart."

AMEN!

Mother's Day Banquet

We Had a beautiful Mother's Day banquet- as you can see! The first picture is mum and I, obviously...

The second is mum, Jenny and I. Jenny has been my adopted "sister" for the past several years, and I was her maid of honour five years or so ago. Jenny has lung cancer, and needs sooooo much prayer! She had five radiation treatments the week before this banquet, and we were so thrilled that she and her mother were able to come all the way to Rotorua that day. PLEASE pray with us for our dear Jenny- God is in control!

Doesn't our auditorium look so lovely?! In the past year or so, we got carpet, painted the walls, got new curtains (day before the banquet!) and we've been trying to do as much as we can to make the church a lovelier, warmer home base for people to come worship.

It was SO nice to have the men serving us! Here's Pastor Jono hard at work. :) The men did so much work- they prepared it all, served us and cleaned up and set church up for the following day. They must have been so exhausted! I know that mom and I sure were! We both came home and took naps! I'm loving time with my mum, especially in these months, knowing that we will be separated soon. Today I took her out to lunch at the Gondola and we visited several people from church before I taught piano this arvo. Tonight we get a quiet evening, because the guys will be at the monthly men's fellowship. Thanks for all your prayers- sorry you all are missing out on all the fun we have here.;) haha..

Blessings from Godly Women...

This past week, I've been studying Ruth and what a blessing it has been! Now,
as I've continued onto studying in 1 Samuel, I was encouraged by yet another
Godly woman- Hannah.

As I was reading about Hannah willingly giving her son to the Lord, my heart
ached- and I'm not even a mum yet! So few people do baby dedications now-
a-days, and I think that's sad. I mean, those babies are in God's hands anyway,
shouldn't we outwardly and wholeheartedly consecrate them for His service?

In ladies coffee morning today, Mrs. Rolston spoke about a Godly woman who
is only mentioned once in the Bible- in Roman 16:1. She's highly recommended
by Paul, and must have been an amazing and Godly woman. How I long to be
a Godly lady- a lady tried and tested and found faithful to her Saviour! Please keep those prayers coming, ya'll!

The Young at Heart!

Today was so wonderful! Yesterday afternoon, I recieved a call from Mr. Robinson, and he asked me to join the Young At Heart for their outing today. I love these ladies SO much, and I spend as much time with them as possible- so this was such a blessing. My mum came along as well, and we had such a blast!

We went to a place just out of town called Wai-O-Tapu- Geothermal Wonderland. For tourists, it's $25- but we're residents, so we get in for free. I loved walking with these ladies, encouraging them along the rough trail, and getting in lots of cuddles. Mrs. Rolston especially is my Kiwi Nana- and I love her so much! The walk was great- as you can see- they have one long boardwalk across a big thermal lake, and to the left of where we were walking was Champagne Pool- the bottom picture.

Our church is so special, and I think that these ladies play a big part of it! They are faithful prayer warriors, encouraging, sweet, thoughtful, and so, sooo loving! After our outing, we went out and had icecream- yum! Mum and I got some butterscotch pecan-
the closest we've gotten to butter pecan! yay. :)

Anyway- there are more photos in my web albums. Wow! I sure love these ladies!

family bonding...

My Family went out fishing on dad's boat for Waitangi day... ahh... the memories! As you can see, it's pretty overcast- and when I took the pic of mum and I, it was pretty bad out- pouring rain, decent sized waves, etc... eeks! We were only in the harbour and yet dad was worried for our safety, telling Garrett and I where to swim if we got dumped out! Eeks! Garrett and I were sitting close on a chilly bin half way back in the boat to keep the bow up... and we were all wet! We were singing hymns and praying- God is such a comforter. I love my family! :)

Are you a Manufacturer or a Distributor?

I was reading a book the other day- "On Being a Servant of God", and this section particularly challenged me...

"The trouble with too many of us is that we think God called us to be manufacturers when He really called us to be distributors. He alone has the resources to meet human neeeds; all we can do is receive His riches and share them with others... once you accept yourself as a distributer of God's riches and not a manufacturer, you will experience a wonderful new freedom and joy in service. You won't be afraid of new challenges because you know God has the resources to meet them. You won't be frustrated trying to manufacture everything needed to get the job done; and when God blesses your work, you won't be tempted to take the credit." W. Weirsbe

AMEN!

Urgent Prayer Needed...

Please pray for our friend, Kane! He's one of Garrett and mybest mates, and it's heartwrenching to see him now.. swaying on the fence of serving God or serving Mammon. Ovbiously now, since he's not serving God, he's serving the world, but oh- how I covet your prayers as we intercede for him! His twin brother, also a dear friend of ours has already been struggling, and won battles, is also struggling greatly. It's so hard to see them like this!

I didn't know the extent of Kane's decision making process until he told me last night, so tonight, Garrett and I visited him and tried to be Godly friends, rebuking in love. How I long to see him live a long, JOYFUL life serving the Lord!

I know that I don't pray for my friends often enough, and tonight on the way home from Tauranga, I sent out a prayer alert- which several of you got and responded to. Prayer is such a vital, yet commonly lacking part of friendship, and I exhort you- keep on your knees! I am so well prayed for, and what an encouragement that is to me when I'm struggling. Tonight, after talking to him, I was so disheartened at his hard heart, and the stereo came on playing "are you weary, are you heavy hearted? Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus..." God's timing is supreme. Please pray with us as we seek to see souls saved- and serving our Lord- the ONLY source of JOY!

Thank you... Lyd :)