Have a good day.

What is a good day?  What is a bad day? 

Yesterday at Port-au-Prince Fellowship (the church I attend) John gave a great message that made me ask myself a lot of questions.  What do I define as a good day?  A day where I can sleep in, go on a run, shower, have air conditioner, read my Bible, have a Starbucks iced coffee (or I guess right now in the US it would be a pumpkin spice latte- however my mind cannot even wrap around being cold and needing something hot), spending time with friends, I do not pass a bad driver, everyone is so kind, I eat a great dinner, get to watch my favorite show, and then fall asleep.  Is that a good day? What about the bad days?  The days when trouble comes, I sleep through my alarm, I don’t get my Starbucks drink, I get behind all of the bad drivers, and… I am sure you get the picture.  (Also, I am referring to how I would define a good and bad day in the United States—Haiti would be a totally different kind of day haha)

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not worry about anything, instead pray about everything, tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for the answers. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What does anything mean? A thing of any kind. What does everything mean? All things. All that exist. 

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts.”  

Isaiah who lived in a time of tremendous turmoil predicted that Godly people would suffer along with everyone else.  However, Isaiah urged them and us to focus on a reality greater than current troubles.  

The Bible says when I am not in perfect peace means I am not trusting in Him. –WOW! That hits hard because I so easily let things and circumstances control my peace, joy, and how I define my day.  But the truth is the Lord is still Lord.  In spite of all these things all the troubles of the world we have overwhelmed victory!

The pastor then asked if there were people who let things of the world, their circumstances, their situations, their feelings define their day.  I was the first to raise my hand. If the kids argue with me throughout day = bad day; if they disobey me = bad day; if I miss my family and friends = bad day.  I let people and my feelings define my day. When the truth is He still reigns, He is sovereign, He is just, He is faithful, and He loves me more than I can comprehend. Why would I let something temporary in this world ruin the joy of my salvation that lasts for eternity!?

How do you define your day?  What is considered a good day? 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary or lose heart.  In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Hebrews 12:1-4

It's hard, but Good!

It’s really hard, but really really good!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:3-9

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great patience and endurance, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” Colossians 1:10-12

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.” James 1:2-3

Haiti is hard, but God is good.  I have been missing my family, friends, home, and comforts.  I will not be fully satisfied or ever feel at home until I am with my Creator.  As for now I take in and absorb all of the glimpses of Him that He is willing to shower over me.  It is easy here to get worn out and sad, EXTREMELY EASY—but I choose not to because the only life that matters is eternity and through God’s strength and the power of the Holy Spirit in me and the blood of the Lamb shed for me, I can joyfully give thanks to the Father that I have been brought out of darkness and into His marvelous light.  I had to do nothing to receive eternal life except say yes to Jesus and run after Him every second!

I have been focusing on all of this and praying through it and about it for a couple weeks now—God gave me a perfect picture of what I was going through in the sky the other night.  I was sitting on the balcony and to the left of me was a beautiful blue sky with the sun setting, it almost looked perfect, to the right of me was a dark storm, but right in the middle between the beautiful sky and dark storm was a rainbow—a promise of God’s covenant between us.  I could live that comfortable, perfect life.  I could focus on all the darkness and poverty and hurt in this world (Haiti).  BUT I LIVE FOR JESUS. I FOCUS ON HIM.  Who tells me that yes times are hard, but guess what?! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. I HAVE TAKEN YOU OUT OF DARKNESS.  I AM YOUR STRENGTH. I WILL GET YOU THROUGH THIS, JUST ABIDE IN ME. One day we will be together in paradise—where everything is perfect and holy- because He is perfect and holy.  

John 16:33; 1 Peter 2:9; Psalm 118; Isaiah 40; Luke 23:43

Unfailing Love, Guides

"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

"I will call upon your name and keep my eyes above the waves when oceans rise.  My soul will rest in your embrace; for I am Yours and You are mine." Oceans by Hillsong United

My heart has been meditating on this verse and this song throughout this week.  The Lord has been pouring His unconditional love and reminding me how much He loves me.  Even when times get tough, when I feel week, I rest in Him alone.  His mighty hand guides me in every direction.  I have been praying a lot for His direction because there are so many people who need food, water, clothes, a house, school, money, and a job.  It is hard moving down here thinking "I am going to help everyone" or "I am going to change the world".  The truth is, I cannot do any of those things.  Those are desires acting out of my flesh rather than my Spirit.  I trust in the Lord's provision because He can do ALL things, I pray for the people who are in need and pray that the Lord will reveal to me what I can do, who I can help and how I can help-  I ask myself everyday what can I do for you Lord?  How do you want to use me today?  Help me to deny myself take away my selfish desires so I can hear from YOU and YOUR HOLY SPIRIT! 

Another truth the Lord has been pouring out to me is how much sin affects our relationship with our Father.  When I feel distant from Him or I can't hear His answers to my prayers, it is usually because of me and my heart and my selfish desires.  Does the Lord love me any less?  NO! He longs for us to know him more and more and when we fill our lives with things that aren't glorious or righteous then we are building a wall between us and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will begin to withdrawal and you will loose the amazing communion He provides! 

I am held in His mighty hand and so are you!  Don't miss out on what God is calling you to do-- His ultimate desire is for you to seek Him, let Him lead you!

"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in ALL your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6 

"But seek first His kingdom of righteous, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Trust in God's Timing

We are moved out of our old house.  God showed us that Port-Au-Prince was where we spent most of our time and that is where the Tugwell's needed to live. It puts them much closer to the super kitchen!  The house we were living in was a temporary set up for the Tugwell's and the house they just put a contract on is a great family home!  However, we still do not have our container so we cannot move into the house.  We are currently living in the World Orphan guest house.  It was so sweet to see the Haitians provide us housing when we didn't have a place to go.  Not only are we here to serve them, but they returned the favor to serve us in our time of need.  All of us are ready for structure and organization.  I am so excited to move into the house because I can see many ministry opportunities, there are many American girls my age living in that area, a great school and orphanage and youth program I want to get involved with.  Also, starting school with the supplies and curriculum sounds wonderful!  However, we are patient with God's timing and continue to trust in Him even when times are hard- and this time of transition and waiting has been hard on all of us.

I have been focusing on Romans 5:4-5:
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

and Psalm 32:7-8
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

This time has been a time to trust in God alone.  He never takes us to a place to abandon us, but to teach us, guide us, fight for us, and bring us close to him.  No matter where I am, I will never be home until the day I am face to face with my Father in Heaven.