Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord!

Walking with my dog, Odie, this morning in the beautiful quiet of the day before my crazy schedule kicks in, I wrestled with the fact that so many of the people I love are going through hard things at the moment. Life is so crazy busy, that I relish this walking time with Odie, even though I too often find that my mind is going ten to the dozen with the list of “to-do’s" waiting for me at home! How did life get so busy and so hard?

As I prayed it through, God reminded me again that when I don’t understand the why , I can trust and hope in the Who. That His ways and thoughts are higher than mine, and that He holds all things in His loving hands. Everything that comes to us, whether by someone’s poor decisions or our own or just plain life, is filtered through God’s hands of love. And He will work all those things our for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

A dear friend told me of a conversation in which someone said the words, “She can believe that’s going to happen ~ it’s good to have hope. But we all know it’s not going to happen.” That’s false hope. What we have in Jesus is real hope. The hope that He will never leave us nor forsake us. The hope that He does work all things for good for those who love Him. The hope that we are forever His – nothing can separate us from His love. The hope that He does not want anyone to perish but everyone to come to know Him.

So today I will choose to trust and praise Him as I watch my friends go through the storms of life. Knowing that this is not all there is, and it will be a distant memory in the light of eternity.

  Today was the last day of our 6 week Bible Study by Angela Thomas. It's been an amazing study in which we've revisited some hard memories and allowed God to heal and renew. We've learnt that it's never too late (or too early!!) to become the woman that God wants you to be.

In His arms we are finding hope, strength and freedom and we're ready to dance! We're willing to trade in our ashes for a crown of beauty. 

"They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord for the display of Hs splendor." Isaiah 61:3

Some Rainy Weather

It's been a rainy week or two. Those little drizzles that come along in life that leave you feeling cold, damp and miserable!
Mike, my hubbie. left on a two week business trip; my pre-teen son has been very...pre-teen; spiritual warfare has stepped up with my mission trip to Ethiopia coming up; the heartache of being married to a wonderful man who does not love Jesus has been intensifying; juggling mothering, church work and my photography business had been tiring and then I get the call from Marshall Hospital that my mammogram wasn't normal.

Fear came knocking at my door. And my hand went to the handle to let it in. The Jesus came to my rescue - just like He says He will. It came in an unlikely way. I took a meal over to a friend who had just had surgery, and her daughter gave me a painting she had made for me. It was a beautiful rainbow. I didn't think anything deeper than how incredibly sweet this young girl is until I was emailing a friend about my week, and I told her it had been a rainy week, but I had my umbrella up (actually I was hiding out under God's!) and I could see a rainbow. Suddenly it hit me! God had come to my rescue and given me an assurance that he was with me and I did not need to fear.

I wonder if Mrs. Noah got scared every time it started raining after the flood. It had never even rained before the Great Flood. And now, as she got used to this new weather phenomenon, did memories of the flood come racing back every time it started to drizzle. Did she think she was going under this time. Perhaps that's why God gave the rainbow, as a sign of His promise the He would never allow the rain waters to over take the earth again. He was with her.

So as I smiled at my rainbow painting I knew God had told me not to fear. Yes, it was drizzling a bit, but He was with me and I did not need to fear. His perfect love casts out fear. So fear did come knocking and Jesus told it that no-one was home.

Living in the safety of His love,
Sam

Sequoia Bridal Show Feb 8th, 2009

The Sequoia did a most wonderful job hosting the first Gold Country Bridal Show yesterday. There were 40 local wedding venders all under one roof. It was great! The Sequoia staff looked after us vendors so well - served us lunch and beverages and looked out for us. The brides were wonderful - excited about their upcoming weddings and enjoying the show.

I have a feeling that this will be the first of many shows:)

Our God is Amazing

Woo Hoo!

Th tri-tip fun raiser was a HUGE success! We raised $3000 and along with some other checks that came in, we now have the funds to get all 6 of us to Ethiopia!! Amazing!

When we considered how much money had to be raised five months ago, we were a little nervous. People are hurting financially and we were planning to ask them to give money to send us to Ethiopia. But God's people are not living in the recession - we're living in God! And He always provides.

A dear friend of mine, who is likely to lose her home because of the economy, has twice pressed into my hand an envelope with money in it for out trip. They are living in faith and obedience, and love:) 

Tri Tip Fund Raiser Sunday February 1st

We are excited at the funds that God is bringing in for our trip, but there is still more to go:) We are having a tri-tip fundraiser this Sunday (SuperBowl Sunday) February 1st at all 3 services.
The cost is $14 per tri tip. Scott Seibel is generously baking his deliciously famous bread for $2.50 per loaf too.
Please contact the office 622-2171 with your orders so we can make sure we have enough for everyone!

Quite A Day

Today was one of those days when it felt good to be an American! The Presidential ceremony today was wonderful. Seeing the 2 million people in Washington DC and the photographs capturing their emotions was priceless. The grace and good will shown was simply amazing to see. An answer to prayer.

Ethiopia Testimony

Today was the day:) Gave my Ethiopian story in church all 3 services - why I'm going, what's God been doing in my life, what I think He's going to be doing through me in Ethiopia! I wonder if you ever get use to speaking in front of lots of people?! My legs shook, heart hammered in my chest....but my tongue did not stick to the roof of my mouth like it did on Christmas Eve! That's another story!!
We have just started a new Bible study by Angela Thomas called Do You Think I'm Beautiful? It's an awesome study. One of the questions it asked was when do you think you shine? I was really surprised what God brought straight to my mind - I figured it would be something to do with taking photos (and I do feel shining when I do that too!). What it was (get to the point already...) was speaking in front of people! And I think why that is is because there's no way I could stand in front of all those people and share what's on my heart - it's totally a God thing. I'm totally reliant on Him. He tangibly helps me and that's why it makes me feel so amazing! My legs do shake, but I sense God so close it's awesome!
You can check out what I said at Cold Springs Community Church website.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!
We saw in the New Year at 4pm Californian time which is midnight in England! Bubbly, party poppers and family & good friends!
Wishing you every blessing in 2009!
Sam