--Skyline Chili is acceptable and consumable. I have only eaten it once, but I would eat it again. The cheese is of good quality and adding cinnamon adds an intriguing flavor.
--The freezing weather is continuous -- BUT -- Ohio gets so many more sunny days in the winter! They were warning us that winter would be "so gloomy." hahaha We have had WARM days with sun, cold days with sun. Very nice. The only problem is that even if the sun IS out...it doesn't mean you can go outside. I have been confused.
--Drivers are horrible. Parking lots can be dangerous.
--Traffic lights are long and ridiculous. (That's why everyone SPEEDS up when they see yellow and proceed on through when it's red.)
--Stores are so CLOSE.
--We don't have as far to drive, but now when I drive for 25 minutes I think I have been gone for an eternity. (The 45 minute drive seems so LONG now.) haha
--There is no recycling.
--Everybody drinks.
--Garbage is everywhere.
--Watching football and commitment to a team is serious business. [Katherine and I have plans to take up baseball and next year's football as serious business. This year's Super Bowl was so much better to watch because I had "CONNECTIONS" with a team. I had a reason to hope for the victory of the Packers -- namely so the Patriots (enemy of Cincinnati) could be defeated.]
--There are gyms on almost every corner.
--Wendy's' (how do you pluralize that word?) are numerous and every lunch hour there is a HUGE line in MacDonald's drive-thru's.
--They need some Jamba Juice's around these parts.
--When they don't hear what you said they don't say, "Excuse me, what did you say?" or "Can you repeat yourself?" or "What?" Instead, they say, "Please?"
--I now know the reality of Michigan being the enemy and Michigan's enemy being Ohio.
--I enjoyed the color of the fall leaves. I look forward to the WARTH of spring. I am nervous about the humidity of summer.
--Churches and religion are apart of the culture. Didn't know that still happened. Thought that died out and was replaced by liberalism long ago. (People still attend Christmas Eve service as a family tradition. Strange.)
--Some homes around here look like the postcard homes.
--"Bye Bye Birdie" takes place in Ohio. Never knew.
--George Clooney is from Cincinnati.
--"The Christmas Story" takes place in Indiana. I find more humor in why the little brother is fully bundled on his way to school.
--I now understand why most calendars have pictures of snow in January.
--I hope we can travel the short distance to the East Coast. Does it compare in beauty to the Wild West?! (I don't think it's possible.)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Life in Ohio -- Part 1 of 3
Spiritually:
It has been a battle. A battle to trust Him. A battle to not lose heart.
Why?
I think because I am so weak. I am so weak that I despair when I have to live somewhere I would prefer not to live.
Nevertheless, He is training me to endure and to be patient.
The battle has been the toughest when I am looking at what I want and how I am going to bring it about rather than focusing on the Lord and His will and His ways. It’s hardest when I forget that I am supposed to trust Him and lean NOT on my own understanding.
My understanding questions why I would leave a teaching position in such a bad economy, why I would leave behind church family, a biological family, and a state that is majestically beautiful, culturally unique, and is my home.
My understanding questions and tries to reason around how I could move life back to where I want it to be…
BUT GOD – is SO gracious and good and does not fail because at these same times He has given me proddings from His Holy Spirit through His Word, through the words and conversations of people, through women’s Bible study, and through Elisabeth Elliot’s book, Keep a Quiet Heart.
I want a quiet heart. A quiet heart is one that is only focused on one will – the Father’s. What has the Father commanded me to do? Love Him above all. How do I show my love for Him? By obeying His commandments.
I recently went on a date with the Lord. It was very good. I got some sushi and Chipotle (since He’s my Provider – He paid for the date,) and then sat at a table in the mall with my Bible, journal, and ever-present Nalgene.
As I sat down and started writing and reading I realized I had come with a rebellious heart and my own agenda. Slowly, the Lord started convicting my soul and changing my thoughts and plans.
Several Proverbs and Psalm 18 are what really stopped me in my tracks – will I wait on Him to bring about His plan, or will I act out and construct my own plan? (Did David kill Saul when he had the chance? No. He entrusted himself to God and saw the respect he had to give and show to Saul as God’s anointed. Part of the JOY of that waiting is being able to see God work mightily. I want to see Him bring all things about – without me manipulating the situation.)
Last year, in order to “test” the Lord and see if He could overcome my hard heart, I prayed that by the end of the year I would love Him with my whole being and more than all others. He did change my heart greatly. By the end of the year I loved Him so much more and so much more confidently than I have ever loved Him before. Though I MUST still grow in this, He has (and was able) to GREATLY change my heart.
This year I am praying that He would make all my dreams/desires His. I dream A LOT. Most of my dreams have been smashed. (Truly.) Most of them God has had to rip out of my hands because I cling to them too tightly. If I am going to love Him fully – these must be His. That works in line with this Ohio process. Not my will, but His. If HE wills I will do this or that. This prayer has scared me because I don’t know how to live without dreaming. What’s the point to living if you can’t dream ambitiously and make goals to achieve those dreams? If I do make plans and goals, how can I be sure that they are God’s and/or that God won’t rip those away too?
It’s all a matter of how tightly I will choose to cling to them. I must hold this life loosely. I must hold my plans and ideas loosely. That is to say, not without vigor and ambition, but with a dedication to God and His plan. A reverent acknowledging that this is NOT my life, this life belongs to God as a holy sacrifice to Him.
May He take me where He wants me and may I follow easily and quickly.
Is this possible?!
--Through the Faithful One’s working alone.
Hallelujah and Amen!
It has been a battle. A battle to trust Him. A battle to not lose heart.
Why?
I think because I am so weak. I am so weak that I despair when I have to live somewhere I would prefer not to live.
Nevertheless, He is training me to endure and to be patient.
The battle has been the toughest when I am looking at what I want and how I am going to bring it about rather than focusing on the Lord and His will and His ways. It’s hardest when I forget that I am supposed to trust Him and lean NOT on my own understanding.
My understanding questions why I would leave a teaching position in such a bad economy, why I would leave behind church family, a biological family, and a state that is majestically beautiful, culturally unique, and is my home.
My understanding questions and tries to reason around how I could move life back to where I want it to be…
BUT GOD – is SO gracious and good and does not fail because at these same times He has given me proddings from His Holy Spirit through His Word, through the words and conversations of people, through women’s Bible study, and through Elisabeth Elliot’s book, Keep a Quiet Heart.
I want a quiet heart. A quiet heart is one that is only focused on one will – the Father’s. What has the Father commanded me to do? Love Him above all. How do I show my love for Him? By obeying His commandments.
I recently went on a date with the Lord. It was very good. I got some sushi and Chipotle (since He’s my Provider – He paid for the date,) and then sat at a table in the mall with my Bible, journal, and ever-present Nalgene.
As I sat down and started writing and reading I realized I had come with a rebellious heart and my own agenda. Slowly, the Lord started convicting my soul and changing my thoughts and plans.
Several Proverbs and Psalm 18 are what really stopped me in my tracks – will I wait on Him to bring about His plan, or will I act out and construct my own plan? (Did David kill Saul when he had the chance? No. He entrusted himself to God and saw the respect he had to give and show to Saul as God’s anointed. Part of the JOY of that waiting is being able to see God work mightily. I want to see Him bring all things about – without me manipulating the situation.)
Last year, in order to “test” the Lord and see if He could overcome my hard heart, I prayed that by the end of the year I would love Him with my whole being and more than all others. He did change my heart greatly. By the end of the year I loved Him so much more and so much more confidently than I have ever loved Him before. Though I MUST still grow in this, He has (and was able) to GREATLY change my heart.
This year I am praying that He would make all my dreams/desires His. I dream A LOT. Most of my dreams have been smashed. (Truly.) Most of them God has had to rip out of my hands because I cling to them too tightly. If I am going to love Him fully – these must be His. That works in line with this Ohio process. Not my will, but His. If HE wills I will do this or that. This prayer has scared me because I don’t know how to live without dreaming. What’s the point to living if you can’t dream ambitiously and make goals to achieve those dreams? If I do make plans and goals, how can I be sure that they are God’s and/or that God won’t rip those away too?
It’s all a matter of how tightly I will choose to cling to them. I must hold this life loosely. I must hold my plans and ideas loosely. That is to say, not without vigor and ambition, but with a dedication to God and His plan. A reverent acknowledging that this is NOT my life, this life belongs to God as a holy sacrifice to Him.
May He take me where He wants me and may I follow easily and quickly.
Is this possible?!
--Through the Faithful One’s working alone.
Hallelujah and Amen!
Life in Ohio -- Part 2 of 3
Occupationally:
This brings some of my frustration.
Praise the Lord for Starbucks. I am very thankful. The Lord definitely gave me this job. He has provided so many wonderful conversations with people there. I am thankful. Starbucks has its moments of being my ministry.
As I develop friendships with people and get to know them I do hope that they see Jesus in me. What’s frustrating is that most people out here are categorized as “religious.” BLEH!!! (Poo! POO! I spit on that statement.) When words are spoken they are words they have heard from hypocrites. I pray that my actions are not hypocritical. I also pray that I speak consistently, lovingly, with wisdom and discretion, and with boldness. (Sometimes I just beat around the bush and/or I don’t take the opportunity.)
Monetarily speaking, Starbucks is getting me enough funds to pay some bills. (Yes, I do have bills.)
I am also (currently) employed through Visiting Angels and I have been babysitting every once in awhile. I also just applied to work at Half Day Café, but I think I shall turn it down. My plan was to work there in the mornings and Starbucks at nights (since subbing is not coming around,) but I thought and prayed about my availability for ministry, building relationships, studying, volunteering, and sleeping – and though I WANT money [another NEW sin that has been exposed – I love money and would like more—(strange, I never knew this about myself),] it may be best to trust the Lord, work Starbucks, get some extra shifts at other Sbucks around the town, and see what the Lord will do. I don’t want to be lazy, but I don’t want to fill myself with work either. I don’t need the extra money – that would have been for extra comfort and possible trips, but they are not needs. (I would REALLY like to see New York City, WA D.C., Philadelphia, etc.) And yet, I want to be able to invest in people – and sleep!!
So, now I am trying to focus my brain. (Very difficult.) Because I don’t know how and/or if ever I will teach again.
Do I want to teach again? – I am not sure. I am thinking about getting my Master’s in social work and helping orphans/widows/poor in the States. I know that I like the personal connection and I have always wanted to help those people. Jobs are also available and growing their availability. Could I handle this line of work? Would I get too emotionally attached? Probably.
If I DO want to teach again (there is that missing of children and that itch to teach within me,) I have been looking around and preparing to:
A) Take the Ohio state required test. – But this will be a lengthy process and I may have started too late. Their rules seem to be crazy and confusing. We’ll see what occurs.
B) Apply to the neighboring school districts (in process).
C) Apply to some Christian schools around (they are in ABUNDANCE and I do have small connections).
D) Apply to teach overseas.
---This, my dad has approved on condition and this is also one that I am trying not to cling to with too much ferocity. The Lord has shown me that really, I just want to travel. He has shown me the HUGE stewardship of souls we have in the US. I can be a missionary here. But, if I have the opportunity to go into another culture again – OH!!!!! Wonderful.
But, I have been told that I am a little late in getting this ball rolling. Many places have already signed contracts, etc. I may be too late for these schools as well. (And there are SO MANY to apply to and look into and question!!! I don’t know where to begin.)
E) Apply at the YMCA as a summer day camp counselor and then see if I can get hired on for the year. (I have sent in my resume. They’ll get back to me in a few weeks. We shall see what the Lord will do.)
If I don’t get a teaching job for this 2011-2012 school year I have a back-up plan to either find a job as a teacher at a child care facility or get a nanny job. We’ll see. I am kind of missing those children and the 9-5 Monday through Friday schedule. (Though teaching extends far beyond those bounds in terms of duties related to the occupation.) But who knows what the Lord has planned for me. (Do I know His will? No. Not in the teensiest bits of the least.)
This brings some of my frustration.
Praise the Lord for Starbucks. I am very thankful. The Lord definitely gave me this job. He has provided so many wonderful conversations with people there. I am thankful. Starbucks has its moments of being my ministry.
As I develop friendships with people and get to know them I do hope that they see Jesus in me. What’s frustrating is that most people out here are categorized as “religious.” BLEH!!! (Poo! POO! I spit on that statement.) When words are spoken they are words they have heard from hypocrites. I pray that my actions are not hypocritical. I also pray that I speak consistently, lovingly, with wisdom and discretion, and with boldness. (Sometimes I just beat around the bush and/or I don’t take the opportunity.)
Monetarily speaking, Starbucks is getting me enough funds to pay some bills. (Yes, I do have bills.)
I am also (currently) employed through Visiting Angels and I have been babysitting every once in awhile. I also just applied to work at Half Day Café, but I think I shall turn it down. My plan was to work there in the mornings and Starbucks at nights (since subbing is not coming around,) but I thought and prayed about my availability for ministry, building relationships, studying, volunteering, and sleeping – and though I WANT money [another NEW sin that has been exposed – I love money and would like more—(strange, I never knew this about myself),] it may be best to trust the Lord, work Starbucks, get some extra shifts at other Sbucks around the town, and see what the Lord will do. I don’t want to be lazy, but I don’t want to fill myself with work either. I don’t need the extra money – that would have been for extra comfort and possible trips, but they are not needs. (I would REALLY like to see New York City, WA D.C., Philadelphia, etc.) And yet, I want to be able to invest in people – and sleep!!
So, now I am trying to focus my brain. (Very difficult.) Because I don’t know how and/or if ever I will teach again.
Do I want to teach again? – I am not sure. I am thinking about getting my Master’s in social work and helping orphans/widows/poor in the States. I know that I like the personal connection and I have always wanted to help those people. Jobs are also available and growing their availability. Could I handle this line of work? Would I get too emotionally attached? Probably.
If I DO want to teach again (there is that missing of children and that itch to teach within me,) I have been looking around and preparing to:
A) Take the Ohio state required test. – But this will be a lengthy process and I may have started too late. Their rules seem to be crazy and confusing. We’ll see what occurs.
B) Apply to the neighboring school districts (in process).
C) Apply to some Christian schools around (they are in ABUNDANCE and I do have small connections).
D) Apply to teach overseas.
---This, my dad has approved on condition and this is also one that I am trying not to cling to with too much ferocity. The Lord has shown me that really, I just want to travel. He has shown me the HUGE stewardship of souls we have in the US. I can be a missionary here. But, if I have the opportunity to go into another culture again – OH!!!!! Wonderful.
But, I have been told that I am a little late in getting this ball rolling. Many places have already signed contracts, etc. I may be too late for these schools as well. (And there are SO MANY to apply to and look into and question!!! I don’t know where to begin.)
E) Apply at the YMCA as a summer day camp counselor and then see if I can get hired on for the year. (I have sent in my resume. They’ll get back to me in a few weeks. We shall see what the Lord will do.)
If I don’t get a teaching job for this 2011-2012 school year I have a back-up plan to either find a job as a teacher at a child care facility or get a nanny job. We’ll see. I am kind of missing those children and the 9-5 Monday through Friday schedule. (Though teaching extends far beyond those bounds in terms of duties related to the occupation.) But who knows what the Lord has planned for me. (Do I know His will? No. Not in the teensiest bits of the least.)
Life in Ohio -- Part 3 of 3
Ecclesiastically:
This part has been the MOST frustrating of ALL – on various accounts.
#1) The Church disappoints.
My soul has been filled (at times) with sorrow and frustration about what I see (on Facebook) and hear (from family/friends) about what has/is going on in Washington. I hate the possible consequences to the Lord’s testimony and as His Body.
On the other hand: PRAISE THE LORD for members of His Body who are still in Washington and have given reports of strengthening and growth. God IS in control even over this situation. I PRAISE Him that He knows and He will not allow His name to be defamed. He will be glorified. He will not abandon His people. (I have also heard accounts of growth in the Lord and people stepping up in positions of leadership.)
In Ohio I have been disappointed by the “church” for the very reason I had to put quotations around that word. HYPOCRITES!!!!!! So much religiousity without much salvation. (This mainly refers to the people I see in the community who TALK about church…not necessarily representing what I see at the church I am attending.)
I have also been disappointed because people want to (and think) they have so much understanding of the Scriptures, and yet elementary topics are being discussed and simple questions are being asked. I am also disappointed with how much “knowledge” they do have, but how little holiness is spoken of and/or how rarely specific sin is addressed.
#2) The Lord provides.
While I may have those in terms of disappointment this church we are attending is SUCH an example in giving and trusting the Lord and caring for their people. AMAZING!!
I am currently going to the “informational Sunday school class” and the government of their church is structured with wisdom. The use of elders and deacons to be available to the people and to be used to serve the people, amazing. The pastor knows the names of almost every person and he remembers details about their lives. HOW?!?!!! (He remembered my name soon after meeting me and even remembered to let me know about a school that was looking for teachers. Wow.)
The “home groups” (FLOCK groups) have been a blessing and I am thankful for them. I hope to speak up more – but I spoke up last week…and…I may have said too much.
Katherine and I will be going to dinners once a month to get to know a group of people from church. Nice. Katherine’s a little nervous, but I figure…let’s keep on jumping in. It’s all a process.
I am trying to decide if I will do youth or not. I do miss those guys!!!! But, these guys are not the guys I miss. The “guys” (speaking generally) I miss are irreplaceable…and they don’t live in Ohio. And yet, I know I enjoy their (youth) energy and “youngness” – opportunity to be trained.
I do know, however; that this is a much different “organization” (if you will). Can I handle it? Will I try to change it?
I will seek to hold myself back. (Pride comes before the fall.)
A new friend and I may be starting a Bible study together in which we will study the Church and what our role in it is suppose to be. We shall see how this goes. I think we are going to have our first meeting this Thursday.
I am attending a women’s “Precepts” (Kay Arthur) Bible study on Wednesday mornings. I almost say “bleh”. I should say that I have been a failure at the homework. (Not unusual. I have never been a good Bible study homework doer. Don’t know why.) I had never listened to her radio show before because I couldn’t stand her voice and I thought she was too girly.
Now, I am still thinking her lessons lean toward the girly side and I don’t know that I agree with the fact that men come to her conferences to sit under her teaching. WHY?!
She does exposit the Scriptures, but I am concerned that she seems to be “backwards” in her priorities. Instead of studying the context for the purpose of learning more about the Lord, etc she seems to look at the context and get that over with so she can then find and discuss a personal application point. (Bleh.) We just finished chapters 16-20 in 2nd Samuel and she was saying that we could apply the idea of how to choose friends from those chapters.
What? Okay, maybe some guiding principles, but that’s not the point and why even look for that point of application?
Rather, we should ask, what does the Bible reveal about the Lord? What do we see about David’s relationship with the Lord?
How, then, does my life reflect and interact with those realities?
Overall, sometimes I just don’t want to talk to any of those people at church. No. I don’t want to participate in the fake small-talk discussions and I don’t want to smile anymore. Sometimes I just want to fly back to Washington and be with my former family.
And then…I remind myself of what it was like the first year I attended Grace Bible Church.
After that I remind myself of what it was like my first 9 months (at least) on staff in One28 – awkward and horrible, just like this.
Sometimes I would leave evening service, delighted and feeling loved, feeling a sense of belonging. The next week would come and I would feel alone and would hope that I could take a plane back to California to be with my former family. (haha)
In One28, for the longest time I didn’t know who to talk to during our dinner staff meetings, didn’t know where to sit, and didn’t want to smile anymore. So many times I would have preferred to sit in a corner by myself so I wouldn’t have been made to speak to the other people in the room.
BUT THEN! –You get to know people and you serve with people…and suddenly…you realize they love you and you love them…and then you don’t want to leave them anymore. Even if it IS still awkward (church meetings are great for that sort of thing,) you know that it’ll pass – and you see other people who feel just as awkward as you and then you go talk to them.
Moving from a family I love has made me hope and delight all the more in the idea of heaven. His WHOLE Body – our WHOLE Family – dwelling together FOR EVER in peace, unity, and everlasting love so that we can bear His complete image and glorify Him before the heavenly host.
Oh! It brings tears to my eyes!
Imagine! That glorious day when we will all come before Him to praise and worship WITH one another from all over the world! All different nations, tongues, peoples bowing before Him, praising His name, worshiping Him, calling Him worthy because He is worthy.
But, for now, we are here. Separated by land, sea, and time zones – so that we can manifest His glory and make His wisdom known on this earth and in the heavenly realms. (May we be faithful!)
This part has been the MOST frustrating of ALL – on various accounts.
#1) The Church disappoints.
My soul has been filled (at times) with sorrow and frustration about what I see (on Facebook) and hear (from family/friends) about what has/is going on in Washington. I hate the possible consequences to the Lord’s testimony and as His Body.
On the other hand: PRAISE THE LORD for members of His Body who are still in Washington and have given reports of strengthening and growth. God IS in control even over this situation. I PRAISE Him that He knows and He will not allow His name to be defamed. He will be glorified. He will not abandon His people. (I have also heard accounts of growth in the Lord and people stepping up in positions of leadership.)
In Ohio I have been disappointed by the “church” for the very reason I had to put quotations around that word. HYPOCRITES!!!!!! So much religiousity without much salvation. (This mainly refers to the people I see in the community who TALK about church…not necessarily representing what I see at the church I am attending.)
I have also been disappointed because people want to (and think) they have so much understanding of the Scriptures, and yet elementary topics are being discussed and simple questions are being asked. I am also disappointed with how much “knowledge” they do have, but how little holiness is spoken of and/or how rarely specific sin is addressed.
#2) The Lord provides.
While I may have those in terms of disappointment this church we are attending is SUCH an example in giving and trusting the Lord and caring for their people. AMAZING!!
I am currently going to the “informational Sunday school class” and the government of their church is structured with wisdom. The use of elders and deacons to be available to the people and to be used to serve the people, amazing. The pastor knows the names of almost every person and he remembers details about their lives. HOW?!?!!! (He remembered my name soon after meeting me and even remembered to let me know about a school that was looking for teachers. Wow.)
The “home groups” (FLOCK groups) have been a blessing and I am thankful for them. I hope to speak up more – but I spoke up last week…and…I may have said too much.
Katherine and I will be going to dinners once a month to get to know a group of people from church. Nice. Katherine’s a little nervous, but I figure…let’s keep on jumping in. It’s all a process.
I am trying to decide if I will do youth or not. I do miss those guys!!!! But, these guys are not the guys I miss. The “guys” (speaking generally) I miss are irreplaceable…and they don’t live in Ohio. And yet, I know I enjoy their (youth) energy and “youngness” – opportunity to be trained.
I do know, however; that this is a much different “organization” (if you will). Can I handle it? Will I try to change it?
I will seek to hold myself back. (Pride comes before the fall.)
A new friend and I may be starting a Bible study together in which we will study the Church and what our role in it is suppose to be. We shall see how this goes. I think we are going to have our first meeting this Thursday.
I am attending a women’s “Precepts” (Kay Arthur) Bible study on Wednesday mornings. I almost say “bleh”. I should say that I have been a failure at the homework. (Not unusual. I have never been a good Bible study homework doer. Don’t know why.) I had never listened to her radio show before because I couldn’t stand her voice and I thought she was too girly.
Now, I am still thinking her lessons lean toward the girly side and I don’t know that I agree with the fact that men come to her conferences to sit under her teaching. WHY?!
She does exposit the Scriptures, but I am concerned that she seems to be “backwards” in her priorities. Instead of studying the context for the purpose of learning more about the Lord, etc she seems to look at the context and get that over with so she can then find and discuss a personal application point. (Bleh.) We just finished chapters 16-20 in 2nd Samuel and she was saying that we could apply the idea of how to choose friends from those chapters.
What? Okay, maybe some guiding principles, but that’s not the point and why even look for that point of application?
Rather, we should ask, what does the Bible reveal about the Lord? What do we see about David’s relationship with the Lord?
How, then, does my life reflect and interact with those realities?
Overall, sometimes I just don’t want to talk to any of those people at church. No. I don’t want to participate in the fake small-talk discussions and I don’t want to smile anymore. Sometimes I just want to fly back to Washington and be with my former family.
And then…I remind myself of what it was like the first year I attended Grace Bible Church.
After that I remind myself of what it was like my first 9 months (at least) on staff in One28 – awkward and horrible, just like this.
Sometimes I would leave evening service, delighted and feeling loved, feeling a sense of belonging. The next week would come and I would feel alone and would hope that I could take a plane back to California to be with my former family. (haha)
In One28, for the longest time I didn’t know who to talk to during our dinner staff meetings, didn’t know where to sit, and didn’t want to smile anymore. So many times I would have preferred to sit in a corner by myself so I wouldn’t have been made to speak to the other people in the room.
BUT THEN! –You get to know people and you serve with people…and suddenly…you realize they love you and you love them…and then you don’t want to leave them anymore. Even if it IS still awkward (church meetings are great for that sort of thing,) you know that it’ll pass – and you see other people who feel just as awkward as you and then you go talk to them.
Moving from a family I love has made me hope and delight all the more in the idea of heaven. His WHOLE Body – our WHOLE Family – dwelling together FOR EVER in peace, unity, and everlasting love so that we can bear His complete image and glorify Him before the heavenly host.
Oh! It brings tears to my eyes!
Imagine! That glorious day when we will all come before Him to praise and worship WITH one another from all over the world! All different nations, tongues, peoples bowing before Him, praising His name, worshiping Him, calling Him worthy because He is worthy.
But, for now, we are here. Separated by land, sea, and time zones – so that we can manifest His glory and make His wisdom known on this earth and in the heavenly realms. (May we be faithful!)
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