Undefeatable Victory

Recently I have been reading The Hididng Place, Corrie Ten Boom’s amazing testimony fashioned in the midst of the German occupation of World War II. Arrested for her involvement in the underground organization providing shelter and aid to Jewish people during the Holocost, Corrie lived to witness the inhumane conditions and torture of the Nazi concentration camps.

Upon her arrest, Corrie pondered the place God had placed her. Had she been defeated? Why had this happened? Corrie concludes, “But . . . if the Gospels were truly the pattern of God’s activity, then defeat was only the beginning. I would look around at the bare, little cell and wonder what conceivable victory could come from a place like this” (150). However, in the midst of the dark, unpleasant circumstances surrounding her, Corrie tells of God’s faithfulness and the marvelous evidences of His work during that time.

Similarly, as we enter the Christmas season and worship Christ’s birth, we uncover a mind-boggling paradox wrapped in the package of the Gospel. Who would have thought the Son of God would have entered the world in the shelter of a humble stable? What victory could be birthed in such a place? This season proclaims the life of our Savior who would lay down his life to free us from death and the eternal judgment for our sin. However, in the eyes of the Pharisees, the guards, and those standing by, Christ’s crucifixion—His willful sacrifice on our behalf—appeared to mark his utter defeat. Despite the prophesies of old, the Pharisees could not see the true victory fulfilled through Jesus.

But, just as the baby born in the stable shattered Israel’s expectations, many times we question God’s purposes when we face circumstances we do not understand. For example, finding ourselves crushed in the battle against sin, we may question how we can stand victorious against a sinful inclination. Or, like Corrie Ten Boom, we may face physical trials and undesirable circumstances which cause us to question how anything good could blossom from them. What victory could come from this?

But, even so, God uses these weaknesses—apparent defeats—to display His power and saving victory. In the times we are weakest, incapable, and inadequate God reveals His hand at work, His provision, and His faithfulness. Amidst circumstances beyond our control, He turns us to rely solely on Him in desperation. This is victory.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

In the shadows of a prison cell God opened Corrie Ten Boom’s eyes to see the light of His presence like never before. Despite her weakness, He proved faithful. We can draw encouragement from this testimony—the testimony of the Gospel—and stand in awe of the God who conquers the feeble heart, fashioning victory in the unachievable, unexpected, and unknown.

1000+ Thank-Yous

I have been keeping a thankfulness journal with the goal of marking down 1000 thank yous to the Lord. This challenge was initiated by Ann Voskamp, whose blog has been a great inspiration to me. (click button below to view the challenge)




Overall, the 1000 thank you challenge has proved a wonderful exercise for me, motivating me to look for ways to thank the Lord each day. At the close of the day my mind searches for the gifts I can add to my journal's list. As I go about each day, I have become more attuned to the blessings in life, eagerly stowing them in my mind to pour out in my little journal.

They can be big, they can be small. One sentence, one word. All that matters is that one look for and acknowledge God's work, His provision, His blessings.

Although today marks my 1000th thank you, I plan on continuing this habit, numbering my thank-yous to 2000, 3000, . . . the more the better! I am looking forward to seeing how the Lord continues to train my mind through this discipline.

993. CNA registration
994. Daniel in uniform
996. First time skating on the pond this winter!
997. Quiet, relaxing Saturday
998. Squeaky cheese curds
999. Delicate, frosty patterns on the window
1000. Evidences of Your faithfulness marked in this journal.

1001. Relaxing and writing while snuggled on the couch today...
....

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,and his courts with
praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Psalm 100:4

Stop and Savor

With a cup of hot tea in hand, I closed the door and snuggled up in a cozy blanket on the porch. Rays of sunshine pour down from above, red maple glows with leaves afire, wind rushes through the tall grass, chimes softly sing. I crack open a book, my icy fingers clasping the warm teacup as its hot vapor curls upward in the frigid fall air.

I drink its sweetness . . .

All too often we fail to consider the big picture; we box up our minds to only see the duties, the tasks, the trivialities of life. Our focus can be so limited, only giving attention to the needs, the wants, the aches and pains, the schedules, and the responsibilities, causing us to lose appreciation for the season God has placed us in. With selfish focus we gloss over the blessings God has given, the work He is doing, the precious memories in the making. We miss the joys of the treasures given here and now.

Stop. Stretch your eyes. Look for the beauty around you. Like a vapor, these things, these seasons, this life, shall pass. Savor. Remember. Worship.

Warmth of Home

Fall brings a cozy atmosphere, illuminating the richness of home. With leaves swirling in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, this season holds a beauty of its own. Blankets stowed in the back closet come out once again, bringing soft warmth against the cold nip of the crisp fall air.

I love days like these -- days to step back, see, and feel the warmth of home. Candles burning with glowing flame, smells of apples and spice, sweaters hanging on the hook, kettle bubbling in the background, hands clasped around a cup of hot tea . . .

Trails of scattered popcorn along the kitchen floor (the only remaining evidence of the tasty popcorn balls I made), delicious and juicy baked apples for lunch . . .


all proclaim the joy of a place called Home.

Sunshine *

I'm treasuring the sunshine, *
its sparkling, shining rays * *
have kissed these golden stars, * * *
and now their faces glow * * * *

Bottled up with lighted smile, * * *
overflowing in endless glee
they tell me of the joy of day * *
Teaching blinded eyes to see

joy in today.
joy in every day.

Pattern of Perfection

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

>*< * >*< * >*<

Blind belief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

~William Cowper

exerpt from“God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” 1774

For the last several months I have worked on an easy, yet involved knitting project with much trial and error. One could say I “bit off more than I could chew” with this particular project. I have knitted, re-knitted, attached, detached, ripped out, snipped, pulled, and tugged, with hopes that all would turn out right. To put it bluntly, although it has taken form and now shows signs of promise (after I decided to modify the pattern my own way), there is a good chance it may not turn out as I first envisioned. When finished, my sweater may end up worn once and then left in the deep confines of my closet—one of those humble “learning” projects left to be forgotten about. However, I hope it will not be so.

In contrast, as I think about the stitches and rows and the slow development of this piece as it takes form, I am reminded of God’s expert hand in shaping our lives. Unlike me, inexperienced and unsure of the end result, He has planned every curve and has a perfect design in mind. Rather than making adjustments along the way, He has established His plan and intentions for me long before.

How encouraging to know the Lord has a purpose for every little frill, twist, turn, and loop in life. We can rest secure in the knowledge that He knows what lies ahead. We can draw comfort because He is the perfect guide; He leads us—more often, carries us—through all of life, strengthening and preparing us for what He has in store. We can trust Him because He is our light.

>*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*<

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me that path of life; in Your presence is the fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasure forevermore.

~Psalm 16:9-11

For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your Name’s sake you lead me and guide me; . . . Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

~Psalm 31:3, 5

>*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*< * >*<

Lord, how easy it is to say, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit,” or “I Surrender All,” but give me a heart which truly bows to You each day, desiring Your will and Your ways as my own. Let me give myself wholeheartedly and without reserve to further the glory of YOUR name; help me to walk in obedience on the path You have designed, trusting in your perfect plan and knowing that what You choose is what is best.

Amidst the Storm

Raindrops lightly fall from the sky; a radiant sky half concealed by a dark, billowy cloud. Unfurling its arms to stretch from one corner of the sky to the other, a blanket of black slowly swathes the sky. Its watery tears drop down to the parched ground one by one, quickening into a torrential downpour. Moans and groans effuse from the depths of the growing darkness, casting a bleak shadow on sunlit hopes. One small hole in the clouds permits a single shaft of sunlight to pierce the darkness: a ray of hope amidst the storm.

Carrying the tempest as if with wings so swift, the wind wooshes through the trees. Bending and swaying, the old trees creak back and forth, their leaves rustling and quaking on each limb. Tugged and thrashed by the uproarious storm, leaves break from their comfortable perch and drift with the wind to places unknown.

Eight rows of clothes still hang on the line, having basked in the bright sunshine only minutes before. Now, drenched from the rain, they whip, tangle, and lash in the roaring wind. Seeking to throw them to the ground, the mighty gusts nearly tear the clothes apart. But, pinned securely to the line, they cling and do not let go.

Sheets of rain continue to pelt the earth, filling every crack and crevice. Water spills down the hills and winds through the valleys below. Dry, cracked, and deficient of water, the remains of a crooked creek rapidly fills, overflowing its shallow banks to gurgle and splash through the rough, rocky terrain. Surrounding trees soak up its cool, energizing flow with glee. Their roots plunge deeper, eagerly surging toward the reservoir containing long-awaited refreshment. Their limp arms find renewed strength to lift up their hands to the sky; each head turned expectantly toward the light.

Pocket-Full-of-Posies

I finally completed the finishing touches on a purse I began sewing this summer and love how it turned out!

I especially like the girlie fabric and bright colors which add a feminine flair to this delightful purse. It would fit Bethany's personality to a tea: her artist's eye and love for bright pinks and lush flowers would instantly draw her to this cute accessory. I think I will stash it away for a birthday surprise.

Last summer I made a purse with this same pattern (The Veronica Pocketbook by Lazy Girl Designs)

A little "Yo-Yo" flower with a button in the center embellishes the closing flap. (The yo-yo kit/template we purchased makes them so easy to do!)

Tea Time

As in the case of several friends I know, change is about to cross the threshold of many lives during this season. Since time has passed quickly and new opportunities rapidly approach, some dear friends -- a group of young ladies I look up to, enjoy, and admire -- decided to gather together before the Lord guides several down new and exciting pathways in separate sectors of the nation.

What a privilege to reflect on God's work in our lives and to enjoy fellowship together again as sisters in the Lord! I cherish these opportunities. Thank you, Lord.

Our hostess and her sisters made a beautiful spread for us, creating a delightful atmosphere to savor treats and sweet morsels of conversation together.

Shortcake topped with fresh, juicy, red rasperries

Joyful hearts eager to pursue the Lord's direction!

With Pen and Ink

. . . on a summer afternoon

May my words and actions be marked with grace like the delicate script which flows from the swift strokes of the pen; with the same beauty and cheerfulness that lingers on the face of sunny, summer blooms.

Words of Life

Several months ago my mom started compiling a verse chain to document passages of Scripture which spoke to her soul during her quiet time. As the days passed and note cards rapidly began to accumulate on her ring, she encouraged me and several others in our family to use this tool as well.

As I read my Bible, I keep a stash of blank white note cards on my desk to jot down verses which refresh and challenge my soul. Already I have thick stack of these cards; I see them as sweet morsels of Scripture overflowing with words of life to embrace again

And again.

Some may bear rich meaning now, others have been slipped onto the ring to deliver refreshment in times to come. Rather than resting unopened in my journal collecting dust, they sit clasped in a place where I can see them, hold them, and revisit the depth of their meaning.

The words written on their face document struggles; they recall victories; their message points to His promises. In the midst of the raging battle they speak of love, hope, and security to deliver my soul from fear. Countless times the Lord has brought comfort through the verses he burdened me to add to my chain in those times of quiet.

I am so thankful for God's Word and for how He uses it in our lives.

Jewels on a Gravel Road

I have probably spent more time reading other blogs than posting on my own. However, I came across this post from an excellent blog; it is a little story with a wonderful take-home point which spoke to my heart.

Where will I choose to set my gaze today? Will I dwell on my disappointments and uncertainties, or will I instead seek to embrace and admire the glorious One: his faithfulness, his promises, his character, the hope he holds?

(photo courtesy of AirNinja.com )

Like searching for jewels on a gravel road, the going may be rough and full of bumps. But by giving the proper vision and perspective, the Lord can illuminate precious treasures along a pathway we only perceive as dust, dirt, and grime.

May I turn my gaze toward the Jewel in my path today.

Hope Attained

Today, gathered together as a family, we remember the life of my dear grandmother. Our hearts rejoice in the saving work of Jesus Christ in her life. Through the death Christ died, the physical death of his chosen ones has no power, no might, no grasp on their eternal souls. Hallelujah!
`* `* `*
But, although this is a joyful time, our hearts also ache at her departure. Over the course of several years we have sadly observed the harsh hold of Alzheimer's disease bring her to a rapid decline. In my selfish desires I wish I could have had a deeper, fuller relationship with this godly lady.
`* `* `*
What it must be like to enter the throne room of Christ and enjoy him forevermore! I envision her now rejoicing in his glory, using her lovely voice to sing endless praises to the King with all her heart and strength. She has a new mind--no longer blurred and hindered by disease--in order to remember and dwell on the glory of God.
`* `* `*
Thank you Lord, for an everlasting hope. It does not just end here. Rather, what we see as the end is only the beginning.

Savoring the Stress of State Competition!

My younger brother Daniel and I had the privilege of performing in the state piano competition this past weekend!

Our second time competing in state, the overall experience went very smoothly since we knew the ropes and what to expect. Upon arrival we leisurely went to the practice rooms and warmed up on one of the many dingy upright pianos before cooly walking into to the audition site. Well . . . I wish I could say it went exactly that way. However, outward appearances can be deceiving!

Each contestant is required to play three memorized pieces for a judge. After months and months of practice I do not like the thought of "one try" at a competition and all of the factors which it rests on. Cold, stiff fingers . . . a picky judge . . . or a crummy piano could alter desired outcomes. Or maybe just the opposite. Whatever it is, the proccess requires split-second flexibility and quick adjustment. Because of this I prayed that the Lord would give me perspective, ability, encouragement in whatever circumstance I faced.

-

However, this year I found it particularly exciting to audition in the huge concert hall. What a perk! Last year I performed on a not-so-great piano in one of the small offices. This year I was pleasantly surprised to progress to a higher notch.

There I stood, anxiously awaiting in front of the double doors of the hall, my heart thumping wildly. Finally, the music of the previous player had concluded, and the door opened. My eyes grew wide upon catching a first glimpse of the room. I walked down the stairway leading to the stage down below as if a red carpet had been unfurled at my feet. The judge sat beyond the stage like a speck off in the distance. Ahead a full-sized grand piano waited in the spotlight. Although its booming bass and muffled soprano notes required compensation -- which maybe I could not offer as accurately on a "first try" -- I caressed the black and white keys and pulled from them the music which had swirled in my head for days, weeks, months! Amid the blurr of thoughts and notes in my brain as I brought the piece to execution, I tried to focus on the scene and the lasting memory I would take away from this experience.

-

What an honor it was to sit there and play. After watching others perform I realized the honor it was to even be numbered with such exceptional pianists in this state. Our jaws dropped to the floor upon hearing some of the incredible pieces these kids performed. In all honesty I was just about laughing because it was so unreal!

-

Needless to say, the experience this year has greatly inspired me. I thank the Lord for blessing that time and for providing such a wonderful opportunity for critique and growth!

¿Te gusta la comida mexicana?

This week the assignment for our Spanish class involved preparing an authentic Mexican meal for our family. Steven and I donned our chefs hats and made enchiladas with enthusiasm this evening . . . while snapping our fingers to the peppy beat of Latino music in the background.

¡Qué deliciosa! I think we had a winner!

Signs of Spring

Yesterday the warm, cheery sunshine beckoned me outside. I carefully studied my little garden plot, and look what I found!

The irises already peek from the bed

I found an occasional leaf poking through from the tangled reeds from last year's plant.

Running to the garage, I came back with a trimmer. I clipped and piled up some of the old, dead flower stalks and piled them to the side. As I did so, the sweet fragrance of the dead, dried bee-balm stalks filled the air like a lovely perfume. Underneath the remains of its dried stalks I could see a few little leaves of new, fresh bee-balm plants beginning to poke up from the ground. How amazing think of the many concepts this season illustrates. The concept of old becoming new, death birthing life, and the dead becoming alive (such as Jesus' resurrection celebrated on Easter).

Death.

Life!

In reality, I would not consider myself an avid gardener. I just like to stand back and watch things grow! Perennials give me the most joy since they faithfully come back year after year. Every spring I burst with excitement upon noticing their little heads shoot up from the soil beneath. Despite the cold, harsh winters of the north, they endure the snow and sleet while firmly rooted in the ground, ready and preparing to spring up and flourish when the time is right.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

~Colossians 2:6-7

Let's cling to Him and keep our roots embedded in the nutrients He offers so we can be ready to flourish in the seasons ahead.

Volibol!

At the end of the day the locals would set up a net between two poles on either side of the street and play volleyball. And, of course, the gringos wanted to play too!Whenever a car came they just pulled the net up, and the car would drive right under! Pretty innovative, eh?

This dog always peeked through the balcony to watch all the commotion. From the looks of the wall, the dog has its own perferred spot overlooking the town.

What God Did

How evident God's work was in this trip! Many things occurred not only in the clinic, but also among our team to turn our eyes to Him.

One of the most encouraging things I observed was how God's hand worked in many of the lives of fellow team mates. Dad's roommate, a Jew, had many questions about the Christian faith throughout the week. Despite their weariness from the long, involved days, they would stay up for hours before bed intently discussing matters of faith and the Bible. How neat to observe how God was softening this man's heart and using the week to turn his gaze toward spiritual things. May God continue to work and cause him to see and know the truth of Jesus Christ.

Optical Crew

During our debriefing gathering a team mate who worked in the optical portion of the clinic told us of an interesting occurrence. One of the patients that day needed a certain type of glasses Dave was sure they had run out of. Having looked through the box of glasses several times for this size to no avail, he decided to search again. Amazingly, he immediately found a pair of the specific type they thought were gone. Apparently this did not happen only once, but several times after. In this way, God continually re-filled our jars to provide for the needs of others.

-

Also, during a different team gathering another team member told of an instance of God's provision. First, let me give a little background to this. One of the members of the church in Condevilla has a neat testimony through the ministry he has begun by opening up a school in a town an hour or two away. He gave up many of his possessions for the cause of this ministry, showing a neat heart of selfless giving for the sake of others and God's work. One of our team members planned on doing a video recording of this man's testimony in order to distribute here to raise support for his ministry. About to do the interview, he turned on the camera and realized the battery was low. He had forgotten to charge it the night before! Knowing the Lord wanted to use this man's testimony to touch others lives, he prayed for the Lord's provision. Soon after he glanced at the battery and saw it slowly rise to full power! Wow! The interview was successful, and the battery died about five minutes after they had finished.

These few instances mentioned here testify to the powerful work God did in and through the team. What a faith-building experience!

... And More Peru!

As a whole, the four-day clinic facilitated about 1,300 patients. This was the third year the church opened a medical clinic, and clearly God blessed us by giving us a smooth week. Apparently, in the past local gangs had threatened the clinic. This year the clinic hired security, but ironically none of the officers showed up. God protected us!

Gathered with friends at the end of the day!

For the remaining three days of the clinic, I had the pleasure of doing a little translating for my dad and his patients. I watched one of the missionaries do the main translation work and followed along with the patient-doctor conversations, which helped a lot. She also let me jump in and try too, and would help catch the details I missed and bail me out if I got stuck. Most often, though, I worked with a nurse and helped translate questions and find general information about the patient. This helped whittle down the doctor-patient ordeal by helping Dad jump into the problem and not have to dig around as much. I felt most helpful in this position because I would often lose track of things when the patient explained in detail all the ins-and-outs of the problem. Yes, just smile and nod: a very helpful gesture when your Spanish is so limited! When there was a lull in activity it was fun to just talk with a couple of the people waiting for consults. One lady had come all the way from Trujillo--a full eight-hour bus ride from Condevilla!

Dad, Arlene, and I partnered together one day Translating
On the left is Miss Kay, the missionary who translated for us. Damiana (at the right) was a great help in logistics.

Precious children

Nurse Arlene and I were roommates for the week

One of the last patients Dad saw one day had several gallstones and ultimately was in a very serious condition if she did not receive immediate care. Since the nearby clinics were on strike that week, her appointment had been canceled, and she came to our clinic instead. We could only provide her with antibiotics, but she apparently planned to have surgery that Friday at the hospital. Upon Dad's request she came back the following day and reported she felt much better and could now eat a little due to the antibiotics. Dad and I had the special opportunity to pray with her for her upcoming surgery.

Valeria