Ohhh how He speaks to me in the garden...this wasn't the first time nor will it be the last.

I had one big task that I wanted to tackle with this time off and that was to weed the flower garden, it used to be something that I despised doing, why can't weeds just stay away once you pull them the first time? Hateful little things. It seems though through nature is where God wants to get my attention the most with beautiful sunrises in my favorite colors of pink and purple, vibrantly colored birds that will capture my eye, dragonflies that make me smile, the mountains and the lake, I could go on and on. But lately it's been through the weeds. Over the last week or so I've been noticing the large amounts of dandelions that have conquered several yards in the neighborhood, they're invasive and they travel yard to yard...it's a weed but I think they're pretty. The description from Purdue horticulture website is that "its a widely distributed weed that a detailed description is unnecessary..."  But here's the thing, I think it does deserve a description, the nicest version of a description I could find is: it belongs to the daisy family with a rosette of leaves and bright yellow flowers. There are weeds though that aren't pretty, in fact they can thorny or sticky and down right icky. These are the ones that need to be pulled, cut back and disposed of much like a lot of things that we hold on to, things we've done and said and things that others have done and said. Those are the weeds of our life.

 When I was down in dirt over these last two days pulling those not so nice weeds God spoke to me. He said "no matter what it is that you're doing I'm with you always, I'm not going anywhere." I've been out of sorts these last couple of weeks and it's taken it's toll on me, that's why I wanted to spend more time with Him this weekend, no distractions. If I had it my way, I would have loved to have just curled up at His feet like Mary did and put aside the Martha in me. But sadly the weeds don't get pulled on their own. I've said before that God is our gardener, He's pulled those weeds (our sin) which allows us to flourish as we should. But when those weeds pop back up and remind you of your past thru the works and whispers of Satan, then it's time to throw down the gauntlet and remind him of who you belong to and use the Word to defeat him because we can't do it alone, only with His help.

Part of my heart was left in India

I wrote this 3 years ago today and wanted to share it here.

They say India changes you. It's true.

Yesterday was CSR day in our India offices. CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility and the object of yesterdays service was a Catholic organization, the Home for the Disabled. To gain some perspective, India is approximately 2 or 3% Christian. This is 24M out of 1.2B. They are the smallest religious group and considered the smallest minority.

Being Christian is a difficult task in India, you give up your caste, which means you give up your family, identity, and much of the protections afforded by Hindu law. Priests and nuns in India are promised to God while in the womb. They are born into the service. It's a lonely road.

Another thing you need to know is that India doesn't have a program like Social Security that cares for the disabled. Families are also unofficially restricted to two children (for example, health insurance only covers two children per family), so when an child is born with a disability, they are often abandoned or killed. They are literally at the mercy of charity.

The Home for the Disabled is home to children and adults with various disabilities, from Down syndrome, to blindness, to mental retardation, to extreme physical disabilities, they take them all. Four nuns run the organization and they are heavily dependent on donations. There is one resident, Media, has extreme disabilities and has lived there since 1961. Her parents sent her away when she was a baby. When she was an adult she returned and they made her leave again so she came back to the Home and now cares for the younger children.

Our office brought two large bags of rice and several boxes of biscuits (cookies)  and we were honored to be a part of it.It was amazing to see the power of the love of God and Jesus. I know religion can be divisive, but I promise you, God is working in these people's lives. There were so many to love on. They were extremely friendly and introduced themselves heartily. I saw a blind man deliver food to the other boys and men, using his other senses to travel between buildings back and forth to feed those that couldn't leave their beds.

We have so much, they have so little, yet we are all still Sisters (and Brothers) in Christ. This may have been the best part of my trip. Words just don't seem to be enough. From now on, when I hear the phrase first world problems, I can honestly know that I have seen true third world problems. No matter your struggles, please count your blessings and hug your loved ones and be thankful you live in grandeur.

Sceptics and seeds

I know there are sceptics and those who doubt that the Lord speaks, they doubt that there are conversations between Him and those who He has chosen and called to be His children. However I feel there are more people in my circle who are believers there are those who will confidently agree that He speaks and listens. A good Father who not only wants to hear His children but speak as well. Over the last few years I've had several conversations with the Lord. Whether it's asking for guidance, praying for healing or speaking to Him about a certain situation but I can say that it's mostly been me listening. I want so desperately want to hear what He has to say and I want Him to guide me in what He wants me to do. When we spend time in the quietness and open our hearts and minds and when we listen with intent, He has so much to say and so much that He wants to pour into His children but we have to be willing recipients. 

I told you that I'd take you on the journey of becoming a Foster Parent and so here we are. It's the 3rd of June 2018 and I'm 99.8% done with all the paperwork and classes I have to take in order to become licensed by the state of SC. The magnitude of this hit me yesterday. I've been busy in completing the paperwork, making my home safe and child ready and getting ready for a mission trip next month that I haven't had a moment to slow down and think. When I heard the call from the Lord to become a Foster Mom, I just knew that I was fulfilling a call that He planted deep within me 32 years ago. I don't think I'm doing anything extraordinary I'm doing what I was called to do...I am on another mission trip, but at home.

I want to share the love that He has given me with kids who need it. I want to stand in the gap for these children and because they are precious to Him, they are precious to me. I want to be the hands and feet and let them know that they are loved and are deserving. I know that this calling will have it's challenges, there will be moments, days or entire seasons that will test me. There will be spiritual opposition and I will have to guard my heart. But I have confidence that my Heavenly Father will tell me what to do when I keep my heart and mind tuned into His grace and love. I will rely on Him to give me discernment when needed. But I will also rely on those whom He has placed in my life, those who will walk by me and hold me up when I can't do it alone.

I know He is faithful. I know He will sustain. I know He will guard my heart if I allow Him because He knows my heart, He's the one that planted the seed. He was the one that chose me to love the precious littles that will call me Mom, even if it is for a season. In all of this, I will choose joy because He has spoken.

Joshua 1:9