I'm making a list and checkin it twice,
I'm trying to be patient, and keeping it nice.
I am a list person, so don't get me wrong,
It's just that I have many not just 1.
As you can tell I'm not a poet,but
just a little humor will help me keep it all in perspective.
Over the last few months Michele has given me, in e-mail, quite a few things to get and bring along. I'm afraid to miss something so I really need to STOP and make one list.
I am collecting clothes for the people.
I have prescriptions and over the counter medicine.
I have a box of small toys for the village kids.
Clothes for my grandkids.
A modem for the computer.
DVD's and CD's.
Food, chocolate chips, and hot sauces, and
I would really love to get the tent in that I bought for Erik and boys.
Oh Yes, I have my clothes and Sages to pack.
I have 4 -50lbs bags that I can take without paying on Air Pacific Airlines.
I am going to have to start packing real soon so I can see were I'm at,
But for now its all sitting in a pile in the living room.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Joel Update...
Joel continues to get better, but today pulled out his tube so they tried
medicine by mouth, and that wasn't as successful.
Pray they can continue to get medicine down or in the little guy:)
medicine by mouth, and that wasn't as successful.
Pray they can continue to get medicine down or in the little guy:)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Prayer Update....
Joel will need to remain in the hospital for 14 more days. He receives IV antibiotics 4 time a day, and is very painful for him. He cries and cries. Please pray for his comfort and his parents. It is hard on everyone. Thank you for your prayers. I am so thankful.
Karen
Karen
Prayer Update....Praise Is In Order....
Joel has extended his knee, and has taken 3 steps.... Good News Indeed....
Keep praying....
Keep praying....
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Praying for Joel
"We must continue to ask God for wisdom and insight
and for the strength to persevere.
He will cause us to rise up and fly like eagles
walking not fainting." Norma Smalley
I have shared how I love praying the scriptures and during a difficult time I find that they give me real comfort as I pray them back to God.
My Prayers for Joel and His family:
LORD, You are God, I give thanks to you as I call upon Your name.
You have made known your deed among the peoples and among our family.
I think of and thank You for Erik's miraculous healing last week. Ps. 105:1
I shall remember the deeds of the Lord, yes surely I will remember Your
many wonders of old to our family. I will meditate on Your work and muse
on Your deeds. Ps. 77 :10,11,12
Your way Oh God is holy. What God is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders, You have made known Your strength
among the peoples. You have by your power redeemed Your people.
I sing praises to You as I bow before You.
Lord, I call upon You, hasten to hear me, please give ear to my voice when
I call on You. Ps. 141:1,2a
Hear my petition and give ear to my supplication Ps. 143:1
May my prayer be as incense before you. Like the incense of old Lord.
God, I come to you with my little grandson and his family. In You God
We come and take refuge, Please God don't leave us defenseless. Ps. 141:8
Give them a hedge of your protection Job 1:9
Your Word says You keep safe those who suffer Lord, be their safe place
In this time of trouble. Ps.9:9
Cover them with your wings for under Your wings they will find safety
because You are a safe covering and a sure wall Ps. 91:4.
As they wait upon You Lord give them strength, and help them because
they are weak and weary right now.
Help this little 3 year old to be brave when the pain comes from receiving
the medicine. Help both him and his parents to have your strength and
comfort during these medicine times.
You say that we can ask for wisdom if we are lacking and that You will give
it to us. James 1:5 I ask that You will give wisdom to his parents, that they
will know how his treatment should continue.
Give the doctors wisdom and understanding into Joel's needs.
But You God are our Jehovah-Rapha~the Lord That Heals
I ask that if it is Your will that You would heal Joel's leg completely.
That he would have complete mobility back. Have mercy on my
grandson.
God I believe your word, and it says that You cause all things to work together
for good to those who love and are called according to Your purpose because
For those whom You foreknew, You predestined to become
conformed to the image of Your Son. Romans 8:28 ,29
We love You Lord, Let Your purpose be accomplished here in us and those
around us.
In Jesus Name I Pray...
and for the strength to persevere.
He will cause us to rise up and fly like eagles
walking not fainting." Norma Smalley
I have shared how I love praying the scriptures and during a difficult time I find that they give me real comfort as I pray them back to God.
My Prayers for Joel and His family:
LORD, You are God, I give thanks to you as I call upon Your name.
You have made known your deed among the peoples and among our family.
I think of and thank You for Erik's miraculous healing last week. Ps. 105:1
I shall remember the deeds of the Lord, yes surely I will remember Your
many wonders of old to our family. I will meditate on Your work and muse
on Your deeds. Ps. 77 :10,11,12
Your way Oh God is holy. What God is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders, You have made known Your strength
among the peoples. You have by your power redeemed Your people.
I sing praises to You as I bow before You.
Lord, I call upon You, hasten to hear me, please give ear to my voice when
I call on You. Ps. 141:1,2a
Hear my petition and give ear to my supplication Ps. 143:1
May my prayer be as incense before you. Like the incense of old Lord.
God, I come to you with my little grandson and his family. In You God
We come and take refuge, Please God don't leave us defenseless. Ps. 141:8
Give them a hedge of your protection Job 1:9
Your Word says You keep safe those who suffer Lord, be their safe place
In this time of trouble. Ps.9:9
Cover them with your wings for under Your wings they will find safety
because You are a safe covering and a sure wall Ps. 91:4.
As they wait upon You Lord give them strength, and help them because
they are weak and weary right now.
Help this little 3 year old to be brave when the pain comes from receiving
the medicine. Help both him and his parents to have your strength and
comfort during these medicine times.
You say that we can ask for wisdom if we are lacking and that You will give
it to us. James 1:5 I ask that You will give wisdom to his parents, that they
will know how his treatment should continue.
Give the doctors wisdom and understanding into Joel's needs.
But You God are our Jehovah-Rapha~the Lord That Heals
I ask that if it is Your will that You would heal Joel's leg completely.
That he would have complete mobility back. Have mercy on my
grandson.
God I believe your word, and it says that You cause all things to work together
for good to those who love and are called according to Your purpose because
For those whom You foreknew, You predestined to become
conformed to the image of Your Son. Romans 8:28 ,29
We love You Lord, Let Your purpose be accomplished here in us and those
around us.
In Jesus Name I Pray...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Please Pray....
You know sometimes this is just hard. I ask you to pray for my littlest grand son. He has been sick for a few days. He has an infection in his bone, It is serious and he will be in the hospital to get IV antibiotics 4 times a day. He can't walk because his leg is so swollen, and painful.
Sigh...sometimes its hard...
Please pray for the little guy and his parents.
He got one of the lollipops I sent for being such a trooper when they had to pump his leg full of antibiotic.
Glad I sent them :)
Heavy sigh with a few tears, yes,sometimes it's just hard...
Lord, please help him to feel better. Please have mercy on him and heal this infection without more complications. Encourage his parents.
With a heavy sigh.... I thank You that I can trust You and that You understand my heavy heart tonight.
Bless them and keep them,
Make Your face shine on them
Lift Your countenance on them
and give them your peace.
Thank you Lord,
Sigh...sometimes its hard...
Please pray for the little guy and his parents.
He got one of the lollipops I sent for being such a trooper when they had to pump his leg full of antibiotic.
Glad I sent them :)
Heavy sigh with a few tears, yes,sometimes it's just hard...
Lord, please help him to feel better. Please have mercy on him and heal this infection without more complications. Encourage his parents.
With a heavy sigh.... I thank You that I can trust You and that You understand my heavy heart tonight.
Bless them and keep them,
Make Your face shine on them
Lift Your countenance on them
and give them your peace.
Thank you Lord,
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Bittersweet Feelings....
Yesterday I was at the beauty shop getting a hair cut
"Just give me a trim," I said "I'm going on a trip next month and I will be back just before I leave. "
"Where are you going?" she asked.
I love this part because every time I say Vanuatu there is silence.
Usually their faces give them away.
If they know were it is then they usually know something about its location and history.
If they don't have a clue then at some point they will say, "Where is that at?"
"Is that by Hawaii?" she asked.
"No," and I proceeded to give her a quick geography lesson that included Australia because most people have some idea were that is.
"Why, are you going there?" she asked.
"My son is a missionary, and my grandchildren are there," I told her.
"Aahh, I bet you miss them.That is so far away," she sympathized.
Smart girl I thought to myself.
"Do your grandchildren like it there?"
"Yes, that is all they know. They've lived there their whole lives," I said.
"When they come here do they want to stay here?" she asked.
Why does everyone ask me that? It always tugs at my heart.
"It's not that they don't like it here, but they are usually ready to go home," I said.
"Hmm," she seems to be thinking about it," that's interesting."
"How nice for them to have that experience," she finally responds.
This conversation happens a lot with strangers.
They have no way of knowing that as a missionary grandma it is hard for me to accept that my grandchildren will probably never know the USA as well as they know Vanuatu.
It is hard to accept that they may grow up and struggle with culture shock when they come home to study or live.
Its hard to accept that when they do come home on furlough it can be an overwhelming experience. I have stood in the toy isle watching them looking at the abundance of choices only to respond that they really don't want anything after all.
Its hard to accept that the things we take for granted they may have never seen before, and don't know how to use. Check out article I wrote about my granddaughters experiences last time she was in the states. http://womenoftheharvest.com/legacy/2008hlsummer/2008hljul_web.html
Its not that I'm not thankful for their cross-cultural experiences.
It's just another one of those bittersweet times, when I'm both happy and sad about it all.
"Just give me a trim," I said "I'm going on a trip next month and I will be back just before I leave. "
"Where are you going?" she asked.
I love this part because every time I say Vanuatu there is silence.
Usually their faces give them away.
If they know were it is then they usually know something about its location and history.
If they don't have a clue then at some point they will say, "Where is that at?"
"Is that by Hawaii?" she asked.
"No," and I proceeded to give her a quick geography lesson that included Australia because most people have some idea were that is.
"Why, are you going there?" she asked.
"My son is a missionary, and my grandchildren are there," I told her.
"Aahh, I bet you miss them.That is so far away," she sympathized.
Smart girl I thought to myself.
"Do your grandchildren like it there?"
"Yes, that is all they know. They've lived there their whole lives," I said.
"When they come here do they want to stay here?" she asked.
Why does everyone ask me that? It always tugs at my heart.
"It's not that they don't like it here, but they are usually ready to go home," I said.
"Hmm," she seems to be thinking about it," that's interesting."
"How nice for them to have that experience," she finally responds.
This conversation happens a lot with strangers.
They have no way of knowing that as a missionary grandma it is hard for me to accept that my grandchildren will probably never know the USA as well as they know Vanuatu.
It is hard to accept that they may grow up and struggle with culture shock when they come home to study or live.
Its hard to accept that when they do come home on furlough it can be an overwhelming experience. I have stood in the toy isle watching them looking at the abundance of choices only to respond that they really don't want anything after all.
Its hard to accept that the things we take for granted they may have never seen before, and don't know how to use. Check out article I wrote about my granddaughters experiences last time she was in the states. http://womenoftheharvest.com/legacy/2008hlsummer/2008hljul_web.html
Its not that I'm not thankful for their cross-cultural experiences.
It's just another one of those bittersweet times, when I'm both happy and sad about it all.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
It's Worth A Pig...
Erik and Michele live on the island of Tanna. The airport is in the small town of Lenackel, and the village is about a two hour drive from there.
To get to the village we have to head up the mountain into the bush with Erik's small 4 wheel drive truck. As we move inland the vegetation becomes lush and dense. There are twisted banyan trees, ferns and coconut trees,wild orchids, vines and flowering plants.
Erik calls the road 4 wheel drive, but I call it the nightmare road.
When the road is dry it is mostly passable, but the muddy holes are still a challenge to navigate through.
When this road is wet it is almost impossible to navigate. It is slick. It is easy to fall into the muddy holes , and it can take hours to dig out. No tow trucks here.
Usually I travel this road with my eyes tightly shut, praying all the way.
Last month Erik got stuck about a mile from home and had to walk it carrying boxes and bags.
Last time we talked I had this brilliant idea,
"Erik, will you have the men in the village cut a new road in the bush when I come? I will pay them to do this."
"Mom, they will not want money, but they might do it for a pig."
"Hmm, excellent idea, I will buy a pig, " I responded.
I hope that he knows that I am serious.
Erik left a comment on the last entry about his health scare, check it out....
Thursday, April 9, 2009
What We Don't Know Won't Hurt Us?
I had an interesting conversation via E-mail with another POM this week. We agreed that sometimes we don't want to know how bad it is for our kids.
This week when Erik told me what good care he got at the hospital, but then went on to tell me that there was no toilet paper or hand soap available I found myself wanting to ask how clean was the operating room and the instruments that they used, but instead I laughed with him and told him to STOP, and not tell me anymore details.
I was going to choose to leave it with God and be thankful that he received the emergency surgery he needed and focus on the miracle of the whole thing.
Sometimes it's just painful to hear the details about their hardships. I want to hear so that I can pray specifially, but sometimes it is just hard.
This week when Erik told me what good care he got at the hospital, but then went on to tell me that there was no toilet paper or hand soap available I found myself wanting to ask how clean was the operating room and the instruments that they used, but instead I laughed with him and told him to STOP, and not tell me anymore details.
I was going to choose to leave it with God and be thankful that he received the emergency surgery he needed and focus on the miracle of the whole thing.
Sometimes it's just painful to hear the details about their hardships. I want to hear so that I can pray specifially, but sometimes it is just hard.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thank You Lord...
I have heard from Erik.
He is doing well, thankful to be feeling better, and resting.
Stopping is not one of Erik's strong suits, he usually pushes
it. Sounds like this situation stopped him.
I am thankful for you prayers and to God for his provision
in my son and his families lives.
God is Good.
And Greatly To Be Praised.
He is doing well, thankful to be feeling better, and resting.
Stopping is not one of Erik's strong suits, he usually pushes
it. Sounds like this situation stopped him.
I am thankful for you prayers and to God for his provision
in my son and his families lives.
God is Good.
And Greatly To Be Praised.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Prayer update...
Erik is doing well.
There is a good chance he will be home today.
Thank You for your prayers.
There is a good chance he will be home today.
Thank You for your prayers.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Lord Has Made Himself Known Ps. 9:16
Ten mins. after posting my last entry, I received a call from Michele that Erik was so sick with high fever and pain that they were flying him out to the city of Port Vila for possible surgery. They were thinking that it was his appendix.
Any panic I had was set on finding others to pray for them. I always do better when I do something, and God's peace seemed to carry me through the night.
In the middle of my night,they ended up doing and emergency appendectomy.
With a phone call this morning, I heard his groggy voice tell me,
"I'm okay mom, the fever is down, and the pain is better."
As I sit at my table this morning praying, my heart is filled with gratitude.
I am thanking God he got out in time.
I am thanking God for the medical care he got, truly I'm amazed at this.
I am thanking God that Michele is back safely from the village,she only got stuck 3 times on that wet slippery road, but there were people to help get her out, and that she plans to fly to Erik sometime this afternoon.
I am thankful for the other missionaries who sat with him, watched over him, prayed for and with him, and loved him.
I am thankful for the many prayers prayed on his behalf from family, friends, and strangers.
I know that there is much healing to take place.
I also recognize we need to see how it goes with this healing, but for now I'm a thankful mother praising God for His goodness, power, and protection.
"The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed(crushed,injured, afflicted)
A stronghold in times of trouble;
and those who know His name will put their trust in Him,
For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Ps. 9:10-11
Any panic I had was set on finding others to pray for them. I always do better when I do something, and God's peace seemed to carry me through the night.
In the middle of my night,they ended up doing and emergency appendectomy.
With a phone call this morning, I heard his groggy voice tell me,
"I'm okay mom, the fever is down, and the pain is better."
As I sit at my table this morning praying, my heart is filled with gratitude.
I am thanking God he got out in time.
I am thanking God for the medical care he got, truly I'm amazed at this.
I am thanking God that Michele is back safely from the village,she only got stuck 3 times on that wet slippery road, but there were people to help get her out, and that she plans to fly to Erik sometime this afternoon.
I am thankful for the other missionaries who sat with him, watched over him, prayed for and with him, and loved him.
I am thankful for the many prayers prayed on his behalf from family, friends, and strangers.
I know that there is much healing to take place.
I also recognize we need to see how it goes with this healing, but for now I'm a thankful mother praising God for His goodness, power, and protection.
"The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed(crushed,injured, afflicted)
A stronghold in times of trouble;
and those who know His name will put their trust in Him,
For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Ps. 9:10-11
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
