Will You Help, So They Can Go? Day #24 of Thankfulness

Missions.

What do you think when you hear the word?

 Overseas?

Foreign country?

 For the first 15 years of my life I attended a Methodist Church. 

Missional in its purpose. 

I remember filling barrels with clothing to send over seas. 

I remember the barrels. 

We prayed continually for other countries and the missionaries. 

Vacation Bible School was a challenge to raise funds to purchase chickens and milk for families in need. 
I remember holding tightly to the quarter in my hot sweaty hand.

I remember the poster board chart. 
 The chicken and milk column's growing with each day. 

The desire to help deeply rooted. 

When I was 15 we switched to an Evangelical Covenant Church. 

Missionaries, there, had faces. 

They came and there were potluck dinners. 

They shared about their work; what God was doing. 

At home my father often became incensed
 when talking about serving in other countries. 

His philosophy; why can't we take care of our own? 

There are so many people in need. 

Right here in our own backyard. 

Until we end poverty in our own backyard we have no business going other places. . . he would say. 

These practices throughout my childhood led me to apply to be a missionary teacher in a mountainous community in Virginia when I graduated college. 

I was not accepted. 

(Good thing)

 I had no experience. 

I was an incredibly naive, city girl. 

But these experiences and the desire never left. 

Somehow I wanted to help.

My farmer had the opportunity to go with Josh McDowell's ministry
 to Romania about 15 years ago. 

The Lord closed the door tightly. 

The loss of his parents. 

Then two more children were added to the scene. 

And so many other life happenings. 
The opportunity never presented itself again. 

Until death and cancer knocked on the door. 

The urgency to go became so real for my farmer. 

He wanted his kids to experience another culture. 

I wanted to help get them there. 

And so an article in a pamphlet and a response from our community sent my farmer and his daughter to the country of Haiti. 

The experience changing them forever. 

This year their desire to go is even more fervent. 

They want to take a team. 

2 becomes 9. 

And God is slowly opening those doors. 

We would love to have you enter in this journey with us. 

First and foremost we need people to pray. 

There are so many logistics for this trip. 

Second we need folks to partner with us financially. 

We are not in a place to handle this on our own. 

We recognize that. 

We also recognize if the funds are not there. 

Then the trip for all of them is not meant to be. 

So if you are inclined to pray please come along side us. 

Send us a note, or just keep us in mind. 

If you are able to donate financially here is the link. 

Donate to Haiti Trip

There is also a Davis Family account at the Jericho Merchants Bank. 

Thank you to those who have already so graciously given. 

Please be sure to click on the Haiti Project tab and enter in the memo box 

Davis Trip to Haiti. 

Thirdly we are collecting supplies to fill suitcases to bring to the people. 
Through your generous donations, last year,  we were able to send 2 full suitcases of supplies. This year we are hoping to fill 9 suitcases!

Items that we are aware of are; feminine products, deodorant, bra's and underwear for teen girls. 

There is also an exciting opportunity for you to meet the team leader of this Haitian Trip and ways to serve right here in the United States!

While Global Compassion Network serves over seas, they also function in the United States as an Emergency First Response to disasters. 

They have equipped trailers with Emergency supplies to meet a Communities needs when Natural disasters occur. 

Dennis will talk to us about the many ways you can be involved in this ministry. 

Please join us, Friday, December 4, 2015, at 6:30 pm. in the

 Jericho Congregational Church Fellowship Hall. 

A light supper of beans and rice will be served. 

There will also be an opportunity to hear from a couple who are interested in bringing 2 Nicaraguan Orphans here to the states to help educate and equip them to go back to live in Nicaragua. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
an opportunity to serve
children who want to serve others
realizing our needs are met each day
prayer
intimacy with Christ
a home bursting with giggles and friends and kids home
a quiet night with my farmer
lessons I am learning while giving thanks
running water and heat
The crisp air, reminding us that winter is on the way
a freezer full of summer
a puppy that is mending well
a farm boy that is so grateful
a God that knows my needs before I even speak them


I pray your Thankfulness journey is going well. 
Something changes us when we give thanks. 

Remember to mark your calendars for Dec. 4, at 6:30.
Come partner with us in these exciting opportunities. 

Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, 
and he will reward them for what they have done.

Right Here, Right Now Day # 21 of Thankfulness

She's home. 

She's here. 

We ate dinner together;

around that farmhouse table. 

We held hands to pray. 

It is in these moments that the empty spot is felt. 

We all feel it. 

I breathe deep. 

I focus on what's right here in front of me. 

We sing our song for grace.

The song the oldest brought home from Preschool.

Sung for more than 24 years. 

There is laughter and joy around this table. 

These silly kids. 

This is what God wants me to enjoy. 

Right here and right now. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

friends who drive 8 hours with me to retrieve the college girl
coffee shops on our travels
good coffee
making memories
stepping outside my comfort zone
a day with no anxiety
the college girl being home
fun around our farmhouse table
watching a "White Christmas"
little girls who aren't so little any more
a farm boy trying to make it all work
my farmer who presses on no matter what
the quiet of the morning, just before the sun rises
the unseasonably warm temperatures
sunshine for so many days
cows still out on grass
each additional bale we're able to get
the plan God has


We've been enjoying these warm, sunny days. 
The air has turned a little chillier today. 
Winter will soon make an appearance. 


May your Saturday be rich in gratitude. 


Psalm 146:2
I will praise the LORD all my life; 
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Enter In

Enter in. 

Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving in your heart. 

Enter in. 

In. 

"used to indicate location or position within something"

A location. 

Enter in. 

The door is open. 

You need to walk through. 

Not when you're happy. 

Not when things are going swell. 

That's not what it says. 

Enter in.

Just as you are. 

When you're hurting. 

When life is overwhelming. 

When your weary soul aches with breathing in and out. 

Enter in. 

My heart hurts. 

The burning sensation returned. 

All the dreams and hopes; all these years. 

Gone. 

In a moment. 

Enter in. 

An invitation. 

Enter into His courts with Praise. 

Freely. 

Enter in with Thanksgiving in your heart. 

But I don't feel like it. 

Enter in. 

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name.

The Praise comes. 

The Thanksgiving overflows. 

The way familiar. 

Enter in. 

It only takes one step. 

I Am Thankful For;

The glorious back light on the mountain tonight. 

The sound of the kids outside giggling and laughing.

Chicks, (Not really, but yes, really)

I have ears to hear the chicks. 

Resources to purchase and help the chicks to grow. 

My farmer. 

Lessons I am learning in the deep struggle.

Enter in. 

The Least of These My Brethren

He sits at my table. 

I feed him.

Physical nourishment. 

We feed him the Word. 

He; the downcast. 

Broken.

Struggling with mental illness. 

Trying to find his way in this world. 

He sits at my table. 

I fight the thoughts that permeate my mind. 

My son. 

Buried deep beneath the earth. 

Not at my table; while this one lives. 

Why? 

My son; a hard worker.

So young. 

A lover of God. 

Gone. 

And here. 

At my table the least of these. 

Matthew 25:40

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you,

 whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,

 you did for me.'

I feed him. 

I pray in my heart for the demons that fill him to be gone. 

To receive the medical help he needs. 

This young man.

Each day a struggle. 

The least of these my brethren. 

I bow to the Holy. 

These days belong to the Lord. 

His will above mine. 

His ways. 

Isaiah 55:9

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I relinquish my heartache and pain. 

I can not carry it. 

The longing too great. 

The pain crushing. 

I step into the work for today. 

Life on life. 

The gospel.

Life changing. 

Hope. 

Being Molded Hurts

My washing machine is broken.
It's been that way since Saturday.
It's a 5 minute fix.
A sensor that has repeatedly needed to be replaced over the past 4 years.
 5 days, so far, of no laundry.
With 6 people, a dairy farm and hot and humid weather this is a stinky situation.
It is also one that is testing me to the core. 
I don't like the answer I was given.
To wait one week to have a washer serviced is unacceptable in my book.
I have paid for a maintenance warranty.
I have expectations.
They tell me I have options.
I can rent a washer.
My farmer says no.
The last time the technicians installed the washer they did it wrong and
he spent hours fixing the mess they made.
My other option is the Laundry Mat.
I BOUGHT A WASHER SO I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE LAUNDRY MAT.
I am inconvenienced.
I am so unsettled in my soul.
I want the service department to be diligent.
A week to me is not good service.

I know, first world problems, as Elijah would say. 

 I am trying to be grateful for the inconvenience.
Trying to embrace what God would have me learn through this situation.

Philippians 4:12
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, 
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I struggled to be calm with the service personnel on the phone.
I prayed for her.
I wanted my way.
I am inconvenienced. 
I feel like a child.
I want to scream and get my way.
I am hurting and everything seems overwhelming.
 I need to be content. 
There is a reason.
Being content leads you to grace. 
Grace brings a humbleness and reliance on God.

I head to the Ancient Word.

I read about obedience.
Regardless of the situation.
Obedience is most important.

It is not about me.
It is about being refined and molded into the person Christ wants me to become.

Malachi 3:3
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; 
he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. 
Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,


Purify my heart Lord. 
Even when things don't go my way, I want to be humble.
I don't want to usurp your ways.
Help me to be content. 
Teach me to see beauty in these situations.

My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you, Lord
I choose to be holy. . .
Purify my heart

New Beginnings

 Our newest employee. 

Selling all he has.

Leaving the familiar.

Moving to a new land.

A new climate.
New job.

Traveling many miles to get here.
Actually he is not here yet.
His wife and 3 of his children have made it.
He and his son are still on their way.
Delays and cancellations changed plans.
I look at this family and I think how courageous they are.
Abraham heeded the call to go.
He left all he knew to enter a land God was providing.

Genesis 12:1
The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, 
your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.

God gave a promise when he asked him to do this hard thing. 

He would bless them. 

He would change Abram's name to Abraham because He is a God of second chances. 

New beginnings. 

My prayer for this family is that they would see and know God's blessing. 

Genesis 12:2
"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; 
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.


Lately we have been learning that God's blessing doesn't always look like we think it should.
We watched as our mother succumbed to the ravages of cancer.
The cancer she called a blessing.
The lessons she learned through the hard times.
The death of our dear, 17 year old son.

 So quickly. So suddenly.

A diagnosis of cancer while the hard work of grieving was just beginning.
The blessings we see as our eyes are opened to the ways God provides
 in the midst of great heartache and turmoil.
How His word never fails. 
He said He would be with us through these times.
And He has never left us. 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, 
for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

We are beginning a new chapter in this book of life. 

I do not know how this will play out. 

These are blank pages. 

Waiting for the ink to be pressed in. 

For the story to be told. 

The story will be beautiful. Because all the stories by this Author are unique and personal. 

We wait with anticipation to see how He will use this for His glory. 

We need to remain open for His love to pour in. 

He can take an aching heart and gently hold it.

He can guide each step of your weary way; right into His Kingdom. 

Waiting to see How God will write this new beginning. 

When Words Fail

For the first time in months. The words don't come. 

For the past 312 days I have written every morning or evening.
The words flow.
Cathartic in their way.
An outpouring of my soul. 
The anguish of my heart worked through.
But today the words don't come.
It has been a hard few days.
The missing great. 
The coming to the close of another year.
Reliving each of those events.
Longing for the boy we celebrated.
Knowing next year we will walk the  Senior road again.
So many emotions vacillating.
Thoughts in a jumble.
Heart aching.
There are new beginnings.
Life is marching on.
We are carried on with the swift moving pace.
The grass is growing.
The sun is shining.
There is winter's feed to haul.
Calves to love and feed.

Fences to build and mend.
Much to fill a day; to keep us busy.
So many reminders.
We sit at the river for lunch.
My farmer and I. 

The kids play in the water.
We talk of different days.
This spot echoes with memories of years gone by.
Of rope swing and laughter.

The words may not be flowing, but the memories are.
Grateful the Ancient Word  remains unchanging.
Those words cascade without ceasing.
Grace soothing. 
Stepping into memories and the Word that never fails.

Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Delight In His Sabbath

Isaiah 41:10

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you. 
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Words I cling to. 

Hope I claim. 

It is Sunday morning again. 

A morning for me that will always remain hard.

The conflict of loss; the gift of the Sabbath. 
Yet isn't the gift of Sabbath because of death?
One for all.
So there might be life?
Everlasting?
He gave all so we could all have. 
The goal of Sabbath; rest.
Leaning into Christ and the promise He gave with His life.
New life. 
Shed off all that hinders today.
Look for the rest God offers.
Seek the peace He longs to share.
Open your hands to receive.
Quiet yourself to embrace God's goodness.
Look around with eyes wide open.

His beauty is there.
There is joy beyond measure.
Rest in the Lord.
Delight in His Sabbath.

Isaiah 58:13
"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day,
 if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable,
 and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." 
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Fanning The Flame

I couldn't keep the flame going. 

I wanted to light a candle.

I found a match. 

I lit it from the gas stove. 

The flame would not stay lit. 

I had to cradle it. 

Protect the flame until the candle was lit. 

We are the light of the world. 

A city on a hill.

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world--
like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden

We need to protect our flame. 

It is so easily extinguished.
Keep the flame burning. 

The winds of the times blow and the flame flickers until it is gone. 

The flame is a fragile thing unless it is fanned and fueled.
The care intentional.
Purposeful.
I can be a crab. 
It's true.
Ask any member of my family.
Some days I have a right.
The kids have not cleaned up their clothes or belongings.
They are disrespectful and selfish.
And I speak to them about this.
But other times. 
I am just crabby.
I say things I shouldn't.
I speak before I have thought through. . . all of what I was going to say. 
(My farmer shakes his head)
I lash out. 
Sometimes I even pout. At my age.
I should know better.
But sometimes it feels good.
I know better. 
I need to fan the flame. I need to make sure that it won't go out.
Our flames are fanned by the very things we do to keep our focus in the right place.

I withdrew this week. 
I stepped away from the chaos and craziness.
It wasn't easy.
I struggle with guilt.
I wrestle with all that needs to be done.

Luke 5:15
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

I didn't withdraw alone. 

A former colleague and I plan a get away every year.
Usually during a vacation.
This year has been difficult.
Her mom took her final breath and walks in Glory now.
So we wait until now.
We talk.
We cry.
We remember.
I can feel the flame grow stronger. 
I worry about the house, my farmer, the kids.
I text often.
My farmer sends me a cute text with a quote from the movie, Mom's Night Out.
I laugh, but I know he wants me to be happy.
I feel the flame stronger. 
My friend and I laugh.
We talk of faith.
We remember the years gone by.

And still the flame grows stronger. 
When we reach out and fan that flame, we keep it strong.
In the quiet I read the Ancient Word.
I drink a hot cup of coffee.
I continue to fan the flame.
I breathe deep.
I praise God for each of these blessings.
For the gift of the flame and grace He gives to keep it going.

What are you doing today to fan that flame? 

A new addition to the Dairy. . . And It's Not A Cow

We're beginning to head back up in milk. 

The cows are calving. 

The milk is flowing. 

The pastures are still behind. 

Many farmers in the same boat. 

Limited grass for pasture. 

The guys spent part of the day collecting wood from the river spills last fall and this spring. 

Chipping slowly away at the list. 

We've added a member to our dairy. 

And it's not a cow!

He and his family, followers of Christ; desiring to serve.

It's been so nice having him here. 

A fresh perspective. 

Funny thing is. He's so much like the farmer. 

Really. 

We sit at lunch. 

The two of them eat. 

In silence. 

Yup. 

I start to ask questions.

As simple as, How was your day?

Good, comes the reply. 

How are things coming along?

Great. 

And there you have the reason woman go out to lunch. 

He and his family will fly here on June 26th, for good.

They will uproot all they kniow from sunny CA,where there are happy cows;

to the chilly Northeast; where apparently where we find our cows happier. 

They have sold most of their belongings to make this move. 

We have been searching for items to furnish their house. 

Day after day, we are blessed with household goods to take away this burden. 

Almost every need provided. 

A few items still needed. 

This Community is pretty amazing. 

It has reminded me of Abraham.

Genesis 21:1

The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, 

your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.

He was called out of a land into a new land. 

A land he was not sure of. But he knew he was called and He obeyed.

Now, I am not saying this is a land flowing with milk and honey by any means. 

Lately you'd think this was a barren waste land with all we've been through. 

It's not the promised land. 

But it is land we are proud to farm. 

It is the place Hoss and his family have been called. 

He is being obedient. 

It is a place of hope for many. 

It is the place God has called us to for the time.

We will steward this land in the best way we know how. 

We will thank God each day for the marvel of his handiwork in His creation. 

 We are blessed with the help with the work load. 

An answer to prayer.

Today looks to be another beautiful day. 

So grateful for these days with sunshine. 

Now a few warm days. 

We were half way through first cut this time last year. 

We still don't even have our baler back from the shop yet. 

Still there is much to do to keep the farmer busy. 

One day at a time. 

Plugging through. 

Bending knee in humble submission, keeping those feet planted on the solid rock.

That is the farming way. 

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Changing The Desires Of My Heart

I wash dishes.  

Over the sink is the verse;

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I have glanced at these words now for weeks. Each and every day.
I read them.
I let the words sink in. 

Words of truth. The Ancient Word. 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

I cry out to God to hold me. To give me strength. 

Sometimes I feel like I am going through the motions. 

Blindly stepping on the path. 

Just keep moving forward. 

I don't want to stop and think.

I long to not feel.

I ask God how can I not be dismayed?

I wipe the counters. 

I stare at the picture of Elijah. 

How was this plan helping me? 

Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

He will give you the desires of your heart. 

Oh, the desire of my heart. 

You can't give me what I want. I say in return. 
Each day a wrestling match between what I want and what reality is before me. 

But I can change what you want.

I hear it loud and clear. 

He can change my heart. 

He can take all of me and mold me to his likeness. 

He can change what my heart desires. 

The desires of my heart become His desires.
What I long for becomes in tune with His ultimate plan.
We are so limited in what we are able to see.
The walk much the same with our children.
They bristle and recoil at our boundaries and expectations.
They, stretching their wings; reaching for independence and something more than what they are.
We guard our children's hearts and work hard to protect them.
So it is with God.
He shows us a better way; not always the way we would like.

We sit on the porch.
3 Saints of the faith.
Rich in years of a walk with the Lord.
We bow before the heavenly throne.
These front porch visits, storming the gates of heaven have become balm for my wounds.

Prayer is one of the underused tools God has given his people.

I will continue to wait upon the Lord.

He and He alone will change the desires of my heart.

When Mother's Day Isn't About Getting What You Want

I say good night to the kids. 

The farm house is quieting down. 

I pause, in the doorway to his room, as I do each evening before I head down the stairs. 

I can't stay for long because the feeling is so overwhelming. 

I think over the day. 

Mother's Day; it was so beautiful. 

We cooked on the grill and ate outside. 

We talked and felt the warmth of the sun on our faces. 

It felt good to just enjoy the creation around us.

I turn and head down the stairs. 

The day was not what I expected. 

At some point I was told I needed to be ready to go. 

Leave?

 I didn't want to leave. I wanted to sit. 

Stay in the sun and visit. 

I didn't want to go anywhere. 

That teenage daughter spewed words at me. 

How she tries to plan things and I don't ever like it. 

I mutter something equally as distressing to the effect that I told you what I wanted for the day. 

She huffs off angry and any idea of a Hallmark Mother's Day just left the premises. 

I have a check in my heart. 

This may not be what I want to do, but my daughter has made plans. 

My farmer, who has struggled with basic decision making, has made plans ahead of time. 

 I need to be celebrating.

I need to forget my agenda and submit to the flow of the day. 

Because Mother's Day isn't about getting what you want. 

It's about being the best Mom you can be. 

At this moment that includes doing what the family has planned. 

So often God wants to take us on a road we had not planned. He wants to mold our beings. 

He wants us to go with His Agenda. 

It is so hard when we are not making the plans. 

When what is around the corner is different from what you envisioned. 

We needed to be ready to leave because we were going to the movies. 

And though I didn't want to go. 

I went. 

You know what? I loved it. 

We went to see, "Mom's Night Out".

For me it was refreshing and funny. 

Many days I feel the same way, worn and weary; about to lose my mind. 

(except the cleaning part and of course there was very little coffee. Which puzzled me.)

Critic's have bashed the movie in many ways and I find that hard to believe. 

 A movie that portrays a stay at home mom on the edge with a supportive husband is a gem. 

Maybe it hit's a nerve a little too close. 

The desire to hide in the closet. Eating undisclosed amounts of chocolate? 

Because aren't we all. .  .on edge that is? 

My life isn't perfect. 

I scream, yell, mess up, have an untidy house, feel overwhelmed and tired. 

Throw in your father succumbing to the memory thief, the death of your mom to cancer, the sudden heart wrenching death of your child, cancer and clinical depression all in a 9 month span.

And I am tired.

Seeing a movie that portrayed those emotions in a comedy was a relief from all the mundane. 

It was a relief to dodge foul language, cruel and demeaning dialogue. 

It was encouraging to be able to take my 16 and 8 year old to the same movie and it not be animated. 

While this was not what I had envisioned for the day I am glad I went.

I left feeling refreshed; light hearted from laughing. 

(laughing is good for you. Did you know that? And so is coffee.)

While nothing in my life these days is the way I envisioned it to be . 

I know there is One who has envisioned it all. 

I am not going to get it all right. 

I can't please everyone. 

But I can do the job God sent me here to do. 

I can be faithful to that purpose. 

Because what is right around the corner, may not be what I expected,

but it is no surprise to the Faithful One. 

I Thessolonians 5:23-24

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. 

May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.