Pressing on in gratitude

 

      The other day a co-worker asked me what I was thankful for... wow if he only knew how my life has changed in a year! Look at this beautiful sight I come home to each day! I took this after our first snowfall out here in South Dakota. Nearly every morning I look out the windows from my bed and smile at the wonder of the Father's love for me. 

     No everything isn't perfect out here. In fact some days and weeks feel difficult and bleak. But I marvel at how He has sustained me and refreshed my soul when I have needed Him most. I see His beautiful rolling hills, the grasses dancing in His presence, the sky with clouds and sunsets reminding me of His never ending encore of love, and the stars that I gaze upon- they declare His glory throughout the universe just for those who look up to see.

      I love this country and I love these people. I have been privileged to be a part in the lives of my patients on their road to healing. I have great co-workers who do their job well and with great kindness for their patients. I have ventured into a new church family (I miss you Valley Springers). And best of all, those quiet gentle folks I love with easy laughs as we sit side by side- God continues to bring us together when I most need the refreshment.

      So here I sit, cozy in my little house in the rolling prairies. This Thanksgiving Day I long to tell you to chase after the Father. When He burdens your heart for someone or something, keep begging Him why and if there would be anything He desires of you to do. If it be prayer, pray. If it be give, then give.  If it be go, then by all means go!

 

     Sometimes on the hard days, I stop and think... if I died today or this very moment, am I where I feel the Father wants me? Am I doing what He wants me to do? I have no regrets on this choice. I do miss you my friends and family...  

But - I am well and it is well with my soul...

I send you my love friends and family!

Press on...

An Experiment in Faith

An Experiment in Faith

Where does one begin telling of an adventure? I tend to tell long stories full of details that may seem insignificant to others but I feel are a part of the beauty of the story.  I’ll fast forward this tale trusting you already know of our passion and deep appreciation of the Lakota and the prairie. That seems somewhat tragic to leave out those very huge realities because they are the weight and essence of our plan. Those realities are framed with the Father as our sure foundation and carpenter of His plan. Tell me you get that already… let me see your eyes shine with agreement before I continue…

Now I need to know that you also are full of a desire for adventure. Yes, you might not travel far within your community and live a rather ordinary life. But don’t you have a side that longs to do something completely irrational and reckless. If you knew at any time you could snap your fingers and the adventure could be reversed (just in case things went south), wouldn’t you like to really LIVE wild and free. I think we all feel that way regardless of age. Perhaps I read it in Lewis or Chesterton- but I believe it is another truth of the reality of the Father’s creation.

So, this tale begins with a choice, a very clear and decisive choice. Through the many details and events of the past seven years as well as some other huge defining moments, I found myself with a degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and began looking for a job. This is no easy task and the recruiters were less then pleased to learn I wasn’t really sure where I would like to work. On a whim and whispered prayer, I checked the area of SD hoping that just maybe God would say yes. Fast forward through all of those miracles, and you find me faced with one of the hardest decisions of my life. A job is available and hour from the community I love, the interview goes great, the pay is small, and I am standing on the brink of a life changing moment.

Now obviously to those who know- I took the leap of faith towards God. He has never failed me and I decided to risk my future in His hands. I know I possibly could have misread His intentions and have made some error along this path. But I believe that God can and will correct me. I would beg you to not minimize the mighty hand of the Father to do this in your life. He is able to save- able to redeem, and able to move. Our choice in all those matters, are similar to a relationship between a two year old and a father. God is bigger than your mistakes- and all the ragamuffins shout “AMEN!”

I write this surrounded by the hills, prairie, and mixture of the Lakota I love and the other locals I am coming to love. My mom is keeping me company. Together we have settled on a newsletter/blog of sorts. I am hoping we will share this platform and you will get a chance to hear her words as well. I’m not sure there will be much of a chronological sequence to the posts. As the words come, we will record them. Our desire is to convey the results of our experiment and allow the reader to know more about our journey of faith. I’ll close with this:

·         Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

·         Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of “things not seen”.

·         Hebrews 11: 6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”  

Come and join us on this experiment of faith in the Almighty God…