Use Me!

Recently,God has allowed me to participate in training and to hear an awesome message on evangelism. The result? My prayer is increasingly becoming - "Use ME, Lord!" I have so many ideas that run through my mind - I believe they come from Him. I am not a particularly creative person - but my God is! Yesterday, I got to spend some time with my parents, an aunt and a cousin(who I do not know well). I thought I would come on home, and my cousin said, "Don't leave! I want to talk to you!" I thought (why would she want to talk to me - she doesn't really know me). After awhile, she asked to see pictures of my family - and I went online to show my facebook photos. She began to share about her son and her daughter - and became emotional. She has raised her children in church - "done her best" so to speak. But they are going through "stuff". I began to share testimony of things in our lives and how God has worked. I hugged her and encouraged her. After a bit, she said, "See? This is why I needed to talk to you!" I had preconceived notions of how God would or could use me. No, I didn't lead anyone to the Lord. I didn't do some great feat. I only encouraged and exhorted a sister to not give up - to keep loving and praying and trusting. I believe God used me! Praise His Name!!!!

Training, Training...

I believe I have had more training in the past 10 years than anyone ought to be allowed to have. I have this desire to know about things - to know how to do things. I have learned how to be a clown, how to make balloon animals, how to do hands of praise and "sticks", puppets, witness training, mentoring, women's ministry training - oh I could go on and on. This week, I completed one more. I am now certified to teach English as a Second Language. I am praying and excited to see what doors God is going to open for me to do this! For 5 weeks, I got to teach the children at our Hispanic Ministry - and I fell in love with those 10 little girls! Their mothers speak no English - there may be people from other countries here as well. I wish I had some pictures - this is rather blah to look at - but to read, ah, that's another matter! God is working and He is going to allow me to partner with him. Pray that I'll be able to start ESL class this September!

Twists and Turns

Do you ever look back over your life? I know some of you are in the busy, busy time of life; raising children, building careers and hopefully gaining new and exciting insight into our loving Savior and everlasting God! Maybe you haven't lived quite long enough to really - look back. Lately, Jay and I often reminisce and "look back". I guess it just comes with age. We laugh at most things. We truly were so young and stupid at times. Youth has no fear. Youth is invincible. And most of the time, I can say - I think I handled all that craziness pretty well! There are a few times, I wish I could have a "do-over" or I hang my head in shame and regret. But ultimately - it is all those twists and turns of life that make me who I am right now. The hard times have taught me and refined me. The glorious times have given me optimism and hope. The memories give me times to reflect, to be reminded, to enjoy all over again! What a boring life this would be - if it were all flat, the same - no twists or turns.

It's true...

It's true, I am getting older. The proof? I can no longer "sleep in". I now wake anywhere from 4:15 - 6:30 a.m. It was 4:15 this morning. My old favorite time to rise was 7:00 or 7:30. I evidently need less sleep now in my aging years. I rarely nap anymore - it's amazing! On the flip side of this change...I am loving my early time alone, well not alone-alone, but alone with my Lord. I am loving not only quality uninterrupted time in His Word and in prayer...but quantity of time, because I am waking up so early! I recommend to all the study, "Proving Us Genuine", taught by Beth Moore online at http://www.oneplace.com/ - I love 1 & 2 Peter - and this study is challenging me and teaching me. I want to be genuine - and pleasing to my Lord! Another benefit of this quiet early time - is lots of time to pray. Jay and I are finding as we age -our children are aging too (shhh, they don't know it yet) and we find ourselves praying for them, not less - but more than ever! It's true...you never stop being a parent. There is no place to stop praying and guiding (when asked). I find myself realizing more than ever, I'm still "the Momma". Glory! Thank You, Lord, for placing these precious people in our life for all eternity. Thank You, for allowing us to partner with You in what You are doing in their lives. What? Yes, it's true. Read the scriptures and see how often God speaks to us regarding our children, and our children's children. It is God's plan for families to grow together, for grandparents to impact their grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. Thank You, for placing grandchildren in our family. This week, my eldest granddaughter is coming to stay with us for a few days. I am so looking forward to loving on her and investing in her life. It is way past due. Thank You, Lord, for a part-time job - giving me more time for my family and friends. It's true...I am aging. I'm older than I've ever been! My life keeps changing...but God is still working in all our lives - completing His plan for the Weavers - conforming us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Even in the trials and challenges,what a privilege and blessing and joy! While there are a few negatives to aging (I won't go into them here - no profit), it's true...God is good and His mercy does endure to all generations!

Like no other...

Today I've been meditating - thinking about the journey my daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Alex, have been traveling. 3 years or so ago, they decided it was time to start their family. They had no idea how long or how emotional a journey it would be. None of us had any idea that the struggle with infertility is filled with highs and lows - joys and sorrows - ups and downs - hope and despair. We praise God every day that He chose to bless them now and that they are joyously anticipating the arrival of their little girl in November! I've been mulling over the fact that there have been other little ones created during this process that did not survive. I am fully persuaded these little ones await their Mom and Dad (Jill and Alex) in heaven. I am also fully convinced they were unique individuals, with characteristics and qualities that make them absolutely like no other person who ever was or ever will be. This brought me to a very wonderful conclusion: I can't publish her name, but our baby girl who will arrive in a very few months, could never have been conceived at any other time - she is exactly who God chose to join the family - to bless Jill and Alex's home. I cannot know the mind of God, but for whatever reason - this is the person He chose to entrust to them. She is a unique individual like no other. How awesome!

Girls! Girls! Girls!

It is official - we are having 2 grand-daughters in November! These precious girls are predicted to arrive 5 days apart and we are in great anticipation. Now, the girls will outnumber the boys although I am not sure what that really means - probably nothing. LOL! Children are the heritage of the Lord - they are our inheritance! Children are eternal beings - and God entrusts them to us, to raise them to know and serve Him. What an awesome privilege and partnership. God bless these parents - my children. We are so blessed and so excited! Praise You, Lord God

The expectant moms and dads:

Jill and Alex

!

Sara and Cary

Waking Moments

I don't know about you - but in the morning, my mind wakes first - before I open my eyes or even start to get out of bed. Sounds weird, I know. In that waking moment, my mind becomes alert - and it is then, in that quiet stillness - that I most often hear God speak to me. Not every morning, but usually when He needs to get my attention about something. This morning, in that waking moment, God said, "It's not about you." Immediately, other thoughts rushed in, and I thought, "I have to get up and write all of this down, or I won't remember!" So, I did. I recently posted about this very same topic, It's not about me. This morning, God reminded me of a recent evening, when I was wallowing in my feelings. I was NOT thinking scriptural truths - but simply letting my feelings and those destructive voices that come from the enemy, fill my mind. I began to think I cannot do the things God has called me to do. In a very short time, I realized - these thoughts are not from the Holy Spirit! I began to speak the Word to my heart and soul. While I stopped wallowing, the insecurity of it all has stayed with me somewhat. In my waking moment, God showed me that every time I speak truth - I will almost immediately be confronted with living this truth in reality, in my life. It's like a living object lesson. It's easy to say it's not about me - it's another thing to keep my mind fixed on Christ and filled with the truth of the Word. I believe God will always allow me to be confronted, to be tried - to be proven genuine, or not. With His simple reminder, "it's not about you," God reminded me I am to walk by faith, believing what He says - not by my feelings. Faith vs Feelings - that is the choice I must consciously make day in and day out, and all the time in between! Feelings make it all about me. God's Word makes it all about Him. I feel like a slow learner. Next time, I pray I will immediately stop those feelings and thoughts, before I can think on them one second! Oh yes, I am sure there will be another battle. "Lord, never stop proving me, refining me - until I am a genuine reflection of Jesus Christ."