Two dates and a DASH

For those that don't know, some days the pain of arthritis slows me WAY down. I am learning to accept a bit more dust, a bit more clutter, and asking for help with some of the simplest of things. There are perks to this pace in life though, a balance of sorts begins, on the days with less pain I do more. On the days when I need a cheetah taped to my back, I do what I can....sometimes it is resting in Him, nesting in Him, and enjoying the view of fields of grace.

"(The book of) James makes it clear that faith is constantly looking for ways to serve; however, we can get so busy that we forget why we're doing it. I often catch myself thinking that if I'm not busy, I'm not "doing enough" for God. But then the act becomes its own end, instead of an outworking of love.

Imagine Martha in the kitchen, hair mussed, sweat dripping, fluttering around and looking for that special recipe to serve Jesus, while Mary just sat, soaking up His words.

Martha's response to this was probably well intentioned from a human point of view. She was serving and wanted others to serve with her! Jesus answered her 'huff'. "Only one thing is needed," Christ said, "and Mary has chosen what is better" (Luke 10:42).


Better? Lord, you mean that sitting at Your feet and being quiet is better than my idea of being busy serving you? "That's right, daughter."


Today, I am enjoying a Dominican holiday, school is not in session  ... sitting and studying at His feet.

I am watching the rain clouds waft in and enjoying the cool of the morning with Him.  

Moments like these I catch myself thinking "all of this and a view of You! "  Wow Jesus!  Thank You for asking me to be still and know.

I love the thought expressed in this photo ...

Your life is made of two dates and a dash.   (Born - Died.)

Make the most of the dash.  Sit at His feet, be still and KNOW God.

Christmas abroad

FIRST MONTH UPDATE:

This was a first for Velvet - Christmas in a different country without snow and various other traditions ... and without family.



I have been abroad during Thanksgiving,
but this was a first for me.

Christmas without the trimmings,

without Blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup,

without White Christmas movie playing
as the house is being decorated for Christmas,

without
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion,

without spouse/family/close friends

and without the home church family service.

Guess what?

Christmas still came.

It came because Christmas is in the heart of a follower of Christ.

As people look at me I can tell they are thinking - she is a visitor here.  It doesn't take much for someone to realize that I am not from around here.  I also very much realize that I am not from around here.

For your amusement I have written about a few signs that you might be in a different country:
There is a specific 'check out' lane for electronics purchases, you only pay for the item in this line, then you proceed back to electronics to have a quality check where the product is tested thoroughly - next you proceed to the person who views your receipt, checks that the product was tested, stamps the receipt with today's date, retains a copy of your receipt,  followed with explanation about the length of warranty on the item and replacement requirements (you must retain the box) - this takes about 30 minutes.

Tonight I learned the importance of customer satisfaction, how to wait, what thoroughness in a job well done means, that I must keep my receipt and box to be able to claim the 2 yr warranty, the correct date and to wear comfortable shoes while shopping for electronics.  

Think of all the money I will be saving, because one must be absolutely certain one wants the electronic item badly enough to wait & wade through the process.  I now have a blender and the bonus of a new blow dryer.  Why the blow dryer?  Thought I would make the wait worth while and get two items for the wait time of one. Wanted to be a good steward.  :-) Very thankful for the kind person who translated with patience and waited/waded through the process with me.


BTW if you need a cell phone here is something important I will pass along to you - Buying a cell phone can take up to 2 hours or longer.  I was the very last customer and they had to unlock the door to let us out.  Oh yes, you will need a passport and perhaps a national's passport.   GOOD TIMES are being enjoyed on the missionary adventure.  I even was able to use my past experience this week of how to take a cup shower when the water pump went out.

Don't be too envious when I tell you that I have had to use the warm water, sleep without a fan and even use a light blanket because of the cool nights.  I was even wishing my friend had sent me along some fuzzy socks with my cool beach hat.


Today I thought I had finally figured out where I was and how to get where I was going - I was mistaken.  I had the general direction but was off by a few streets.  However, I know with absolute certainty that God does want me here - at the grocery store, there were 3, yes, you heard correctly, 3 kinds of alfredo sauce as well as GOYA picante sauce, RAGU pizza sauce, Yoplait peach yogurt, PAM cooking spray, and wait for it ... wild berry skittles and a zero candy bar.   AND Olive oil is reasonably priced.  Not to mention all the fresh fruit and vegetables year round.

Lest I forget to mention it - I have a full size comfortable mattress and box springs.  This is wonderful! I can't begin to describe how great this 'comfort zone' truly is at the end of a day.

That's the fun stuff ... but I really want to share what has touched my heart.

The team of missionaries that are here that have welcomed 'me' to their 'family', the church services where the Gospel is preached with the same intensity and passion as my home church in the States, the Sunday nights at El Puente,

the relationships that God is gifting to my life, the time to be in the Word without distraction, seeing that His love is relentless and how He covers us when the world gives way ...  this week was full of news that dropped me to my knees in prayer for family and friends that I hold dear.   His promises were what I clung too as I prayed prayers for healing, comfort, peace, happiness, blessings, provision and direction for those back in the States going through the tough times of life.





How something as simple as Skype can keep 'homesickness' manageable during a holiday.  It definitely is a peace filled moment when you can see your spouse as you say good night.

 Last night I fell asleep listening to a song wafting on the air from a nearby church service  - "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, no matter my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is WELL with my soul."