A Cup of Cold Water

                I want to tell you about a very special encounter I had with Jesus last week.   Jesus was sitting all alone in his room.   He was in pain.   He was in a specialized wheel chair, because he was partially paralyzed from the neck down due to a neck injury.   The injury impacted his voice and so he could not speak well.   Jesus sits in his room day after day, year after year waiting for someone to come and visit him, notice him, be with him and hold his hand.               I found Jesus sitting in his wheel chair, in room 216 at the nursing home in Abbeville, LA.   His other name is Long.   I have had the privilege of visiting Long four times now.   Every time I visit, I look into his eyes, and I recognize that I am visiting with Jesus.               In Matthew 25:4...

Life in Louisiana- Mission Formation Now that we've had a chance to get a few weeks of mission formation under our belts, we'd like to share and reflect a bit on how we're doing and what life looks like here at Big Woods Mission. We feel so blessed by the life here, the daily rhythm, the formation classes, times of prayer and work, and the friendships we have been forming.  We have been asked to spend at least thirty minutes per day with Jesus in the chapel.  This time of prayer has been such a blessing and source of strength and comfort.  We also have had opportunities to experience Christ in the beautiful community we are now a part of.  It's an incredibly unifying experience to be around others who have also left jobs, homes, families, etc. to respond to this invitation to come and follow Jesus to all the ends of the earth!   Here's a very brief overview of our life here:  Every morning we gather together at 8:00am for breakfast foll...

Thursday morning we started driving to  Louisiana for formation with Family Missions Company!  As we drove off, we read the daily readings and the Gospel reading spoke to us in a very personal way: "Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him." As hard as it was to get rid of our things, leave our house, say good-bye to family and friends, we have an even greater joy in knowing that we are following Jesus! We have arrived at Big Woods, FMC training grounds!  We officially begin formation tomorrow morning with 5 other families, and 15 singles!  We will share all three meals together, pray together, work together, and be inspired by other missionaries through teachings all as a part of our formation day. Today we spent the day making our little house a home.  Unpacking suitcases, and hanging up personal touches.  It is ama...

I came across another missionary's list of prayer intentions. As I was reading through this list of intentions, I desired to have people praying these for our family! We humbly ask for you to commit to pray for us, and to use these intentions to help you do so: PRAYERS FOR MISSIONARIES: THEIR WORK For boldness in sharing the Truth Pray for them to speak with a bold Truth, soaked with love and grace, to be an agent of healing. Ephesians 6:20 For clarity of mind and message Pray for their words to be succinct and well understood, for hearts to hear and receive the Truth and for it to be presented clearly. Colossians 4:4 For a harvest Pray for each seed that is sown to be watered, tended, grow, and eventually bear fruit. Pray that God would do amazing things in each life, in each family, in each community for His glory. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 For language fluency Pray for the missionaries to speak well and understand clearly the language(s) where...

"Lord Jesus, we have asked that you lead us and guide us.  We praise you and thank you for doing so.  You are leading us on this journey!  We thank you for the confirmations that you have been giving us as we take each new step in following you on this journey into foreign missions!  Amen!" Our house is SOLD!   This was another significant step of faith for us, handing it all over to the Lord.  Step by step we are getting closer to our departure date. Here was a little of the process of getting our house ready: Sorting, purging, boxing, sending. Does it stay for now?  Should it go today? Who would like this?  Can somebody use that? How many more days can she play with it?  Bring it to Louisiana?  Mexico?  Then where? No more time to think!  Don't stop now!  It's time to have it pretty, perfect, tidy, clean. Quick hide it, burn it, send it out! Ready? Now! The boys room was a mo...

Surrendering To God's Will With many mixed thoughts and emotions, I recently ended my job as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  In all honesty, leaving my counseling career behind has been one of the hardest aspects for me personally as we prepare to head back into foreign missions.  It reminds me how strong the temptation is to find my identity and worth through my career.  In the world's eyes I was finally becoming somebody.  I had finally made it.  I was now a professional with letters behind my name.  I have to admit that being able to tell people I'm a licensed therapist has felt good.  I finally felt like I was someone people would respect and admire.  People were now coming to me for advice.  I was gaining a solid reputation as a well known Catholic therapist, and business was picking up.  Financial security was within reach.  Then, I heard the Lord's gentle, persistent voice asking me to just let it go and g...