Holiday in the Park

One of the cool things about living in Fort Worth is that Six Flags is just minutes down I-30! This summer I got a season pass and have gone 3 times since then. Six Flags celebrates Halloween and Christmas by setting up the park with decor of the season. Daniel and I went to "Holiday in the Park" this past weekend.Six Flags was all lit up with pretty lights and the booths were selling hot chocolate and apple cider. Christmas music was playing throughout the park. It was really a great night!

Christmas Overseas

Here we are, this time last year, when I was living in Ruston with mom and dad, celebrating my first Christmas with my family in 2 years. Why is that? Because I had been living overseas for those 2 years. Today I read a friend's blog and thought I should write a bit myself about missions and the Christmas season.

While we enjoy time with family and friends and have been led into the Christmas season with 24-7 Christmas songs on the radio, Christmas trees, snowmen, santas, nativity scenes in front of people's houses, the smell of apple cider and hot chocolate, many of my friends welcome the season simply with one another. In some places there are no decorations or church plays, no lights on the houses. In some places, there are a few, but definitely nothing like here in the States. Just plain and simple - the remembrance of the Christ-child's birth. Our team lit the advent candles each week leading up to Christmas and we sang Christmas carols together when we met for house church. It seemed easier to focus on Christ when all of the other distractions weren't around.

So, this Christmas season I want to say, "THANKS!" to my friends who are still away from family this season. Fight the good fight! Finish the race! I know that although you are not celebrating with your moms and dads and relatives, God has given you another family - your co-laborers - with whom He has given you such a strong bond. May you be filled with love and joy this season as you continue to share the reason for our celebration this season: GOD, WHO LOVED US SO MUCH, THAT HE CHOSE TO COME TO EARTH - TO BE BORN OF A VIRGIN, TO LIVE A SINLESS LIFE, TO DIE AND RISE AGAIN - SO THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE!

Press on, my friends. And have a Merry Christmas!!!

The Abundant Compassion of God

Today I read in Nehemiah. My quiet times this semester have mostly consisted of scripture reading in the first 17 books of the Old Testament. Why? Because I had the awesome privilege of being assigned to read Genesis thru Esther this semester in my Old Testament I class.

Back to Nehemiah. I came across a BEAUTIFUL passage in chapter nine. The Israelites spent at least 12 hours that 24th day of seventh month reading from the book of the law of the LORD for a 1/4 of the day (6 hours) and another 1/4 of the day (6 hours) in confession and worship of the LORD. Wow - can you imagine? How beautiful that time must have been. When I read that, I thought, "LORD, I'd love to do that, but could I? 12 hours - just reading, just confessing, just worshiping. Could I do that?" I'm challenged.

Verses 5-6 record exultations of the LORD - He is everlasting to everlasting. His name is glorious. He created the heavens...

Verses 7-31 record the history of God's activity in Israel's life. I've found this to be the case in much of the OT - there are regular recordings of remembrance of God's active hand in the lives of Israel. I have often thought, "God must want us to revisit His activity in our lives over and over. To be thankful for His constant presence in our lives. To recognize that presence. He must want us to revisit our experiences of Him, in the way the Israelites revisited their experiences of Him."

I will highlight a few verses in this latter text:

9:26a But they were disobedient and rebelled against You...
9:27a So You handed them over to their enemies who oppressed them.
9:27b In their time of distress, they cried out to You,
9:27b And You heard from heaven. In Your abundant compassion You gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the power of their enemies.

9:28a But as soon as they had relief, they again did what was evil in Your sight.
9:28b So You abandoned them to the power of their enemies, who dominated them.
9:28c When they cried out to You again,
9:28c You heard from heaven and rescued them many times in Your compassion.

9:29 You warned them to turn back to Your law, but they acted arrogantly and would not obey Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances...
9:30a You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit warned them through Your prophets, but they would not listen.
9:30b Therefore, You handed them over to the surrounding peoples.
9:31 However, in Your abundant compassion, You did not destroy them or abandon them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God.

The cycle was one of Israel's disobedience which led to God's giving the Israelites over to their enemies, their crying out to God for help, and His compassion to give them deliverers in the hands of their enemies to rescue them. However, soon, Israel fell again to their own desires. Yet we see in verse 33:

9:33b You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly.

I was convicted as I read this passage and saw the repeated cycle. I know that cycle has been a pattern in my life. Choosing what I want rather than what He wants, being miserable in my sin, crying out to Him, finding Him faithful in my unfaithfulness, and on down the road, choosing sin, yet again.

BREAK THE CYCLE, OH GOD!!! Refine me into Your image.

Introducing...

Daniel! Well, he's not really new to this site, you've seen his picture several times now. Tonight I thought I'd tell you a bit about this person who seems to be showing up often on my site.
He's handsome - as you can see, and he loves the Lord passionately. He loves languages and cultures. He speaks Turkish and spent a couple of years in Turkey teaching ESL. He is lots of fun to be with!!! He loves to write and wants to write a book one day. He loves to laugh. He's silly. He's a prayer warrior. He is gentle and kind. He opens doors for me. He has a big family - he's one of six! He makes me smile - OFTEN. He has a heart for the nations, specifically M*sl*ms. He is super sweet to me. His roots are deep in his faith. His love for God and passionate pursuit of Him is evident in his daily life. He's so much fun to be with!!!

Somehow, in God's amazing grace and love, He has orchestrated a beautiful relationship between the two of us and I count my many blessings daily because of Daniel. When I tell the story of "us", to me it's a story of God's redeeming love and grace. Why He would bless me with a man like Daniel, I'm not sure unless He truly is the God Who loves us despite our sins, the God Who doesn't remember our sins, but Whose mercies are new every morning, the God Who loves to pour blessings over His children. And I know that our God is certainly all of these things. So I won't ask questions...I think I'll just take this amazing gift and thank Him for it! Isn't He good?!!!!

Celebrating one year

My little cousin turned 1 today! Isn't she cute???

Will you take this woman...?

This weekend I was honored to be a part of Kristin Kilpatrick Stuart's wedding. Krisitn and I have been friends since I moved to Ruston. Her junior high and freshman year/my high school days, making "drive-bys", and youth functions at Temple are our biggest and fondest memories. The weekend was packed with lots of fun - lingerie shower, pedicures at the bridesmaids' luncheon, rehearsal dinner at Squire Creek, and the big wedding day! I have lots of memories with Kristin and it was fun to be part of this big time in her life. Ruston events are always elaborate - this event one of those!!

Home for the Holidays

I've just returned to Fort Worth after 5 days in Ruston for the holidays! It was great to be home, to forget about school, and to enjoy time with friends and family. Daniel and his brother, Joshua, came home with me, so we spent much of the time introducing them to people in my world. He and his brother both are super easy-going, and of course, everyone loved them and welcomed them!

Some highlights from the holidays:



TAKING STEPS
My cousins' baby, Annie, is now walking!! (She celebrates her first birthday next week!)



MEMORIES
At my granny's house, we spent time after lunch telling one another what we are thankful for and remembering memories people in our family who no longer share holidays with us. Walking down memory lane is so much fun - especially with family. There's so much history there!!!


STORIES
Listening to granny tell stories about how our family ended up on the "Fowler Farm" - the land where granny, mom and dad, and now Laura (my cousin) and her husband and baby live.


COUSINS
Seeing family that I haven't seen in a while. As we've gotten older, some have married and moved away from Ruston, others have gone off to college, and well...I'm not in Ruston anymore. We don't get to see each other all of the time like we used to. Getting together always brings a lot of laughter and fun!


MAKING SENTENCES
My cousins' baby, Abby, is now speaking in sentences!!! She would say, "Give me this!" Or when asked what Santa will bring her for Christmas, she said, "Dolls and toy-ees!" ("toy-ees" - our southern 2 syllable word for, 'toys'!)



PUZZLES
Putting together a 1000 piece puzzle - started it Thursday night after Thanksgiving dinner and finished it Friday afternoon!

OPEN FIELD, OPEN SKY
Mom and dad live out in a wide, open field. It was so nice to be away from the city and be at home. It's so quiet there. The sky is so big there. Nights are beautiful - bright white lights meeting the deep, dark black...GORGEOUS! I even saw a shooting star! Daniel and I bundled up one cool night for a walk beneath a blanket of stars.

BEST FRIENDS
Hanging out with 3 of my best friends from high school!The four of us have not been together since before I left for Egypt in 2002. We've seen each other separately, but not all together! FUN TIMES and LOTS OF LAUGHTER and walking down memory lane! I love those girls!!!!

CAFE ISTANBUL
Saturday night we came back to Texas and Daniel and I went out with some friends of his that he knew from the time he served in Turkey. We ate at a Turkish restaurant in Dallas. It was great to meet some people from his world. He'd had such intense days in my world! There were 16 of us at Thanksgiving lunch with my mom's side of the family and 20 of us at dinner with my dad's side of the family...plus, random friends who wanted to meet him. I was glad to have a taste of meeting new people. He was glad to have conversation with friends of his and reunite with them! His friends were great and we had a nice dinner with them. For you Techsters who read this and went to Turkey with the BSU in 1999, you may recognize Ryan Smith in this picture - blue eyes and beard. He was a journeyman when we went that year...SMALL WORLD!

Well, it's back to Fort Worth now and lots to do in the next week and a half - a couple of assignments for classes, but mostly a lot of studying for finals, which are next Monday thru Wednesday! Daniel and I will be back in Ruston this weekend for Kristin Kilpatrick's wedding as well. Hopefully I can get some studying done during the drive. I'm looking forward to December 7, my last day of finals!! Then...a LONG break!!! Praise the Lord!

In the News...

Yesterday I was reading an article online about Mohamed and Ahmed in ABC's news page and MSNBC's news page.

Here's an excerpt: "Mohamed, who is walking now, has the dance moves. The quieter Ahmed, who gets around with the help of a walker, prefers to listen to the music while cuddled up with a family friend who sways to the beat. They have come a long way in just being able to move around."

The "family friend" he's cuddling up with was ME! :-) It was last Tuesday night when the photographer and journalist were there. Ahmed was in my arms, swaying to the music!

Johnny's anyone?

For the Ruston-ites, this entry needs NO explanation. For the rest, let me introduce you to the best pizza ever! Johnny's pizza (http://www.johnnys-pizza.com/index.htm) is baked with all the right ingredients to give you a bit of a sweet tasting pizza. Not sure how to explain it, but my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Ask anyone you know from Ruston where to go to get the best pizza and I guarantee you the answer will be, "Johnny's." So...the next time you find yourself driving through Louisiana on I-20 and see the signs for Ruston, take the Louisiana Tech Drive exit, go south, and Johnny's pizza will be almost immediately on your right! ENJOY! I hope this doesn't sound sacreligious, but...it's a little taste of heaven! At least...I hope there will be Johnny's pizza in heaven! ;-)

The Return

I've written a bit about 2 precious little boys in my life and their family, especially their mom. And I've posted a link on my site now that takes you to a photo gallery of the boys on the hospital's website.

I spent 8 hours with them yesterday. This is their last week in the States. Saturday morning, early, they will fly out to return to Egypt. They have an older brother and sister who will be waiting to see their brothers. This will be the first time in 3 years for them to see each other. The boys are only 4, so other than talking with Mahmoud and Asmaa' on the phone and seeing pictures, I'm sure they have no real memories of them. Sabah and Ibrahim both told me how much they will miss their friends here, how nice everyone has been to them here in the States.

They've definitely stolen my heart. I've quickly fallen in love with Ahmed and Mohamed and over the past few months, my friendship with Sabah has deepened so much. Although my times of seeing them haven't been as often as I would have liked, the times when I have seen them have been precious and memorable. I will never forget this season when God blessed me so much with the chance to fall in love. To fall in love with two little boys whose lives I am POSITIVE He will use for His glory! Again yesterday they asked me over and over to sing, "Enta Azeemun" to them, an Arabic worship song. Again yesterday as I prayed over them, they said, "Amin ya rab!", which means, "Amen, oh Lord!" The Holy Spirit is definitely at work within them. After I prayed over the boys and prayed for the family before I left, Sabah thanked me for the beautiful prayer.

OH GOD, CONTINUE THE WORK YOU'VE BEGUN IN THEIR LIVES UNTIL THEY CALL ON YOU AS LORD AND SAVIOR! BRING BELIEVERS IN THEIR PATH WHO WILL BE OBEDIENT TO SHARING TRUTH WITH THEM AND ONE DAY, BRING DISCIPLERS IN THEIR LIVES TO TEACH THEM TO FOLLOW HARD AFTER YOU IN SURRENDER TO YOU! MAKE IT SO, OH JESUS! HOLY SPIRIT, CONVICT THEIR HEARTS. SPEAK TO THEM. VISIT THEM IN DREAMS AND VISIONS! MAKE YOUR NAME FAMOUS THROUGH THEM!!!! "Amin."

COWBOY UP!

It has been a CRAZY 2 weeks! I've written 2 research papers (12-15 pages each, one on the Person of Jesus Christ in the Qur'an. the other on the healing and life giving touches of faith in the story of Jairus, his daughter, and the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years.) 2 down...one paper still to write before Friday! But...it's not a research paper, just a 7-10 page devotional. And I'll use the same research as I used for the paper about Jesus' healing touch. Feeling a LOT more relaxed these days!


I got to enjoy a great evening last night with the COWBOY in this picture and others in the lifegroup we are a part of in Arlington. Daniel is a part of the college ministry to UTA students through Grace Community Church. His lifegroup is great. Last night we went out to a family's house who have a big open field with a barn and a couple of horses, a playhouse, trampoline, swimming pool! It was KIDDIE HEAVEN, that's for sure! And there were several little kids running around (not to mention big kids!!) It was a great night of fellowship as well as worship. We sat out underneath a blanket of stars, thinking on God. Dialoguing a bit about faith.

Think about this. The God, CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, who put the stars in their place and knows each of them by name, who, with the command of His voice set this world into motion, desires to have INTIMACY with us. We live in one of many galaxies. We can't even understand just how big our galaxy is. We live on a planet that sits just so perfectly at a distance from the sun that we neither burn nor freeze. And it's this SAME GOD who knows every detail of my thoughts, every aching of my heart, every joy that can hardly contain itself inside of me! Have you thought about that lately? The AWESOMENESS of God is a bit hard to fathom, to comprehend, but OH HOW GREAT it is to be loved and cared for by such a GOD!!!

the GoOdNeSs of God Almighty

The wind. We can't see it, but we know it is there. We feel it.

God. We can't see Him, but we know He's there. We feel Him.

I'm so thankful for the way the Lord uses His children to show me His love, His grace, His faithfulness, His forgiveness, His joy, His peace, His desire to take care of His children, His heart for the nations.

I praise Him today for His passionate pursuit of His little girl. Teaching me to better understand His character in greater depth.

"If you're happy and you know it, show your teeth..."

Last night I met some of Daniel's friends at the bible study he has at his house on Sunday nights. It was fun to be in his world, with his friends, getting to know them and watching him interact with them. Good times.



The Lord is good. He is good in His faithfulness, good in His love, good in hard times, good in good times. The Lord is my Strong Tower. He is my Refuge. He is my Strength. He is the Joy of my heart. He is the Passion of my soul. He is the Song on my lips. Praise Him, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Be blessed in His love and grace today. May Christ be your "more than enough" today!

Mohamed and Ahmed

Continue praying for Mohamed and Ahmed. Ahmed's little legs are getting stronger and he is showing signs of improvement.

Pray too for Sabah. I believe God is doing an amazing work in her and that the Holy Spirit is moving in her heart. Just this past week I got to share with her about how the Lord has really spoken clearly to me in this past month as I have been fasting and praying for a specific request. The concept of me fasting and praying was especially interesting to her at this time because Muslims are in the middle of the month of Ramadan. As I shared with her about my fast and prayer time with the Lord, she wanted to know how I heard from the Lord. It was such a blessed time with her!! I praise God for what He is doing in their lives! Pray that the Spirit would teach her the truth of Jesus Christ!

May you walk in the grace, peace, and love of Jesus Christ today and be His hands, feet, and voice to someone around you today! Bless you!

HiGhLiGhTs fRoM tHiS wEeKeNd

It was a good weekend! Kristin, a girl friend of mine from YEARS back, had her engagement announcement party this weekend in Ruston. For those familiar with Ruston, you can probably imagine what it was like! Lots of people, all made up - makeup, hair in place, new outfit, - smiles and laughs. Katie, a friend from college who is now living in Dallas, and I drove to Ruston together Friday afternoon, went to the engagement party, went to a shower Saturday morning, and came home on Saturday afternoon. We weren't even in Ruston for 24 hours!

Of course I was so glad to be a part of this special time for Kristin and very glad to get to spend some good time with Katie, but one of the biggest highlights was seeing Anna. We lived together for 3 years when we were in college. Since then, the times we've seen one another have just not been enough! While I was in Egypt, she moved to Baton Rouge. Visits to Ruston for both of us are usually packed with family time. But...this weekend, though we only saw each other at the announcement party, it was a breath of fresh air. You know those friends of yours who have been in your life for so long that they know so much about you? I've realized that since my move to Egypt, there haven't been tons of people around me who know me like an old friend knows you. Anna knows that when I go to Taco Bell, I order a mexican pizza - ALWAYS. She knows that when I was in high school I was incredibly insecure about the scrawniness of my legs. So much so that I always asked my friends if my calf muscles looked any bigger! We can look at each other from across a crowded room and guess the thoughts of the other! HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE LIKE THAT?!?!??! Oh, it was SO GOOD to see her!!

And God's blessings and joys didn't end there this weekend - with old friends. No, He's given me new friends as well, or should I say a new friend. He is a man of God, passionate for the nations. Passionate for cultures and languages. Passionate for the glory of God. He is a gift from the Lord. Our Lord's blessings are numerous and I am so undeserving! He is a generous God. He is a good God. He is a loving God. He is a just God. He gives. He takes away. He loves unconditionally. He gives joy to His children. He shows us grace and mercy. My heart is so grateful. He blows me away with His great love!

But...it is not for His blessings that we are to love Him. No, we are to love Him. Period. Not "love Him because...", but "love Him." My prayer is just that - that I wouldn't love God because of what He blesses me with or what He is teaching me, but that I would love God because He is GOD! That I would love God. Period.

Nothing Like Waking Up Next to Mohamed and Ahmed...

At 26 years old, I sometimes wonder, "God, why in the world am I still single? Why in the world have you not brought my Prince Charming my way?" It's nothing I dwell on, but of course the thoughts run through my mind occasionally, especially since almost all of my friends from high school and college are married and some are beginning families! It's so crazy how though we are all the same age, we are all at such different places in life.

However, I PRAISE GOD for where I am in life! I have seen much of this world, I have fallen in love with cultures - and I'm learning it's not only the Egyptian culture that I love, but any culture. It's all so intriguing to me! He has undeniably given me a heart for the nations and I get excited to get to be a part of the lives of those whose ethnic background differs from mine.

I am a part of something bigger than myself, bigger than what can be seen by the naked eye. And though we don't always understand why we are where we are, He does. He has planned it all out. If we would just TRUST in Him, the days would pass by much more stresfree!

Today, October 10, 2005, I am living in Fort Worth, TX. In January of this year, when I first moved to Fort Worth, I came here with a deep love for Arabs, esepcially Egyptians. Because of the two years I lived in Egypt, God gave me an emmense love for the Egyptian people. I sought out Egyptians and found Ahmed, Mohamed, Sabah, and Ibrahim at the Muslim feast in Arlington. God has developed a beautiful friendship between this family and me. I learned last night when I went to break fast with them, that they will be returning to Egypt at the end of November. My heart broke - I've fallen in love with Ahmed and Mohamed. But, I know that Egypt is their home. They have an older brother and sister there whom they have not seen for 3 years. I knew this time was coming, their days in America would end. I'm thankful for the time I have had with them. Last night Sabah asked me to spend the night with them. And of course, I did! In the hours I spent with the family last night, I layed hands over the boys and prayed healing over Ahmed's legs and over Mohamed's somewhat paralyzed right hand. I ask the God of the Universe, our Great Physician to heal those boys. In the powerful name of Jesus, I prayed healing over the boys. I prayed revelation of Himself to the family. Sabah always listens intently. She sometimes has questions.

I slept in a double bed last night beside Mohamed and Ahmed. Both boys were asleep when I got in bed. I spent the next half hour or so praying over them, praying over their house, asking the Holy Spirit to dwell in their home. I believe His presence will linger there, even in my absence. He is penetrating the darkness.

I woke up this morning and Mohamed cuddled up next to me and kissed me. We layed there, me holding him, while Sabah gave Ahmed a bath. Mohamed took a bath. I helped them get dressed, fed them their breakfast while Sabah showered. The boys and I sat there and I sang to them. I've been teaching them, "Jesus loves me" and I sang an Arabic worship song to them, "Enta Azeemun" (You [God] are great). Mohamed reqeusted for me to sing "Adeemun", as he says it, again. Oh, that God would grow these two little boys up to be fearers of the Lord of lords and King of kings. That the life and breath He has given them would be used for His glory, for His kingdom's expansion!! GOD SAVE THIS FAMILY!!!

I thank You, oh God, for this season in my life. If I had my own husband, my own family right now, I would have missed this opportunity. I would have missed waking up next to Mohamed and Ahmed.

A Month of Fasting

Today is the first day of Ramadan...the month Muslims remember the month in which Mohammed received the Qu'ran. I called my friends in Egypt this morning to wish them a "Happy Ramadan". Of course they know I do not celebrate this, but it is a holiday and a special month for them. It was nice to hear their voices. I told Shu Shu, "I am praying for you even more during this month that you would know the Truth of Who God is." She said, "Thank you."



During this month as Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, would you join me in prayer for them? Pray that they would see dreams and visions of Jesus Christ. Pray that they would encounter God in a mighty way and that they would struggle with questions of their faith during this "holy" month. Many Muslims who have converted to following Christ testify that God did a mighty work in them during the month of Ramadan. As they sought to be closer to God and deprived themselves of food during this month, God gave them dreams and visions of His Son in white, welcoming them to 'Come unto Him.' Ask BIG THINGS of our BIG GOD and watch as He brings His kingdom here on earth!

A few specific names to pray for: Amira and family; Shu Shu and family; Salwa and family; Ahmed, Mohamed, Sabah and Ibraham; my class of Somali students in Arlington; my class of Somali Bantu students in Fort Worth. THANK YOU FOR STANDING IN THE GAP FOR THESE!

our Great Physician

Writing to ask for prayers of healing. I've mentioned before the Egyptian family currently living in Dallas. I've been ministering to them since February and have found precious friendship in them. I love the little boys - Ahmed and Mohammed. I'd love to show you a picture of us, but out of respect for the family, I will not post it on my blog. They are all over the net, though, so if you'd like to picture the little face you are praying for, you can see their pictures at http://www.medicalcityhospital.com/custompage.asp?pagename=egyptian_twins_images . I've just looked through all of them, with tears in my eyes to see how they've grown and I just KNOW that God has a special purpose for these little boys whom He has chosen to save and breathe life into.

So what is the healing that is needed? Well, Mohammed has been walking now for months and gets along just great on his own. However, Ahmed does not yet walk. He only crawls. He crawls well and walks with assistance. When I was talking with Sabah, their mother, earlier this week, I asked her about Ahmed and his progress in walking. She said, "Kim, Salilo l ino yemshy," which means, "Kim, pray for him that he walks." God touched my heart with her words. She sees something powerful in my prayers. The time and love I have given to them has been reflecting our God. Praise Him! Glory to Him. I decided that day to pray that God, our Healer and Great Physician, would touch Ahmed's legs, give them strength to walk, and all the other things that accompany his body's understanding of walking would also be touched by our Healer IN THE NEXT 3-4 WEEKS. Please pray this with me. Pray for healing from Jesus. Pray in confidence that God will hear our prayers and answer them.

When Peter and Paul prayed over the sick and needy in Acts, he always prayed with power. He was annointed. We see in Acts 3:1-10 the healing of a lame man. He had been lame from birth and everyday was carried to the gate Beautiful so that he could beg. He asked Peter for help that day. Peter called the man to look at him and John and said, I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have, I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!" And we see immediately that Peter took the man by the hand, raised him up, and AT ONCE his feet and ankles became strong. He not only walked, he jumped, he leaped, and he praised God!!!

May God make Ahmed's legs strong, that he will jump, and leap, and praise God.

To God be the glory great things He has done!!!

Sovereignty and Love

Psalm 115:3
But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.

Is this verse a bit scary or unsettling? In some ways, it is to me. Why does it scare you and me? Beth Moore suggests that maybe this passage is unsettling is because we don't fully understand His love.

Psalm 21:7
For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.

Moore also suggests that God's sovereignty can terrify us only to the extent that we are uncertain of His love. Only to the extent that we abide in His love can we be comforted by His sovereignty.

There are areas of my life that I haven't fully trusted God with...areas in which I have dreams unfilled. His sovereignty is scary to me in that area because I don't understand why he hasn't fulfilled my hopes and dreams in that specific area. However, I have to ask myself, "Do I really trust in His love for me? Do I really trust that He is in control and cares about the details of my life? Do I really trust that He has a plan for my future?" If I did, I wouldn't be unsettled by these unfufilled dreams, rather I would be joyful in all circumstances.

How about you? Is Psalm 115:3 scary or unsettling for you? Do you KNOW the full extent of His love?

separated for sanctification

I just began Beth Moore's study on the Patriarchs. In the first 4 days of the study, I am learning so very much. A theme has been the concept of separtation for sanctification. Abram, when asked to separate himself from his family and go to an unknown land, began a process of sanctification, for God had promised him that he would be the father of many nations and that all nations, thru him would be blessed. Does God use one who has not been sanctified to bless all nations of the world? I doubt it!

This concept along with some thoughts from the well-known passage of Isaiah 6, a look at the life of Christ, and some words of wisdom from a good friend of mine have led me to this search for separation and sanctification in my own life. After all, before Isaiah cried out, "Here am I Lord, send me," his lips were burned with coal so that he would be purified. He was separated from his sin by the tongs of fire which purified his lips. Before Jesus began His ministry He was separated from all of those around Him as He spent time in the desert. (I'm not suggesting that Christ needed to be sanctified...He is God Almighty...but He too spent time in separation before He began His ministry.

Just a little something He is teaching me...before I can be most effective in ministry to those around me, He wants to separate me, to purify me, to sanctify me that my life would be different. From that difference, others would be drawn to Christ.

This is what He's been teaching me and the areas in which I'm praying right now. May He gorw you and change you to better reflect His glory in your daily lives. Though we are often times a bad representation of Him, I thank Him so much that He desires to refine us - it may hurt, it may burn like the tongs of fire, but He is our Potter, we are the clay. May we be moldable...may we be separated for His Glory!

One Year Ago Today, August 31...

...I was flying from Cairo to Amsterdam to Atlanta to Monroe, Louisiana. I was greeted at the airport in Monroe by much of my family and several friends. It was quite a bitter-sweet day. I left the place I began to call home to return to what was supposed to be home. 365 days later, my heart still lies on 2 continents, my love is still for the Egyptian Arab Muslim, and my longing is that one day, I would have the privilege of returning to the Middle East/North Africa for a long period of time.

The first four months that I was home I was a nanny and a substitute teacher. I was nanny to 2 precious little boys - Alyzamon and Keon. They stole my heart. Their dark skin, dark hair, and dark eyes melted my heart! I got a glimpse of what motherhood will one day look like - washing dishes, cooking meals, doing laundry, cleaning the house...all while entertaining the little ones, 3 years and 15 months old!

During those four months, my sister was planning her wedding, so I went to showers almost every other weekend. We had so much fun with all of the wedding planning! Also during those four months, after having been overseas for the previous 2 years, I spent my first Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family again.

In January, Jenny and Brian got married and I started seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

I know that I am where I am supposed to be now - in America, a few hours' drive from home. The reunion with my family has been precious. I love getting to spend time in Ruston. Because I am now living in Fort Worth, weekend trips home are the only times I am with my family, and I spend the entire weekend trying to see mom and dad and Jenny and Brian (if they are in town) and aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

I did get to return to Cairo for a month this summer, for which I am so very grateful. The Lord is always so generous in His grace, in His love. My time there with friends was beautiful and I believe He was glorified in the time I spent with friends, some old, some new. I pray He continues to allow me to return there as often as I can...until maybe, just maybe, in His divine plan, He will send me back there, to live, eat, sleep, and breathe among these people with whom I have fallen in love!

Thank you, Jesus, for such a wonderful year! It has been so good to be back among a believing group of people, to resolidify some basics of my beliefs, to be encouraged by the Body of Christ, to be drawn back into a deeper fellowship with my Father and my God, to feel the presence of my Jesus working in my life and blessing me so much with a family who loves and supports my ministry, with people around me who love me for who I am, just a little girl - sometimes selfish, sometimes unloveable, sometimes emotional. Thank you, friends and family, for your love and support in this huge time of adjustment in my life. Thank you for having patience with me!

first time FRIGHT

This past Sunday, 2 of my good friends and I went to Six Flags. This was definitely the most fun I've EVER had at Six Flags. Why? you ask. Have you ever ridden the Titan with 2 adults who have never ridden on a roller coaster ride in their lives?...and the TITAN at that. Yes, the Titan was Danny and Haya's first roller coaster ride experience. And an experience it was. Since roller coaster rides are something I've experienced since I was a kid, I never considered preparing them for what was about to happen...but I think maybe I should have!!! They screamed the ENTIRE ride and arms were flailing everywhere. I was sitting next to Danny and when throughout the ride I watched his facial expressions change from fear to fun to a face of death!!! Haya sat in front of us and we listened to her scream the whole time! It was bliss!!! :-) After we got off of the ride, they talked about their necks hurting...yes, I'm a SUPER bad friend because I didn't warn them to keep their heads rested on the neck rest as to avoid having their necks jerked around the entire ride! Well, it didn't stop the fun. In the next 5 hours we managed to ride Superman, Batman, Mr. Freeze (Haya's favorite), Mine Train, the old Cliffhanger, Shockwave, the water rapid ride (Danny's favorite), the parachutes. Because it was Sunday, the longest line we waited in was 20 minutes...which added to the greatness of the day!! Thanks, Danny and Haya for such a FUN- and LAUGHTER-filled day.

Back to School

We have started classes again at Southwestern and we are in our 2nd full week of classes. It's been nice to get reaquainted with people I met last semester. A friend of mine celebrated her birthday this weekend and it was nice to spend time with some girls! (HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEILA!!!) However, I'm not sure how much of a social life I will have this semester. I am taking 15 hours and working. It's a lot, but do-able! I have loved my classes thus far and feel like God has a lot to teach me and reveal to me in this coming semester. I believe this semester will truly be a time of spiritual deepening in my understanding of my faith and of my God! 2 weeks down, 14 to go!!!

"FeErEee! DagAstta!"

"Look! Listen!" These are 2 Somali words I have learned in the past month and a half of teaching English to a class of 14 Somalis. I'm writing tonight mostly to express how GREAT is our God! He has given me an amazing LOVE for my students. No matter how bad my day has gone, everything changes when I walk in the door of their home. I am always greeted at the door by at least one of the children...most of the time, though, all 4 of the younger ones meet me at the door. They greet me with a kiss on my hand and I, in turn kiss theirs. This is the greeting in Somalia between women and between children and adults.

I find inexpressible joy being with my students. We laugh a lot. Usually there are a few children coming in and out of the lessons - we have our lesson in the family's living room of their apartment. Just today as my friend and I were coming home from the lesson, we thanked the Lord for putting us in the lives of these Somalis. Surely nothing happens by accident. Everything is providential. My prayer is that God will do supernatural things in the lives of my students and that they in turn would recognize that it is Him who is actively involved in their lives. My prayer is that they would know JC as their Redeemer, and not just see Him as another prophet. My prayer is that Father would give them dreams and visions of Himself. As you read this...would you pray these things too? Bless you as you bless others in the name of JC!

it was the year 1979 and....

In 1979 (the year you were born)

Jimmy Carter is president of the US A major accident occurs at a nuclear reactor on Three Mile Island near Middletown, PA An American Airlines DC-10 loses its engine and crashes seconds after takeoff, killing 275 people Hurricane David kills over 1200 in the US and the Dominican Republic Some 90 people, including 63 Americans, are taken hostage at the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan ESPN starts broadcasting Aaliyah, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Norah Jones, Heath Ledger, and Kate Hudson are born Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series Pittsburgh Steelers win Superbowl XIII Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Kramer vs. Kramer is the top grossing film Sophie's Choice by William Styron is published "My Sharona" by The Knack spends the most time at the top of the US charts The Facts of Life premiers

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

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yeT aNotHer FriDay nIghT

Obedience...that was the topic of discussion tonight. Maybe you know the story of God's promise to Abraham to be the father of many nations. Maybe you know the story of Abraham's offering his only son as a sacrifice, to find God providing a ram for the sacrifice at the very last minute. But, have you ever really thought about the act of obedience on Abraham's part, the two stories combined?

...to follow God's leading, taking his son - the son who was conceived so very many years after Abraham was given the promise that He would be the father of many nations - to a mountain top, and offering that only son to God, out of obedience, not knowing that the ram would be provided?

WOW!!! Amazing obedience. Amazing love and trust in the Creator.

In the 3 days, I heard two intense messages about obedience. I know the Lord has a Word for me in this area. Now...I'm just waiting to hear it.

cOuiSiNs

My cousin Laura had a baby girl last December. She's now the center of attention at ALL family events. We love her and she is great - her personality is lots of fun!

oN....On...yE beArcAtS

Heather, Molly, and I have been good friends since high school. Heather and her husband, Chad, are expecting their first baby in early September. Molly and I went to their house this weekend and spent several hours visiting with them - chatting about Ruston, chatting about what is going on in our lives. Father has blessed me with wonderful friends - friends with whom I can laugh, cry, talk their ear off about what I'm going through, encourage, talk about our walk with Chr*st, and so much more. I am so thankful that when He blesses, it seems that the blessings come in abundance!!!

bAbiEs

I went home this past weekend, and on my way home, stopped to visit one of my old roommates from college. Betsy and I lived together my last year at LA Tech. The Father used her in my life in amazing ways - pointing me closer to Him. Since then, she's married the guy she had been dating since high school, and in May, they had a baby. Her name is Bella. It was a pleasure to catch up with them and meet little Bella. It's always so interesting to me the life stages of my friends who are my age. Me...single. Others...young married couples. And still others...married with little children! All of us in the age range of 23-27. CRAZY!

This is Betsy, Bella, and me.

hOw MaJesTic iS He!

This morning as I was reading in the Word, a verse hit me. Many times I feel quite distant from the Father. When I sit to read His Word, I don't always feel His presence. This verse was convicting as well as encouraging. As I read the verse...I prayed, "Oh Father, purify me. Purify Your bride, the ch*rch. That we may desire righteousness and holiness. That we would feel the presence of the Almighty and be confident of Your nearness to us!"

Isaiah 59:1 says, "Behold the L*rd's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."

When I lived in Egypt, I had the opportunity to climb Mount Sinai. When I looked over the mountains and thought about the great patriarchs of old who traveled these lands...those whom we read about...the amazing history and blessings of this land, I knew that I stood in His presence! I knew that He was with me!

fRiDaY nIgHtS

We spend Friday nights together, digging into the Word and learning together how to be better followers of Chr*st.

We SpLiT tHe BiLLs

My roommate wanted to title this, "2 Hot Girls in the City"...I told her that was a bit vain (yet true, of course!!) Anyhow, Ash and I have been friends since junior high. If you ever get the privilege of meeting her, you'll LOVE her! She's full of laughs! When you meet her, ask her about "teddy ruxpin"!!!!

ARABS in America

I've gotten to get involved with a group of Arabs from a local church here in Fort Worth and am loving the relationships I am developing with them! We have weekly meetings of worship and fellowship. These friends are such a gift from the Father. I love them so much and consider it a privilege and joy to call them friends and brothers and sisters in Christ! May the Lord grow His kingdom among the Arab people of the world...starting with us, here in the DFW metroplex!

"Hi, my name is Kim. What is your name?" ...

I'm an English teacher now! Yes, I am still a student at seminary, but I am now teaching English as a second language to a class of 14 Somali refugees and another class of 18 Somali Bantu refugees. I LOVE my students and count it a blessing to be their teacher. The Lord provided this amazing job for me as soon as I returned from Cairo. I started July 4 and love it! I've never looked forward to going to my job before now. My students are such a joy and I love the 4 hours I spend with each class weekly. We spend a lot of time laughing as they learn this new language. For some, it's not such a new language. My class of 14 Somalis were all living in a refugee camp in Kenya since the time that war broke out in Somalia in 1991. Some of the men received a decent education there. Their levels vary from the father who still gets confused as to how to respond to the question, "What is your name?" to his oldest son who speaks English almost as good as you and me. Refugees with our agency have the opportunity to take English classes for free for their first 5 years in the States. The resettling agency I work for is really amazing and though I am only in the English teaching department, I am enjoying learning a bit about the process of resettlement, social security cards, immigration, citizenship, etc. I am so thankful that the Lord has given me this job - it's perfect for me for right now...an opportunity to make ends meat as well as a great opportunity to minister to my students with the love of Jesus Christ!

FaMilY TiEs

As soon as I returned from Cairo in June, I got to visit my family. It was the first time all of us were together since my sister's wedding in January!! We had a great time together...just hanging out in Baton Rouge at a camp on the river. Jenny and Brian were a great host and hostess and they showed us a wonderful time on the lake!

STATUES

This is at the Karnak Temple in Luxor...I'm like a miniature object compared to what surrounds me!!!

HaBibTy

I used to spend almost every Friday, the Muslim holy day, with Amira's family. She's the friend I've known the longest in Cairo and I love both her and her family! Fridays were usually spent hanging out in her home with her mom and her nephews and sisters. We'd cook lunch and enjoy meals together, then drink hot tea together...and visit! 100s of hours have been spent in her home. May He bless her family and may they know Him!!

LUXOR

I got to go to Luxor, an ancient city in southern Egypt, during my time there in June. AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING. As I strolled through the gigantic statues and columns and temples, and ancient hieroglypic writings, I wondered...what in the WORLD was life like back in the day! I can't EVEN imagine.

Details of hieroglyphics...

BaYt MaRiaN, FaDy, wE NaDiR

This is at one of my best friends' house - with her brothers and their friends. They were so sweet to host me many weekends in my stay in June. We spent lots of time and lots of late nights together laughing and reading from the Word, talking and just hanging out. I even learned a little Middle-Eastern dancing from them!!!

LiKe SisTeRs

Shu Shu is one of my best friends in Egypt...she's always ready to take me on an excursion in the city - showing me around all the tourist sites! Our favorite place to meet is at the KFC in downtown Cairo, near the metro. From there, we usually have lunch at HILTON KOSHARY. Koshary is my favorite Egyptian meal - filled with carbohydrates!! It's a bowl of noodles, spaghetti, rice, lentils, garbonzo beans, and fried onions...topped with a red sauce!!! mmmm...mmmmmmmmmm.......GOOD!

WATERMELONS FOR SALE

"Bateekh...teleta gnee wa nos!" This means, "Watermelons... $0.60!"