2012

I can't believe that it's the last day of 2012!  The year really flew for me.  I remember when I was a kid, time seemed to go so slow.  And I remember my parents telling me that the older I would get the more time would seem to fly.  They were right.

2012 was an amazing and incredibly hard year!  I'm beyond thankful for all the lessons God taught me, but I don't think I'd want to go through this year again.   

A window into my world this year......
The beginning of the year started out well.  February came and I found myself in Florida doing support raising.  God moved and provided during that trip.  And a lot of people in my life don't know about this (with the exception my parents and some really close friends that were praying), but I met someone.  It was brief....and well, let's just say, it didn't work out.  Even though it was brief it was still heartbreaking.  The enemy used it to attack me and try to drive me away from the Lord.  However, the very opposite happened and I was driven into the arms of my sweet Savior.  I'm so thankful for His wonderful words of love during that time.  

I went to Ecuador for a one week trip and I was so thankful God worked it out.  I enjoyed my time with the church leaders, even in the midst of the language barrier.  I was able to hang out and color with some little kids at church and what a blessing that was!  It was my favorite thing about my trip.  

I was commissioned as a lay missionary of the Wesleyan Church in April.  And I finished up the last leg of my support raising and got the "go" at the end of June to apply for language school.  

My summer months were planned with many fun things to do with family and friends before I left for Costa Rica
*Pirates game with my brother and a friend of ours.  We ended up going on one of the hottest days of the summers (unplanned), and had incredible seats.  The Pirates almost won!
*Camping with some girlies at my favorite campground - so, so fun!!  We became firewood pirates. (don't worry, we didn't steal other people's firewood.  we just tried to get to vacated campsites before other campers did.)  Celebrated Kristen's birthday.  Went hiking.  Sang badly for fun.  Laughed a lot.  
*Went to 2 rodeos with my family.  Yes, I am a country girl.  :)  
*Saw my best friend from college.  It ended up happening almost at the last minute and I'm so glad that it did.  I love Jen!
*Went to two family reunions.  At the Deemer family reunion I became the official 'Go Fish Tournament Loser' for 2012.  I will proudly represent until 2013...when I will win.  Just sayin'.
*I helped out with 2 vacation Bibles schools.  This is my favorite thing about kids ministry!!!  One of the churches was a supporting church and the other was my home church. Loved every single moment!!!  I especially drank up every moment at my church's VBS.  It was my last full week at home and got to spend it with some of my favorite kids!!  They rock!

In August, I said many 'good-byes' to my family and friends and left for CR.  That was tough.  I can't dwell here, it makes me teary-eyed remembering it.   Whew. 

I started and finished my first trimester of language school.  Wow.  It was definitely good and hard.  My brain rebelled many times and left me often in tears due to frustration.  A lot of days I felt like I made absolutely no progress.  But other days, I felt boosted and encouraged because of what I learned.  

December brought a lot of moments where I've seen my progress.  My favorite person to talk to in Spanish is my Tica mom.  I've been able to talk with her on two different occasions up to  an hour or more.  Yesterday in church was the first Sunday I was able to sing a good portion of the music and understood sections in the sermon.  And just last night, I caught myself reading the Spanish directions on a microwave carmel popcorn bag and understood it.  Great day!

It's definitely good to reflect some of the events of the year, but I do not want to dwell there.  We are not meant to dwell in the past.  Yes, it is good to look back at what God has done and give Him praise for those things.  But God desires us to look forward to what's to come.  

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 43:18-19. In the verses prior, God is reminding his beloved Israel of all the amazing things He has done for them.  Then comes in v. 18-19,

But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do a brand-new thing.  See I have already begun!  Do you not see it?

God is constantly doing a brand new work in our lives.  And the most amazing thing is that He will always out-do Himself.  Only God.  He's incredibly beautifully.  

I want my eyes to constantly be open to see the new things God is doing in my life.  To see how He's changing me to make me more holy, just like His Son.  I want to embrace everything God has in store.....even the hard times.  Because I know through trials, God does incredible works.  In fact, I think that's when He does His best work.  

As I close out this year, my prayer is simple:  

                God, here am I.  I am Yours.  Move, Holy Spirit.  

Blessings to you, dear readers!  May you let God take the reins of your life and move in you in a way that He never has before.  May you be desperate for His presence.  And I pray that you see the brand-new thing God is about to do.  He's already begun it.  

Light

Last week, I went in search of lights for my Christmas tree.  I was thankful to find a set of white lights for 50% off.  I only paid $2 for them, which was great because I didn't want to spend a lot on lights.  I came home, pulled the lights out of the box to put on the tree and discover they were icicle lights.  Hmm.  Well, I didn't want to return them since I only paid $2 for them.  So, I scattered the icicle strands all over the tree.  I plugged them in and the tree didn't look bad at all.  Then the lights started blinking.  Hmm.  That kind of drove me crazy for a few days, but it doesn't really bug me anymore.  

(Had to be creative decorating it, since I didn't want to buy decorations. I put my Christmas cards from my family back home, small candy canes my mom sent me, my cookie cutters and two angel ornaments that were my Gramma's.)

Last night, I sat in the dark with only the Christmas tree lights on.  It was quite lovely.  My heart was drawn in to think about this Christmas.  Many things about it are different - first Christmas without my family, no snow or cold weather and I'm in Central America.  And I've been finding that this Christmas is quite simple.  Even in the midst of it being so different and simple, God's been reminding me of His steadfast presence in my life and the heart of what Christmas is - the celebration of the Jesus' first coming. 

Every December, God speaks to my heart about a different aspect of that first coming.  The past couple years, it's been "Immanuel".  Again at the beginning of the month, that message returned.  But in these past few days, it's the message of God's Light that has been stirring my heart.  

John 1:9 says, The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world.

The True Light came over 2,000 years ago to penetrate the darkness of souls.  To teach us how to live, to change lives, to build a bridge between man and God.  And to ultimately become an atoning sacrifice. To give love, power, freedom and light to all who believe in Him. 

The Light is very personal and powerful.  This Light came to pierce the darkness of my heart and soul, to constantly change me, so that He will shine so brightly through me. Just the thought of God desiring to dwell within me and to use me in order to shine His Light so others see Him gives me chills.  

The Light of the World wants to shine through me.   My heart feels silenced, humbled and honored.  

Holy Father, thank you for sending Jesus.  Thank you for shinning your Light in the lives of many, so that your Name has been known and is continually becoming known in all the earth.  Thank you for shinning your Light in my heart, piercing the darkness, revealing to me all that needs to surrendered to Your Throne in order that your Light can shine brightly through me.  May all Glory be unto Your Name.  Continue to shine, Father!  



Hallelujah (Light Has Come) by BarlowGirl

Immanuel, God with Us

Immanuel, God with us.
A baby.  A Simple baby. So small.  So precious.
A baby that would change the world.
His birth drew many to Him.
His presence brought awe and wonder.

Immanuel, God with us.
Over 2,000 years ago, an amazing event took place.
God sent a message to a woman by an angel.
"Do not be afraid! You are going to give birth to a son."
In one moment, Mary's life was changed by God.

Immanuel, God with us.
An angel came to Joseph with a message.
"Do not be afraid! Take Mary as your wife.
Mary's baby will save many."
In one moment, Joseph's life was changed by God.

Immanuel, God with us.
Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem.
The trip was long and tiring. They needed a place to stay.
They found a stable; it was time for the baby to be born.
In one moment, the whole world was going to be changed by God.

Immanuel, God with us.
A bright, shinning star in the sky leads three wise men to the baby.
Bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh;
They bow down and worship the small Christ child.
In one moment, the wise men were changed by God.

Immanuel, God with us.
A child has been born to us; God has given a son to us.
He will be responsible for leading the people
He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 
Prince of Peace.
His name is Jesus - He will save the people from their sins.
In one moment, our lives can be changed.

Immanuel, God with us!


*written several years ago for a children's ministry Christmas party  

My Immanuel

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.    Zephaniah 3:17

This is one of my favorite verses in Scripture.  I find so many beautiful things about it.  The inner lining truth weaved in every word is Immanuel. 

I love Immanuel.  I love how He whispers I am with you.  

His presence dwells and surrounds His children.  His presence captivates and beckons.

He did not come to dwell for no reason.  He came because we were in great need.  A need so great that only He could fulfill it.  He came to be our Mighty Savior.  

Mighty Savior, you are with us.   

This is beauty in and of itself.  How could it possibly get any better?  But it does...

This Mighty Savior who came to dwell among us takes great delight in us.  He quiets us with His love.  He rejoices over us with singing.   

I can hear Him whispering through those words, My love for you is immense, child.  

Can you hear Him?  

Can you feel your soul settling down in His presence?  And all the worries and concerns of the day just melting away?

In this moment, nothing else matters.  

I feel so completely moved.  

My intention was to write more.  But I have no idea how to even put my heart into words right now.  I'm praying that as you've read this, you've felt Immanuel sinking deep within your soul and heard Him speak.  It's His words that really matter, not mine. 

Holy Immanuel, thank you for dwelling.