Yes, I have a trip ahead. It's another trip overseas and this time to India...again, my seventeen time. For someone that grew up not knowing there is a world out there, this means a lot. And the worse time on any trip for me are the days just before I leave, and that is now, right now.
In spite of all this I do want to go. This is a wedding of another of my "other" grandchildren. I am blessed to be the American Grandmother to the children of those I have worked with through the ages. This is Danny Stephens' wedding and I certainly must be there. And added plus is that Becky Stephens Stanley's baby boy Joel will be dedicated too. Great!
The other side of the coin is what does the Lord have in mind for me on this trip? I know Samuel Stephens has several things in mind for me to do from dedicating a couple of churches, speaking at Rotary, and participating in the Association of Interdependent Churches Conference. I am also sure the Lord will show me something special on this trip as well. It has been on trips that I get a message from him as to the direction or involvement I am to add to my list. So....I will go and look and see what might just be next.
I do value your prayers so please do pray for me. I leave home on the 29th of October and return on the 12th of November. This will take me through Paris, Bangalore, and Philadelphia.
So there you have it. This is what I'm doing next. Please pray with me that I will be useful to my Lord Jesus Christ in every situation.
Blessings,
Donna
Friday, October 24, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Okay Lord, what do you have in store for me today?
This is my morning prayer and I do ask the lord each morning, "What do you have in store for me today?" It is so totally amazing then how each day unfolds. Yes, I am amazed as he seems to have something special for me every day. I am so glad he is my boss, my master and I am to get my orders from him.
One thing about this prayer is that it makes me look at each day differently. After I pray this, then I do start looking for what is ahead, and also I am learning to trust him more knowing that he is in charge. It's about time I learned this. But looking at each part of the day and each activity to see what he has for me to do, gives everything more meaning, more purpose, and a privilege to look at it differently than I would have on my own.
So what happened last Saturday? He brought me to Oklahoma City on Friday and on Saturday my cousin drove me to Siloam Springs, AR. I was to see my only older relative, only 4 years older than me, as he is in a nursing home and quite incapacitated. It was a long drive and a short visit but I was able to talk to him about getting ready for his final trip to meet the lord and to give him a book to read. He is so alone. No family around. Just my cousin who drives the two hundred miles every couple months or so. How do I stay in touch when I am so far away and he doesn't have access to any of these modern methods of communication? But I am praying and trusting the lord to speak to him and completely prepare him to be in his Kingdom when the time comes.
And what happened Sunday? I spoke at Heritage Baptist Church here in Oklahoma City. That was quite a day. First with 15 5th and 6th grade girls challenging them to be missionaries. Then to senior adults challenging them to get out of their comfort zone and see these internationals, start a conversation, develop a relationship, and lead them to an opportunity to know Jesus. They really were quite receptive which encouraged me and made me ready for the next session.
Next was lunch with the Missions Team and again sharing how I can help them work to make all the congregation missionaries to foreigners in Oklahoma City. Then to the Missions Possible team with basically the same challenge. Missions has changed so very much in these last few years. We aren't to find a couple and send them overseas. Now it is to train all the congregation to be missionaries to these foreigners they meet every day.
Okay that was over and the next was a special dinner that evening to those interested. I did shock them asking them what was the difference between their church and a country club. I think we all have to think about that from time to time. Then I was telling my stories, challenging them to see, to start a conversation, to develop a relationship with an international. Also telling them how easy and simple it really is and how rewarding too. The only problem is that this gets in your heart and you simply can't quit.
Yes, how do I slow down? How do I retire? Oh I know, a Christian doesn't retire because I am the Lord's disciple and sure enough, the Lord does have something in store for me every day.
Yes, this is Monday and it has been packed with more opportunities. I thank the Lord for still using me. I praise him that he gives me these meetings. I love to be his child and his servant. I just pray I will be faithful and do what he wants in every circumstance. I do know too that he loves me and if I fail, he still loves me and forgives me and still has his plans for me. How wonderful this all is. I trust other Christian, and all Christians will catch this vision too and enjoy being his servant, his slave for his Kingdom's sake. This is my day, your day, to be his disciple and serve him in every way. Praise the Lord!
Donna
One thing about this prayer is that it makes me look at each day differently. After I pray this, then I do start looking for what is ahead, and also I am learning to trust him more knowing that he is in charge. It's about time I learned this. But looking at each part of the day and each activity to see what he has for me to do, gives everything more meaning, more purpose, and a privilege to look at it differently than I would have on my own.
So what happened last Saturday? He brought me to Oklahoma City on Friday and on Saturday my cousin drove me to Siloam Springs, AR. I was to see my only older relative, only 4 years older than me, as he is in a nursing home and quite incapacitated. It was a long drive and a short visit but I was able to talk to him about getting ready for his final trip to meet the lord and to give him a book to read. He is so alone. No family around. Just my cousin who drives the two hundred miles every couple months or so. How do I stay in touch when I am so far away and he doesn't have access to any of these modern methods of communication? But I am praying and trusting the lord to speak to him and completely prepare him to be in his Kingdom when the time comes.
And what happened Sunday? I spoke at Heritage Baptist Church here in Oklahoma City. That was quite a day. First with 15 5th and 6th grade girls challenging them to be missionaries. Then to senior adults challenging them to get out of their comfort zone and see these internationals, start a conversation, develop a relationship, and lead them to an opportunity to know Jesus. They really were quite receptive which encouraged me and made me ready for the next session.
Next was lunch with the Missions Team and again sharing how I can help them work to make all the congregation missionaries to foreigners in Oklahoma City. Then to the Missions Possible team with basically the same challenge. Missions has changed so very much in these last few years. We aren't to find a couple and send them overseas. Now it is to train all the congregation to be missionaries to these foreigners they meet every day.
Okay that was over and the next was a special dinner that evening to those interested. I did shock them asking them what was the difference between their church and a country club. I think we all have to think about that from time to time. Then I was telling my stories, challenging them to see, to start a conversation, to develop a relationship with an international. Also telling them how easy and simple it really is and how rewarding too. The only problem is that this gets in your heart and you simply can't quit.
Yes, how do I slow down? How do I retire? Oh I know, a Christian doesn't retire because I am the Lord's disciple and sure enough, the Lord does have something in store for me every day.
Yes, this is Monday and it has been packed with more opportunities. I thank the Lord for still using me. I praise him that he gives me these meetings. I love to be his child and his servant. I just pray I will be faithful and do what he wants in every circumstance. I do know too that he loves me and if I fail, he still loves me and forgives me and still has his plans for me. How wonderful this all is. I trust other Christian, and all Christians will catch this vision too and enjoy being his servant, his slave for his Kingdom's sake. This is my day, your day, to be his disciple and serve him in every way. Praise the Lord!
Donna
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