Hello friends! The new year has come, and I pray that it finds you all deeply blessed and rejoicing in the Giver of all good things. As for me, a lot is on my mind and I’d like to share a bit about the things I have learned in 2006. Notice when I used the word “learned” I do not mean to say that I have mastered any of these. Oh friends, no such thing! Yet the Lord has poured out grace in my life, and has seen fit to help me mature and realize the things in my life that need to change.
I have learned …
1. … to rely on Christ alone and on the precious promises of Scripture. Though father and mother forsake me (and praise the Lord they haven’t!)… He remains faithful.
2. … to love people unconditionally.
3. … to speak the truth in love.
4. … to think before I speak.
5. Don't believe everything you hear.
6. …To live in the light of eternity and the hope of heaven.
7. …To love time in prayer – in the secret of His presence.
8. ... that He disciplines those He loves.
9. …To be spontaneous!
1o. …To have a good conversation.
11. … to organize a missions trip.
12. … to laugh so hard I internally shake.
13. … to write poetry.
14. … to sing LOUD! Really, really loud.
15. …to have patience and to wait on His perfect timing.
16. … to love His Word!!!!
17. … to bake a satisfying cranberry apple bake. ;)
18. … to effectively share the Gospel!
19. … to take initiative.
2o. … to search the Scriptures.
21. … to listen.
22. … to have compassion.
23. … to talk on the phone for over a minute. (!)
24. … to walk by faith.
25. … to write for His glory.
26. … to seek first His kingdom.
27. ... that God can handle an honest conversation.
28. I’m not alone in this.
29. … to heartily attack and complete a trashed kitchen in 15 minutes, armed with nothing but a bottle of Windex, a sponge, and lots of paper towels.
30. … to realize how weak I am in and of myself.
31. … to realize how strong He is.
32. ... to fly by the instruments.
33. (and finally) … to dream big.
The Lord has seen fit to grow me in huge ways this past year; I hope to continue to learn these things… some of these lessons really are life-long. I can't wait to see what the Lord will do with 2007. I haven't really had much time to come up with resolutions as yet (although I have a few!)... perhaps they'll end up being more like February 1st resolutions. Oh well. ;)
I leave for Caborca early, early on the 4th... and I really want to ask you all to be praying for this trip. This is the first Caborca trip that I have organized and, as such, the details have encompassed me much more than perhaps they should have. I want to be focused on the Lord and on His glory... and many hard and painful trials have arisen in the past few months that tempt me to alter my focus. And yet, even through these, the Lord has taught me to trust Him - and Him only - as I have never done before. His grace is indeed sufficient in my weakness. Please be praying that the Lord would prepare the hearts of the people we go to share with; that He would open doors for the Gospel and for our ministry; that He would prepare the team; and that, in everything, we would make His glory known this January.
That's all, I guess. God bless - and a very blessed New Year to you all.
~ Hannah
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God.
~ William Carey
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
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4 comments:
HNY =)
Might our God continue to grow you in the grace and knowledge of Him
“Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again;
The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies among his worshippers.”
--William Cullen Bryant
Well, friends, I'm back from Caborca, and wondering why. I spent a few short days there... that's all... and I was sent home sick late last night, with a really bad case of seasonal asthma. Please be praying for my mom and I (we came back together) if you get a chance... I know the Lord has His sovereign purpose in this change of my plans. Praise Him.
Hannah -
I am SO encouraged and delighted to see how much God has taught you this past year and semester. And yes, these are all lessons in progress; there is no finality to our growth and sanctification until we reach the shores of heaven.
I really really hope you're feeling better. I'm so sorry that you had to come home early, though I do KNOW that God has a very good and a very sovereign purpose for it. Trust Him always.
Anyway - you are in my prayers constantly, keep hope alive.
-Jonathan
p.s. I still want to try that Cran/Apple Bake!!! (the fully satisfying kind!)
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