A few moments with God...

I should be going to bed right now, but I just can't without putting this in writing.  Without going into a lot of details there are some things, one or two in particular, that have become really uncertain in the last few weeks and I have begun to feel more and more lost and unsure.  I have felt like maybe I have made a wrong decision at some point or that I somehow stepped off God's chosen path for me.  This morning at church I bumped into a dear friend and someone I've really come to think of as a mentor and huge roll model.  I shared with her some of the things I'm dealing with and feeling so uncertain and lost about and she gave me some great counsel and then she took my hands and prayed with me!  I am so grateful for that moment this morning and her wise words of encouragement!  That was the first God moment of my day.  Among many other things, one thing she told me was that sometimes God closes doors in order to guide us to another path.  It doesn't necessarily mean the path you were on was wrong, just that God wanted to change your direction at that time.  It doesn't always make sense to us because we are human and can never fully understand His ways.  She suggested maybe one thing I could do in order to help discern God's leading is to start carrying a journal with me everywhere I go so that whenever a song, or passage of Scripture, or something someone says speaks to me I can write it down right away and even pray over it right then. So, after church I stopped at the Christian bookstore and bought a little pocket size journal to have with me.  And...of course as I drove to the store I heard a song that fit perfectly with my current situation and reminded me to just hold onto God's promises.  So, as soon as I bought the journal I put it to use!  I immediately wrote down what spoke to me through that song.  That was the second God moment of my day!  The other thing my friend said to me this morning that really stuck with me was something I already know, but she worded in a way that really convicted me.  She said I just need to continue to do what I know and "stay in the Word, and on my knees".  That "on my knees" part is what really got me.  Admittedly my prayer life has never been great.  It has gotten better in the last year, but I know it still isn't what it should be.  So, after being reminded and convicted of that this morning I decided to be intentional about that this evening.  I had a very intentional devotional time and then I did something I probably haven't done since I was a small child...I got down and knelt beside the bed and prayed.  Immediately it was almost as if as I knelt there praying out loud, pouring my heart out to God I felt His presence wrap around me, almost as if He were physically there holding me!  I am not sure if I've ever felt that before during prayer.  And maybe that says a lot about my less than perfect prayer life, but a sense of peace that passes all understanding came over me in that moment as tears streamed down my face.  I knew in that moment that even though I may not understand or know exactly what is going to happen God has me and this whole situation right in the palm of His hands!!  That was the third God moment today!  Three very real moments that God showed up and really spoke to me and showed me His presence.  All three in different ways, but all things I desperately needed!  Thank you Lord for knowing me inside and out and providing these little moments just when I need them!!

A new year...

As I reflect on the past year I am amazed at how God has molded me and shaped me! Even reading through old blog posts I'm a little amazed that it was really me who wrote them. There is a maturity in some of them I wondered if I would ever have. God has shaped my heart and laid a passion on it for Uganda and Africa I never would have dreamed. Even just a year ago if you would have asked me if I would ever go to Africa I would have said no way. I never dreamed I would go to Africa, let alone fall completely in love with a country and the people there so much I am still looking and praying for any opportunity to go back! I have learned so much about the faithfulness of God and His provision for our lives! I have fallen in love with God in a way I never have before, and I have learned so much about what being in true relationship with Him means. I'm still not anywhere near perfect and know I won't ever be, but I am learning each day to give myself over to Him and His purposes and He can do the rest. There are so many things I have to look forward to in the coming year, but for the first time ever, I think, I am actually kind of sad to see 2012 go because of all the things I've done and learned! However, I also know you can't live in the past so I am looking forward to what God has in store for me in 2013 with great anticipation! I know it will be a year of joy welcoming a new baby into our family and me personally getting to be an aunt! But I also know it could be a year of challenges and even possible disappointments because of where I know God is already leading me. I will step ahead in faith though and continue to look forward to everything that will come my way. I will meet each bump in the road the best I can and turn to Him for guidance when I fall. I am so excited to see where God leads and I am looking forward to the adventure! Bring it on 2013!!

Missing Uganda

It has been almost two months since I returned from Uganda. One might think that as the time goes by the pain of missing that beautiful country and the precious people I left behind there would lessen. However, I miss it now nearly two months later as much as I ever have. I'm not as "emotional" as I was in the beginning, but it is a deeper more raw aching that I feel deep in my heart.  I am not a parent so I can't know for sure but I literally feel as though I left my very own children there! There are two precious little ones that my heart longs for and aches to be near. I love them with the kind of love I imagine a mother feels for her own children. I only hope and pray we will be reunited in Uganda one day sooner rather than later, but that is all up to God. Until then I will continue to pray for them and their caregivers, and pray for guidance and discernment for myself! I would appreciate my friends and family praying for the same!

Ekubo--10,000 Reasons to Give this year!!

Friends, Family, and Strangers...Let me share with you about an amazing ministry I was blessed to visit and be part of during my recent trip to Uganda.  Ekubo Ministries is an amazing ministry started by two very amazing people that blesses hundreds and hundreds of children and their surrounding community.  Christie and George Magera started Ekubo, and they are two of the most sacrificial, giving, loving, faith filled people I have ever met! 

 

I will let them speak for themselves about part of why they exist: "We exist to share the love of Jesus as we serve orphaned and/or vulnerable children."  The people of Ekubo have the biggest hearts you will ever see, and their love for these children just exudes from them!  They are in the middle of trying to complete their Children's Home so that they can accept and pour Jesus into more children. 

 

 Currently the home is bare bones, and there are still a handful of children living there.  In order to be able to completely finish the home they need about $20,000.  The first $10,000 is to actually finish the structure of the home $5000 for the inside (floors, painting the walls, plumbing, tiling the bathroom, etc.) and $5000 for the outside (outside of building, pit latrine, etc.).  The additional $10,000 is needed to build a security wall around the property to ensure the safety of the children.  Here's the good news!!  Two generous donors have agreed to MATCH up to $5000 EACH. 

 

 So...if Ekubo can raise $10,000 this month these two generous donors will match it and they will have the $20,000 they need to finish the children's home and provide more children with a safe place to stay and be shown the love of Jesus!  Here's where you come in!!  Ekubo also provides men and women of the village with various trades making crafts, jewelry, etc. and they sell these things on their facebook page to raise money for their ministry.  I guarantee this is a legit ministry and these funds go directly into the ministry!  Here's a couple ways you can help donate.  First, you can donate on their blog (http://compassinmyheart.blogspot.com/) and put "Baby Home" in the notes field.  You can also go to their crafts store Here or the jewelry store Here.  The directions on how to order are listed under each picture.  Think that the small amount you can afford to give isn't enough to help?  You're wrong!  Every little bit helps!  Look at this!

 

Just $5 can buy an entire WEEK's worth of cooking oil!!  And remember...every dollar you don't will be doubled during the matching grant.  Just make sure when you pay on paypal you designate in the Notes that your donation is for the Children's Home.  That way it will make sure to be included in the Matching Grant.  Please share this blog with your friends!  Share it on facebook, twitter, or wherever!  The more people that share it, and the more word we get out, the closer they will be to reaching their goal!!  Most importantly please Pray for Christie and George and all the people at Ekubo!  Thank you everyone for sharing and donating!  It will bless sooo many people!  God bless!!

In love...

I used to think I knew what it meant to be in love...but Uganda has taught me the true meaning of being in love!  God revealed Himself to me in ways I never imagined through the hearts and lives of people I barely knew.  I wish I could explain more clearly the ways He showed Himself to me, but I can't really out it into words.  I have always loved God, but for the first time in my life I know what it feels like to really be IN LOVE with HIM!!  It is an amazing feeling and it has taught me how to love others more like Him and how to rely more faithfully on Him and His promises!  I may not know exactly where He is leading or what exactly my future holds, but I do know that with Him anything is possible, and His plan for me is more than I could ever imagine.  I am sure it won't always be easy and there may be times I really want to give up, but I am ready to let Him take the reins!!  I am asking my friends and family to come along side me and pray for His leading and direction in my life, and that I will be able to discern His calling!  Here's to the amazing road ahead!  I love Him and am so excited to see where He leads!!