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Blessings!
HG
Newsletters
10 years ago
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Thursday, September 25, 2008
i'm going to miss "the kiddos"
I love this kid. Sigh.
That’s my little Missionette Sierra, one of a family of 4 kids that has stolen my heart in my time at Forest Avenue church. To be fair, there are a LOT of children that I’ve had the privilege of teaching about the Lord and spending time with in the past 6 years at Forest Avenue; but these kids have a special place in my heart reserved just for them. Now a Sunday or Wednesday doesn’t go by where I don’t hear, “Miss Heather, you can’t leave!” come from at least one of them. And any time I’m gone for a week or more, I am welcomed back by enthusiastic little ones running up to me for a hug, stealing another piece of my heart as the embrace ends.
Sigh, again.
When I first started attending Forest Avenue, I didn’t have a clue about children’s ministry. But over time I’ve learned that whether you’re teaching them a Bible story, helping them memorize an important scripture verse that will stick with them, or just turning cartwheels in the fellowship hall while Pastor Jim isn’t looking (haha), being influential in a child’s life is one of the most beneficial things you can do with your life. And even though your heart will feel like it’s ripping out of your chest when it’s time to say goodbye, if you get the privilege of leading a little one to the Lord, you know that you will get to see them again. And there is no way to measure what a difference faith will make in a child’s life as they grow up. I know it made a difference in my life, even though I didn’t turn back to the Lord until I was 16. But the Bible stories stayed in my heart, and the knowledge of a loving God was with me all along. I pray these same promises and this steady faith remains with my “kiddos” from Forest Avenue for the rest of their lives.
And, I pray the memory of their “Miss Heather” sticks with them, too. Because I know for sure that they will stay with me.
shots still hurt, even at 24
So much to update you on!
Let’s begin with the title, haha. I’m currently in the stage of preparation for Thailand where I have continuously tortured my body with immunization shots. Granted, I am incredibly thankful that these shots are protecting me against gross diseases and brain-swelling viruses; but darn, these puppies HURT! I have a pretty high threshold for pain, but I find that after every prick (sometimes multiple ones in a single visit), even though I am now 24 years old and consider myself an adult, part of me wants to go home, go to sleep, and let my Mom or Grandpa serve me warm soup and lollipops every few hours. :) Sounds slightly pathetic, doesn’t it? It’s okay, you can let me know, I’m strong enough to handle your sarcasm.
In other news…it’s been great catching up on a bajillion things I’ve put off until I “had more time” (note to self: there will never be enough time, so embrace the time you have and make it work!). I have only been doing odd jobs here and there since August, and this break has been a blessing on many, many levels. One of which is the extra time I have to develop a healthier lifestyle. It dawned on me a few months ago that I have got to get my body in better shape before I leave for Thailand. I’m not overweight, but I’m not in the place where I could survive living in the tropics without serious issues, either. So I became a member of a local gym in April, but only recently have I been completely faithful to keeping in shape. And you know what? I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to take such good care of my body! I mean, if we read Romans 12:1 we see that we are to offer our bodies up as a living sacrifice--and that means we need to also keep our bodies healthy and working well, not just unpolluted from the worldly things around us. Our bodies (along with our salvation) were bought at a price, and we need to honor God by taking care of His creation. So all month I have eaten healthy carbs, high-calcium yogurt and cottage cheese, fruits, and veggies, and worked out almost every day. The result: a healthier, happier, Heather! I actually did 21 miles on the stationary bike today, and it felt wonderful. I’m praying I can keep up a healthy regiment in the months to come, and that my body will better withstand the heat, humidity, and air pollution of Bangkok.
Two paragraphs on the body…time for an update on the soul…
Another bonus of being temporarily unemployed is that I’ve had more time to read (and I highly recommend taking a book with you to the gym--totally makes the time fly by on the bike or elliptical). I recently read a daily devotional by Alicia Britt Chole entitled Pure Joy! Words of Encouragement and Hope, and the entire book was just that: pure joy, encouragement, and hope. If you are reading this blog entry and know a woman who has a birthday coming up, you should buy this for her! Each day has an entry with a scripture, a prayer, and a short devotional. Chole is completely biblical in all of her stories and illustrations, and writes like no other female author I know. She’s also great in person, if you have the chance to see her preach. One of the devotions touched on many of the emotions I have been experiencing lately, here is an excerpt:
“During transitions we uproot and replant our sense of purpose, value, and self. Between what was and what will be, we often feel vulnerable, uncertain, and exposed…If embraced, transitions will refine our character and grow dependence upon God in our souls.”
I mentioned in a blog entry from this summer that I was learning how to be more dependent upon the Lord in all areas of my life, and this excerpt touches on that point. I am recognizing more and more the transition that I find myself in, and all of the emotions that go with this time in my life. I feel incredibly vulnerable. I feel more exposed that I have ever been, especially when I’m on stage in front of a church, sharing with them my deep burden for the lost. But I am also recognizing God’s hand in the midst of the transition.
I don’t often “feel” His tangible presence surrounding me like I have felt so many times before; but I feel the weight of His promise to never leave me or forsake me (Joshua 1:9, Hebrews 13:5) more deeply and more clearly than I think I have ever felt before. And it is comforting. And it is reassuring.
And it is real.
Let’s begin with the title, haha. I’m currently in the stage of preparation for Thailand where I have continuously tortured my body with immunization shots. Granted, I am incredibly thankful that these shots are protecting me against gross diseases and brain-swelling viruses; but darn, these puppies HURT! I have a pretty high threshold for pain, but I find that after every prick (sometimes multiple ones in a single visit), even though I am now 24 years old and consider myself an adult, part of me wants to go home, go to sleep, and let my Mom or Grandpa serve me warm soup and lollipops every few hours. :) Sounds slightly pathetic, doesn’t it? It’s okay, you can let me know, I’m strong enough to handle your sarcasm.
In other news…it’s been great catching up on a bajillion things I’ve put off until I “had more time” (note to self: there will never be enough time, so embrace the time you have and make it work!). I have only been doing odd jobs here and there since August, and this break has been a blessing on many, many levels. One of which is the extra time I have to develop a healthier lifestyle. It dawned on me a few months ago that I have got to get my body in better shape before I leave for Thailand. I’m not overweight, but I’m not in the place where I could survive living in the tropics without serious issues, either. So I became a member of a local gym in April, but only recently have I been completely faithful to keeping in shape. And you know what? I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to take such good care of my body! I mean, if we read Romans 12:1 we see that we are to offer our bodies up as a living sacrifice--and that means we need to also keep our bodies healthy and working well, not just unpolluted from the worldly things around us. Our bodies (along with our salvation) were bought at a price, and we need to honor God by taking care of His creation. So all month I have eaten healthy carbs, high-calcium yogurt and cottage cheese, fruits, and veggies, and worked out almost every day. The result: a healthier, happier, Heather! I actually did 21 miles on the stationary bike today, and it felt wonderful. I’m praying I can keep up a healthy regiment in the months to come, and that my body will better withstand the heat, humidity, and air pollution of Bangkok.
Two paragraphs on the body…time for an update on the soul…
Another bonus of being temporarily unemployed is that I’ve had more time to read (and I highly recommend taking a book with you to the gym--totally makes the time fly by on the bike or elliptical). I recently read a daily devotional by Alicia Britt Chole entitled Pure Joy! Words of Encouragement and Hope, and the entire book was just that: pure joy, encouragement, and hope. If you are reading this blog entry and know a woman who has a birthday coming up, you should buy this for her! Each day has an entry with a scripture, a prayer, and a short devotional. Chole is completely biblical in all of her stories and illustrations, and writes like no other female author I know. She’s also great in person, if you have the chance to see her preach. One of the devotions touched on many of the emotions I have been experiencing lately, here is an excerpt:
“During transitions we uproot and replant our sense of purpose, value, and self. Between what was and what will be, we often feel vulnerable, uncertain, and exposed…If embraced, transitions will refine our character and grow dependence upon God in our souls.”
I mentioned in a blog entry from this summer that I was learning how to be more dependent upon the Lord in all areas of my life, and this excerpt touches on that point. I am recognizing more and more the transition that I find myself in, and all of the emotions that go with this time in my life. I feel incredibly vulnerable. I feel more exposed that I have ever been, especially when I’m on stage in front of a church, sharing with them my deep burden for the lost. But I am also recognizing God’s hand in the midst of the transition.
I don’t often “feel” His tangible presence surrounding me like I have felt so many times before; but I feel the weight of His promise to never leave me or forsake me (Joshua 1:9, Hebrews 13:5) more deeply and more clearly than I think I have ever felt before. And it is comforting. And it is reassuring.
And it is real.
Friday, August 1, 2008
6,740+ miles traveled in the past month!
That adds up to one tired rump. (If I can be totally honest.)
I have to admit, though…I am totally loving this “always on the move, nomadic lifestyle” that I have had this month. It gives me a rush, and I like the adventure.
This trip to Oklahoma has to be my favorite, though--this time I get to see my family!!! I’m actually sitting here with my mom and grandma, catching up on life. Ahh…good to be home.
In case you’re wondering how I’ve racked up the miles lately, here’s a brief synopsis of my travels:
Springfield, MO → Heber Springs, AR roundtrip = 374 miles.
Springfield → Vancouver, BC roundtrip = 4,288 miles.
Springfield → Dysart, IA = 453 miles.
Dysart → Minneapolis, MN → Cedar Rapids, IA → Springfield = 1,331 miles.
Springfield → Moore, OK = 294 miles.
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Gotta love it.
Living like a nomad,
Heather
I have to admit, though…I am totally loving this “always on the move, nomadic lifestyle” that I have had this month. It gives me a rush, and I like the adventure.
This trip to Oklahoma has to be my favorite, though--this time I get to see my family!!! I’m actually sitting here with my mom and grandma, catching up on life. Ahh…good to be home.
In case you’re wondering how I’ve racked up the miles lately, here’s a brief synopsis of my travels:
Springfield, MO → Heber Springs, AR roundtrip = 374 miles.
Springfield → Vancouver, BC roundtrip = 4,288 miles.
Springfield → Dysart, IA = 453 miles.
Dysart → Minneapolis, MN → Cedar Rapids, IA → Springfield = 1,331 miles.
Springfield → Moore, OK = 294 miles.
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Gotta love it.
Living like a nomad,
Heather
Sunday, July 27, 2008
the blessing of friendship
Friday night I got to hang out with some old friends that I have not seen in years. Once my mind put two and two together as we planned our trip up into Minnesota, I realized that my dear friend Angela was going to be a much better reason to go than the Mall of America!! So I was blessed with the chance to reconnect with this old friend from our days in Spence Hall at Evangel University. Ang was one of the first people I met at EU, my suite mate for a year, and had a deep, challenging impact on my faith as a new Christian. It was pretty much wonderful to see her again!
Not only did I get to see Ang, but her husband Nick came home after work, and we got to catch up. Nick has been to Bangkok a few years ago, so he was able to suggest a great restaurant to visit, and some people to say hey to when I get there. But, cool thing was, their friend Josh was also there, and I know Josh from WAY back in the day--we met at the New Student Orientation bonfire freshman year! I didn’t know that any of them knew each other, so it was a great surprise. We all hung out until late in the night, catching up, laughing, and watching an episode of The Office (perfect way to spend time with friends, huh?) before I had to head back. Wonderful.
As Angela and I caught up on the past few years of life, I was overwhelmed by how God brings people into our lives, and though sometimes they are taken out of our lives faster than we would like, He also brings them back into the picture at just the right time. For this facet of His faithfulness, I am grateful. I am so thankful that Ang, Nick, and Josh are back in my life, and can’t wait to see how He brings all of us back together again someday--I personally voted for the next reunion to be in Bangkok. Ha.
So if you’re reading this humble blog, please know that God truly is interested in our friendships and relationships in this life. He brings people into our lives to bless us, challenge, us, and encourage us. Life may try to take those we hold close away from us, but as a Body of Believers we know that we WILL meet again. The time and place may not be known to us, but we have a promise of eternal fellowship. It may sound cheesy sometimes, but it is the honest truth given to us by One who does not lie.
Hoping to see each of you soon,
Heather
Not only did I get to see Ang, but her husband Nick came home after work, and we got to catch up. Nick has been to Bangkok a few years ago, so he was able to suggest a great restaurant to visit, and some people to say hey to when I get there. But, cool thing was, their friend Josh was also there, and I know Josh from WAY back in the day--we met at the New Student Orientation bonfire freshman year! I didn’t know that any of them knew each other, so it was a great surprise. We all hung out until late in the night, catching up, laughing, and watching an episode of The Office (perfect way to spend time with friends, huh?) before I had to head back. Wonderful.
As Angela and I caught up on the past few years of life, I was overwhelmed by how God brings people into our lives, and though sometimes they are taken out of our lives faster than we would like, He also brings them back into the picture at just the right time. For this facet of His faithfulness, I am grateful. I am so thankful that Ang, Nick, and Josh are back in my life, and can’t wait to see how He brings all of us back together again someday--I personally voted for the next reunion to be in Bangkok. Ha.
So if you’re reading this humble blog, please know that God truly is interested in our friendships and relationships in this life. He brings people into our lives to bless us, challenge, us, and encourage us. Life may try to take those we hold close away from us, but as a Body of Believers we know that we WILL meet again. The time and place may not be known to us, but we have a promise of eternal fellowship. It may sound cheesy sometimes, but it is the honest truth given to us by One who does not lie.
Hoping to see each of you soon,
Heather
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
"missionary heather"
WOW. So, as I said in the last post, I am now in my itineration process for Thailand. Sunday, July 20th, I had my first service with Dysart Assembly of God in Dysart, Iowa. IT WAS AMAZING! The congregation was so loving, welcoming, and plain awesome, and the service went very well (except for some technical difficulties which all present can laugh at for some time to come).
This trip to Iowa has actually been about a year in the making. My pastor in Springfield, Jim Dougherty, and his daughter Treanna (one of my best friends) offered to take me to some of the congregations that they know in this state. We had quite the eventful drive up here yesterday (including a late start, a broken drive belt, a replacement vehicle with bad brakes, crazy heat, and unknowingly driving through a tornadic thunderstorm), but God kept us safe and we were somehow revived for the service in the morning. Dysart Assembly opened their arms and their hearts to me, and I think we all genuinely had a good time in the service, as well as the delicious potluck lunch afterwards (I am so blessed and spoiled!).
Not only was the congregation very responsive to the message and opened their hearts to the needs in Thailand, but everyone was so encouraging! I got to meet with and talk to quite a few people in the congregation, and it was a pleasure just getting to know people better. I even acquired a new set of “parents!” Lloyd and Yvonna are on the ministry team that leads the church, and adopted me as their daughter! Yvonna and I especially hit it off, and I have a standing invitation to return in two years when my time in Thailand is over. Yah!
The title of this entry comes from the end of the service at Dysart. The Holy Spirit was moving in everyone’s hearts before the service, actually guiding a few of us to the same topic (the Cross and salvation); Yvonna and I were powwowing after Sunday school and found out that He had given us the same message to teach the children that morning! So Yvonna began the service, and I got the chance to tell the children about Thailand and give them some information about her people instead of them going off to their own service. Afterwards, Yvonna invited me back to the kids’ room where I taught them the two phrases I know in Thai (hello and thank you, haha). As I was teaching them, Yvonna kept referring to me as “Missionary Heather.” It caught me off guard the first time, but then I realized…hey, that’s me! This is a huge responsibility to take upon myself, but I know this is what the Lord has created me to do. So I will assume the role of Missionary Heather with both pride and humility, and do my absolute best to bring Him honor and glory at all times.
For Him,
Missionary Heather
This trip to Iowa has actually been about a year in the making. My pastor in Springfield, Jim Dougherty, and his daughter Treanna (one of my best friends) offered to take me to some of the congregations that they know in this state. We had quite the eventful drive up here yesterday (including a late start, a broken drive belt, a replacement vehicle with bad brakes, crazy heat, and unknowingly driving through a tornadic thunderstorm), but God kept us safe and we were somehow revived for the service in the morning. Dysart Assembly opened their arms and their hearts to me, and I think we all genuinely had a good time in the service, as well as the delicious potluck lunch afterwards (I am so blessed and spoiled!).
Not only was the congregation very responsive to the message and opened their hearts to the needs in Thailand, but everyone was so encouraging! I got to meet with and talk to quite a few people in the congregation, and it was a pleasure just getting to know people better. I even acquired a new set of “parents!” Lloyd and Yvonna are on the ministry team that leads the church, and adopted me as their daughter! Yvonna and I especially hit it off, and I have a standing invitation to return in two years when my time in Thailand is over. Yah!
The title of this entry comes from the end of the service at Dysart. The Holy Spirit was moving in everyone’s hearts before the service, actually guiding a few of us to the same topic (the Cross and salvation); Yvonna and I were powwowing after Sunday school and found out that He had given us the same message to teach the children that morning! So Yvonna began the service, and I got the chance to tell the children about Thailand and give them some information about her people instead of them going off to their own service. Afterwards, Yvonna invited me back to the kids’ room where I taught them the two phrases I know in Thai (hello and thank you, haha). As I was teaching them, Yvonna kept referring to me as “Missionary Heather.” It caught me off guard the first time, but then I realized…hey, that’s me! This is a huge responsibility to take upon myself, but I know this is what the Lord has created me to do. So I will assume the role of Missionary Heather with both pride and humility, and do my absolute best to bring Him honor and glory at all times.
For Him,
Missionary Heather
Sunday, July 20, 2008
truly a vacation for the soul...
Hello everyone! I have left my new favorite country of Canada, and am writing this from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Traveling has been great so far, I actually slept on the flight from Vancouver to Minneapolis (which I usually have trouble doing, so praise God!). It was sad to leave Sarah and Canada, but I’m excited for what’s next on this journey…
I really want to open up with everyone on this blog entry. I know that a lot of my entries lately have been pretty basic and not very “spiritual,” but I want to assure you that this last trip turned out to be more of a vacation for my soul than for my body. Sure, I stayed in a nice, hotel-like dorm building, ate amazing food everyday, and played outside in ideal 72 degree weather all day…but the part of me that benefited most from my time in Vancouver was my soul.
Life has been hectic, hard, and slightly soul-killing lately, so it was great to get out of Springfield, get away from the humdrum of everyday life and duties, and remember what I have been created to do. I am learning how to step away from the world and retreat to that sacred place of communion with the Lord--no matter what tries to keep my attention instead. While in college the Lord was constantly teaching me how to manage my relationship with Him despite so many demands on my time; after school I learned how to avoid complacency in both life and spirit. As I transitioned into working full-time I had to ask Him how to balance a sometimes slow/sometimes break-neck work environment with a relevant life lived before Him and my co-workers; and now, still employed but also preparing for moving to Thailand and fundraising full-time, He is quietly and faithfully showing me how to come away to the quiet, still waters (Psalm 23, gotta love it!) and spend time with Him. The past week in Vancouver was key to figuring out this piece of my life-puzzle.
Not only did He speak to my heart so gently about balancing my life with Him and the demands that surround me constantly, but He reminded me that this calling on my life is HIS calling. Let me explain: for the past couple of months I have struggled with feeling inadequate in my calling and unable to itinerate, learn the Thai language, minister effectively, etc. I know that the onslaught has been the work of the enemy, but it has also caused me to be even MORE dependent upon the Lord. I suffer from a weird desire to be very independent in every aspect of my life…and the Lord is slowly breaking me of that quirk. It’s both a healthy and unhealthy aspect of my personality, and He’s helping me work through the unhealthy part of it. In Vancouver I was reminded again and again and AGAIN that He desires me to be dependent upon Him. God enjoys it when we rest in Him, look to Him for guidance, and rely upon Him for the big and the small things in life. I am learning again how to do this very thing.
So I now find myself in Iowa (it's actually Sunday, July 20th as I finish this post), beginning my itineration process. I have a more quieted soul within me now, as I hold on to the exaltation that David makes in Psalm 131:2, “But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” In all actuality, it is the LORD that has quieted my soul within me…and I am unbelievably grateful for that fact.
Resting in Him,
Heather
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