Wow! What an awesome Thanksgiving! We got to go home and see our folks and enjoy time with them and some wonderful, delicious food. Then on Saturday, we did it all again with Bryan's entire family. We are so blessed!
Over the holiday, it occured to me that I haven't been as thankful as I should be.
Lots of changes coming our way this next year and none of it would be possible without an entire support team: our family. Everyone we saw on Thanksgiving has in some way helped Bryan and me the past 6 1/2 years. From sending food, hiding money in the refrigerator..(true story!) , giving us cars, to just being there on the other end of the phone when things get crazy!
There have also been many friends who have done some very special things to help us and for that we are so grateful.
As we were leaving Tuscumbia, we did what we always do..drove through our old neighborhood and looked at our old house. It was the first and only home we have owned. Since then we've been renting..now knowing where we would land next so it's just been easier to do.
And as we were driving through our old neighborhood..we saw a for sale sign in our yard.
I would have loved to jump out and gone "back home" for just a few minutes anyway.
BUT...it's just not where we belong right now. Bryan quickly reminded me of that. When we decided to get "new lives" it unfortunately came with a big price: we had to give up our "old life" and leave all our family behind ...at home. I have felt like a woman without a country so to speak the last 6 1/2 years. Living in limbo stinks! I know..home is where your heart is..and mine is certainly with Bryan. But..we are so ready to be finished with this part and have a place to call home. 358 days left until he finishes..and then we'll be headed somewhere else.
As this year winds down and a new one moves on to the horizon..I wonder what it holds?
I pray for health and happiness for all our family and friends. Of course, I'm also praying for jobs that will allow us to make a difference and live our dreams.
But, as I get ready to enter the "final" year of the journey..I'm reminded that I should be so thankful.
Thankful for Jesus dying for me and for God's unconditional love,
For faith,
For Bryan,
For our family,
For friends,
For my 3 little furry kids,
For health,
For a warm place to sleep, nutritious food, functioning cars, warm clothes,
For a job,
For hope and dreams of something better.
AND, if you're reading this, I would be so thankful for your prayers.
God Bless you and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Janie
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
He is able...25 years later..
"Like peering through a window blurred with rain,
emotions run together in a flood of doubt and pain.
We've prayed as best we can.
Now we must leave it in his hands.
Yet, I know when my eyes fail to see,
He is able.
And even though it seems impossible to me,
He is able.
But if He chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would,
I'm confident he's working all together for my good.
I will stand behind his word, for He is able.
Questions seem to haunt us night and day.
How could God allow my heart to be torn this way?
Does He listen when I call?
Is He even there at all?
Yet I know when my eyes fail to see,
He is able.
And even though it seems impossible to me,
He is able.
But if he chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would,
I'm confident He's working all together for my good.
I will stand behind his word, for He is able.
And as the night gives way to dawning and evaporates away,
I'll stand to face another day.
And I will stand behind His word for He is able.
He is able, HE IS ABLE!"
-Deborah Klassen
I had the honor of singing this tonight at FBC Montgomery.
"He is able" has been in my repertoire since it first became available on a soundtrack.
First it was on a cassette and truthfully, it finally wore out from so many performances.
I have loved it ever since I first heard it. And have really missed singing it.
When it comes to selecting a song to sing, there's no magic forumula...it's whatever speaks to me at the time.
Tonight after church, several people my age and a little older, came up to me and said something I found interesting.
They recognized it from being among some of Truth's pieces. Before I tell you what they said..a little background.
For those of you who may not know, Truth was a contemporary christian group based out of Mobile, led by Roger Breland.
I saw them perform live twice and I still remember those performances to this day.
Later, when I was part of "Sounds of Joy" at Northeast Jr. College , we sang several of their songs in our concerts. Even took those pieces on our mission trip to Hawaii. Some of their most popular songs included "Jesus Never Fails"and "Undivided". There are many more but too many to list here.
Back to the folks response tonight. They all said the exact same thing..even though they all came up at different times.."Wow! I had forgotten about that song. You know, Truth's music really got me through some tough times".
I know how they feel. That's why I turned to that song time after time. And..it still rings true today 25 years later after Deborah Klassen wrote it.
When I started trying to buy another copy, it was no where on the internet.
Then I saw somewhere on facebook a post about Truth soundtracks.
It said if you'll contact RBreland he still has a lot of those songs and they can be purchased from him.
So, I gave it a try..and it worked. Made my day.
If you've read any of my previous posts, you're aware of what Bryan and I are working on right now. And I'll be honest with you..there are many, many times I've wanted to throw up my hands and say "I quit"! Bryan asked me today.."If you knew how hard this would end up being, do you think you would have still done it?" My response "NO!" Now, I was only kidding, but I'm so glad God doesn't let us see what's ahead..even though sometimes I really wish He would.
I can't see what's ahead..and there are times the present is so "blurry"..like the window with rain.
Can't understand why things are the way they are..wishing they would quickly change and we would be where we want to be RIGHT NOW!
But God doesn't work that way. And I've learned..time and time again...that if "He chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would, I'm confident He's working all together for my good".
I can remember example after example of what I wanted not being half as good as what God had in store. But not being patient has often caused me much heartache. And at one point, almost cost me my life. But, God is truly amazing. In one incident, when I got things straightened out, God welcomed me right back into His loving arms. I compare it to..travelling down the interstate and taking the wrong exit ( MY choice) and when I realized it was not HIS will but mine, I turned around and got back on the right road. Make sense?
Ephesians 3:20-21
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
emotions run together in a flood of doubt and pain.
We've prayed as best we can.
Now we must leave it in his hands.
Yet, I know when my eyes fail to see,
He is able.
And even though it seems impossible to me,
He is able.
But if He chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would,
I'm confident he's working all together for my good.
I will stand behind his word, for He is able.
Questions seem to haunt us night and day.
How could God allow my heart to be torn this way?
Does He listen when I call?
Is He even there at all?
Yet I know when my eyes fail to see,
He is able.
And even though it seems impossible to me,
He is able.
But if he chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would,
I'm confident He's working all together for my good.
I will stand behind his word, for He is able.
And as the night gives way to dawning and evaporates away,
I'll stand to face another day.
And I will stand behind His word for He is able.
He is able, HE IS ABLE!"
-Deborah Klassen
I had the honor of singing this tonight at FBC Montgomery.
"He is able" has been in my repertoire since it first became available on a soundtrack.
First it was on a cassette and truthfully, it finally wore out from so many performances.
I have loved it ever since I first heard it. And have really missed singing it.
When it comes to selecting a song to sing, there's no magic forumula...it's whatever speaks to me at the time.
Tonight after church, several people my age and a little older, came up to me and said something I found interesting.
They recognized it from being among some of Truth's pieces. Before I tell you what they said..a little background.
For those of you who may not know, Truth was a contemporary christian group based out of Mobile, led by Roger Breland.
I saw them perform live twice and I still remember those performances to this day.
Later, when I was part of "Sounds of Joy" at Northeast Jr. College , we sang several of their songs in our concerts. Even took those pieces on our mission trip to Hawaii. Some of their most popular songs included "Jesus Never Fails"and "Undivided". There are many more but too many to list here.
Back to the folks response tonight. They all said the exact same thing..even though they all came up at different times.."Wow! I had forgotten about that song. You know, Truth's music really got me through some tough times".
I know how they feel. That's why I turned to that song time after time. And..it still rings true today 25 years later after Deborah Klassen wrote it.
When I started trying to buy another copy, it was no where on the internet.
Then I saw somewhere on facebook a post about Truth soundtracks.
It said if you'll contact RBreland he still has a lot of those songs and they can be purchased from him.
So, I gave it a try..and it worked. Made my day.
If you've read any of my previous posts, you're aware of what Bryan and I are working on right now. And I'll be honest with you..there are many, many times I've wanted to throw up my hands and say "I quit"! Bryan asked me today.."If you knew how hard this would end up being, do you think you would have still done it?" My response "NO!" Now, I was only kidding, but I'm so glad God doesn't let us see what's ahead..even though sometimes I really wish He would.
I can't see what's ahead..and there are times the present is so "blurry"..like the window with rain.
Can't understand why things are the way they are..wishing they would quickly change and we would be where we want to be RIGHT NOW!
But God doesn't work that way. And I've learned..time and time again...that if "He chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would, I'm confident He's working all together for my good".
I can remember example after example of what I wanted not being half as good as what God had in store. But not being patient has often caused me much heartache. And at one point, almost cost me my life. But, God is truly amazing. In one incident, when I got things straightened out, God welcomed me right back into His loving arms. I compare it to..travelling down the interstate and taking the wrong exit ( MY choice) and when I realized it was not HIS will but mine, I turned around and got back on the right road. Make sense?
So, I'll keep on praying for my dreams to come true and praying they'll line up with God's. And even though "even though it seems impossible to me, He is able." Blessings, Janie
Ephesians 3:20-21
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)