Each night as I prepare to go to sleep, I have been reading a few of Amy Carmichael's poems. This is something new for me, but I read one last night that really spoke to my heart and I want to share it.
Love, traveling in the greatness of His strength,
Found me alone,
Wearied a little by the journey's length,
Though I had known,
All the long way, many a kindly air,
And flowers had blossomed for me everywhere.
And yet Love found me fearful, and He stayed;
Love stayed by me.
"Let not thy heart be troubled or dismayed,
My child," said He.
Slipped from me then all troubles, all alarms;
For Love had gathered me into His arms.
Amy Carmichael, Gold by Moonlight, 1935
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tomorrow...
It has been a very long process for me in this "health issue" season of my life. Since the beginning of February I have been dealing with severe abdominal pain. Since I returned to New Mexico the first of March, there have been so many doctor visits, trips to the pharmacy, tests, and more tests...
Tomorrow...! I will have surgery to remove the fibroid and the right ovarian cyst. I am ready for this next step, and I have a peace, the peace that can only come from God...being confident in who He is and that He has a hold of my right hand each step of the way.
There are some verses from the Bible that I want to share with you...they greatly encouraged my heart when I wondered if I would ever get relief from the pain.
"Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
Throughout this entire process I have been greatly encouraged through God's word, and through the people He has allowed to be a part of my life and ministry in Kosova. I have felt His love wrap around me and give me the strength I needed to make it through one more day. I have also felt great love through each of my brothers and sisters in the Lord. He has richly blessed me. I am grateful for your prayers, calls, cards and visits.
The Lord continues to go before me each moment of each day. I will have some tough days ahead of me...but I look forward to being able to say "I am doing a little better each day". I am also looking forward to returning to Kosova in mid-June, to get back to work.
Tomorrow...! I will have surgery to remove the fibroid and the right ovarian cyst. I am ready for this next step, and I have a peace, the peace that can only come from God...being confident in who He is and that He has a hold of my right hand each step of the way.
There are some verses from the Bible that I want to share with you...they greatly encouraged my heart when I wondered if I would ever get relief from the pain.
"Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
Throughout this entire process I have been greatly encouraged through God's word, and through the people He has allowed to be a part of my life and ministry in Kosova. I have felt His love wrap around me and give me the strength I needed to make it through one more day. I have also felt great love through each of my brothers and sisters in the Lord. He has richly blessed me. I am grateful for your prayers, calls, cards and visits.
The Lord continues to go before me each moment of each day. I will have some tough days ahead of me...but I look forward to being able to say "I am doing a little better each day". I am also looking forward to returning to Kosova in mid-June, to get back to work.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Blessings in "familiar things"...
As I have been negotiating doctor's appointments, tests, picking up medicine, and brief shopping outings there have been several things that are very familiar to me and have not changed during the last year and a half I have been in Kosova. Somehow I was expecting everything to be so different. So, as I experience people or events that are familiar and comfortable it really makes me smile.
The first week I attended church service at Calvary ABQ, everything seemed the same. I was able to see some familiar faces...sitting in their regular places where I remember. It did seem a little strange that there was no translation of Pastor Skip's message into Albanian, I kept expecting Alban or Lirak to come out and get to work. Hearing the teaching in one language was different, but only because I had changed, not Calvary ABQ. Last week I saw a few more familiar faces...the lady that always wears a hat, the little old man with balding white hair, that always wears a vest and bow tie, and Aaron, that always sat at the end of the row where I usually sat.
This last week since the official start of Spring, there has been snow twice in Albuquerque, clear blue skies with cool air...and yesterday...the spring winds! Of all of the seasons of NM...I dislike the spring winds the most...they really wear on your nerves. The weather in NM has not changed...it is still unpredictable, changes often during the same day...and yet familiar.
Last night, my home Bible study had their monthly potluck...complete with lots of green and red chile, meat loaf, spicy chicken wings...all foods that I had missed since moving to Kosova. But the best part was the warmth of their fellowship and times of prayer...that was very familiar and blessed my heart greatly.
The first week I attended church service at Calvary ABQ, everything seemed the same. I was able to see some familiar faces...sitting in their regular places where I remember. It did seem a little strange that there was no translation of Pastor Skip's message into Albanian, I kept expecting Alban or Lirak to come out and get to work. Hearing the teaching in one language was different, but only because I had changed, not Calvary ABQ. Last week I saw a few more familiar faces...the lady that always wears a hat, the little old man with balding white hair, that always wears a vest and bow tie, and Aaron, that always sat at the end of the row where I usually sat.
This last week since the official start of Spring, there has been snow twice in Albuquerque, clear blue skies with cool air...and yesterday...the spring winds! Of all of the seasons of NM...I dislike the spring winds the most...they really wear on your nerves. The weather in NM has not changed...it is still unpredictable, changes often during the same day...and yet familiar.
Last night, my home Bible study had their monthly potluck...complete with lots of green and red chile, meat loaf, spicy chicken wings...all foods that I had missed since moving to Kosova. But the best part was the warmth of their fellowship and times of prayer...that was very familiar and blessed my heart greatly.
Friday, March 12, 2010
One Week in New Mexico
This post is a little overdue, but I arrived safely in Albuquerque a week ago. The flights were not too difficult, I always had an empty seat next to me which allowed me to move around and get comfortable. I used a wheelchair in the 2 larger airports, that was such a blessing. I was very tired when I got to Albuquerque, the jet lag recovery was not too difficult.
It was so good to give each of my daughters a hug, and to just visit with them over this last week.
God clearly is directing my steps...I was able to start the process of doctors appointments etc last Friday. I really like the resident who is directing my care...he is very compassionate, listens to what I am telling him, and I have confidence in the care he is providing. I am on 3 different antibiotics, and also have been given pain medicine that is helping. The downside is that I find it difficult to concentrate while on the pain medicine, and now the antibiotics are causing some stomach upset as well. I still have some testing ahead of me.
My care team and home Bible study family are taking very good care of me...driving me to appointments, to pick up medicine, or a quick run to the store. Jane...well for those you who do not know her...she is amazing and has the 'gift of hospitality" down to an art form. I am truly blessed by my "family" in Albuquerque. So many friends have offered help and I am very thankful. I am resting, a lot. I am ready to start feeling better.
I thank each of you for your prayers and support. The phone calls are such a blessing and it has been very special to re-connect with my friends and family here. I am greatly missing my "family" in Kosova as well. I was reminded this morning that this is a season, and God has a purpose for me in this.
He has a hold of my hand, and He is ever present with me. I feel His presence with me during this time in my life.
blessings...
It was so good to give each of my daughters a hug, and to just visit with them over this last week.
God clearly is directing my steps...I was able to start the process of doctors appointments etc last Friday. I really like the resident who is directing my care...he is very compassionate, listens to what I am telling him, and I have confidence in the care he is providing. I am on 3 different antibiotics, and also have been given pain medicine that is helping. The downside is that I find it difficult to concentrate while on the pain medicine, and now the antibiotics are causing some stomach upset as well. I still have some testing ahead of me.
My care team and home Bible study family are taking very good care of me...driving me to appointments, to pick up medicine, or a quick run to the store. Jane...well for those you who do not know her...she is amazing and has the 'gift of hospitality" down to an art form. I am truly blessed by my "family" in Albuquerque. So many friends have offered help and I am very thankful. I am resting, a lot. I am ready to start feeling better.
I thank each of you for your prayers and support. The phone calls are such a blessing and it has been very special to re-connect with my friends and family here. I am greatly missing my "family" in Kosova as well. I was reminded this morning that this is a season, and God has a purpose for me in this.
He has a hold of my hand, and He is ever present with me. I feel His presence with me during this time in my life.
blessings...
Monday, March 1, 2010
Saying good bye...Saying hello
Saying good bye is never easy, but these last few days have been especially difficult for me. I am in the process of returning to the US for medical care, with an uncertain diagnosis. The plan is for me to return to Kosova June 3, but we all know that "our plans" are not necessarily the "Lord's plans".
Today, I spoke with the Mayor of Malishevë, who I met for the first time a year ago. He provided the opportunity for me to treat patients in the health center. This past year I have treated over 350 patients...I have the best job in the world! I also spoke with the Director of the health center and explained my need to return to the US. He only wants me to be healthy and when I am ready, there will always be a place for me to treat patients. They consider me a part of their family. I am known as "doktoresh"...which is a female doctor. (It is a title of respect, and they don't know what else to call me...Physical Therapist is just not well understood here in Malishevë)
My translator, Besnik, spoke with the teacher of the special needs class as well as the family of Nazmi, that I have been treating in his home since November. I did not feel well enough to make those visits personally.
But...the hardest good byes are those of the family of Rruga e Perëndisë. Even though I have only been a part of this fellowship for 4 months...there is a special friendship in that body of believers. They have all been such an encouragement to me during these last few difficult weeks.
God has given me a special love in my heart for His work here in Malishevë and Kosova. I feel that I belong here...it is where "my bones are going to be buried" someday. My desire is to return to continue the work the Lord has provided as soon as my health allows...in His timing.
Now...I will very soon be saying hello to my family and dearest friends in Albuquerque...
Today, I spoke with the Mayor of Malishevë, who I met for the first time a year ago. He provided the opportunity for me to treat patients in the health center. This past year I have treated over 350 patients...I have the best job in the world! I also spoke with the Director of the health center and explained my need to return to the US. He only wants me to be healthy and when I am ready, there will always be a place for me to treat patients. They consider me a part of their family. I am known as "doktoresh"...which is a female doctor. (It is a title of respect, and they don't know what else to call me...Physical Therapist is just not well understood here in Malishevë)
My translator, Besnik, spoke with the teacher of the special needs class as well as the family of Nazmi, that I have been treating in his home since November. I did not feel well enough to make those visits personally.
But...the hardest good byes are those of the family of Rruga e Perëndisë. Even though I have only been a part of this fellowship for 4 months...there is a special friendship in that body of believers. They have all been such an encouragement to me during these last few difficult weeks.
God has given me a special love in my heart for His work here in Malishevë and Kosova. I feel that I belong here...it is where "my bones are going to be buried" someday. My desire is to return to continue the work the Lord has provided as soon as my health allows...in His timing.
Now...I will very soon be saying hello to my family and dearest friends in Albuquerque...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Happy Birthday Kosova, 2010
Today is the second anniversary of the Independence of Kosova. There are flags everywhere, Albanian, Kosovar, American and British...on cars, being worn as capes, and hanging from all the buildings. The people of Kosova are very proud of their heritage. Later on tonight there will be huge fireworks displays, lots of firecrackers and celebratory gun fire. I received a warning from the US Embassy regarding the dangers of celebratory gun fire. I am not able to tell the difference between the firecrackers and the gun fire. The streets of Malishevë are packed with people...just out walking the streets and being a part of the celebration.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
