About two weeks ago, my sister and I arrived home from a 3 week trip to help with some young ladies’ conferences, and our starting location was Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We rode a Greyhound bus up there and back, and while waiting in the bus stations, the Lord gave us some neat opportunities to witness to others who were waiting in the stations as well.

After being dropped off at the station in Cedar Rapids (we were headed home), my sister was talking on her phone and I was sitting on my suitcase, enjoying the lovely sunny weather, and praying for someone to come along that I could share the Gospel with.

I hadn’t been sitting there five minutes, when a lady in her early twenties walked up and asked where we were headed. It so happened that she was going to the same place we were, so we chatted for a while. Then, I grabbed my purse and started digging around, trying to find an IQ test to do with her. She must have thought that I didn’t want to talk anymore, so she walked away. 

I was rather frustrated with myself for letting such a perfect opportunity escape (and for not being more organized so I could find the IQ test quickly!).  I decided to go inside and find her. But presently, she came walking back out! I wasn’t going to let her escape this time! [grin]

So, I did the IQ test with her, and we began to talk about spiritual things, and I found out she had grown up Lutheran, but hadn’t been attending church while in college. We had a wonderful discussion, and I encouraged her to find a good church so that she could grow closer to the Lord by being with other Christians.

Then, our bus pulled up, and just before we got on, I ran over to a taxi-driver man who was sitting in his taxi, and said, “Hi there, here’s something for you! It’s a million-dollar bill! There’s a million-dollar question on the back. I hope you’ll read it. Have a nice day!”  He thanked me, and then I ran over to two other guys who were just standing and chatting with one another, and I told them the same thing I’d told the other man. They were very friendly, and assured me that I had “made their day” :), and that they would read what was on the back. I went and got on the bus, and watched them a bit through the window. The taxi-driver walked over to the two other men with his million-dollar bill, and they all stood around, looking at them together! :) [I secretly wished I could have heard what they were saying! :)]

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Fast forward a few hours, and we were sitting in a bus station in Des Moines, waiting for our bus to leave. I tried to do an IQ test with a man sitting in front of us, but he didn’t speak English very fluently, so it was not a very effective converstation. Oh well. :)

A few minutes later, our bus pulled up, so I went to stand in line to get on. In front of me were two guys. I asked the first one where he was headed, and what he planned to do there, etc. and I told him where we were going. I asked them if they wanted to do an IQ test, but they said no, they were too tired. Then, my sister walked up and began talking with us, and she gave them each a million dollar bill tract. On the back, it asks the question, “Will you go to Heaven when you die?”

[just a side note, it was at this point that I began to think to myself: "What in the world am I doing? Here I am, in a bus station, talking to two strange men that I have never seen before! This is crazy! Lord, I can't believe I'm doing this, but it's all for You!"]

The first man laughed and said no, he wouldn’t be going to Heaven. We asked him why not, and he said how he had heard that the Bible was full of contradictions. We shared with him how the Bible is the best accredited book in ancient history, as there are more copies of it than the works of other ancient authors, that are accepted as true today.  My sister said, “It’s so important to know if you are going to Heaven or not, because eternity is a long time.” She shared the Gospel with them, and explained how they can know for sure if they will go to Heaven when they die.

The second man, who had been pretty quiet throughout the whole conversation, then reached in his pocket, and pulled out another tract that he picked up somewhere! He told Micah Noel he’d been reading it, and thinking about what it said recently.

[anther side note, here I was thinking: "Wow, Lord, You are so good! Here someone else gave him a tract, and it helped prepare him to hear what You wanted us to tell him! Thank You, Lord!]

We thanked them for their time and encouraged them both to seriously consider the things we had been talking about, because none of us know when our time here on earth will be up, and we will have to face our Creator, whether we’re ready, or whether we’re not.

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So, it was an interesting, fun, and crazy bus trip, and these are just a few stories of the conversations we were able to have with people.

We rejoiced in seeing God answer our prayers for people to share His Gospel (the good news!) with. He was faithful!

Even though it feels like we just got home, early Thursday morning, my sister and I will be leaving again on the 30th - this time for Iowa. From there we’ll be heading out to Virginia with a group of young ladies to put on some Bright lights conferences (www.radiantpurity.com).

I’m excited about going and seeing the Lord work.

I know the Lord wants me to go. I asked the Lord to show me if He wanted me to go on this trip, and I believe He did.

So I am going. I’m choosing to step out in faith that this is the Lord’s will for me right now. I know He will be with me.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; 
       He delivered me from all my fears.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
       blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

  Psalm 34:4,8

We arrived home from camp on Saturday evening, tired, but happy, full of memories and stories, and in awe of God’s protection and grace throughout both weeks.

I loved being a counselor this year, and I can’t wait ’till next year! Last summer, (which was my last year as a camper) a staff member told me that it’s not as fun being on staff as it is being a camper — but I disagree! I loved it!

Yes, it was tiring at times, and discouraging, and frustrating, but in my weakness, I was able to see the Lord work all the more. It was simply amazing to see Him come through for me when I needed Him most.

One particular afternoon during the second week of camp, I was discouraged, feeling like my efforts to reach out to the girls weren’t making a difference. I headed to the chapel, into the cool, quietness, knelt down in the front, and cried out to the Lord. After praying for some time, I opened my Bible to where I had left off the day before, and began to read.

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble… because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing…turn from evil and do good; 

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
      and His ears are attentive to their prayer…

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 1Peter 3:8-13

It is amazing to me how the Lord brings just what I need to read, just when I need to read it! The Lord reminded me through these verses, that if I am “eager to do good”, then I am doing what He desires, no matter the result. He reminded me to not be fearful and frightened — but to trust Him instead. He reminded me how He called me to minister to those girls, even if they don’t seem to respond, even if it doesn’t seem to make a difference — I am to continue to love them.

I feel so close to the Lord when I am at camp. It seems so much easier to find Him — when I gaze up at a million twinkling stars, or listen to the breeze rustling in the trees and the birds singing to welcome the morning. But I know He’s here, too — with me, right now. It’s amazing!

My sister and I were very blessed to be able to help with the Bright Lights conferences (www.radiantpurity.com) in Omaha, NE during the week of  April 13-19.

The verse the Lord gave me for the week was 2 Corinthians 5:15:

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

I saw the Lord’s hand at work in so many amazing ways! Many of the young ladies that we thought weren’t listening gave testimonies of how the Lord had worked in their lives through the conference. It was simply amazing to watch the Lord answer our prayers for them!

There are a few more pictures here: www.picasaweb.google.com/beliefwithoutsight/brightlights

Here is a short excerpt from my journal on January 1, 2008:

Well, I can’t believe another year has passed! I’m excited to see what the Lord will teach me in this new year. My goals are:

1) To be more regular in setting aside time daily to spend time with the Lord.

2) To take over most of the cooking of meals for our family.

3) To continually take my thoughts captive to Christ, not allowing myself thoughts which are not pleasing to the Lord and which are not beneficial to myself.

What a blessing these resolutions have been to me this past year!

I can see now how much more meaningful my personal times of prayer and Scripture reading have become as I chose to put it above other, seemingly more “fun” activities! I have now read and studied carefully most of the New Testament. I chose not to read through the whole Bible during 2008, but to instead focus on the New Testament. I feel like I know my Lord so much better because of my commitment to regular devotional time, and I commit to trying for even more regularity during 2009.

I am overjoyed to share how much I have learned this year in the kitchen! After completing my final year at Logos Christian Academy in May, I really began to get to work on this resolution. My mother has been able focus on other things in the time she has not had spend in the kitchen. I am so grateful for the practical experience I have received in this area.

Lastly, in the area of my thought life. I practiced reciting verses of Scripture to myself when tempted to think about things which are not pure or lovely. In addition to the benefit of Scripture memorization, I know that the Lord has helped me to have better control of my thoughts because of my commitment and desire to please Him alone in this area. Praise be to my Savior!

In closing, I would like to a few verses that have been very meaningful to me this past year.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9: 10-11

I have seen the Lord’s hand provide in so many miraculous ways this year! From my new harp, to orchestrating our wonderful trip out to Colorado this summer! I look forward to seeing His Hand at work in 2009!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning, new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord, great is Thy faithfulness.

During the week of July 7-12, there were two girls conferences at our church.  The conference topics were focused on training young ladies to be bright lights for the Lord in a very dark generation.  My sister and I were team leaders for both conferences.  We had so much fun and saw the Lord at work in many incredible ways! Here is a collage of photos from the week!

The Lord provided through my parents’ and my own savings, and through the generosity and kindness of relatives for me to purchase a brand new pedal harp. I had been praying every day for over a year for the Lord’s will in this, and for Him to provide if it was His will for me to have a pedal harp. I had given up the hope of purchasing one, after being told by my parents that we just couldn’t afford it. I placed the need squarely in the Father’s hands. 

“Lord, we can’t do it. If it is Your will for me to continue harp lessons, I need this harp. You are going to have to do it all. I’m giving it up! I won’t even look at harp websites anymore! It’s Yours, Father.”

And He did provide! He answered “Yes!” to my prayers! 

We were able to get “her” for an incredibly low price. God is good!

For any harpists, harpist-wanna-be’s, or anyone else who keeps track of this kind of stuff, “she” is a Lyon and Healy 85 Grand Petite pedal harp, 44 strings, 69 inches tall, and weighs 70 pounds.

 

This picture ^^ is significant for a harpist! :)

I named the other two harps that I owned, and thought it was only fitting to continue the tradition.

The word Shiloh is of Hebrew origin and the meaning of the word is ‘His gift’. But there are some scholars who say that the word meant ‘he who was sent’. In Bible the word is used as a prophetic name for the Messiah…

He would still be good, even if He had chosen to answer “No” to my prayers for a pedal harp. 

I would like to personally thank each of you for your prayers for our dear friends, the Hausmann family! 

.::{View the first post, Sad news}::.

Here is the latest news we have heard:

As of Saturday morning, Anna had not been responsive after aenesthesia (sp?) from the eye surgery to repair a torn retina or cornea on her left eye.  Sunday night, we recieved an e-mail that said she had woken up!

The family also shared that they were gathered around Anna praying and singing hymns when she woke up.

Praise God! Later we also recieved this second bit of good news:

I have wonderful news! Ruth was with Anna when she removed the patch from her left eye, and she could see light!  Everything was obviously blurry, but still, that is more than anyone could have expected this soon. It just goes to show how much power there is in prayer, and I personally want to thank all of you that have been praying against all odds, that Anna’s sight might be restored. Please continue to lift her sight up in prayer, through God all things are possible, and if it is His will, her sight can be fully restored!

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I never guessed that I could find such a great deal at a thrift store! We headed out to do errands on Saturday a few weeks ago. Several members of our family wanted to stop at Goodwill. Several other members (including myself) did not want to stop.

A Singer sewing machine! It is in great condition, hardly used, and for $25, who can go wrong? It runs great, and I am very happy with it!

And the moral of the story is:

Never underestimate the deals at thrift stores!