Hearts in Need of Prayer

There is so much heartache at the moment, to do with Sam's little heart friends. 

Will you please pray for the children and their families.  It is almost unimaginable, the trials they now face.  I will not share their names, God knows who they are.  God knows what they need.  Only He can be their peace and comfort.

Thank you in advance.

Don's News

Don has been officially accepted to study at the Australian Centre for Mission Aviation, in conjunction with the Melbourne School of Theology.  He is very excited!

It is truly amazing to watch how everything just happens one step after another. 

The study year starts on February 15th February.  We still don't know if we will be there for this year or not.  We have to sign a student agreement to accept his place in the course by December 10.  Part of the agreement is that we will pay the course fees. 

We keep asking the Lord for his provision and we know he is faithful.  He wouldn't call us to something that he is not going to provide for.  He will either sell our home or a great sum of money will miraculously appear in our letterbox.  Perhaps that's why this home has such a big letterbox!  Hahaha. 

Either way, we will either start in 2011 or 2012.  All in God's timing for his glory!

"The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Mummy Moments

We are having an open house tomorrow.  Apparently the market is very slow at the moment, but we believe God can do anything.  So can you please pray with us that God will send the right person to come and buy our home? 

I have some Mummy moments that I just need to share.

Jack, Sam and I have been doing some school work.  Jack had to do some pre-assessment for Prep next year for his school.  Jack loves having everything well organised for his school work and is very excited to be doing some work for his teacher.  I was very proud of his efforts.  Sam is just too cute, wanting to do everything that Jack does.

Yesterday Sam also started using the toilet and training pants.  He is improving each time.  Way to go Sam.  I am very much looking forward to the day when I can bypass the nappy isle at the grocery shop. 

The Book-an exciting development

Praise God in Heaven!

A publisher is interested in publishing Sam's Heart-the book.

I am extremely excited to the point that I am speechless.  Those of you who know me, this is  very rare.

He has made a way.

I ask you to praise God with me, for making a way. For opening the heart of the reader. For sending out this work, which was inspired by him. To touch the lives of others who need to hear words of encouragement and hope.  Pray to keep communications between the publisher and myself open anoint the whole process with his Holy Spirit.  Pray that the Lord will make time in the days ahead for me to complete this work while looking after two little boys.

What an amazing day.  I will celebrate today with singing and dancing.  And I will be busy preparing the book for it's next step.

Worship While You Wait

On the outside, it would seem like not much has been happening over the course of the last few weeks.  But inwardly God has been preparing us for what is ahead. 

As much as we try to be patient, we are not, and would like our home to be sold yesterday so that we could move on.  However this is not God's plan, so we must wait for his timing.

This last week I finished having a skin cancer removed from my chest and was cleared of any further problems.  So glory to God for that!  I asked God to use it to glorify his name.  And while the doctor and nurse performed the small surgical procedure, I had a captive audience for over 1/2 hour. They asked many questions about what we are doing in our lives, Sam's condition and God's plans for the future.  It just amazed me that God used this simple operation to glorify him and letting me share what God has done in our lives. 

We have had wonderful times with friends this week and have been so blessed by keeping our eyes focused on God and not the situations at hand.This brings me to the words that have been so dear to my heart this week:

Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act (Psalm 37:7)

I will praise you Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all of the marvelous things you have done.

I will be filled with joy because of you.

I will sing praises to your name,

O Most High.  (Psalm 9:1-2)

It is a daily battle to keep my focus on God when everything else around me is calling out for attention, but with his help I can do it.  When I make a choice to worship him instead of being dragged down by the circumstances, the worries cease, and my heart is light and filled with hope.

Keep your eyes fixed on the author and finisher of your faith (God), keep wading through the waters and you will reach the place of rest and safety. 

A Step of Faith

The application for Don to start study at the Bible College of Victoria was sent today.  It was the closing date for applications and so we took a step of faith and posted it, believing that all will work out according to God's plan.  The Certificate IV in Ministry begins on February 7th 2011.  So to be able to start then we will have to sell our home by then. 

It is strange applying for a course knowing full well that we don't know if we will make it on time.  But it can be deferred and other options are also available for starting mid year if need be. 

Walking in faith is like walking along a narrow path up a mountain, with your eyes closed.

Each step is monumental in making sure that you stay on the track.  Instead of walking by what you see and hear, you  listen carefully for God's voice telling you where to tread..."this way to the right, a little to the left, watch that big rock!" 

Occasionally we open our eyes to look around and as we survey the distance we have come, we are astounded by the path behind us.  It is rough, full of potholes, prickles, loose gravel and there are often steep drops on each side.  But as we raise our eyes and look out over the panoramic view, the beauty takes our breath away.  And we know that if we'd taken the easy path, the view would have been much less spectacular.

As we ascend the mountain slowly but surely we can have great confidence that the God who leads us will not let us fall.  He is the only one that can see the hidden holes in the road and the other dangers on the path to come.  I wouldn't want to try and walk the road in this life alone.

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, an he will help you.

(Psalm 37:5)

The Lord directs the steps of the godly,

He delights in every detaill of their lives,

Though they stumble, they will never fall,

for the Lord holds them by the hand.

(Psalm 37:23)

Be Patient, Don't Worry

Look at the birds.  They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.  And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

(Matthew 6:26-27)

Photo captured in our garden, October 2010.