November-December 2013

daughters promise

NOVEMBER&DECEMBER2013

of

Speak Evil of noone p. 10

Christmas Messiness

p. 36

Giving My Dreams to God p. 28

{open} 4 5 7

inthisissue NOVEMBER&DECEMBER2013

A word from Rae Meet the Team Mission Statement

relationship exchange cultivating the sacred gift of friendship

10 18

Speak Evil of Noone The Elimination of Manipulation

daughters of God pursuing deeper intimacy with the Father

23 28 36 44

Pearl of Promise Giving My Dreams to God Christmas Messiness Surprised by Joy

life & style virtue in everyday living

40 52

Season of Joy Quotes Autumn-Inspired Reads and Eats

legacy & impact learning & living God's heart for the world

58

Compasio Ministries: Thailand

white spaces creating rest, balance, & room to breathe

64

Handmade Gifts+Simplicity

{close} 71

Contact Info

52

36 58 28

18 extras!

10

24

our readers share

39

pondering with Tina

56

life through Carmony’s lens

66

the team recommends

{open} x o¡pen [oh-puh n]

vb.– to move from a shut or closed position so as to admit passage.

word from rae

a

I have seen a lot of sunrises lately.

O Lord, my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

Who coverest thyself with

light as with a garment: who stretchest out the

heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters: who maketh the

Those of you who know me understand that this is a big deal.

Sunrises and Rae usually do not mix; I’m more of the night owl orientation to tell you the truth. But over the last few months, job training 30 minutes from my house has required me to be on the road a little before the day breaks. And I confess that it is my favorite moment of the day: gray sky shaking itself open into flaming ochre, blush pink, and violet. Somehow as morning slips from her nightgown and into the lacy textures of dawn, the whole world dresses in hope.

It makes me think of Psalm 104. The picture painted is almost too beautiful to comprehend: God, my Creator, cloaked in light…riding the wind…stretching out the canvas of heaven over me. What splendor! With each sunrise, I catch my breath, heart stretching to try to contain the beauty. His beauty.

And as the celebration of Christ’s birth approaches, the reality dawns afresh: that the magnificent Creator God, who spreads light and walks among the clouds and builds His dwelling in the waters and fashioned my own heart….

clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind…I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Has come near. Jesus, to walk among us, to join us in our sufferings, to touch our pain with joy, to give us hope and bring healing.

Psalm 104:1-3, 33

The articles in this issue were written by women inspired and passionate. Their words have blessed me, and I believe will inspire you as well! As always, we welcome your feedback. I pray that this holiday season is filled with fresh hope and a deepening awareness of Christ’s drawing near to you, right here, right now.

I invite you to read this issue of Daughters of Promise through the perspective of Jesus’ drawing near. Avoid the distractions and materialism of the holiday and remember the weight of all that His coming meant for you. As the Daystar arises in our hearts, hope is planted and a joy that cannot be consumed.

Be blessed, sisters!

Rae

Meet the team

BRITTANY SHULT| SC STAFF WRITER

RACHEL SCHROCK|VA FOUNDER,

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Rae’s unique life experiences and love for writing inspired her form DOP in 2010. She loves Jesus and longs for all women to experience healing and freedom through an intimate friendship with Him. She loves many things, but especially the color red, jazz, good coffee, graphic design, and her family. In her free time, she can be found undertaking DIY projects, traveling the world, or behind the lens of her beloved Canon.

One of her favorite places in the whole wide world is Mae Sot Thailand, where she spent 6 wonderful months in 2011 and 2012. Above all, she strives to experience the precious gift of life with grace and gratitude.

Brittany is a schoolteacher currently living in the lovely state of South Carolina. She loves teaching her 2nd-5th graders and learning life lessons from them. Jesus is her Friend; she is thankful for everything He has done for her. She is excited about the plans that He has for her. Some of her hobbies include reading a good book and whipping up some baked goods in the kitchen, especially cupcakes! She will take a warm sunshiney day and flip flops over cold dreary winter days.

MARLENE STOLTZFUS|PA STAFF WRITER Marlene enjoys learning, living simply, and using creativity to meet a new challenge.

She and her husband Kyle live in Guys Mills, Pennsylvania with their seven month old daughter Elia. They are a staff family at Faith Builders Educational Programs.

Marlene is the compiler/author of the White Spaces section of DOP.

CARMIE SANCHEZ | VA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Carmie joined the DOP team in January 2013 as the official photographer. Photography has been one of her pursuits for several years and more recently she has acquired a love of sewing, DIY, and hosting people in her little trailer house. She is a newlywed of October 27, 2012 and her wonderful husband is Gerry. Next to feeding him and being a housekeeper, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

Her expressive photography captures the essences of life and inspires many to delight in the simple joy of beauty.

BETH TROYER | VA GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER Beth grew up in Honduras (where her parents had a children’s home) and has a passion for Latinos and children especially. Beth is a newlywed since May, when she married her best friend Chris. It has been a long journey to the happy spot she is in…lots of heartaches and pain…but God is the Amazing Healer, and He has done miracles in her life! Beth loves beauty (always has!), and since reading Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts, has been able to fall deeper in love with the beauty God lavishes around her on an hourly basis. It has changed her relationship with Him. Beth loves photography and has a blog where she counts her gifts in pictures once a month. If you would like to enjoy more of the beauty captured by Beth, stop by and visit:

Blogbybeth.wordpress.com

By LaRonada Schrock

speak evil OF

NOONE

I write from the premise of one who has been forgiven much when it comes to words. I love a sensational sentence, cutting to the chase of the matter, and sharing a humorous story, but sometimes my words are perceived as unfeeling and judgmental, and insensitive at best. This article will probably illustrate that plenty. I have gossiped shamelessly, spoken ill of people who have wronged me, and felt practically saintly when comparing my virtues with another’s faults. In short, I’ve sinned. So what I’m about to share with you is something God has been gently weaving into the fiber of my convictions. I learn slowly, but I have learned two things: words have the power of either life or death, and we are accountable to God

for the way we choose to use them. No excuses.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL, ANYWAY? To find out what the big deal is, I suggest that we take the time to read James 3. I think James also liked a little sensational writing. He doesn’t slant the truth to us at all. He comes right out and calls our tongue an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Yikes. With all due respect, slander,

The words we say are never

meaningless ‌they either encourage life or bring death.

gossip, and evil speech against others are bad, but they’re not deadly like poison, are they? And just in case we missed it the first time, James goes on to use even more colorful descriptions: The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness, and it stains the whole body. I think it’s time we admit that the words we say are never meaningless.

They either encourage life or bring death.

Words of life speak encouragement, caution, gratitude, compliments, or concern. They offer grace and apologies, and cover a multitude of sin. Words of death label people, discuss their shortcomings, sensationalize sin, make

degrading remarks, are selfish, careless, humorous at the expense of others, and even self righteous. Let’s face it girls.

We label a lot of conversations with godly sounding words like “prayer request” or “concern” when they really should have a big poison sticker plastered on them.

I don’t want to just dwell on the damage that words can do, but before we get to the good stuff, I think it would serve us well to define several kinds of unruly evil, namely gossip and slander.

A: Gossip

is

talking about a problem when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution.

DEFINITION B: Being

Slander is the worst form of gossip. It is a deliberate take-down of someone else’s reputation. Think about it: we would never actually kill someone, would we? But many of us don’t think twice about destroying them with the poison of our words.

Have you ever asked yourself if what you are listening to or saying is really gossip?

When I’m not sure if I’m entering a gray area, I ask myself a few questions:

GOSSIP, DEFINED:

DEFINITION

are completely true, but in the most brutal way.

entertained by

something that causes someone else pain.

I often ask myself this: would I listen to it/say it, if the person I was talking about was standing right here? If the answer is no, then I had better put down the poison and run.

Gossip can either be true or completely incorrect. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a ½ truth or a falsehood to qualify as gossip. Sometimes the things being said

a.

Does it pass the Philippians 4:8 test? b. Am I part of the problem or solution? c.

Does contrasting their failure or weakness make me look good in comparison?

THE CASE FOR CAUTION: GOSSIP

PERPETUATES

LIES

THAT

OUGHT TO HAVE DIED. Let them die. Remember the fire that James was talking about? Be the conversational wet blanket, the tanker full of water that puts the fire out, if you must. If it is important enough to repeat, it is important enough to warrant a drive to the topic of conversation’s house and verify the facts with them first. If you’re not willing to do that, smother the flame. Matthew 18: 15-17 is a wise standard. It is better to smother a hurtful truth than to feed the flame of a hurtful lie.

GOSSIP DESTROYS REPUTATIONS. {Proverbs 11:13} A ruined reputation is one of the hardest things to recover from. I believe in second chances, don’t you? We have such a hard time believing people can change. Well, I don’t really believe people can change, but I have seen God profoundly change people from the inside out. So you know someone with a bad reputation? Chances are it was distorted and magnified somewhere along the line, and even if it wasn’t, give them permission to grow into the image of God, just as you are growing.

GOSSIP RUINS RELATIONSHIPS. {Proverbs 16:28} In fact, slander and gossip destroy more than just friendships. They can cripple marriages, split churches, and tear apart ministry teams. The ripple effects will be felt for generations.

GOSSIP IS A WAY TO CONTROL HOW OTHERS PERCEIVE ME. If I’m honest, a lot of my “fact sharing” is meant to either make me look well informed, or quite virtuous in contrast to the person I’m talking about. So wrong, on so many levels. Truth is: Gossiping says more about my character than it reveals about the object of the gossip.

GOSSIP INFLUENCES THE SPIRITUAL REALM. Every slanderous word spoken becomes a weapon for the accuser of our souls. Do you know that the enemy cannot read our minds? Whenever you speak negatively

about someone, the enemy can then use that to exploit their weaknesses.

GOSSIP FEEDS THE FEAR OF MAN. If we knew that people wouldn’t talk, wouldn’t we take more chances? Would we dare to live radically, to spread wings and fly? Wouldn’t we dare to risk failure,

if we knew that people wouldn’t talk, wouldn’t we take more chances?

Wouldn’t we dare to risk failure, dare to

confess, dare to dream and to chase those dreams? dare to confess, dare to dream and to chase those dreams? I am not proud to admit that many times the fear of what people will say holds me back. It is no excuse, I admit, but it can be a crippling force.

APPLES OF GOLD Now that we know we must use our tongues with caution, I’d like to start the conversation on how we can use words to speak life, to nurture good relationships, to lavish grace on others. The way to overcome gossip is not just to STOP, but to fill our mouths with good things. Proverbs 25:11 says “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”

1.

Sooner or later, you will hear someone you respect being dragged through the mud. Scrape your friend’s reputation off the pavement, dust it off, and defend it to the death. Don’t leave! You don’t have to be high handed, but you do have an opportunity to stick up for someone who is unable to defend themselves. Call into question the source of the rumor.

Introduce the idea that maybe their motives were in the right place, even if their actions weren’t. Point out their good qualities. The truth is, there is something of the image of God in everyone. Find that good, and dwell on it.

2.

Start good rumors. This won’t happen accidentally, in fact, it won’t just HAPPEN. Be intentional and look for ways to spread good news about people, especially those who are maligned. If you appreciated the way she comforted the woman who was grieving, voice it. If she bakes an amazing apple pie, give her a reputation. Say it to their face and to others. If they are training their children well, encourage them. Quote the wise things they say and give them

credit. It takes a little effort at first, but soon it will become your new habit. I sometimes think churches break apart because people forget how to say kind things to and about each other.

ones who have hurt you. This idealistic and impossible, and Jesus. Trust me, I know. It’s a upside down principals that to, and they work.

3.

Lavish grace, not grudges. If you live long enough, someone will probably hurt you so deeply that you will be unable to forgive them on your own. Resist the urge to deal them double what they dealt you.

Don’t assume that living a life of bitterness and retaliatory slander is all that’s left for you. Jesus knows what betrayal feels like, too, and as you take that pain to Jesus and leave retribution with Him, the bitterness leaks away. But there’s more that you can do. You can extend grace. The best way to destroy your enemies is to make them your friends. The best way to deal with slander and thrown mud is to speak kind words in return. The best way to overcome grudges is to lavish grace on the

4.

Say no to slander. Just. Say. No. Post the royal guard in front of your lips and don’t let an unkind word pass. My sister does this thing. We will be driving down the road, discussing a hot button topic. She goes quiet, then all of a sudden she hollers, “Just because I’m not saying anything doesn’t mean I don’t have anything to say! You should just hear my thoughts!”

Which of course doesn’t make me curious at all. But I know that no matter how cunningly I state the questions, she won’t say the unkind things she’s thinking.

“

how about if people know that, hey, even if we know the worst thing about them, their secret is safe with us? we will not be starting

“

the rumor…we will be

stopping it.

may sound it is without kingdom of we belong

5.

Maybe we should take it a step further, though. Because if we think the thoughts but are never permitted to vent

them into juicy, cutting, perfectly worded take-downs of others, we might go a little mad. How about we actually live by the words of Philippians 4:8? How about we go so far as to think well of others, and if the thoughts are not true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise… we don’t think them? It is possible to take every thought captive. {2 Corinthians 10:5} How about we don’t be one of the ones who encourages fear of man in others? How about people know that, hey, even if we know the worst thing about them, their secret is safe with us? We will not be starting the rumor that destroys their past, present, and future. We will be stopping it.

6.

As I told you earlier, I love a sensational sentence. This gets me in trouble with those who would rather hear the truth kindly, not colorfully. Colossians 4:6 speaks directly to that. “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Emily Dickinson says it well, illustrating the very point she’s making: “Tell all the truth but tell it slant, Success in circuit lies, Too bright for our infirm delight The truth's superb surprise; As lightning to the children eased With explanation kind, The truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind.”

So, speak the truth, but speak it kindly and gently. A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.

7.

And finally, the importance of encouragement cannot be overstated.

Sometimes I think that it is the greatest offensive weapon in our arsenal. Hand out sincere compliments and notes of encouragement. (I say sincere, because insincere compliments can be worse than none at all.) If you know someone is going through difficulty, or struggling with defeat, discouragement, apathy, and depression, look for ways to encourage them. If they are artistic, go with them to an art gallery or buy them a set of water colors.

Encourage their creativity. If they enjoy baking, invite them over to make those elaborate cupcakes you’ve been admiring, and use the opportunity to speak words of life. Take time for others.

People doubt their worth, their reason for existence, their contribution to society. Find ways to remind them that God has an eternal purpose for their lives, one that centers around His glory. Someday the curtain will be pulled back, and we may be surprised to see that the bloodiest battles were won with simple, well-placed words of encouragement.

meet the author LaRonda is a full-time secretary for the family business, and is thrilled to be smack dab in the middle of an Ohio October for the first time in four years.

Believes in repentance and the power of offered grace and kind words. Believes that clutter robs us of the ability to function well, and is simplifying her life, one sweater, social media addiction, and pair of shoes at a time.

(Goodwill knows us by the trunk of our car.)

ELIMINATION

THE

OF

manipulation REPLACING CONTROL WITH

HONEST COMMUNICATION IN RELATIONSHIPS.

By Rae Schrock

I caught myself doing it again today: letting fears & insecurities ram through, all over my body language and words and especially what I didn’t say. I lost my temper and kicked a wall because I felt so misunderstood. Then I gave him the silent treatment because he didn’t even realize he had hurt me—HELLO! After all these years, you’d think I’d have it figured out. But I caught myself doing it again. Being her again. A manipulator.

This was me, post- miscommunication with my boyfriend. And yes, I actually did kick a wall—certainly not one of my finer exhibitions of maturity. Once the throbbing in my foot died away, I realized I hadn’t accomplished much, and switched to the guilt-trip card. Ignore his gaze. Pretend I didn’t hear the joke he told the group, but I know was meant for me. Make sure he gets the message that he hurt my feelings!

Why? Why would a full-grown woman engage in such childishness?

My reaction was precipitated, ultimately, by feeling out of control. Attempting to retrieve control led to the wielding of one of the most powerful [and relationally deadly] tools we women possess: manipulation.

Manipulation takes many forms. By definition it is to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage. A lot of things fall under this category. And let’s be honest— we women have pretty finely honed skills.

We might even give ourselves a thump on the back for how artful we can be.

Manipulation isn’t always as expressive as kicking a wall. Sometimes it is as subtle as the way we word our statements. Maybe you catch yourself plying some of these tactics to gain control of people or situations: -withholding yourself physically or emotionally from your husband when he does something hurtful.

-frequently spilling personal struggles to a young man with whom you have no defined level of commitment.

-giving your friend the “silent treatment” when she refuses to acknowledge her error.

-playing on the emotions of your audience to evoke certain responses/support.

Manipulation can happen emotionally, like giving a friend the silent treatment in order to provoke an apology.

Mental manipulation occurs when facts are worded in a way that “frames” a person’s thinking or simply overwhelms them intellectually.

We may manipulate spiritually by playing on a person’s emotions to extract confessions or commitments. In any form, manipulation is harmful. Yet we fall into the temptation so easily.

What is the Problem?

As I

mentioned before, manipulation is rooted in the issue of control. We can trace the struggle all the way back to Genesis. In the Garden, Satan used subtle the bending of truth, poetic verbiage, and probably a really friendly voice to distract Eve and sell his plan. You can be like God! He

HANDS!!” [trust]. If we are to experience life this way, we must let God be in charge.

When we no longer shoulder the crushing weight of running the universe, the urgency to manage people and situations diminishes. Manipulative tactics die as well.

After 25 years, I still struggle sometimes. But I am committed to becoming a woman of trust and invite you to join me on this journey. On a practical basis, there are two simple choices we can take to eradicate manipulative tendencies from our relationships. By inviting Jesus to work with the deeper issues, and by committing to communicate honestly, we can experience friendships characterized by joy and trust rather than fear and frustration.

Identify Motives & Invite Jesus. First, we must deal with the spiritual issues behind controlling behaviors.

murmured. You can be in control. And while Eve was the first to buy the lie that she could do things better herself, she is not to blame for our shortcomings. At some point, every woman has made the choice to believe that she can manage life better than her Creator.

We wrestle constantly between two tensions: a raving urgency to keep life tight between our knuckles [control], and a yearning for the joy and freedom of doing life like a little child, “Look dad! NO

For women with a strong personality, the temptation is to use sharp intelligence and brute strength to manipulate. Women with introverted personalities are tempted to control through passive-aggressive means, such as injured silence or guilt-trips. All need the infusing patience, grace, and humility of the Holy Spirit.

On a situation by situation basis, it is important identify what is driving our reactions. Ask yourself, “What am I hoping to gain? What is motivating me?” Be honest with yourself. In the case with my boyfriend, I came to realize that my reaction had little to do with our mix-up, and everything to do with fears the

situation had aroused in my heart. These issues needed to be dealt with and I needed Jesus’ grace and truth to confront them.

What might it be for you? Do you catch yourself controlling others because you are terrified of rejection? Let Jesus secure you with the Truth. Is bitterness causing you to distance yourself from a family member?

Cry out to God to help you forgive and release old grudges. Does jealousy drive your actions? Confess it and take your desires to Jesus, trusting that He will fulfill them perfectly. Identify what is driving your behavior and then invite Jesus to help. As we open our hearts and allow Him to enter, the need to be in control dissolves.

Communicate and Honestly. This

Clearly is a hard one

for many of us. Rather than coming right out and saying what we mean, need, or think, we try to get what we want by dropping distorted details or nonverbal cues. For instance, we may disguise a cutting remark behind a smile; become the wounded ice-queen to a friend who hurt us; or draw the attention of a man through flirtatious conduct. Each is an example of manipulative behavior which replaces clear, honest communication.

Reject subtle, manipulative forms of persuasion and instead communicate honestly.

While these tactics might initially yield favorable results [a cooperative partner, an apologetic friend, a supporter of my idea], the end result is consistently messy.

Situations get muddled, people confused, and relationships riddled with distrust.

Ladies, I challenge us to a higher standard!

Honesty takes courage. Being subtle and emotionally manipulative does not. It is the easy way. And the most cowardly. Why? Because it places all responsibility on the other person. If they misinterpret our cues, we are granted an ‘excuse’ to feel hurt, or angry, misunderstood.

Is it fair to blame others for things we have not clearly communicated? I don’t think so. If we want something, we should use straight forward means to get it.

Next time you are tempted to manipulate people or situations with subtle means, instead speak your honest intention out loud. You may be surprised at the clarity doing so immediately brings—both to your motives and to the situation.

Try this: -When a friend causes hurt, don’t punish her by retreating. Instead, respectfully and honestly open a conversation addressing the offense. If you don’t have the courage to do this, then forgive and leave the issue behind.

-Envision how the thoughts behind your flirtatious banter would sound if they were put into words. Are they virtuous? If not, then consider a more honorable means for impacting a man.

-When you have an opportunity to win an audience by presenting a bent version of the truth, give the straight version instead.

Wouldn’t you rather know you had won

support for the real misrepresented one?

deal,

not

a

-Instead of hinting around about how short-handed you are on The Project, and then becoming annoyed when nobody offers to help…ASK! Communicate that you have a need and relieve others of the impossible task of reading your mind.

-Don’t be bitter when your boyfriend fails to notice that you don’t enjoy watching football with him each weekend. Instead, sweetly let him know and together seek a compromise for how you spend that block of time. Your man isn’t a mind-reader and it isn’t fair to blame him for an unintentional oversight.

Be a woman of integrity and say things how they are. You will find that relationships become happier, situations less muddled, and your heart more at rest.

People respect a woman who speaks plainly from her heart. Your honesty may force people to choose a side—it did for Jesus—but it will also leave no room for misunderstanding and you will have done what is right.

The Lord blesses the integrity of honest communication.

When we allow Him to be in charge, we are able to live authentically and relate without fear. The need to manipulate diffuses, and as relationships blossom, our own hearts rest. Endeavor to be that kind of woman! |

The SPIRIT of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has ANOINTED me to bring GOOD NEWS to the poor; He has sent me to BIND UP the BROKENHEARTED, to proclaim LIBERTY to the captives, and the OPENING of the prison to those who are bound. -Isaiah 61:1

Pearl of Promise

HEALTHY HABITS Our readers share theirs

Delia Bear I strive as a wife and mom to be who God wants me to be! One thing I have been determined to do since I had children was to cherish every single second. Although sometimes I do fail and get annoyed when they try to “help” me! I also strive, as a wife, to respect my husband and not give him the silent treatment but tell him what is on my mind. Another habit I have developed is to journal my prayers after my devotions. For me it can be hard to concentrate on a prayer in my head especially if my children are up. Journaling my conversations with God helps me stay focused and reverant.

Sandy Schwartz

1. Spend time in the Word and talking with Jesus each day.

2. Drink a good cup of coffee to kick off the day. :] 3. Laugh! Sometimes life just gets too heavy.

4. Don’t complain. This is one that God has been working on in my life.

5. Praise: Thank God for everything—even the bad things. This is a life-transforming exercise!

Melody Schrock The top healthy habit

I’ve been thinking about recently is “giving thanks”.

I’m sure most everyone has heard of Ann Voskamp and her book “One Thousand Gifts”. I’ve been a huge fan of hers and followed her blog for a long time, but just recently this concept has impacted my life in a deeper way. I’ve experienced the joy that comes when I make conscious choices to give thanks in the midst of a potentially difficult situation. Many times in Scripture we’re commanded to “give thanks”. Often we shake it off as something trite or trivial. I think we’ve missed the power that comes when we stop and actually give thanks in the middle of the situation. Ann says, “When we give thanks, the miracles happen.” As a wife and mother, my disposition is contagious. When I’m cheerful and grateful, it affects the whole family. This is a good reason to keep this as one of my top priorities.

Joyce Mummau

1. Abiding in the Vine and His Word daily is essential to the well-being of my body, soul, and spirit. These three are so intertwined that nurturing one benefits the other two in a unique way.

2. Drinking lots of water hydrates the body and consequently aids our thinking and mobility. And we are to be mobile for the Lord and His kingdom.

3. Plenty of rest if vital to my thought life, my energy level, and my attitudes. Some of us need more rest than others, but it is never wise to cheat on rest.

4. Allowing God to help me reach out to others is a good antidote for depression or “the blues”. If I am engrossed in myself, I fail to enjoy the life of service.

5. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 11:25: “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

Krista Forry 1. Get Pumping!

We all know daily exercise is one of the most stressed health habits in today’s society. Even though it takes some stick-to-it-tiveness, a heart pumping exercise routine clears the mind, brings fresh oxygen to the blood and brain, and my favorite…burns calories! I love to alternate between biking 8-10 miles and walking 2-4 miles each day if possible.

2. Grab Some Grit!

Keeping your diet chock full of dietary fiber is essential for your digestion system. It keeps your colon swept clean of build-up and provides healthy “grit” for your stomach to digest.

Breakfast is a wonderful time to fill up with fiber, including bran, wheat germ, oatmeal, flax seed, and other grains…it fills you up and gives you energy to start the day off right!

3. Go For The Dark!

Who doesn’t love chocolate…or an excuse to delve into a hunk of the sweet goodness? Discarding the fact that I adore dark over milk, I purposefully choose dark for several reasons: 1) Dark chocolate doesn’t bring on a barrage of pimples for me like milk chocolate. :] 2) Dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa, which is renowned for several health reasons, 3) Dark chocolate has a lower percentage of sugar than milk chocolate.

4. Guzzle Some More!

5. Go With God!

I have found that getting your body used to lots of water has more than one benefit. Sine I began (over a year ago) drinking over 70 oz. of water each day, I have gotten maybe two minor colds. Water keeps you hydrated, energized, and is a continual overall cleanser for your body systems.

For me, there is nothing better than being able to start the day off with some quiet moments with God. Asking for help with attitudes and feelings that will be sure to bombard you later is a profitable way to begin the day. You will find His inner peace filling you up to overflowing, and realize that nothing short of a smile can pour from your heart!

THE

dream

Trusting GOD with my

deepest desires.

By Andrea Wagler

we are encouraged to follow our dreams and let no one stop us…

…but what if

God does?

DEFINITION OF A DREAM: A CONDITION OR ACHIEVEMENT THAT IS LONGED FOR; AN ASPIRATION.

As little girls, we grow up dreaming of our future. We have dozens of things on our list to be, “When I grow up.” As we get older, those childish dreams evolve as we discover our talents and interests. We are encouraged to follow our dreams and let no one stop us.

But what if God does?

What if the doors we long to have opened

stay firmly closed or worse yet, slam in our faces, just as our feet reach the threshold?

As a teenager, my ambitions were so numerous I would have accumulated quite a few years before I had achieved them all. I love children. I have a passion for teaching and I love the challenge of special education. In my younger years, my family spent six years as missionaries in Belize, CA and throughout my life, my parents have fostered a love of missions. I wanted to marry, someday, and have about six kids—after I accomplished a few other things.

I had plans for my life, and many of them were being realized.

Between the ages of eighteen and twentyone, I took six short-term mission trips, enrolled in three terms of Bible School, taught two years of school, took photography classes and did a lot of socializing with my friends.

I had hopes of getting more education and then possibly going to a deaf school in El Salvador as a teacher.

I was busy, probably too busy, but I was pursuing my dreams.

And then those hopes and dreams were shattered by a very unladylike seizure. At church no less! As the EMTs wheeled me through the double doors of our church that cool November evening, I remember thinking, “Well Lord, what now?”

The months that followed were frustrating.

No one seemed to know what was wrong with me. I did test after test and tried several doctors, all the while I was growing more and more sick and also discouraged.

I really didn’t have time to be sick! I needed things to be figured out and then I

I didn’t have time to be sick—I needed things to be figured out and then I could move on with my .

life

could move on with my dreams!

God had much to teach me.

Within seven months’ time, I went from being a busy elementary school teacher to an invalid, spending 90% of my time in a hospital bed set up in my family’s living room and depending on a wheel chair for transportation. I dealt with excruciating pain that no amount of drugs or massaging could relieve. My mind began to betray me as my memory and ability to hold or follow conversations started to decline.

I was eventually diagnosed with late stage neurological Lyme and God miraculously provided a doctor. “Now!” I thought to myself. “I’ll take these meds, I’ll do whatever they tell me to do and then I can get back to my life.” But my journey with illness was far from over.

The treatment had extreme side effects.

Some medications gave me severe nausea, another would make my teeth hurt, while still another caused my skin to become extremely sensitive to the point I couldn’t stand for even a sheet to brush against me. Once a medication caused such an extreme hurx-heimer reaction that I spent ten days in the hospital with uncontrollable seizures. But I pushed on with a determination I didn’t know I possessed. I had to get well!

But as the months passed I began to realize that I needed to let go of my dreams for my future. Life was passing me by and God was obviously closing those doors. He had a new purpose for me and that was to be sick. I fought this for quite some time.

“God!” I cried, “these are good dreams, things that would further your kingdom!

Why must I give them up? I wanted to be a missionary, why would you make me sick?”

But finally one night I took my notebook and began to write out each of my dreams and give them back to God. The dreams for the future were difficult to give up, but not as hard as the things that affected me right then such as giving up my classroom, watching my friends move on in life, and losing my independence.

“God,” I prayed, “If I must give up my dreams, then you dream for me. My life is yours.” I found a verse during this time that continues to be very special to me; “I cry out to God most high, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”

Psalm 57:2

well, I continued to have “flares” every so often as well as constant pain. Though my brain fog was getting better, I knew it would be a challenge, and I hoped I would be reliable.

Then after almost two years of being seizure free, they invaded my life again. I was devastated! I took a 10 week leave of absence from school and someone else took on the task of teaching my precious students the things I wanted to teach them. What should I do now? Should I give up my job entirely? What was best for my students? They’d already witnessed a petit mal, when I’d fallen from my chair one day.

Was it fair to put them in these situations?

I struggled with God’s timing. I thought I’d been following His will when I accepted the teaching job. Had I misunderstood?

“God,” I prayed, “If I must give up my dreams, then you

dream for me.

My life is yours.”

At long last the harsh treatments began to pay off and I began the slow recovery process.

I cautiously entered a world that, to my surprise, had been spinning on its axis quite well without me. It was difficult; trying to find “my place” again. But I accepted a job as an aide a school and once again began to immerse myself in education

The following year I agreed to teach a small class of three first graders and one third grader. I was excited about it, but also rather nervous. While I was doing quite

The struggle to give up my dream of finishing the school year was just as intense as when I’d gone through my list of long range goals and given them to God. Finally, I felt at peace. God had a plan, even though I didn’t know what it was.

Near the end of December, 2012, I began to feel much better. It was as if someone had flipped a switch and the next six months were the happiest and healthiest

timeline .

FUN WITH MY STUDENTS BEFORE I GOT SICK

MY DAYS SPENT IN A HOSPITAL BED

ONE OF MY MISSION TRIPS WORKING AS AN AIDE WITH MY IV POLE

WHEN I FIRST BEGAN DEPENDING ON A WHEELCHAIR

I had in years. I finished my school year and agreed to teach again. My summer was filled with plans of traveling and projects to tackle.

After eight amazing weeks of summer vacation, reality struck a hard blow. My boyfriend, Joe, and I were sitting at a park when I became chilled and began to shake. We got up to leave but my back was jerking hard enough that I had difficulty walking to the car. We headed for home, but I was already twisting and jerking in the passenger seat. Ten minutes after we arrived home, I was in a full blown seizure and the nightmare began all over

MY BOYFRIEND AND I

again. Those same feelings of despair and needing to release “my plans� to His will returned.

Another hospital stay, but this time things were different. Through another miraculous turn of events, it was discovered that I had developed Dystonia within the past year.

Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily and was possibly caused by the brain infection.

Dystonia is incurable but treatable. Triggers may happen at any time. At first this diagnosis was devastating to me.

INCURABLE. It seemed the only word to penetrate my brain. Although I had given up my dreams long ago and had asked God to dream for me, things had been going so well with my health that I realized I had dared to plan my life again.

It felt as if God was saying, “Wait a minute, Andrea, You gave ME the right to that remember!?” Yes, I was remembering all too clearly. Dystonia is so unpredictable and I was learning how to be flexible in a whole new way.

The saying goes: “To accomplish great things we must dream.” Long ago Florence Nightingale dreamt of clean hospitals with trained nurses. She pursued that dream through much opposition but, because of her courage, I, for one have benefited greatly!

So is it wrong to dream of great things? No, I don’t think so. However we must be certain to follow God’s will and not our own desires.

Sometimes God allows things in our lives to prepare us for something much greater than we could imagine. For a long time I hung on to my “perfect dream”, bemoaning the fact that it was now impossible for me to accomplish. But when I am honest with myself, if I had my health and energy back and my doctor gave me permission to travel anywhere I wanted, those dreams I’ve held so tightly would not even be what I wanted. I would probably pursue some type of hospital ministry with children. Because of the journey on which God sent me, I can relate to patients facing illness and life changing diseases

much better than I would be able to relate to a deaf child.

But who knows? Maybe God doesn’t have that type of ministry in mind for me either.

A friend once sent me a card with the verse, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:5” I struggled with this verse for a long time. I knew what my desires were, and they were not being realized. How could this verse be true? But someone challenged me to think of what my utmost desire is.

Would it not be to glorify God? If I could be joyful in everything then God could be glorified and the desire of my heart would be met.

As Christians, our ultimate purpose is to bring Glory to God. That should be our goal. If we are open to these opportunities, God will send them our way. We just need to learn to look for them. I’ve learned to find fulfillment in school. I dearly love my little class of six students, and enjoy finding creative ways to teach them practical skills and spiritual truths. I also have a weekly devotional period with the high school girls

What about God’s dreams for me? I can say I’ve delightfully surprised at His

blessings.

that has been a blessing and challenge to me. I can’t count the number of times my illness has opened the door to show God’s love to other hurting people.

So does God have something for me to do? Absolutely. Am I serving Him the way I’d always dreamed? Perhaps not exactly, but if the end result is the same than who am I to argue?

What about God’s dreams for me? I can say I’ve been delightfully surprised at his blessings. Not only has He allowed me to pursue my passion of teaching, but He’s also given me a great team of co-teachers who go out of their way to help me fulfill this dream. My family is amazingly supportive and will do anything they can to help me complete a project. God also sent a really awesome young man named Joe into my life about 16 months ago. Joe loves me for who I am, seizures, awkward walking, wheelchair, cane and all. He considers it his life’s mission to help me accomplish whatever opportunities God sends my way. And since he’s good at so many things, I think it will be interesting to see what kind of opportunities they are!

Do you have dreams for the future that seem to be dashed time and again? Look

around and notice the opportunities that God gives you. Make that your dream.

And perhaps someday you will realize that the dream of your heart was to simply be useful in the kingdom. |

meet the author Andrea Wagler is a southern girl from the little town of Cross Hill, SC. She is twenty-five years old and the oldest of seven children.

Andrea currently teaches kindergarten and second grade students in her private church school and is thoroughly enjoying their little minds. She loves flowers, experiencing other cultures, sitting at the park with her boyfriend Joe, and hanging out with her family.

Andrea’s journey with sickness began four years ago. You can read more of her story on her blog:

www.lymewithpurpose.wordpress.com.

Her desire is that she would allow her life to show God’s grace and power to those she meets.

Christmas Messiness

By Marlene Stoltzfus

in my mind in a few images: warm firelight, my mother’s handpainted Nativity, and presence with each other.

The transition from child to adult shook things up. I awoke from childhood, looked around at a world without only happy endings, and felt with singular clarity that life was not what I thought it would be. It was the landscape of a new world, foreign amidst familiar.

My

emptiness was accentuated by the holidays.

Christmas is a time for warm fuzzies.

I’m

convinced that is why it’s so popular. December comes with an aura of happiness, loaded with nostalgic

images

and

strong

childhood

memories. It’s a time for the best: beautiful décor, delectable food, happiest of family

Confession: Christmas has been

gatherings. And though we know the original

significant in my journey to understand

story had a few less-than-ideal parts, there’s

disillusionment.

still that sweet little baby and joyful angels’ message and the fact that Jesus came to earth,

When I was a child, I loved Christmas for its rhythms and rituals. I loved the actions rich with meaning, repeated every year. Home and family felt even warmer and safer as we baked, decorated, and sang together. It’s summarized

for heaven’s sake.

So what do you do when life feels black and Christmas pokes even deeper holes and the stable story feels flat before the darkness?

During those bleak Christmases, I read Christ’s

God seems to ask this of his people. How does

story as I never had before. I was overwhelmed

one make peace with disappointment and

by the lack of ideal in the narrative, especially

imperfection? How did Mary reckon with it?

in Mary’s life.

This is what I kept asking.

She had reasons a-plenty to feel that life was

Mary was a unique person before Jesus’ birth,

not what she expected.

no question. The Magnificat reveals a poetic girl of intelligence, faith, and awareness of

She gets pregnant innocently and unexpectedly

deeper reality.

and almost breaks up with her fiancée because of it. Add to that the suspicion of her close-knit

Yet I find it intriguing that the very event which

village and leaving at her most vulnerable time

cost her, around which her life was molded,

to make an uncomfortable trip. Just so foreign

brought saving. A Savior for the whole world,

occupiers will know how much tax to charge or

yes, but one who could also make sense of her

whether her husband is eligible for a draft.

own life.

Then she experiences birth for the first time as every woman doesn’t want it: away from the

God requires things, but not more than He

familiar and comfortable.

carries Himself.

Her life continues that way.

Jesus knows. He knows what it’s like to be wrenched from safety and

She flees to another country.

comfort

into

New culture.

confusion and difficulty. He knows how it feels

New ways of experiencing God. She returns to

to meet what is instead of what would be nice.

her native country, but not her hometown. Her

Mary’s cost was high. Her Son’s outweighed

oldest child, who demanded so much from her

hers.

in pregnancy and birth, continues to pursue an unusual path. Three decades later, she again

A naked, bloody, crying baby is born.

experiences public outcry because of this son.

joins us in our messy, broken humanity. He

But this time, her child is caught in its tidal

makes Himself able to be found and He is with

wave of rage and dies.

us. Emmanuel.

A

life

that

contained

messiness, brokenness. Cost.

disappointment,

That’s a lot to think about at Christmas.

God

So let’s come back to the holidays. Addiction to

I’m still stumbling over how to bring together

the fuzzies left me deflated if the season didn’t

the contrasts of holiday practices and the

deliver. But see, this other view of Christmas

tearing sacrifice of Jesus’ coming.

helps me relax.

It frees me up. If I’m too

ready to throw out (all) cultural practices for

overwhelmed to decorate or bake and there are

most have validity in their own right. I just

no euphoric moments of connection with

don’t want Christmas to be primarily about me

family (maybe even conflict instead), it’s okay.

and my warm memories. Or wrapping myself

The Incarnation is big enough and real enough

in a secure circle of the things and people I like

to handle it. Life and the holidays aren’t ideal

best in a way that insulates me from life with

and they don’t have to be. His coming wasn’t

Jesus.

about a dream boat experience.

What do you think?

A NAKED, BLOODY, CRYING BABY IS BORN. GOD JOINS US IN OUR MESSY, BROKEN HUMANITY. HE MAKES HIMSELF car.)

ABLE TO BE FOUND AND HE IS

Tonight's sunset was glorious; a huge, orange ball slowly floating down to the silhouetted tree line creating the beautiful hue of brilliance that I like to call the golden hour. Slowly it sank, lower and lower, little by little and then it was gone.

WITH US.

Emmanuel.

car.)

I’m not

Tonight's Sunset Pondering with Tina‌

Tonight's

sunset was glorious; a huge,

orange ball slowly floating down to the silhouetted tree line creating the beautiful hue of brilliance that I like to call the golden hour. Slowly it sank, lower and lower, little by little and then it was gone.

That intersection of time when the earth's energy ball finally disappears always holds a nanosecond of sadness for me. Strange, I know it's going to happen, it simply must, yet it still leaves me in a moment of stunned awe it's over. This day is done, never to return.

This week I watched from afar as two friends died. Knowing they were in the hospital and not doing well I wondered if this was the beginning of their sunsets or just a clouded shadow over their life. As time passed it become clearer, as they struggled for breath

and were placed on ventilators I knew their sun was setting.

Her life ended due to rejection from her double lung transplant. The new lungs she received sustained her for 18 months longer then her native organs. He died from Cystic Fibrosis, too sick, too many complications to receive a double lung transplant. Their final sunset has come, their days on earth are done. Both of them were younger then I. Tonight I wanted to honor their lives. As the sun began its' voyage down, I remembered them.

While speaking their names I stopped and was mindful of the gift of today. I enjoyed another golden hour, the sun dipping ever so languidly, turning trees into dark profiles before its final descent. And then, in a moment, the day was done, never to return. |

Tina Newson is a licensed mental health counselor, having obtained her BS in social work from Florida International University; an MA in Psychology from Trinity International University, and a Doctorate from the school of hard knocks. She is a Certified Addiction professional and licensed mental health therapist. Tina has over 25 years of experience working with addicts, mental health patients, the developmentally disabled, Geriatric patients, children, and grad and undergrad students. She believes life is meant to be an adventure, lived with passion and flexibility. Tina loves book studies, sunsets, the smell of coffee, connecting with friends, and stepping out of her comfort zone for the sake of the adventure. Cystic Fibrosis has been a channel through which God has given her glimpses of His sovereignty and taught her what it means to embrace each moment as a gift. She is loved by many, mother of 2, wife of 1 and lives in Southeast TN.

Embracing

the season of joy

This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift,

the Christ.

-Frank McKibben

If God would grant us the vision, the word sacrifice would disappear from our lips and thoughts; we would hate the things that seem now so dear to us; our lives would suddenly be too short, we would despise timerobbing distractions and charge the enemy with all our energies in the name of Christ. May God help us

ourselves by the eternities that separate the Aucas from a Comprehension of Christmas and Him, who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor so that we might, through his poverty, be made rich.

-Nate Saint

Ah! Dearest Jesus, Holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled; Within my heart, that it may be, A quiet chamber kept for thee.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Nothing taken for granted; Everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.

-G.K. Chesterton

She will give birth

to a son

and you are to give

him

the name

for he shall save His people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

by Joy FINDING DELIGHT IN

UNEXPECTED PLACES

I keep

a box of memories and

There

is

nothing

that

you

would

call

inside, there is a crinkled,

“homelike” about the garbage dump. At first

worn paper. It is a coloring page. And full of

glance, it would seem that there is nothing

color it is! Turquoise, ochre, lime, sunset red;

but poverty, despair, and bleak ugliness. My

colors of beauty that were painted in joy. I will

first few encounters with this place left me

never forget the artist, who, as he painted in

feeling depressed with the overwhelming

the simple lines on his page, filled in a crevice

needs.

in my heart. Come with me to Mae Sot, Thailand, to the community garbage dump,

But a second glance, and time spent

and meet the people who showed me that joy

interacting and building relationships with

is found in unexpected places.

the

people

of

the

garbage

dump

community. changed my perspective. One On the outskirts of Mae Sot, a small city on

man in particular taught me that joy is found

the border of Thailand and Burma, a horrible

in the unlikeliest of places.

mountain of stinking refuse rises. It is the community garbage dump, a place well

Twice a week, the community outreach

known by locals—and not for the same

team from Compasio [a Non-Governmental

reason your hometown landfill is known. You

Organization, or NGO, that I served with in

see, the garbage dump in Mae Sot is more

Mae Sot] travelled into the garbage dump

than just a place to dump trash—it is the

to provide free medical care and build

home of refugees. Several hundred people

relationships with the people. When I wasn’t

live here, their tiny shacks tilting among

assisting

heaps of rotting garbage. Parents and

entertain the community children. Bob, a

children spend long days in the scorching

British missionary and surrogate grandfather

tropic sun, picking through the trash emptied

of dozens, would unfold a huge blue and

by city trucks, searching for recyclables to

white striped tarp and the children would

sell.

swarm. Hungry for hugs, thirsty for love, they

with

medical

needs, I

helped

would snatch up the proffered coloring The garbage dump is not a nice place. The

pages

and

boxes

of

crayons,

throw

stench, especially during rainy season when

themselves down across the tarp and color.

garbage and human filth run together in a

It was beautiful to see their innocence come

foul black soup, is overpowering. The grime is

to life as they enjoyed the momentary luxury

impossible to escape. Children run around in

of just being kids.

clothes turned grey from constant exposure to soot and refuse. Thick clouds of choking

One night, Bob opened his special box of

black smoke rise from behind bamboo huts

crayons

as families burn tires to retrieve the strips of

children gathered around like they always

metal inside.

do–eager to color and win a hug. Amidst the

and

coloring

pages

and

clamoring and crowding of dusty bodies

the

reached

Something inside him out to do this simple thing… pushing and brown arms reaching, I saw

He moved hesitatingly to Bob’s side. And I

something that surprised me.

realized what he had come for as Bob, with

Standing tall among the small children, a

what

man who had been lingering on the fringes finally approached Bob. A dirty loungyi and once-white shirt cloaked his work-worn body and his curly black hair was matted with sweat and dust. He looked to me like all the other Burmese men in the Dump community.

Except he wasn’t.

a smile and a nod, reached out to hand him he’d

mustered

the

courage

to

request: a coloring page. I watched as this grown man, this tough, weather-beaten Burmese refugee, settled onto the blue and white striped tarp amidst the children, legs folded beneath him. With leathery brown hands,

he

grasped

a

broken

blue

crayon. And began to color. With great detail and obvious delight, he filled the page with beauty.

As he transferred the colors of broken

plastic, children are playing. Their laughter

crayons onto the wrinkled paper, I felt him

permeates the air, a rich aroma of joy. I see

painting my heart with joy.

the

bare

feet

and

filthy

clothes;

the

smudged faces and cuts and bruises.

It was a moment of pure delight.

But I feel their joy.

The delight of creating.

Flocking to Bob, they voluntarily turn in Of beauty, in this place where life is every

colored pages, trading for a hug and a

day sketched with the grey shades of

sweet treat. Some of them run back to color

suffering and poverty.

a new sheet; others skip off to play with the ropes we’ve brought, or to climb the tree

Surrounded by rotting garbage, the stench

beside the lake.

of waste filling nostrils and black dust clogging lungs, this Burmese man with

In this moment, there is color, and delight,

matted hair and leathery skin, who digs

and innocence. It paints the world with light

through trash to eke out a living, who lives in

and makes my heart smile too…..surprised by

poverty that I probably never will,

the joy that springs forth from the most unexpected places.

he smiles and colors his picture.

The Burmese man finishes coloring and Aware of me watching, he holds it up with a

hands his sheet to Bob. Maybe in his culture

self-conscious laugh, shy but having the time

what he had done would be seen as weak

of his life.

and immasculine. I don’t know. I do know that something inside him reached out to do

It is a picture of joy. A moment of startling

this simple thing and found delight in it.

beauty, of agonizing sweetness. I smile back at him and speak the Burmese words of

With a smile, he turns and walks away.

affirmation, la de!

The laughter of children surrounds me, like a It is beautiful!

warm blanket on a cold night.

Behind us, next to the bamboo shacks

A mama and her fat baby, just learning to

pieced together with cardboard and tin and

…and found

delight

in it.

There is always the sliver of glory, woven into the tapestry of painful difficult life— the glory of God Himself, remembers me from last year and laughs

descending..

walk, meets me and laughs with reunion

in the chaos of a crazy, sin-numbed world

delight. Her son toddles away, sucking a

and forget the beauty of simple things. It is

lollipop, face sticky and sweet.

my reminder to wake up and to begin to really see. To look past the grey shadows and

The man with a cracked rib begs for us to

into the prism of joy that pulses from a world

pray with him.

touched with the grandeur of God.

A son missing his mother and hospitalized

It was Thanksgiving Day, 2012, that I watched

sister is comforted by his father, a rare

the work-worn refugee, displaced from his

showing of paternal tenderness.

homeland to a stinking, rotting garbage pit, fill in the lines of my heart with the lesson of

And over the sugar cane fields, behind the

true joy. In a community where he has much

bamboo shacks and garbage heaps, the

to lament, this man stooped down and

sun sets in breathtaking red and orange,

embraced

clouds piling up against a veil of light.

Coloring a page. Sketching a moment with beauty.

I am surrounded by things of beauty in a world of ugly grey. Joy is made magnificent by the sorrows and sufferings and ashes against

which

it

springs—a

continuous

miracle echoing the reality of the Divine Giver.

It is in the rubble of broken dreams, unfulfilled longings, poverty, and suffering, where we least expect to find it, that we are surprised

the

Savoring

beauty the

of

simple

remains. It is in the moments when I am surprised by such joy, that I fully experience the wonder of God. I kept the page the Burmese man colored, to remind me. To jolt me awake when I get lost

a

again surprised by joy: The hug and gift of homegrown vegetables from a patient on a day when I felt alone.

An unexpected note of love from a friend

A new-found promise in Psalms.

tempted to believe that good no longer

of

In the year since then, I have been often

There is always beauty, the sliver of glory,

descending to the places where we are

joy

tarp.

back home.

difficult life. It is the glory of God Himself,

moment.

moment’s rest on a blue and white striped

by joy.

woven into the tapestry of painful, ugly,

a

The breath-catching sight of a rainbow arching full over rain-wet fields.

The aroma of fresh loaves, baked just right.

Tight hugs with a loved one after a long absence.

The harvest moon rising golden and perfect

has seasoned your here and now. Gaze into

in crisp, autumn twilight.

the loving face of the one who prepares the sunrises and the smell of honeysuckle and

These simple things, unexpected pleasures,

the warmth of laughter all for your delight.

are teaching me that joy is contained in

Stoop down, as a little child, in the midst of

every square inch of my world. Do I have

the grit and the grime of the hard work of

eyes to behold it?

life, and sketch the grey with color. Joy is there, awaiting your discovery.

I am learning that joy is not something I must wait long for, like I waited anxiously for

May our hearts be continually surprised by

Christmas as a child. No, joy is prepared for

joy, found in the unlikeliest of places; a

me—for you!—today, right in this moment!

glimpse of the glory of God. |

Peer closely at the elements with which God

Stoop down, as a little child, in the midst of the grit and the grime of the hard work of life, and

sketch the grey with color. It is there, awaiting your

discovery.

Life&Style

By Brittany Shult

Autumn has its own, unique profile.

Somehow, one can always sense when this particular season is just around the corner.

Cool, crisp air beckons for scarves and hoodies, while the barest scent of smoke lingers. This time of year makes me want to curl up in a comfy chair with a good book and a yummy drink in my hand, so I decided to share some autumn-inspired recipes and a few of my favorite books.

Some nights eagerly call for a page-turning mystery and nothing delivers better then Sir

Curl up with a mug of Brittany’s hot cocoa, a slice of warm apple cake, plus one of her recommended favorite books for the perfect winter evening!

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hound of the Baskervilles. It’s one of those classics that will never grow old. Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on his estate, a heart attack being the suspected cause of his death.

However, no one can explain the expression of twisted terror on his face and so begin speculations that involve a giant hound.

Sherlock Holmes becomes intrigued with the happenings and travels to the estate to investigate the unusual

situation. You will have to read the story to find out what happens next!

If you’re interested in something more lighthearted, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is another timeless tale that never fails to delight. Lizzie and Mr. Darcy are strong characters that seem steadfastly determined to dislike each other and claim that they are not interested in one another, but as the saying goes, never say never!

Mr. Bennett, Lizzie’s father, adds sparks of dry, witty humor that I find hilarious, especially when the silly Mrs. Bennett never seems to catch onto his sarcasm.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is based on the Biblical account of Hosea who was told by God to marry the prostitute Gomer to demonstrate God’s faithfulness to Israel in spite of Israel’s sin.

Michael as Hosea persistently pursues Angel, determined to follow the calling of God. Angel struggles with being able to open herself up to Michael and runs away multiple times. This story beautifully illustrates how God as the Ultimate Lover consistently pursues his Bride, namely us, in love.

Traveling Light by Max Lucado is not a work of fiction like the others I have listed, but I have enjoyed this book just as much. Mr. Lucado takes Psalm 23 and breaks it down line by line, giving a breathtaking view of just how much Jesus as our Shepherd wants to care for us. The book is serious, but there are moments of humor and wit that had me chuckling as I read along.

Each chapter reminded once again that I can completely trust my Shepherd to protect me and guide me.

Brittany’s AutumnInspired Recipes Ozark Mountain Apple Cake ½ cup shortening 2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons soda 4 cups shredded apples Topping: ½ cup brown sugar ½ white sugar ½ cup butter ½ cup cream ½ teaspoon vanilla

CAKE: Cream shortening and sugar together.

Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Combine flour, salt, and soda, then mix with creamed mixture. When combined, add apples and mix together. (Note: The batter will be really stiff, almost like cookie dough, until you add the apples.) Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. While the cake is still hot, poke holes in it using a wooden spoon handle.

TOPPING: Place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once it comes to a boil, remove from heat and pour over top of cake. Let the cake cool and then commence with eating!

Hot Cocoa Mix 3 cups nonfat instant dry milk powder 2 cups powdered sugar 1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips ¼ teaspoon salt Mix all ingredients into a large bowl. Pour half the mixture into the bowl of a food processor and process until the chocolate chips are finely ground. Transfer to an airtight container, then repeat with the remaining mix. Store in the airtight container for up to three months. To make the cocoa drink, mix 1/3 cup of mix with 1 cup of hot milk.

Pumpkin Spice Creamer 1 cup half and half 3 Tablespoons pumpkin ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ginger Dash of cloves Dash of nutmeg 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or more to taste) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-low heat until milk is steaming.

Whisk frequently. Once the milk is steaming, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove any bits. This makes your coffee smoother. Yield: 1 cup of creamer.

Christmas Poem Excerpt by G.K. Chesterton

A child in a foul stable, Where the beasts feed and foam; Only where He was homeless Are you and I at home; We have hands that fashion and heads that know, But our hearts we lost—how long ago!

In a place no chart nor ship an show Under the sky’s dome.

This world is wild as an old wife’s tale And strange the plain things are, The earth is enough and the air is enough

For our wonder and our war; But our rest is as far as the fire-drake swings And our peace is put in impossible things Where clashed and thundered unthinkable wings Round an incredible star.

To an open house in the evening

Home shall all men come, To an older place than Eden And a taller town than Rome.

To the end of the way of the wandering star, To the things that cannot be and that are, To the place where God was homeless And all men are at

home.

Adoration

Life Through Carmony’s Lens

COMPASIO: LOVE IN ACTION

By Ashlee Heiligman

MAE SOT, THAILAND

Seven

years ago, a Canadian missionary named Allan Brown took a visit to the Thai-Burma border town of Mae Sot. Allan and his wife had already been serving in Thailand for many years while they learned the local culture and language. This trip to Mae Sot was an exploratory trip to see what the needs were and if there was a way his family could help. He met with schools and organizations that all had a grocery list of needs for anyone who could help with funding but Allan had not felt God’s lead yet.

One evening, while eating with some friends at a roadside café, a beautiful little Burmese girl around 9 years old came up begging. She spoke Thai so he asked her about her family and why she was out so late after dark. At the time, he had no idea that her response would set into motion a new chapter in his life and in the life of many others. The little girl looked at him and said, “I have to beg for my father. If I don’t make enough during the day, I am beaten when I return. I stay out as late as I can to make enough because I’m too scared to go home if I don’t have it.”

All that Allan could think about was what if this was his little girl out on the street in rags.

Allan had already partnered with a young Thai lady, Sia, who had great compassion for the struggles facing the Burmese on the border. They both began investigating to find out if there were any organizations in Mae Sot helping these kids on the streets.

When they found that there were none, they both knew that God had brought them to Mae Sot for this purpose. Sia began to devote most of her time to getting to know the kids on street. She would regularly buy them lunch at a local teashop and just sit with them to hear all about their families, the things that make them happy and the things that hurt them.

These relationships built the foundation for everything that Compasio does today.

No one could have predicted that a group of street kids crowding into a local teashop would soon turn into seven different projects run by a team of 30 staff. Over the years, as new projects have emerged, Compasio has always kept one main strategy and that is to love people where they are at and to allow that love to motivate action. Relationship with the people we serve has been the basis for everything we do.

COMPASIO has always kept one main strategy and that is TO LOVE people where they are at and to allow that love to MOTIVATE

ACTION.

Beyond meeting with kids in the markets and streets, Compasio’s first full time project was the Safehouse. When one of the lunch regulars came in with fresh burn marks and bruises, our staff asked the little girl what happened. Her answer was the one we expected but had hoped against.

Her father was abusing her and her siblings at home and further investigation found her story to be true. Compasio staff contacted Thai police and were able to quickly get the children away from harm while a full investigation took place. Shortly after, both parents were arrested for selling drugs and so the children remained in our care. Now the Safehouse is a safe refuge for children who have been sexually or physically abused. For some children, it is a short stay while a long-term plan is established, but for others, it is their only home. It is a family-style home where children can find healing and stability.

After opening our Safehouse, several new homes emerged from specific needs within the communities we serve. We have a temporary home, called the Grace Home, for children to grow and develop while their parents are incarcerated. Regular visits with family allow the child to remain connected while being well fed, loved, educated and protected from the dangers of the prison environment. We also have our Infant Home which is a temporary home for babies abandoned at birth. After three to six months of nurturing care, the babies are eligible for foster care and our team begins seeking a permanent foster home placement for the child. Lastly, we have our Emergency Shelter. It is an integral part of Compasio’s community engagement efforts as it offers an immediate short-term place for women who have been rescued from traffickers or women who need an escape from a violent environment. Compasio team members work with these women and help them find the best solution for their specific

situation.

Beyond our ministry within Compasio homes, we have our Community Engagement Team who go into the slums everyday to prevent abuse and exploitation of vulnerable women & children. They meet with the families of street kids and educate them on the importance of education, the dangers of sending their children out to beg and the huge gamble it is to send their children to Bangkok to “Sell Flowers”. Many parents are unaware of what happens outside of Mae Sot and need to be informed.

Community mentors build relationships with people living at the local garbage dump and provide the same types of education.

Our Community Engagement Team also runs a daily drop-in center for street children. When the teashop that was street kid friendly shut down, we began taking food to kids at a central location in the market. Vendors hated the kids and although there was always laughter and good conversation, we could feel the disdain surrounding us. They did not like us gathering all of the local outcasts in one spot for food and fellowship and so they would call the cops to take them away.

After having to plead with prison guards to release children from their outdoor holding cage, we realized that we needed a place of our own. Soon we found a building in the center of the market and began opening it up daily to serve warm meals, treat minor wounds and to be a consistent place for kids to come be loved on. We are also able to provide vocational and life skills classes for older street kids, which can help them find work later on.

Our team is able to connect with kids in a more personal way beyond the chaos of the streets. These relationships have turned into a Big Brother & Sister program where staff each commit to mentor two to three

KIDS IN THE COMPASIO SAFE HOUSE ARE GIVEN SHELTER, LOVE, AND SAFETY BY DEVOTED COMPASIO STAFF.

ONE OF THE PRECIOUS BABIES AT THE INFANT HOME.

COMMUNITY TEAM PROVIDING FOOD TO BURMESE REFUGEES.

GRAND OPENING OF THE DROP-IN CENTER

The LONG-TERM

goal is to CHANGE the future GENERATIONS for the slum COMMUNITIES so that these communities can

PROTECT their own CHILDREN. kids at a time with the goal of helping them develop into Godly young men and women. The long-term goal is to change the future generations for the slum communities so that these communities can actually protect their own children.

We also have our Compasio Club for kids to get involved with and you can read all

In all of our projects, Compasio demonstrates the love of Jesus by working alongside those who are most vulnerable and oppressed. Our holistic approach to child protection not only involves working with victims of abuse and trafficking, but also the communities from which they come in order to prevent tragedies from happening in the first place.

available

As we continue to carry out God’s call on our ministry, we’d love to invite you to join us. Because our projects have grown much faster than expected, we are always in need of church partners who want to rally their congregation behind a project or individuals wanting to partner with us financially. Anyone interested in partnering with us can contact me, Ashlee Heiligman at: ashlee@compasio.org, or just donate online at:

www.compasio.org.

about it on the Compasio Club page of our website. Individuals can also volunteer with us for one to three months at a time and information about that is on

our

Participate

page.

Lastly, we currently have a few staff needs in Thailand: International Director of Operations Communications Manager Graphics and Media Production You can access the job descriptions and application directly at:

http://compasio.org/Compasio/Staff _Openings.html You can join our email list by emailing Ashlee@compasio.org or signing up on our website. We would love to hear from you if you’re interested in joining us in anyway.

We look forward to connecting with you! |

handmade gifts

simplicity

in the holidays

I’m going to give you a list of handmade gifts I’ve made for Christmases past.

To be honest, I hesitated to do so. The reign of the DIY queen is everywhere right now. Blogs and Pinterest are laden with ideas that everyone and their sister is making, and it’s served up to be both amazing and as easy as falling off a log.

It is trendy right now to Make Stuff, but I think that some of it is only a trend. It easy to make stuff because everyone else is--and maybe if I do, I’ll have a following (on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

that equals theirs. For me, that focus is wrong. It means that it’s no longer about bringing order and creativity to my world but using something popular as an attempt to gain popularity.

This Christmas, you will be assaulted by consumerism and the message that you must have the perfect experience.

There will be more programs, ideas, concerts, décor, food,

whitespaces

By Marlene Stoltzfus

and tasks than you can get done. It happens every year (at least, it does to me).

If you’ve read this column much, you’ve noticed that simplicity is important to me.

This becomes even truer during the holidays. It’s expressed differently each year, but there is typically one constant: I like to give handmade gifts because I don’t enjoy much shopping in pressured holiday rush. I’m happy when I have some time to brainstorm and a little corner by a fireplace in which to work with my hands. I enjoy thinking about the person for whom I am making a gift in a

sewn way that’s different from scanning shelves for the right item.

Please, though, make decisions based on your circumstances.

When I was a teacher and worked 50+ hours a week, time was a priceless resource.

Making gifts would have added more complexity than simplicity to my life; it wasn’t worth the stress. Simplicity will be expressed differently at different times.

So promise to hold this list lightly, okay? It’s not meant to give pressure, comparison, or a sense of failure; women are all too good at doing that to each other. Instead, I hope it can be a springboard for your own ideas and most of all, that your holiday gift-giving will be motivated by love.

Handmade gifts: I’ve had some of my most fun making gifts for children. One year, I gathered materials for a

gingerbread man kit. I baked gingerbread men, then bought candies and squeezable tubes of frosting with which to decorate them. Hats can be

from

sweaters

or

pins, made by gluing buttons to thumbtacks.

crocheted. Ear warmers, crocheted or made with knit material, can also work as headbands; buttons in the back help them keep up with children’s growth spurts. There are almost unlimited options for making stuffed toys, especially fun if you can cater to the favorite color of a child.

Beanbags

are a larger investment because of the stuffing, but provide hours of lounging and bouncing.

If you like to sew, there are many options for purses,

bags,

and

clutches for the

females in your life. Buy a paper pattern from the store or order from an on-line company that will email you a pattern immediately; or you can look up a free tutorial from a DIY queen. :) You can also give a gift certificate, good for one

dress or skirt made to order. Use scraps of fabric to make blankets; cut in strips or squares or make an ambitious design if you feel up to it. Old jeans are a great way to recycle worn clothing into a heavy-duty warmer. For an easy no-sew project, create a

pinboard by covering a corkboard

with

fabric.

Complete the set with button

I’m a crocheter, only occasionally playing with knitting. Either way, use your handwork skills to make hats,

scarves, fingerless mittens, and blankets.

Don’t forget plants. These can be a wonderful touch of life in winter dreariness after the holidays are over. Start a plant from one of your own or repot a purchased one into a unique container. An herb planter can be especially lovely in winter; access to fresh herbs in winter is a luxury.

And, of course, the holidays mean gifts of food. There are lots of ideas for mixes in a

jar: the dry ingredients for cookies, pancakes, muffins, etc.

Soup mixes can be a refreshing break from the overload of sugar during the holidays. Or give the finished food product; it’s an especially good idea for the classic problem of the man who can think of nothing he needs. By a lunch box and stuff it with cinnamon rolls, French bread slices, granola bars, and anything else that strikes your fancy. He’s sure to thank you.|

the team recommends

savory

It’s the season of comfy sweaters, fuzzy blankets, and cozy hearth fires. With the coming of fall and winter, we love the opportunity pull on our favorite pair of boots, sip an extra cup of coffee with a friend, shop for the holidays, and snuggle away from the outdoor chill with a cozy blanket and a good book. The season

represents warmth, rich color, and a special kind of fellowship. What better way to celebrate its beauty than with savory soups, warm breads, and intimate spices like cinnamon & cloves? Here, the DOP team shares favorite fall and winter comfort foods. Enjoy their savory goodness with a friend!

Cooking with love provides food for the soul.

Colorado Cocoa 1/3 cup of water 1 T. cocoa

Dash of salt 1 qt. milk ½ cup sugar

CARMIE’S PICK

¾ teaspoon vanilla Boil cocoa, sugar, salt, water and vanilla for 2 minutes.

Add milk and bring to a boil. Top with whipped topping and cinnamon. (I also put a teaspoon or so of cinnamon in the cocoa itself.)

Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake

RAE’S PICKS Fennel breadsticks These breadsticks are a simple, light & extremely flavorful dinner item. I love the liquorish-like flavor of the fennel.

1 Tablespoon yeast ¾ cup warm water 2/3 cup oil ¾ cup milk 2 2/1 Tablespoons fennel powder 4 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon salt

Dissolve yeast in water. Add oil, milk, and fennel. Combine salt and flour and add to liquid ingredients, using just enough flour to form a soft dough. Let rise until double, about 1 hour. Punch down and let rest 10 minutes. Divide into fourths. Work with 1 portion at a time, and kee remaining portions warpped in plastic wrap. Cut each portion into 16 pieces and roll each piece inot a 7” rope. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes.

Pumpkin is a hallmark fall flavor, and this marbled cheesecake is well worth the effort! Be careful not to overbake… The unique texture of a cheesecake develops as it sets and cools, so it is best to remove from the oven when the center is still a bit jiggly. Overbaking will result in a dry, chalky texture.

CRUST: 2 cups finely crushed ginger snap cookies 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans 6 T. butter or margarine, melted FILLING: 3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar, divided 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 large eggs at room temperature 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix!)

OR 1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

FOR THE CRUST: Mix ginger snap crumbs, pecans, and butter; press onto bottom and 2 inches up side of 9-inch springform pan.

FOR CHEESECAKE FILLING: Using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, ¾ cup of the sugar, and the vanilla until well blended.

On low speed, add eggs one at a time, mixing each time just until blended. Remove 1-1 ½ cups of the plain batter and set aside. To the remaining plain batter, add remaining ¼ cup sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, and cloves. Using a large spoon, stir to combine.

Pour ½ of pumpkin batter over crust in springform pan. Spoon ½ of plain batter of pumpkin layer.

Repeat until all batter is used. Using a long butter knife, gently swirl through all layers of cheesecake batter to achieve the marbled effect.

Bake for 55 minutes or until center is almost set.

Use a thin knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the crust. Cool completely. Remove outer pan and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

Yield: 12 servings.

Wild rice soup When the weather turns crisp and cold, soup and bread become a mainstay in my menu planning. This one is hearty and warming.

MARLENE’S PICKS

1 cup uncooked wild rice (you may also use brown or white) 3 cups boiling water 2 strips smoked bacom ¼ cup chopped onion ¾ cup sliced celery ¾ cup sliced carrots 2 cups chicken broth 1 can cream of mushroom soup, diluted with 1 can milk 1 can (4 oz) mushrooms, undrained 1 teaspoon seasoned salt Papper to taste

Combine rice and boiling water in a large saucepan; simmer, covered, for 50-60 minutes (plan for less time if using white rice). Drain off excess liquid; st aside. In a skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Remove bacon; crumble and set aside. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of drippings; sauté vegetables.

Add remaining and reserved ingredients; simmer for one hour. Serves 8.

Marlene’s picks continued next page…

Saucy cranberry cake I find this cranberry cake to be a nice change of pace from the chocolate and fruitcake of Christmas. The sauce adds richness without yielding a sugar-saturated dessert.

3 Tablespoons butter ¾ cup sugar 1 egg 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup milk 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

CARAMEL BUTTER SAUCE: ½ cup butter 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup heavy whipping cream FOR CAKE: beat butter and sugar til crumbly. Beat in egg. Combine dry ingredients and add to batter alternately with milk. Fold in cranberries.

Bake in a greased 9 inch pan at 350 for 55-60 minutes.

FOR SAUCE: melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and cream.

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Serve over warm cake. Serves 12.

Old fashioned apple crisp

BRITTANY’S PICK

You can’t get much more autumn inspired then with this recipe. Warm apples covered in a crispy oatmeal topping…yum! It can be served warm or cold, but is best right out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

4-5 medium apples ¾ cup quick-cooking oats ¾ cup brown sugar ½ cup flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 stick butter, softened.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Chop apples then pour into a greased 8-inch pan. Combine remaining ingredients and mix together with pastry cutter until crumbly. Sprinkle over top of the apples. Bake for 3540 minutes. Enjoy with vanilla ice cream!

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vb. - to bring the parts or edges together.