7:50 p.m. Today's project was to get to Dallas, Texas for our Kay Seminar. It's an annual opportunity to learn, grow and to encourage one another in the Lord, and to be recognized for a year of hard work.
I got up at 4 a.m. PST and left with my daughter Heidi on our way to LAX for my 10:40 flight. The two of us had a fine time sharing critical ideas for ministry, as well as our individual goals and vision for the edification of those we teach. Isaiah 45:24 gives us assurance:
Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strengt.h.
All went smoothly at the airport, with God even finding me the perfect set for plugging in my device chargers while I had a hot latte and posted my daily scripture on Facebook. His goodness even extended to me remembering to print out my boarding pass. And just as Samson prayed for his strength to return one more time, which God did answer when Samson pulled down the temple of Dagon over the lords of the Philistines, my printer made one last photocopy! I'll get cartridges as soon as I get back, because I need to print some up for my ladies at II Samuel study on Thursday.
The flight barely landed it into position for my connecting flight in Albuquerque. At Dallas Love Field, I clambered into a shuttle which I hadn't pre-paid the ticket for. More time wasted, but one can only remember so much, with caring for two disabled guys (my husband and father).Now at the Hyatt, my Mary Kay buddies and I stayed in the hotel over here for dinner buffet--too hot and muggy outside to walk anywhere today!
It's after 10 p.m. here, so I think I'll prep for bed while my roomies are out and about the hotel.
Thank you, Lord, for having us all arrive safely!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Up and away!
9:44 p.m. Today's project was to wrap up loose ends while preparing for travel to very hot Dallas, Texas for the Mary Kay Seminar, our annual conference. I attended for the first time last year, and it was spectacular, from the entertainment, to the classes, to the joy of watching hard working Directors receive their jewels and crowns on stage.I'm looking forward to what the Lord is going to do this year, especially at our National Area banquet--many of us will be recognized for serving other women and offering them a stellar business opportunity!
Treats and surprises are definitely in store, but one thing is certain: when Kathy Helou takes the stage as the Number One National Director, she will give Jesus Christ the glory as she does in all of her calls and messages to us the entire year. She epitomizes the late Mary Kay Ash's company policy: God first, family second, and career third. As Modecai told Queen Esther in Esther 4:14b, when the Jews were threatened with annihilation,
Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
And God says that to all of us who call upon His name! Why are we here? Why were we saved at a certain time and place in history? (For me that was January 6, 1980).
Only you can seek God, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and follow God's plan for your life. Whenever I get discouraged or weary in my business, I remember that God succinctly told me, "I am in this for you." In 1980, He very clearly told me, "You will be teaching women's Bible studies." How blessed and privileged I have been since 1982 by this calling. I am thrilled to be studying, writing and teaching the Bible, as well as encouraging and mentoring women to this day! And in Mary Kay, there are so many young women God places in my path weekly who may not have had much encouragement growing up. Here I am, Lord! Use me, and my testimony, to comfort and spur another woman on "to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).
Seek the Source, and He'll show you your path of life!
Treats and surprises are definitely in store, but one thing is certain: when Kathy Helou takes the stage as the Number One National Director, she will give Jesus Christ the glory as she does in all of her calls and messages to us the entire year. She epitomizes the late Mary Kay Ash's company policy: God first, family second, and career third. As Modecai told Queen Esther in Esther 4:14b, when the Jews were threatened with annihilation,
Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
And God says that to all of us who call upon His name! Why are we here? Why were we saved at a certain time and place in history? (For me that was January 6, 1980).
Only you can seek God, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and follow God's plan for your life. Whenever I get discouraged or weary in my business, I remember that God succinctly told me, "I am in this for you." In 1980, He very clearly told me, "You will be teaching women's Bible studies." How blessed and privileged I have been since 1982 by this calling. I am thrilled to be studying, writing and teaching the Bible, as well as encouraging and mentoring women to this day! And in Mary Kay, there are so many young women God places in my path weekly who may not have had much encouragement growing up. Here I am, Lord! Use me, and my testimony, to comfort and spur another woman on "to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).
Seek the Source, and He'll show you your path of life!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Another layer
8:25 p.m. Today's project was to lay out all of the bills and write the checks for the first of the month. I normally do online bill pay through one of our banks, but since I'll be in Dallas on July 31st for the Mary Kay Seminar, and since my pension checks deposit automatically on August 1, that option is out if I want to pay on time. So mailing checks out tomorrow will do the job. It really boils down to praying and pondering, and using the wisdom God makes available to us! Jesus told us in Matthew 10:16, to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves as we make our way through a hostile world. And James 1:5 assures those of us who have faith in God,
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Since I came home last night (instead of having the caregiver stay another night) I knew there would be no morning help. As I got up and did some reps on my Health Rider, I made my plan: start my devotions, take care of my own morning needs, put out the dog and put on the coffee, crush and mix Steve's pills into applesauce, and then get him up and ready for the day. We took things slowly and quietly, and he did well at church, too.
Interspersed with feeding Steve and tending to his needs throughout the day, the bills were prepared to send out, causing only random twinges of arthritis. Thank You, Lord! I have always loved David's Psalm 144:1 (KJV), although my "warfare" is the recording and dissemination of my daily testimony and giving witness to the powerful works of God through Bible study teaching and offering study materials in print and online.
Blessed be the LORD my Rock,
Who teaches my hands to war,
And my fingers to fight.
Before lunch, Steve and I went out to harvest our crops. The caregiver had watered the garden daily, but as for weeding, not so much this year. (My bad/busy.) But you can see how God managed to grow wonderful fruit, even with me out of town! Our produce, whether we work for a meticulous garden as I have in the past, or just cultivate excellent soil and then step back, is God's work anyway. I believe that He assigned Adam originally in Genesis 2:15 to "tend and keep" the garden because people need productive work, both men and women, in or outside the home. Idle hands are no good, for children or adults!
But this week had some "extras" added on. Our long term insurance sent the monthly check for Steve's daycare, necessitating an in-bank deposit tomorrow. Two customers stopped in. Spanish tutoring was arranged for Monday afternoon. A passerby came to the door about the water meter leak in front of the house, and I assured her that I have a plumber coming tomorrow to see what needs to be done. Heidi and Pavel came by on a quick errand for my dad, and like the passerby, insisted that the City is at fault and we shouldn't have to pay to get the broken cement meter cover and pipe fixed. (We'll be praying on that, believe me, because money doesn't grow on trees, even well-watered ones)! And pretty soon I'll need to get food stocked up for Steve and his caregiver and Jada, too; my luggage packed and a shuttle ride from the airport in Dallas reserved. It's layer upon layer of duties and tasks!
Thank You, Lord, that some of us like deadlines, and work well under pressure! We are all so differently gifted. As Paul writes of the church Body in Romans 12: 5-6a,
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us...
Then he lists many gifts and offices of the church designed by God, to edify, train, and send out witnesses to the world.
In our own little home, I hope and pray to be a witness for Christ in every aspect of my life, because neighbors, colleagues, family and friends are watching the way things get handled by believers!
Pour out Your Spirit, Lord, that we might make it, with good provision, through this heavily layered week and beyond!
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Since I came home last night (instead of having the caregiver stay another night) I knew there would be no morning help. As I got up and did some reps on my Health Rider, I made my plan: start my devotions, take care of my own morning needs, put out the dog and put on the coffee, crush and mix Steve's pills into applesauce, and then get him up and ready for the day. We took things slowly and quietly, and he did well at church, too.
Interspersed with feeding Steve and tending to his needs throughout the day, the bills were prepared to send out, causing only random twinges of arthritis. Thank You, Lord! I have always loved David's Psalm 144:1 (KJV), although my "warfare" is the recording and dissemination of my daily testimony and giving witness to the powerful works of God through Bible study teaching and offering study materials in print and online.
Blessed be the LORD my Rock,
Who teaches my hands to war,
And my fingers to fight.
But this week had some "extras" added on. Our long term insurance sent the monthly check for Steve's daycare, necessitating an in-bank deposit tomorrow. Two customers stopped in. Spanish tutoring was arranged for Monday afternoon. A passerby came to the door about the water meter leak in front of the house, and I assured her that I have a plumber coming tomorrow to see what needs to be done. Heidi and Pavel came by on a quick errand for my dad, and like the passerby, insisted that the City is at fault and we shouldn't have to pay to get the broken cement meter cover and pipe fixed. (We'll be praying on that, believe me, because money doesn't grow on trees, even well-watered ones)! And pretty soon I'll need to get food stocked up for Steve and his caregiver and Jada, too; my luggage packed and a shuttle ride from the airport in Dallas reserved. It's layer upon layer of duties and tasks!
Thank You, Lord, that some of us like deadlines, and work well under pressure! We are all so differently gifted. As Paul writes of the church Body in Romans 12: 5-6a,
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us...
Then he lists many gifts and offices of the church designed by God, to edify, train, and send out witnesses to the world.
In our own little home, I hope and pray to be a witness for Christ in every aspect of my life, because neighbors, colleagues, family and friends are watching the way things get handled by believers!
Pour out Your Spirit, Lord, that we might make it, with good provision, through this heavily layered week and beyond!
Blessed travel and days between
11:56 p.m. Today's project was to get back home! Our original plan was to all enjoy a big buffet at the Rio on Sunday morning.Since Steven did not place for the show this evening, and his best friend Cameron arrived to provide companionship, transportation to the airport, and a body in the second bed, it made sense for me to leave. Driving home midday on a Sunday would have placed me in dreadful, gas-wasting traffic through the blazing desert. And, since I fly to Dallas for our Mary Kay Seminar on Tuesday, I wanted an extra day at home with Steve.We also will be able to attend church tomorrow morning as always! Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we must
...consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some...
After a quick visit with my dad, Heidi and Pavel, I pulled up at my home by 9:30 to talk with the caregiver Elias and get a report on Steve's behavior. All went well from Thursday on, until after one of my daughters visited yesterday. Steve became angry and agitated for two hours! Elias is excellent and very calming in his manner, but we agreed, and so have the folks at Care Connexxus, that Steve is becoming less rational and more physically aggressive and agitated. Steve wouldn't even sit down while at my dad's apartment, where Elias kindly took him for a visit. He did the same "jump up and start for the door" behavior when I took him earlier this week.
I ask the Lord daily to give me wisdom to lovingly deal with my husband's behavior, which is at best worrisome and at worst extremely dangerous! Only He knows what needs to be done, with prayer at the top of the list.
At this critical time, I want my prayer priorities lined up with God and His word. I do not pray to escape my trial nor my responsibilities; my prayer is for guidance in walking through them in a way that honors my Jesus, who suffered and died for me. I John 14-15:
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Learning
9:50 p.m. Today's project was to pray with, accompany and support Steven in his day of pre-judging. His girlfriend Kathy and I dropped Steven off at the venue at UNLV, and waited on a shady bench for the 45 minutes it would take for the public to be admitted.
The morning had been fairly smooth until Kathy, who had checked out of her room, needed to make a last check but had turned in her key card. We were all set to go, and Security came to let her in, but this was no ordinary day. Steven needed his cortisol levels to stay low for maximum performance, so I was glad theat I had laid hands on him earlier and prayed extensively for what God would do today. And before that, Cara had called to pray as is our habit Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.Through the goof-ups and stressors of the day, Kathy and I became practiced at "praying without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).
As we sat on our bench, Kathy asked if we could do a Bible study together with a verse the Lord had laid on her heart repeatedly, II Corinthians 12:9:
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
I asked if we could consider the preceeding verses where Paul reveals that he had had the astounding privilege of being caught up in Paradise (II Corinthians 12:1-4), including visions and revelations of the Lord. I mentioned that at my Bible study yesterday, I asked the women if God had ever given them a specific vision of what He plans to do with their lives, to be kept private if one wishes, between oneself and Jesus. Kathy said she had--the Lord has put on her heart to reach the Hispanic community with the Gospel, through her work as a fitness trainer. That vision was confirmed by the Spanish language outreach pastor at the Peoples' Church! We also discussed witnessing to strangers, and we noticedthat a lady had been sharing the bench with us. So the Lord put it on my heart to begin a conversation with her, mentoring and leading this committed young woman in witnessing by example. "Just find a point of commonality," and the conversation goes on from there! As Paul said about his own worldwide outreach, I Corinthians 9:23b,
I am become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
The two of us enjoyed along qualifying period for the men as we waited to see Steven. Young at 24, he was outmatched by several years and many poundds by the older competitors, so he won't be in the finals tomorrow night. He learned a lot and has a plan for next year already in motion!.
No appearance in the finals here on this earth today, sadly. But as for the "finals" Steven and all believers will have aced? That one-question test has been asked of and answered by each of us believers once and for all: "What did you do about Jesus?" If you answer, "I asked Jesus to be my Savior, and to be Lord of my life, so that I might live with Him forever in heaven," you may join Steven, Kathy, and me, and billions of born-again Christians in heaven. I sincerely pray, as one who went to the top of the Strstosphere hotel tonight, that I'll "see you at the top!"
The morning had been fairly smooth until Kathy, who had checked out of her room, needed to make a last check but had turned in her key card. We were all set to go, and Security came to let her in, but this was no ordinary day. Steven needed his cortisol levels to stay low for maximum performance, so I was glad theat I had laid hands on him earlier and prayed extensively for what God would do today. And before that, Cara had called to pray as is our habit Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.Through the goof-ups and stressors of the day, Kathy and I became practiced at "praying without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).
As we sat on our bench, Kathy asked if we could do a Bible study together with a verse the Lord had laid on her heart repeatedly, II Corinthians 12:9:
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
I asked if we could consider the preceeding verses where Paul reveals that he had had the astounding privilege of being caught up in Paradise (II Corinthians 12:1-4), including visions and revelations of the Lord. I mentioned that at my Bible study yesterday, I asked the women if God had ever given them a specific vision of what He plans to do with their lives, to be kept private if one wishes, between oneself and Jesus. Kathy said she had--the Lord has put on her heart to reach the Hispanic community with the Gospel, through her work as a fitness trainer. That vision was confirmed by the Spanish language outreach pastor at the Peoples' Church! We also discussed witnessing to strangers, and we noticedthat a lady had been sharing the bench with us. So the Lord put it on my heart to begin a conversation with her, mentoring and leading this committed young woman in witnessing by example. "Just find a point of commonality," and the conversation goes on from there! As Paul said about his own worldwide outreach, I Corinthians 9:23b,
I am become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
The two of us enjoyed along qualifying period for the men as we waited to see Steven. Young at 24, he was outmatched by several years and many poundds by the older competitors, so he won't be in the finals tomorrow night. He learned a lot and has a plan for next year already in motion!.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Arrival
10:24 p.m. Today's project was to teach II Samuel Chapter 8 Bible study at Malinda's home, to a joyful, loving, group of women who are sisters to me. These ladies know their Bibles and have been applying it to their lives for decades. I learn new concepts in walking with the Lord every week!
We realized the relationship between David's dedication to the Lord all of the silver, gold and brass he took from Israel's enemies, and the fact that "God preserved David wherever he went." (II Samuel 8:6, 14).
As believers, we all need to dedicate our gifts, talents, calling, "treasure," families, leisure time, hobbies, and even our thoughts to the Lord. One verse we looked at from last week that really struck me, was very intense, I Chronicles 28:9:
The LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intents of the thoughts.
I jokingly said, "So God know what we are even intending when we think! No wonder the Bible says that there is no such thing as clean person!" We need Jesus, don't we, to anoint our very thoughts
and even our hearts' intentions!
With another wonderful time of fellowship over for the week, I left immediately in a car loaded with a few days' worth of food and clothes in my huge cooler, and arrived in Las Vegas from Moreno Valley in only 3.5 hours, singing and praising God all the way!
We realized the relationship between David's dedication to the Lord all of the silver, gold and brass he took from Israel's enemies, and the fact that "God preserved David wherever he went." (II Samuel 8:6, 14).
As believers, we all need to dedicate our gifts, talents, calling, "treasure," families, leisure time, hobbies, and even our thoughts to the Lord. One verse we looked at from last week that really struck me, was very intense, I Chronicles 28:9:
The LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intents of the thoughts.
I jokingly said, "So God know what we are even intending when we think! No wonder the Bible says that there is no such thing as clean person!" We need Jesus, don't we, to anoint our very thoughts
and even our hearts' intentions!
With another wonderful time of fellowship over for the week, I left immediately in a car loaded with a few days' worth of food and clothes in my huge cooler, and arrived in Las Vegas from Moreno Valley in only 3.5 hours, singing and praising God all the way!
I picked up our son Steven from McCarran Airport, where he and his girlfriend landed for his NPC-USA bodybuilding contest. After weigh-in, we have been relaxing in our room at the Stratosphere and eating some of the tons of food we brought from home. Kathy has her own room, so Steven and I share one with two beds. Two meals of precooked food and a coating of paint-on tan finished his activities for the day. Kathy came over to download Le Crae's "Background" for his performance at the qualifications in the morning.
Steven has dedicated his bodybuilding championship dream to the Lord, with a vision of sharing Christ as a champion. We are praying that skill, dedication and sacrificial hard work will win the day for Steven, who longs to give his testimony on a grander venue!
"Do you not know," the Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 9:24, "that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."
Lord, would you be gracious and allow Your child this opportunity to give You the glory, as Your champion?
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
His light burden
10:38 p.m. Today's project was to complete my Bible study for Thursday, meaning that I would have it written out word-for-word longhand like I've been doing for 30 years. With the hectic-ness (?) of the last week, and Steven's bodybuilding competition in Las Vegas upcoming, that was quite an ambition.
Today was a Redlands day. After our Morning Makeovers meeting, there was a stop for about five minutes at my daughter's house to do some planning, time spent at my dad's house finding his cell phone charger, doing my own banking and bill paying, and then getting the fungus excised from a split nail. I finally was able to sit down at the Starbucks in Vons to finish my writing. The Lord gave me a little "sweetener" in that there was still money on my card for a tall caramel frappucino with "specially requested" baked coconut on top of the whipped cream. (I did give the barista a sample eyeshadow attached to my card for being so nice when she even brought it over to me)! The laptop bag on the right is the perfect size for my Bible, notes folder and the wireless composition book I teach from. The plump duffle on the left is already packed with clothes for the weekend.
Not wanting to give away any of the discussion points for the morning, I will say that Chapter 8 of
II Samuel is short, but full of historical reflection and current personal application.
Now all these things happened to them [the children of Israel] as examples, I Corinthians 10:11 says, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Seems we have a pretty weighty responsibility to learn and apply scriptures in these last days before Jesus Christ returns and folds up the earth and the heavens "like a cloak," (Hebrews 1:12). Aren't you glad that Jesus, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, not only lays out our responsibilities as believers, but then helps us accomplish our tasks in a godly, God-ordained manner! Jesus' assurance in Matthew 11:28 rings so true all of every day, I find:
My yoke is easy and my burden is light.
By cancelling a tutoring appointment, I had more time to write, and eventually finished the lesson, though my handwriting was getting a little sketchy towards the end. There will be a time for reviewing before I leave for the study in the morning as well. I wanted it all to be in polished form, but my Heavenly Father doesn't ask me to be perfect--He asks me to be obedient!
Since I completed my ministry task early, I got to spend time with my earthly father, blessing and being blessed.
Thank You, Lord!
Not wanting to give away any of the discussion points for the morning, I will say that Chapter 8 of
II Samuel is short, but full of historical reflection and current personal application.
Now all these things happened to them [the children of Israel] as examples, I Corinthians 10:11 says, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Seems we have a pretty weighty responsibility to learn and apply scriptures in these last days before Jesus Christ returns and folds up the earth and the heavens "like a cloak," (Hebrews 1:12). Aren't you glad that Jesus, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, not only lays out our responsibilities as believers, but then helps us accomplish our tasks in a godly, God-ordained manner! Jesus' assurance in Matthew 11:28 rings so true all of every day, I find:
My yoke is easy and my burden is light.
By cancelling a tutoring appointment, I had more time to write, and eventually finished the lesson, though my handwriting was getting a little sketchy towards the end. There will be a time for reviewing before I leave for the study in the morning as well. I wanted it all to be in polished form, but my Heavenly Father doesn't ask me to be perfect--He asks me to be obedient!
Since I completed my ministry task early, I got to spend time with my earthly father, blessing and being blessed.
Thank You, Lord!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
