listening and writing habits

So, I haven’t written a blog post in 4 months (!) and have also taken a 2 week break from other writing/editing/website work…so, I need to practice putting words on paper (or on a screen) before getting back to work…

These past several months have been full of growth, challenges, and blessings, and I am SO thankful for God’s mercies which are new every morning, and for His people who encourage me/us.

Some lessons seem to be life-long, and God keeps on bringing me back to grow even more in areas of my life that I thought had already been matured. And, as is always the case, He uses the people around me (like my littles!) and His Word to challenge and sanctify! I am so glad that it is GOD who promises to complete the work that HE began in me!

Lately, I have been so encouraged by making it a habit to listen to podcasts and imusic audio studies, and to also put on either worship music or preaching (usually with headphones/earbuds in just one ear, so I am still “present”). It is especially encouraging if I am struggling with either feeling irritable or needing some “downtime” (being an introvert in an extroverted life is hard sometimes). I have been learning so much with this new habit, and so have my littles – they have their Focus on the Family Radio Theatre and worship music that they also ask to listen to throughout the day, when they take breaks from homeschool, and Benjamin often asks to listen to my Bible studies with me.

Sometimes we have to look for encouragement (like with podcasts), and other times it is also offered by those around us – which has also been a theme lately. I am SO thankful for those that God has placed in our lives to do life with (near and far)! I am thankful for my Wednesday morning Bible study ladies, family in Christ both in the community and at church here, and I am so thankful right now for the El Salvador Missionary Fellowship. We were recently at the annual Gathering of missionaries here -where we were encouraged and where our children were SO blessed and encouraged! We also received gifts and other blessings during that weekend, and then with a visit from Canadian friends, who also brought gifts from home!

Then, Benjamin was given the amazing gift of a ticket to Canada, where he is enjoying a very special family time. He will be back on January 10^th, which is a long time for a 9.5 year old (and his siblings/family), but our life here and traveling has taught (is teaching) us to live one day at a times, to be content, and to live as foreigners in this world -and we are SO happy that he has this opportunity!

So, that is just a little update on me, now to get to some writing work for ministry and communications...

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Father's Heart Coffee

Father’s Heart Coffee gives 100% profits to The Father’s Heart Village in El Salvador. With every sip, you empower us to sustainably care for the holistic needs of orphaned children. Lets us know if YOU want to try our coffee! It is: -Shade grown -High Altitude (Apeneca) -Pacamara -Honey Process -Organic -Dark, Medium or Blonde Roast AND, for every pound of coffee sold, we can purchase 30 blocks for building a future of hope! We can ship coffee to you anywhere in North America! Order via our Canadian Website - donate page (more order options coming soon too!): www.fhfcanada.ca And, don't forget to order your copy of our book! Proceeds help our family to care for fatherless children in El Salvador & Uganda! Amazon Author Page

Angels and Demons - waking to an African War Cry in the village

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Do we have something radically different to offer the world this weekend?

“ Are we using our freedom to make this Good News plain? Or are we so separatistic that we have no connection with unbelievers ; or are we so worldly they don't know we have anything radically different to offer?" (Quote from Desiring God/John Piper) (An attempt to look biblically at culture and the Gospel, in relation to Resurrection Sunday) Today (Good Friday), we remember the death of our Lord, Sunday we celebrate His resurrection, and daily we await His return. All of history is pivoted on Christ’s death and resurrection. Beginning in Genesis: Creation, the Fall and the first Messianic prophesy, throughout the old testament and both Israel’s and all of mankind’s history, leading up to what we have recorded in the Gospels. And now, as we await Him returning in Judgement, we proclaim that Gospel to a lost world…and we teach our children how to know, love, and live in relationship with Jesus–Messiah. May God help us as we seek to share the Gospel, and as we tea...

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If my Prayers Drew Blood

I have been looking through an old journal (2007) and have felt convicted to live out more of my past persuasion, and to not become complacent nor stagnant. Here is a note that I wrote about [imagination and] prayer, which I need to re-arrange my life to pursue more: "When one has an imagination like mine, it is often best not to to recall certain things, [like news] spoken second-hand. Yet, some thoughts and especially prayers must be suffered through. I wonder what thoughts, what painful knowledge was so burdened on Jesus that while praying, He was caused to bleed. AT TIMES I CHOOSE TO EVEN REFRAIN FROM PRAYING, ONLY TO SAVE MYSELF SOME REALLY INSIGNIFICANT PAIN, AND AT WHAT COST? If my prayers were so fervent that they actually drew blood then perhaps they would be more effective! "

A Call to Discern, Contend for & be Sanctified by Truth

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