Countdown

Hello, blogging buddies!

Guess I will be MIA for a few days. We are winding down our time here...packing up and preparing to head back to the USA. It always gets so hectic the last few days...argh! Once we land in the states, we "hit the ground running" so not sure when I'll get back in here.

Thanks for your prayers!
Paula

His View is Higher

If you have ever ridden in an airplane, you have probably enjoyed the view from your window (unless you are the one sitting there glued to your seat for fear that any move by you could send the plane spiraling to the ground). It is an amazing experience to view the earth from up above. You can see miles and miles of winding roads, rivers, and fields. The things that seem so great and unsurmountable here on earth, look small and insignificant from up above.

Isaiah 54:8 and 9 reads: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God’s perspective on our life is from a much higher viewpoint than ours. It is much like looking out of an airplane window. His view is much higher than ours. He sees the road we are taking. He knows what is up ahead…just around the bend. As we plod along the road of life, we come to obstacles and curves. Sometimes we are anxious as we look at the road ahead. Maybe we come to a sign that says “Bridge out!” or “S-curve ahead”. Our heart beats with trepidation. But He knows. He is calling to us, “Come, my child. Keep walking. It’s okay. I am here.”

I am reminded of the song:

When I made my start for Heaven, I could only find one way. A road that led me through the mountains and the valleys, a road not many folks could take. Since I started traveling on my journey, I’ve covered many many miles behind me, miles of sun and rain, miles of smiles and pain. The road’s been rough, but I again would choose the same.

Long and winding road, keep on leading me. Up ahead I see a sign that points me straight ahead to victory. I know I must be traveling right, for I remember passing Calvary. Although it’s dusty and it’s old, for years it’s bore the traveler’s load...someday this road will turn to gold.

There are some times when the rocks hurt my feet, my body burns from the sweat and the heat. My strength's completely drained till my face marks the pain, my back is bent from the strain. Oh, I could turn around, for the road's still there. But every mountain that I’ve climbed, I again would have to bear. So I really can’t turn back, some may be using my tracks. I see one more bend and this just might be my road’s end.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, my blogging buddies!

We are starting the year off with a "bang" around here. Guests arriving today, conference starts tomorrow...and we leave (together with guests) in 10 days!

I had good intentions...to get in here blog about 2008 in retrospective (as seems to be the popular thing to do) and all the other 'new year' stuff, but alas, that will have to wait. LOL Good thing one of my new year's resolutions was not to slow down and blog more. Hehe

Anyway, suffice it to say, 2008 was a great year in many ways, but a very challenging year in many others. I'm happy to move on to 2009. One thing is sure ~ He is my refuge and strength. My hope and trust is in Jesus!

Christmas Fun

Buying a Christmas turkey. Sounds easy enough, right?

If I were in the states, I would go to the grocery store of my choice, find the poultry section and pick out a nice turkey. The turkey is all wrapped in sturdy plastic, all sorts of warnings and labels and such. Handy little red thingy that pops out when the turkey is done.

But alas, I am not in the states, and therefore, buying a turkey is a whole different ballgame.

First of all, let me say that members of the poultry family are a “must” on the Malagasy Christmas dinner menu. In fact, they have a whole poultry hierarchy here in this country. Chickens are on the low end of the totem pole, next are ducks, then geese, then turkeys. Way up at the top of this poultry totem pole you can find “our” kind of turkey. There are very few places in this country where you can find good turkeys. Most of the turkeys you find in the stores or market could be cooked in a pressure cooker for a week and still not be tender. Okay, that is a slight exaggeration, but in all our years here, we’ve never successfully baked a Malagasy turkey. Anyway, so there is a “farm” here in the city, a business actually, that sells good fat, tender turkeys (as well as other members of the poultry family).

So I placed my order weeks ago…my turkey was to be picked up today.

I went to the place this morning and I tell you, I wish I had taken my camera. I found myself just standing there laughing. First of all, I go in the little “store” where I normally pick up my orders. This place was PACKED out – people buying “foie gras”, chickens, turkeys, eggs, you name it. Meanwhile, many people are opting to buy their poultry LIVE (insuring it’s freshness) so one guy is weighing these chickens. They are NOT happy about this and proceed to flap their wings and squawk or whatever chickens do. Feathers are flying. I am very happy that I ordered a dead turkey – plucked and ready for the oven. :)

After standing there for awhile, a lady comes and takes me around back. Meanwhile, trucks are being loaded with chickens and other squawking animals. She takes me into an office, sits me in the chair. There is a desk, laptop computer, various papers scattered around. Notebooks with “canard" (duck) written on them. Okay. I’m here to BUY a TURKEY, people!!! Why am I sitting in an office? But I sit and watch the show through the window.

The lady goes back out and gives orders to someone. The guy runs off and comes back with a turkey in a plastic bag. They weigh it. Discussion follows. I step outside and ask, is everything okay? Yes, madam, but this one only weighs 4 kilos so we’re going to get you a bigger one. No, that’s fine. I’ll take the 4 kilo one, thank you. (Hello? I’m only feeding four people here! That’s over 8 pounds of turkey.) So then the lady takes my paper over to another lady. This lady then proceeds to write out a detailed receipt for my turkey. Weighs so much. Costs so much per kilo. I’d paid a “deposit” so have to deduct that. Meanwhile, flies are flying ALL over the place. Chickens and other birds are still squawking. People are shouting orders and running around. I am quickly losing my appetite for anything with wings, feathers, and a beak. Maybe we should just have ham for Christmas? Hmm, no, then I’d have to go to a pig farm.

Finally I pay my remaining money and get my turkey. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, I walk out the door. Can’t help but chuckle as I walk to my car.

Kroger poultry section? How boring!

I Can...Because He Can

Do you ever just feel like you cannot go any further...or do any more...or deal with the things life is throwing at you? Here is a thought that has blessed me recently from II Timothy chapter 1.

God has not given me a spirit of fear...

But of power - I can do things that I couldn't.

Of love -- I can feel things I didn't.

And of a sound mind -- I can know things I wouldn't.

How can I experience this abundant life? Through His Spirit ~ living in me. Thank you, Jesus!

A Sightseeing Trip

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we took a trip to the west part of the island. We were able to do some sightseeing -- visited a gorgeous waterfall and also saw some geysers. This is such a beautiful country and we have not even come close to seeing it all.

Get Out Of The Puddle

I was inspired by something in my Bible study session today to create this little picture. Beth shared in our study how one day she was walking and saw some ducks in a little puddle of water. Just over the rise was a big beautiful pond...but they were splashing around in this little puddle. Settling for mediocrity. How many times do we do that? Settling for little when God has much. Living our lives in the puddle when God has a big pond just waiting for us?!?

So I challenge you today. Step out of the puddle. Waddle on over to the pond and take a swim in the abundant life God has for you!