CHANGING SEASONS ... Thoughts on Transitions

Many here in Ethiopia are excited for the season shift that should be happening any day. The dry hot weather of May into June will soon almost completely shift into three months of rain. Big clouds, cooler temperatures, and frequent downpours… will be almost constant. This time, I’m also eager for the shift and change of season. The sun has been too hot.

Often in the morning, I see the sun coming up behind my curtains… and I think… when will the season shift … transition? When will the rains start? What will the new season bring? What will change?

 

Besides the weather, other things are also in transition here. We are leaving a school year behind. One of my schools, ETC (the Evangelical Theological College) already finished. Our graduation was a few weeks ago.

 

Hope College, my other school, is still wrapping up. I just finished giving the final exam for my classes this past Wednesday. There is just a little more grading that now remains. Yearbook pictures have been taken and many of my best students are looking ahead with anticipation to graduation day on July 8th. Many of these students I had four and five years ago as freshmen. Makes me very teary eyed with pride to see them all dressed up and grown up. They’ve passed through a lot.

 

Looking back on the school year overall, it was a great year at both schools. Tons of great students, tons of teaching,  and tons of just life in general filled the days. I had close to 500 students between the two schools and seventeen different classes. Here are some of them ... :-)

 

So grateful and humbled to get to do what I do! Life is certainly a gift that needs embraced. It’s all about experiencing the journey God gives us and learning as we go in the seasons.

But seasons often change, transition, into different ones for whatever reason.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to tear down and a time to build. A time to weep and a time to laugh… a time to mourn and a time to dance … a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them … a time to embrace and a time to retrain… a time to search and a time to give up … a time to keep and a time to throw away .. a time to tear and a time to mend.. a time to be silent and a time to speak…

And when seasons shift or things change, if you’re not ready…or even if you are… these times of transition can be hard.

Maybe you change jobs or change locations. Maybe you start a new job or you retire. Maybe you get married or a relationship ends. Maybe you have a baby or a death happens. What do you in that transition time?

Often change causes us to be uncomfortable. Normal rhythms of life can get thrown off.

Most of us like comfort. We like to know what’s ahead. But God doesn’t call us to comfort. He calls us to follow Him. And that often takes us away from comfort or places of ease. He often wants to stretch us. And I don’t like to stretch. But it’s good for me.   

And life in general brings change.

So how do we handle that? 

I think God uses transition times in my life, between seasons … for many things.

He allows me to catch my breath and reflect. And He often challenges me to check where my head is, where my heart is. He asks me if my foundation is still Him, or is it on other things? Or people?

Where has sin or Satan gotten in? Where I have stumbled, maybe repeatedly?

What do I need to let go of? What do I need to hold onto?

These are hard questions God often asks me in transition times. And for those questions, though hard, I’m grateful. Because so often I can go down a wrong path and get lost. And if I don’t get realigned before the next big season starts, it can be a disaster.

I’m so thankful our good Father in Heaven goes with us. He goes before us and shows us the way. And He loves us with a crazy love… it’s compassionate and merciful and rich and unchanging.

Through all seasons, He’s the constant in change. The one that doesn’t leave. But remains… holding my hand… your hand… through every valley…up every hill. Over every mountain. Through every slide. He’s there with us.

Malachi 3:6

I the Lord do not change.

Psalm 73:23-24

…I am always with you. You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel. And afterward you will take me into glory.

When I look back at my life overall, I see God with me through the changing seasons. He never left me. He’s wooed me, wowed me, and stretched me. He’s taught me. Wiped my tears. Helped me to stand. Helped me to be quiet. Humbled me. And given me boldness. He’s shown me my weaknesses, and then His strength. SOOOOO much. I’m grateful for this Dad. Our great God!

And I also have been very blessed to have an earthly father showing that same steadfastness through years of change in my life.  This Father’s Day weekend… I can’t help but give a huge shout out to the great and amazing, charming and handsome Jim Garrett, my “Daddy in Dayton”!!!

 

 

I remember the YEARS of Him being there through the changing seasons…

I remember elementary school days/years… and my Dad… kicking the soccer ball with us after his work and mowing the grass as we played in the water sprinkles. Taking us for French fries and making sure we got an equal amount, so necessary and important for twins. J Taking us to K-Mart to get school clothes. Swinging us in his arms and tossing us in the air in the waves at pools. So fun and so active in our lives. He was brave in storms and huge with a shovel in blizzards. His lap was always open for us to climb in. And He always had room for two. J

 

Then there were middle school years… soccer and big hair and school dances. WEIRD WEIRD time. Glasses and contacts and lots of hair spray and funny styles… I remember moon shoes and suspenders. Did that really happen? Ha ha. … but Dad was there… loving us through it all.

Then there was High school…. more soccer… dating, leadership, activities. My Dad was always there cheering us on, giving advice.

Then came college, grad school, jobs, world travel… my Dad continued to love and continues to love us.

 

 

I can’t say enough how proud and honored I am to have this Dad. No words. He’s loved so much!

 

You might not have had a good earthly dad, but you have a heavenly one, we all do.

Who loves you/us through every season, every change, and every transition.

If you’re in a transition, a changing season now, or approaching one… remember these promises:

Isaiah 43:1-5

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze…Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you…

Psalm 48:14

For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.

Matthew 28:20

…I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

AMEN!

Prayer Requests

I have just a few big things remaining these final five weeks before coming home for a few weeks of rest at the end of July…

-Please keep final grading in prayer as we wrap up the semester at Hope. Also pray for our huge graduating class of 200 students- for graduation day- July 8- that it will be a wonderful day and transition time and that God will bless these students… also the ETC ones… as they move into the next chapter of their lives.

-Please pray for a youth ministry training – mission trip I will be leading in mid-July to Jinka, in the southern part of Ethiopia. A team of seven of us will travel from Addis about 700 km south… to train about 100 pastors and leaders in youth ministry. May God bless this time. If you’d like to give a special donation for this trip, please let me know.

 

-Please pray for final student celebration trips, my Bible studies as we wrap up, that God will bless these final weeks of transition.
 

-Please pray for my time at home in late July into mid-August. That God will give me a good time of rest with my family, before heading back to Ethiopia to begin teaching in late August. If you’d like to give for my airfare home and supplies, I need to do special fundraising for that as well.

-Please keep my family in prayer… they are all well!

And Happy Father’s Day to the great Jim Garrett- and everyone else celebrating dads this weekend!!!

May God bless you in the changing seasons and transitions you’re facing!  May He help us all as we journey on!  Please let me know how I can pray for you!

Blessings from Ethiopia!

A Donkey's Bray ... Thoughts for Easter Weekend from Ethiopia ...

Many times a day here in Ethiopia… you can hear a donkey BRAYING. It’s a loud, long sound that lasts about 30 seconds.  It sounds like a frustrated cry.

It’s funny, when I first came to Ethiopia, I wondered what was up with the donkeys. Why did they make that noise? Were they in labor…. having a baby? Having a heart attack? Were they being threatened by another animal? Or were they just greeting other donkeys? Not being a farm girl, I asked google, ha ha.

Sometimes they’re frustrated or feel threatened… and these are common reasons they bray.

 

The other day, when I heard a donkey braying, I thought… I’m with you Mr. Donkey. I feel like braying too.

Life can be frustrating.  Seasons can bring times of stress or fatigue and you may feel like shouting or going somewhere and having a good long cry.  People let us down. We let ourselves down. And the world seems a mess.

In recent days, we’ve seen people killed by gas in Syria. We’ve seen churches bombed in Egypt. A lot of crazy stuff going on globally.

There seems to be a downward spiral lurking, a strong pull DOWN…into darkness… in all areas of life. Do you see it, do you feel it?

It’s in the world and even inside of us. It’s a pull to sin, to selfishness, to envy to hopelessness. It’s a like a depravity, a darkness is lurking.  And you see this pull down and its effects on your mind, in your body, in people, relationships, and even churches.  

I was thinking this week about all the chaos and then about Jesus’ final week.

This depravity, darkness, loneliness, separation from God…was the result and is the result of sin. There wasn’t a way to get away from it or conquer it. 

But today, over 2000 years ago, Jesus came to give us a way out. This muck and mire and sin and death, He came to save us from.  He reached down and offered himself as a way out, an escape… taking the punishment for our sin on Himself … and He offers to pull us up and out and offers us a new life!!!!

 

 

UNBELIEVABLE MOVE!!!

I’m amazed and so thankful- that Jesus gives us the ability to walk in newness … cleanness… having joy, peace, hope, victory, and relationship with God because of what He did!!!

 

Romans 5:8
God demonstrated His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23

…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

Psalm 73:2; 22-26

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold… I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.  Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heat may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Romans 7

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. … I know that nothing good lives in me, that is in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. … I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man am I! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 8

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because Jesus has set me from sin and death… Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus… We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us

Today, as we remember, Jesus’ final walk, as He was beaten and bruised and mocked and killed…may we remember this incredible sacrifice He made for us. May we be thankful and grateful that we don’t have to stay in sin and defeat.

For those who feel lost and pulled down and hopeless and alone, may you hear about and see the hand of Jesus- offering you a way out, a way up, and a newness of life that can’t found anywhere or in anyone else!!!  Nothing else and no one else satisfies or gives your life purpose and meaning- than God!!! Relationship with Him is offered and ONLY comes from accepting what Jesus did on your behalf.

John 14:6

I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me.

Romans 10:9

If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hers my voice and opens the door, I will come in…

On Sunday, Easter, as we celebrate Jesus, our Risen King, may we continue to give thanks for His sacrifice that changed everything.

And the times when we feel like braying like a donkey, may we remember the frustration and darkness and sin is not our end nor does it have to take us down. But it’s been defeated. We are pulled out and have a great road to walk ahead with the hand of Jesus in ours.  May we live into that with confidence and joy!!!  And may our braying become songs of praise!!!

Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the muck and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to God…

AMEN!

God Bless You and your Families this Easter weekend!  I’m so grateful for each of you!!!

Praises-Prayer Requests

-It’s been busy here. I thank God so much for all He’s done, all He’s doing.  My classes at ETC have continued and I’m grateful for the chance to encourage and challenge and learn with my brothers and sisters in Christ. My classes this spring semester are: Cross Cultural Communication; Small Group Ministry; and Evangelism and Discipleship.

 

-The spring semester started at Hope College. And I’ve enjoyed those classes too. I’m teaching Basic English writing to freshmen students- and have about 130 students in three sections. I’ve enjoyed getting to know these new students and I’m grateful for the continued opportunity to build into the youth here.

 

-I’ve started back with two Bible studies with students- and have been challenged and blessed in walking through life with this group as we talk together about the Word of God and apply it to our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

-This is a big holiday time here in Ethiopia, as in the rest of the world. Easter (Faskia) is a huge celebration for both Protestants and Orthodox. The Orthodox will be breaking a 55 day fast on Saturday night into Sunday. Today is a long day of bowing at churches and remembering the pain the suffering Jesus experienced. Most Protestant churches have all night prayer services on Saturday to usher in Easter. Last night, I attended a Holy Thursday service with some students and took communion in remembrance of Jesus’ final meal.  On Sunday and Monday, I will be with students and families celebrating.  May God Bless this time!

 

-Please keep my classes and students in prayer here. That I can be creative in planning and manage my time well, I have about 175 students between the two schools.  Please pray that God will use me in and out of the classroom to represent Him well.

-The weather has been weird so please pray for good health to remain.

-Please keep my Dad, Mom and Sister in Prayer. My sister will be traveling in the next few months on mission trips, please keep her in prayer. She’s so great!  I’m so grateful for my family. My parents celebrated their anniversary (46^th) a few weeks ago. They’re too cute. J  And I’m so thankful to have them as my Dad and Mom!

 

 

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. Please let me know how I can pray for you as well.

God bless you this Easter weekend and spring!!! 

Blessings and love from Ethiopia!

THE DEAD MAN FLOAT ... A Call to Surrender

I’ve been thinking about life overall in recent days… where I’ve been… what I’ve done. Things I still want to do.  How can the years go by so fast?

And as the Lent season starts today, I’ve also been thinking about what are the possible things I need to pull back from, surrender to God? Where do I need to refocus in honor of Jesus and all He did for me?

It’s interesting what keeps coming to mind is that in all areas of my life, I need to be doing the:

“dead man float.”

What is the “dead man float?” 

When I was younger, our family would often go swimming. In local pools or at lakes, I learned quickly that I liked the water.  At least, I liked sitting beside the water and watching waves lap the shore, so relaxing. I liked floating on top of the water in a boat or raft. But actually- swimming in the water- I never grew to enjoy too much. I couldn’t seem to get my eyes to open and my nose to close. So, if the water was deep or began to move, I felt panicked. And not at ease. I stayed in shallow and safe water most of the time and tried to hide the fact that I wasn’t a confident swimmer.

Now, the best swimmer in our family is my Dad. I loved watching him. He loved the water. And so many times, he would do the “dead man float.” It’s basically where you lie face down in the water, perfectly relaxed, and it almost looks like your dead. I remember seeing many a lifeguard look nervously at my Dad- because he could hold that position for so long. J

The dictionary actually says the dead man float is also called the Survivor Float and it’s a key float to learn. If you’re ever in a situation where you have to save your energy or you’re in deep water, doing this float can save your life.

But I think it’s hard for us to be still, to lay like we’re dead. We like to stay in control, to make moves.

But what God seems to be reminding me about this float is it’s like getting on the cross and staying there. I believe God is calling all of us to that place of trust, a place of surrender.

In all areas of my life, am I allowing God to lead me? Or are there places in my mind and heart or parts of my day where I’m making moves or doing things without asking Him for His leadership?  Am I really surrendering in all areas to God?

For God says…

Luke 9:23

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wanst to save their life, will lose it. But if you lose your life for me, you will save it.

Psalm 46

Be still and know that I am God…… He is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and… though the waters roar… the Lord Almighty is with us…

Psalm 37

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him… Be still and wait patiently for Him…

What makes one move out of that place of surrender? That place of stillness and trust of God’s timing?

Lots of things make us move without seeking God’s leadership first…

Storms can come and make us nervous. Just like the disciples when a storm came and waves began to crash against the boat they were in … they freaked out, thinking they were going to drown. Jesus was napping.  We get nervous in storms.

Then we see Peter doing a great act of faith, walking on the water towards Jesus. But when He took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the waves around him, He began to sink.

Then other times, we see things we want immediately, maybe a relationship or a new job and before we seek God about it, we move. Thinking if we don’t move or don’t fight to get that thing at that moment, we’ll lose it.

Sometimes we move because an enemy, like a shark, begins to circle. And we move off the cross of obedience where God has called us to be because we don’t want to get beaten or lose something.

But I believe what God is saying to me is that in my own life, I have to be doing the dead man float in ALL areas. To stay in a place of trust, every day submitting first to the leadership of Jesus in my life.

Now am I suggesting, to not move ever? To be lazy in life? No way. Following Jesus requires obedient ready moves.  It’s hard and life is not easy. You have to work hard to make relationships work and to get things done.

 

But I feel like God is saying the key is to be still first so you can hear Him and then He will tell you the next move. He will tell you when and where and how and with who. He says... Trust me. Listen to me. Let me lead you, I can. Stay yoked with me!!!

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

And thankfully, there’s a rest that comes when someone else is leading. We have a good leader, the best leader, the Good Shepherd, who died so we can live. We can trust Him!

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes to me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Remembering that...

Philippians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ, and yet I live!

In surrender, He leads us. And we then have nothing to fear!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for this Lent season for me, as I listen for God’s leadership in all areas of my life. I want to surrendered to His will and be at my best for Him. I want to seek Him first and most.

-Hope College started their semester this week, please pray as my workload doubles, that God will give me good time management and creativity in lesson planning. And more than anything opportunities to share about Him.

-ETC classes continue to go well. I’m enjoying the three classes I’m teaching: Cross Cultural Communication; Small Group Ministry; and Evangelism and Discipleship. Please pray God will continue to build the church here in Ethiopia through our staff team of instructors and in our fellowship with each other. What an honor it is to be with these students!

 

 

 

-All of my Hope small group  Bible study members are graduating this July. As I finale with these dear students, may these final months be ones of growth and unity as I run the final lap with them.  Please pray for them as many start businesses and apply for work and graduate school.  We had a slumber party for the girls last weekend which will be in heart always. Visiting with each other and the neighbor's kids, so fun. :-) What an honor it has been to live life with these students!

 

 

-Please keep my family in prayer. They’re doing great! My parents continue to bless many. And my sister is still in Ohio working for our home church in missions. Please pray God strategically uses her as our church and country moves forward.  It’s a critical time!

Thank you for your prayers. And know I appreciate each of you so much! Please let me know how I can pray for you as well this Lent season.

May this countdown to Easter for each of us be one where God also calls us to a place of deeper trust in Him!