Thursday, February 9, 2012

God's Grand Adventure in my life!

Dear Family & Friends,                                                                                                     February 2012

                God has been doing a mighty work in my life the past few months!  Here is my story written and orchestrated by God. When I became a teacher I told God that I wanted to serve Him in the mission field over the summer. Almost every summer I would go on a mission trip to somewhere overseas. I got the opportunity to visit Honduras, Mexico, and South Africa. This past summer I led a mission team back to South Africa. In all of this I was still searching for God’s will in my life in regards to missions. I had also been praying for 10 years for a Godly Husband. On November 13th, 2011 God started revealing to me His awesome plan for my life.
         November 13th was Missionary Sunday at McDonough Christian Church. We had invited our missionaries to come for the National Missionary Convention in Atlanta and to also come to the church and speak about what God was doing with their mission. That was the day that I met Arian Kosta. Arian is an Albanian who serves God by preaching at a church in Durres, Albania and a house church in Kavaje. He also runs a clinic out of the church. From the moment I met him I knew he was a Godly man. We started talking and got to spend a little time with each other. I could not understand why but I was drawn to Arian. I wanted to know more about him and his service to the people of Albania. He left Georgia soon after but we continued to talk through email and skype. Our love for each other continued to grow. Before he left for Albania he took another trip to Georgia to spend the weekend with me and my family. That weekend he asked my father for permission to marry me. My dad said that he couldn’t have given me to a better man. So then Arian asked me to marry him and I accepted! I am going for spring break to spend a week with Arian and his family in Albania. We will be getting married in America on July 14th and again in Albania on August 19th.

                As we see God’s plan unfold it is even more than we could have imagined on our own. We have trusted God and are following in His will for our lives. My favorite verse is Galatians 6:9-Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I have not given up and I am ready to go serve the people of Albania. When I move to Albania, I will be working very hard to learn the Albanian language to be able to speak to the people. I will be working with Arian serving the women and children in both the church in Durres and Kavaje. My long term goal is to start an English program at the church where adults and children can learn English at little or no cost. There is much to be done for the Kingdom of God! Luke 10:2-The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.  Isaiah 6:8-Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
           This is where I need your help. I am willing to go but this is not an easy task. Most importantly I need your constant prayers through all of this.  I know that with God all things are possible. Matthew 18:20- For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.  Please pray for my transition, our marriage, and our service to the people of Albania. I am also raising support to be a missionary in Albania. If God is leading you, I need support on a one time or monthly basis. No matter what I would love for you to be a part of our life and our service to God and the Albanian people.

Zoti te bekofte! (God bless you!)

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Some Words Go a Long Way

When I was a little girl my mom would always say "Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you". I can't believe that my mom told such a horrific lie! The words that people say can bring you up or knock you down very quickly. This week God allowed my words to be used to comfort a confused student. I teach ESOL- English to Speakers of Other Languages. I got a new student straight from Mexico. He was placed in a 1st grade class where he had no clue what everyone was saying. I went to check on the student after lunch and his teacher said that he had been crying all day. I called him over and started to speak Spanish to him telling him that he was ok and that he would be alright. He engulfed me in the biggest hug I have ever gotten from a student. By the time I left he had the biggest smile on his face. I think that he blessed my heart as much as I blessed his. He was very excited to hear that someone spoke his language. How do you use your words? Do you use the to bless or to curse people? Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29.  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do (or SAY), do it all for the glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Joyful Sadness

What is Joyful Sadness to you? I have experienced Joyful Sadness many times. It is definitely the worst sadness to have. It is the feeling that you have when you are leaving a mission trip. You are joyful to be going home but sad to be leaving something where God has changed your life. Joyful sadness is hard. It is very hard to be joyful in sad times. Even though you know things are for the best things are very tough. My saddest times are when people I love move far away. I know that God has called them to serve somewhere else, but when someone has made such an impact on your life it is hard to let them go. After a while the sadness goes away but you still think of and miss that person. I know that God has experienced joyful sadness as well. When He let his son (Jesus) die on the cross it had to be the hardest sadness anyone could have ever felt. I bet it was hard to be joyful in that situation. I know that God walks with me and helps me get through the ups and downs in life. I am glad that He is by me guiding me down the pathway we call life. Even in the sad times Rejoice always, pray without ceasing in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you! 1Thessalonians 5:16-18. But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:25. May God be with you even in Joyful Sadness!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

The Road Less Traveled

Usually on Sunday I park in the back parking lot and walk to church along an unpaved path filled with dirt, rocks, and wood chips. Most of the time, I walk this path alone and it is hard to navigate this path with any type of church shoe. Today I noticed that now the path that was already hard to walk was even harder because it was starting to get grown up with weeds. Thankfully, today I had a friend walk the narrow path with me. This leads me to think about the path that I am on. Sometimes the path that we are on has difficult twists and turns and even some weeds.We have things of this world that we let tear us from our path (or focus on God). Things like negativity, complaining, arguing, and bitterness take us away from our direction and focus. We need people in our lives who can help us stay on the path that God has laid out for us. I try to plant flowers (good Christian friends) instead of weeds along my path. I also try to fill up others with encouragement to give them joy. I must remember that Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my Path Psalm 119:105 and Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your Path Proverbs 3:5-6. Along my path I will look to see that "Old Rugged Cross" and the blood that was shed for me and I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:14!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Where are you going?

Over 200,000 people drive through Atlanta daily. Where are they going? What are they thinking about while they are sitting in traffic? They are multi-tasking by chatting, eating, or texting as they drive.  I was wondering about all of this today as I was driving through town. People in their busy lives are thinking about the million things that they have on their "to do" list. I wonder if spending time with God is on their "to do" list. What about yours? Where are they going? Do they really know where they are going? It might seem as if work and money are important but until your eternal future is planned, nothing in this world matters. I took this time to think about what God is trying to tell me. Where is he leading me? Am I doing well in following him or do I let things of this world take my attention off Him? I am trying my best to keep my eyes firmly planted on God and his purpose for me. While I sit in traffic I want to pray for others and gaze at the clouds and embrace the beauty that God has all around us! My mind turns to the old hymn: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. So remember 1 Corinthians 10:31- Therefore, whether you eat or drink, (or drive), or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Just Starting

I am thinking about starting this blog. We'll see what happens. I would really like to post things that God is revealing to me. God continually shows me things all the time. Let's see how well this works! :)