The Psalm below was underlined in the Bible that my dad had when he passed away. I have read it numerous times over the past year and it has become one of my favorites. I love the stories and music that aren't afraid to tell the truth of how they are feeling. David is crying out to God in so much pain and yet he clings to this sliver of hope that is strung throughout the Psalm. I can not only see and feel David's pain and my own; but also the pain and regret my dad had for the choices he made and the demons he faced. It is my heart cry so many times when I become so lost in my own pain, confusion, and anger.
Psalm 6
1. O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath.
2. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
3. My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord -- how long?
4. Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5. For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who will give you praise?
6. I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
7. My eye wastes away because of grief;
it grows weak because of all my foes.
8. Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9. The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord accepts my prayer.
10. All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.
Sometimes we have to fight for what we know to be true, even when our heart isn't in agreement. The battle between your mind and your heart can be an extremely violent one too.
Now onto other news...:) Since I last posted, I went to New York City with the YoPros (Young Professionals) group. We not only did touristy things (which was a ton of fun), but our bigger purpose was to distribute food from Midwest Food Bank to the Love Kitchen and Teen Challenge. We were able to listen to testimonies at both places, which were really incredible! Also, one morning we went to the streets of the Bronx, stood on the corners, and asked if we could pray with people and share the Gospel. This was a totally new experience for me and shoved me far outside any borders of my comfort zone!! Not gonna lie...I wanted to run away when we first got there...just kinda blend into the crowd and disappear.:) Not that I don't want to tell other people about Christ, because I do!! No, I think it had more to do with the fact that I knew if it was me walking by and noticed people asking to pray for others (sadly, even as a Christian)..I would have walked on the other side of the street. It just makes me uncomfortable. No matter, I think it is really important to learn how to do ministry in all different kinds of ways. Even though it might not be your "style." It is good to experience the different ways and learn from each. Different "styles" need to be used to reach different people! And guess what?? I would totally do it again!!!
Top NYC Highlights
Brooklyn Tabernacle Church
Love Kitchen - handing out food & testimonies
Singing in a subway car
Ground Zero
Running in Central Park
Ate an Elk burger
Talking to a man from Burkina Faso in very...very broken French:)
In November I went to Illinois for the Knobloch Christmas and then I made then trek up to MinnesOta for Thanksgiving and the Schmidgall Christmas. I then repeated my trip to MN again in December to celebrate Christmas on the actual holiday with my family. :) I surprised my mom by coming several days earlier than I had told her. I actually spent an entire week and a half there!! It was so nice to be able to see people in smaller groups over a period of time, rather then everyone at once. It allowed me to be able to build and catch up on all the relationships! I loved being able to relax, hang out with my family, do puzzles, and eat (of course). While I was home, my sister was baptized. It was super amazing to hear her testimony and watch her make a covenant with God. I have watched her grow so much...even from so far away. She is one amazing girl!:)
During my time in MN, my cousin asked me to go snowboarding, since he had two free lift tickets...so what do you think I said...? We rocked it out on the slopes....and then rocked in pain the rest of the day and a couple days after.:) Yep...one too many jumps. I actually gave my hip a pretty good beating up and to this day it is still a little sore at times. :} No matter, we were champs and even that evening when we could hardly move, we both...or at least I stated, that I would do it again in a heartbeat. :)
Interesting Tidbits:
- I cooked a cow tongue for the first time! Delicious!!! Tastes like a very tender roast!! A couple of my residents actually tried it too!!!
- It has now been over 3 years since I had originally moved to Haiti!! Where does time go???
- For this years church Christmas program, I had the privilege of playing the piano! Loved it:)
- I am pretty much famous now......while in NYC a small group of us were asked to be in a music video! Here is the link if you want to check us out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=N8_Ex19QMv4 We are debuted around second 34 and again at 4:40. My signature as pretty much doubled in worth. - Halloween supper at Hickory House: Rats, Bones dipped in blood, Ghosts, and Pumpkin
Globe outside of Central Park
Partial skyline from a hill in CP
My scrumptious Elk Burger
On the streets in the Bronx
Ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty
MN license plate:)
Chillin' in CP
Ice Skating with the cousins....it was the clearest picture of Abby and ISorry mom....love you!!:)
Sami, me, Abby
How I rocked the ice fishing over Christmas....
Until next time....
