Fiddlers Convention '09

Friday night some of the kids decided to enter the Berlin Fiddler's convention. Without much preparation, the Lord moved and blessed them and others through them. Definitely not polished. The Lord can do a lot with a little. So, Saturday, they gave it a whirl.
Summer competed in Fiddle and Mandolin.
Sophie in Fiddle.
David, Sophie and Summer in Youth Band which they decided 20 minutes before their category. Dad had to run home a get David's violin!!

Summer placed 1st in Mandolin! She was excellent and completely self-taught!
They decided to play as a Band about 20 mins before they had to go on, taught David the words and how to play "2 dollar bill" on the violin. They decided on Mississippi Mud Truck and Amazing Grace and 2 Dollar Bill and placed 2nd! They were wonderful! Jonathan and Ruby were ready to play with them but....Jonathan, when he got on stage, ran off the stage and took off down the rode carrying his violin as the crowd urged him to play. As dad put Ruby on stage, of course it was a long day without a nap she cried and jumped down into daddy's arms.

How could we have done all this without the help of our good friends and neighbors, the Hammer family. They picked up Summer and Sophie at 9:30 so they could be there to register at 10 am and stayed with them until we arrived. They continued to help us all through the long day by holding kids and baby, running to and fro, encouraging the children, giving a cold drink, and lending Summer the mandolin to play on!!! We owe you, Hammers!!!


I am so proud of them!

-Lisa

Yet Again

I will be (trying) to write the whole story behind how this trip even came about and how God has shown me His incredible love and grace through it... again and again and again.


This trip came about last year actually. My Mom had found NISM (Newlife International School of Midwifery) while researching for Christian Midwives on Google. I applied for the school's BS program, a 3 year program, back in Jan. I didn't make it in to the school so I thought I would apply next Jan. I couldn't say exactly why I felt the Lord leading me in this direction. I had a couple of guesses but nothing absolutely cut in stone.
Then the Lord opened the door for an internship. I was excited but unsure if this was the Lord... the biggest deal, for me, was funds. I just had no clue how I was going to pay for it. I knew the Lord could provide but my little human-brain couldn't figure out how He was going to do it.

While still praying about the internship I received a check in the mail from Wor-Wic ,the community college I had been attending, for almost the exact amount I needed to cover the room and board fee!
I have absolutely no idea why I received the check but am just in awe that He provided in a way I never thought possible.

How quickly I forget His awesomeness.

I spent a lot of time searching for a flight that didn't spend over 4 hours in any layover and/or wouldn't stay over night in Manila, as NISM had recommended. I was having a hard time and getting frustrated. The only flights that met that criteria were quite a bit more expensive then the ones that did have long layover and all-nighters.
Finally I laid it down, didn't search for about a week, and just wanted the Lord to take care of it.

He did... of course. Why do I doubt? Why do I only give it to Him after I am frustrated?


.....to be continued.

Happy New Year!

Shana Tova!
Today at sundown marks the start of the year 5770. Rosh Hashanah is the start of the Jewish new year.

So have a happy rosh hashanah dinner and an amazing God filled year!

Today and Forever

"It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis". -James Thurber

"... I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever". Psalm 23:6

How do we dwell in the Spirit? In the House of the Lord? In Peace? In anything, good or bad?

By staying, day by day, minute by minute.
I must make a conscience decision to stay in peace, love, and joy even when the going gets tough... because that's when it matters most.

So Long, Farewell....

...well, not exactly. :-)



I will be leaving mid October to intern for a month with Newlife International School of Midwifery in the Philippines.


http://www.midwifeschool.org/Home.htm


It is going to be exciting, scary and most of all stretching.
I can't believe I am really going. Please pray for me that God would guide and provide the perfect travel plans. I don't want to waiver or doubt in this moment. I have made enough mistakes already and want only what the Lord wants for my life. Years ago I decided that since the Lord gave His life for me the least I could do was to give Him my life. So here I am today, following where He is leading even if I don't really see or understand why.

But then if I could see and understand it wouldn't be trusting, now would it?

How silly I can be sometimes.... most of the time. :-)
Why shouldn't I trust my Maker? It is absolutely mind-boggling to think that I would know better then the Lord of all the Earth how to handle any situation. But that's what I am doing. When I don't trust, when I don't do or say what He has told me then I am acting like I know best. The truth is that the Lord said "He would never leave me nor forsake me" and that " all things work together for good" for me! Everything. Everything.

I can see myself now:

"Wow Lord! You are so amazing! Look at the awesomeness of all you have created, from the magnitude of the Heavens to the depth of the oceans. You are so...so... wonderful. Words don't even begin to describe. I surrender my life to You. I want what you want in every area of my life."

God: "You have said it."

Me: "Umm... (nervous laugh) what are You doing?"

God: "Exactly what you asked for, My will."

Me: "What are you crazy!? That's not what I wanted.. I mean what You wanted. You gave me these dreams, these desires, right? Aren't they part of Your will? What are You doing with them?!"

God: "Until you let go of them you will always be in subjection to them instead of to Me. If they are part of My plan I will restore: pressed down, shaken, and running over."

Me: "But... (sniffle) I can't. I've built my life on them. I don't want to let go. They are a comfort zone to me. I can always run to them. You can't be doing this for my good. It hurts too much."

God: "I know. So many times I have wanted to comfort you with a peace that will never leave you but you have run to other things, other people. Will you surrender? Will you give your life for Me just as I have given it for you? Will you pray as Jesus, Not my will but Thine be done?"

Yes.
Lord, sometimes the way has seemed hard, that You were asking too much but you haven't. Help me to always die to my fleshly desires and to serve You in anyway You see fit. My all I do and all I say draw others to You. I want to be like the moon and reflect the Son's light, having no light of it's own.