"HER CHILDREN SHALL ARISE AND CALL HER BLESSED"

For the past nineteen years, I have been blessed to hold the title of Mom.  The Mirriam Webster dictionary defines Mom in three parts: a female parent, a woman in authority and an elderly woman.

When I looked this up I was rather disappointed.  While I could probably claim any of the three at different times of the day, they don't make my role sound as beautiful as our Father's definition in Proverbs 31.  But then when I read Proverbs 31, it's hard for me to insert my picture beside it.  Like most women I suppose I take my definition from the examples of my mother and my grandmother.  I look back and remember my grandmother keeping my cousin and I in line with her list of rules; no running in the house and cleaning your plate before you leave the dinner table.  But above that I remember the feeling of safety and love I felt when I was with her.  When I recall my mother's care it takes me back to Christmases with countless gifts and a perfect meal, I remember my yard sale buddy and the one who helped me pick out my wedding dress.  I so wish my daughter Madison could have had both women throughout her years as I did.  But the Lord saw fit to take them both before she would turn 4 years old.

There are so many days I would give anything to be the wonderful "mother" they were.  I think if we were all honest we all live in the shadow of our mothers to one extreme or the other.  For many years our family lived what this world would call the American dream.  Both my husband and I had good careers, we took great vacations and I was even in the PTA! But in 2013, God revealed that he wanted a different title for our family...missionaries.  Now, five years later we are living the missionary life. We've never felt more fulfilled in our lives. But I know that many of you can relate when I say that in our world's eyes and even some Christian's eyes, we have failed our daughter.  While on deputation I had one woman tell me that it wasn't fair to our daughter for us to take her from her friends just, so we could become missionaries while one of my daughter's friends shared that her parents said we should wait (five years) when she would be out of school and then go to the mission field.  I must say that there are days when I am down and Satan whispers in my ear and says they were right.  We've lost a lot of friends in this journey to follow God's call.  But then come those days like this week when ministering to ones God has called us to, I look up and there is my daughter serving the Lord right beside me. In a living picture where God confirms in me that His plans are best.  She's happy, she's loving and best of all her life is reflecting her Lord.  Her life is calling me blessed. Maybe, just maybe I can claim a little piece of that Proverbs 31 woman after all.

I know this Mother's Day, many of you will be far away from your mothers and/or your children.  Maybe like me your mother has passed. May God bless you with comfort and love this special day.  For the moms who still have your children close by your side, may God bless you with a day filled with hugs and smiles.  For all of you please know that I will be praying for you on this special day.  May God bless each of you  and lets you know how invaluable you are in the role He created you for, Mother. 

^" Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

                                                                                                              Proverbs 31:28

Toppling the Pedestal

We’ve all been there at least once in our ministry life.  You know the place I am talking about…that pesky pedestal.  In my much younger years and early in my marriage and ministry life, I always placed missionaries high up on that pedestal.  

They had a special calling from God.  They had a unique and vibrant relationship with the Lord that I could only dream about.  They were able to trust the Lord no matter what came their way.  They faced dangers, illness, loneliness and persecution without flinching.  Hebrews 11 often came to my mind.  

“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

For years, missionaries sat perched up there in my mind.  I only saw them once every four years or so, if that. That 10-15 minute presentation along with their testimonies was all I ever saw of their life.  They were the perfect Christian…unable to do any wrong…and then I became one.

I knew I was so unworthy.  I wasn’t like all the other missionaries.  I had/have so many fears.  I did not always “count it with all joy” when illness after illness struck for two years in a row.  I do not always face loneliness with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.  The persecutions I have faced were nothing compared to some parts of the world, but to me they felt so very real.  Yes, I was not always facing these things without “flinching.”

Then I started to talk to other missionary women and I realized that we were all pretty much the same.  If we are willing to be transparent and share our struggles with one another, others will realize that we are normal.  We don’t have to be up on that pedestal.  Not only that, but we can“comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

We do have a special calling from the Lord.  He called us to go.  But my calling is no different than the one that was called to stay.  We all have a calling from God on our life.  We all are supposed to be “missionaries”  wherever we are.  The early church was called to be witnesses at home first and then spread out “to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

Missionaries do need to have a vibrant relationship with their Lord. Having said that, it doesn’t have to be unusual or unique.  We are all told to know our God.  Daniel 11:32 tells us that “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”  That applies to the missionary as well as to the Christian serving in the same town they were born and raised in.  

I do not always trust the Lord as I should.  My ability to trust Him is directly related to how well I know Him.  We had a young female intern with us in recent years.  When she asked how she could prepare for a future on the mission field, she was not expecting the answer I gave.  Although there were all kind of practical things that she could do to prepare, my answer was “know your God.”  If she learned to know her God and trust Him, everything else would fall into place.  I believe that with all my heart.  

We never stop changing and growing.  I am now in the empty nest stage of life with adult children that are stateside.  I have aging parents that I often long to be with.  Things happen from time to time that could send me in a tailspin.  These are all situations that should drive me to my knees and bring about a greater knowledge of my God.  

After the great faith chapter of Hebrews 11, chapter 12 goes on to say, 

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

We can endure just as they did.  These verses tell us how.  

         

         1)  Follow their example.

         2)  Lay aside the weight and sins that holds you back.

         3)  Run or endure with patience what God has called you to do,

              whether it is at home or abroad.  

         4)  Most important of all, keep your eyes on Jesus.  He is our 

              ultimate example.  When we are weary and we want to quit, 

              consider Him and all that He endured.  Know your God!

Instead of putting others up on that pedestal and feeling like you will never measure up, let us each strive to emulate Jeremiah 9:23-24.  

“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

*****

If you long to know your God, but you don’t know where to start, I would like to recommend Mardi Collier’s study, What do I know about my God?  This method of study has been very helpful to me and others over the years.  If you would like to read more about this life-changing study, click here. If you are serving in Japan, we have a handout written by Mardi that explains this study and helps you get started that has been translated into Japanese with her permission.  I would be happy to share it with you.  Please email me to request it at lifeinthe10.40window (at) gmail.com.

Bow-Tie Pasta - With Video

Bow-Tie Pasta

You would think pasta would be hard to make, but it’s actually very easy! Like most homemade things it is a little time consuming, but totally worth it! 

This recipe is really nice because you can cut the dough into whatever kind of shaped pasta you want! 

If you want ravioli just make two squares and put filling in the center.
 Leave enough space on the sides to put an egg wash and seal the ravioli. 

If you want fettuccini just cut the noodles to the desired width. 

This recipe makes awesome lasagna noodles! Boil the noodles and make your lasagna as you normally would!

What you’ll need:

10 ounces of flour (2 1/2 cups) 

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons water 

1 1/2 tablespoons oil

2 eggs

Mix the flour and salt together.

Make a well in the flour.

Add water, oil, and eggs.

Mix and then knead the dough until it is smooth. 

Divide dough. 

Chill for 30 minutes. 

Divide again. 

(The reason I divide the dough is just because it’s easier to work with a quarter of the dough instead of all of it or half.) 

Roll dough out until you reach the desired thickness. 

Cut dough into one inch wide strips. 

Cut strips into two inch long pieces. 

Pinch the center of each piece to make a bow-tie. 

Dust sheet pan with cornstarch.

Place bow-ties on sheet pan. 

Freeze the pasta until ready to boil. 

Boil for three to four minutes. 

Remove. 

Strain. 

Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy! 

I normally double this recipe for my family of seven. (We have three growing teenage boys) 

I hope you enjoy making these noodles as much as I do! A good friend taught me how to make bow-ties, and I think of her every time I make them!

Yep...I did that

     It is Monday morning and sometimes the pressures of ministry are weighing heavy on our hearts and minds. As I talked about in my original post, "Please Let Me Introduce Myself," I continually have things in life that happen to make me know that life isn't always serious and if you can't laugh, life would be just plain boring. While my last post about the banana bread was more serious and a great story about God working in the heart of a young lady, today's post is just a good old-fashioned funny story. I hope it makes you laugh as it has done with many others before you.

    When my older girls were younger, and we had recently bought our house, a local hardware store was going out of business. Being the frugal person that I was (and still am), I thought that getting a good price on things to help upgrade the house would be a great idea. So off I went with my two daughters and my good friend, who always helped me when it came to decorating, to find some great deals.
   After spending a few long hours in the store, and looking in nearly every department I think, we were on our way to the checkout, when I saw something that interested me. It was wooden chair rails. You know, the wooden pieces that divide a room in order to put paint or wall paper on the bottom half and do something different on the top half. (This used to be a popular interior design, although I think it is probably not as popular today.) These planks were about nine feet long and looked to have an oak finish to them. I thought that I had the perfect place to put them, but I wondered one thing. How do the ends match up? I mean I was sure that there was some way that they fit together, but did they cut them so that the wood grain matched? I enlisted my friend to help me see.
     I directed her to hold one while I took another one and lifted it to see how it matched up with hers. Well, as you can imagine, nine feet is pretty long, and I should have checked to see if there was anything, or anyone, behind me...but I didn't. As I lifted it to meet hers, I felt it bump something. She was standing facing me and the look on her face could be described as total shock--I can still see her standing there with her mouth open. I turned around to see a man who was short in stature, putting his hand on his forehead and pulling it away clearly checking to see if it was bleeding. While I knew that he was not hurt--it was pretty light weight and there was no cut or even scrap on his head, I did feel terrible about what I had done and apologized. I turned around to see that my friend's expression had changed from shock to hysterical laughter.
     After grabbing my children we left the store, without purchasing anything that we had so diligently gathered and spent the next half hour in the car laughing to the point of tears and laughing to the point of breathlessness--you know the kind that happens when no sound comes out. Over the years, this is one story that can bring laughter between friends. I hope it helped to make you smile and give you a good start to your Monday. Have a great week serving our awesome God!!

              Psalm 126:2  Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

By Sherrie Lester

Scriptures From Around the World - Germany

Old Missionaries Never Die

General Douglas McArthur, in his farewell speech said, “the old never die, they just fade away.”

What happens to old missionaries? Usually there are two tracks: retirement and dying on the field.

Have you given them any thought? (Don’t feel bad if you haven’t. My husband and I didn’t until we were close to sixty.) Our co-workers retired—and they’re actively serving the Lord now. Good friends retired—also still active in the Lord’s work. A close friend passed away. Other good friends want to stay on the field until the Lord takes them home. That’s how God led them.

What happens to old missionaries? Do they just fade away?

The brutal truth is yes. As we get older—my husband says it’s the year he turned sixty-two—we physically have less stamina. We might have infirmities or not, but all of us slow down a little. This doesn’t mean men can’t pastor until they’re eighty, and it doesn’t mean older people are worthless. We just move and think slower, and our ministries need to be a little less run-run. For me, my ministry changed radically because of the needs of the church. A missionary works with the people God gives him. The ministry ebbs and flows. Our near-and-over-sixty missionary friends are doing all kinds of things. Some are starting new churches. Others are focusing on training the next generation. And, some are working on finding a pastor for the church that they began. Some are providing support and help for their adult missionary kids.

Older missionary women become mentors and teachers. It’s the way it should be. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded (Titus 2:1-6).

To retire or not to retire, that is the question. (Sorry, Shakespeare!) Is there a right or wrong? Well, maybe it depends on your theology. (I hear some amens.) Do Christ’s servants retire? No. Once signed up, it’s for life. Is it sin to have a change of ministry? Is it wrong to leave the field because of health problems? Of course not. God leads and gives peace.

Let me share some true examples with you:

• Many years ago, a missionary friend went back home to care for his ailing parents. He was an only child, and one parent was ill and the other suffered from Alzheimer’s. Was he right to leave the field? Yes, absolutely. After his parents passed away, he founded a Hispanic church in a needy part of the country.
• A young missionary wife suffered from multiple serious health conditions. Were they right to seek medical treatment back home? Of course. I am happy to report she has since had a specialized surgery completely changing her quality of life—and she’s a published author and advocate for trafficked women. Her husband has recently begun a new ministry.
• An elderly pastor felt sincerely that, if and when he could get a native pastor for his church, he would be able to retire. It took many more years than he would have wished, but now, a young native pastors the church, and the work is thriving. The older couple retired, and now they are helping a church plant.
• Other missionary friends served on different mission fields filling in for those on furlough. God led him to represent a mission board, and now he preaches all over the U.S. and the world, encouraging missionaries as he goes.

Does God lead different people in different ways? Absolutely. It is amazing how He directs circumstances to help us see His way. Then, He confirms it.

I have no idea how God will lead you. Will you retire or will you live your final days on the field? Ask God for His direction. Follow that path, and watch Him open and close doors for you.

… And, never, ever retire from serving God!

One of my missionary heroes is David Livingstone, the Scot who traveled all over Africa, learning native languages and cultures, and spreading the gospel. When he passed away, May 1, 1873 in Chitambo’s Village, the natives didn’t want his body shipped back to England for burial. They insisted that his heart belonged to Africa. When they finally gave in, they cut out his heart and buried it under a mpundu tree. His body is buried in Westminster Abbey.

May our hearts always belong to our field, wherever God may guide. I know a great part of me will always feel Spanish-Basque. I have lived my best years here, raised my family here, and invested in friends young and old. I’ve cried my most bitter tears in this place and suffered mocking and persecution. I’ve also witnessed miracles of transformed lives and watched people get the vision to serve God. Disappointments are part of life, but they seem exaggerated when you are in the Lord’s work. On the flipside, the surprises and joys of ministry are the best thing in the whole wide world. They leave me in awe of my great God.

But, you know what? I think the best ministry God ever did here was His to me, personally. Because I followed His leadership, He graciously taught me. He held my hand through the darkest days and nights, encouraged me to meditate on Him (not on people), and used His Word in my life in a way that leaves me with my heart full of gratitude. Had I stayed home, I don’t think this would have happened in the same way.

The icing on the cake is different for every missionary woman. For me, it is art and travel. I had no idea when we said yes to Spain that we would be able to see the greatest art and architecture at every turn. On our family vacations, we saw most of France and Spain and even traveled over to Austria and Switzerland one time. The beauty of just about every town in Europe is impossible to capture in mere words or photos. For me, the history and beauty is the icing on my cake.

Old missionaries never die. They have a hope of heaven. They may fade away, and they may even move location, but they never die. Praise God for the promise of eternal life!

That being justified by his grace,

we should be made heirs

according to the hope of eternal life.

(Titus 3:7)

May the Lord find us faithful!

by Lou Ann Keiser, in Basque Spain since 1984

Mayonnaise - With Video

Mayonnaise

Homemade mayonnaise is so good! That’s all there is to it! I’ve never liked the stuff from the store, and I especially didn’t like the stuff we got when we first came here to Papua New Guinea! My grandma showed my mom how to make mayo when we first came to PNG in 2008. This recipe is easy, and tastes delicious! You can use this mayo any way you would use the stuff you can get from the store. It makes good dips and salad dressings, and is great on sandwiches! 

What you’ll need 

One egg 

One tablespoon lemon juice (or vinegar) 

One teaspoon salt (or, better yet, season salt)

One cup oil 

In a blender blend the egg, lemon juice, and salt. Then slowly....VERY SLOWLY....pour the oil into the mixer. If you pour the oil in too fast the mayo won’t be thick. Pour the oil in a thin, steady stream. Once all the oil has been poured in stop the blender and check the mayo. Should be wonderfully thick! 

If it’s not, don’t worry, that’s an easy fix. Pour the liquid mayo into a dish and add another egg to the blender. Then slowly pour the liquid mayo back into the blender. Remember....VERY SLOWLY....! 

I hope you enjoy this! This mayo is so simple and easy to make, and it tastes so much better then any mayo from any store in any country....in my opinion.