Update on Mom #2

Mom came home last night around 10pm. Best anyone can tell the pain was stress related (due to finances).

Please continue to pray for my parents as the Holy Spirit leads, obviously their greatest need is the Savior. As I'm sure each of has experienced, the Lord often uses the pressures of life to bring us to a place of crying out for His mercy. Lord, may they cry out soon!

This situation has given Brianna and I the opportunity to revisit what we know, and believe, about God. Brianna was sharing with me last night (before we knew my mom was released) that she is scared that she will lose Grandma, and that Grandma has not given her life to the Lord. We talked about how nothing a person does or doesn't do shortens our life, but that God has always known exactly how long He will allow each of us to live on this earth. And that we have nothing to fear because NOTHING can change the time and day God has already ordained Grandma's life here to end.

Brianna was comforted by this reminder that God "already knows". I am humbled by her example...I am challenged to ask myself if I am comforted just knowing God already knows _____. I can put so many things into this blank...How about you? In any given situation in your life are you comforted knowing that God already knows how He will rescue you from your circumstances, that God already knows if/how He will save your loved ones, that God already knows the plan for every minute of your life?

I got an email today from one of my best friends who found God comforting him in the wee hours of the night by a prophetic word from a few years ago. I know many of us can use to hear this today...may God's plan to be your Comforter bring you peace! Please let me know how I can pray for you today!

Brianna and I are continuing to pray for God to save Grandma, Pop, and several other family members, and we welcome you to join us!

Let's see what God will do!

Amazed by His grace,
Colleen

Word for today...
Are you complaining and grumbling about "where you are"? Then know that you haven't asked to see the good; I AM waiting to show you My glory in the hardship, but you MUST ask, for as certain as the circumstances you face look hard , know that ever greater and more certain is My Glory that will be revealed to you, in you and through you as you SEEK the good in every situation you face. Look for the good, for therein it lies.

Update on my mom...

Thank you so much for praying! My mom is staying in the hospital this evening...Her thyroid is severely out of whack and although the other 4 docs have released her, someone wants the endocrinologist to see her before her release.

My mom sounds much better than my dad, although I think Dad will make it through. =D

For those of you in Atlanta who have asked if there is anything you can do, feel free to serve however the Lord lays it on your heart. (Most of you know right where they live.) A friendly face and/or a yummy meal always do wonders!

Thanks again for praying! How I love to be a part of the body of Christ!

Well, I'm off to bed! I'll update tomorrow once I know if Mom's home or if they've found another problem.

Thanks again!

Prayer for my mom...

My dad left a message on my cell phone this morning while I was busy working...He said my mom is in the hospital and the hospital does not know what is wrong with her, and that he was on his way to the hospital. Translation: Mom has been in the hospital at least overnight.

I guessed she was in Wellstar Hospital and called the hospital (11am) where they verified that she is indeed admitted there. The nurses told me she had gone down for a stress test at 8am and she was not back on the floor yet.

I just spoke with my mom (12:30pm). She says she had pains in her back that went through to her chest, and it was not a "normal back pain". She went to the hospital sometime yesterday. She also stated her sugar levels are out of control even through she has not eaten since yesterday. THANKFULLY she was brought a food tray while we were talking.

Please pray for my mom, Doris Stemmler, and her doctors. The greatest cry of my heart is that my mom will accept the Lord...that if today she hears His voice she will not harden her heart. Father God, please draw my mom to you in this time of need. May she have eyes to see and ears to hear YOU!

Please also pray for my dad, George, that he may come to know the Lord through this. With my brothers and I out of town my dad - I can only imagine - must feel all alone right now. My dad doesn't get rattled easily or often, but this is the one situation that gets him every time. Oh Lord, please let my dad hear Your voice and know that YOU are his Comforter!

Thank you for praying! I can't wait to see God's faithfulness worked out! =D

Amazed by His grace,
Colleen

It has been over 2 months since I went to Haiti. My week in Jacmel was one I can't imagine ever forgetting.

Thank you to all of you who supported me on this trip, practically, prayerfully and financially. Your investment in the Gospel is very real!

I am still asked (regularly) "How was Haiti?" And each time I hear that question I am overcome with the realization that God's faithfulness was constant. He didn't just get me there, but He sustained me there. He didn't just let me go there, He used me there for His purposes. He didn't just let me survive Haiti, He let me flourish there.

Oh, how amazing my God is!

There is so much I want to capture about the trip, and what God has done through it and since it. Here is a picture that evidences one of my favorite parts...This is Jinette. We were sitting in the midst of a painting crew, watching the construction crew go back and forth past us, with kids running and playing all around. Somehow Jinette fell asleep in my lap in the midst of it all.

One of the funniest things is that her brother, Jozaffa, had done the very same thing that morning. (I'm still trying to track down the picture with him sleeping in my lap.)

One of the most serious things is that I fell in love with these two children, and would love to adopt them.

But, I get ahead of myself. =D

Prior to going to Haiti I envisioned myself going to love on the kids of the orphanage we would be serving. As the time drew closer to actually go I was given information that our team had been making plans to go into the community and reach out to the locals.

I had a real heart struggle at that point. I didn't want to leave the orphanage, I just wanted to hug and kiss and tickle the orphans. BUT, I reeled myself back in and committed to do WHATEVER God had for me to do there. I would haul rocks, take vital signs, and YES, even go out into the community.

God really blessed my decision to do HIS will above my own. Most of what He had me to do in Haiti was to hug and kiss and tickle the orphans. Isn't He so good to me?

He gave me the desire of my heart! Completely. He placed the desire there, and then He fulfilled it as only He can! HE IS SO FAITHFUL!!!!

I'm going to take time over the coming weeks to document the trip, this is just the beginning. =D

Thank you for the part you play in God's will for my life!

Hello...Is this thing on?

Well, this is my second attempt at my first post. My first attempt got lost somewhere in cyberspace. I think I'll make this version a good bit shorter in case it happens again. lol

Welcome to my blog! If you're here because you already know me, then you know that I am a Christian. If you don't already know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Colleen. I am a Christian...that is to say I have asked Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of my life, and I try to live my life according to His Word, the Holy Bible. I fail a lot...that's called sin. But the great thing about Jesus being my Savior is that He can save me from my sin! He has paid the price for it...I don't have to pay for it now. Phew!

My blog is going to be dedicated to sharing with whoever reads it that God is faithful to me! And if you are one of His children, a Christian, then He is faithful to you as well! I hope you are encouraged by what He has done, and continues to do, in my life. I hope that you begin to realize more and more how faithful He is to you as well. His kindness and mercy endure forever! And I plan to give Him glory for all the kind and merciful things I can find in my life. So, come along for the ride. I don't think you'll ever be bored with God, He's pretty amazing! You may get bored with me, but I'll try to keep things lively. =0)

Amazed by His grace,
Colleen