It's Christmas in September!

That's what it feels like anyway...

As I type this a beloved aunt and uncle, along with their children and grandchildren, have all made the trek from Long Island to Disney World. We can't wait to see them. This is the aunt and uncle who shared the Gospel message with me through their words as well as their deeds. These are the cousins who have been more like siblings than cousins throughout my life, and their children like my nieces and nephews. We can't wait to see them all!

Why are we not out at the parks with them? Because, as if it wasn't huge enough to have them all here, God's blessings go on! At 5:42am my brother, Mike (aka Uncle Clem), is arriving from Las Vegas to spend the week with us also and we are at home preparing for his stay with us. How cool is that!!!

But wait, it doesn't stop there! It keeps getting better!

Uncle Clem adds a second driver to our car, so instead of going to Disney tomorrow we're making a quick trip to Atlanta to see my parents. (We haven't seen Pop since Christmas!) So we get to see Grandma and Pop, and the cats and dogs, AND even my brother, "Uncle Brian"! He's a standup comedian, and he'll be doing a show in Chattanooga, just an hour from my parents. Mike and I will be driving up to see the show, but Brianna will have to stay with her grandparents because she's not quite old enough to be at a comedy club.

After that we get to visit our old church and lots of dear friends, and even celebrate birthdays with my dear sisters in Christ, Tracy and Mary - with whom "birthday month" came into existence.

FINALLY on Monday we'll get to Disney and the NY relatives.

We'll have 3 days with them before MORE friends join us! On Thursday (9/27) our friends from Atlanta, The Coombs (Aaron, Shanna, Chandler, Carson and Dylan), as well as our friend from Jacksonville "Uncle President" (aka David) will be added to the mix.

The relatives and the Coombs will all be gone by Saturday, but Uncle Clem and Uncle President will be here through Sunday, when we hope they will go with us to church. We haven't been at church in weeks, and can't wait to be there on 9/30. As if salvation isn't enough God has so richly blessed us with SO MANY dear brothers and sisters, both natural born as well as adopted. HE IS SO GOOD TO US!!!!

I hope to post (with pictures) throughout the week and let you know how things are going!

1 Peter 3:1-7

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you [1] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

I have been thinking a lot lately about who I am...Who I am in Christ, who I was without Him, who He wants me to become...

As I search the depths of my heart I am amazed to find fruit of God's character there. I do not recognize myself...I am surprised to find that the me I knew for so long is no longer the me that I am now. And who I am now is not the me I am becoming because God is still at work!

Are you dizzy yet? Yes, I really do think like this! lol

I am truly amazed at the work God has done and continues to do in my heart. I see more and more that I almost can't believe is really there. I think it's that "imperishable beauty" I hear so much about. In ME!!! Isn't He amazing????

Oh me of little faith, I never thought it was possible! BUT GOD! But God in His goodness IS transforming me into the image of Christ. He is dressing me in robes of righteousness. He is preparing me for the great wedding feast. And, let's be honest, I hope He is also preparing me for a wedding feast here. While is has been the desire of my heart all these 10 years of widowhood (yes, on October 2 it will be 10 years!!!) to be married again "one day", I actually find myself having faith that "one day" may actually come sooner or later!

If you know me, you're laughing at me right now. I know you are! lol It's okay, I'm laughing at me too! How could I not expect "one day" to come when God told me it would??? But, there it is...I did not have faith for it!

Finally believing God will eventually make "one day" a reality is an example of me finally believing (in my heart) what I say I believe (in my head). I know, I know, it took me long enough! Well, better late than never! heehee

Marriage is only one area that God has given me faith for lately. I have more and more faith that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6) Again, things I have said I believe, but only now do I feel that I OWN them. Isn't He so good?

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to mold me into the image of Christ! Thank You for the trials and suffering that have produced good fruit! Thank You for Your great kindness to me! Lord, may I continue to submit myself to Your good work and see Your glory proclaimed in all the earth through my life.

In the meantime, I want to invest in who I am today...the bride of Christ. As the Lord has been so faithful to be my husband, I want to be faithful in being His bride. I found an excerpt from a book on the girltalk blog that I have already ordered from Amazon. I want to cultivate more of that imperishable beauty in my heart and this book seems to be a tool to be used toward that end.

Here's the excerpt:

“But sisters, the man who will make for you a healthy, tender, passionate, enduring, mutually fulfilling life partner is a man who prizes faith and integrity in himself and goes weak in the knees at your inner beauty too. This beauty ages well—it is an ‘imperishable beauty.’ It is this beauty that men see and appreciate as you grow through the seasons of life.” (p. 128, Doing Things Right)

I don't just want men to see and appreciate it, I want God to see and appreciate it. After all, HE is my faithful Audience of One. I want to do things right in matters of the heart based upon His Word for His glory alone!

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOZAFFA!

Today is Jozaffa's 6th birthday...that's right, he was born on the infamous 9/11 of 2001. I am so in awe of God's greatness when I think about the fact that while death and destruction was going on in one part of the world that this gorgeous, smart, amazing child was being born in another.

In God's kindness He allowed me to send Jozaffa a couple of little birthday presents. It turned out Pastor Daniel and his wife, Marlaine, were both flying to Haiti this week, and they said they would be happy to take the gifts along. Of course I also sent Jinette her belated birthday gifts too. I made them each a little photo album of pictures from our trip there in June, and then sent them each a bag of smarties, some matchbox cars and a bag of balloons for Jozaffa, a My Little Pony and some hair clips for Jinette, along with as much love as I could stuff in the package.

Last night on the way to ship the package Brianna was praying for the kids. (She is so precious!) What a heart she has for these children that she has never met. She was pleading with God to let both she and I go see them, and to "get them" soon. What an excited big sister she would be if God's plan is really for us to adopt them.

I continue to learn about God through the Haitians. Brianna and I were discussing the prospect of sending presents to J & J, and how the rest of the children would feel that they did not get anything. I asked about this when I was in Haiti. I was told the children rejoice with those who are rejoicing. They do not get jealous or begrudge each other, they understand that God gives as He pleases. Wow. What an amazing living example of Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

Brianna and I were both challenged by this example, and by God's Word. How selfish we are to grumble and complain at what we do not have as if God owes us anything! Lord, thank You for Your kindness to use the Haitians to convict us of our sins. Father, please continue to show us our sin that we may continue to kill it and become more like Christ.

If you're reading this today, please take a moment to pray for the birthday boy. I am praying that he will know God's love for him, as well as God's pleasure in creating him, and that he will know Jesus as his Lord and Savior from this day on.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Latest update on Mom

I'm sorry! So many of you have emailed me asking for another update on my mom...She seems to be doing fine, at least as far as this health issue. All of the previous, ongoing issues are still a concern, and a matter of constant prayer, but best we can tell the latest hospital stay was stress induced.

My parents have received some very wise counsel from my brother, Brian, and they are now considering the next step. Brian counseled them to sell their house and move to one of the places where we (their children) live (Tennessee, Nevada or Florida)...we'll see what happens next!

Again, thank you so much for your prayer and concern for my family!

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