Hi all! This post isn't thought provoking or inspirational..just a note to catch you all up on life at the Vigil's.
This past week Ashley and I have been pouring hours and hours into schooling trying to get her prepared for the state testing next week. Since our homeschooling is actually through the State of Colorado, she's subject to the dreaded CSAPs. I think we are both thrilled that it’s Friday!!! Please pray for her testing next Monday - Wednesday to go well, and for her to stay focused (that’s her biggest problem).
This month was so fun getting to speak at various places, but after the intensity of preparation and presentation, my body has taken a forced siesta and I’m battling a stubborn cold. Hope that will go away soon. Jeff seems to have something going wrong with his poor "old" body every day. Sometimes it's knees, last night it was stomach trouble. He's much more subject to stress than am I and I think the job is taking its toll. Please pray that the Lord provide a quick transition to Africa before Jeff falls apart!!
I went to see a hormone doctor a couple weeks ago to figure out why I’m losing my memory and constantly crabby. She put me on a vitamin regimen and severely restricted my diet. No “white” foods like pasta, potatoes, white rice, ice cream or anything else that makes eating fun like cheese or sugar of any kind is allowed to pass my lips. …and she thinks this will improve my mood?????? Not likely, though I have lost 10 lbs. Thank heavens she didn't take my coffee away!! She also told me that if I get the munchies I should tear into two or three heads of Romain lettuce. Umhmm. Do I look like the Big Green Rabbit? Oh yes, and she told me to exercise (the nerve of her!) If I’m able to keep up this insane eating pattern, I may actually be able to fit in an airline seat without putting the arm up when we head to Kenya! ;)
We may have a buyer for the Durango we've been trying to sell for the last year. A friend got rear-ended really badly a couple weeks ago, and his truck is totalled. Praise the Lord he's fine, but he needs a new vehicle. He's going to test drive ours this weekend and if he likes it, he'll buy it. Please pray that he doesn't change his mind, that the truck performs well for him, and that he likes it. It would be nice to be rid of that insurance payment! Oh, while you're at the throne, would you please pray for that sale to be finalized by April 15th. We need to use the $$ for taxes as we owe Uncle Sammy this year.
Jeff's Aunt Faye went into the hospital last Friday with a suddenly discovered brain tumor. They operated on Sunday morning and she went home on Wednesday. Amazing how fast the medical system takes us through the process, isn't it? The surgery went well and the surgeon felt he got the whole thing. She has good motor function and now just needs to heal. Thanks to you prayer warriors who prayed for her! Please keep her full recovery in your prayers as well.
We watched Ben Stein's movie, Expelled, last night. I wasn't sure what to expect as I'm not typically a big Ben Stein fan, but I must say it was chilling! If you haven't seen it, I recommend you do. The most horrifying thing I learned was that Hitler espoused Darwinism. It was that belief set that got him thinking he should do his part to further "natural selection" and purify the human race. Yikes! And to think that Darwinists truly believe that getting rid of "religion" will make this a better world! Have they learned nothing from history?
Thanks for praying for us and for checking in!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Let Go and Let God
I think one of the hardest things about Motherhood, as a Christian mom, is to relinquish the ultimate care of my child into the hands of God. I remember when I was a child, nearly half a century ago, I would take off on my bike on a summer morning, play all day riding through every inch of town (small town!) and be home by dinner time. Mom didn't seem to give it a second thought. Now days, with all the worries about child abductions, molestations and all the awful news we see every day on TV, I have a hard time letting Ashley out of earshot. And yet, God has shown me that, as she grows, I can’t be there every minute to protect her. The older she gets, the less of a barrier I’ll be between her and the world.
God loves our children infinitely more than we do, and yet we still want to do everything in our power to protect them and make life easier for them. But are those God’s plans for our children? God tells us that His ways are not ours. (IS 55:8-9)
It got me thinking about some of the women in the Bible and the similar struggles they had with entrusting their children to God.
Take Jochebed, the mother of Moses. (Ex 2:1-10) For three months, she hid her infant while she continued to work. There was no formula available, no breast pumps or cold storage in which to keep her milk. She had to have Moses with her while she worked. Think of your children when they were three months old. They are big and squirmy! It’s no wonder “she could no longer hide him” at that point. Moses must have been the world’s best baby. A little colic, a too wet diaper, just a tiny little fuss and he’s a goner. Can you imagine her anxiety each and every day, just praying that he doesn’t make a noise, trusting in the Lord that He’ll send some miracle to save her baby.
But the Lord didn’t send a miracle, at least not when she thought He would. And when she could no longer hide the child, she’s faced with a huge dilemma. I can’t even imagine the sick feeling she must have had while preparing that basket for Moses. I’ve been on the Nile. I’ve seen the dozens upon dozens of crocodiles floating in it and sunning themselves along the banks. What a choice to have to make!
I wonder if she sent Miriam to watch the basket or if Miriam simply snuck off? Scripture doesn’t say, but either way, we know that God’s plans for Moses were far greater than Jochebed could even have imagined and Miriam was used to fulfill them. Not only did the Lord rescue Moses – by the same people that wanted to kill the Isrealite children -- but the Lord also returned him to Jochebed to be raised. AND she got paid for it to boot! Moses grew up to lead his people out of slavery and to the Promised Land. What a destiny!
Then there’s Hannah who couldn’t have children. (1 Sam 1:4-11) The desperate woman was so agonized that she constantly cried and didn’t eat. In her desperation she vowed to dedicate her child to God if only he would give her a son. Promises are easily made when we are in grave situations. Deals made with the Lord in these circumstances flow freely from our lips. Vows back then weren’t as easily broken as they are today, however, and Hannah was true to her promise, yeilding Samuel to the temple when he was weaned. Scripture tells of her elation at finding herself pregnant. At what point do you suppose it hit her that she wouldn’t be by her son’s side to guide him, to hug him when he got those scraped knees, to nurture him to adulthood? I’ll bet it wasn’t long after her celebration.
Last year, when Ashley turned 9, it hit me, “I’m halfway to seeing her go off on her own.” This year I thought, “I’ve only got her 8 more years.” What was it like for Hannah who knew she only had until he was weaned and then she’d have to give him over to a man (Eli) who couldn’t even raise his own sons? Scripture says they were “exceedingly wicked.” What went through her heart knowing her son was growing up with those wicked men? With no nurturing presence of a woman?
Yet the Lord watched over Samuel, even in those early years. Samuel learned to listen for the voice of God and he got the great honor of annointing Isreal’s very first King, Saul. And before he died, God granted him the privilege of annointing David as Saul’s successor.
There are so many more of our sisters in the Bible who time after time laid their desires for themselves and their children aside and accepted God’s desires for their children. And time after time, God’s purposes for their children exceeded anything they could possibly have imagined.
Little girls are especially dear because we see our lives through theirs. As our daughters grow, we constantly think ahead..to when she’s old enough to play tea party with us, to the cute little outfit she’ll wear on the first day of school, to the day you can take her shopping and she likes it as much as you do, to sharing your favorite books from your childhood with her and teaching her your favorite recipes…and on into envisioning her first boyfriend, her first dance, her wedding. But whatever dreams we have for her, they’re miniscule compared to God’s dreams for her.
It’s our job to remember as we go through, when some of these dreams are realized and some aren’t, that God’s ways aren’t ours and it may not always go the way we envision or dream or even pray. But God is good, all the time. And he has promised to be with his children, all the time. So pray for them to love God with his or her whole heart, and to trust the Lord completely. Parent with open hands. The paths our children walk will be much smoother if we allow them the freedom to follow His lead.
God loves our children infinitely more than we do, and yet we still want to do everything in our power to protect them and make life easier for them. But are those God’s plans for our children? God tells us that His ways are not ours. (IS 55:8-9)
It got me thinking about some of the women in the Bible and the similar struggles they had with entrusting their children to God.
Take Jochebed, the mother of Moses. (Ex 2:1-10) For three months, she hid her infant while she continued to work. There was no formula available, no breast pumps or cold storage in which to keep her milk. She had to have Moses with her while she worked. Think of your children when they were three months old. They are big and squirmy! It’s no wonder “she could no longer hide him” at that point. Moses must have been the world’s best baby. A little colic, a too wet diaper, just a tiny little fuss and he’s a goner. Can you imagine her anxiety each and every day, just praying that he doesn’t make a noise, trusting in the Lord that He’ll send some miracle to save her baby.
But the Lord didn’t send a miracle, at least not when she thought He would. And when she could no longer hide the child, she’s faced with a huge dilemma. I can’t even imagine the sick feeling she must have had while preparing that basket for Moses. I’ve been on the Nile. I’ve seen the dozens upon dozens of crocodiles floating in it and sunning themselves along the banks. What a choice to have to make!
I wonder if she sent Miriam to watch the basket or if Miriam simply snuck off? Scripture doesn’t say, but either way, we know that God’s plans for Moses were far greater than Jochebed could even have imagined and Miriam was used to fulfill them. Not only did the Lord rescue Moses – by the same people that wanted to kill the Isrealite children -- but the Lord also returned him to Jochebed to be raised. AND she got paid for it to boot! Moses grew up to lead his people out of slavery and to the Promised Land. What a destiny!
Then there’s Hannah who couldn’t have children. (1 Sam 1:4-11) The desperate woman was so agonized that she constantly cried and didn’t eat. In her desperation she vowed to dedicate her child to God if only he would give her a son. Promises are easily made when we are in grave situations. Deals made with the Lord in these circumstances flow freely from our lips. Vows back then weren’t as easily broken as they are today, however, and Hannah was true to her promise, yeilding Samuel to the temple when he was weaned. Scripture tells of her elation at finding herself pregnant. At what point do you suppose it hit her that she wouldn’t be by her son’s side to guide him, to hug him when he got those scraped knees, to nurture him to adulthood? I’ll bet it wasn’t long after her celebration.
Last year, when Ashley turned 9, it hit me, “I’m halfway to seeing her go off on her own.” This year I thought, “I’ve only got her 8 more years.” What was it like for Hannah who knew she only had until he was weaned and then she’d have to give him over to a man (Eli) who couldn’t even raise his own sons? Scripture says they were “exceedingly wicked.” What went through her heart knowing her son was growing up with those wicked men? With no nurturing presence of a woman?
Yet the Lord watched over Samuel, even in those early years. Samuel learned to listen for the voice of God and he got the great honor of annointing Isreal’s very first King, Saul. And before he died, God granted him the privilege of annointing David as Saul’s successor.
There are so many more of our sisters in the Bible who time after time laid their desires for themselves and their children aside and accepted God’s desires for their children. And time after time, God’s purposes for their children exceeded anything they could possibly have imagined.
Little girls are especially dear because we see our lives through theirs. As our daughters grow, we constantly think ahead..to when she’s old enough to play tea party with us, to the cute little outfit she’ll wear on the first day of school, to the day you can take her shopping and she likes it as much as you do, to sharing your favorite books from your childhood with her and teaching her your favorite recipes…and on into envisioning her first boyfriend, her first dance, her wedding. But whatever dreams we have for her, they’re miniscule compared to God’s dreams for her.
It’s our job to remember as we go through, when some of these dreams are realized and some aren’t, that God’s ways aren’t ours and it may not always go the way we envision or dream or even pray. But God is good, all the time. And he has promised to be with his children, all the time. So pray for them to love God with his or her whole heart, and to trust the Lord completely. Parent with open hands. The paths our children walk will be much smoother if we allow them the freedom to follow His lead.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Encouragement from Discouragement?
OK, it's official. I'm horrible at efficient blogging, or even adequate blogging! I'm not giving up though. At some point, I'll get the hang of this. Bear with me!!!
We've been seeing the Lord move in some marvelous ways these last few weeks. We're excited and amazed at the work He's doing toward getting us to Kenya. Why amazed? We've never lost sight of the fact that God can do anything. Yet the way in which He works is still such a source of wonder for us. His ways truly aren't ours, and I for one, am very glad of that.
Many of you have been with us from the start of this journey that began over five years ago, one cold, November morning. You've shared disappointments with us (when we didn't see the "burning bush" in Kenya for starters), gave us counsel (thanks Puringtons for telling us we needed a sending agency), and shared our joys (wahoo, we've been accepted by SIM!) in those early years.
You were there with us when we entered our seemingly endless desert of preparation, and it seemed like Kenya was so far off we didn't even talk of it very frequently. You took care of Ashley when we needed sitters while attending classes or for one function or another we needed to be at. You brought us food or took us to dinner when our job situation was so up and down we couldn't get a handle on monthly expenses and ended up short for far too many months. You clothed us as Ashley was (and still is) growing in weed-like fashion, and as Jeff and I ran out of winter stuff because we gave it away last summer thinking we wouldn't need it any longer. You've encouraged us, hugged us, and supported us for a really, really long time.
The Lord's been with us as well, never letting us go under financially or emotionally (though we've floated at surface level quite often!) He's encouraged us along the way by working through you in big ways (a $30,000 donation!) and in small (roses from a friend on my birthday.)
In the last five years, moving to Africa has escalated from being the last thing on earth I wanted to do to being the most cherished desire I have. In this time, each of our lives, Jeff's, Ashley's and mine, have flipped upside down and then twisted and flipped again. We've been stretched in so many ways it feels like we've been on one of those medieval racks! But although it's been painful at times, we can look back and see God's hand in each step of every stage. I have learned and have come to accept (that was the really hard part) that God is in control, not me. God is faithful and even if the money to pay the mortgage isn't there today, it will be when the mortgage is due. His timing is perfect. I've learned to be creative in gift giving and in food preparation. I've learned that no matter how bad I feel that day, someone not far from me is having a worse day and needs whatever encouragement I can muster. I've learned not to look to tomorrow, but to focus on today. These are things that will be vital to know in Africa. These are things I needed to learn before going.
And yet, through all the support and the love you have shown; through all the rescues and faithfulness the Lord has showered on us; through all the lessons we've learned and seen that we needed to learn, we have still managed to get discouraged. Sometimes our discouragement lasts for a day, but sometimes it feels like weeks before the fog lifts. I'd love to blame it on an inherited condition from the Isrealites, but I can't...I'm not Jewish! Perhaps it's just part of this fallen world we live in.
So imagine our surprise, when over the last two weeks we've had several people tell us, "I've found your story so encouraging!" What???? You've found our discouragement encouraging??? Only God can do that! Glory to Him who can make all things good. Thank you for telling us that hearing about our last five years have had a positive effect on you. You've encouraged us!
We've been seeing the Lord move in some marvelous ways these last few weeks. We're excited and amazed at the work He's doing toward getting us to Kenya. Why amazed? We've never lost sight of the fact that God can do anything. Yet the way in which He works is still such a source of wonder for us. His ways truly aren't ours, and I for one, am very glad of that.
Many of you have been with us from the start of this journey that began over five years ago, one cold, November morning. You've shared disappointments with us (when we didn't see the "burning bush" in Kenya for starters), gave us counsel (thanks Puringtons for telling us we needed a sending agency), and shared our joys (wahoo, we've been accepted by SIM!) in those early years.
You were there with us when we entered our seemingly endless desert of preparation, and it seemed like Kenya was so far off we didn't even talk of it very frequently. You took care of Ashley when we needed sitters while attending classes or for one function or another we needed to be at. You brought us food or took us to dinner when our job situation was so up and down we couldn't get a handle on monthly expenses and ended up short for far too many months. You clothed us as Ashley was (and still is) growing in weed-like fashion, and as Jeff and I ran out of winter stuff because we gave it away last summer thinking we wouldn't need it any longer. You've encouraged us, hugged us, and supported us for a really, really long time.
The Lord's been with us as well, never letting us go under financially or emotionally (though we've floated at surface level quite often!) He's encouraged us along the way by working through you in big ways (a $30,000 donation!) and in small (roses from a friend on my birthday.)
In the last five years, moving to Africa has escalated from being the last thing on earth I wanted to do to being the most cherished desire I have. In this time, each of our lives, Jeff's, Ashley's and mine, have flipped upside down and then twisted and flipped again. We've been stretched in so many ways it feels like we've been on one of those medieval racks! But although it's been painful at times, we can look back and see God's hand in each step of every stage. I have learned and have come to accept (that was the really hard part) that God is in control, not me. God is faithful and even if the money to pay the mortgage isn't there today, it will be when the mortgage is due. His timing is perfect. I've learned to be creative in gift giving and in food preparation. I've learned that no matter how bad I feel that day, someone not far from me is having a worse day and needs whatever encouragement I can muster. I've learned not to look to tomorrow, but to focus on today. These are things that will be vital to know in Africa. These are things I needed to learn before going.
And yet, through all the support and the love you have shown; through all the rescues and faithfulness the Lord has showered on us; through all the lessons we've learned and seen that we needed to learn, we have still managed to get discouraged. Sometimes our discouragement lasts for a day, but sometimes it feels like weeks before the fog lifts. I'd love to blame it on an inherited condition from the Isrealites, but I can't...I'm not Jewish! Perhaps it's just part of this fallen world we live in.
So imagine our surprise, when over the last two weeks we've had several people tell us, "I've found your story so encouraging!" What???? You've found our discouragement encouraging??? Only God can do that! Glory to Him who can make all things good. Thank you for telling us that hearing about our last five years have had a positive effect on you. You've encouraged us!