When Opposition Comes

There's a song that the Lord has allowed to play continually in my mind this past week.  Because it has been such an encouragement to me, I wanted to share it with you.

¨The Fire¨

I've been through a fire

That has deepened my desire

To know the living God more and more;

It hasn't been much fun,

But the work that it has done

In my life has made it worth the hurt.

You see, sometimes we need the hard times

To bring us to our knees -

Otherwise we do as we please

And never heed Him;

But He always knows what's best,

And it's when we are distressed

That we really come to know God as He is.

As you may recall, I've been reading through 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles.  I decided to keep going in that part of the Old Testament, so now I am reading through Ezra also.  God has given me so many treasures!  He always gives us just what we need when we need it - doesn't He?  I was so encouraged and blessed when I got to 2 Chronicles 20.  It was just the reminder I needed!  Jehoshaphat faced opposition.  We face opposition.  How Jehoshaphat handled the opposition is a wonderful example of what I should do when I am facing opposition:
1. Pray (Seek the Lord) v. 6-13
2. Hear (and obey) God's instructions v. 15-17
3. Worship v. 18
4. Praise v. 19,21
5. Victory v. 22
6. Gratitude & Joy v. 26-27
7. Rest & Quiet v. 30
The result?  Others are compeled to fear the Lord (v. 29).
I have been praying and trying to hear and heed God's instructions, but I had been especially neglecting number 4 - praise.  I've tried to correct that.  Am I still facing opposition?  Yes, but adding the element of praise has certainly helped ease some of the ache my heart was feeling!  I'm so thankful for all the solutions God has given us in His Word - aren't you?

Practice Makes Perfect?

 So, what have I been up to since you last heard from me?  Turning my living room into a driving course!  Isn't that what every good missionary wife does?  No, this wasn't just a new amusement for Martha and Ian - although they thought it was all great fun!  After much studying, Matt passed his written exam for his Peruvian driver's license.  Those of you who have ever driven (or are currently driving) in a foreign country can appreciate the simplicity of obtaining a driver's license in the good ol' USA!  Back to my story….The next step was to take the driving exam.  Here in Peru, they have a course all set up for the exam.  There are two routes - Ruta A and Ruta B.  They have cameras and watchers placed in different places around the course, and you are allowed 0 mistakes.  Yes, you read it right - 0 (zero) mistakes.  (Gulp!)  After some frustration, the Lord inspired me.  I was desperately searching for a way to be a help and encouragement to my Man!  It started out as sort of a joke when I suggested setting up the driving course in my living room (praise the Lord for a rather large living room)!  Matt took me up on my suggestion and presto - a driving course (complete with a rompe muella - speed bump) fit for a missionary and his two excited children!   I took a video of one of the practice sessions.  I don't know if practice really makes perfect, but it sure helped one missionary pass his driver's test!  The kids and I were so excited to get the phone call telling us he had passed!  We celebrated by going out to eat Chaufa (Chinese food) with three of the men from the church!  The kids were excited that Daddy passed his test, but disappointed that he didn't come home with a new car!

Here are a couple of recent pictures of Phebe.  Hard to believe she is almost 2 months old already!  These pictures were taken the day she received her Peruvian ID card!
On Sunday night (Mother's Day), there was  scuffling sounds on our front porch, then the doorbell rang.  I couldn't imagine who could be at our door at that time of the day, but I had a clue…I could hear one of the Deaf girls laughing!  Sure enough, most of the Deaf girls and their Dorm Moms came by to wish me a "Happy Mother's Day!"  It was the "icing on the cake" for my special Mother's Day!   How I love the special surprises the Lord sends my way!

My Happy Mother's Day Greeting from the Deaf Girls Dorm!