I agree with Kristi and Liz and Carrie... Wow, Pam, how scary! But it
sounds like Geoff did handle it wisely and with faith which is so great!
As Craig and I take care of Kayla we have to remind ourselves of Psalm
127... b/c we can go mad trying our best to do everything right to care
for her and protect her, etc... I just read it again and it just calms my
heart... Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build
it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh *but* in vain.
Carrie, thank you for your encouragement!! Thank you all for sharing your
thoughts and struggles!! I have been reminded in our recent Tr 5 emails
that (as Liz put it to me when she was staying at my condo) "There's a
reason we're friends." 😊 I am sooo blessed to have you all in my life.
I feel so comfortable with you all... I feel at home! What encouragement
you have provided to me the last 19 years of my life! You somehow got me
through college... and have encouraged and carried me through other times
of my life. Thank you! (Boy, I miss seeing you all! I loved visiting
many of you and loved having you at my condo / parent's home!!)
PS. Kristi, thanks for the article. Super interesting read. Good
insights. Craig and I read it the other morning together.
PPS. Carrie, the book sounds good! Wish I had more time to read these
days...
On Fri, Apr 26, 2019 at 3:27 AM K. Jeanne Colas <kristi.colas@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Oh Pam, what a very scary time for you guys. I'm really thankful for how
wisely Geoff handled the situation. And I know the Lord will give you grace
to endure this. May He cover you with His wings.
Carrie, I've read her other two but not that one. I'm sure it's excellent!
Kristi Jeanne Colas
11 rue Henri Dunant
95410 Groslay, France
Le mer. 24 avr. 2019 à 23:33, Carrie Hub <carriehub060300@xxxxxxxxx> a
écrit :
So scary, Pam! And definitely one of those times you have to trust and be
wise.
How is school?
Will pray!
Have any of you read Made for More by Hannah Anderson? It is about living
in God's image. I feel like I am crying every page or two as she speaks
truth about Who God is and who He has made me to be. Definitely is helping
change some misconceptions and giving Joy and hope.
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019, 4:08 PM Elizabeth Lovelace <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Wow, Pam! That is scary. So glad he was admitted. Mental health is no
joke.
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On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 2:22 PM, Pamela Smith
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Good thoughts, Carrie!
Regarding sharing your faith, we're doing a study at church about how
sharing should be conversational. We talk about our family/friends because
they are a part of our lives. When God is a part of our lives, it
should/will be more natural in mentioning. It's been good to go through
because the Gospel isn't a "presentation" but a lifestyle, and viewing it
that way allows me to feel "confident" in sharing more. Also, if I don't
know something, I'm more than happy to say I don't know, but I'll look into
it. I think people appreciate that.
Regarding faith, I was talking a little about this with one of the kids.
I asked if when they climbed on their bed if they wondered if it would hold
them. When we walk around at home, are we tapping the floor before taking
each step b/c we aren't sure if it will stay solid. I think when we
"confidently" walk or sit or lie down in the physical realm, we are
resting. There's a lack of worry, and I desire to have that rest in God.
This week has been a doozy that's testing me. Many years ago, a church
member recommended his unsaved neighbor to talk to Geoff regarding marriage
issues. Through time and work, they stayed together and eventually accepted
Christ as their Savior. They've had ups and downs with finances, possibly
losing their farm, more marriage issues, etc. The two men were talking last
week, and the one with issues said some dark things regarding hurting
himself and others. The older church member couldn't sleep because he
wasn't sure what to do with that info, so he called Geoff at 4 am. Geoff
went over and talked to the man who by then was in a better state of mind,
but Geoff still suggested to the older member that police should probably
be involved due to what was said. The wife had not realized all that was
said, and she and her 5 kids are living with other family members and the
neighbor is in a mental facility now being evaluated. I'm off googling
guard dogs and locking doors we don't usually lock during the day because
we aren't sure if what he said will keep him away for very long. Geoff
reminded me that if God wants us alive, we'll be alive - of course, we need
to use our minds, but that ultimately He's in control. Wasn't really
resting, but dang, some days it's hard to not try and grab the wheel to be
in charge.
ps
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 1:28:29 PM EDT, Carrie Hub <
carriehub060300@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Renee, the boys and I are studying through 1 Corinthians. I've thought
of our time in the Trailer talking through this particular book. :) Such
sweet days!
Anyway, today we hit Chapter 12 which goes through the spiritual gifts.
It was such a good reminder that in many ways those who make up the Body
will not look the same. We have different gifts. We have different
struggles. We are not meant to be the same or compare ourselves to each
other. We are meant to continue to grow together, and we're different so
that we will grow and encourage one another to love and good works.
You encourage me to think, Renee, to not rush ahead but to be okay
taking time to process and savor. You push me to be a more true Believer,
not just doing what I know I should, but believing Truth down in my soul
and making that change me. You see things that others don't, and you share
them in such picturesque ways.
I don't have the confidence you speak of, but I see it in other
believers and it kicks me in the butt a bit to be more outspoken. What is
fear of man, what is being careful of other's feelings, what is being wise
in my timing of saying something, and honestly, how much have prayed about
it (not enough, for sure)? I think this is something that I will probably
spend my life trying to learn. I think it's worth learning. But I think
it's good to remember that even those we think look like they have it
figured out, don't. They have weak spots, too, that's why we need each
other. That's why we weren't left on our own, praise the Lord!
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 9:35 AM Renee O'Leske <larsen.renee@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Thank you for sharing, Friends! :) Thank you.
On Tue, Apr 23, 2019 at 11:27 AM Carrie Hub <carriehub060300@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I doubt that there are any of us that don't face this at some point.
Some of us more than others and some of us more at certain seasons of our
lives. The reality that I've seen in my own life is that there will come a
day that my faith will be shaken and that it is only Christ holding on to
me and sending help that has brought me through. In fact, I feel like God
has repeatedly brought times that have brought me to places where I have to
answer the, "Do I really believe in God, in what He is doing, in His love
for me (this one especially)?" question. I feel like my walk of faith has
been more of a stumbling forward (as my pastor put it). So glad that my
faith is a gift and that it's not dependent on me!
By the way, I check doors, redo things, go back into the house for the
thing I forgot, over and over and over, and I know from friends that I am
not alone. Whether it's a time of life, woman, mommy, whatever thing, I
don't know, but it's common! :) I live by my white board on my fridge and
the reminders I put on it.
On Tue, Apr 23, 2019 at 10:24 AM Elizabeth Lovelace <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I second guess myself about a lot of stuff. Also wonder if I locked or
turned off something. 🤔😂
When it comes to sharing opinions, I think the older I get the more I
feel less sure about everything, so I don't feel strongly enough to share
an opinion.
I also struggle with faith. I don't know that I have an answer for you.
But you're not alone.
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On Tue, Apr 23, 2019 at 10:11 AM, Renee O'Leske
<larsen.renee@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
So... just a very random question I keep thinking about... Have any of
you struggled with "confidence"?
Confidence as in struggling to know and articulate your own thoughts and
opinions and convictions... especially when someone who you may respect has
a differing opinion or thought or conviction.
Or, as in, never being sure that you did all you could do, or were right
in your actions, etc... (this has played out in my life with my struggle
with assurance of my salvation - I never could know if I was TRULY
committed or TRULY and FULLY believed... I could never answer this
question. After 8 years or so of grace based, Christ focused preaching, I
finally realized my faith rests in CHRIST and not my own faith. But I
could just never answer those preachers who would ask "Are you 100% sure
you have placed your faith in Christ?" I could never say YES with 100%
certainty in my OWN faith.)
I heard the passage again where Paul says to Timothy "I have finished
the course, I have kept the faith..." I find this confidence interesting
and encouraging...
Anyway, not sure if this is clear... but just throwing it out there. I
continue to find myself struggling with self-doubt over big and little
things (like, am I 100% sure I locked the door... um, I'll check it
again...LOL). Just wondering if any sisters have had similar struggles
and what truths may have helped you.
:)
I think this is why I find the truth of God's SOVEREIGN GRACE so
appealing. It is my only hope...
