Today's Grace Gift

Moving and leaving dear friends simply STINKS! 

It does. 

I can share platitudes as well as the next gal, I HAVE been a military spouse for nigh on nineteen years.

But. 

In the quiet, brutally honest moments - saying goodbye to friends stinks. 

Today, God graced me with the chance of saying HELLO to a dear friend from Misawa. I needed this. Lacey and I  began to bond beyond the Tuesday a.m. PWOC greetings when we worked through the book of Ephesians with another gal one fall.  We were in a mentor group together next.  I was overjoyed when she catapulted out of her comfort zone to be PWOC's Spiritual Life Chair in Misawa this year. 

It was a blast to sit and hear how the year has gone for Lexie and Lacey  in Misawa. God has been so faithful and his ministry to women abounds. She shared one brilliant child care solution which I think deserves to be a "best practice,"  shared on the PWOC FB President's networking page. ::grin:: 

Beyond talking PWOC, it was just nice to sit with a friend and share HEARTS.  We sharpened each other - and it was sweet. I also got to meet HER MOTHER (who I believe must be fairly close to my age) and lives in Fulsom. 

And then we said goodbye. 

I was fine...until I pulled into the driveway and realized, at heart, I'm GREEDY.

I need more Lacey time. ::snort::

But still  - Lacey was my grace gift today.

I'm content.

It's more than enough.

PS - I haven't heard this song in months and heard it on my way home this afternoon and again on my way home from dropping Arielle off to baby-sit. ::snort:: 

Make me lonely
So I can be Yours
'Til I want no one
More than You, Lord
'Cause in the darkness
I know You will hold me
Make me lonely

 'Til You are my one desire
'Til You are my one true love
'Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making me

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Gherkins in Mexico

Below is a letter from three of the Gherkins about their summer plans. I thought it would be fun to share their hearts with you.  I find myself wanting to go along. 

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope you are all doing well. It has been a couple of years since I have written so let me take a minute to tell you what I have been up to. This is my second year working for the Springfield School District. I’m a one on one aide for a young lady with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease, like from the M. Night Shyamalan movie Unbreakable). This amazing job allows me access to the elementary schools and next year to a middle school. I really believe  God has me working with this precious young lady for a reason.

Last year I had the honor to serve as the Children’s Pastor for my church, Lively Stone Fellowship. I also worked with our youth. Additionally, I was able to help with the Willamette Branch of Campus Life. I am currently taking a break from these ministries.

This summer, at the end of June, I will be leading my church’s efforts in Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme will be Minecraft and I am excited to see what the Lord chooses to do this year. Last year we had a Lego themed VBS and were able to reach many new children in our neighborhood.

Krista, Stacia - not going, and Arielle

At the beginning of July my sister, Arielle, and brother, Jamin, and I will be heading down to Mexico to spend 7 ½ weeks working at the Imuris Kid’s Kingdom Orphanage. This is an amazing ministry that is a part of God is on the Move, which is a ministry affiliated with Open Bible Churches. God is on the Move ministers to three different prisons, a men’s rehab, an orphanage, outreach projects, a church, a daycare, and convalescent care. The orphanage has mainly older children and ranges from 15-30 children at a time. Through this orphanage, they also run a daycare center for the mothers in the community as well as a feeding ministry. Additionally, they are building a church in the town of Imuris.

My name is Arielle Goecker, I'm Krista's little sister. My Dad serves as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force. In August, we moved from Japan to California. I've spent my time since then doing school, babysitting, visiting family and settling into our new home. In May, I will be turning seventeen and finishing up my third year in High school. I'm super excited about this opportunity to go to Mexico this summer.

Jamin 

Hi, I’m Jamin! I look forward to my time in Mexico because it is a chance to share the hope of Christ with people from another culture. Currently, I am a graduate student at Angelo State University and am preparing to be a diplomat or ambassador. This trip will be an excellent opportunity for me to not only represent my country and immerse myself in another society but also to be an ambassador for Christ. If I can be used to positively impact just one life on this trip, then I will consider it a success!

We are truly excited to see what God is going to do this summer in Mexico. It should be a

God filled time of ministry and relationship building. Please be in prayer for Arielle, Jamin and I and all the ministries of God is on the Move. If you would like to financially support us in addition to praying for us, you can send your tax deductible contribution to:

Lively Stone Fellowship

3791 Pattison St

Eugene, OR 97401

If you would like to follow us this summer, go to www.awalkinthewild.blogspot.com.

In Christ,

Krista, Jamin & Arielle 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...