Words That Chase Anxiety

It has made all the difference....as I've healed from childhood abuse, dealt with a very short temper, overcome fearful anxiety.....and after my near collapse yesterday....the sweet presence of Holy Spirit, calling to mind those words of Jesus, has once again made all the difference. 


Words that make a difference...words that chase out anxiety....


"I can't do all things. I can do this one thing well: Love God ~ Love Others; and for most this will be enough. When it isn't in the eyes of some, I rest, knowing that I play for an audience of One - in my prayer closet or speaking before a conference - the ONE.Love of Him and His bride is that for which I'm accountable." 


That's all - and this one thing I CAN do....better all the time.

And when anxiety surfaces....as when I'm trying to remember far too many details, or when dear ones are moving in droves, or when a son has graduated and his dream is thousands of miles and several continents away, or when I must travel for an extended period of time and trust my children once again to Abba Father.....Phil 4.6-7.....I won't wallow in the anxiety, I will pour it out to Abba and His unbelievable peace will guard my heart and mind IN Christ Jesus.

Though, of course, always, I crave the prayers of those who love Abba....because really....I am at times a crazy woman...or at the very least life has become crazy for this season. ::snort::


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Crazy Woman

I've only once felt like this - when we were putting in all-nighters to prepare for the Asia Regional Conference. 


I know this is good for me - I just don't much like feeling like I'm drowning. ::snort:: Bottom line, leadership is meant to be a team sport and I'm trying to function as a team, without the full team. WILD is training in PWOC. Last year there was a lot of joking that myself and another board member were wearing many hats....regional board, international trainer and local President. Due to some redistricting and unexpected PCS moves....I now find myself wearing 7 regional hats, International Trainer, General Session Speaker, WILD planner.....and today I experienced lots of adrenaline rushes and what I think must be "near panic" attacks.....because repeatedly I found myself taking deep breaths...... Thank God for Cathy - my lone, brave, courageous regional board member!

God is showing me anew, perfection is not my goal. Love God ~ Love Others is my heart, my focus, my process...and if I get that right; we'll be fine......details will be missed, details will fall into place...I do NOT want to be so stressed by details  that I don't take time to love on my ladies.

Today I spent the full day working on WILD and local things I need to do before I leave home on Wednesday.....

I did have a break for farewell tea and scones with Anita and Connie....and then helped with the  PYOC dinner with two more friends who are leaving - Jenn and Tara (multi-tasking at its best).

....And about those "attacks" - it's fine......I know where to go for peace.....He's shown me where the hiding place is....and I'm climbing into it regularly.  Tomorrow is our last PWOC day of the year....an amazing year and while I've been stretched...I wouldn't trade it.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday Blessings

A long Sunday - three worship services. Blessed to experience the full gamut of worship - one God; many expressions...liturgical...contemporary...really contemporary. All fantastic in their own way. 


We also attended the best farewell I've ever attended....unfortunately, it was for Scott, Tara and family.....and sometime in there it dawned on Tara and I that Tuesday will be our last time to see each other as I fly on Wednesday and she'll leave before I return. 


Saturday was my last prayer walk with Ruth. She and I then went to the onsen. We realized that she'll leave the morning after I return.


Not saying Goodbye...just "I love you till later"....that should work.


Too tired to say much else tonight...the little ones were troopers. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Misawa's Dream Team

Spent this day loving on my local PWOC team.....these women have been such a BLESSING! God knit our hearts together and produced much healing and fruit in the process. To Him be all the glory.

Mandy, Tara, Lisa 

We had lunch - we finally got a board photo (minus Mary and Susan). I shared words, they shared words, we laughed, we cried, we marveled at God in our midst. How we love Him and each other too. 

Back - Tara, Ruthi, De'Etta, Kristin, Lisa, Christina
Front - Jessica, Christie, Mandy, Muriel
Unseen - Samson

Half of our group are Pcsing and so this was my last chance to be with many of them as I leave on the 13th to travel to Korea and Tokyo to help train new local Exec boards.   What a dream team! We had young and older, civilian and military, Air Force, Navy....This was service the way I believe God means it to be....fun, loving, caring...and we GREW to know HIM more too....and had two babies during the year too as well as many PWOC babies.

And BTW - such deep relationships cause pain when the "goodbyes" come...but they are oh-so-worth-it.

After lunch I headed to Lisa's home. Lisa has agreed to be the interim president for Misawa as we all pray a new President to the front. (PWOC requires you to take a year's break after being on a local board for 3 years....and I'm currently wearing many regional hats as that board is well....small). She and I spent a couple of hours with her dragging info out of me and me fire hosing her with info I knew she'd like to have. ::snort::

I ran home, grabbed the Gherkins and headed back to base for the Chapel's Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

One last time....It was an HONOR to lead this group of women. I've come to love each one deeply and have been profoundly moved by the trust they placed in me and their God as many stepped out of comfort zones to serve in new ways this year.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Three years living in Japan and I finally did it

Everyone said I would. I didn't give in. BUT this week - I did.....

I got tired of rice and small potatoes....and I bought the FROZEN baked potatoes. They are cheaper than potatoes in Japan and they are BIG....I did it. I caved...and it was heavenly having a baked potato with the salmon.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today....

• Ephesians and Revelation 1 - good stuff. 
• Regional emails and skype. 
• Preparing for local final board meeting tomorrow (party). 
• Organized PWOC corner and finally got rid of this. 

• Got 5 boxes for the thrift store - went through my room. 
• Grilled veggie dogs and salmon. 
• Made Monster cookies for board tomorrow. 
• Continued to plan WILD Japan. 
• Decided not to buy plane tickets for Misawa - Tokyo. It will be much easier to just take the train on that leg and then fly internationally. 
• Couldn't sleep last night until 5:30 a.m. - really, really trying to be faithful on these meds and hoping we can adjust well in a few weeks. MUST remember to make the appointment now. LOL 

Choosing Joy!

©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Garden 2012

Finally! It's been so cold and rainy that we are behind - but yesterday we planted. Unfortunately, not being a real gardener and not reading Japanese, we couldn't find the herbs we wanted.....but we'll try again soon for the herbs. 

Zander's watermelon (not a chance)

Stacia's flowers

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...