Cohesiveness (10-30)

I've been praying for cohesiveness in our new neighborhood. I'll spare you details. ::snort:: Today I felt like it was starting with the children. Our kids were playing in the street with Windy's kids. They were having a great time and attracted other children. The kids drew 4 square, hop scotch and such on the ground and played games. They rode bikes. They skated.

Eventually another mother came out and I introduced her to Windy. She looked at the ground and said, "Chalk," in such a way that we KNEW she doesn't approve of sidewalk chalk in the street outside her home. ::sigh::

BUT the evidence of the seeds of neighborhood cohesiveness linger on this afternoon….may it spread as we seek to put on display the love of Christ.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Newst Birth Story

{I've decided to remove names of those who may want more privacy than my blog provides.}

I've got a birth story to share today. This is LONG and most of you will not read it to the end, but I need to get it all captured. I need to share what God has done and the new adventure He is leading me (and our family) on.

Five years ago a dear saint in the Gospel service at Elmendorf AFB, Sister S, prophesied to me that I was pregnant with a new work that God desired to birth into the kingdom. I was to obey - rather than sacrifice. I was to be aware that I had conceived something that would be birthed into the Kingdom. FIVE YEARS AGO! At the time, I waited and wondered. We were busy with ministry - too busy. We saw fruit from our ministry, but nothing that I would consider a "birth".

When we moved to San Angelo four years ago, God clearly chastised me for being so busy with outside ministry; ministry inside our home had suffered. I apologized to my children, repeatedly. I cried more than a few tears over the time I'd lost with our older children due to out of balance ministry. He clearly told me that now was not the season for me to speak at retreats. I quit. I was also to teach no more than ONE weekly study. I was to "get my house in order". Longtime blog readers and friends will remember this season.

It was tough. There were tears. I knew I was doing what I needed to do. God opened new avenues of ministry that were birthed from home. Our family grew, I kept track of volunteer hours until I got a feel for what "balance" and "boundaries" looked like. Our home was in order….and we knew that a move would be coming in the summer of 09.

God taught me much about surrender and contentment in 2005 - 2009. I had to surrender ministry, my good health, the twins we lost and the pregnancies that didn't follow…..and I grew ever more dependent on intimacy with God.

As summer 09 approached, I sensed God speaking to me. I KNEW I was NOT to get as involved in local women's ministry as I have been for the past 10 years. This confused me. I knew that I had ministry in balance….I knew that God was pleased. Through times of prayer, and with advice of mentors, I became certain God wanted me to broaden my "sight". He was about to release me to serve again, but I wasn't going to be serving on the local level. In fact, I was certain I was to request consideration to be a PWOCI Region President. I was shocked when word of our move came and it was NOT in Central Region. I must have heard God wrong, or maybe He only wanted me to surrender and be willing, but wasn't going to require it of me. Believe me, I was fine with this. ::snort::

When we heard we were to move to Misawa, Japan….I was excited. God continued to speak to me during our intimate trysts. (Alright, B, I know…stay with me here. ::snort:) I became convinced that God was answering my prayers over the years for Asia. It's been my hope God would move us to Asia as missionaries when Mike retires. We had no idea God was going to move us to Asia while we were IN the military. We became convinced that God had good things for our family, for those we'd minister to at Misawa AB, and for our neighbors, through our move to Japan. This resolve was tested through the spring and summer. We knew even more that God was on the move. I continued to hear God say to pull back from local PWOC (women's ministry) leadership. When asked about serving in PWOC at Misawa I communicated that I wouldn't be a President…but that I desired to be a strong support of the local board.

What a PCS we had. Only NOW are we starting to feel like the move is over…..and then God reminded me He had TOLD ME TO SUBMIT MY NAME FOR CONSIDERATION FOR REGIONAL WOMEN'S MINISTRY LEADERSHIP. I decided it was a simple matter of obedience. I didn't expect to be selected, but knew I had to obey. I would let nothing keep me from obeying after the lessons of the past five years.

Change is afoot in PWOC Pacific Region. The decision had been made for the Pacific Region to birth a new region. Asia Region consists of Japan and Korea and Pacific Region now includes Guam and Hawaii. I got to the region late in the process. I heard packages were already being considered. God wouldn't let me off the hook. I submitted my request for consideration and made it clear that I was willing to be a cheerleader or serve in any position, as well as the position I submitted my name for (not President; that seemed to presumptious).

Tuesday, 20 Oct, I had a telephone interview/conference call. By the questions and discussion I began to realize that I was being considered for a different position than I'd 'applied' for. I told Mike I thought they were considering me for President. He confirmed that he'd thought this may happen and was supportive of all it would mean for our family.

Tuesday night I had a dream. I dreamed that I was giving birth. My heart has questioned why we've not had babies since the loss of our twins. We've desired children. I dreamed I gave birth to a beautiful daughter. I woke up praying, "Father, she's beautiful. She could only have come from the hand of God." I KNEW that this was a prophetic dream (and I don't claim having had a prophetic dream before) but I KNEW the dream was telling me that I was going to be involved in the birthing of Asia Region and that she was from the hand of God. I also knew that THIS was what Sister S had prophesied five years ago.

Wednesday, 21 Oct, I was walking in the fields when Mike called. He told me that there was an email there from the Leadership Selection Team and wanted to know if I'd like him to read it to me. They invited me to consider accepting the role of Asia Region President. I was overwhelmed, terrified, stunned; yet my spirit was leaping! I can't describe it. I was stunned…and yet pieces began to fall into place….the insistence on getting my home in order, the lessons of the past five or six years, the lessons on balance and boundary, the times of intimacy with God these past months, the spiritual warfare to ARRIVE in Asia, the firm conviction that I was not to lead at our new base. I hung up with tears streaming down my face.

Friday, 23 Oct we left for Hawaii. I was still stunned and had a bad case of nerves. I realized that this new position would involve a lot of travel. It's not that I don't like to travel. I get motion sick….bad. It was a sacrifice I would need to make. I was willing to (excuse me) puke for Jesus if need be. I only knew that I WAS obeying. Windy prayed me out the door of our home. Thanks, friend.

Saturday, 24 Oct. It felt like a hug from God that the two women who introduced me to PWOC, over 12 years ago at Malmstrom AFB, MT, were both at this conference in Hawaii. I hope it brought joy for them to see the seed they'd planted bear fruit.

Sunday, 25 Oct I was installed as President. Later, as T (new VP) and I met with the new Pacific President and the International President and International Titus 2, more pieces fell into place. R shared that she felt that this was a birth. That for four or five years she'd had dreams of birth and babies and is past having babies….but that THIS is what she was waiting for. I shared the word I was given five years ago and my dream….and we all sat in awe of what God had worked. T shared her story and it also confirmed that God had laid the birth of this new region on hearts years ago. AND He faithfully led each of us to the right spot, at the right time.

That afternoon I went out on a Catamaran with the Misawa ladies and proceeded to get sick over and over….and I knew that I could handle the travel with this position because I managed to get off that boat and walk to my bed. ::snort:: Of course, I had four other women helping me…maybe I need a travel team. LOL

And now? I'm still stunned…but in a good way. God whispers to me that He led me to this place and that He will continue to lead me. I've determined to wait for Him to clarify His vision for this new region, to wait for Him to clarify who I should invite to join the leadership team, and to build a prayer team as I wait. This region has been conceived and birthed in prayer….it's o.k. for us to bathe these early decisions in prayer. The position I've accepted is a two year commitment.

I'm still in awe and humbled that God has led me to this spot….I was terrified that I'd blow the whole boundary/balance thing but Mike tells me we've learned lessons since Alaska…

This is my latest birth story. I'm able, now, to see one reason I may not be blessed with an infant….it seems God is truly moving me into new seasons…..and I still struggle at times, but I've learned it's much more of an adventure to surrender.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Glimpses from a Morning Walk (10-27)

The air is getting nippy. I'm not sure how much longer we'll be taking early morning walks. Here are some shots from a recent walk…..









Bundles of rice have been stacked on these frames...








This field is covered with straw and ready for the winter.














The garbage culprit....fence beside our home.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Thankful Tree

It feels like HOME to have our Thankful Tree up and ready for new leaves. Arielle, Stacia and I had fun creating this years tree....certainly smaller than previous years....but this will work. LOL

First Night...


Can the Holidays really be upon us already??????

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Let the Lessons Begin (10-28)

Wednesday afternoon was the start of our family Japanese Language Lessons with Akiko. She relates well with the children. I had hoped she would. They loved the interaction with her. She followed their lead to teach them words to say what they wanted to tell her.

She has told Arielle, Jared and I to get busy and learn Hiragana so that we can read the text book she brought. ::snort:: The littles have picture books and a Japanese Children dictionary to work with. Jared took notes of the words we learned and typed them up into a review sheet for us.

We'll continue with our Pimsleur CD's and I'll probably buy a few more things, but having an expert to correct our pronunciation and answer all our questions is invaluable. I had expected to pay Y5,000 a week for our lessons. She gave us the first one free and said that she'll only take Y3,000 a week.

I'm going to venture to Hachinohe this week in search of a keyboard so that Piano lessons can begin next week.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Hawaii!!!!

I doubt that I can do justice to our trip - but photos will go along way. By the time we left Japan, I knew that my life was about to make some big changes in Hawaii. I was hit with NERVES big time and Windy had to pray me out the door and on to the plane. Poor thing, she must have wondered what sort of psycho she was traveling with. ::snort::

Here we are - looking refreshed and excited to begin our really BIG ADVENTURE - bigger than our night out at the library! ::snort:: BTW - that's me on the left.
Two plane trips, one bus ride and a day later we were well welcomed in Honolulu.

Windy and I shared a room. Here's the view from our room.



Our group - and the brunette behind us on the left is from our first assignment. A highlight for me was seeing Julie and Sarah (both from Malmstrom AFB) again.
Sunday Morning, Brenda Marlin, PWOCI President, prayed for the next generation of women.


After the conference our group went out on a Catamaran. This couple touched a deep chord in me.
Ah - sailing....
Windy enjoys the ride....

and then....I got "violently ill"! Really. I threw up seven times on the Catamaran. The conference had concluded on a high point for me (and I'll blog that later), and this was a low point! ::snort:: I told God if he really loved me, He'd calm the waves like He did for the disciples...but He didn't.....Windy got ill too. Susane felt ill but held it together. I wasn't sure I'd make it back to the hotel when we landed. I figured God was helping me face my fear of motion sickness....afterall it can't get much more humiliating than what I went through on this trip. I'll spare you lots of the details. I was thankful that He was showing me that I could handle the worse and not fear flying and motion sickness. We made it back to the hotel. I slept. Everyone slept. We got up and went in search of a baked potatoe. I got sick again.

We got up early to fly back to Japan....I was sick. I got sick a couple of times before boarding the plane....slept most the way home....Susane had to go to the hospital in Hawaii. We chatted yesterday and I discovered that six women from Hickam and she and I seem to have contacted some sort of food poisioning...so it wasn't all motion sickness.

It really was a great trip. My traveling companions were precious. The time away was about right. I was able to see old friends.....the very ladies who introduced me to PWOC. There will be lots more photos as they are sent to me...but these give you the idea.

I'll have more to say in the next day or so. I need time to write it well. LOL If a picture is worth a thousand words, THIS one is worth a few million.

For those who recognize some of the ladies, yes, I'm the new PWOC Asia Region President...and I'm more humbled and more exhilerated than I can remember being in a very long time.

Time to run....Prot News is done and I'd like to get home to my babies.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

This can only mean one thing!

INTERNET....

Mike met me at the airport with the news that we will have Interent installed next Tuesday (3rd). This is way before DECEMBER and I'm thankful! It's also on a day when both Mike and I have meetings. Mike, however, is determined that we are getting Internet on the 3rd. LOL

No, I've not been continually griping...but he knows that life will be normal, easier and such with communication at home. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...