Stacia Turned SIX

This is a post about Stacia, but it will be hard not to write it about ME. ::snort::  Hard to believe our baby is six years old. Harder still to believe that somewhere in the last six years I've learned to be content if she is the last. I certainly wasn't content to have her be our last four years ago when we lost the twins.....but now I see...

It's O.K.  for God to be sovereign. It's O.K. to move into new seasons. It's a JOY to move into these seasons as Stacia's Mommy.

We knew last week would be busy....so we surprised Stacia Sunday a.m. with decorations and gifts. We asked what her perfect birthday would look like.  "Going to Burger King and taking the food to the Weasel's Den (indoor play area)." She was SURE.

Proving once again how uniquely she graces our family - she insisted she did NOT want one of our famous Ice Cream Cakes....she wanted an "Newman O cake".

We went about making her dreams come true.  She chose the flying pig hat.

Shaun the Sheep is always a hit

This thing says 50 PHRASES....and wouldn't be quiet all through the commissary. It was hilarious to see the confusion of the bagger and to reveal the mystery to her at the end. LOL

 Either too much cake or a REALLY bad hand of cards? 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lessons in a Storm or Where HAS De'Etta Been?

Blog readers know my motto is to embrace life in the fish bowl.....mainly because I was raised in the fish bowl...being a pastor's kid and a missionary kid....and then married into the fish bowl...it seems healthy to embrace it.

However, in the past few weeks I hit a spot where it seems unwise to be totally transparent.

Life has been tough...the Lover of my soul has met me IN THE STORM. Life has had a few unexpected twists and turns in the past few weeks. Enough said....but I CAN share

Lessons I've learned....

God faithfully prepared me with journal entries from the months prior

• "God will allow all to be shaken in my life so that which remains is stronger. His kingdom cannot be shaken. In times of shaking I'm to serve with gratitude." 
• Or: "Lord, help me be quick to look for you in unexpected storms." 
• Or: "My sheep know my voice and a strange voice they simply will not follow. Father, may I listen for and follow your voice alone."

I have felt these lyrics in  new ways the past few weeks.

Here before Your altar
I am letting go

of every motive, every burden , everything's that of myself

I just wanna wait on your my God

I just wanna dwell on who You are

Here in your presence

I am not afraid of brokenness

To wash your feet with humble tears 

I would be poured out till nothings left

It's possible to forgive instantly and walk in  forgiveness. Walking in forgiveness keeps channels open for God to work in hearts all around.

Leaders make decisions, fail, make mistakes and learn from them. 

I am NOT a perfect leader (knew that ::snort::), neither am I a perfect failure (need to remember this). I hear over and over the words God clearly spoke to me in moment of near panic over leadership responsibility, "I don't call you to be perfect, I call you to be faithful." That was good 2 years ago and it's good today. 

My words at WILD ring in my spirit, "Follow the heart of your king!"

I learned that I still want to be practically perfect. When all broke loose I was "weathering well" until Kari Jobe "My Beloved" came on. I was gasping and sobbing so hard I had to pull over at the train park (and don't think THAT wasn't shocking to kind folks in the park).

You're My Beloved

You're My Bride

To sing over you is My delight

Come away with Me my love...

I was gasping out, "No. I've failed AGAIN."  His words were sweet.... it's precisely in times when I feel least deserving I most need to embrace intimacy with Him. 

Again I heard  "let Me lead,"  "keep your gaze focused on Me," "dance with Me." 

Now is the time to STAND and FIGHT for the vision He birthed  years ago....

God  waits for us to say, "It's all YOU God or this is not working!" and He steps in and shows His stuff. I'm in awe.

NEVER say you will "never" do anything in ministry...there just is no telling where that sort of silliness will take you.  ::grin:: 

Finally, if God is sovereign...He is! That's it. Nothing more. This includes His hand in Air Force assignments, personality conflicts, leadership issues, health, natural disasters....He is sovereign.

New one introduced to me by a dear Sister/mentor

Choosing Joy!

©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Plastic Charades or Kingdom Intimacy

We are women who seek passionate intimacy with God and each other. We desire authenticity in relationships.  We embrace PWOCI’s vision, to “be women who foster an atmosphere of intimacy, simplicity and legacy. "

We seek REAL ministry in PWOC; we hate playing games. I’ve celebrated the Trophies of God’s Grace in Asia! Unfortunately, I’ve also seen some embrace plastic charades rather than reality.   

 “If you knew who I was, you wouldn’t want me in PWOC?”

 “Oh, you’re a sinner too!”    

Many have told me, “You’re the only one I’ve told this to.” 

 Why do we feel we must be perfect to be accepted? Why do we reject a sister based on pre- cross mistakes or her current struggles?

Sadly, some are uncomfortable with the reality of the woman sitting next to them.  Women carry needless shame, feeling they must hide who they were pre-cross.  Some are devastated by rejection as they attempt to find intimacy with “good” Christian women.  Many slowly wither praying for someone who will truly know them and still care enough to be a mentor.  This is NOT the gospel.

Do we BELIEVE the gospel?  Are we merely paying lip service to the gospel?  ALL have sinned (Rm 3:23). The wages of that sin is death…BUT the FREE gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus (Rm 6:23). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:23).

Mentoring begins as new Christians find mature Christians to assist them on the journey from muck to life. Consider the possibilities in the following examples. You were a drug dealer 10 years ago; I’m recently saved and struggle with cravings for drugs.  You struggled with infidelity- your marriage is now vital; I just heard of my husband’s infidelity. You walked the pain of infertility; I was just told I’d never have a child. You survived child abuse and are victorious and whole; I need to know HOW you got to that point. You struggled with sexuality pre-cross; I believe God (and Christians) could never accept me because of my past sexuality.  Legacy comes as we courageously cast off the plastic charade and share our lives openly and honestly with one another. 

 Is it uncomfortable when women are authentic? It CAN be. Is it risky for all? YES. 

I beg God to make us women who truly BELIEVE and embrace the gospel, rather than perfecting plastic charades. Are we serious about His kingdom coming in our midst?

We must be prepared to accept broken and wounded women as Jesus did, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” (Jn 8:11).

* First shared at pwoc.org on Asia Region's page

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Words to Live By...I think

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Akita Curry?

Akita flavor curry? Curry that Akitas love?  Not sure but it's fun to speculate.....I'm sure it means something very rational....

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Another Fun Sign

I'm really smiling when I think of all the "Spanish" signs in America and wonder how many smiles they bring. LOL 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

It's a Wrap

A recap of this week would be PWOC WEEK! 


Monday was  our Planning Meeting Part 2. It was the first time we were able to get the whole exec board together at the same time, as we've had Tsunami Voluntary Departures, Vacations and such.  I'm excited about the team God has put together and the plans He has birthed in the hearts of the team.  Monday is also Human Video and Youth group.

This week Michael has been busy getting a taste of the boss's job. I've not asked what he thinks about it - but I can guess. ::snort::

Arielle has been on a mission trip the bulk of this week. I'll write a separate post about that.

Jared continues to house sit on North Base.....

Tuesday is PWOC Bible Study. This week I handled the school aged kids as Arielle was on the mission trip.

Wednesday was a meeting of the Chapel's Financial Working Group. I was invited to attend.  I spent a considerable amount of time firming up the PWOC ministry year calendar, working on Fall Rally details, working on regional PWOC details, creating a slide show on how to work well with a Chapel, Chaplain, Staff for our board meeting.

Thursday was our PWOC joint board meeting...... We joked that we were offering ipad incentives for joining the board. ::snort:: God has graciously gifted us with 13 women this year on the joint board. Wow. I have NEVER even had a full exec board (5 positions).  I found it hilarious when we sat down to see all the matching ipads and PWOC turquoise covers. Mine is the red one. There is another one I had to crop out.  Below you see our PCOC (Prot Children of the Chapel) Cooridnator and our Retreat Coordinator.

From 2011-08-05

After the board meeting two stayed and helped organize the PWOC "closet" - which is really 1/2 a closet and 3 cabinets. I had purchased some plastic bins and a shelf and it is NICE to open the closet without a box or two falling out. We'd been busy this summer and just been throwing things in the closet.

You won't be surprised to know I color-code my outlook calendar. Green for Asia Region, bluish purple for Misawa PWOC, Red for Chapel activities, Yellow for MOPS and PURPLE for personal. I have learned part of investing in my top 5% is making sure there is a purple slot at least once a week or once every other week. This week my purple slot on Friday a.m. led me to tea and scones with a friend. It was a nice way to end a busy three weeks.

I then stopped and visited a couple of ladies on base. Tried to catch another friend at home and came home to spend the afternoon with the kids celebrating our 2 year in Japan anniversary. We went to one of their favorite places.... The Misawa Aviation Museum and Sky Park.... Scary shot, isn't it?

The moment Zander realized HE controlled the directions

Michael had an event. I wasn't sure what sort of event....one that Ch. S usually goes to. ::snort:: But then I began to think....I no longer have a nursing baby at home, or young kids who need a sitter...there really isn't a reason I don't go with him to the formal events...other than my jeans and t-shirts are a bit too ALASKA FORMAL. I didn't have this epiphany until we were at the mall trying out a new restaurant...MOS Burgers.

Rack upon rack of black female business attire

Arielle had the yakiniku burger - beef in rice "patties"

This taco was GOOD - but sort of a cross between curry and a taco....yum. 

And...that's a wrap! We are up to today.....though I need to copy and print entries since May to send to Mom G and my sis in law. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...