When squeezed...

We are here.  We live in Haiti.  Saying those words is still incredible and we are.  We aren't even at our home mission and our first week in Haiti has taught and shown us so much.  We realize that we are in a marathon; not a sprint.  We are here long term, not for a week mission with a team trying to accomplish big tasks.  As we watch, we have seen spiritual warfare attack in different ways than you would think.  Mountains that our made out of mole hills, or letting worldliness take your eyes off Jesus and from keeping a kingdom perspective. We also see that no magical thing happens to anyone on the plane ride to Haiti. What you were in the States is what you are here but when we are out of our comfort zone, we're squeezed. When squeezed, "What comes out?" Who has control?


I've seen that when we have expectation towards others and situations it is easy to be discouraged and frustrated.

 It's not the sharks that kill you here but the minnows that bite and pick daily wearing you down.  The need to abide in the Spirit is important.  We continue to seek wisdom so we can see clearly with the eyes of Christ and love with his heart.
Two short days with the McHouls has invigorated our hearts.  They, after 20+ years in Haiti are free.  They are not embittered.  Jon said this morning that," How can you be in God's will and not be happy!  I love living here.  It can be hard but it is wonderful!"  That attitude is what I pray for; that we will remain contagious and full of the joy of the Lord.  That our love for God and people brings HIM glory.

Livesay [Haiti] Weblog: O Holy Night

Livesay [Haiti] Weblog: O Holy Night: Every direction you turn, the images of Christmas are evident. You need not look far to find beautiful and thoughtful displays, tastefully...

Our Love Story for Haiti: Saying Goodbye To My Dog

Our Love Story for Haiti: Saying Goodbye To My Dog: One of the hardest parts was leaving my dog, kelsey. I have had her since I was five. She was one of my christmas gifts. It seemed like she ...

Thankful

Thankfulness means different things to different people.  Like no other time in my life; no matter what - I am thankful.  1 Thess. 5:18 says in all circumstances to be thankful for this is God's will for you.  No matter what, I am thankful.  We just celebrated Thanksgiving and as we focused on our many blessings I thought of our new life in Haiti and then my thoughts went to the many haitians that are thankful with far less than we have.  Would we be thankful in their circumstances.  It was hard to say bye to my sister for eight months; good byes are getting very real. We had to give our family dog to a family who could care for her and our children are broken hearted as they experience sacrifice.  I am thankful that God uses the foolish things of this world and so thankful for this call and transition though it's not easy.  We just moved out of our house.  I'm tired, emotional and yet at peace and truly thankful.  This holiday season; I pray that our focus is on our Savior like never before and that no matter what as we move to Haiti and many of our dreams come true.  Though, this is not a fairy tale of perfection...it is full of joy, peace and love and we are thankful for all we have, our family and friends and truth!

Livesay [Haiti] Weblog: Transracial Adoption

Livesay [Haiti] Weblog: Transracial Adoption: A Vision Test, By Amie Sexton Love is colorblind. Do I hear a resounding “AMEN!”??? You might regret it. There are two things you s...

2011-11-17

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OBEDIENCE

God is growing us so much through this journey but primarily the lesson for us through this season is Obedience.  We are also seeing so many blessings!  God's provision has been truly incredible. 
Mother Theresa's statement:  "We should live more simply, so that other's may simply live." This put me on a track pondering how God's desire is for us to be Deep and Simple and yet our society is Shallow and complicated.  We even have a facebook page status for relationships that glories in It's complicated.
I am seeking God's heart for simplicity in our life and depth of heart, soul and spirit.

What I wanted to share about obedience includes are haitian daughter Ava Grace.  Last week Ava had a rough week in school.  Self control with actions, voice volume and choices (primarily with food) are her issues...(hey, sometimes they're mine to.) We've realized with Ava that the most effective discipline for her is to remove her choices so that WE are in control and caring for her and she is not in control and therefore taking care of herself. If she never trusts someone who purely loves her to care for her than she may never develop the means to receive God's gifts of grace and faith to fully trust HIM to be in control of her life and to trust HIS love.
 In the morning, if we didn't make a full breakfast like pancakes than each child chooses something like cereal, oatmeal, fruit or toast.  So, purposing to instill within her self control and balancing behavior we gave her a breakfast of applesauce and cinnam0n raisin toast; with no choice to choose just placed before her.  She refused to eat it.  So, it was brought out for the next meal...and the next...until she submitted.  During this struggle of the wills, we visited grandparents and they wanted to take our family to Cici's.  Ava LOVES a buffet!  We explained that if she would obey and eat the cinnamon toast for snack simply because she trusts our choices for her, love her and TOLD her to than she could have what she wanted and join the family but if she did not obey, she could not.  It would hurt us and her.  She refused.  She would look at, even lay by the bread, obviously hungry and yearning to obey but would not.  She put some in her mouth but would not swallow.  Therefore she lost the blessing to go to Cici's with the family (so did I). We headed to the farm.  She had her bread and the applesauce.  On the way driving, she said "Mommy, I love you."  I said I love you so much Ava.  I love you too much to let you not continue in your disobedience.  THEN, I asked "So, are you ready to obey?"  She said "No."  That's when the Spirit brought the Word to my mind and heart, If you love me you'll keep my commandments. 
OBEDIENCE is love.  We know what we should do and we will not let go of our perceived rights...we won't give in and trust that God is big enough to handle whatever we are holding on to.  We are struggling in life and God offers us something that he desires to help refine and change us because of his unending love and we want to live by our feelings and not by the faith he offers to obey, have self control, received discipline/accountability. 
Ava finally gave in and we victoriously climbed another mountain of bonding, love and connection individually and as a family.  In the meantime, we bask in the journey of growth, unity and essential truth of learning what it means to fully obey. Simplicty...Depth...