{just}

​Hola! It has been a few weeks since I have shared. To me, it feels like much longer than that. Yes, things have been that busy. Busy with God things. Today, today I have a moment to write so I’ll share…

For several weeks, God has been blowing me away with His goodness (and of course there’s been a mix of resistance and struggle thrown in as well).  I had the pleasure and honor of attending and assisting ​the baptisms of my dear friend and her two children a few weeks ago. Talk about your heart swelling! I was filled with joy at the truth God had certainly moved through our lives and provided miraculous healing through many. ​

My dear friend's baptism. Praise God!

She and I were then fortunate to spend several hours together talking and sharing. For the first time in our young friendship she learned of my whole story. Going all the way back to when I was a baby. She was more than blown away {shocked even}, and for a moment I felt a bit nervous and uneasy. I had become vulnerable, that icky awkward place many of us do not like to go to, most likely because we simply cannot control the outcome. I shared.

She listened. We cried. And in the end I felt as though it was needed for my healing, and her full understanding of why I am completely "gaga" for Jesus!

​Fast forward to the following weekend. God met me and several other women in a congregation of nearly 300 for a women’s conference. All I can say is ah-mazing! He met me there, corrected me there, encouraged me there, and compelled me to keep pushing on.

He met each and every woman willing to fully enter into worship, and it was apparent and evident His presence blessed us, reminding us of His love while permeating the sanctuary. Then I made this statement after sharing briefly on Rise Up! Devotions: “I am Just a wife, mother, employee, soccer mom, and a woman with a desire to open my arms wide and say here you go God, do what you will. Now He's sending Rise Up!  

Sharing Rise Up! at Woman Warrior

to the Dominican Republic in June of this year, and women will be ministered to with its words. God has connected me with a Christian counselor in the area who is excited to see where our Christ-centered connection goes {as a mentor not a counselor for me:) }. Women all across the nation and even into South Africa now have the book in their hands.”

After speaking the word “JUST”, I was not only convicted by God in my spirit, but also by God through the lead Pastor at the conference, as if to say “please don’t you even dare minimize all the other roles God has you fulfilling – it is ALL IMPORTANT.” God continued to speak to my heart saying…

Your role as a wife and following My lead in your marriage and your relationship with your husband, is important.
Your role as a mother and listening to My heart regarding your children while continuing to break generational habits, is critical.
Your role in the work place and medical mission field is where I have you posted right now, it’s not a mistake. It’s needed. You’re there because I’ve called you there.
Your role as a friend, sister, daughter and member of the community – all, matters.

Every part of you, each last ounce, is important. No one part of the body is more important than the other and not all will have title of Pastor or college graduate or famed author or speaker. Many may go “unnoticed” by the world at large. But I, God, notice. I notice when you are praying for your husband, when you’re prostrate before Me for your girls. I notice when you’re biting your tongue, and when you’re seeking forgiveness when you just couldn’t. I notice when the projects before you don’t appear to serve your preferences, but ultimately know you’re serving Me [God]. I notice both the enthusiasm and insecurities you have on this new journey into the medical mission world and those that exist with the Rise Up ministry. I notice when you grow concerned you may be letting one of your friends here at home down, while you are sent to serve abroad. I notice. You are more than “just”…

Indigenous areas of Guatemala, so much love...

​Those words from the Holy Spirit, both a correction and a gift, were just what my heart needed to hear. I needed to know I am enough, right where He has me – He knows the feeling of inadequacy seems to be a constant companion. But God. God is a CLOSER companion, who nudges those feelings out the way when we open ourselves up and allow Him to.

​Fast forward to today. I’m sitting in my room in Antigua, Guatemala, praying the treatment I received this morning (along with the many prayers of the residing team) will heal my body and I will be 100% for returning home tomorrow. Remember all that initially began this blog way back when? Those lovely symptoms are all trying to rear their heads and cause me to be impotent to the power of God within me to serve and extend love to those in the most need here in this city and surrounding country communities.

For nearly a week I have been interacting with the lovely and grateful people of Guatemala. I have been witnessing and observing the skilled hands of doctors and surgeons. I have been in awe at the generosity of an organization and the people it employs and has as volunteers. I have been doing what I can by reaching out to a child with cerebral palsy. I prayed with a tired mother not only taking care of her stroke ridden parents in their eighties, but also her two young children. I witnessed a sixteen year old boy sit in a wheel chair for the very first time, gaining easier mobility, and popping his first wheelly! I was also blessed to comfort crying and abandoned 

He wanted a foto with his new wheels!

babies, hug a woman with a mental handicap and have her tell me she doesn't like then tell me she loves me, pray and lay hands on the knee of a young woman whose knee was engulfed with a tumor, and with the help of a sweet translator, counseled several women on how they could eat to lose the twenty pounds necessary to receive surgery later this year (they are ready to find themselves some arrowroot to make some paleo tortillas!). God has been moving through all of us, including me.

And the enemy has taken notice. Not only did I come down with altitude sickness, but also dehydration and a stomach bug. I share this to let you know with the presence of God the enemy is not far away. Sometimes just in the thoughts of our mind telling us we’re not enough. Sometimes in the attack of our body. Sometimes from the words of loved ones and friends, that repeatedly perplex and confuse us. But God. God brings clarity. God brings healing. God brings health. God brings His presence and changes everything. Yesterday I was down and pulled an Elijah, I just kind of hung out “under the tree” (sleeping and watching videos while drinking water, since being in los hobras wasn't an option). This morning, I was compelled to repent of assuming that posture, and allow Him to turn this time healing into a blessing as well. Pray for the surgeons. Pray for the patients. Pray for a sterile environment. Pray for loved ones. Write.

My colleague and I, ready to observe in the O.R.

Ladies, we have to be fully aware, when doing the work of God, the enemy WILL notice and WILL try to thwart us in every place he knows we are vulnerable. We have to keep rising up and choose to allow God to bless others ANYWAY. We have to know that we know the Spirit of the living God LIVES WITHIN US! There could be an enemy nose to our nose and one breathing down  

our back, but it doesn’t matter! God is within AND without, covering us with His armor – IF we allow Him to cover us! God, Who is Love, casts out all fear and in that place where anxiety, panic or fear is attempting to prevail, worship! Reading the Psalms {as I have been for the past couple of months} can feel heavy. But when one reads of how David continued to worship and praise Him when under the attack and assault of the enemy, it compels us to do the same!

​So keep going. Keep rising. Keep reading, praying and worshiping, God is with you!