A Link In the Chain

hi all, today is Friday 25th November 2011, 1 month until Christmas, we put our Christmas tree up yesterday because after school I hosted a Karen's Kids Christmas Party for the children I look after through the week.  All 6 of them are here on a Tuesday and Thursday after school so this was the best time.  We all had a blast, I had fasted one day earlier from Tuesday night until Thursday night, I worked it out this week that there is 48 hours between my meals when I do a fast, that is a long time for me with no food. But I did it a day earlier so I could join the children with the party and I ate 1 hour earlier than usual. I overate and later on I realised that I had not covered myself in the Blood or God's Armour for the day.  Lesson learned! I wont be doing that again.  :-)

Well for today's lesson, I am still processing it so I am writing it as I go, I paid Todd the money today for my usual monthly sponsorship as well as the focus on mission: Haiti money which I have saved from my grocery money $200 and the sponsorship money from Pastor Colin $140 plus the $200 donation from the Youth Group totalled $585 which I rounded up to $600NZD, however the exchange rate brought it down to $450USD, so I paypalled that amount only to have the exchange rate change again so it is going to cost me $622NZD so I have put in an extra $37.  All for a good cause.

I face booked Todd and told him I had sent the money so he could look out for it, he replied that he was very happy to receive it and it would go towards paying the teachers Christmas bonuses.

Initially when I read that I was happy he had received it, until I read his comment about where it was going to.  That was a shock to me because in my preconceived mind I had assumed it would go directly to the children of Haiti. I found myself thinking "what am I doing this for?" "this is a huge sacrifice on my part - do they realise what food means to me?" "What about the children?" etc etc. But before I let it get away with me I took it to God and shared all my emotions and thoughts, rants and raves with Him.  I didnt want to resent what I am doing, with the money I send not being used where I thought it should be used.  But God said "Hang On" When I decided to do this I wasnt thinking about where the money would go to or for what purpose. 

God asked me to:

•  "have one meal a day for 5 days" (tick),
•  "get one sponsor per month to put in what I am putting in and for accountability" (tick),
•  "to raise awareness about Haiti with others". (tick).

So once I have done my bit, then it gets passed onto the next link in the chain, in this case it is Todd and The Wellnetwork.  Todd's job is to do what God directs him to do.  I do not get to have a say in that, Todd knows the Wellnetwork and how it runs and what its needs are better than I do, which is why he is the International Director. So if he wants or needs to spend the money I send him, in any way he can, then so be it.  I am not responsible when it gets passed onto the next person. I am responsible for myself and what God directs me to do.

Then I started thinking about why Todd would want to use the money for the teachers and their Christmas bonuses, and I begun to realise that they too have experienced sacrifices, more sacrifices that I could ever dream about, they have given up friends and family to live in Haiti, they have sacrificed jobs/ careers to be teachers/missionaries,  they have sacrificed food too. they only get to eat what is available in the country whereas I can eat what I have around me when I am allowed to eat.  Also God pointed out to me that maybe Todd had prayed for the money to come in for the Christmas bonuses so the money I have sent could be an answer to prayer.  Also God has blessed me with so much, who am I to decide who else gets blessed. That is God's job not mine.

I suppose one of the reasons why I got upset is because I have control issues.  Not being in control of what others do.  I am especially thinking of churches that keep tithes in the bank instead of sharing where the needs of the people are and helping others.  I know a couple of churches who are guilty of that. I have a problem understanding why they would hold onto something that isnt theirs.  But as God pointed out yet again, I am only responsible and accountable to tithe my money, I am not responsible or accountable as to how and where that money gets spent.  Again I am a link in the chain.

Todd if you read this, please know that I am not sorry for what I am doing and I am happy for you to decide where and how the money gets used.  I am doing my bit and you my friend are doing yours.  I am also pleased that God is using me and teaching me on a daily basis and that I am not perfect, nor do I desire to be, I am on a journey, a journey of discovery, a journey that has good lessons to learn, lessons like this that challenge my thinking and cause me to sit up and take notes.  A journey that is life changing.

How about you my friends are you learning, changing, growing, surrendering on a daily basis too? Can I challenge you to ask God where you should be and what you should be doing?  I know that if you do - He will answer.

Until next time
Blessings
Karen

I'm stalling

hi everyone, I am stalling, I said last time that I would do my testamony but I am stalling.  I have thought a lot about what my testamony is and I know what things/events I want to include but to actually sit down and write it all down... maybe next time...

I have had a busy week, today is Sunday 20th November 2011, day 20 for me,  Yahoo I have been doing this for 20 days now.  Some days are good and some days I really struggle.  Bit like life really.  Today is a struggle day.  Full fast so no food until tomorrow tea time.  Ryder has chicken pox so we didnt go to Church this morning, my first time missing Church since I have been back which was January this year. It felt really strange not being at church, like I was missing out on something that everyone else got to enjoy.  But it was good to spend quality time with Ryder.  We watched a movie of his choice.  Yesterday was a really hot day, we spent it outside doing lots of jobs around the house whereas today was raining heavily so we spent it indoors. By not going to Church it feels like I have missed out on my weekend.  Ryder is doing really well with the chicken pox, he hasnt been too adversely affected, he is covered with spots but not scratching which is good.  Although he is hungry all the time, not fun for me having to dish up snacks for him when I cannot partake.  Oh well.

Today I was seriously tempted to change the rules regarding my full fasting days,  I dont enjoy not eating, I find it much easier to have 1 meal a day, that is not a problem for me but to have to go 2 days without food, that is quite tough.  I found myself coming up with all these alternative solutions, lots of different rationals like just eating soft foods... or having lollies to suck when I get hunger pains.... or just foregoing the full fast but still having just one meal a day for the rest of my time....My mind started to wander.  I had to pull myself up sharply and remind myself what I am doing and why. I had to stop feeling sorry for myself, I have it good, really good, I get to eat what I want to eat 5 times a week, within reason.  Whereas the people of Haiti only get to eat rice and a few veges and if they are fortunate, they might have meat added.  I have soooooo many choices, do I want eggs? salad? bread? meat? potatoes? veges? biscuits? I have choices whereas they do not.  I am surrounded by food.

I have noticed changes in my body already, I have lost one of my many double or is that triple chins??? anyway my face is slimmer and my clothes are looser, but the most difference I have noticed is how cold I feel all the time.  I recently learned that the reason I am feeling the cold is because I am losing weight too fast and it is my body's way of compensating for the rapid weight loss.  I have lost 8 kgs in 2 weeks,  a lot I know but I do have weight I can afford to lose. I find myself needing to use hot water bottles to warm up and I could heat it about 4-5 times an hour!  the things we do. :-)

I am pleased to announce that this month I have raised $200 from my groceries money, $140 from this months sponsor which is Pastor Colin, and $200 from the Youth Group when I did my talk on Haiti as well as approx $50 from the spare change jar which is placed in front of the kitchen servery at church.  Not a bad effort for 1 month.  The only thing I am disappointed in is the exchange rate between NZ and USA.  for $600 NZD it works out to approx $460 USD.  that was shocking but I know anything is better than nothing and I am praying that God will increase and triple the money raised and let it go far and where it is needed the most.

Todd has posted on facebook that the WellNetwork are starting a new venture under their umbrella and that is to sponsor a childs education, to pay for their school uniform and books etc.  A very worthy cause. They are also looking at building a new preschool for the young children so some very exciting times ahead which means that they can reach more children and their families.  These children deserve a chance at life. So if anyone wants to check out Todd's ministry then go to www.wellnetwork.tv

ok, enough of me for today, I will keep praying for you, until next time,  and yes I will think some more about my testamony :-)

In His Name
Blessings

Karen

Playing God

Today is Monday 14th November 2011, day 14 for me, I had our pup put down today.  The decision was ours, not an easy decision but one that had to be made.  Monte was only 9 months old, a purebred staffy, a beautiful white with black markings.  He was a nice dog except he was very naughty.  He had a bad habit for stealing food, either the cats or the kids or whatever he could get from the table, bench or freezer.  He also liked to chase the cats and had started chasing the chickens and we were scared he would chase the sheep. Or hurt the kids.  Certainly not good.

When we decided to explore the possibility of getting the caravan, my only stipulation was that we had to rehome the dogs, because we have had a caravan before and we didnt use it because we took our responsibility to our dogs very seriously. So this time the dogs had to go. Even though I said that I was not really expecting that to happen.  Not in the real sense anyway.  Because I know both Matthew and myself and we are both animal lovers.  We have been married for almost 15 years and our wedding present to each other was our first dog, Sophie a golden retriever.  So we have had dogs with us for the last 15 years either one, two or three dogs.

About 18 months ago we had to put our old dog down, that broke us and Callie our 3year old Staffy did not cope with the loss. So that is why we decided to get another dog which turned out to be Monte. He was a nice dog but extremely naughty.  We were yelling at him all the time.  A lovable rouge.

Because I look after children, I cant trust Monte around them when they are playing outside or eating.  I dont know what he would do. It would kill me if he hurt one of them even unintentionally.

So we talked and discussed at lenght Monte's future, we could have tried to rehome him but I did not want him to be used as a bait dog, it still happens esp to male staffys.  I also did not anyone else to have to put up with his naughtiness.  There were too many conditions to rehoming him.

We went to Dunedin on Saturday to look at caravans and we have put a deposit on one that has yet to arrive in the country.
So today when I woke up, I knew what had to happen, I rung the vets and made an appointment. I really hoped I was doing the right thing.  Or was it just a convinence thing, getting rid of Monte so we can get a caravan and go touring around NZ?

Because we had to wait 2 hours till the appointment I found myself questioning who was I to play God with a life?  Even though he is an animal, he is still one of God's creatures.  We had agreed to look after him and be responsible for him when we took him on.  I kept thinking Monte is alive now and in 2 hours he will be dead.  Was that fair?  He was a healthy dog with nasty habits but does that give me the right to put him down?

I always thought euthanasia was acceptable, even for humans, after all I had tried seriously to end my own life twice,  God interveined and I am so happy He did. But I thought that because I had tried, it was my right.  I know that God has brought me with a price, I belong to Him and He alone knows my future.  Including when and how I will die.

When we got our old dog put down, we knew it was for the best, he was in a lot of pain and had no quality of life left.  So we were told by the vets, we listened to them and believed what they had to say. God gave Adam and Eve the animals and gave them dominion over the animals, they got to choose how to look after them, which ones needed looking after and which ones could fend for themselves. So we do get to choose what is best for our animals including dogs.

Humans are a different story, we do not have the right to play God. God is God and He know best.  He has everything mapped out from the beginning.  So today has challenged my beliefs about life and death, everything from euthanasia to abortion to suicide.  It all interferes with God's plans for our lives, and just like the snake deceived Adam and Eve by telling them that they would not die if they ate the fruit off the tree.  They believed that they would become like God and be able to make decisions for themselves. Decisions that only God gets to make.

Long story short, I took Monte to the vets and he died very peacefully and he will not be able to destroy anything here on earth, be it property, chickens, cats, furniture, or chase sheep or hurt the kids anymore.  What is done is done and I cant second guess our decision with what if??? We got him as company for Callie our other dog and he did not work out, I am very sad we had to make the decision we did, but I would not have been able to live with myself if he had hurt any of the kids.

But it challenged me also because there was a time where I would not have hesitated to end my own life yet I struggled to end Monte's life. So how much value do or did I put on human life???  On my life?????

Human life is precious.  Dont waste it worrying about things that do not matter instead find out what matters to God because it should also matter to us.  People, love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, salvation, truth, integrity, authenticity.

RIP Monte 14/11/11

Honest Sharing

today is day 9.  Second post for today.

Just want to share/ get off my chest what I have been going thru for the last few days, not quite sure how to begin,  I am covering myself in the Blood everymorning as soon as I wake up and putting on the Armour of God. No problems there, but I feel distant from God.  I know that He is there and that it must be something that I have done but not getting any answers as to what is wrong if anything and what can I do to restore the relationship. I usually sense God quite strongly because I talk to Him frequently, keep short accounts etc, I havent been worshipping as I usually do so wonder if that has anything to do with what I am feeling.  He is just quiet.  He is answering my prayers and I know that others are praying for me because I feel strenghtened at times throughout my day, but I still feel a distance between me and my God.  If in the past when this happened it was usually because I had unconfessed sin but I am asking God to reveal any and I am soul searching and confessing anything and everything I can think of.  I am completely surrendered to Him and only want what He wants for my life

This journey is not about me but what God is doing thru me and for others, I am totally open to change and welcome it.  Maybe I just have to relax. and enjoy the ride.

Thank You Lord, He has just been revealing to me as I write that I am resisting Matthew and what he wants as head of our family.  My mum in town (she is not my real mum but she treats me like a daughter and loves me for me, I have a good relationship with her) anyway, Rozann has just brought herself a campervan to live in and tour around NZ.  well that got us thinking and talking, Matthew wants us as a family to get a caravan again so we can join her etc.  Me thinking more practical wants to spend the money on finishing our house esp our 90 year old bathroom!  I am embarrassed by our old crappy bathroom, it is functional and nothing else.  So I would rather spend the money on a new bathroom as we had planned before it falls apart and not on a caravan. I also didnt want to spend money because of this year long focus on missions - how would it look if we are spending money on a caravan when others are starving? Not a good look.  I didnt want the caravan to overstep our dream of going overseas and helping others.  Anyway Matthew went ahead and asked the bank and yesterday the bank said yes to the caravan!  I have just been told I was sulking and not respecting Matthew's authority as head of the house.  Forgive me Lord, I am very sorry,  Matthew has the right to make decisions for our family as he is looking out for our interests too. 

Wow o wow, what a revelation. I honestly did not realise, I knew I was feeling anti and resisting because I only want what God wants for us and I could not really see how a caravan would fit into God's plan for us, but what if this is of God????   Help me Lord to understand.  I know that You want good things for Your children and I know that You reward the faithful but Lord I still feel guilty accepting something when so many others have so less or even nothing

Isnt our God so good? I feel like crying right now, sorry I am typing things as they come into my mind.  Dont mind me.  I feel much better after confessing.  Now I have to wait for Matthew to get home so I can apologize to him too.

Going to go now and wipe my eyes as I can hardly see, I might feed the children morning tea and put a worship CD on.  Bye for now

Nutritional Advice

hi everyone, today is Wednesday 9th November 2011.  Day 9 for me, going well.  Yesterday was my hungriest yet and I think that is because the night before for my alllowed tea, we had yummy scrummy homemade, homegrown hogget roast with fresh salad, while I ate enought to full me, I awoke yesterday absolutely starving, tummy growling, rumbling, dizziness, feeling sick hunger.  Realize now that the roast meal was mainly all protein, so learnt a very valuable lesson, that I need to have carbs at meals too. Another valuable lesson I learnt yesterday is that it is not wise to scull a glass of water when your tummy is sooooo rumbling as it burns going down and burns coming up!!!!! Made it through to tea time last night, it was prizegiving for the seniors at Matts school so he had to go back out so we had Miss A and her mum for tea.  Matthew made his very nice chicken fettucine which is very nice, very rich and only something we have occasionaly, I enjoyed every bite. :-).

Back on track today.  no hunger issues.

I have been asked if I would share what advice the nutritionist has given to me, so here goes:

drink 2-3 litres of water daily

i was put on chlorella to cleanse my blood and body of toxins. Makes you poo alot!!!!

i have to take 1 probiotic daily, so hopefully i dont get sick

i have to take 1 multivitamin daily

i take 2 fish oil tablets and 2 vitamin C tabs daily

I was experiencing the dizziness at the beginning, especially when I ate!!!! but I believe for me it is the water that is helping me heaps.  I am fully hydrated and that keeps hunger and dizziness for me away.

I am allowed to eat anything for my tea as long as it counts and is not empty calories like junk food.

 

I have meat and lots of veges and salads.  I have to have at least 800 calories for that meal. so if my meat and veges arent enough, i make myself a smoothie, which has protein whey powder, yoghurt, fruit, fresh and frozen, nuts and seeds and spirulina in it.

one thing the nutritionist told me was that if someone stops eating properly, then the body can go thru metabolic shock, something new to me, she didnt want me to do this so she recommended that I have 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water when I eat my meal so that my body metabolises my meal properly and gets the full nutrients it needs, something to think about. it tastes horrible and I have to hold my nose when I drink it as I cant eat spicy or acidic foods at all, but the benefits outweigh the risks and the taste. the last thing we want to do is get sick.

 

I am not having any junk at all including preservatives, my body is handling this far better than I thought I would. so for me no biscuits, chips, fizz etc, I have to make my calories count otherwise my body cant make full use of the calories.

i hope this all helps in some way.

 

Any further questions just ask.

 

For Caroline:  Ryder is turning 3 next month, he is our miracle child, I will share my testimony in the next few days with you all.

 

 

It's Sunday!!!!!!

Yah today is Sunday 6th November 2011.  i always look forward to Sunday's, the Day of the Lord, the day we get to Praise and Worship Him with others who love Him too.  The day we get to say "Thank You Lord" and bless Him for what He is doing in our lives and in the lives of others.

I love Sundays!!!!!!!

I was on singing and Matthew was sound techie again.  Ryder just cruises between both of us, he is so comfortable with Church, it is like a second home to him.  It is also International Day of Prayer (IDOP) here in NZ, where churches and individuals are asked to pray for and remember other believers around the world who face persecution for their beliefs.  I found out about it 2 weeks ago when I was reading a book by Brother Andrew and Open Doors.  I went onto the Open Doors Website and found out about IDOP.  Last Sunday I approached this weeks Service Leader and asked her if she knew about IDOP.  She didnt know but was very interested so I emailed her the details this week.  I think what she did was wonderful and the prayer and talk about believers and what some have to go thru for their faith, is mind boggling.  We truly are blessed here and we dont fully appreciate what we have.  THANK YOU LORD FOR SAVING ME, FOR BLESSING ME WITH SO MUCH, LORD IT ALL BELONGS TO YOU, TAKE ME AND USE ME AS YOU WILL, I WANT TO BLESS YOU AS YOU HAVE BLESSED ME. HELP ME TO NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

After Church some people came up to ask how I am doing, so we talked for a while. I didnt get to take the spare change jar straight out after church, but I was so blessed when I finally made it to the kitchen as the people had remembered and put their spare change for Haiti in a container. So the message is getting thru.  Praise God.

I may not be able to go overseas just yet but I can still raise awareness of others and remind others that we have brothers and sisters in Christ who need our constant prayers and support and encouragement and financial support too.

When we got home from Church today, I was checking our emails to discover an email from Carrie, who is the Missionary Intern (English School Teacher) in Haiti.  She has only been there a few weeks and is struggling with the food in Haiti, so she emailed me to see if I had any suggestions.  I was blown away that Carrie would ask advice from me!!!

She is mainly living on rice and it is not really enough for her, most Haitians eat 1-2 meals a day and make them as big as they can as they probably dont really know when they will eat next, so poor Carrie is struggling to make the food she eats be enough to sustain her.

I gave her as much info as I had been given by the nutritionist.  I really feel for her, I have it easy in spite of what I am doing because I have a choice of food and what I want to eat when I am allowed to eat, whereas Carrie has to eat what is available.  I also have access to fresh pure water which helps greatly with the hunger and hydration whereas again I am not sure where Carrie's water comes from.  Over 75% of Haiti does not have access to running water, so hygiene and sanitation and drinking water are big issues for many Haitians.  Many have to drink contaminated water full of bugs and parasites which makes them sick.

So can I please ask everyone who is reading this to pray For Carrie and her situation, that she will know she is where God wants her to be and He will provide her with the nutrition her body needs to survive the conditions she is working in. That her body will adjust quickly and fully to the foods she has to eat and there will be no ill effects for her.  Thank You everyone, I appreciate it and I know that Carrie will too. She needs her strength to teach and minister to the Haitian children and their families in the area she is in.

I have decided that I am feeling so well today that I will total fast today and eat tea tomorrow night.
I am constantly blown away by God's goodness towards me and that this has not been too strenuous for me to follow.  I realise that it is only day 6, but the program is easy to follow and I know that God's Hand is on me.  I feel the prayer coverage.  Thank You everyone.

Until next time. Blessings
Karen

Guy Fawkes

today is Saturday 5th November 2011 and here in New Zealand it is guy fawkes night.  But i am really pleased to say that it has and is snowing heavily here so hopefully not many fireworks will be happening tonight.  I was in the Warehouse (large shopping market with everything in one store) and it was the first day of selling fireworks and the prices were out of this world, $249 for a big container of crackers!!! the guy in front of me brought 2 of these and another box worth $169,  so almost $700 worth of fireworks for his own use!!!!! What a waste and all for one night!  wow, I am glad we are not spending our money on that, there are much more worthy causes. Just ask Todd.

Yesterday was day 4 for me and I was total fasting so nothing to eat from Wednesday tea until yesterday (Friday tea).  I had moments where I felt hungry but they all passed quickly.  I believe that because I am drinking so much water, nearly 3 litres a day, that is helping immensely.  I am very grateful for the fact that I have access to clean pure water, otherwise I would struggle to do what I am doing. Matthew wisely decided that he would cook tea for himself and Ryder, so that left me free time but we got a visitor, so while Matthew disappeared to help her fix her car, I finished preparing tea and I found it was not really a problem.  I had study group and we were looking at Praise and Worship, i was immediately able to go straight into the throneroom of Worship, I suppose because I am staying so connected to God throughout my whole day. The Worship was an incredible time and I felt God say to me that He is well pleased with what I am doing for His people and after the meeting one of my friends came up to me and said that exact thing "that God is pleased with what you are doing" so I was blessed.

I was able to eat tea last night and it was very good but I could not eat it all. We had stew(home grown meat and lots of vegetables) that had been slow cooking all day with rice and it was delicious.

I am not missing food and I definately feel better in myself, energy levels fluctuate but most of the time I feel really good.

now I'm going to talk about the highlight of my day: I was asked to speak at our church's Youth Group.  Their leader told me they were sitting on a lot of money and it would be good for them to hear about other people less fortunate than themselves.  Matthew and I spent one evening preparing a power point presentation, or rather Matthew did the power point and I told him where and what I wanted. 

Michelle our neighbour decided to come along to the youth group too for support which I appreciated.  When we got there, they were playing games and there was only 4 teenagers, one i knew and the rest I didnt.  After their game was finished Barry their leader did a Bible reading from Matthew 25: 31-46. About Jesus' return and how He will separate the 2 groups, the sheep from the goats...  I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me water, I was lonely and you invited me in, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and you visited me...further on it says 'I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people, you did for me'. 

Then Barry went on to say that I am putting this scripture into action, that was my introduction to the Youth Group!

I went through my power point presentation, all about Haiti and Todd and The WellNetwork Ministry and what lead me to doing this, I used visual aids like a $1 coin to ask the kids what they spend $1 on etc.you can't get much in NZ for less than $1 now. I explained how 66% of Haitians live on less than $1 per day. I showed photos of the kids in Haiti, and described health and education and living conditions.  The Youth Group asked lots of questions which was good because I felt they were taking it all in.  Afterwards they gave me a cheque for Haiti for $200.00  WOW!  A group of teenagers parted with their money to support Todd and the Haitians, I felt so blessed.  There were tears in my eyes when I accepted their cheque. Michelle and I went and had a look at my sponsorship form and we have all 12 sponsors now and one who will pay anomyously.

Our God is soooooo good!!!! I would never have dreamt that I would consider doing anything like this especially something that involves FOOD!, let alone share it with people and seek sponsorship from them.  And now I am writing a blog!!!! Wow oh Wow.  this has all happened in such a short time, I am open to whatever God brings my way.

About some of the sponsors, one is not having morning or afternnon tea for the whole year that I am doing this! One is considering eating just 1 meal a day for 5 days a week for the month that they are sponsoring! One sponsor has decided to stop using hair products like mousse, hairspray, gel, etc etc for the month to pay for the sponsorship!!! Wow they must use a lot and what a sacrifice that these people are doing for themselves. They are starting small and who knows what it will lead to in their own lives.  Just their willingness blesses me.

Michelle has invited us for tea tonight at her place while her folks are away.  I am looking forward to that.  Ryder is in bed having a wee sleep, the bread is in the breadmaker and must be due to come out soon because I can smell heavenly hot bread smells wafting in the room.  My tummy has just started to rumble so I am off to get a glass of cold pure untainted, uncontaminated, free of nasty bugs and parasites, water.  Thank You Lord Jesus.   So enjoy the rest of your day, thank you to everyone who is reading this and I hope it inspires you to do something for God.  Just ask and He will show you.

To all the people who are praying for me, a huge THANK YOU. I really appreciate your prayers and I know that they are working. Please remember to pray for Todd and the Haitians too.

Blessings
In His Name
Karen

Day 3

hi everyone

today is Thursday 3rd November 2011, day 3 for me, i am very happy with how it is going.  i have moments of hunger but i push through and i look forward to tea, which i must admit i savour each and every bite :-)

today and tomorrow will be a good test because i am fasting the whole day so no food until tea time tomorrow.  i have chosen today because i have such a busy day planned.  I will take Ryder and Miss A to Jellybeans our local church playgroup which lasts for 2 hours and then this afternoon i have 4 children after school, 6 kids in total and that will keep me occupied until 5.15pm and then i have study group tonight so hopefully being busy will drive away the hunger pains.

I am blown away by the level of support i have gotten, lots of encouragement and people all around the world are praying for me.  Todd posted on fb that he shared with the Haitians what i am doing and they were amazed that i would do this for them and they are praying for me!!!!!! that truly blessed me and blew me out of the water. In spite of not having anything or having so little, the Haitians would still take the time to pray for someone else.  I am praying that God will quadruple the money we send and reach all those who need reaching.  i am also praying that all those who are sponsoring me will see just how blessed they are to have a roof over their head, and food for their tums and a car to drive, money for doctors etc.

i have been asked to speak at our Youth Group on Friday night about what i am doing.  I have been researching facts and figures about Haiti and the earthquake, very sobering stuff.

The Haitian government estimate that 316,000 died as a result of the devastating earthquake. 1.5 million are left homeless and over 100,000 new orphans.  5 million have been adversely affected.

To put it into some perspective, Christchurch's earthquake killed 188 people with thousands adversely affected.  But we have a government that can afford to rebuild and pay out for losses.

Haiti is roughly the same size as the South Island of New Zealand which has a population of 1.1 million people. Haiti has a population of 9.5 million!!! all fitting in the same size as the South Island. Wow!!!

i have spent a lot of my time praying for people and especially praying in tongues as the Lord leads me.  i am praying that what i am doing will change me forever for His Kingdom's Sake.  and that people will focus on what God is doing in me and not what i am doing.

i have also been asked to preach at our local church in the new year. it will be my first ever time. i know i am not a preacher, a teacher maybe, but not a preacher.  I have been asking God to give me a message for His people and some ideas are slowly starting to take shape. i am excited that God would choose to use me, in spite of myself.  I am very grateful for what God has done for me and in me and what He is doing thru me.  At the end of the day i am completely His for Him to use me as He wills and wants.  He brought me with a price and who am I to refuse what He asks of me????

The title of my sermon will be REVELATIONS.  not the book but truths revealed in a new way.

for instance God has shown me that just as He is Immortal, so am I! I will live forever.  We all will, the choice is whether we choose to live with God in Heaven or with satan in hell.  No contest really.  so i will do some more research and expand on that revelation for my sermon and another revelation i received this week from God was when we are working in a job we have a boss who is in authority over us, His word stands, we would not dare to challenge him, we usually would receive a job discription that tells us what we need to do as well as a manual that tells us how to do the job properly and effectively. There are benefits when we do the job well like pay rises and preformance bonuses etc.  We have co workers who work for the same boss, they may have a different job description from ours.  God showed me that as it is in the natural world so it is in His World.  God is our Boss, we are to follow His orders without question because He knows the big picture.  He has the plan and the vision.  We have a manual the Bible to instruct us and for us to follow and we have co workers, other Christians who have different calling from us but we all have the same boss and He rewards us etc etc etc

i hope that people can understand that and that it may make them think more about how they treat God their Boss and whether they truly follow His orders and instructions.  So that is my sermon idea and i will ask God for another Revelation that i can share with people too.


okay enough from me, i will be praying for you all and talk to you tomorrow.
Blessings
Karen

So far so good

Today is Wednesday 26th October 2011.  i havent blogged for a couple of days, i have practice fasted for the last 2 days and it went good. Although i think my body would adjust better once i am doing it full time as day on day off doesnt really give my body the continuity it needs, start stop start stop!!

Monday was a public holiday here in New Zealand and i had set myself the tasks of getting my Perspectives readings and homework done as well as getting the Plunket AGM minutes and invite out to the life members.

i am secretary for the Edendale Wyndham Plunket Sub branch at least for 1 more week anyway. We will have our AGM next monday night and a new committee will be voted in.  I have enjoyed my time as secretary, mostly.  it is a little out of my comfort zone but with Matthew's help and my friend Jane helping too to compose the letters for me to send, we get there. So i spend Monday morning printing invites and previous minutes to send to the life members.  After lunch, Matthew, Ryder and i went and delivered the ones to the members who live in Edendale and posted the rest.

I was very hungry after the 45 min walk.  i am finding that i get extrememly hungry about 3.30 -4pm. so distractions are good. had to have a rest in the later afternoon, not something i usually do, but the holidays were very busy for me, so it was good to recharge my batteries.

Later that Monday night, i got stuck into my Perspectives readings, i thought they were going to be easy but i must admit i really struggled to grasp the readings and i had 15 questions to answer from the readings.  I am so pleased to be doing Perspectives and i especially love God's timing.

i know that these next four years that we are in New Zealand are to be used for training and teaching and learning as much as we can, so my prayer had been "Whatever You want me to do Lord, i am willing, available and able to do". And yes He still answers prayer, because one day not too long ago i was surfing the web and i came across by accident???? the Perspectives for World Missions Program.  i had done this course when i was a new Christian over 20 years ago, but i couldnt really remember a lot about it.  I felt a quickening in my Spirit as i read further on the website and i discovered there was a headquarters in NZ.  I sent off an email to see if i was able to do it in Southland and i got a reply pretty promptly!  i was able to do the course by correspondence! it would mean doing it on my own but i believe that God was preparing me for that by my doing the discipleship book on my own too.

So i sent away my money, and whilst i was waiting for the course to arrive, i received the email from Todd that started all of this.

So i believe i am meant to do the course and i finally managed to complete the answers last night (Tuesday) so i can send them off today.

Yesterday (Tuesday) i decided to do a second practice day of fasting and i must admit i felt hungry most of the day, it was the first day of term 4 for teachers and students so Matthew was back at school and i have the 15 month old little girl i look after, her mum is a teacher too.  i also look after 2 boys after school (Mon -Fri) and 2 girls on Tues and Thurs. So that keeps me busy which is good.

It thats great skill and fortitiude to not eat when food is around you all the time, for example when preparing healthy snacks for the children and testing to see if babies food is cool enough for her to eat.

I have not had to do any baking yet and i will be tested there because i am like most people who like to lick the spoon clean after baking. :-)

So today is Wednesday and i am eating normally today, less than 1 week now until i begin.  i have sent a few days trying to come up with and appropriate title for what i am doing, it is not an adventure, not a journey etc so i will keep thinking what to call it.

i will practice fast again on thursday and friday, however i am having a tooth extracted on friday so i will take that day as it comes.

God Incident

23 October 2011

Today is Sunday and has been rather busy with church and family.  I didn't blog yesterday. Shouldve, couldve, but didnt. Yesterday i was practice fasting and again it was about 3.30 -4.00pm that i felt really hungry but managed to get thru.

 One thing that happened yesterday was i had already been out to feed our chooks in the morning, so i dont usually go out again but i decided to clean out the fridge and give the old potatoes to the chooks, so out the back i went again, and i counted our sheep, there were only 9 instead of 11.  So i walked around the property and still no extra sheep and no obvious places that they could have gotten out.  i came inside and told Matthew who was cooking lunch for himself.  Whilst eating his lunch i asked him to txt John the actual owner of the sheep (just in case he had taken 2 sheep away, without telling us).  John rung us straight back saying someone had just told him 2 sheep were out on the road and were they his?  To which he replied they were not his.  (not realising they were the ones from our paddock).  So Matthew and John went down the road to fetch these sheep, just as the sheep were coming towards John! They managed to get them into his spare paddock without any incident.  Praise God.  If i hadn't have gone out to feed the chooks when i did, and notice 2 sheep missing... and if John hadnt have responded so quickly to our text message..., and if someone had not have approached John and told him 2 sheep were running down the very busy road... then it could have been a very different outcome. We believe someone must have opened the gate and let them out, anyway they are back home now. God's Timing.  I was able to share with John that God was looking after us, he acknowledged that it must have been God.

Today is Sunday and we had church, i was on singing and Matthew runs the sound desk so we were at church early. I had been asked to do the Bible reading which was from Acts 2: 37-41. Pastor Colin spoke on Salvation and Baptism by full immersion. He challenged all those who had not been baptised to seriously consider it. i am hoping that Matthew will take the offer of baptism by full immersion.  Pastor Colin also spoke to the church fellowship about what i am doing and encouraged the church family to pray for me and to encourage me because i will need it.  i didnt realise he was going to speak about me and Haiti.  Every 5th sunday, we have a missions lunch and collect an offering for missions.  We have also decided that we will put a money jar beside the kitchen servery so that people can put $$$ in for missions as we have our cup of tea and cake after church. More money for Haiti. Cool.

After the service i had a few people come and talk to me about what i am doing, a few had questions as to whether i will be able to cope with not eating but i assured them i was doing ok on the practice fasting days and i know that God will help me. I reminded them that it is only a very small sacrifice what i am doing because at the end of the year, i can choose to go back to full eating but the children of Haiti do not have the same choices. it is only one year out of my life.

i was thinking today that this time next year i will almost be finished, i wonder how i will feel, how much i will have changed, in thought, in deeds, in body, in prayer, in worship, in gratitude, in study, in discipleship.

i have had someone from church, tell Pastor Colin that she doesnt think i am doing this for the right reasons, that God will not have told me to do something like this. He replied to her that i am doing what i need to do, that God will reward my obedience, that i am doing something unselfish for someone else. What were they doing for God's Kingdom???

i am not doing this for attention, or for the glory, i would definately prefer to stay in the background, but i really want to challenge people around me that everything we have, has been given to us by God.  We are to be stewards and wise,  I have been given so much, i am really blessed so who am i to not share what i have with someone?  I can and i will.

Just been reminded about the parable of the talents and how one hid it away and one invested it wisely.  i am happy to invest my time, energy, money, body, skills and talents for God's Kingdom.  I am putting my riches into God's bank and His interest rate is out of this world!!!!!

Today has been a normal eating day, i cant wait to begin for real, i think i am ready, i have been preparing for the last 3-4 weeks.

i found that even eating the normal food was too much for me. A real surprise, i can tell you.

Tomorrow is another practice fast day. Until tomorrow. blessings

21st October 2011

hi everyone, i am finally up and running, the blog has begun, i am eating normally today and finding that a real struggle, fancy finding eating a struggle! i am getting headaches and i think it is because of food, i didnt have one when i wasnt eating.  maybe my body is adjusting. 10 days to go until i begin for real.

Todd sent me an email and he told me about Carrie who is working as a missionary in Haiti.  I read her blog and started crying, she has a real way with words, and they went deep into my Spirit.  She is living with the very people i am wanting to help. She is experiencing first hand what the Haitian people have to go thru, none to very little food, the very high temperatures, i dont know how i would cope.

Todd is on his way back to Haiti now to see how things are going so i will look forward to hearing from him when he gets back to the States.

I had study group last night and i was asked to pray for a couple of ladies who wanted to be baptised in the Holy Spirit.  i felt very privileged and honoured that they would ask me. So we prayed and i am believing that they would receive tongues.

if you want to check out what Todd and the WellNetwork does then go to: www.wellnetwork.tv
and if you want to support what he is doing and help financially their website will show you what to do.

One thing i have been told to do whilst i am on this year long journey is to cover myself in the Blood of Jesus everyday and put on God's Armour as described in Eph 6. I am finding that this will be a very improtant part of my daily routine.

i am amazed at how God's hand has been on this from the very start and how He has shaped and changed my thinking in just a short few weeks.  When i first decided to do this, i was just going to do it by myself and not tell anyone, just in case i failed :-) then no one would be upset, just me.  then i got the thought to get individual sponsors from my church so they could hold me accountable as well as praying and encouraging me, they would be helping Haiti too.  Never did i believe in a million years would i go public and share what i am doing with the whole wide world!!!  I had been thinking it would be a good idea to keep a diary of my journey so that i had something to look back on later.  And now look - i am writing a blog!!!!! who would have thought? Certainly not me.  Our God is an awesome God and i know that as long as i continue to surrender to Him, He will use me to further His Kingdom.

Whatever counts for eternity Lord - let it be.

i know that it is not going to be easy at times but it will still be easier than what the Haitian people go thru on a daily basis.

so if you find yourself reading this, pray and ask God what you can do to help His people who need help. There are lots and lots of lonely, scared, hungry, lost people out there who need to know there is a God who knows them and loves them and longs to have a relationship with them.

i know this because i was lost and lonely and hurting and God met me and loved me and saved me from myself and i am eternally grateful. i have accepted His free gift of salvation - have you?

 

Focus on Mission: Haiti

hi there everyone, my name is Karen and i am about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, at least for me anyway. i am 39 years old, married to a fantastic guy called Matthew and we have one gorgeous almost 3 year old son called Ryder. 


Where to begin? well i have a friend who is a Missionary in Haiti. He is the International Director of WellNetwork Ministries. He regularaly goes to Haiti to look after 300 plus people a day who have been adversly affected by the devastating earthquake in January 2010. 316,000 approx died as a result and over 5 million people have been directly affected.  The population of Haiti is 9 million people. Pretty sobering stuff.  My friend Todd feeds, clothes, has just recently opened a school in Haiti. They have just shipped a container full of food and clothes and shoes to help people as they try to rebuild their lives.  Todd sent an email out and one particular sentence grabbed my attention, so much that i had to read and reread the same sentence over again, it was "a container of food to feed 300 plus one meal a day for 5 days a week for 1 year". 


well my friends that is what i am going to do:  i am going to have 1 meal a day for 5 days a week for 1 year and the money i save in my groceries then i will donate it to Todd for Haiti.  i spoke to my Pastor and i have approached my church for sponsorship.  i have 12 sponsors who will match what i put in so we are raising double the money for Haiti. 


 20th October 2011
 I am starting to realise what I have signed up for.  I have decided to do the program every second day to prepare myself and my body as I only have 11 days to go until i start on the 1st November 2011. So I have not eaten all day, only occasionally hungry.  Have reflux and because I am taking chlorella for detoxing, i am frequently going to the toilet.  I am looking forward to eating tea; Matthew has decided sausages, salad, and potatoes. YUM.  Food never looks and tastes as good as when you aren’t allowed it. J

Drinking heaps of water.  Looking forward to the changes my body is going to go thru.  I have found myself recently eating extra food and making lots of allowances for foods I shouldn’t be eating.  I feel like I’m making up for lost time, except that I haven’t even started yet. J

I have 10 confirmed sponsors now including one who is a non-Christian, so hopefully will make lots of money for the Haitians and raise awareness about the great work that Todd is doing.

I am going to keep a blog as a record of how I am doing and what lessons God teaches me thru this experience.

It is 3.55pm and I have 1 hour to go, bring it on although I am pleased with myself for getting this far thru the day. I have two children to look after today, one more day of the school holidays and then Matt and the kids go back to school and I begin.

it is now 6.20pm and i was finally able to eat tea, i found that although i could eat after 5pm, i actually waited until 5.30pm and tea was beautiful, really nice. i ate slowly and found myself wondering about the Haitians and do they wonder where their next meal is coming from? do they savour their food or do they hurry to eat? lots of questions that i might ask Todd about.

Enough for today, i am pleased i was able to wait until teatime, tomorrow i get to eat normally  and Saturday will be another day like today. Blessings.  Karen