Catastrophe around every corner...

My time back in the States has been interesting to say the least...As I have retold various experiences to people while I've been on the road...it seems as if there is catastrophe around every corner!
Visit #1: Nebraska- The day I landed in the States, my stepmom's Dad had a stroke.
Visit #2: Colorado- I drove into the mountains and the car would not shift from 1st to 2nd gear.
Visit #3: Indiana- As I visited my brother and his family, they all enjoyed the latest round of stomach flu going around.
Visit #4: Chicago- After getting caught up with a friend, I fell down marble stairs and severely twisted my ankle and jacked up my shoulder.
Visit #5: Kansas- nothing traumatic here- whew!
Visit #6: Virginia- Canoeing in February was not my brightest decision ever, but of course we did not come to this conclusion until after we almost drowned in the icy waters.
Visit #7: West Virginia- My host develops severe mouth pain where it is painful to talk.

So, as you can see...things have been quite interesting here.

Truthfully, I have had some wonderful, obviously God-ordained meetings!

In Omaha, I met some incredible people- here's a little shout-out to the Bobbleheads! They are a small group from my sending church that were so loving and hilarious. :) AND I also met a man who was deployed with one of the gals from Germany. He just "happened" to be in a protestant church (he is catholic) on THE only Sunday that I "happened" to be available to share at this church. Pretty cool!
In Indiana, I had the opportunity to connect with a small group that has been supporting me for the past few months. It was an emotional time as I shared about my love for the people in Germany and how they have impacted my life- as well as what God is doing there.
In Chicago, I enjoyed listening to the life of my friend there, who has been in a relationship with an Army guy. It was amazing how much I could understand about her life because of my experience with the military these last two years.
In West Virgina, we watched a movie called "The Secret Life of Bees". I won't go into a lot of details, but it ministered to a deep part of my soul.
After a quick lunch in Harrisburg with a friend, I decided to make a quick stop in Hershey, PA. I had always wanted to visit the Hershey factory, and it was only 7 miles off of my route. I meandered around the museum, and decided to pick up a treat at the cafe, a treat for my next hosts. As I was scouring the menu, I started up a conversation with the cashier. Come to find out, she had been living in Germany for the last few months and was hoping to return soon. She lived in Trier, only about an hour from where I lived. So, we exchanged emails. Who knows what God will do with that, but it was too "random" to ignore.
In Pennsylvania, I shared with a church who has been supporting me with prayer for about two years now. They are a small, rural church who spend a lot of time praying their daily and weekly needs. It was humbling to be there to share my needs. Yet, this was the place where I had received the most financial help yet on my trip! I had a lady who has nothing (literally living with friends) hand me a check for $100. I also had coffee with the Secretary of the Missions Committee. We both cried as we shared about our past experiences on the mission field, and talked about what an AMAZING God we serve. This God is after our hearts and our faith- NOT our resources. It's never really about the money.

Although this trip has had challenges, I do not doubt that God has fore-ordained meetings with people. He has "prepared in advance" the way before me. Step by step, I'm learning to trust Him in deeper and more relevant ways.

My First Podcast Interview

Jill Hart, a woman I went to college with is one of the hosts for a Blog Talk Radio Show, as well as the founder of CWAHM (Christian Work At Home Moms). http://cwahm.com/wordpress/

Her and her co-host Dianna Ennen graciously invited me to share about my ministry with Cadence International. I was soooo nervous, but you can check out her website and even find the link to my interview at: http://blogtalkradio.com/cwahm.

Money=Fear? Another lesson on faith

Last week I was sharing about Cadence with a Sunday School class in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was the first time in quite a while where I had the full hour to share what God is doing in the lives of women in Germany. I was a little nervous, as I think anyone speaking in front of people should be, but as the stories began to flow about the women I know in Germany and how God has proven Himself faithful...I sensed my heart begin to calm.

As a missionary of a faith-based organization, I am required to raise my own support to sustain ministry and life in Germany. There have been many challenges, often related to finances, but God has been incredibly faithful. Stories of amazing provision at just the right moment; stories that remind me that it is really NOT about the money, but whether or not I serve a faithful God.

I have a return ticket to head back to Germany on April 28th. I also have around $2500 of additional monthly support that must be raised in order for me to return on that plane. As I listen to the radio, the TV, people at the supermarket, even my pastor talk about the economic crisis and how we must all tighten our belts for the current times- my heart begins to fill with fear. Where in the world will this money come from? I am fortunate enough to have my current supporters stay with me- let alone additional supporters to join me. Such was the state of my heart and mind as I tried to focus on the sermon this Sunday morning.

We have been studying the book of Hebrews and talking about faith. The sermons have been incredibly applicable to this stage of my life. As we started reading Chapter 13, I sensed God saying, "Melissa, this is for you. Take heart."

13: 5-6, Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'

Fear is often associated with money, especially these days. However, God presence is always with us and He is the One who has given us everything we have and everything we need.

13:20-22, "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I have NO idea how God is going to provide the finances needed for me to return to Germany, but I trust that His plan is perfect and that He will be with me through it all, because His Word says so.

People-People-People

Tonight is one of those nights where I’m deep in thought about who I am and who I’ve become. I’m sure some of this is due to a conversation I just had with one of my friends here who is also a professional counselor. Tonight we talked about my strengths, my gifts and in general- who I am. Without a doubt- I’m a people person. Everything in my life seems to revolve around loving people, being with them, empathizing with them, looking for ways to include others and to help them see areas of growth. I like to help other people understand themselves better and to see how they can grow as individuals. I like people.

As much as I love people, I also need time and privacy to process and re-energize. That’s one of the reasons I’m looking forward to being on the road soon. I have time by myself to think, cry, and pray while I’m driving, and then I get to stay up late talking with people about what God is doing in their lives.

I know we’re always at different places in our growth. We’re changing, growing, morphing into the people God has made us to be. How often do you ask yourself- “Who am I? Who am I becoming? Or Who has God made me to be?” I recognize it is not always good to be self-focused, but I have found it is a lot more difficult to help others when you don’t understand who you are first.

My musings for the evening.