The Covenant Maker

This week Kyle and I decided to attend men/women's Bible studies at the church we have been visiting. It was my first introduction to doing a Beth Moore group study, and I admit, I really enjoyed it. This morning as I was working on day 1 of my homework, one of the options she has provided is to write out the books of I & II Thessalonians in the back of the workbook while you are doing the study. The idea is that it will help you retain it better by writing. I could only smile as I sat and penned the words of I Thessalonians 1:1. It reminded me of a sweet answer to prayer that I haven't shared with many people...

Last winter, Kyle deployed to Qatar. They were very sweet and difficult days for us. Part of the sweet were friends that are stationed down there: Chaplain Ron and Marsha Harvell. We met them at Ramstein AFB in Germany, where Marsha taught us how to study the Bible inductively using Precept Upon Precepts. This Bible study has truly been life-changing for both Kyle and I. They graciously said yes when we inquired about the possibility of me staying with them for a couple of weeks during Kyle's deployment. Little did we know the journey it would take us all on.

When I arrived in Qatar, I realized how fearful I was to be entering a country where most women are fully covered in black. My stereotypes were telling my brain to be on "full alert" as I waited for hours to get through customs at the wee hours of the morning. The next morning I was whisked away to an International church where there were over 600 people representing over 60 different countries. It was mind-blowing to think that this was just one of 100's of services that were meeting in that complex that weekend! So many people from so many different countries who love Jesus. My stereotypes didn't know what to do with that.

Marsha was gracious enough to let me join the different Bible studies that she led and attended throughout the week. After one of the women's studies, we went to lunch and I deeply enjoyed getting to know some of these women better. I could only hear parts of the conversation that Marsha was having with some of the women at the other end of the table, and on the way home I asked if she might tell me what she was talking about with these ladies. She shared about a workshop that she had given in Germany on the subject of Covenant and how several people had encouraged her to write a book on the subject. She laughed a little and said that she had told God if He wanted her to write this book, He would have to make it easy for her. As she talked, I felt this urging inside to "offer my services". I thought to myself, "Oh, that's ridiculous, Melissa. What do you know about writing a book, and that's rather presumptuous to say, 'I'll help you write a book!'" However, the closer we got to their home, the more I knew I had to offer. As the words came spilling out of me, Marsha became so excited! I reminded her that I had access to the audio recording of her workshop that she taught in Germany and I offered to transcribe it for her. We both sensed God's prompting in it and she excitedly called me her scribe. As we walked in the house, my eyes filled with tears as I remembered a prayer from my childhood.

I'm not sure how old I was, but I'm guessing it was 4th or 5th grade. I was obsessed with handwriting: holding my paper the right angle and my pencil with just the right form, sitting up straight and my feet flat on the floor. Those were the elements that would help you get a prize from Mrs. Lorch's special box. It was one of the few things I was good at. On one Sunday in Jr. Church, I remember listening to the story of the "Scribe". They would spend all day with their ink and feather (or at least that's how I pictured it) and their paper scroll and they would pen each jot and tittle carefully, knowing that if they messed up at all they would have to start all over. I remembered the awe I had for the scribe. The attention to detail they had to have and they had to do it just right. I asked the Lord right then and there if I could be a scribe. I got a new spiral bound notebook and I decided to begin in Matthew. Getting through that genealogy was something else, but I did it. I still have that notebook.

As Marsha and I talked about this new venture, I couldn't help but cry as I realized that this was God's answer to a prayer I had some 20+ years ago: to be a scribe. So, today as I penned the words of I Thessalonians 1:1, I couldn't help but smile. I am so thankful that I have the freedom to read and to write the words of God. I am so thankful that He cares for even the prayers of a child and that even years later, He will answer those prayers over and over again.

For those of you who are curious about the book, YES, it came to fruition only months later! It is called "The Covenant Maker" and it is in print and currently for sale. Check out Marsha's website or you can even buy it on Amazon.com!

To Move or Not to Move- That is the Question

"At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp....Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out."

-Numbers 9:18&22

Moving is not for the weak-of-heart! Even military moves where someone else comes to load up your things for you requires a lot of long hours. As I read Numbers 9 this morning, my heart went out to the Israelites. I've often been very hard on them, but this last year has definitely taught me that I am a lot more like them than I care to admit. Can you imagine every couple of days having to pack up your whole tent and all of your belongings and get back to walking? I guess it's one way to keep those extra feast-pounds off during the holidays, but how tiring that would be to me.

Currently, we live in a one-room (well two, if you count the bathroom) hotel room. We've unpacked as best you can in a hotel, but I'm definitely looking forward to our move to our new rental! I'm looking forward to cooking more healthy food and to listening to the birds on our back porch. I'm not really looking forward to sleeping on an air mattress, but I guess sacrifices have to be made (I wonder if the Israelites just slept on the ground?). Setting up a home is so satisfying. Living amidst a move is so- not.

The other day I was reading a blog post about the benefits of being bored. Truthfully, I was expecting an article about the health benefits and thought, "Wouldn't this be a lovely nugget to pull out when I'm feeling particularly lazy?". Instead, it was an article about how God used people in the Bible who were (probably) bored. Although I realize that God has the Israelites tromping through the desert because of their lack of obedience, I sympathize with them. I'm thankful that the military only has us move every couple of years (hopefully). I can't imagine if we had to pack up and move every couple of days...especially through the desert! Sheesh!

"At the command of the Lord the people set out and at the command of the Lord they camped." 
Lord, once again may I use your example of the Israelites to settle my heart and to know that I will stay or move at Your command. Whether it be across an ocean or across a room, please give me a heart to listen to Your commands. Thank you for being with me everywhere I go and for using it all to make me more like You. Please help me to trust You despite my frightened heart. Amen.

Just a Spouse

When I first joined Cadence, the war was in full swing, patriotism was high and I was proud to be an American serving our military overseas. As a Cadence missionary in Germany, I was blessed to have certain base privileges, including a contractor Military base ID. After several trips to the states, I quickly learned that being military has it's privileges. I could get discounts at restaurants and various stores. Airlines would let me go in priority lines, have heavier bags without any fees, and even bump me up to economy plus or business class seating. Wow! This is so cool that our country honors those who serve our country and even those who serve them.

Two and a half years ago, I married into the military family. Little did I know that I was going to now be "just a spouse". I have just completed a month traveling in the states, and I was shocked at how many companies no longer offer military discounts. Over and over I would ask about military perks and I would hand them my ID card. They would look at it, hand it back to me and say, you're just a spouse". That's right! I'm just a spouse. I'm Traveling alone because my husband is deployed to the other side of the world. Just a spouse. During my entire trip, I was only granted a military discount one time, but I was reminded of my "lowly title" over and over.

I don't say all of this because I want to flaunt my perceived rights. They were privileges that were granted to me, and it's the right of every company to do business as they want. However, if you say you support our country and it's military, I believe that should include all the men, women and children who sacrifice their lives as well. The ones who wear the uniform are not the only ones who give up things for their country and I think it's sad that those sacrifices seem to be widely unacknowledged.

Currently, I am sitting at the USO, one of the few support organizations that I have found that still honors not only the active duty member, but their families as well. That means a lot to me today. So the next time you see someone in uniform and you want to thank them for their service, perhaps you can take the time to thank their family as well.