What's in Your Hands?

Mark 6:35-42

In this story, the disciples were tired. They really wanted to be left alone. That’s why they had all gone across the lake in the first place! Yet when they got there they were met by a multitude. Knowing Jesus as they did, they resigned themselves to trying to maintain crowd control, while the Master taught. When it started getting late, their patience with it all had come to an end. They went to Jesus and said, “Send them away, to go into the …villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But Jesus responded, “You give them something to eat.”

Have you ever felt God telling you to do something, and you know that in many ways it just didn’t make sense? At the beginning of 2010, that is where Tony and I found ourselves. I mean, who in their right mind, at almost 50 years of age would want to adopt 2 children, and take on that responsibility of making a home and family for them? We already have added 1 young son to the mix, just trying to do all that he needs, wears us out. I’m sure people will hear of this and think we are just nuts!

Yet here I sit. Knowing with all my heart that this is the road we are to walk down. It really doesn’t matter if it makes sense to anyone else. It really doesn’t matter if it even makes sense to me! The only thing that matters is that I know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is what God has for us to do. 
So when the frustrations come, and the weariness is about to overtake me, I look back, and I trace the hand of God in every step that we have taken along this road. Every time when doors could have closed, but instead they were flung open wide. Why? Because that was the hand of God! God is faithful, and when he calls us to something, he gives us everything we need to accomplish it! All we have to do is be willing to take that step. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

The disciples already had everything they needed to feed the crowd, they just needed the faith to step up and use what had been placed in their hands.

What is God asking you to do? Is there a multitude he is asking you to feed? Are you willing to give back to him, what he has placed in your hands and watch him do it?

"Dear Father, Your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts. I come to you today, and place my life in your hands and everything that you have given to me. Use me to bring glory and honor to your name. You have called me to this and you are faithful, you will surely do it."

the Shabby Shoppe Blog

I enjoy digital scrap booking and I came across this blog. It has some really nice free kits. Just seems like a really nice resource. Thought you might enjoy it if you enjoy this hobby with me. :-)

Blessings,

Joy

the Shabby Shoppe Blog:

'via Blog this'

Here comes March!!!

I know I'm getting older, because I remember when time just moved along like a snail across the sidewalk and now it seems to just fly by!  Can you believe that tomorrow is already March 1st?

Things are going pretty well in the Anzalone  house these days.  Teddy, Carla and Matthew are doing well in school and most days we are happy to see progress as this family learns to gel together.  This past month started out with a bang, and pretty much just kept on going! LOL!!

Have you ever gone through those times, when you just can't seem to turn around and catch your breath?  Well, that is kind of how this month has seemed.  But things are starting to settle back down into our normal routine, and that is good.   The kids have all battled colds and Tony is starting to get one, so I guess that means I'll probably be next. :-/

Things at the church are going well.  We are in the process of setting up a new visitation program.  Tomorrow evening, Tony will also be starting a 4 week discipleship training seminar.  The ladies are in the process of planning a wedding shower for one of our sweet young ladies.  That will be Sunday afternoon, March 18th, and we will have our VBS at the end of March, right before the kids start back to school in April.  (Our kids are probably the only ones that are in school right now in Manta! ;-)  Of course they will be happy about that this summer when we have groups visiting from the US!  

Thank you for your prayers for our family the ministry here in Manta!
Blessings,
Joy

Can I trust God to guard my heart?

About a year ago, I was approached by a friend and asked to participate along with many other ladies to write a couple devotionals for a book for the ladies of her church. It was a surprise Christmas gift for the ladies. Here is the first one. I hope it is a blessing to you.


Philippians 4:4-7

How many times have I read those verses? Hundreds? Thousands? Yet this night they jumped off the page at me. What made this time, August 31, 2002, any different from all the other times? God was speaking to my heart!

Tony and I had made the decision to adopt a baby here in Ecuador. We were in the middle of all the paperwork, and jumping through the hoops to become approved as adoptive parents. At the same time all of this was happening, a very good friend of ours had started a foundation for abandoned babies. I was going several times a week to volunteer my time. There was a little baby boy, just 3 months old, that I fell in love with. I was so afraid of stepping up and letting myself become involved with him, though, because I was afraid of it not working out and having my heart broken. So this night, as I couldn't sleep because I was wrestling with all of these thoughts, I got up and took my Bible and began reading. When I came to these very familiar verses, I stopped…reread them, then read them again. It was almost as if God had spoken out loud to my heart! What did he say? "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

God was telling me, to step out, to trust my heart to him! I remember reading the verses a few more times, and then praying and just turning the whole situation over to the Lord. I closed my Bible and went back to bed, at complete peace, that God was at work in this situation, and no matter what happened, I could trust my heart to him.

God didn't allow us to adopt baby James. But he did use that experience to prepare my heart to be ready to accept the baby he had for us. You see, I had set my heart on adopting a little baby. But God had a toddler in mind for our family. So in his grace and mercy, he allowed me to experience all the special baby times, with Baby James. I was there when he ate his first cereal, I was there, and found his first tooth. I was there, when he took his first steps. By the time we knew that James wasn't the baby God had for us, we were more than ready and emotionally prepared to accept the precious little 14 month old baby God did have for us!

Are you trusting God with your heart?

"Dear Father, as we go through this day, help each one of us to trust you completely. To take our concerns and worry to your feet and leave them there with you. May we trust you to fill us with your peace that passes all understanding and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."