He Caught the Passion and the Vision

Julie's note: I'm amazed at what God's done in such a short amount of time.  It wasn't long ago Kim's passion for Romania and the gypsy villages was so off the charts she wondered if anyone could understand.  Not long after she met Michelle from Children in the Son and became a board member.  Not long after that Kim's husband caught the passion.

Well...HE is on his way to Oradea, Romania while Kim stays stateside.  Here is her update.  Would you please pray for them?

Hello Family & Friends,

The past week has been busy, busy, busy!  And my husband has arrived safely in Romania!!  Praise God!!!  I am anxiously waiting for a phone call so I can hear his voice.

Yesterday was amazing . . . a true testimony of God's hand and favor.  Here are the details . . . we left for the airport at 10:45 after speaking with Michelle(Children in the Son) about last minute details concerning my husband's arrival. 

He was to fly alone and meet Daniel (Michelle's husband) in Budapest, since Daniel was flying from Raleigh.  My husband flight arrived two hours earlier so we were giving him instructions about where to wait.  Hubby does not like to fly, at all, and had never flown internationally by himself.  (The cost to fly him from Raleigh would have cost $400 more.) So . . .  we arrived at the Pittsburgh airport before noon and waited in line.  

Soon an agent came out and informed all of us that the flights to Chicago (hubby's flight) were all canceled, giving no further instruction.  When we got to the counter we were told there were thunderstorms and he would have to be re-routed . . . not good for the man who does not like to fly.  The agent re-routed him with a 20 minute connection which we were not comfortable with so we kindly asked her if we could try and put him with Daniel, on a totally different airline.  

She looked, everything was booked.  She called USAirways, oversold.  I asked if we could go wait at the gate and try to get on.  So she went and used a different phone and we waited and waited.  She came back and said she had him half way there.  We waited some more and then she said, "I don't know how this is happening, the flight is sold out, but they are giving you a seat . . . with your buddy" at no extra cost. 

We knew how it happened:)  I turned to my hubby and said, "God got you a seat." 

So it was a race to the gate with a quick prayer at security and then he was off to surprise Daniel in Raleigh!!!  Daniel was so happy to see him and here they are:

During check-in in Raleigh, Daniel had two bags to check.  Michelle had cleared it with the airline in advance so they would not be charged for the extra bag; however, when Daniel arrived they were going to charge him an extra $50.  Well . . . since my husband's bag was checked with United in Pittsburgh they allowed him to check a second bag with American, at no charge, saving the ministry $50!!  A friend e-mailed me to say, "God is just warming up!" They have a full schedule, including preparing for the construction team and visiting all the families and children in our seven projects.  I received a text to say they had arrived safely and were on their way from Budapest to Romania.  Please keep them and our families in your prayers. I will try and send a few updates, in addition to Michelle's updates.  You can also view up to date photos and info on Facebook, look under 'Children in the Son.'  Daniel will be doing the posting. Soaking up the Son, Kim Zaksek

Putting the Chains on the Tires

It's mind blowing the ways God uses things to speak to us.  This time around it was through an episode of Ice Road Truckers.

This season a new driver, Ray, is part of the show. He's from "the Lower 48" where he used to have his own business but lost it with the economy.  Driving the ice road and desolate places Alaska is a way for Ray to provide for his family.
These roads are cruel, just like life.  It would be wise on the ice road to be prepared.

Ray had an opportunity to put chains on this tires before going through a particularly harsh part of the journey. If trucks don't have enough traction, they have a spin out. There are guardrails that barely protect from a drop that would lead to certain death.

Ray thought about it and came to the conclusion that putting chains on takes too much time.  After all, he's behind schedule and needs to make up time.

Guess what?

Ray ended up spinning out.  He ended up putting on chains, backing up traffic filled with waiting trucks, trucks prepared for the conditions because they had chains on.

I've been Ray. The short term plan appears too pressing. The long term plan?  Can't go there, won't go there, not until there is a spin out.

The chains not only give traction, they protect against the unpredictable storms, steep hills, all the things that are going to happen.  They just are so much easier to endure when you're ready for them by thinking long term.

I want more than to think long term, I want to be prepared.  The best way to be prepared is to seek wisdom, God's wisdom.  As I read the One Year Bible I read all about Solomon.  Of all the things he could have asked God for, he asked for wisdom.

I want that.

As much as there is ice and wind chills on the ice roads of Alaska.








 

Receiving a Gift I Never Asked For

I should've written this sooner. Truth is, I wanted to make sure.

I'm sure.

If you've ready anything of mine the past three years, you know I've struggled with poycystic ovaries and endometreosis severe enough to need a complete hysterectomy when I was 38. This put me in menopause, which I was experiencing symptoms of anyway, and the menopause issues have been interesting.



Before the hysterctomy my doctor put me on a low dose antidepressant to minimize these symptoms. He warned me to stay consistent with it as going cold turkey or not taking them on a regular basis would bring about not so fun times.

Before the medication I'm transparent enough to say there were days and weeks I was at any given time one, more, or all of the following: depressed, anxious, not sleeping, crying for no reason, starving, sweaty hot even after the smallest of movement and unable to focus.

When I started taking the medicine and then with the surgery some symptoms disappeared, most were so minimal it wasn't even an issue...unless I forgot my meds. That's the funny part about menopause, you lose your mind, and you need your mind to take the meds. I use to bask in my organizational skills and I couldn't remember if I took the meds or not. I'd wait a day and if I was a shaky unfocused mess, I knew I didn't. And so the cycle went.

Last week I attended a conference called Miracles, Signs and Wonders. Even if I was a follower of man, I honestly wouldn't know who to talk about from the conference because the process occurred during the entire conference with different speakers. Bottom line---it was a God thing. I went to that conference seeking Him and His strategies for me to pray for the area. That's it.

The first day I remember sitting down and wondering if I took my meds. The speaker that night talked about love and compassion but she also spoke of divine healing. There was no big fanfare, especially with me. I never went to the altar. I never reached my arms toward heaven seeking a change in my body. Honestly, I extended a hand forward and asked a blessing on all those who did. I wanted their pains to cease, their issues to change. I never thought about me.

I remembered, though, the next day to put the meds in my purse, but I didn't have a drink handy. I got busy listening to another speaker recall his healing, something so under the radar it took him awhile to realize God restored his sight to 20/20. I laughed out loud. I mean, really, who could miss such a thing?

The next morning I realized the meds were still there, untouched. I realize I've missed at least one day and as many as three, which for me should spell off the charts confusion, hot flashes, starving, and the whole ball of wax.

I felt nada. Instead, I felt focused. Warm, but not hot. Comfortable. Content.

Same for the next day,and the next, and the next, and well, same thing even as I write. Now I'm not taking the meds by design. The weather is in the 90's and although it's warm and I get hot like anyone else after working out or sitting directly in the sun, it's not even close to what I've been experiencing for years. Back is the wife who knows where the socks are and can remember to sign the permission slips and pay that bill.

Am I condoning ignoring doctor advice? No, I. am. not.

Am I sharing my story, which I'm proclaiming as a belated healing?

You betcha.

I don't know how God works and why He does what He does, or doesn't do what He doesn't do. All I know is I 'm going on at least a week with no meds and I'm calm, cool and collected. I'm extra thankful because I received something I didn't even ask for.

Blessed?

Um...YEAH!



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Maria Spencer: What I've Learned

 A note from Kim and Julie: We extend our love and prayers towards Maria and her family as they grieve the passing of her mother.  God is showing Maria so much during this difficult time, and she granted permission that we could post her words here.  If you feel led, you may leave your sympathies in the comment section and we'll make sure Maria receives it.

I’ve learned a thing or two about life over the past nine days.

 

I’ve learned we need to hug each other more. My sweet baby girl Olivia has this down pat. She’s a hugger—even if you don’t want a hug, or ask for one, she’s giving you one. She has a gift of discerning those around her that would be receptive to a hug, and those who are just in need of one. Her giving, outgoing spirit shines through her hugs and she spreads her light wherever she goes.

Just like her MiMi.

 

I’ve learned that we need to give people flowers while they are still alive. Flowers for them to look at and enjoy, while they are here on this earth. Once again, my baby girl, Olivia understands this—she has a way of bringing out the beauty in a dandelion. We see them as weeds, she sees them as flowers. Flowers to give to her mommy, to make her smile. She spreads her innocent un-stained, flawless joy through the simplest things. Her goal is to make others smile just by being who she is, and showing us to see life the way she sees it.

Just like her MiMi.

 

I’ve learned that we need to say what we need to say—what we want to say—to others while they are here with us. Good or bad, happy or sad—if we have words that others need to hear, we need not question what others will think, and just speak from our hearts. And again, my Olivia could teach all of us how this is done. She sees others the way God sees them. She has no agenda. If there are words that she has on her heart, she speaks them out, without thought or reserve—she will tell you what she is thinking, when she is thinking it.

Just like her MiMi.

 

I’ve also learned that we are all in too much of a hurry. No one seems to have any time to do anything that truly matters in this life. We are all running so fast, doing so many “things” at once—sometimes we don’t even know the goal, or where we are headed. We all just need to slow down and enjoy life. Because my Olivia’s muscles don’t allow her to move as fast as other kids her age, she knows life no other way. When we are walking with her, and trying to get to where we are going in a hurry, it’s not physically possible. She forces us to slow down and look around at where we are at the moment, enjoy the scenery, and take in all of life that surrounds us. Most often, in these precious moments, she makes us smile. Because she enjoys each moment of her life, and is forced to move a little differently than we do, she is able to spread some love around with her shining, pure, beautiful spirit. She forces us to slow down, and she fills most moments with laughter.

Just like her MiMi.

 

So in the sadness of this past week, and as I have been struggling to sort through all of the emotions that surround this pain of losing my mother, God reminded me that I don’t have to miss her at all—Her spirit, love, voice, arms, and laughter are alive and well each and every day in my home.

Through her baby granddaughter, Olivia Joanne.

 

Putting Feet to Your Prayers---Without Leaving Your Computer

I saw this on the site called Church Crunch and I'm still blown away.  For all the evil the internet has going against it, God gets the glory because so much is used to further, advance, and promote His kingdom.  I love that!



I will link you to the site I read about but in a nutshell, you can conduct a prayer walk for Haiti thanks to a program using Google Earth.  I found it fascinating and can other strategic prayer places be far behind?  New Orleans?  China?  Nashville?  London?  Romania?  Can you imagine all of us praying with Kim when she is serving in Romania?  The options seem endless.

Check it out and let's enter the throne room on behalf of Haiti!  Prayer walk link here.

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Surrendering the good, the bad, and---maybe one day---the chocolate

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The Passion Play Jesus

It's been a couple weeks since this happened, but I can't shake it.   to the font

Our youngest needed her adenoids and tonsils removed.  The last time she was in a children's hospital, it was a life or death situation.  I knew this time around was different, but the deep seated memories flew to the forefront. If I could have taken a billboard out asking for prayer, I most likely would have done it.

At the same time, our church held their tenth annual Passion Play.  Their Palm Sunday presentation was the night before the surgery and our pastoral care pastor and wife asked us to meet them backstage.  We gathered around and prayed, adults oblivious to our surroundings.  When the prayer ended, the six year old made a statement.

"Jesus is here."

I wanted to pat her on the head and say I no sweetie, I know Jesus is with us.

She rolled her eyes, turned, and pointed.

"No, mom.  Jesus is here, praying with us."

Little did I know the man playing Jesus in the Passion Play was in character, wanting to walk through.  The reverent man that he is, he waited until our prayer was done.  My eyes were closed and I was trying to ask God for faith our daughter already had.

I thought Jesus' work was done and that I learned from the visual lesson.


A friend was in the play and apparently during cast prayer, she mentioned a toothache.  It wasn't long after she felt a touch on the shoulder.

"I hear you have a toothache.  Don't worry, it will be ok."

It was Passion Play Jesus.

Not only did he comfort her with those words and give her a little boost of faith with his authentic look, she noticed something.

Her pain disappeared.

Passion Play Jesus spoke encouraging words reaffirming the reality of Jesus we honor with the play.

Real Jesus was there.  How quick we forget unless it's Passion Play season and the man portraying Him stands behind you.  Real Jesus is always there.  Even after Passion Play.

Blessed be His name.


Photo by Eric Reed

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Surrendering the good, the bad, and---maybe one day---the chocolate

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Restoring Dreams

I'm reading Bill Johnson's Dreaming with God and it's such a relevant message.  Across the board I'm seeing women realize they were created for purpose.  God gave them dreams and for too long, the true defeated one has robbed us of those dreams.

Restoration is another message I see happening and with dreams, I think it means God takes back what was stolen and returns us to the place where His dreams are.  Not our dreams, His.  The dreams He formed within us when we were in the womb.  I am loving what I'm seeing.  There are grandmothers learning ballet or taking art classes, moms writing books, no matter the age they are embracing what's been inside them all along.

Can you relate to that?  Does redeeming dreams mean anything to you?  Restoration?

Years ago I remembered an interview with NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr.  As soon as he was born I'm guessing his destiny was sealed just by his name.  When his father died, the pressure was all the more apparent.  For the business, he had to drive, meet contract expectations, and do all the things a professional race car driver does.
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Thing is, I saw his eyes light up when he talked about a life far removed from the bright lights and fast tracks.  He admitted (at the time) that he'd love to just go down the street to an auto shop and change oil.  Even if it was minimum wage.

This from a multi million dollar brand.  He's not just a man, he's a business.  Yet his dream would be (again, at the time of the interview) to walk away and tinker with cars.

Chances are your name isn't Trump or Earnhardt and you aren't tied to the family business.  What's your dream?  Are you living it?  Can you feel the dream budding forth within you?  Tell us about it if you're comfortable.  We love comments.

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 Julie Arduini is a writer and speaker residing in NE Ohio with her husband and two children.  Her first published fiction work is included in Delivered by the Peculiar People Postcard Project.  To see her complete writing and speaking resume, please visit her at her website.

Lessons Learned from Jill Austin's Dancing with Destiny

I'm nearing the end of the late Jill Austin's Dancing with Destiny.
 
This chapter is about strategies for soliders, key things as a praying person you can ask for and know God will equip you for the unseen battle called intercession.

This chapter deserves a book of its own. I took a course on this subject because I've always had a sensitive ear for God and would be a step or two ahead of others. For years I felt it was a curse because few could relate to me or me them. Researching this topic and really praying on it helped me see being a messenger for God's kingdom is a blessing.

But like Spiderman, it also requires great responsibility.

I think we are very close to the place where the word prophecy isn't so scary or abused as it used to be. The phrase "thus saith the Lord" was beyond worn out and sometimes applied during wrong times. Sometimes people meant harm, and most of the time, they didn't. They were simply acting without guidance and were like me when I turn on the supermax hose on the car wash.

Out of control.

Jill makes an excellent point I need to take seriously, because I haven't been. I want to be an effective vessel for Him and that means the things of this world can't appeal to me or have a hold on me more than Christ does. One of my issues is gossip. I love news and I love reading. And more often than not I find my browser heading in a direction that seems like news, but it's gossip.

My choices put a black eye on the incredible things God could do if I was giving Him clear access. So if you are someone that stands in the gap in the name of Christ in prayer, don't forget to pray for yourself. Ask God to open your eyes and ears not only to His ways and what He has for others, but what He's seeing in you. What convicts me might not be a conviction for you.

For some, I know great people of prayer very solid in Christ who watch "R" movies. I just can't. The last movie I remember was John Travolta's Face/Off. That movie was well written and acted but I felt such evil my spirit was out of whack for days. Sometimes there are even PG-13 movies I have to walk away from. But that's my conviction, and you need to ask God for yours.

A lot of people struggle finding the balance between what to say when God gives them something, and when to be quiet. I tell people my life is about trial and error, mostly error. If I see something, as Jill wrote, like a flower, I'll wait on it, pray about it.

If I get that "burn in my belly" I've learned for me, I'll probably be speaking about it. I keep praying and when the time comes, that burn is out of control. I just know. But I refuse to use the words, thus saith the Lord. If God gives me a message it's for His glory and for the person to seek Him for the rest of the answer. I don't make generic promises, but if I sense something, and I've got that burn, I'll share it---and tell them to go to God with it for more. That way it isn't about me and I'm not making fleshy promises.

Sometimes I get a whole lot of information, downloads I call them, and I'd blab it all over the place. Yea, don't do that. Again, after prayer I came to realize that information was His sacred time with me to give me prayer directive. Some people aren't willing to hear the things I couldn't wait to share about them or a loved one. Finally I'm pretty much to the point that when I have a sense about something, I go to Him first. I'm starting to see things unfold that I had an inkling about, but I knew it was not for me to say, just pray on. It's so much sweeter when I do things His way.

That's the base of the chapter. If you think messengers of God are brilliant, perfect people, take a look in the Bible. Jonah was pretty rebellious when it came to obedience. Jeremiah was the "weeping prophet". I can relate to him. Often after a move of God that I prayed about to some degree, I'm emotionally wiped and I cry my eyes out. I've learned to not schedule a lot when I sense such a move coming, because I won't be with it and I know it.

Again, trial and error. God is gracious and He's not expecting you to know it all. In fact, you never will because then He's not necessary. If you say too much or too little, let God know you goofed and you don't want to repeat it. If your heart is pure, you'll get plenty of other opportunities.

 Julie Arduini is a writer and speaker residing in NE Ohio with her husband and two children.  Her first published fiction work is included in Delivered by the Peculiar People Postcard Project.  To see her complete writing and speaking resume, please visit her at her website.