Calling my parents was going to take a little more courage, I thought. Even dialing mom's number I found myself a little anxious...I mean, it isn't every day a daughter calls her parents to let them know she's moving half-way across the planet to China. (note to self: be anxious for NOTHING - but in everything by prayer & 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 through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7).
I remembered God waking me several nights (always around 3:30am) to pray - one of those specifically for my family receiving the news. I was comforted that He did (wake me) and I did (obediently prayed).
So my mother, Nancy, answers the phone and I proceed to tell her we have a big decision to make - a possible opportunity for ministry pretty far away. She immediately thinks/says 'is it Africa?' - to which I replied, 'No mom..it's a little bit farther.' Mom said, 'where?' - rather than play a guessing game, I just said, 'Hong Kong.'
...a long pause, then I heard her say...'Oh, that's a long way - halfway around the world...but if God is calling you to go there - you better listen.' (note to self: make sure you have called the right phone number before giving such important information. I thought I'd called somebody else's mom - never expected mine to respond in such an accepting way.)
We talked longer about the opportunity and how God surprises us in (sometimes) crazy ways if we're just open to being obedient.
She asked if I'd told dad...that call was coming next.
I dialed my dad - and felt like a little girl all over again. Getting ready to tell my daddy about an opportunity that would take his youngest daughter on the other side of the globe...well, I sure swallowed hard waiting for him to answer (along with saying a short prayer).
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Responses...
I had several phone calls to make, but not sure I was emotionally ready to dial the phone numbers. I decided to call my sister first. She'd been the one person (other than my mom & dad) that had been with me longer on this earth...so thought I'd start there. She answered and we covered all the 'bring-me-up-to-date-with-everything' chat. I then told her I had something I needed prayer with....and just spilled the beans with the opportunity God might be leading us into. After a short pause, my sister responded in a way that will forever be burned so sweetly in my memory. She said, "Oh, 'K' (that's what my mom & sis call me)...my flesh is saying NO, NO..you CAN'T move so far away - that's just TOO FAR!!! But my spirit is crying for JOY!!!" Wow. Now that's a spirit-filled person if I've ever met one.
You might just miss that little tid-bit if you grew up with my sister, Mel. I'll give you a little smidgen example. She disappeared into the darkness of Houston for several months when I was a teenager. We (my parents & I) knew she was more than likely mixed in with drugs & alcohol abuse on the streets of Houston. We didn't know how to contact her or anyone that may know anything about her. When a family has to try going through daily routines while a missing link is nowhere to be found...we didn't know whether to expect her to be alive or dead. She did return home ~ and I might add GOD is doing a MIGHTY work in her life right now. She's a true prayer warrior & has a precious heart for women who've been lost & tossed out of the church. (Thank you, Mel, for being you & loving me. I am blessed to have such a beautiful big sis praying for me (all our family, actually) & on my side. I am SO proud of you!!!
So, now on to responses #2 & 3 - my son, Justin & daughter, Jordan (both in Tx). I dialed Justin's cell and said a little prayer. His response was one of caution. Just like the protector he's always been..he wanted to know details like, "Mom, have you checked out the crime rate, the living conditions, the transportation situation...and such." I just loved that response! As I've told him before he will make such a great daddy someday. Jordan was next. I dialed her number and prayed, again. She answered and we chatted a little. I then posed the possible opportunity for Hong Kong. She just laughed and said, "Mom...you & Mike should have your own reality TV show!" Who would've ever thought her response would be this light. Turns out she was here, in Dighton, for a week at the beginning of the summer - when Michael first got a call from Hong Kong. So it wasn't really a big surprise to Jordan. (note to self: God certainly puts the pieces of the B-I-G puzzle together...making sure each one is snug & where its supposed to be. So why do I worry?) Jordan went on to tell me she wished she weren't already enrolled for the fall semester...she'd sure as heck come with us & help unpack! Always the fun-loving, spirited child of mine. I'm hoping to get all of our kids to come to Hong Kong ~ ALL 6..no, wait 7..or was it 8 including our foster kids...lost count & love it!
(note to self: I have precious children who have such wonderful personalities...don't forget to Thank God on a regular basis for blessing me with them)
My mom & dad had responses that were equally special...but I'll save for the next posting...this one was a little longer than I expected.
You might just miss that little tid-bit if you grew up with my sister, Mel. I'll give you a little smidgen example. She disappeared into the darkness of Houston for several months when I was a teenager. We (my parents & I) knew she was more than likely mixed in with drugs & alcohol abuse on the streets of Houston. We didn't know how to contact her or anyone that may know anything about her. When a family has to try going through daily routines while a missing link is nowhere to be found...we didn't know whether to expect her to be alive or dead. She did return home ~ and I might add GOD is doing a MIGHTY work in her life right now. She's a true prayer warrior & has a precious heart for women who've been lost & tossed out of the church. (Thank you, Mel, for being you & loving me. I am blessed to have such a beautiful big sis praying for me (all our family, actually) & on my side. I am SO proud of you!!!
So, now on to responses #2 & 3 - my son, Justin & daughter, Jordan (both in Tx). I dialed Justin's cell and said a little prayer. His response was one of caution. Just like the protector he's always been..he wanted to know details like, "Mom, have you checked out the crime rate, the living conditions, the transportation situation...and such." I just loved that response! As I've told him before he will make such a great daddy someday. Jordan was next. I dialed her number and prayed, again. She answered and we chatted a little. I then posed the possible opportunity for Hong Kong. She just laughed and said, "Mom...you & Mike should have your own reality TV show!" Who would've ever thought her response would be this light. Turns out she was here, in Dighton, for a week at the beginning of the summer - when Michael first got a call from Hong Kong. So it wasn't really a big surprise to Jordan. (note to self: God certainly puts the pieces of the B-I-G puzzle together...making sure each one is snug & where its supposed to be. So why do I worry?) Jordan went on to tell me she wished she weren't already enrolled for the fall semester...she'd sure as heck come with us & help unpack! Always the fun-loving, spirited child of mine. I'm hoping to get all of our kids to come to Hong Kong ~ ALL 6..no, wait 7..or was it 8 including our foster kids...lost count & love it!
(note to self: I have precious children who have such wonderful personalities...don't forget to Thank God on a regular basis for blessing me with them)
My mom & dad had responses that were equally special...but I'll save for the next posting...this one was a little longer than I expected.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
2 dogs, a glass of water and the couch...
God does some pretty amazing things...ALL.THE.TIME. We just have to be open to them ~ listening, watching & waiting...always expecting. He proved, once again, that Hong Kong was in our future by waking me up (Day #4) around 3:30am.
It was a 'good' sleep - you know the kind where everything is just perfect. The covers aren't too hot or cold/light or heavy, the placement of your body is just the right angle where nothing's beginning to tingle from lack of blood and no one is moving around changing positions or getting up to go to the bathroom...neither man nor beast (aka: Gabby/schnauzer & Solly/black lab). From this wonderful depth of slumber I awoke - completely awake. That 'still small voice' said, "I want you to get up, let the dogs out, get a glass of water and then come kneel in front of the couch and pray." OK...I thought...the dogs haven't even asked to go out. I sat there a few seconds...trying to figure out if that was something really coming from God...or just my fatigued brain playing tricks on me. Either way, I thought I'd better get up and take care of the things I was asked to do.
I found soon enough that both dogs were anxiously waiting to be let out the back door...and the glass of water was nice - the coolness refreshing to my lips. I finally settled down, kneeling in front of our couch in the den. My prayer began with remembering the last time I was in this position - on the floor - in front of the couch - praying & crying out to God. It was to ask (beg) Him to help me in the face of fear & pain..to bring us out of a terrible time of trials & turmoil in our marriage. I then began praising & thanking God for delivering me (us) from that storm - and strenghtening our union. (note to self: remember 'The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.' Psalm 34:18)
The rest of my prayer went something like this:
Me: "God, I don't know what you need from me, but I want to be obedient to you...whatever that might be."
God: I want you to go read 1 Timothy...
(I've on occassion received certain scripture that seemed to 'pop into' my head - however, its always been really specific (John 3:16, etc)...so, I waited & asked..
Me: "Ok, Lord...1 Timothy...what?"
God: 1 Timothy.
Me: "Ok...the whole chapter."
So I stood up & quickly found my 'red-letter' bible and stepped into my bathroom where a single light shone down. I quietly pulled the door almost shut - to have total peace & quiet. I found 1 Timothy and began to read. As I read...it was a story of Timothy and Paul, who encouraged Timothy to stay where he was and build the church. The scripture goes on to explain the details of setting up the church - leadership, etc. I understood the story, but still didn't get how it had anything to do with our situation...that is, until Mike got up the next morning. While sitting on our deck out back - I asked about 1 Timothy. Mike explained in greater detail about Paul encouraging Timothy (a missionary) to stay and build the church. (note to self: don't forget to close your mouth when you have an epiphany and standing outside with TONS of flies encircling your deck.)
I realized right then that God had led me to that bible story to show me that Timothy, a missionary, was encouraged to GO...and build up the church. (I think I remember reading he was in Asia - which is not the current day China - but it still gave me goosebumps.)
How else could a God that is Almighty, Creator of ALL things - wake a speck of dust (me) in a remote land (Dighton, KS) and lead her to a scripture that would reinforce His calling on her life to "GO" and be His voice in a foreign land?
With God the possibilites are...endless. Be open to ANYTHING He may want of you. You won't believe what He's got in store!
It was a 'good' sleep - you know the kind where everything is just perfect. The covers aren't too hot or cold/light or heavy, the placement of your body is just the right angle where nothing's beginning to tingle from lack of blood and no one is moving around changing positions or getting up to go to the bathroom...neither man nor beast (aka: Gabby/schnauzer & Solly/black lab). From this wonderful depth of slumber I awoke - completely awake. That 'still small voice' said, "I want you to get up, let the dogs out, get a glass of water and then come kneel in front of the couch and pray." OK...I thought...the dogs haven't even asked to go out. I sat there a few seconds...trying to figure out if that was something really coming from God...or just my fatigued brain playing tricks on me. Either way, I thought I'd better get up and take care of the things I was asked to do.
I found soon enough that both dogs were anxiously waiting to be let out the back door...and the glass of water was nice - the coolness refreshing to my lips. I finally settled down, kneeling in front of our couch in the den. My prayer began with remembering the last time I was in this position - on the floor - in front of the couch - praying & crying out to God. It was to ask (beg) Him to help me in the face of fear & pain..to bring us out of a terrible time of trials & turmoil in our marriage. I then began praising & thanking God for delivering me (us) from that storm - and strenghtening our union. (note to self: remember 'The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.' Psalm 34:18)
The rest of my prayer went something like this:
Me: "God, I don't know what you need from me, but I want to be obedient to you...whatever that might be."
God: I want you to go read 1 Timothy...
(I've on occassion received certain scripture that seemed to 'pop into' my head - however, its always been really specific (John 3:16, etc)...so, I waited & asked..
Me: "Ok, Lord...1 Timothy...what?"
God: 1 Timothy.
Me: "Ok...the whole chapter."
So I stood up & quickly found my 'red-letter' bible and stepped into my bathroom where a single light shone down. I quietly pulled the door almost shut - to have total peace & quiet. I found 1 Timothy and began to read. As I read...it was a story of Timothy and Paul, who encouraged Timothy to stay where he was and build the church. The scripture goes on to explain the details of setting up the church - leadership, etc. I understood the story, but still didn't get how it had anything to do with our situation...that is, until Mike got up the next morning. While sitting on our deck out back - I asked about 1 Timothy. Mike explained in greater detail about Paul encouraging Timothy (a missionary) to stay and build the church. (note to self: don't forget to close your mouth when you have an epiphany and standing outside with TONS of flies encircling your deck.)
I realized right then that God had led me to that bible story to show me that Timothy, a missionary, was encouraged to GO...and build up the church. (I think I remember reading he was in Asia - which is not the current day China - but it still gave me goosebumps.)
How else could a God that is Almighty, Creator of ALL things - wake a speck of dust (me) in a remote land (Dighton, KS) and lead her to a scripture that would reinforce His calling on her life to "GO" and be His voice in a foreign land?
With God the possibilites are...endless. Be open to ANYTHING He may want of you. You won't believe what He's got in store!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Four days...and counting...
As noted earlier...things just began falling into place that helped us make our decision. No, let me rephrase that...God was moving and showing us in all sorts of ways - that He wanted us moving to Hong Kong. The selling of the motorcycle was among the first 'God happenings.'
Once the offer from the English-speaking church was emailed to us - on Monday (the first of the 'four days') - Michael informed me that we should start praying - fervently - about this offer. And so....we did. We prayed collectively - we prayed separately - together before bed - in the morning at breakfast. I even found myself awake at night (ALWAYS at 4:30am) for four nights. I decided it was God waking me up to pray. On night number #2 - He woke me to pray for my family - I think He mentioned to pray that they would receive the news as He wanted...they would be accepting of any news with peaceful hearts.
Well, on night #4 - something strange & wonderful happened. I went to sleep praying for whatever God wanted - either way I would accept His answer. I then found myself at total peace about the entire situation. If He kept us in Dighton - GREAT - I'd still be close to my family in Tx (well, 10-13 hours driving "close")...I had plans to help a beautiful friend get a ministry off the ground (one mentoring moms in our area)...plans to continue helping another beautiful friend with her Zumba ministry ("TRAVEL!!!")...plans to get Moms In Touch (MITI) off the ground - something I wanted to bring to Dighton three years ago when we first arrived...and continue my ministry: baking cookies!
On the other hand...IF God moved us to Hong Kong - I was at total peace that night because I knew all would be well and in Him I could rest. So I did...and slept for a little while...until He woke me, again...around 3:30am...with something wonderfully amazing...something I'll never forget. It involves our dogs, a glass of water & our couch.
...I'll save that for the next post.
Once the offer from the English-speaking church was emailed to us - on Monday (the first of the 'four days') - Michael informed me that we should start praying - fervently - about this offer. And so....we did. We prayed collectively - we prayed separately - together before bed - in the morning at breakfast. I even found myself awake at night (ALWAYS at 4:30am) for four nights. I decided it was God waking me up to pray. On night number #2 - He woke me to pray for my family - I think He mentioned to pray that they would receive the news as He wanted...they would be accepting of any news with peaceful hearts.
Well, on night #4 - something strange & wonderful happened. I went to sleep praying for whatever God wanted - either way I would accept His answer. I then found myself at total peace about the entire situation. If He kept us in Dighton - GREAT - I'd still be close to my family in Tx (well, 10-13 hours driving "close")...I had plans to help a beautiful friend get a ministry off the ground (one mentoring moms in our area)...plans to continue helping another beautiful friend with her Zumba ministry ("TRAVEL!!!")...plans to get Moms In Touch (MITI) off the ground - something I wanted to bring to Dighton three years ago when we first arrived...and continue my ministry: baking cookies!
On the other hand...IF God moved us to Hong Kong - I was at total peace that night because I knew all would be well and in Him I could rest. So I did...and slept for a little while...until He woke me, again...around 3:30am...with something wonderfully amazing...something I'll never forget. It involves our dogs, a glass of water & our couch.
...I'll save that for the next post.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Four days...
I've never written a book. That's my husband's department. However...I may have to reconsider it. I began writing things down that happened during the course of four days when we were given the opportunity to go to Hong Kong. (Michael was emailed with an offer on Monday morning, and said we'd have an answer by Friday/noon. He just figured the answer would be a resounding 'No' - remember we were VERY happy in Dighton...VERY comfortable.) Four days. That's all. 96 hours..to ask God to show us His plans. And ninety-six hours for us to be obedient to His calling. (note to self: remember, karen, God asks us to be ready - on HIS timetable)
I have an orange piece of paper - actually the backside of Brady's calendar she received the first day of school - that I started making notes on. (Hey, it was the only thing I could find when my mind was racing. Didn't I once hear JK Rowling started notes for Harry Potter on napkins?) This orange paper has two columns, one labeled Mike - the other, Karen - to which I've written random incidents, conversations & wild things that came about during those ninety-six hours. This paper is filled. I'd like to share some of these with you because it's been God's way of convicting & confirming me that He needs me to move away from EVERYTHING I'm familiar with - family & friends I love so much - to a place unknown. I will break them down into a few postings...so you're not exhausted by my nouns, adjectives, syllables & punctuation on the page.
Probably among the first 'happenings' was Mike's Harley (motorcycle). He'd tried for a year to sell it (listed on ebay, facebook, next-tech, newspaper, etc). There was not one serious offer in that year. So we just thought God wasn't wanting him to give it up. So he withdrew all the advertisement...until the offer/email about China. He decided to try again and listed it just on facebook. In one hour there was an offer from Texas. A wealthy man who had nine automobiles. Mike said he could call the dealership and special order his own - "Why would he want my used motorcycle?" I told him because God put it upon his heart that you needed it sold. This man is paying $1000 more than we needed & having it shipped to Texas where he lives. He told Mike, "I'm giving you the extra because I think you're going to do something very good with it."
(note to self: God is in EVERY LITTLE detail of our lives)
I have an orange piece of paper - actually the backside of Brady's calendar she received the first day of school - that I started making notes on. (Hey, it was the only thing I could find when my mind was racing. Didn't I once hear JK Rowling started notes for Harry Potter on napkins?) This orange paper has two columns, one labeled Mike - the other, Karen - to which I've written random incidents, conversations & wild things that came about during those ninety-six hours. This paper is filled. I'd like to share some of these with you because it's been God's way of convicting & confirming me that He needs me to move away from EVERYTHING I'm familiar with - family & friends I love so much - to a place unknown. I will break them down into a few postings...so you're not exhausted by my nouns, adjectives, syllables & punctuation on the page.
Probably among the first 'happenings' was Mike's Harley (motorcycle). He'd tried for a year to sell it (listed on ebay, facebook, next-tech, newspaper, etc). There was not one serious offer in that year. So we just thought God wasn't wanting him to give it up. So he withdrew all the advertisement...until the offer/email about China. He decided to try again and listed it just on facebook. In one hour there was an offer from Texas. A wealthy man who had nine automobiles. Mike said he could call the dealership and special order his own - "Why would he want my used motorcycle?" I told him because God put it upon his heart that you needed it sold. This man is paying $1000 more than we needed & having it shipped to Texas where he lives. He told Mike, "I'm giving you the extra because I think you're going to do something very good with it."
(note to self: God is in EVERY LITTLE detail of our lives)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Where God?
About 4 months ago Michael & I both felt a stirring in our hearts that God wanted more from us. When we first began talking about these stirrings - we were both surprised that God was working in us without the other knowing. (note to self: keep working on communication skills, karen...you're still not very good at it)
During discussions we felt God might be calling us to do more in Africa...more with the orphanages there...more with our karate schools there...open another orphanage and/or karate school...spend more time there (ie. longer trips, perhaps 3 weeks instead of 2). We just didn't know ~ so we prayed, seeking confirmation and direction. One of our church leaders, a farmer - Floyd, already had plans to return in October..which we just knew we were to go with him. Well, when funding/support was not there for Michael, Brady & I to go..we then thought perhaps God needed just Michael to go. Still no financial support for him to go. (He told me later that in his spirit he didn't feel he'd return in October.) So we turned our attention to all going in December. Michael sent out letters asking for support for December - still nothing..no doors opening. That's when we decided we wouldn't push it; instead let God lead. (note to self: rembember the words from Max Lucado - "Don't ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right.")
It was around this time that a church 'somewhere' in China began emailing Michael, inquiring about his pastoring. When Michael told me of the email...quite honestly, I just blew it off. I wrote in my journal: How in the world could God use two 'old' people - one from Texas, one from New Orleans - in Hong Kong?
"God couldn't possibly have any reason for us to be in Hong Kong!"..and with that the thought disappeared from my mind. Besides, we both agreed that we were VERY happy right here in beautiful, little Dighton.(note to self: never ever assume you know what God's got planned for you...even in China)
During discussions we felt God might be calling us to do more in Africa...more with the orphanages there...more with our karate schools there...open another orphanage and/or karate school...spend more time there (ie. longer trips, perhaps 3 weeks instead of 2). We just didn't know ~ so we prayed, seeking confirmation and direction. One of our church leaders, a farmer - Floyd, already had plans to return in October..which we just knew we were to go with him. Well, when funding/support was not there for Michael, Brady & I to go..we then thought perhaps God needed just Michael to go. Still no financial support for him to go. (He told me later that in his spirit he didn't feel he'd return in October.) So we turned our attention to all going in December. Michael sent out letters asking for support for December - still nothing..no doors opening. That's when we decided we wouldn't push it; instead let God lead. (note to self: rembember the words from Max Lucado - "Don't ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right.")
It was around this time that a church 'somewhere' in China began emailing Michael, inquiring about his pastoring. When Michael told me of the email...quite honestly, I just blew it off. I wrote in my journal: How in the world could God use two 'old' people - one from Texas, one from New Orleans - in Hong Kong?
"God couldn't possibly have any reason for us to be in Hong Kong!"..and with that the thought disappeared from my mind. Besides, we both agreed that we were VERY happy right here in beautiful, little Dighton.(note to self: never ever assume you know what God's got planned for you...even in China)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A little history...
Where do I begin? If I go back about 4 years ago, when we were in Texas...and God was stirring something in our hearts, that's probably far enough. We knew we'd be moving at some point, but had not a clue where. We 'sorta' left that detail up to God. (note to self: never can tell what He might do or where you might end up if you do)
So Michael & I prayed earnestly for God's direction, and promised obedience no matter what. (note to self: Be careful what you pray for!)
We received a call from a pastoral selection committee in the small community known as Dighton, Kansas. Had no idea where that was, but we both were delighted to talk to those involved (and eventually became life-long friends to each member). The phone interview was quite entertaining - I enjoyed getting to know the members & found out conference calls can be quite fun!
Needless to say...I knew this was the direction God was leading us, which was both very sad & exciting all at the same time. Sad because we were making a choice/called by God and that meant leaving children behind (most were grown by this time...except our 'babies' from previous marriages...Jordan (17yrs - mine), and Nico (18yrs - mike's). Michael's other three were already gone from our nest (Jennifer, New Orleans; Ian, Lubbock; and Paige, New Orleans). My oldest, Justin (20yrs) was still in Austin, just not at home anymore.
So, what did we do? We jumped - head first - into fulltime ministry in a community that I was told was 10 blocks X 10 blocks..and the county (Lane) had 1000 people. (remember: we were moving from Austin (Dripping Springs) Texas! It was a l-o-n-g jump & leaving my kids & family...heart-wrenching; BUT God is faithful and He saw us through. It was the best decision I probably had ever made up to this point as an adult (of course I had heavenly help!).
So Michael & I prayed earnestly for God's direction, and promised obedience no matter what. (note to self: Be careful what you pray for!)
We received a call from a pastoral selection committee in the small community known as Dighton, Kansas. Had no idea where that was, but we both were delighted to talk to those involved (and eventually became life-long friends to each member). The phone interview was quite entertaining - I enjoyed getting to know the members & found out conference calls can be quite fun!
Needless to say...I knew this was the direction God was leading us, which was both very sad & exciting all at the same time. Sad because we were making a choice/called by God and that meant leaving children behind (most were grown by this time...except our 'babies' from previous marriages...Jordan (17yrs - mine), and Nico (18yrs - mike's). Michael's other three were already gone from our nest (Jennifer, New Orleans; Ian, Lubbock; and Paige, New Orleans). My oldest, Justin (20yrs) was still in Austin, just not at home anymore.
So, what did we do? We jumped - head first - into fulltime ministry in a community that I was told was 10 blocks X 10 blocks..and the county (Lane) had 1000 people. (remember: we were moving from Austin (Dripping Springs) Texas! It was a l-o-n-g jump & leaving my kids & family...heart-wrenching; BUT God is faithful and He saw us through. It was the best decision I probably had ever made up to this point as an adult (of course I had heavenly help!).
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