Being obedient

Being obedient

The LORD will continually guide you
and satisfy you even in sun-baked places.
He will strengthen your bones.
You will become like a watered garden
and like a spring whose water does not stop flowing.

GOD'S WORD^® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission.

As some of you know, I have just spent 3 weeks in Germany. A lot of Germany, infact all of it was about being obedient. I first heard about the conference last year. Straight away the thought of going to it was burning within me.
I knew I had to go. That feeling remained, as I prayed about it. I shared my thoughts with my husband who also prayed and confirmed it. As a mum with young children however, it was a BIG ask from God.... Three weeks is a long time for wee ones.
As I shared with people what I intended to do, I got a mixed response. Come to think of it, I had mixed emotions - right up to the night before I left, I was having "frank" conversations with God about why He was asking me to go without the family... but I had to be obedient.

In terms of other missionaries, I have not had to uproot my family or gone to an unchurched tribal village where I have had to learn a new language, but the principle of being obedient is the same whether we are at home, overseas, in missions or in the office.

As one of our speakers said at the conference

"even if you are not successful, you must be obedient."

For me part of me going away was simply about being obedient.

People have been asking me lots of questions.
Was it worth it "Yes" What did I learn .....well lots. I could list stuff in the schedule but I have done that. Someone said before I left that they felt I would deepen my intimacy with God.
I think that is what happened as I find it very hard to explain, how I benefited.

I guess it built my confidence, re-enforced I am in the right place and deepened my understanding on the vision and anointing of YWAM.
I have had a passion to use my community work skills in mission. In order to do that effectively, that means extracting information from different spheres of society and understanding different worldviews. I believe I am in a slightly deeper in my understanding of that.

By valuing my relationship with God we and being obedient to what He asks of me, I do indeed feel that I have been strengthened and well watered.

Planes, trains and automobiles

Well,
On Sunday, I was laden and all set for my German adventure. After 2 planes ,2 trains and 2 cars i FINALLY got here only to find myself in a very cold tent!!! Two days in however and things are better , we have a heater for the tent.

The questions thus far are

Who is JESUS to you? What a question..... something to mull over

Germany 6 days and counting

I leave for Germany on Sunday...I am both excited and nervous about it all.
It has been some time since I have travelled overseas alone and its a bit of a challenge for me. In my 10 years of marriage, I have not been away from my lovely hubby for more than 10 days in one go....so 3 weeks seems an eternity.....as for the kids Jen can grasp mummy is away for a bit but still finds 3 weeks a hard concept, while Douglas, bless him is to young to comprehend anything.
One the other hand, I am going to have spectacular teaching, as Loren Cunningham and a lot of YWAM big names will be there.....And God I am sure will do stuff.
My hubby is more than capable at looking after the kids.

People have been asking what will I be doing
DNA Infusion will include

- The Belief Tree
- YWAM History and Foundational Values
- YWAM – Big Picture and Future Growth
- YWAM’s Apostolic Call and The Five-Fold Gifts
- Value-Driven Movements Versus Structure-Driven Organizations
- Character & Conduct of a Leader
- Leadership Giftings: How Visionaries and Implementers Work Together
- Creating with God Versus Fatalism
- 4K and Call2all
- Hospitality
- Grace Ticket
- Listen and Learn from our Founders and other Leaders of our Mission
- Plenary Sessions
- Small groups and Discussion groups
- Worship and Intercession
- Workshops and Networking times
- Fun and Fellowship
- Question and Answer
- Getting to know each other

I will try to update this blog or my Living It blog if I can while I am away.

Germany - is real

This is just a quick wee scribe to say that the tickets for Germany have been booked. There is no going back now. For those of you who think I am so independent, you should of seen me pacing the floor as Phil checked the terms and conditions. I then had to summon all I had in me to click that submit button.

No this is not easy but it is obedience.

Germany.....and stuff

You know it is just as well that my God knows me so well. As you may be aware, God highlighted a YWAM DNA Conference to me last May and it is to be held in Germany this April/May. He gave me lots of time.....because I needed lots of time.

I love social dynamics but I have also so much to learn. I know God wants me to go and I am excited about what I may learn and what I know God will teach me...

The prospect of leaving the family is a wrench. Especially Douglas as he will have no comprehension about where mum has gone or when she will be back.

In some ways I can't wait, I am hungry to go and soak up all I can....being a busy mum I don't get many opportunities to have time to focus fully on God like that. I will have less things / people demanding my time (not that I grudge that) and therefore NO Excuses.

In other ways I can't get my head round it. I have come to realise how much of my identity is being a wife and mother.
Being a wife and mother in a ministry is a fine balance at times.

I am glad God only gives me one part of the jigsaw at a time, as otherwise I think I would be a gibbering idiot half the time.