Check out this touching video from CBS News of a true hero. (Haven't figured out yet how to put the video directly onto a posting.)
Warning: Contains some disturbing footage.
This story makes me think of how our Heavenly Father loves us, unconditionally, even with all of our faults and sins. As bad as we look to Him and as helpless as we are, He accepts us even though it cost Him everything. Jesus left a comfortable place in heaven, experienced all the things we experience here on earth, and suffered a horrible death that He did not deserve. Why? Love for His Heavenly Father, and love for His children. You. Me. Us.
Scott Southworth is a true hero here on earth. What a witness to the world! May we all be heartbroken to love the unlovable.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Faith
This past Sunday, my wife and I spoke at a church to raise prayer support. The associate pastor, Eddie, took us up on stage during the service and interviewed us about our decision and what to expect. He asked us an interesting question:
"How has your faith been/being stretched as you follow where God is leading you?"
Any of you who know us or have been reading my postings for the last few months know exactly what our response was. THE HOUSE!!!
However, further thinking about this question, I realized that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Our faith has been stretched during the crazy house selling process, but we haven't even gone anywhere yet! We know that we are going to be tested and stretched and challlenged in the next years to come, so we haven't even started yet. We think we have had it hard, but we know that things will get harder. We have a large mountain to climb ahead of us, but God knows what we are ready for and how much we can handle. God let Job suffer, but He knew how much Job was able to handle and still be faithful.
How is your faith being stretched? Are you prepared for it to be stretched to its limits?
"How has your faith been/being stretched as you follow where God is leading you?"
Any of you who know us or have been reading my postings for the last few months know exactly what our response was. THE HOUSE!!!
However, further thinking about this question, I realized that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Our faith has been stretched during the crazy house selling process, but we haven't even gone anywhere yet! We know that we are going to be tested and stretched and challlenged in the next years to come, so we haven't even started yet. We think we have had it hard, but we know that things will get harder. We have a large mountain to climb ahead of us, but God knows what we are ready for and how much we can handle. God let Job suffer, but He knew how much Job was able to handle and still be faithful.
How is your faith being stretched? Are you prepared for it to be stretched to its limits?
Friday, June 29, 2007
More updates
Updates to prayer requests- thank you for lifting them up with us.
I put my notice in yesterday and told the owner and my manager that spreading God's Word among people who have never heard of Him is what I was created for, and that July 13 would be my last day. Surprisingly, they were very happy that I was making this sacrifice in my life, felt sorry to lose me and would have trouble replacing me. They also asked me lots of questions about where I was going, how long I would be there, what are we doing with the kids, etc. I was able to let them know that this is what God created me to do, and that I was following His call.
Yesterday also, we had the inspection on our house for the sale. As we thought, there are a few repairs to make that were mentioned, but nothing huge. We have not seen the report or the list of the things that the new buyers will want us to repair, but praise the Lord that the house appraised for much more that we are selling it for, and that the repairs are either going to be made or we will subtract some money off the price for them to get the repairs done.
Again, thank you for all your prayers and I will keep updating as we continue to go throught the process.
Also, the next two Sundays, we will be speaking at two different churches to raise prayer support. Pray for us that we are able to speak clearly and get as many committed to pray for us as we begin God's work among the people of South Asia.
I put my notice in yesterday and told the owner and my manager that spreading God's Word among people who have never heard of Him is what I was created for, and that July 13 would be my last day. Surprisingly, they were very happy that I was making this sacrifice in my life, felt sorry to lose me and would have trouble replacing me. They also asked me lots of questions about where I was going, how long I would be there, what are we doing with the kids, etc. I was able to let them know that this is what God created me to do, and that I was following His call.
Yesterday also, we had the inspection on our house for the sale. As we thought, there are a few repairs to make that were mentioned, but nothing huge. We have not seen the report or the list of the things that the new buyers will want us to repair, but praise the Lord that the house appraised for much more that we are selling it for, and that the repairs are either going to be made or we will subtract some money off the price for them to get the repairs done.
Again, thank you for all your prayers and I will keep updating as we continue to go throught the process.
Also, the next two Sundays, we will be speaking at two different churches to raise prayer support. Pray for us that we are able to speak clearly and get as many committed to pray for us as we begin God's work among the people of South Asia.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Prayer Requests
A couple of quick prayer requests for my prayer warriors this week!
1. While we give all glory to God for our recent and long awaited contract on the house, we have an inspection this Thursday for the new buyers. This is an FHA loan they are getting, so home inspections with FHA's are much more picky than regular home inspections. Since our house is 13 years old, we know that there will be some things to repair and fix-up. Pray that this fix-up list is not overwhelming for us, and anything that is found can be fixed and will not hold things up in the closing process. I have heard a couple of bad stories regarding FHA inspections. Pray that God keeps things moving in the right direction, which I know He has in His hands already.. but it doesn't hurt to ask!
2. I will be giving my notice for my final 2 weeks of work someday this week, maybe Friday. Though it will be a little tough on them, but not devastating, pray for them to understand the situation and that a suitable replacement can be hired and trained. They know that my heart lies with sharing Jesus in South Asia, but they may simply let me go before the two weeks notice is up. Pray that I can explain to them in a way that will glorify Jesus.
That's it for now!
Still leaning on Him,
SAM
1. While we give all glory to God for our recent and long awaited contract on the house, we have an inspection this Thursday for the new buyers. This is an FHA loan they are getting, so home inspections with FHA's are much more picky than regular home inspections. Since our house is 13 years old, we know that there will be some things to repair and fix-up. Pray that this fix-up list is not overwhelming for us, and anything that is found can be fixed and will not hold things up in the closing process. I have heard a couple of bad stories regarding FHA inspections. Pray that God keeps things moving in the right direction, which I know He has in His hands already.. but it doesn't hurt to ask!
2. I will be giving my notice for my final 2 weeks of work someday this week, maybe Friday. Though it will be a little tough on them, but not devastating, pray for them to understand the situation and that a suitable replacement can be hired and trained. They know that my heart lies with sharing Jesus in South Asia, but they may simply let me go before the two weeks notice is up. Pray that I can explain to them in a way that will glorify Jesus.
That's it for now!
Still leaning on Him,
SAM
Friday, June 22, 2007
So, now what?
Alright, further blogging about what is going on in our lives. While we wait for inspections and things we need to repair to make the deal for the house go through, what other things are going on with us? Here is our itinerary for the upcoming few months.
I will terminate my employment 2nd or 3rd week of July. My wife will end her employment June 29, but may remain an extra week to help out if no replacement for her is found.
We will continue to store things that we cannot take with us into the field until the house is empty. Mail will need to be forwarded, the last of the bills will need to be paid off and closed out. We will also need to apply for the kids' Visas, and purchase some necessities for travel, like luggage. Deciding what to take, and what to leave. How do you plan to pack for 2 months? How do you plan to pack for 3 years overseas? As light as possible, I assume! Someone told me to use one of those fish scales to maximize your packing for 50LBS per bag, not to waste any space.
We will then visit and say goodbye to my family, who is out of state starting July 25 until August 5. Fortunately, they are all going to be in one place for a family reunion, or seeing all my family before leaving would not be possible.
August 5, we fly directly to FPO (Field Personnel Orientation) in Richmond, VA. We will spend 8 weeks at ILC (International Learning Center). We leave the ILC on September 29 to come back home (and stay with whoever will house us for a short time, since we will be homeless!), and continue to prepare for travel overseas.
We may visit my wife's family for a week after FPO if possible, and my dad may come to visit us around that time as well.
We have our flight itinerary for travel into the field. October 17, we fly from home and begin our journey into the South Asia region. We will probably get to our final destination city a few days or a week after that, due to some paperwork that may have to be done at the S.A. regional office.
These are the things we have in front of us. I'm sure there are many things to plan for that I haven't thought of, but we'll deal with those when they come up. Off to planning!!
I will terminate my employment 2nd or 3rd week of July. My wife will end her employment June 29, but may remain an extra week to help out if no replacement for her is found.
We will continue to store things that we cannot take with us into the field until the house is empty. Mail will need to be forwarded, the last of the bills will need to be paid off and closed out. We will also need to apply for the kids' Visas, and purchase some necessities for travel, like luggage. Deciding what to take, and what to leave. How do you plan to pack for 2 months? How do you plan to pack for 3 years overseas? As light as possible, I assume! Someone told me to use one of those fish scales to maximize your packing for 50LBS per bag, not to waste any space.
We will then visit and say goodbye to my family, who is out of state starting July 25 until August 5. Fortunately, they are all going to be in one place for a family reunion, or seeing all my family before leaving would not be possible.
August 5, we fly directly to FPO (Field Personnel Orientation) in Richmond, VA. We will spend 8 weeks at ILC (International Learning Center). We leave the ILC on September 29 to come back home (and stay with whoever will house us for a short time, since we will be homeless!), and continue to prepare for travel overseas.
We may visit my wife's family for a week after FPO if possible, and my dad may come to visit us around that time as well.
We have our flight itinerary for travel into the field. October 17, we fly from home and begin our journey into the South Asia region. We will probably get to our final destination city a few days or a week after that, due to some paperwork that may have to be done at the S.A. regional office.
These are the things we have in front of us. I'm sure there are many things to plan for that I haven't thought of, but we'll deal with those when they come up. Off to planning!!
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