Music Camp - Beius, Romania

Music Camp Highlights

Weekend Prior to Camp Started: We sorted through our supplies and began preparation for each day. Preston used his artistic abilities to make us some awesome signs to hang up around Casa Josef. Nehemiah and I went to Casa Josef to figure out the rooms and areas where all the camp activities would take place....we had a rain plan and a sunny day plan in place.

First day of camp....we planned fore 30 children...we had 42 show up! It was great...we kept it fast paced and the kids had a great time! It was awesome to see them so excited. REMM provided each of us a translator to help with communitcation to the children. Thanks to Andrea, Allison and Steve who were working with REMM for the summer and they came along side us to help make the camp run so smoothly.

How the camp worked: We divided the children into teams....color coded with the use of bandanas.

YELLOW TEAM...ORANGE TEAM...BLUE TEAM...GREEN TEAM!

We started off each day with large group on the patio area....learning songs in English. We taught motions and sign language to each song. Songs were selected from the 2010 VBS material "Saddle Back Ranch" and two from Lifeway's "Made for Praise". All songs were chosen to teach the children the truth of how much God loves them and that He created them each special and in His image.

After large group we would split into small groups...

Paula teaching the meaning of each song, teaching how to say the English words and the motions.

Elijah teaching basics of music theory and rhythmn.

Nehemiah worked the craft room. Providing them something each day to take home as a reminder of the camp.

Preston taught the spiritual application. He took the Scripture verse that was associated with each of the songs, with the use of painting on a mural, and crafty exercises he would share the Gospel and talk about the relationship with Jesus.

While we had our areas of responsibility, God provided others to help in much needed areas....Allison kept us on time and organized. Andrea and Steve made sure all other things like snack, taking photos, and registration.

During the week of camp...one of our college translators asked Christ to be his Savior! Praise God for his decision.

On Friday...we had a program for the parents of the children. The parents were excited to see how much their children had learned and how excited they were to learn about music. We had two groups learn to plan a song using hand bells and the other two groups learned two songs to play with the BoomWhackers. As an entire group. then learned to sing three songs in English. We taught 4 songs during the week, but only performed three. They did so well! The local Romanian TV station came and videoed several segments of the camp and would be doing a story about the camp.

Special thanks to so many people, especially REMM for making it possible for us to come to Beius in the first place and to minister to the children and families of their community

Something Simple in RO...

This morning we went with Peter to a church in the mountains next to Beius.  The beauty of the landscape was amazing.  We drove up a small winding road, a stream of water, colorful homes and fields of crops lined the road as we traveled.  It was an amazing gift from Father!  The beauty of His creation was calming to me as we traveled this road. 

When we arrived in the village, we were exiting the van and looking around to take in all the surroundings.  Then we heard a drum beat, pounding out a rhythm followed by the bell of a church calling the town people to worship.  This call was coming from a church down the a small way from where we were going.  We were looking for the church and then Peter said it is here...we turned to see what looked like a home, it then we began to hear the voices from inside singing and praying.  Their voices were as sweet sounding as anything you could ever imagine. 

The service was a great blessing from the Lord.  Peter asked our team to share whatever God had laid on our hearts.  Elijah shared of a testimony of God's faithfulness and love for him, thankful that he has been able to return to Romania again this summer.  Nehemiah shared how he was thankful to meet other believers on the other side of the world that know and worship the same God as we do in America.  Preston shared a story from his life, reminding us that God is faithful and is always with us.   A couple from Tulsa, OK...Paul and Jeanette shared a great story of God's faithfulness and love.  They are an amazing couple!  Allison....from north of Chicago..shared testimony then played guitar and sang.  She is working with REMM for the summer, she too is an amazing young woman.  I shared about the destruction of the tornados in Ringgold and how God has shown that He is faithful and that we can always depend on Him even when we don't understand the things that are going on around us. Then shared in song...Jesus Loves Me.

More about this morning later....

Now we take a nap...then prepare for music camp to start in the morning....we have 32 registered to attend!  Pray for wisdom and unity among our team. Praying that the name of Jesus would be proclaimed above all else. 

Romania...June Mission team 2011

Did you know that in the summer the sun rises at 4:45 am in the Czech Republic and Romania?  We woke up and thought it was time to get ready for the day.  It was crazy!  We did okay though...we just went back to sleep.  The sun does not go down until almost 10:15pm.  Makes for some very long days! 

It is great here in Romania.  We have been preparing our supplies for the music camp.  Excited to get it started on Monday! 

Below are some pictures of things we have been doing.  God is working in each of our hearts during our time here.  Keep us in your prayers. 

Hello from Europe! Reunion....

Dear family and friends!  We started out on the first leg of our journey landing safely in the Czech Republic on Friday a little after lunch time.  Our flights were good, only a slight delay of three and a half hours at JFK due to a storm.  When landing in Prague(known as Praha in Czech) we were greeted at the airport by my precious friend Gaby!  It was an amazing blessing to see her in person for the first time since we met in Oct. of 2009 when I was here for my first foreign mission trip.  God has been so gracious to give me true friends here in  the Czech Republic.  Gaby took us to her apartment, provided a meal for us... such wonderful hospitality!  We then packed a backpack for a short two night trip to the city of Brno, Czech Republic, where we would attend the KVZ Students for Christ 20 Year Celebration!

We traveled with Gaby by bus to Brno.  It was fun to watch the boys get to know her and talk with her.  It was hilarious at times on the bus.. we got the last seats on the bus...the back 5 seats of the bus!  I forgot to tell the boys that Czech's don't talk as loud as we American's.  It was so funny, the bus was so quiet and I said they are probably saying "those loud American's!"...LOL   It was a great time of fellowship.

When we arrived we were greeted at the bus station by another dear friend...Rosta!  I have kept in contact with his wife,  Draha as well.  It was beginning to feel like a family reunion...a reunion with God's family!  Rosta took us to our hotel, got us checked in and said good night.  We then made our first adventure to a resturant on our own.  It was great...I had an original Czech meal like I had experienced when here before.  Preston ordered a trout (fish...for those who don't know...LOL), when they sat the plate down in front of him I said, "oh my word, I am glad I that is not my plate!"  the head, fins and skin were all still attached....GROSS!  He said it tasted good...LOL.  Elijah ate something like pasta and a white sauce, kinda like alfredo sauce..but not.  And, good ole Nehemiah had chocolate and vanilla ice cream!!!

Saturday was the beginning of a reunion with my friends here in Czech!  The celebration event was like that of a well orchestrated conference with the beautiful sounds of worship in the Czech language and testimonies of those whose lives God has changed through this ministry.  It was a great time to hear the Word given by some other ministries that have come along side KVZ to work to spread the Gospel to the Czech Republic, Poland and Solvakia.  Beautiful friends...I love you all so much!  I am still can not get over the fact that God opened the door for me to return to Czech if even for a few days!

Saturday after the conference we went to downtown Brno with some KVZ friends and fellow Believers in Christ.  We had a wonderful time....taking crazy photos, sharing our stories of God's work in our lives, building friendships, being challenged in our own walk with the Savior, making eternal memories.  Thanks so much Andrea, Sonya, Katka and Filip!!!!  We love you all!!

Two Weeks and Counting Down....

Two weeks from today I will leave on a short term mission trip to Romania...making a short stop in the Czech Republic on the way there.  This time will be different than the rest...I get to work with two of my sons (Elijah and Nehemiah) and Preston Kane.  It has been a journey in preparing for this trip.  We are contucting a music camp in Beius, Romania under the direction of the Romanian Evangelistic Medical Missions ministry.  In the Czech Republic we are attending the KVZ Student's for Christ 20th Anniversary Celebration.  In 2009 I went to Czech on my first foreign mission trip and worked with KVZ.   It is very exciting to get to return there if even for a short stay.  I have maintained contact with several people whom I am privilaged to call friend and praise the Lord that He is allowing me to see them again on this earth. 

Pray for our team as we head out to get in the middle of what God is doing in Czech and Romania.  Pray for protection on our travel, unity of the team, hearts and ears to hear God's leading through His Holy Spirit. 

Praise to God for His provision...

just a quick update on our financial support...

As of this past Sunday night we still had $3000 to raise....

total needed as of Tuesday night

$1,320

We just keep on trusting to provide our every need!

June Mission trip to Czech Republic and Romania!

June Mission Trip
Music Camp at Casa Josef
Beius, Romania
June 15-27, 2011
June Mission Team:
Paula Daves, Elijah Daves, Nehemiah Daves, Preston Kane

I just want to give an update on where we are for raising our financial support for our June mission trip.
Praise the Lord for all His provision!  We are almost there... 
Total Expenses: $8000 (for the me, Elijah and Nehemiah)
Amount raised as of June 5th: $7355....Yeah!
Amount still to raise: $645
Three and a half days to go.....
Praise The Lord!!!!

We will be leaving on June 9th for our mission trip.  The Lord has opened the door for us to go to the Czech Republic for 5 days before going to Romania.  We will be joining KVZ Students for Christ in Czech for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the start of their ministry.  I had the privilage in 2009 of going to Czech and working with KVZ on my first foreign mission trip.  We will spend time in Brno and Prague.  Outside of the celebration day, we will spend time with the Believers there encouraging them in the Lord and doing some prayer walking.  Only .5% of the Czech Republic is Christian.  Pray for their nation to be open to the Gospel. 
We will then leave by train and head to Romania on June 15th.  Once in Romania, we will prepare for the music camp that will run a full week, June 21-25th!  While there, other possible opportunities are to sing and share testimony in church on the Sunday's that we are there, make agape runs, hang out at Casa Josef orphanage and play with the girls.  Please be praying for us as we prepare to serve Christ through this mission.  Pray for wisdom as I lead the team, pray for unity among the team members, that we each grow in our walk with Christ and that we could plant seeds and encourgage others in their walk with Him!

The Storm

"I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You." Job 42:5

Today I am trying to catch up on work, mission trip preparation, house work...everything it seems like.  The events of the past two weeks have changed our lives here in many ways.  A tornado swept through our small town of Ringgold, GA on April 27th, 2011.  Many homes damaged and destroyed, lives lost, businesses wiped out, our middle and high school campus torn apart.  Our home was left untouched by the terrible storm, we only lost trees.  My hometown of Ringgold, Georgia no longer looks the same.

It was about two days after the storm that I began to think about my friend Sarah Jones.  She came to my house back in January to teach a group of women from God's Word for a gathering I called "Invitation".  She spoke of the "Invitation to the Storm".  She would then share this same teaching while we were in Romania together this past March.  The word she brought to us during those times was such a different approach to a storm than I had heard before.  She said that the storms of our lives are the times that God is inviting us to get to know Him better, to know Him more.  This was true in the life of Job.  I have heard so many people say that "we don't know why Job had to go through all the losses...including his children"  but he tells us in Job 42:5 that he had heard rumors of the Lord, but now his eyes had seen Him.   The first time I read that I thought...That is exactly why he went through all he did. 

I don't know why God allowed the tornados to sweep through Ringgold, parts of Alabama and Tennessee.  But what I do know is that God is Soverign!  He loves us so much and with a love that will never end.  His Word tells us that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.  The storm itself has ended, but the path of destruction it left is great...but our God is Greater!  This is an invitation for us to get to know Him more, to see Him with our very own eyes at work through His people. 

Romania Mission Trip March 2011

Leading...Following...Learning...Growing

"Paula, keep quiet, don't say anything ...let them learn...I am working in them the same as I am working in you."  

In preparation for the mission trip to Romania I asked the Lord to let me hear His voice, in the moment and to be obedient.   My friend, Sarah, has taught me that you really can hear God's voice in the moment if you are willing to listen.  So, when I talked with the Lord about this multiple times before leaving on the trip I had no idea how the "hearing" would start.  However, Father put me into a situation that I had to listen to Him when we missed our flight in Germany.  I shared the details of this story in another blog and I encourage you to read it as well.  After Father got my attention my ears were ready for the week that was to come.  


During our week in Beius, it was made clear to me that I was "team leader".  I had been the contact person during all the preparation and organizer of the trip but never really thought much about being the "team leader".  On our first Sunday there we attended a church where I was introduced as the team leader and that I would introduce all the individuals on my team.  I looked at Sarah and said "what"..."I am the team leader".  She just smiled at me.  


I would learn during that week that I was responsible for the team in every situation but I would also be learning when to speak and when to stay silent.  There were times when I would want to say things to get some members to hurry along, not do this or not do that, but Father would say "do not say a word!".  I do remember asking Father several times...."Do I say something or do I stay silent?"  But, it was at the end of the week that Kara and Sarah thanked me for being a good leader.  I was surprised and humbled by the comments they made.  They were grateful that I had made it easy for them to serve and there was no strife in our team.  We were unified and able to accomplish much in our time together in Romania.  I shared with them my conversations that had occurred between me and Father during the week and the number times He told me "Paula, keep quiet, don't say anything ...let them learn...I am working in them the same as I am working in you."  


During my walk with Christ I have learned that He always works in multiple ways in one situation.  He was teaching me to hear His voice while teaching me how to lead.  I have been a leader in my church for 14 years.  In all the time of serving I have had the honor of learning under some great servants of Christ.  They have taught me greatly in how to follow my Savior and how to serve Him with excellence.  I pray that Father will forgive me for the times when I put the expectation on them that they were to be perfect and I didn't allow them room to grow and learn in the role they have in leadership.  I was probably too critical of them and they didn't deserve that.  And if I spoke wrong of them and did not go to them directly to make it right...Father forgive me!  


Kara and Sarah's words spoke loudly to me.  I have been in situations that I have been raked over the coals for my "bad leadership" skills.  So, it wasn't just their encouraging words, it was like hitting rewind on the dvd player.  Father started showing me how all week long He was teaching me to hear His voice and depend on Him for leading in any situation and that He would direct my path.  I am a better leader when I listen to Him.  


If you are a team member encourage your leader today.  If you are a leader encourage your team members today.  Love...Love above all else.




Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do NOT rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. (HCSB)

Home... Now Go....

Wow...we are back home from Romania.  It was a great trip.  What made it great was seeing the hand of God move in our lives and in the lives of those that we met.  Looking back to how God put our team together for this trip is facinating.  Sarah and I had know each other for two years, Kara I had only known for a little over a year and Heather and Earl on for a couple of months.  We came together from different walks of life. 

During our week in Beius, we would spend the end of our days talking through all that we had done each day.  Share our lives, our stories of God's redemption in our personal lives!  We serve an AMAZING GOD!  A God who loves us right where we are, draws us to His side when our lives are broken and torn.  Then He loves on us and wipes away our tears and sets us on our feet, to tell the of the love He has show us to all those who will listen.  He will even send us to the other side of the world to tell our story if we are willing! 

Are you willing to GO unto all the world?

"Peace" Through the Journey | Shafer Daves

I want to share with my friends the journey my nephew has been on since he was 10 days old. This is the link to his mom's blog. Shafer Daves is an amazing little baby and God has used his life to touch many people. "Peace" Through the Journey Shafer Daves

Romania....Praise to the Father!

I can't believe that our time here in Beius is almost done.  Our time this past week was so full!  It has been great and such a blessing...but it is not over!  I woke up this morning with sinus problems...not able to sing today.  Please pray for healing.  Sarah and Kara have both been sick this week and I have not, but the sickness didn't want to leave me out..lol.  I stayed at the apartment this morning to rest.  I am going out later today and will rest my voice this afternoon and evening.  Please pray for healing of my voice.  We are to attend several churches with Peter tomorrow.  I am praying for my voice to be restored before then.  It will be a miracle from the Father.

God has blessed us this week with new friends.  Our fellow Believers in Christ.  It started on the airplane ride from America.   To being alone in Franfurt, Germany airport and it only being me and my Father.  Then to arrive here in Beius and see the hand of God moving in the hearts of the Romanian people and in my life as well.  I find it totally amazing that God will take our offering of time and talents then turn it into a blessing to me and to others.  He has shown Himself so faithful and willing to be active in my life.  Sometimes we have to be removed from our everyday circumstances and way of living to be able to see with Spirit eyes God's true purpose for us personally and so He can show us how much and how great His love is for us.  Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing me to come to Romania this week and for all you will continue to do in my life!  I love you Jesus!
 

What a week!

Well, we left one week ago today for Romania!  I can't believe that our time here is down to three days left!  It has been such a blessing!  God has blessed our time here with beautiful new friends and adventures. 

Today was market day in Beius.  This was an exciting day.  The sky was blue, the temperature was warm and people were everywhere!  We have been able to go into the school everyday this week to talk with the children about the love of Jesus.  We have not only been able to get to know the children, but teachers and administrators as well.  They have all been so kind and welcoming to each one of us. The past two days as we arrive on the campus, we hear children calling our names across the school yard.  We have shared with the different classes that I would be returning this June with another team to conduct a music camp at Casa Josef!  The children are very excited about that and look forward to getting more information in hopes that they can come to the camp!  The girls from Casa Josef attend this school.  We have had two of our team members sick over a couple of days.  They are better now. 

God is opening the hearts of the people here in Romania!  His Word is alive and active.  He does not need me to do His work on earth but He chooses to use me...I am so amazed by that truth!  What a privilage to come to Romania and to share with the people the love that God has grown in me!
Praise be to Jesus...my Savior, my friend, my everything!

Sunday in Beius, Romania

Sunday we met Peter Lucaciu. Peter took us to a church in a nearby village where he would be preaching that morning. He asked if any of us would share their testimony or song. The church we would attend was destroyed back in the 1980's during communism when they tricked the people into going to a gathering in another location in the town. While they were there they bulldozed the church building to the ground. The underground church was still growing and the people would rebuild it again. What a privilage it was to worship with our Romanian brothers and sisters in Christ! I sang Amazing Grace. Kara shared testimony, Sarah shared truth from God's Word and Heather shared testimony and sang a song. They sang worship songs we know in Romanian and we sang them in English. The heart of this church was so tender. Peter got up to share God's Word. He had shared with us on the way to church what he would be speaking about from Philippians 1:12, so when he brought the message from God to the people we listened, however everything was spoken in Romanian. The beauty of not understanding the language allowed us to see the power and passion of God work through Peter.

Arrival....

After arriving in Budapest, we had a 5 hour drive to Beius. We didn't arrive until 3 am to our apartment where we are staying while on the mission trip. Ana was here to greet us (even when so early in the morning) with a warm pot of soup and fresh bread! It was great!
We slept until noon, then went to Casa Josef to eat lunch. We then met the girls that are cared for at the orphanage. They are a playful bunch of girls and full of energy. That evening we returned to eat dinner with them, play games and hang out until it was bedtime.

Romania....

The Journey to Romania....

After months of praying and planning....I am in Beius, Romania on my March mission trip! It seemed like the leave date of March 17th would never arrive and now I am two days into our trip. God is so Faithful! I want to say thank you for everyone who is a part of this trip....and that includes more than Sarah, Kara, Heather and Earl who are here in Romania with me...it is everyone who has prayed and is praying for us, everyone who was willing to listen to the voice of God when the list of items was put on FB, given out in my church, Ringgold-GA Curves, Touch of Warmth, friends and family...you all gave above and beyond! Our team collected of 150lbs of items!!!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!! God did not just bless this trip before departure, He poured out His blessings!
Now...the journey!
Scott, Elijah and my parents took me, Kara and Sarah to the airport in Atlanta. Along the way we stopped to eat our last "American Italian" at Olive Garden before leaving. Arrived at the airport at 5pm, met up with Heather and Earl, checked in, cleared security....departed Atlanta for our first stop in Toronto, Canada. Left Toronto about 20min late. Arrived in Frankfurt, Germany with only one hour to get to our next gate....now from here it got interesting! We hurried off the plane, walking quickly to customs....then waited with about a hundred others.... we still had 45 min until our plane was to leave...however, we didn't realized it was boarding as soon as we arrived in Germany...we were not going to make the next flight no matter how fast we walked or got thru all the check points. We got to our gate, and they said "that flight has already left" we said "What!" We were sent to Lufthansa Ticket counter to get on another flight. We get there...we all get on the next flight...no problem...we thought. You see, they told Sarah that she would have to check with the attendants at the gate to get a seat number. We thought "no problem, we will get lunch..log onto our computers, call home thru skype, call Ana at REMM tell her we missed the flight so she would have our new arrival info". I called Scott, skyped with the boys at home, then my battery on my computer died. This is an important part of the story...I had packed the converter in my checked luggage. But, Kara had her computer and it was charged...no problem. HA! HA!
They called for our flight to board....heading to our last stop...Budapest, Hungry. We would be picked up by a driver from REMM then drive 5 hours to Beius, Romania. Sarah, went to get her seat number...she came over to us....with this look of "what am I going to do" she says there are no seats for me on this plane! I said...are you sure? I being the team leader...I stayed with her because she had to wait until everyone was boared to see if there were any "No Shows". I told Kara, give me your computer just in case Sarah needs to call Ana. Then as we are waiting...I am thinking, I can't leave Sarah here if she can't get a seat...I can't leave her here to figure out how to make a skype call.... Okay...we waited to see if someone would not show. Well....they all showed. We asked about the next flight...it had a wait list of 20 people and all the other flights were booked full with waiting list for the rest of the night. I said...give her my seat and I will wait, "Sarah, you have to go...it will be easier to find a flight for one person rather than two". Sarah did not want to leave me...but I insisted. She waved good bye...I prayed now what...also knowing precious Sarah, she would be praying for me! I asked the ladies at the gate what to do next...
I would spend the next 2 hours walking from Lufthansa, to Air Canada, to Hungarian Airlines...I was tired and alone in Frankfurt, Germany airport. Actually I realized I was not alone. God was with me...He said He would never leave me or forsake me. So, we (me and my Father) talked about what to do. I was in a position that I had to lean on Him, think and listen for His wisdom to be given to me. I went to Hungarian Airlines, the man at the ticket booth said they didn't have any flights, no one was at the Air Canada desk (the orginator of my flight) to help me find another carrier to get me to Budapest, Hungary. So, back to the Lufthansa Ticket counter. I had been up to their ticket help area earlier...it was an hour wait to just talk to anyone at the ticket counter and they gave me a number to get in line. All the options had been exhausted. As I went to the waiting area for Lufthansa, I showed my number to the guy in charge of that area, he told me to watch for my number on the board....I looked and my number was on the board! That was only the Lord! I knew it instantly! He directed me to a lady that would be so kind and willing to help me. She found a flight for me that would leave in two hours and get me to Budapest by 10 pm. However, before she could complete confirming my ticket....the police came up to where we were and said they had to clear the area due to someone leaving a bag sitting in the terminal. I thought "oh no, you have got to be kidding!" The lady said to me....You come with me, stay with me I will go to another place and get you on this flight, I will take care of you. And, she did! She took me with her and got my flight booked and confirmed my seat on the next flight going to Budapest on Hungarian Airlines. Okay, now I had mentioned about telling Kara to leave me her computer....however, I forgot to ask her for the password to get into the computer! So, you guessed it....I did not have a way to call REMM to get word that I was still in Germany and the others were headed to Budapest.

To finish up details of a long story and a really long trip to get here.... God knew exactly what He was doing. I really believe He allowed all the events of the day to happen to grow me in my faith. One of my prayers before leaving for this trip was for me to be able to hear the voice of God, know it is Him, and to trust Him more. I was put in a situation that I had to just listen, trust and obey. I believe I was in a situation where all options were exhausted, delivered to the lady at the Lufthansa desk, cared for by her, unable to make a call to get any word to the team or to REMM. I just had to trust. I finally knew in my heart I had to get on the plane and leave the details to the Lord. I boarded the plane, sat back, as the plane took off in my heart and mind I began to praise the Lord! He is wonderful, my Prince of Peace, my Savior, I thanked Him for never leaving me. I told Him I would trust Him. I was trying to figure out what to do if they were not still at the airport when I arrived, and He clouded my mind and helped me to not try to make my own plans. We landed safely in Budapest, I got my luggage...came out of the baggage claim... standing there waiting for me was Meeshee holding a sign that says"Beius"! I said "REMM"....he said yes....I said "PRAISE THE LORD!!!" and began to cry...God is so faithful...you see...Ana with REMM had been called with the details with what happened when the rest of the team arrived in Budapest...she called the airlines to find out if I had got on another flight. She told them the situation, they told her I was booked on the next flight out. You see, at just the time I got my ticket confirmed at 7pm, Ana called at the same time...God had handeled it all and I just didn't know it was already worked out but He did. I just had to trust and obey.

It's about that time....

Tonight we had a final meeting before leaving this Thursday for Romania.  It was exciting to look around the table and see the people that God has brought together for this trip.  Sarah, Kara, Heather, Earl and myself.... all from different walks of life.  Each with our own story of God's work in our hearts. 

Our prayers tonight expressed the deep need for God to use us as He sees fit.  That we would hear from Heaven, hear the voice of our Savoir when He speaks, to follow the Holy Spirit as He leads us.  Lord, change our lives that we might know you more and the fire you create in us would burn strong when we return home to our everyday lives.  That others would see You and not us.  How we long to see your Spirit move in Romania and here at home.  May we be solely dependant upon You and You alone.

Pray for our team as we travel.  Please pray that we make all our flights!  No delays! 

Thank you to Dennis Miller, director for the Bryan College Center for International Development, for sending us to Romania to work with R.E.M.M.   Dennis pictured with team below.

Prayer and Fasting

When making preparations for going on my first foreign mission trip our team made the decision to fast from food on every Friday until we would leave.  I had never fasted before and now to fast from food on a Friday night during football season for about 6 weeks...wow...that was going to really require prayer.   For real, we love to eat our dinner at the football games....along with all the other goodies you can get on Friday night like fried oreos, funnel cakes, cotton candy and more.   The first two weeks were really difficult.  As the weeks went on I began to look forward to Friday.  God showed me that when I was wanting to eat, I needed to go to Him.  I realized that sometimes when I was thinking about food, I was not even hungry, I was just filling time by eating.  The Lord wanted me to fill my time with Him.  To get to know Him more, to desire Him more than food or anything else.

Preparation....

I am finding little time to get all the things I need to do finished before getting on the plane to Romania next week.  I know there are enough hours in the day, however mine seem to be slipping away very quickly.
Praying for a sound mind to be able to prepare for the days ahead.  Praying I don't forget something....hummm?

It's just around the corner....

It's just around the corner....March 17th...leaving for Beius, Romania.  It has been exciting to see God put all the pieces together for this mission trip.  I heard from Ana today, one of the founders of R.E.M.M., she told me..." I already have arranged for you to go in the public school to talk in different classrooms and meeting in the evening with teachers and different ladies. We have some "hands on " projects too, we will keep you busy, do not worry!". 

To hear of the plans made for our arrival and to get a taste of what we will be doing makes it all the more exciting.  I continue to pray for wisdom from the Word of God, daily exercise so I am in shape to do the work the Father is allowing me to be involved in.

INVITATION

INVITATION....was an gathering held at my home on February 5th, 2011.  It was a group of women from different areas of my life.  Those who attended ranged from long time friends, family members, new friends, friends from work and friends from church.  I sent the simple invitation to 27 people. Not really sure who would attend, preparations for the day began.  When the time arrived on this Saturday....23 ladies showed up....the funny part was they weren't really sure what the morning would entail. They knew from the invitation that brunch and Bible study was included but there was still a bit of mystery surrounding the invite.

Prayer was the biggest part of preparing....Back in the fall God put an idea in my heart and mind to have a Bible study in my home.  I prayed and asked Him, why would anyone come to just another Bible study????? As I began to pray, He began to show me what plans to make, one step at a time.  I have to say I was a little hesitant about going forward with the whole idea.

What was the idea?????  That it would not be a one time Bible study or a picked Bible study that I could get at a Christian bookstore.  The idea comes from the book of Acts in the Word of God.  When we consider the early church, they opened their homes and lives to one another.  The challenge for the INVITATION was that those who attended would say "YES!" to opening their homes and lives to those around them.  You see, that is why God gave me a list of names from different areas of my life.   It was not only to be about a one time event on Feb. 5th, 2011!  It was/is meant to go on, and on, and on.  When the Saturday morning finally arrived, it was exciting to see everyone.  The morning was full of fellowship, food, music, prayer, God's Word shared with us by Sarah Jones.   I shared the main purpose of what God had intended the whole morning to be about.....Relationships...loving others...allowing God to use us and our resources for His Kingdom.  Many shared that it was just what they needed.  Our lives are so full of day to day struggles, stress, running here and there, being pulled in different directions.... I wanted these ladies to know that I care about them. I was/am completely overjoyed that I was able to share my home with them.  Ladies you were and are completely worth all the effort it took to prepare for your being in my home on Feb. 5th! You are loved by the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace!

The blessing...Many ladies left challenged to have INVITATION in their homes.   Pass it on ladies... 

Thank you to Sarah Jones for agreeing to share with us from God's Word and as always for sharing her heart with us all!  Sarah, I love you and am so thankful that God has allowed me the privilage here on earth to call you my friend as well as sister in Christ!It was a real blessing and Many ladies left challenged to have INVITATION in their homes.  Read Sarah's daily blog at http://sarahdecosimojones.blogspot.com/

Thank you to Louise Grishom....wow...lady I just love you to pieces!  The day would not have been as tasty if you had not stepped in with your talent in the kitchen.!  Food was EXCELLENT!!!!! Thank you also for being a sounding board, encouraging me to grow in Christ...also for being honest with me!  I love you my friend!!!!

Thank you to Virginia Dillinger...I just loved the bookmarkers!  Thank you for the candy too!  You are a real blessing to me! 

Thank you to everyone who attended INVITATION.  I pray that you will continue to allow God to challenge you to open your hearts to His service by opening your home, your life, your family....committ everything you do unto the Lord.  Look for ways to serve Him today, there is an opportunity every single day to impact someones life for the Kingdom of God.  I love you all. 

If you have INVITATION in your home, please share in the comment area of how God used your efforts and how He blessed you from your INVITATION to your friends, family and neighbors!

Learning to Love.....

It all started three years ago with a cry to God that there had to be more to life than the way my family and I were living it....there just had to be...?  Well, I can tell you that God wants to answer cries of desparation like this that come from people.

WARNING: Don't attempt this unless you are ready for the adventure of your life!

Trusting God will only lead to a more satisfying life with eternal rewards. 

He began this journey of ours with an opportunity He had for Scott and I, it was to take in a teenage boy from our church that needed a home.  His name is Jordan.  He had attended our church for several years with some kids from his neighborhood.  We taught him in our children's choirs when he was in 4th and 5th grade.  The reason for him needing a home was his dad died and his mom had left his family seven years prior.  Through a lot of prayer we said "Yes" to God and followed in obedience to take Jordan into our family.  The first few months of our time with Jordan would make a great movie.  It would be full of all the drama you have to go through to actually get custody of a child.  God did amazing things during the process.  He moved mountains that only He could have moved.  However, we had no idea what would take place during the process of learning what "discipling" really looks like when lived out.  I can tell you that no matter how large our trials were, God was all the more faithful to us!  He loves us and is true to His Word that He would never leave us.  And, He hasn't!  Today, two years later, we love Christ more than we did then and we love Jordan too.  Love doesn't always come easy.   Learning to love, really love has not come easy.  You might say it has been pretty terrible to see how sinful my heart can be and when I thought I was loving others....I wasn't.
I never go out to eat in a resturant by myself, however, on this particular day I did.  I had just bought the book "A Hole In Our Gospel" by Richard Sterns ( CEO of World Vision), had some time before I needed to pick up my boys from school, decided to go to Moe's for some lunch...by myself!  I sat down with my food, prayed, opened the book and began to read.  I was so glad I had fixed my hair that day, cause when I would lean over to read it would fall down covering the side of my face.....I had got no further than the prologue of the book and began to cry....I said in my heart I have no compassion!  God, I thought I loved others and I thought I was a compassionate person....  I came under such conviction and asked God to help me to love the way He meant for me to love....a year later where has all this praying for compassion and love for others brought me.  It took almost of year of praying to God for me to finally get it and to make a real break through in my hard headed brain and heart to understand that loving others is lived out by discipling.  Discipling requires time and energy.  I ,as a Believer in Christ, must make time to talk to others, listen to them, to teach them about the Word of God, to live what I believe!  My heart is for the mission field.  However, God told me as plainly as if He had used an audiable voice...."you want to go to other countries to share the Gospel and do my work, but I put someone in your home to disciple and it starts there Paula."  Our home is the first mission field we had been plowing, I just never realized that was really what we were doing.  By dedicating our home to His use and to His purposes we have been able to see how to serve Him at home, in our community and in the world. 

Matthew 28:19

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the

Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"(NIV)

The Future....

What's ahead for me in the future days under the Son....
The Lord willing, I will leave on a mission trip to Romania on March 17th.  I will be traveling with a team of 5 people.  We will be working with R.E.M.M. (Romanian Evangelistic Medical Missions).  My part of the team will work with women leading Bible studies and leading music.  We will also be spending time with the girls at the Casa Josef orphanage.  This is the organization that my oldest son, Elijah, worked with last summer.  Please be praying for us as we prepare and seek God's direction for this ministry.

A new start to a new year....

2011..... WOW!  I can't believe that 2011 is here and we are now three days into it!  When trying to figure out what to title this blog it was challenging.  There are so many blogs that are so cute, funny, creative....so I tried to think what would best descibe me and my reason to write something the world could read.  My intent for having a blog is to share the details of our life and preparation for some upcoming mission trips.  So, I asked the Lord what I should title the blog, and "Another Day Under the Son" came to my mind. But why this title.....
I looked back to the past couple of years and it has been an adventure for me and for our family.  For me, the results of the past two years is a stronger prayer life, a greater love for my Savior Jesus Christ and the knowledge that He will always be with me and His patience and grace is GREAT when I am slow to learn and understand. I know that my relationship with Christ is a daily one.  This title is meant to tell the reader that I have the opportunity to live each day under the Son of God's love and direction. 
Lord willing we will have many new adventures this year!