Safe&Sound

I'm here safe & sound-- a little bit sad and a little bit happy. I seem to be a constant jumble of little bits...


Arriving in Sweden I was struck by how fresh the air was to breathe in :) And it felt like a bit of well-needed reassurance from our God-- I find it so emotionally difficult to leave home each time. Then I was met at the airport by lovely friends, and the two little children whose house I lived in previously ran to jump into my arms :-) This is good, as after leaving my darling baby nieces at the airport, they were feeling very conspicuously empty.


On the flight over from Chicago to Copenhagen I was sat next to a lovely middle-aged Norwegian lady and had some very pleasant chats, which broke up a bit of the loneliness of travel. We even got on the subject of Jesus as she is a Humanist who doesn't do church but a Social Worker so we found we had much in common, but I was able to share with her that I do the "social work" that I do because of the love of Christ. I think God set her beside me just to be a loving, friendly presence as I felt so very sad and lonely after all my goodbyes, and once again facing an uncertain future alone. ("Ha! That's what you think, Leah!" He says :))


Now my eyelids are so heavy I can barely hold them open to see the screen. I will be doing alot to get settled in the next few days-- moving into my flat with my roommate & registering for my Swedish SSN are on the agenda for tomorrow.



But before I can sleep I just have to give a major shout-out to my sister and brother-in-law. They are such a blessing to me. Every time I'm home they take me into their home as often as I can visit, lend me their cars, feed me many a meal. They are often the ones driving to the airport to pick me up or drop me off, even though it throws their girls into distress for ages after I leave. You guys are so special to me and I am so thankful for your willingness in my life. Thank you for seeing me off at the airport yesterday. Unwrapping those little niecey arms from around my neck is always the hardest... I miss you all. Love you!! And praying for you... ("He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" -- Proverbs 11:25)


Resting in Him,
Leah

The Dreadful Goodbyes

“Begin at once; before you venture away from this quiet moment, ask your King to take you wholly into His service, and place all the hours of this day quite simply at His disposal, and ask Him to make and keep you ready to do just exactly what He appoints. Never mind about tomorrow; one day at a time is enough. Try it today, and see if it is not a day of strange, almost curious peace, so sweet that you will be only too thankful when tomorrow comes to ask Him to take it also.”

– Frances Ridley Havergal

I hate goodbyes.

The quote above has really spoken to me today as I put the finishing touches on my packing and perpare my heart for all the goodbyes. I'm praying now for that "strange, almost curious peace" and know that He will pour it out on my heart by the bucketload, because I have seen Him do it before. His faithfulness astounds me. I can't say that I have this all figured-- know exactly why I'm living life in Europe so far from the family I so love who are growing up without me, working with this ministry which has been so stressful and difficult and often discouraging, living so radically-- but what I do know is He has asked us to trust and obey. To trust that He is Who He says He is. And if that is so, then how could I not sell everything to take up the Pearl of Great Price that is His kingdom. How swiftly this temporal place is passing away. And how hugely unknown are the depths of His love...

If I put it in perspective, it aches a bit less to leave my loved ones and strike off on my own again.

But only a little at this point...

Auntie's precious treasures: Emily (2), Tucker (4 months), & Abby(4)

I'm headed down to the Cities today-- seeing some family and going to a dr's appt-- then flying out from MSP on Wednesday evening. I have a few stopovers this time, unfortunately. One in Chicago and one in Copenhagen, and then will arrive in Gothenburg again about 8am Thursday morning MN time/ 3pm Swedish time.

I am so thankful that I got to come home for these weddings just before moving to work with Rescue Mission for the next year. It was such a beautiful time of catching up with people --and I'm thankful for each of you that I've been able to see! And sad for each one I wasn't able to meet up with this time :( I'm especially so thankful for everyone on my support team that I was able to meet up with. You have no idea how He uses you to encourage me on this journey. No idea!! I COULD NOT follow Him in this if not for you.

So, I will be in touch again from Sweden as soon as I can! Know that I am holding you in my thoughts and talking to the Father about you :)

Much Love,

Leah

A Stretch of Road and A Limitless God

I always find driving to be one of my best times to connect with God. A long stretch of road under a dark night sky, driving barefoot (love the feeling of freedom in being barefoot), the radio playing (loudly, if I have it my way!), and every thought, feeling, despair, and hope coming out to my Father who carries them all when I let them slide off my shoulders to His.

I've been carrying far too much for me lately-- far more than He intends me to carry myself. I wonder when I'll ever learn to live in His power and stop trying it on my own? The weeks at home have gone by so very quickly and as my return to Sweden date looms near-- this time with a residency permit and only a one-way ticket-- I find myself so often overwhelmed with too many emotions to calculate. Of course there's excitement and enthusiasm and anticipation. I miss my friends who are like family there, I miss my lovely city of Gothenburg, I miss the connection I feel with Europe, and the passion He infuses my heart with there which I haven't felt anywhere else in all the world...

But I dread leaving my family again-- my little brother who resents the time I spend with anyone else but him during my stays at home since moving to Europe in 2005; my precious nieces who dote on me as much as I dote on them and grow and change with every blink of my eyes; and now my new baby nephew who has stolen my heart and become another treasure to miss whenever I go... I dread leaving the familiarity of home. The beauty of my family ranch wraps me up like the sweetest of embraces. I dread missing out on the important moments-- my sister is due to have her baby boy in January, my youngest brother is graduating from High School this May, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and all the get-togethers in between. But mostly just the ordinary everyday moments. The freedom to call my sister any time of the day and just hang-out over the phone. The freedom to just hop on my bike and take the 5 mile route through the countryside to enjoy the evening light, or pop over to my big brother's house and chat with my sister-in-law and love on my Tucker. Sitting on the patio talking with my Mom, or laughing over one antic or another of Jonah. Staying over with my Grandparents like a kid again. Any time stolen with cousins and Aunts and Uncles. All the little pleasures of home.

Leaving never gets easier.

But particularly this time. I always expect ministry to be a challenge-- my education at Redcliffe didn't allow for rose-coloured glasses about the world of Missions & Ministry. I heard too many firsthand experiences to expect nothing but rainbows and roses-- but the situation our loving King has led me into at Rescue Mission this time sometimes feels bigger than I can handle these days. First it was just working out my own theology on all the situations which somehow swirl together in a small community like ours, now it's the communication of it that I'm struggling with because who am I to speak into ANYTHING, and especially if the parties involved don't want to hear it? Coming home just now was such a reprieve. A reprieve which is nearly over now...

I cried out to God about it all as I drove under the starlit sky. Lord, what is my place in it? What would You have me do to help? How would You have me go about it? And then just alot of tears from a heart heavy for this little church I so love and the mess satan does his best to work into all of our lives. It's no surprise that we've come under such fire and lost such unity as a church. we are sinners and all at different points in our walks with God and different understandings of His Word-- not to mention in Rescue Mission's situation, we're all from different cultural perspectives!-- but what's difficult for me is how things are or are not handled. Is there a right way and a wrong way to go about it, God? And am I now included in the ones who are meant to handle things? Am I worked up over nothing? Or have you given me this heart, this education, and this passion for this particular ministry and then made me a part of it all for just such a time as this?

My heart's just been so burdened.
And again and again He inspires me just to desire Him above all else, and let Him use that to inspire the ones I'm ministering to in Sweden right now. It's all on Him, not on me.

And as I cried and talked to Him and went over everything in my mind for the billionth time, two songs played on the radio which spoke to me straight from His heart to mine and refreshed me on this journey...

If You Want Me To
(Check it out on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtNzOpKvPfw&feature=related)
Stunning lyrics:
The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley If You want me to

Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise
You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials
Bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way
I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering
Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to

And with my heart absolutely in the right place after that, He reminded me of Who He is. In this difficult ministry situation on my first assignment as a missionary and beyond, He is mighty to save. Whatever grieves my heart for His kingdom, grieves His all the more. Whatever concerns I have, He has had all along, and He has His plans. He started fixing this thousands of years ago when He sent His Son to abolish the power of sin, and His redemption is at work even today. His final victory is near. He IS mighty to save. This is His situation, not mine. This life of ministry, wherever it takes me, is His, not mine. And I will watch Him work in His might and His love now and always...

Mighty To Save
(Check it out on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ)

Everyone needs compassion
Love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The Hope of nations

Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

My Saviour
You can move the mountains
You are mighty to save
You are mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
You rose and conquered the grave
Yes, You conquered the grave

Thank you for long night drives, good good mighty God.

(p.s. Can anyone tell me how to embed YouTube videos right into the post?)

Hands Built for Mercy

I would like to take a moment to introduce you to my friend Gabs.

Gabi is a friend from England with a big heart and an even bigger God. From a young age He's been nurturing within her a heart for serving Him in Africa and just recently He's been opening the doors for her to do so. She's only just back to the UK following her first trip to Uganda to work with the Hope Children's Home where she has absolutely fallen head over heels in love... with the children! She calls them her chocolate treasures :)

He is now opening the doors for her to return to Uganda for a longer term of service, from 3 to 6 months, and she is so ready to go! The only issue, as is always the issue for Christian mission work, is finances. She has alot to raise and is doing everything within her power to do it. She trusts that God provides for everything He asks of us.

I'm wondering if perhaps He might provide a bit of it through you?

Check her out at: http://handsbuiltformercy.wordpress.com/

Drawn to different parts of the world and so equipped for different types of His work, Gabi and my hearts meet at the point of passion to see God's indescribable love known throughout the world. If yours shares the burden, I'd love to see you join us and people like us whom He's called to full-time cross-cultural Christian work in whatever way you can! You'll never regret building into His kingdom.

Love!!

Leah

I Love Being Auntie

I am Auntie to the 3 most beautiful & lovely children the world has ever seen-- and I love it! I can't express how God has used these 3 little ones in my life over the years to speak to me of Him, and His unfailing love; of faith like a child, of His perfect will, and of His Father heart.

(My newest little one to love-- 3 month old Tucker James! Whom I just met upon coming home at the end of July and have already fallen hopelessly in love with...)

(My beauties, Abby & Emily, who have held my heart for 4 & 2 years now, respectively)

(And the first photo of Nephew #2 due to Hannah and Joel & Abby and Emmy in January!)

They make even thinking of leaving for Europe again such a difficult, difficult thing to do...

But they also give me something real and infinitely valuable to hand over to my God, like He handed His Son over for me...

"Whatever I do with the time I have left, I only want to do what I cannot do unless He does it."
-- Ben Patterson

Calling all... Garbage?

Many of you will remember a letter I wrote for family & friends before I left for Sweden in April all about ways that you could get involved in ministry in Europe without ever leaving your home. I sent out a special letter about ways to contribute without being a financial or a prayer supporter.

A few of those suggestions were:

* Clip the stamps off your envelopes you receive in the mail and save them for me. Both of my grandmas had big bags of stamps for me when I got back to the states in July :) Thank you, Grandmas!

* Collect old cell phones and used Ink Jet printer cartridges for me. My sister-in-law just brought me a bag full of old ink jet cartridges from her office! Thank you, Paula!! So, I'm hoping to send these in to the fundraiser company before I go back to Sweden next month. If anyone has some old cell phones or used ink jet printer cartridges to contribute, please pass them along to me (apparently they are only acceptable if they fit in the palm of your hand, because anything bigger isn't Ink Jet)! My stash so far is very small, but every little bit counts :)

Thanks, lovelies!

p.s. The new laptop has arrived! It's pretty :) It's at the shop now to have the files from my broken laptop moved on to it. Thank you for your prayers and support!! Once again, Jahovah Jirah provides :)

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Bekius

My cousin's wedding this weekend was perfectly beautiful and it was SUCH an honour to be part of it.

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Bekius!!
May you seek our God with your marriage and know His love and joy!