Monday, January 6, 2014

For the JOY

On Bainbridge Island, WA

Praising God for the Joy of visiting friends and family before leaving.  Planes, trains, automobiles and boats have taken me through the states. 

I was on duty with a camera when the Christmas tree came in for decoration.  


 Taking time for a "selfie" while waiting for the train.  Hard to get the focus correct.











It was my JOY to celebrate my birthday with family; Molly, Walker and Holden.  





 
 

Molly and I attended a Sing-Along-Sound of Music event. 
It was held at the historic 5th Avenue theater. 
Check out the beautiful Ceiling.
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Another Tablet

Even new tablets do crash; I lost all my data.  But, I am so glad it happened here, the Geek Squad replaced the tablet.   

However, it was replaced with an android based tablet instead of windows based.


Is she too old to learn a new computer system?



 

Departure Day January 7, 2014

Before I get to the airport I will have been on bus, boat, and light rail.  I will have just over 24 hours of travel when I land in Amman.  

It is a special JOY, Holly and a friend who speaks both English and Arabic will be meeting me at the airport.  They will be helping me purchase the correct phone and delivering me to my hotel.  This special help is a JOY and an answer to all our prayers.

Applying God's Message

I am traveling with pages from the 2014 United Methodist Women's Prayer Calendar.  It contains readings for each day.  Very appropriate to my departure is the reading listed for yesterday, Joshua 1:1-9.  "..Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey....Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with your wherever you go."

Along with my Bible I am carrying a daily devotional book, Face to Face Praying the Scripture for Intimate Worship by Kenneth Boa.  I review a section here from the closing prayer for this morning. It is reflecting on Psalm 27:23-24 and Psalm 33:20-22.

I would have lost heart unless I had believed
That I would see Your goodness, O Lord,
In the land of the living.
I will hope in You and be of good courage,
And You will strengthen my heart;
Yes, I will hope in You, O Lord

My soul waits in hope for You, O Lord;
You are my help and my shield.
My heart rejoices in You,
Because I trust in Your holy name.
Let Your unfailing love be upon me, O Lord,
Even as I put my hope in You.


Prayer

It is my JOY to know that you are remembering the people of the Middle East and my ministry in your prayers.  As we pray for each other we are acknowledging God's sovereign LOVE over each other and everyone that God places in our lives. 

I ask that you remember my need to understand the language and my new computer tablet better.  Please lift up the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people in Jordan.  The Syrian refugees as well as those who are walking with them in their extreme needs.