Eternal Perspective

Week before last, I went to two funerals. Fathers of friends of mine...Both funerals were so sweet and even though I went not knowing their fathers, I left having a much better idea of who they were to each of my friends. I think about death a lot...not in a morbid way...if there is such a non-morbid way to think about death...hmm? that sounds like an oxy-moron doesn't it? I think about what Heaven is going to be like and I imagine so many different things about Heaven. Some based on what I've heard, read or seen and some just merely based on my own imagination and hopes.

A women's life group I belong to just finished up a Beth Moore study called The Inheritance. It was unbelievably great, as all her studies are. I always leave each week having gained a fresh revelation about some scripture that gives me a new freedom in some area of my life. One thing Beth said a few weeks ago in regards to our time to die was something like this....and I am paraphrasing..."It's not our time to go until the last nail is hammered into our newly built house; then Jesus comes and gets us and takes us to see this beautiful house He built just for you and (me)." When Beth said that, it gave me such relief in understanding all the "whys" of someone's death...seemingly early deaths, too. It also humbled me immensely. Anytime I think of something and put an eternal perspective on it...I am always humbled. I have seen many deaths of many close people in my life, yet, I still seem to take it so personally--until I look at with an eternal perspective. Say for instance, Norm. I really struggled with his death. It didn't make sense to me at all. Nothing about the entire transplant, friendship, nothing made sense to me after he died. But when Beth made that statement...it all became crystal clear: Right this very second, Jesus is constructing my eternal house! When He completes the construction of my house, He will send for me to come live in it. Pretty simple, huh? Until then, I live here on Earth to serve Him, glorify Him and bring people closer to His kingdom. Everyday, that is my call. He has given me gifts and talents to do just that so that I might enjoy glorifying Him, serving Him and helping people become more aware of His kingdom. SO aware, they would want to have a house built there for themselves as well!

The most humbling part of an eternal perspective for me is this: It's not about me! It's about HIM! This Earth and everything on it is about HIM! Not us! In such a world of "consumption"...it's hard not to get "consumed" with ourselves and our lives and forget that its all about HIM! I'm the worst! I have to remind myself daily, "This won't last (whatever "this" is...usually some situation, some materialistic desire, etc. etc.)

From how I interpret the Bible, the end is coming. It's always been coming. When, I don't know, but I do know that its coming. Jesus says He has prepared a place for me (and you) and if He has prepared a place for us, He will return to get us. For me, that is the most comforting news of the day...amidst all the headline news we hear. I can't think of anything better to hang my hat on that that: Jesus is coming to get us. My prayer is that every day until then, I will live with an eternal perspective and I will be more than ready to meet Him. :)

I Left My Heart in Nicaragua

Since 2003, when I gave up my life for Jesus, I'd always wanted to go on a Mission trip. It seemed a "mission trip" was something really, devout Christians did (what I understood from my previous life.) Deep down, I never felt worthy to go on a mission trip. You know why? Shame. Shame kept me under the veil of "unworthiness" for many things. But this past January, I got some great freedom from Mr. Shame and I felt worthy to go on a mission trip. Bree and Daniel were planning on going with Arbor Christian Academy, the high school at Trinity Fellowship. I couldn't imagine a more divine trip than taking a mission trip with family members. After much prayer, Gary and I decided we'd fore go our anniversary trip and go to Nicaragua instead. I was so excited! I immediately emailed the missionaries: Wayne and Elaine MaGourik on their website: www.saviorstear.org to ask them "novice mission trip" questions.

Wayne responded very quickly and thus began a sweet friendship between he and I via email over our decision to come to Nicaragua. He and his precious wife, Elaine, have lived in Nicaragua for the past three years and have been ministering over there for some 9+ years. It truly has become their Life Mission.

In a nutshell, because I could go on and on forever about Nicaragua...let me tell you about the precious ones over there...

The day after we arrived, we visited the "Dump Ground" for Managua, Nicaragua. A city of about a million people. The dump ground was quite vast...we drove in Wayne's vehicle, which thankfully, is recognized by the people scavenging through the dump ground. This is their life-everyday. They wait for the trash trucks to come and go through the trash looking for anything of any value or food for the day. This is their daily job. This is how they provide for their families. One day at a time.

While driving through, I catch the white teeth of a beautiful young boy, looking up at me while we slowly drive by. I quickly snap a photo and then put my camera down and wave hello to him. He held onto an empty plastic bottle, possibly a Gatorade bottle. He gleams his pearly whites and I am overwhelmed by his smile. I ask God, "Lord, what on earth does he have to smile about?" The Lord whispers to my spirit, "He has everything he needs for today. He doesn't know to want for more. I meet his daily needs and he worries none for tomorrow. He's content. He has his health, his family, and his daily needs." I wondered why I couldn't be as content. I have much more in way of materialism, yet, catch myself wanting more! It's insane.

The next day, we went to the Orphanage/Boarding School. Many of the children from the dump ground end up at the orphanage. There were about 30 children there that day and we held a large birthday party for them...complete with cokes, birthday cake and gifts. These gifts were nothing more than boxes wrapped with dollar store items in them. When we gave each child a gift, they all looked at them very carefully. Slowly, they began to open the gift, trying not to tear the paper so they could save it. As they pulled out one trinket at a time, they examined it carefully, then put it back in the box. Eventually, they closed the box back up with all its' contents and put them away in a safe place. They said, "Gracias!" more times than I could count. I imagine if I went back there today, those boxes would be in the same pristine condition they were when I left.

We played games with them, like the Limbo, jump rope, and put barrettes in the girl's hair. The guys went out to the yard and played soccer with the boys...and yes, the Gringos got stomped!!! There was no Wii, no video games of any kind, no iPod, no iphone, no technology of any sorts and we ALL had a splendid time together.

Upon time to go, a sweet little boy, Noe, had been discovering stickers in his gift box. He began to put them all over himself and then all over me. He stuck a Cross sticker on the front of my t-shirt. As you can imagine, it was hard to leave these precious ones. All of them had a different story as to why they were there. They were the kindest, most gracious children I've ever been around. So grateful for our time and attention, if just for one afternoon. It's no wonder Wayne and Elaine are so attached to them. On days when they're feeling down and missing home, they go see the children at the Orphanage to lift their spirits...and I truly see why now. They are little, beautiful angels dressed in clothes.

Oasis de Esparanza is the school that Wayne and Elaine started to get the dump ground children out of the dump, if even for half a day. There are children from kindergarten through 6th grade and it's growing every year. There's approximately 420 children attending everyday. The school provides two nutritious meals, a clean uniform and a Christian education for each child. About $30-35.00 dollars a month provides that daily for one child for a month. Is that hard to believe? It's amazing to me. The teachers are those who should be praised! They have a tough job and gratefully do it every day for about $150.00 a month salary. Over there, that's a pretty good salary.

We were there for six days. For Oasis, we had 6 stations with about 3-4 people working. I had the "sports" station. We played soccer, baseball, jump rope, and the Hokey-Pokey dance, among some of the activities. Gary had the "hygiene" station. They showed them how to brush and floss in a fun way. Bree did art and Daniel did Math and Science. The program was fabulous and was so productive every minute of every day.

I truly left a part of my heart in Nicaragua. I can hardly wait to go back, Lord willing, next June. Wayne and Elaine have become best friends and my heart desires to help their ministry any way I can. I encourage you to look at their website and see from their perspective... www.saviorstear.org

Since my return home, I've asked myself many things...one of which is this: Are we missing the mark over here in America? We think we have it all figured out with our high speed technology, 60 hour work weeks, stress and busyness like it's common nature. In Nicaragua, they have their own set of troubles, no doubt...but it's a much simpler life. Much simpler. They don't yearn for more and more because they don't see 50 commercials everyday speaking to their fleshly desires..."more....more....more...." Having seen Nicaragua, I know without any doubt, I am blessed beyond belief. I asked God why it's so out of balance...they are so poor, and we over here are so rich....God replied, "I don't know Dawn, why is it?" Those who have been given much, shall give much. For me, it was impossible to go over there and not be changed internally forever. I've seen "poor" like I've never seen it before in my life. I know we have "poor" in America, but we also have a welfare system, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Gary and I gladly support our hometown missions for the poor. However, over there, poor is poor. They truly don't know where their next meal will come from. Because I have been changed by Nicaragua forever, several of those meals will come from us, quite gratefully indeed.

The Apple of His Eye

It's hard for me to comprehend that I'm the apple of God's eye. With some of my thoughts and the idle words that come out of my mouth, I would beg to differ. But David says in Psalm 17:8 "Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me under the shadow of Your wings." The fact that David says, "keep me" leads me to believe that he's been the apple of God's eye previously and wants to stay in that position. I do too. I suspect that when a mother gives birth to a child, the moment she lays eyes upon that beautiful creation....that baby becomes the apple of her eye. I'm going to assume the same is true of God and His children. In doing so, I find comfort in the fact that even though I may not behave as the apple of His eye...no amount of ill behavior, negative thoughts or past mistakes can ever cause the gleam to leave His eye. I need to hang on to that bit of knowledge.

I am planning my post on Nicaragua, but need to upload the photos to this computer. The photos tell such an amazing story. I hope you'll check back to read about the precious Ones who live in and around the dump ground. I smile every time I think of them. . .knowing they too, are the apple of God's eye. Be blessed!

New picture in heading

Just a side note, this beautiful image of God's change of seasons was taken last year in Charlotte, North Carolina. I've never seen more beautiful foliage than this...it was breathtaking. I finally figured out how to upload a picture to my heading area...thanks Breeto!

God's Beauty...Captured

Hi and welcome back! haha! (that was for me.) I can't believe it's been so long since I've written. Shame on me! (not really...) I got myself a new MAC laptop and have enrolled in an online photography school...so, I've been really busy taking pictures of water droplets, and learning about the "Rule of 3rds." I love photography so much. When I was in high school, my Aunt Dottie bought me a really nice SLR camera...I believe it was an Olympus. I loved taking pictures of anything and everything. However, after moving many times and loosing items in the moves, I no longer have that camera.

About a year ago, my passion was ignited again. I bought another SLR camera...this time, a Nikon D80, enrolled in a class at AC and began taking lots of photos. Good grief, a lot can happen in a year! I just replaced a picture of "fall foliage" I'd taken last year at Wheeler with a picture I took about 2 weeks ago. Wow! Not to brag, but I have definitely improved in the course of a year. The picture I replaced was so hideous, I wouldn't even TAKE that photo today, much less, FRAME IT! Oh my, it was bad. And bless Gary's heart, he didn't say one negative thing about it...even when he saw the new picture! He has such a sweet heart.

I'm currently reading a great book, Success God's Way by Charles Stanley. I've wondered this past year what my destiny was...while not gainfully employed, I've often thought I needed to be doing something, anything, to bring in income. There have been several offers come my way, but each time I prayed about direction, I felt the Lord clearly tell me, "Dawn, you are where I want you. I want you to be Gary's healthy wife, be a blessing to him everyday." Well, I do my best with that call...some days are better than others...and truly...I've had a deep-rooted desire to be a "housewife"...to take care of my husband and our home and make it a sanctuary for us. I enjoy that more than I can even believe. I am blessed beyond belief that I am living the life I live today.

Having said that, and after reading some of this great book, I realized I also have a desire to "create" something using the gifts and talents God placed in me to glorify Him. Which, by the way, is the priority goal that Charles Stanley mentions....a goal to glorify God. So, after pondering and praying about that...I came up with this:

Lord, I want to create something beautiful of You that glorifies You. I did just that. Yesterday, I gave away my first signed print to my dear friend, Pam

Canon, for her birthday...(see picture)...

I took the picture while in Austin about a year ago while Gary and I attended a bank conference. This was in Bastrop, TX just outside of Austin. There was a small sitting area they called the "Butterfly Area" where butterflies were scattered everywhere among the bushes and shrubs. I was in awe of there beauty and the precision of their markings. Only a perfect God could make such a perfect specimen.

The scripture that seems so fitting to this image is...

2 Corinthians 5:17: Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. NLT.

Maybe that verse means so much to me because I clearly had an old life that was horrible and since Jesus, my new life is fabulous! Truly a life that went from "black and white" to "Full Color!" Even though I sometimes have days that seem very dark, I know the color is coming back. I know Jesus will not leave me and everyday, I learn just a little bit more of how much He loves me. I don't think this side of Heaven I will ever fully comprehend how much He loves me, but I'm thankful that every day, I get a glimpse of His love somewhere around me.

I would love to share my images with you and am researching the best way to do that. Eventually, Lord willing, I'd like to sell these images and send 10% of the profit to a ministry in Nicaragua....SaviorsTear.org I'll share more about Nicaragua in my next post. It warrants it's very own full page! Til then, just look around you...God's beauty is everywhere!