Through the Gates...

Catch up posts!

2009-07-11T12:56:00.005-05:00

I was in my post draft folder the other day and realized I had several drafts sitting there unfinished and unposted. Oh my! I think I'll try to clean up a few of them and see what kind of catch-up posts I can get posted today/tomorrow!

Right now it's a sleepy morning, er, umm... afternoon after all-night prayer and my brain is functioning at a really sleepy level. I think I'm awake and thinking... but I'm really not...

Today's quiet time contemplation: Colossians 1:13. Giving thanks unto the Father...who has delivered us from the power of darkness... Hmm... in what ways or areas am I still living under the power of darkness? Unbelief, lack of trust, anger, lack of kindness, spirit of fear, not keeping short accounts? While all of these aren't things that I'm immediately struggling with, I can identify different times when these are definitely weak points in my life. But we are delivered from the power of the enemy and these things don't have to have power in our lives! Our God is bigger and He has delivered us!

Aren't you glad that we have an all-powerful God instead of trying to depend on a self-help book and our own flesh? Yeah, me too!

Happy Anniversary!

2009-07-10T22:39:00.003-05:00

GFA celebrated it's 30th anniversary last week, so tonight's all-night prayer meeting is focusing on God's faithfulness! Lots of fun stories from the early days of the ministry and lots of fun faithfulness to look forward too!

Meanwhile, the J-Fam's faithful van battery died, so I ferried them to and from prayer meeting. We're back at their house and we just finished getting their QuickTime set up so J-Fam Mom can watch prayer meeting while the boys are in bed.

Praising God!

Praise to the Lord!

2009-06-29T12:00:00.001-05:00

I know, it's a repost from January, but it's what's going through my
head this morning...

Praise to the Lord
Who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings,
Yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen
How thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath,
Come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from his people again;
Gladly forever adore him.

...and now we return to our regularly scheduled database tickets.
</interrupt>

Escape to Escape

2009-06-25T23:56:00.003-05:00

After supper with the J-Fam tonight, Greg and I took our laptops to Escape coffee house and worked on some schedule logistics for the next month or so. The barista on duty went beyond her duty - treating us to free day-old doughnut holes and custom mixing a drink for me. In fact, the evening was wonderful - a combination of logistics and smiles and fun and closing with a random, brief video skype call to my KS family!

We sat there at Escape, close to each other and holding hands and Greg made the comment, "We sure weren't doing this last time we were here." No, we sure weren't! We had stopped by Escape in January when Greg was here and we were still seeking the Lord's direction on whether or not to enter a relationship. Wow! The memories associated with that Monday night... but that story will have to wait until we get our joint blog up. :)

My newsletter finally got printed today, so we're working on getting that sent out. I've been starting to make a list of things I need to document for my responsibilities at the office and setting aside time to work on those. But then we have a whole bunch of new people/volunteers /interns starting next week, so that's keeping me busy too!

Meanwhile, on the field, a missionary was arrested over a week ago and still remains in police custody. Pray for his release and pray for the boldness and safety of the church that he pastors!

Now? I'm off to bed... sleepy, sleepy...

Virtually at ICCM

2009-06-12T21:42:00.002-05:00

It's quite fun! The ICCM guys are hanging out at the Student Union at Taylor and Greg has me up on video skype! So I am there at ICCM...virtually! I'm surrounded by conversation of operating systems and Kardia and Microsoft and security... The biggest challenge is sorting out the digital noise and the voices and listening to the mic trying to figure out which voice it is supposed to be picking up.

Hi guys!

Beep Beep Beep

2009-06-11T17:53:00.005-05:00

No, it's not the roadrunner running from the coyote. It's the front doors of the office. The locks are messing up, so I get to sit here for a little bit and make sure the lobby is "secure" until the smart people get the door controllers reset. (Go System Admin!)

Tomorrow starts the annual ICCM conference at Taylor University. Techies/Missionaries (including some of our staff) gather from around the world for the International Conference on Computing and Missions. I attended ICCM in '03, '05, and '07 and I have to say it is the most life-changing conference I've ever attended. Hands down, no comparison.

Why? ICCM is where Greg and I met.

Yep, that's another piece of the story that needs written up! Greg is the worship leader at ICCM as well as a techie/missionary, so everyone knows who Greg is. And I'm one of six (yes, that's 6!) or so female techies/missionaries who attend, so everyone knows who I am. I just didn't realize that Greg had a specific interest in wanting to know me...

Greg should be arriving in Indianapolis right about...now! He's picking up a LightSys intern at the IND airport and then driving on up to Upland, IN to start worship practice. From our office, System Admin and Network Admin and IT Coordinator are flying up tomorrow.

As for me? I've just finished setting up a new laptop for one of our remote staff and am getting ready to head to KT's house for supper with her girls! I'm not attending ICCM this year (sadly) due to the need to keep things running here at the GFA office. You can pray for all the systems to work smoothly (and the doors to work too!) while all the smart people are gone.

I miss you, Greg!

GFA Staff Retreat

2009-06-11T11:45:00.003-05:00

Two weekends ago was GFA's staff retreat and the GFA families retreated to a Christian campground/retreat center near Huntsville, TX for three days of rest, laughter, and fellowship. We had a "bonfire" (in quotes because of the small size of the said fire) on Saturday night with an open time of sharing of things the Lord has been teaching us or things we are grateful for. It was such a blessing to me to hear from others and to also have an opportunity to share how much the GFA family had meant to me and to encourage the newer staff and students/interns to deliberately plug themselves into the fellowship as well. I'm convinced that the enemy will do almost anything to bring feelings of disunity or disconnectedness or loneliness. If he can divide us as Christians, he can slow the furtherance of the Gospel.

Here's a fun snapshot I found from the Saturday night bonfire...

Watching the sunset

2009-06-10T20:49:00.003-05:00

A storm system moved through this evening while I was Auntie Candy's house for our weekly prayer/visit and supper. We watched as the local TV stations preempted their regular programs for round the clock weather coverage including helicopter footage, radar, and eye witnesses. I was pretty impressed! I think that's the first time since I've been here that I've seen the TV stations do continuous storm coverage.

I had spoken with Greg on the phone earlier as he was en route to ICCM and he was encountering major storms in OK. I have now have a little more empathy for his stormy travels. :P Why is it all the "really good" storms hit when we're not in the same place?!? (Greg and I both love to watch a good thunderstorm develop!)

The storms are leaving now - leaving our house without power. But the storms also left behind a beautiful golden sunset. Gen and I watched the sun lower itself through the lingering clouds and moisture and marveled at the deep pinks and golds of the evening.

When I was tempted to complain about the 80+ degrees in the house and no A/C, I was quickly reminded of the recent loss of homes and lives in West Bengal, India as a result of Hurricane Aila. At least 200 people killed, millions homeless, crops destroyed, and water supplies polluted with salt water.

A quote from one of our field correspondents: "Children are crying without proper food, and parents have lost hope. They look at the sky and weep. We can give no answer when they ask us with tears, ‘Where will we go now? We have no home, no cattle, no fields . . . '"

Waking up in Kansas

2009-05-23T07:00:00.003-05:00

I've been lying here awake for the last half hour, remembering why I like waking up in Kansas and simply enjoying...

the light and sound flooding in the upstairs windows
the feel of the great-grandmother's quilt tucked in around me
the cool breeze coming through the open window
the constant hum of the hallway box fan
the cock-a-doodle-doo of the distant neighbor's roosters
the melody of birds in the trees
the lack of sound of cars driving by on Hebron
watching Ginger the cat bird-watching on the window sill (This one wouldn't have been on my list before. There was no indoor cat.)

I've got to get a move on now. Susan and I head to KC today to spend some time with her bridesmaids. Her wedding on the 6th of June is coming up quickly! So, good morning to you! And may your morning be blessed!

(I love you, Greg!)

Guess what Facebook told me...

2009-05-20T09:40:00.004-05:00

It made me smile to see this in my yahoo inbox this morning!

Okay, enough gush. Back to work on login tickets, new volunteers, and a DSL modem replacement.

Decisions -- Answers (in Diamonds!)

2009-05-19T23:05:00.000-05:00

Such joy! I walked in to prayer meeting this evening and found a young man eagerly watching for me. With a broad smile on his face, he ran to greet me with a hug and then stood beside me as we worshiped the Lord. It was only moments until his eyes moved to rest on the diamond adorning my left ring finger. He looked into my eyes and smiled once again.

Yep, 7 year old Kyle definitely enjoys getting a hug from me on Tuesday nights. :) And he likes to play with my diamond ring too, but obviously, that's not from him. That's from another someone special in my life...

It was the first weekend of January when I posted a couple blog posts about knowing the Lord's desires and having some unexpected decisions to make.

As I wrote those two blog posts, I had no clue the major decisions that were awaiting me -- I was thinking about roommates and housing. But unbeknownst to me, my inbox already contained an email from a young man, letting me know he was interested in me as more than just a friend and inviting me to join him in a deeper relationship.

Yes, you're reading it right here. I've found a wonderful, Godly man -- or rather, the wonderful, Godly man has found me! After a whirlwind 3 month courtship, Mr. Greg Beeley asked me to marry him and I wholeheartedly agreed!

My heart is soaring, the corners are my mouth are permanently curved upwards, and the light reflected from the diamond ring on my finger seems like just a reflection of my joy inside! I can hardly believe this is happening to me, but it is! I am so blessed and so excited! And right alongside the exciting events of the last few months is complete peace from the Lord and a delightful "rightness" that can only come from Him.

There's more story to come soon... Greg's tenacious pursuit of me, the blessing and joy of our leaders and our parents, the amazing details that God has worked out from the beginning... And yes, you're all invited to the wedding (venue permitting)! When? We're thinking November-ish, but definitely still working on details...

But for now? I'm so excited! And I'm so thankful to share this with you so you can rejoice with us! God is so amazing!

I will lift my voice and sing
'Cause Your love does amazing things.
Lord, I know my life is in Your hands.

Morning Reflections

2009-05-14T07:35:00.003-05:00

It's been a busy (and really good) week in more ways than one. With several IT projects and staff moves hanging over my head, I came into the office early to get a jump on them. I'm working on staff training at the moment - poking away at features in Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint to see what kind of cool tricks I can make them do. One of the staff is here early, warming up his voice and guitar for morning worship time. A storm is busy brewing to the north of us - turning the sky a dark blue and causing wind currents that make the turtle doves almost fly into the windows. (Never mind, maybe they are flying into the windows on purpose...)

*Dorinda gets up to scare away the turtle dove so it doesn't knock itself out.*

The Lord has been doing so many (really good) things in my life recently and I'm starting to compose my next newsletter with some of those details for prayer and praise! I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness and protection and covering and blessing and guidance in my life!

And all my soul needs
Is all your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing, I have nothing
Without You

Happy Birthday, Lucinda!

2009-05-13T17:40:00.004-05:00

My sister Lucinda turned 15 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Lucinda, it has been fun to watch you grow into a young lady and I'm so thankful for the times we've gotten to spend with each other over the last couple years -- camping, biking, traveling, laughing, visiting! I hope you enjoy your tea set and I think you're going to do an amazing job of helping Dad this summer! May you continue to know the Lord more and learn His Word more and experience God's love for you!

Quote on Prayer

2009-05-05T09:34:00.002-05:00

Found on the SEND! Editor's desk...

Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine. -Kathleen Norris

IT Tip of the Day - Installing a Toner Cartridge

2009-04-24T12:27:00.002-05:00

For all those still learning about your techie equipment, here’s your random IT tip for the day: If you are having problems putting a new toner cartridge in a printer, make sure you are putting the toner cartridge in right side up. It will work better that way.

Obviously, I am an experienced IT tech person. I would never make repeated attempts to install a toner cartridge upside down. But, I’m sure there are some people out there who might, so I just wanted to make sure you knew not to do that.

Now, let’s see… where did I lay that toner box?

Sunday Afternoon's Activity

2009-04-23T14:09:00.002-05:00

Final Count - 37 supporters, 2 churches, 1 deer

2009-04-05T12:14:00.006-05:00

I made it back safely from my 10 days support trip - glad to have seen so many of you and glad to be back with my GFA family as well.

The mission of my trip: visit those families in KS and OK who have been prayerfully and financially supporting me over the last six years as I served here at GFA. Share stories from the mission field and from my life with them, encourage them, fellowship with them, and find out how I can be praying for them and for their families.

The start of my trip was Friday, March 20th, when I left Dallas and headed for Hydro, Oklahoma. From there, I stopped by Okeene and Meno in Oklahoma and started up into Kansas. From there, I visited Coldwater, Medicine Lodge (where my sister L. joined me for the trip), Kingman, Wichita, Newton, Sterling, Partridge, Yoder, Hutchinson, Inman, McPherson, Lindsborg, Concordia, Olsburg (where I waited out the snow storm), Manhattan, Lawrence, Reading, Harper, Coldwater, and finally - Anthony.

I visited 37 supporter families and 2 supporting churches in 32 stops and traveled over 1900 miles in my little Toyota Corolla. Overall: Mission Accomplished!

My trip back to TX was a little delayed. I was about 30 miles out of Anthony on Wednesday evening (April 1), heading back to Dallas, when my car met a cute little deer. The little deer didn't survive. My car suffered injuries and is now at the West Street Body Shop and Fender Repair in Anthony, KS. I'm now driving a green mini-van. (Thanks for the loan, Mom and Dad!)

Praises: the Lord's grace in the planning, the Lord's safety during travels, costs covered for the trip, fun times with my sister L., hospitality and open guest rooms from so many people along the route! And you! I praise God for you! Thank you so much for your prayers and support! I would not be here without you.

Snowman in Olsburg!

2009-03-28T17:31:00.004-05:00

Rural Road Signs

2009-03-28T16:26:00.002-05:00

Travel the Road

2009-03-28T16:02:00.003-05:00

It's been way too long since my last post and I've been so many places and have so much to write! My internet time has been a little limited and what time I have found has been occupied with other matters besides blogging.

I left Dallas on Friday evening, 3/22, to spend 10 days on the road visiting prayer and financial supporters! I've put over 1000 miles on my car in the last 7 days and visited 25 supporters in 20 stops - thanking them for their prayers and support and encouragement over the last 6 years. It has been such a joy to be able to sit at their kitchen tables and sip tea and visit with them about their families and their businesses and their lives and be able to pray for them! We are truly so blessed to have the family of God!

It's fun and refreshing to be traveling the backroads as I crisscross through OK and KS. I picked up my youngest sister Lucinda in Medicine Lodge, KS and she's traveling with me and keeping me awake. We've named our loaner GPS "Gypsy" since it tends to take us all over the place - but we're extremely thankful for it!

The "epic storm" (as the Weather Channel is calling it) moved into Olsburg about half an hour after we arrived yesterday. We've got some ice overnight and about 5" of snow here today, but the roads have cleared and we're getting ready to head for Manhattan. I'm so thankful God arranged my travel schedule so I didn't have meetings all day yesterday/today, but I was at locations where I could just wait out the storm. Isn't God amazing!

Praising God for you!

2009-03-24T17:00:00.001-05:00

Mobile blog posting?

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Calling All Supporters!

2009-03-10T18:47:00.003-05:00

Road trip! The details are coming together and I'm busy planning a 10 day road trip to visit prayer and financial supporters at the end of this month. I'll head north out of Dallas on Friday, March 20th, arrive in Hydro, OK that evening, and pursue points north from there.

I've spent the last hour or so on the phone, figuring out times to just sit and visit with my supporters and find out what God is doing in their lives and let them know how God is using their lives to change eternity. I am SO looking forward to this.

If you're in the OK or KS area and would like to make sure you on my list of people to visit, drop me an email or a facebook message and I'll get in contact with you!

I gotta run to prayer meeting - see you soon!

Prayer Meeting and Sri Lanka

2009-03-07T04:15:00.004-06:00

We just got home from March's all-night prayer meeting. I was tired today. I spilled avocado on my blouse before I even made it to my desk this morning. Got to my desk and realized I didn't have my laptop power supply. Drove home and grabbed the power supply and changed blouses and headed back to the ministry. I had no sooner sat down at my desk and taken a drink of smoothie when a frozen strawberry chunk viciously lunged at me, causing me to spill smoothie all over my face...and down my clean shirt. By that time, I just laughed.

I did need a reminder this evening: we have such a privilege to cry out to the Lord on behalf of nations and peoples that have never once heard the name of Christ. We are blessed to intercede for countries locked in civil war and paralyzed in idol-centered religions. The Lord has given us this opportunity - shall I not take advantage of it because "I don't feel like it."? God forbid! The Lord desires to work through our prayers. He is waiting for us to come and ask.

I drafted a few prayer requests for Sri Lanka this evening:

• PEACE in the country
• PEACE for the believers
• PEACE shared from the believers to their neighbors and the country
• PEACE for pastors and missionaries as they travel and share
• PEACE for the families of missionaries and pastors
• The Prince of PEACE to be known among the governmentt troops and the Tamil Tiger troops.

Mumble, mumble

2009-03-03T12:59:00.005-06:00

One of the ladies on the office called HelpDesk - reporting that one of her programs was displaying gibberish. It was, but in the midst of the gibberish were a couple words that made sense. The computer was ignoring us. And muttering under its breath.

Moving Day

2009-03-01T17:39:00.002-06:00