That's just what happens

Expect the unexpected, like
Daniel Zeller's Terrarium Desk

I get a clear message: "These are what she's looking for." I'm surfing online for dining chairs. We sold ours and the kids need some.

"I was thinking of spending $20 for each," my daughter-in-love has said. "I don't think I can find anything great for that price, but that's what is in my head."

I recognize the specific direction she's feeling. God is often that direct about parameters so we recognize his provision. It's part of the resource stream we've experienced over and over in this spiritual gift called "giving."

At the time, T and M are in the full-blown moving-in process. Exhausted. Heads full of details. Not in the mood to shop. Too tired to look.

I'm watching them scurry in and out with stuff. I'm grazing CL and staying out of the way. When I see the chairs, I send the link to Melissa. She may have time to look at it later.

Yes, indeed. Today she picks up the 6 beautiful chairs ... @$20 each, of course.

It's fun to exercise a gift, but it's sheer pleasure to benefit others with it.

What ways are you designed to bless others? Are you functioning in the gifting that God has placed within you?

Got a story? We'd love to read about how God combined the natural flow of your personality, gifting, and circumstances to pour out his blessings.

Read more:
*You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Psalm 86:5 NLT

*May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT

Moravian Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are thankful that we remain steadfast in your love. Help us to spread your love to others daily knowing that the world sees you through us. Lord, make us yours forever. Amen.

What next?

In progress!

"It's a bit of a whirlwind, isn't it?" T surveys the basement with a smile. His team has framed and roughed in plumbing. He's pulled wires to power up the new space.

"Sure is." W looks around and shakes his head. "This would have taken me ages." Perhaps months.

We've found that Craigslist is an excellent resource for buyers and sellers. Someone's here now, picking up our DR rug, a pale green 10X12 wool expanse. We tossed in a few tables, a slipper chair, and the sturdy loveseat W built for our first apartment (along with the cushions and covers I made.) Hurrah!

Our little slipper rocking chair. Gone!

It's been good fun seeing the happiness of people who like our stuff :-) God has blessed us with mutual satisfaction, for which we are grateful. There will be plenty to toss before we go.

The kitchen cabinets, closet fixtures, and furniture wait for installation. We'll need a wall-mount sink, a toilet, and a stacking washer/dryer. We're shedding dishes, tables, dressers, a queen 4-poster, chairs, and other "stuff" accumulated over 36 years of marriage and raising 4 kids.

We head to Montana for a family reunion in the morning. What's next? W has finishing touches to do at the cabin (flooring and lighting). We'll put mattresses on the bunks about the time the tribe arrives.

We got two notes from Indonesia coworkers this morning. One wrote: "Please come as soon as you can! We need you already." And from another team member, "We've been praying for this for 15 years!"

We're grateful for the friends staying in the house while we're away. Their schedule and ours synched so that when they're away, we're back. When we leave, they're home here.

After MT, W's teaching year and ITINERATION fills our calendar ... until we leave for Indonesia.

If you've considered supporting us, please pledge or donate here. (The site is under my name for administrative reasons; AG only permits one spouse to be listed.) Here's the link for faith pledges.

It's easy to give by clicking here.

Our cash budget of $30,000 and monthly support of $4000 will go toward transportation to various universities and colleges in SE Asia and the branch we're planting in Bandung. (It's almost half of a regular budget, because we expect partnerships there. Our initial term is 2 years, but we plan to renew.)

We're excited! You with us? We can't go without you. If you'd like to contact us about coming to your church or small group, please let us know! (All comments are vetted: I won't share your info.)

Read more:
*I wait for your salvation, O Lord. Genesis 49:18 NLT

*Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28 NLT

Moravian Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for our salvation and happiness. Your arising has brought us hope and peace. We thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God showed me ...

W and I talk about the meaning of "signs" for a believer of Christ. When things fall into place, does it mean God is speaking? Our mission application process has been smooth. We've had many people affirming "your great adventure." Easy for them to say. And the "great" and "good fit" we keep hearing are easy to believe, so far.

W noted: "We could either assume, 'This is going so well because we're supposed to go,' and expect our missionary journey will be one great experience after another, or ... this could mean that God is confirming our calling because He knows it will be hard and awful later, so we'll need reassurance." Yikes.

We agreed that it doesn't have to be one or the other. Probably, the helpfulness of friends and colleague (and the affirmation of our call by those who know us) is God's encouragement, now and later.

After writing yesterday, we had one of those strange affirmations. I had listed a RSM aquarium on Craigslist last week. Several people expressed interest immediately. Some tried to nickel-and-dime me, some asked detailed questions about this and that, about "what else comes with it?" and some wanted to pick it up in weeks when we'd already be traveling.

"Is it too late to come tonight?" last night's caller asked. "We won't pick it up, but we are starting in saltwater and your setup sounds like what we need."

It was late. I got out of my PJs and W cleared a few boxes from the entry. They arrived with the sweetest young girl, and looked at what we had.

Then they gave us $50 more than I'd asked for. What?!

The kit is easily worth 7X that much, but still.

We've prayed that God would spare us the painful process of shedding things to people who didn't really want it. We don't want each transaction to be arduous. We don't want energy sucked out of us by whiners and complainers. Thus, W and I are asking God for help in setting fair prices all around so that the buyer and we are both happy.

I sent a few hundred dollars of equipment home with the family last night. And they're coming Wednesday to pick up their new tanks. We're both delighted!

Is it a sign?

Read more:
*Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Deuteronomy 10:14 NASB

*Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. Psalm 49:5–9 NLT

*In these last days God has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. Hebrews 1:2 NLT

Moravian Prayers: Creator God, in you we live and breathe and have our being. Let the beauty that surrounds us in all your creation be an ever-present reminder of your power and your love. Amen.

Lent Day 31: Hello and goodbye

Do you ever get attached to something, only to have it move on or change? Maybe you've had:

• friendships that nurtured you become broken or diminished by a move, a change of life-season, or other reasons.
• a child with aspirations and dreams, except they were born with (or acquired) limitations that throw normal life out the window.
• a job that was a perfect fit ... until it wasn't.
• a financial plan that somehow turned into financial chaos.
• a church that used to be home and became toxic for you or the family.
• a trusted mentor who ended the relationship and told you to go elsewhere.
• Or ?

From Real Simple Daily Thought

Life swarms with changes. Some of them are so wonderful that we remember them with a smile, embellishing them in memories until they take on epic status. Some changes are so devastating that our scars hurt for years.

"Hello"s and "Goodbye"s share our dreams, our hopes, and our fears. There's no perfect year. Maybe not even a perfect month or week.

Let's focus on the day that is, regardless of the past or future! How?

1. Be grateful for THIS time and place. I keep repeating the "gratitude" mantra, because it resets our complain button to acknowledge that God loves us. Here. Now. This way. THIS IS the day He made; we shall rejoice and be glad IN IT.
2. Take time to evaluate what needs doing and what can be left alone. When life is in motion, I don't have to follow unnecessary rituals. You don't have to tie yourself to every routine.
3. Which resources do you need to negotiate the hello or goodbye? A flowsheet? A mindmap? A trusted adviser? A new car?
4. Look at what you have at hand. Can you partner with friends who are experts in what you don't know? Can you borrow or rent a tool or vehicle? Can you make do with what you have stored?
5. Move through the day. Some days it's enough to put one foot in front of the other. Other days I'll have to swim a deep stream. You'll have to climb a mountain. Or we'll only have enough strength to drop on our knees to beg for wisdom. Show up, whatever your motion!
6. Celebrate the hellos and mourn the goodbyes. No new beginning is perfect. No ending is without its grief. 
7. How mindful can you be? Notice the food you eat, the way your body cooperates, and the feast of possibilities. 

Wishing you a wonderful day in which you live and move and have your being in the Father's love.

Read more:
*You saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as one carries a child, all the way that you traveled. Deuteronomy 1:31 NLT

*He was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. Isaiah 53:8 NLT

*Your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. Isaiah 58:8-9 NIV

*Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory? Luke 24:26 NLT

*So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. 1 John 4:16

Moravian Prayer: Jesus, our Brother, in your suffering we see the extent to which love can go. You invite us to walk the path of servant love with you. We hesitate, but you promise that we will not be alone as we bring your healing love to a hurting world.

Carry us today, O God, as a loving parent. Encircle us in your arms so we may feel a child-like trust and joy in knowing that we are fully and freely loved and that nothing will ever separate us from you. Amen.