Answered Prayer!

Here is some amazing news from the Smith family. I asked for prayer for them several months back here and look at what the Lord has done!! I love hearing good news!!! Praise the Lord! This is copied from their most recent blog post...

Dear friends and supporters,

We are so sorry that we have not updated via email or blog since September 22nd. My desire was to sum everything up and send the prayer letter out. This has been one of the busiest times of our lives and we have had some very busy times! We are sitting in the Anchorage airport with a flight delay and we have free wifi.

First, let me tell you the good news that all of Joel's scans are CLEAR! There is absolutely no sign of disease in Joel's little body! His portacath was removed Monday, September 27th. No more treatments. No more ER visits when Joel gets a fever. No more 5 or 7 day hospital stays. No more blood pressure cuffs. No more surgeries. Just every three months for a year he will have scans. After that every 6 months. THANK YOU for your prayers.

We made it safely to Alaska and have already been in several meetings. We arrived in Anchorage on October 2nd, and have already been to Glennallen and back. Today we fly to Fairbanks for a missions conference. Just driving between meetings has been a blessing. As Jennifer said, "Our God is an artist."We'll be sure to post pictures soon. We return November 8th to the lower 48.

Thank you for your prayers.

Joshua Smith and family

In You Alone

This has become one of my favorite songs. I am so thankful that in Christ alone we can find all that we need. So many times I only truly begin to understand this when I realize I have nowhere else to turn but to Him. And the sad part is that I should have known that from the start! I am so thankful for His patience with me. His mercy is overwhelming. I am so glad that when I reach my end, He is just beginning!!


When I am weak, You carry every burden
When I'm alone, You're just a breath away
When I am restless, You're the One who stills me
And where I fail You always stay the same.

In You alone I'm lifted up to Heaven
In You alone I soar on borrowed wings
When I reach the end, You are just beginning
In You alone I find all that I need

When I am lost, You rescue me from danger
And when I fall, You pick me up again
When I resist, you love past my defenses
And though I stray, You're patient to the end.

An Attitude of Gratitude

"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude." E.P. Powell


Thanksgiving has come and gone and now everyone is enveloped in the frenzy of Christmas preparations.

It seems like every year this season whizzes by quicker than the last.

So even though we are onto another holiday, I wanted to share a few pictures from our Thanksgiving this year and some quotes I found about gratitude....

We spent the day with my Dad, Mom, sister and our good friends the Starks. We have much to be thankful for!!

"Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies." Charles E. Jefferson




Reflect on your present blessings of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Charles Dickens



When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place. 
C.S. Lewis



Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles. 
Maltbie D. Babcock



If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.
 Frank A. Clark




"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Back to the Basics of Christmas

I read this article on Dave Ramsey's Website that my husband had posted on our ministry site and thought I would share it.

BTW...if you have never heard of Dave Ramsey and are seeking some sound financial advice or are about to make a big financial decision and aren't sure if it's the right one, get his book and download his daily podcast..great stuff!! Ok, well, that was my little "Dave Ramsey" plug and now, enjoy the article!!

"No matter what your budget is this Christmas, remember to be thankful. Take a deep breath in the middle of all this craziness.

You might have a lot. You might have a little. If you are driving a beater, be thankful for that beater. You would rather drive that than walk, wouldn't you? There is always something to be thankful for.

That's what contentment is all about. When you understand and really grasp contentment, it becomes easier to save money and invest. Stress slowly disappears. Budgeting is easier. Relationships improve.

Be happy with what you have. More than three billion people, almost half the world, live on $2.50 a day. Sometimes we need a little perspective to become content with our current situation.

Without contentment, it's easy to be bitter and apathetic. Happiness is sold to us, especially during this time of year. We think if we can just get one more piece of stuff that "true" happiness will be right around the corner.
We say things like, "I'll be happy when I get that house!" or "I'll be happy when I get that new car!" But happiness cannot be bought. Sure fun—in the form of a house, a car, a new LCD television—can be bought, but fun is temporary. True happiness, or contentment, is lasting.

You can get out of debt, save money, and get on a budget, but until you realize that stuff doesn’t bring contentment, you will always feel stressed and unhappy. Contentment brings peace. And isn’t this time of year about bringing "peace on earth and good will toward men"?

Remember what this deal is all about. It's not about trees, lights, gifts, baked hams, and shopping malls. It’s about a little child who was born in a manger and grew up to die on a cross. It’s about peace on earth and good will toward men.

So if the Christmas frenzy is wearing you out, you've missed the point of Christmas. Make a plan with your money, and make a plan to get back in touch with the true meaning of this special day.

Free Music

A friend of mine sent me a link to this CD and I love it! There are 11 mp3's that you can download for free! I like to listen to it while I'm working on the computer. Click on the title below to be directed to the website. Enjoy!

A Place of Quiet Rest

The "Who Is He/Who Am I" Challenge!

While at camp last week, I gave each of the girls in my cabin an assignment.

The first day, they were to look in the Bible for something about God that they did not already know.

The next day, they had to find something about what the Bible says that we are.

We named it the Who Is He? and Who Am I? challenge. The girls did a great job and each found something different about both subjects. We arrived at this conclusion:

My worth is not in who I am, but in who He is. When we understand who He is and how much He loves us, it is only then that we can understand what it means for our worth to be in Him. This is much greater than any worth that we can think we have apart from Him. Our goal therefore, should be to find out who He is. He promises to be a rewarder to all that diligently seek HIM! (Hebrews 11:6). If my goal in seeking God is only to help me, then I will not find Him. If I seek Him alone, then He will be my reward and then "...all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt. 6:33)

Count Your Blessings

I was tagged about a week ago by Ashley and thought that it was a great idea to take the time and Count My Blessings! Here are only some of the many, many things that God has blessed me with...

1. My husband....I am so thankful for the man that God has given me to share this life with. Jeff and I will be celebrating our 8th anniversary in May and I can honestly say that I fall more in love with him with every passing year. I love you, honey!

2. Being a Mommy....I am so thankful for the privilege of being a Mommy! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Aaron has promised me that he will always be my baby and will never stop giving me hugs. I'm holding him to it! Right now he says he will never leave home and that even when he gets married someday, he plans on living with us. I will have to remind him of that a few years from now!

3. A church family....The Lord has allowed us to be a part of a wonderful church family over the last 6 months here in Madrid. They have been a source of encouragement to us in so many ways. We have had such peace in knowing that this was God's will for us at this time. It won't be long before we will be starting a work of our own, and we will always treasure this time we have shared with our church family here in Madrid!

4. A godly family....grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, siblings....I am blessed that most everyone in my family is saved and serving in the ministry. I am a 3rd generation missionary. What a godly heritage!

5. True friends....Good friends are far and few between, but when you find them you are blessed! God has blessed me with true friends that I can count on when I really need them and I pray that I would never take them for granted.

6. A faithful God.....I serve a God who gives strength when you need it. I have experienced that often, especially over the last 4 years, as the Lord has chosen to make us wait at this time as we pray that He would allow us to have more children. It may happen someday, but the Lord is teaching me to be content when He says yes and when He says no. I object to His will many times, but when I surrender to Him, He is always faithful and gives me strength, peace, calm, rest,....just when I need it.

7. My family.....My parents are here and my sister, brother, sister-in-law and nephew are coming. I know that being able to work along side your family on the field is not at all a common thing. I thank the Lord for this and often. I am truly blessed!

Some Thoughts on Peace

I was listening to a message yesterday morning as I cleaned through the house and came across this thought...

"Prayer is not about changing God, but about changing me, because THAT is where the peace comes."


It reminded me of something that Amy Carmichael once wrote....

"It is not in forgetting that peace is found
It is not in trying that peace is found
It is not in indiference that peace is found
It is not even in submision that peace is found
It is rather in acceptance that peace is found."

I then thought of two of my favorite passages of Scripture....

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding..." Proverbs 3:5

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

Aaron has been memorizing a verse this week in Prov. 1:7 where we are reminded that the
"...fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:..."
If we truly believe that God is who he says He is and that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, how arrogant we are to question His plans. Out of His lovingkindness, He does promise peace in difficult times, but we must first accept that His will is best. Then, and only then, can the peace come.

In Stores Now!!

Three posts in one day...Crazy, I know!!!

Just wanted to put a plug in for today's official DVD release of the movie FIREPROOF. Over here in Spain we've been waiting for what seems like forever for this! Now we can finally order it and believe me, we will! I have family and friends who have seen it and can only recommend it. I pray that lives would continue to be changed and as the DVD is now distributed to many countries all over the world, that God would continue to do to great things with today's crumbling marriages. I'm excited about this being another tool that can be used in the ministry here in Spain.


So, if you still haven't seen it or ordered it...here's your chance!! FIREPROOF

Jesus Turns Lives Upside Down!

Neat video...Check it out!! ......Jesus' Birth

Amy Carmichael

I found this on a friend's e-mail and it was just what I needed to remind me to take a deep breath in the busyness of the day, to put my eyes on Him. He calms and soothes the heart. What a wonderful Savior is ours!

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.

-- Amy Carmichael

Vote YES to "In God We Trust" staying on our American currency

Please vote on this. It will only take a minute of your time! Vote quickly while MSN has this link up!

I wanted to share the words to this song that someone shared with me today. I have a doctor's visit tomorrow that has me worried, which is not hard to do, because I tend to worry a lot! But it is so good to remember that God is in control. I hope this is as much of a blessing to you as it was to me.

Rest, the Lord is near
Refuse to fear
Enjoy his life.
Trust, His mighty power
Fills every hour
Of all your days.

There is no need for needless worry
With such a Savior, you have no cause,
to ever doubt...
His precious Word
Still reassures
In every trial.

Call Him
If you grow frightened
Call Him with loving care
He'll lift your burden and you'll...

Rest, the Lord is near
Refuse to fear
Enjoy His love.

Teaching same sex marriage to 5 year olds

Please watch this short video and take a moment to pass it on to as many people as you can and pray for our nation and our children!

When you get a moment, take the time to listen to this interview that James Dobson gave to Sarah Palin. I received a blessing from hearing someone in government speak so comfortably about their faith and was encouraged to continue praying even more for Governor Palin and this election.

I'll Only Kiss My Wife!

I can't wait to see the new movie, Fireproof, from the makers of Facing the Giants , that stars Kirk Cameron. Check out this interview. I am so thankful for Kirk's testimony and integrity that he shows. Click here and then click on the video titled "I'll Only Kiss My Wife!"

Please pray for the families of those who died in the plane crash here in Madrid, yesterday. You can click here to see a video and read about it.

After watching the news about the crash, Aaron told us that he was so glad that we had never crashed before, to which I absolutely agreed! He then told me that the reason he was glad, was that before, he hadn't trusted in Jesus, so if we had crashed, he would have gone to Hell and he is so glad that if he died now, he would go to Heaven. Amen for that!!

With a tragedy like this, we are reminded once again of the brevity of life and the urgency to tell all we can about Christ.