waiting with patience

**How do we wait for God? 

We wait with patience. 

But patience does not mean passivity. 

Waiting patiently is not like waiting for the bus to come, the rain to stop, or the sun to rise. 

It is an active waiting in which we live the present moment to the full 

in order to find there the signs of the One we are waiting for.

                 The word patience comes from the Latin verb patior which means "to suffer."

Waiting patiently is suffering through the present moment, 

tasting it to the full, and letting the seeds that are sown in the ground 

on which we stand grow into strong plants. 

Waiting patiently always means paying attention to what is happening right before our eyes 

and seeing there the first rays of God's glorious coming.**

                                           

                                                  {henri nouwen}

Capturing Gratitude [21-30]

21. That my Grandpa has been worshiping Jesus in Heaven for almost a year. (So thankful to be able to spend eternity with him someday)

22. Passion Conference 2012. So excited to spend four days with thousands of college students praising Jesus!

23. Study Buddies.

24. My Indianapolis Family.

25. Stories of God's Grace through trials and heartbreak.

26. Winter is coming!

 27. The amazing ways God shows us that He is the perfect creator of all things.

28. The opportunity to easily help children in Rwanda go to school.

29. Videos that make you laugh when you are sick of studying all day!

30. Happy Hour Sushi!! :)

When I am weak..

I am so weak... both physically and emotionally. This past week I had an appointment with my foot doctor and he essentially told me that I can never work in a hospital and that I may not be able to walk without major surgery by the time I am 50. BUT that is just a human doctor saying that. I serve someone so much greater and I know that He is bigger than any news from my doctor. He will hold me up and sustain me. He is my fortress and my strength. A pleasant help in times of trouble. He will never leave me or forsake me. These words I know to be true. Therefore, I will allow Him to use me however He chooses. I will let Him be the author of my story. I will rely on His strength to see my through clinicals and working long long hours. He will provide. I will trust in Him. He has my heart and my desires. I will let Him lead and I will serve Him until I cannot do it anymore. May His name be PRAISED...forever and ever. AMEN.

Capturing Gratitude [11-20]

11. The many aspects  of fall... [food, changing leaves, cool weather, football games...etc.]

12. Kossuth Street Baptist Church (even if I am not home to be there..there's always Podcast!)

13. Laughter

 14. Courageous sisters in Christ that follow His call no matter what!

15. Scarves for the fall!

16. Examples from Pioneers and Missionaries of the Faith

17. My dad!

18. The ability to communicate when you don't know the language

19. African Sunsets... (holding little hands makes it a lot better!)

20.  Pinterest.com... makes work go by so much faster!

He is Stronger

I am so humbled by the example of 14yr old Victor Watters who went to be with the Lord on September 7, 2011, after a 5 year long battle with cancer.

The Lord's beauty is deep in this whole story... Victor's life, his months in the hospital- a 9 year old boy battling cancer with no family supporting him, adoption into the Watters family, his coming to faith in Christ, and now his  unhindered, eternal joy with Christ.  

We praise the Lord for you dear Victor!  We rejoice to read of your life so well-poured out for the praise of our King! 

This video is a tribute to his life and a testimony of his love and joy in our Savior. (warning:  there is no way you will not cry after watching it)

Thank you Father for giving us a glimpse of Heaven here on earth!

Capturing Gratitude [1-10]

1. Sunrises... (makes early mornings so much better)

 2. Best Friends... even if they are thousands of miles away

3. This challenging but really good book.

4. Hope for the future

5.Wedding of two very good friends!
 

6. The opportunity to become a nurse.

7. Spending time with my sisters.
 

8. Diet Coke... (the only way I survive long nights of studying)

9. People who follow God's Call without hesitation and without questioning. (www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com)

10. Hugs from God's Beloved children

blessed

"Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done. Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done!"

I could not even begin to count the many ways God has blessed me. Instead i am so humbled and grateful! I serve an awesome God and to Him be the Glory forever and ever!


-Mary