Today I have been dwelling on one of my devotions from the other day. It always comes to mind in the midst of plans and living life....the conversation I seem to have so oftenly had with God. I have so many times told him in my life I am not ready and then he simply responds by saying, "I AM". It is so incredible that God can be so in control when things seem as though only a miracle could keep something alive and running. God seems to be right on time...As an old friend told me, God is always on time just never early. God's timing requires an awful lot of patience and simply waiting until He is ready and that is when the puzzle is finished. The last few pieces take time to fit....
God has led me to teach preschool and move to another time....The part in this journey that takes faith is the more tangible materials that is takes to run a preschool and live somewhere. Honestly I can share that I am without a paycheck. Regardless of whether I end up working for an organization or if I continue solely working with the local church, funds are currently needed to continue living here. I am in the process of finding monthly sponsors for the preschool as well as a more personal level of sponsorship so that I am able to pay for the basic needs, medical occurrences that surprisingly come up, as well as areas in the budget for hygiene and transportation. I am excited about this process. It will be a time that I will grow and see God and how big he really is. If you are interested in sponsoring me monthly, please feel free to contact me. (tapestryofloveinguate@gmail.com)
I am excited to start a new school tomorrow! The older children are going to be starting the process of learning how to read!
Pray for the preschool, direction with the preschool, finances, and strong, healthy relationships between the local Guatemalan people.
Much love, Kara
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
"I Shall Come Singing..."
Today I read the most beautiful devotion.....it gave me confidence in knowing I AM DOING WHAT GOD WANTS FOR MY LIFE! It brings me joy to know that God wants us to live for him wherever HE has called us. The devotion is short and therefore, I will share it with all of you!
"Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." -Luke 12:40 (NKJV)
"My children, be silent before Me. I will lift up My voice as the sound of a trumpet-I will speak clearly to you, for the hour is at hand. Be obedient, and raise your standards of discipline and dedication to a higher level. For My face is set toward My imminent return to earth. I wait only the release from the Father's hand. Though I am ready and longing to come to you, you are not yet ready. You have spurned My entreaties, and you have fought against the restraints of the Spirit. (this next part is phenomenal) KEEP YOUR VISION FILLED WITH ME. KEEP YOUR LIFE IN TUNE AND YOUR WORSHIP IN MUTUAL HARMONY. FOR I WILL COME SINGING, AND WHAT WILL YOU BE IF YOU ARE IN DISCORD?'
Honestly, I can share with you that in my experience, finding God's will is hard. It is not easy to be in tune with His spirit and be able to know when you hear his voice.... It can be so easy to be distracted by others. Sometimes our families and friends may see God as radical and not realize His voice and visions. I am thankful that God each day that seems very difficult, while I have started a preschool from scratch and no help from a specific organization, I see God throwing encouragement my way from the short-term mission teams or even from my preschoolers.
I have a few stories I would love to share with you. These incidents show me why I am here teaching. Today one little boy walked into our classroom. As we waited for the large team of students to leave and head out to there sites to work, he reached in his pocket and pulled out a yellow flower. This priceless little gift did not cost a ton of money, but it showed how much he cares.....My students love me and its because I am only be. I may be one person, but I know that God can use us all in so many different ways. Another young girl, Carmen, on my first day back teaching, walked up to me and was pointing to my shirt. I was wearing my black Greenville College Cheer shirt and the letters were orange colored. Little time did it take for me to realize that she was pointing to the "E" and told me it was that letter. I was so proud, but more than that I could just see a bright little girl who never had the opportunities. She became my student last January and entered preschool without knowing anything. She could not identify anything. No colors. No numbers. Not even letters or shapes. No one had ever worked with her enough to spark her mind and help being learning.
God is so good. He is at work here in Guatemala and I know that even though He does not send everyone out of the country, he can still use you in a special way as well. Poverty is real and does exist all over the world, even in the states-literally ALL OVER THE WORLD....
All I know is that I want to be ready like it states in Luke, ready for Jesus and share Jesus with beautiful people all over so they can be ready....More than this, nothing else matters in this world....
"Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." -Luke 12:40 (NKJV)
"My children, be silent before Me. I will lift up My voice as the sound of a trumpet-I will speak clearly to you, for the hour is at hand. Be obedient, and raise your standards of discipline and dedication to a higher level. For My face is set toward My imminent return to earth. I wait only the release from the Father's hand. Though I am ready and longing to come to you, you are not yet ready. You have spurned My entreaties, and you have fought against the restraints of the Spirit. (this next part is phenomenal) KEEP YOUR VISION FILLED WITH ME. KEEP YOUR LIFE IN TUNE AND YOUR WORSHIP IN MUTUAL HARMONY. FOR I WILL COME SINGING, AND WHAT WILL YOU BE IF YOU ARE IN DISCORD?'
Honestly, I can share with you that in my experience, finding God's will is hard. It is not easy to be in tune with His spirit and be able to know when you hear his voice.... It can be so easy to be distracted by others. Sometimes our families and friends may see God as radical and not realize His voice and visions. I am thankful that God each day that seems very difficult, while I have started a preschool from scratch and no help from a specific organization, I see God throwing encouragement my way from the short-term mission teams or even from my preschoolers.
I have a few stories I would love to share with you. These incidents show me why I am here teaching. Today one little boy walked into our classroom. As we waited for the large team of students to leave and head out to there sites to work, he reached in his pocket and pulled out a yellow flower. This priceless little gift did not cost a ton of money, but it showed how much he cares.....My students love me and its because I am only be. I may be one person, but I know that God can use us all in so many different ways. Another young girl, Carmen, on my first day back teaching, walked up to me and was pointing to my shirt. I was wearing my black Greenville College Cheer shirt and the letters were orange colored. Little time did it take for me to realize that she was pointing to the "E" and told me it was that letter. I was so proud, but more than that I could just see a bright little girl who never had the opportunities. She became my student last January and entered preschool without knowing anything. She could not identify anything. No colors. No numbers. Not even letters or shapes. No one had ever worked with her enough to spark her mind and help being learning.
God is so good. He is at work here in Guatemala and I know that even though He does not send everyone out of the country, he can still use you in a special way as well. Poverty is real and does exist all over the world, even in the states-literally ALL OVER THE WORLD....
All I know is that I want to be ready like it states in Luke, ready for Jesus and share Jesus with beautiful people all over so they can be ready....More than this, nothing else matters in this world....
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Safe Return Home...
Hello to everyone back home! Life is good here in Guatemala! Not too much has changed since last semester! The 5 weeks in the states were good to visit with people and raise funds. I was reminded as to how blessed I am to have time with people who support me and pray for me often! It really is soooo needed! :)
The preschool is doing great! They continued running the school while I was gone. That is what we all really wanted. Since my return, I have seen so many familiar faces and the parents of my preschoolers threw a surprise welcome home party! :) IT WAS SOOO EXCITED! I have never had a surprise party before! The kids are anxious to start new projects and material on Monday! I missed them so much!
I will try to be much better at updating! :)
Much love to you all and keep your prayers coming!
Kara :)
The preschool is doing great! They continued running the school while I was gone. That is what we all really wanted. Since my return, I have seen so many familiar faces and the parents of my preschoolers threw a surprise welcome home party! :) IT WAS SOOO EXCITED! I have never had a surprise party before! The kids are anxious to start new projects and material on Monday! I missed them so much!
I will try to be much better at updating! :)
Much love to you all and keep your prayers coming!
Kara :)
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