Never Alone
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10
I’ve had a change of scenery! Gone for a time are the sandy, hot winds of Rough Rock, and instead I’m enjoying the steamy humidity of Michigan, Indiana and (for a short time) Atlanta.
As many of you know, I have a baking blog at easybaked.net, and last year I was contacted by Warner Press because they were interested in purchasing some photography to use on greeting cards. As we worked together on that project, two of the women at the publisher came to me with another idea: could I write a children’s cookbook with a devotion tied to each recipe? I was THRILLED to be asked. I love writing curriculum that helps others grow in their walk with God. I had just finished a “Boot Camp” curriculum for our college-age group, Collision, and I was really excited to tie my love of writing with my love of baking. Isn’t following God such an adventure? He gives us things we love and then allows us to use those things to glorify Him!
I spent most of last fall writing, baking and photographing. It was a lot of work, but SO much fun!
One of the requests that Warner Press made was that I attend ICRS (International Christian Retail Show) this July. They graciously paid for me to travel and attend the show this week, and made it possible for me to be in the midwest for my cousin’s wedding and for some time to catch up with family and friends. The conference was SO much fun. I feel so blessed to be working with such a well- respected publisher. They have done so much to help me learn the ropes of publishing (like, what exactly are you supposed to write when you sign someone’s book?!?).
As I traveled MANY miles over this past week, I recognized one of the ways in which I’m being changed during this time with the Navajo.
I enjoy doing things without other people.
I still LOVE having people along to enjoy the journey with, but there is something incredibly fun about having just “me-and-God” moments.
I’m learning to really live in the moment with Him. We talk a lot while we drive long miles, I tell him how much I love the incredible scenery and sunsets, I ask him to show me how to interact with the dog groomer, the waiter at PF Changs, the girl doing my nails with a little Buddha necklace on.
You know how it is when you sit down with friends and you reminisce about adventures you’ve had together? I’ve been making memories with God this week, and it’s been SO much fun.
There’s also something incredibly reassuring to know that the creator of the universe is riding shotgun in a huge windstorm, sitting next to you during a turbulent flight and up on stage with you during scary convention interviews. There is a fullness to living each moment with an awareness of God’s presence.
We are never alone!
I’ve really enjoyed this busy week- the humidity, rain, and green grass are wonderful, and having time with family and friends has been so refreshing.
I return to Rough Rock in less than a week, and when I return we will have a whirlwind of activity. The day I get back, a team from Ohio arrives to do some work on the water lines at the church. I think we will all be doing a lot of digging! One day after they leave, a team from Indiana arrives to work alongside the church in hosting a big camp meeting. This was the church’s idea, and I’m excited to see how God uses it to reach the community! They have borrowed a big tent and invited speakers to come and share… so fun! The day that the Indiana team leaves, the church is doing a Vacation Bible School! One of the ladies at the church ordered some free VBS material from an organization that distributes it free to poor communities. She also took charge of planning and leading it (!!!!)
I can’t even express how excited I am to see people in the church get ideas and move forward in leadership to plan them and make them happen. Please be praying for them as they jump in to all of these new adventures!
One of my prayers was that Bible study would continue while I was gone these two Wednesdays, and it did! They even had some new people visit. Praising God for this!!!!
Before I left, we finished the Old Testament in Story Night. The kids wanted to make a video of all the stories, and I loved that idea. One more activity to remind them of the stories and also the timeline of the Old Testament. It could have been 2 hours long….they each took a couple of stories and they told every detail of the story…I edited it down to a 30 minute recap that you can watch on youtube if you’d like. Just click here to find it. The hope is to share this with the Rough Rock church so that we get more people involved with Story Night: New Testament in July.
Thank you so much for making all of these exciting things possible with your prayers and support of this little church. I’m so excited to see the ways in which God will continue to move this summer!
Please pray specifically for a few things:
- For the 2 mission teams visiting in the next couple of weeks. For them to be an encouragement to the church here and to experience the rich culture of the Navajo and build relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ.
- For the Navajo leaders of the camp meeting (Sonny and Tyrone), and the VBS (Delyssa). Pray for them to plan and lead these events in a way that brings honor to God and really reaches the hearts of people in this community.
- For pastor Amos (from up on Black Mesa) who lost his son last week to a brain aneurism. I didn’t hear about this tragedy until I had left Rough Rock for my trip, but I’m so sad for Amos. Please ask God to comfort his heart.
- For direction this fall. I’ve heard back from TEAM and they are looking for people who are already well-connected with the community they would be working with, so that is a seemingly closed door. I have other applications out, and beginning in July I will start looking at jobs in Fort Wayne at Parkview again. I’m confident that God will open up a path (maybe one I’ve never even considered!), but I appreciate your prayers in this.
Thanks again for all you are doing behind the scenes! Many blessings over your week!
thenavajojourney.com 