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God – 1
- Spiritual Forces of Discouragement – 0
**
There was a school contract for next year in my box on Thursday.
No other doors for jobs have opened up.
This is a no-brainer. God directs us by shutting doors and opening doors.
Whoever boasted with confidence: “You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to….” should get a grip on reality. Nothing thwarts God’s plans. And if He doesn’t want you doing XYZ, then you won’t do XYZ.
- I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure – Isaiah 46: 9-10
**
So THANK YOU ALL for your faithful prayers this school year as I have been battered multiple times by discouraging setbacks. I do believe my cousin Terry who has affirmed all along that God must have plans for me to shine light on Him at this school.
**
You can also pray as I prepare to give the commencement address at my old school in Yorktown, Va next week. I was invited in February for this Saturday, 17 May at 3 pm. During Spring Break and then over Easter, I leisurely finished up my talk. I forwarded it to my husband who is a good editor and his comment was, “This feels more like law rather than grace!”
What????
So now, closer to the wire, I started over to write THE TALK, version 2.0, this time HAVING to TRUST GOD and not my resources. Darn! (Just kidding)
This is one of those times I suspect God has been enjoying a good chuckle at my expense – He has me right where He wants (relying on Him)!
Actually, I’m grateful to God for a grace-dependent husband who tells the truth in love. I do think this talk will be better. It’s blessed me already.
When you pray this coming week, ask God:
- that the message He has will accomplish His plans and purposes
- that the ‘tech’ works (slides and sound)
- that my delivery not be a distraction to anyone
- that we all may see God as able and willing to handle the big and the little events of our lives
- for our safety on the road (8 hours there and 8 hours back)
- for good care for our cats while we are gone
Reflections on God's Word 
May 11, 2014 @ 20:05:58
My sticky note onscreen prayer list takes up the whole screen!! I have transcribed your prayer request for the trip to Yorktown entirely. God will be on your pages, in the slides, on your face, and in the ears of the hearers, I am confident!!
So the door is still open to you where you are teaching! God works in us in everything, and I hope you will find it moving you ever closer to Him.
I like the motto of Summit school, too: discern, articulate, serve. What a challenge! Is Summit the one where you WERE or where you ARE?
It was YOUTH SUNDAY today. Kids led the whole thing, for three services. Thomas was the only 5th grader in our church moving up to Youth Group – he was enjoying the attention. Sebastian led a prayer from the pulpit, with one of the girls his age helping him. In a video taped interview he said his favorite Bible story was when Jesus broke the bread and gave it to his disciples! I was astonished to hear him! The youth had interviewed adults and a few kids on several topics, but who would have thought he’d come up with that! After all the OT Veggie Tales he’s heard!!
It’s snowing east of us, over the mountains, and around us in the OTHER mountains, but it’s just cold and windy here. I just heard thunder! I’m supposed to take some plants over to church this afternoon for the planters outside, but it’s too cold. Tomorrow will be nicer….
Hope you hear from your sons today – mine will probably check in later today. Thomas and Declan made me beautiful construction paper cards that are bigger than my album, but I will hang onto them. Lovely writing, nice messages. Sebastian has something in a bag, but hasn’t remembered to get it out yet.
So – blessings for this week and your travels – it’s hard for me to think of your 8 hour trip between states – the eastern states seem smaller and closer together than the ones out here! – it will be 6 hours for us just to get to Denver on the 21st! Vaya con Dios!!
Love, Trish
On Sun, May 11, 2014 at 1:29 PM, Reflections on God’s Word wrote:
> Maria posted: ” God – 1 Spiritual Forces of Discouragement – 0 > ** There was a school contract for next year in my box on Thursday. No > other doors for jobs have opened up. This is a no-brainer. God directs us > by shut”
May 11, 2014 @ 20:23:29
Trish – thanks so much for your future prayers. Summit is my old school – a classical Christian school. I appreciated it then, but all the more now! Bet you’re proud of your boys!
May 11, 2014 @ 20:27:30
Yay!Yay!Yay! I’m SO excited! Your posts always cause me pause! And I look forward to seeing you and hearing that revised speech. Lol I think God has a great sense of irony and humor towards us at times! Have a great week and safe trip! Will be praying for you my friend! 🙂 Kim
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
>
May 11, 2014 @ 22:17:36
Kim – thank you SO much for your encouragement and prayers. You are a heart-sister! I’m looking forward to seeing Nathan and all the kids, after a year’s growth. This will be a gift to me!
Maria
May 12, 2014 @ 15:24:19
Wonderful news! I’m so very glad for definite direction!
Sent from my iPhone
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May 12, 2014 @ 19:54:47
Thanks, Bekah!