A Twenty Year Prayer

At the age of 16, I had the privilege of attending my first overseas mission's trip. It was in the beautiful country of England.  When I found out there was a mission's trip to Europe, I knew I had to go. I had a longing to see Europe ever since I was a young child listening to my grandpa's stories of WWII. I didn't care where in Europe; I just wanted to go. I was intrigued with culture.

During those 10 days in England, God began to deepen my longing from the landscape of Europe to the people who lived there. I remember after I came back home asking God, "how can I still be a part?" His simple answer was to pray, and pray particularly for the children of Europe.

Twenty years later, I am still praying for Europe. That question at 16, "how can I still be a part?", still resonates in my spirit. Only now, my part is not only prayer. God has brought our family through a journey to answer the call to serve the nation of Ireland. Excitement doesn't begin to express our feelings. We believe in a matter of weeks, our feet will walk on this great land as Missionary Associates! 

And what is God saying now...

As we were preparing for a service a few months ago, God showed me something about my years of praying. I was looking at a picture from Students for Christ (Europe's ministry to college students), when God reminded me how long I have been praying for Europe. He brought this thought, "the very people you have been praying for the past 20 years could be some of the very people you reach while you are in Ireland." This thought brought me to my knees yet again. I may never know until heaven what impact my twenty years of praying has brought, but I do know that God asked a young girl at the age of 16 from a small town in Oklahoma to begin praying. I know He is a God of purpose. I know that God has had a master plan from the beginning of time, and He has given our family the opportunity to minister in Europe for such a time as this. God is good!!

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:18

From Paul...dictated by Randal

My study of the Apostle Paul the past couple of weeks has brought several thoughts. Paul is known as one of the greatest men in the history of the church. His personal experience with the Lord was life changing at the least. However, I found there are some similarities between Paul's life and my own that the Lord revealed to me while I was studying that are worth sharing. 

There have been various times that I have questioned "Can God use me as a missionary?, Am I even qualified?" Another battle I face from the enemy is the reminder of my age. It was these questions and thoughts that the Lord brought such encouragement from studying Paul. Here are just a few comparisons that the Lord showed me from reading about his life and qualifications to be a missionary:

Both the Apostle Paul and myself...

• were over 40 years of age on our first missionary journey
• were a believer for at least 10 years before our first missionary journey
• were called by God
• were given great grace
• were given a thorn in the flesh that kept us humble (If you're unfamiliar with me, I lost my right hand in a tragic accident at the age of 10)
• have a great love for people
• were filled with the Spirit
• have a heart of a servant
• known to be diligent and persevered to run the race
• Paul was trained in theology, and I continue my training

Why are these important to know? Encouragement. It was the last 20 years of Paul's life that he had the most impact in his ministry. I'm excited at the thought of my next 20 years of ministry. My prayer is to be fruitful! A verse of Paul's that I love and relate to is Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

I am thankful for the work the Lord has done in my heart, and how He continues to mold me. I pray you too have found encouragement to press on toward what is ahead in Christ. The outcome can only be good! I am 50 years old now, and will be leaving for my 2nd missionary journey to Ireland soon. God is never late!

"Ready to go home?"

If you've ever been in a situation where you've stepped away and asked, "how did I get here?", then you have a more understanding of my feelings the past week. To recall a few events... a little over a week ago I began to feel an unusual pain that I thought would just go away. Day after day, the pain began to increase to the point I could no longer walk, sit, or sleep. It was time to see a doctor. The diagnosis was a staff infection, and to see how it was with a couple of days of medication. The doctor mentioned we might need to go to the ER. As I  laid on my bed in severe pain for a couple of days, I asked myself "how did I get here?". There was no answer to how I came about this staff infection only that it came sudden.

After a couple of days, we visited the ER and then was admitted to the hospital for surgery. You can imagine that I questioned even more, "how did I get here?" while laying in the hospital for 3 days. I was never without pain, and most of the time it was difficult to rest. The day after the surgery one of the doctor's came by and said everything went well. However, due to the deepness of the infection and how much they needed to cut out, I'll be needing home health care twice a day. Again, "how did I get here?" With the talk of home health coming to my house to take care of me, I began to feel overwhelmed. How long was I to be bedridden? How much longer can I stay like this? I fully expected to take the medication given days before and be back to normal. Yet, this was not the case. 

It was on my last day there that all changed by a simple question, "ready to go home?" Up until now, my least favorite person was the surgeon. He wasn't very personable and usually inflicted a lot of pain to see what he needed to do. It was toward the end of the day when the surgeon walked into the room. At this point, I was ready to call it a day. Enough pain had been brought on from nurses and it was time to rest. I had received the bad news of home health from the other doctor earlier that day. The last thing I wanted was to see was the surgeon. In fact, I probably began to tear up as he walked in knowing that it meant more pain. I didn't escape the pain he brought to check my wound; however, after his examination he turned my situation around from dark to light by asking..."ready to go home?" What did this mean? No more examinations, no home health, and less pain! I would be able to heal on my own and I wouldn't be in this bed much longer.

It has been a few days since this experience. I am rejoicing that the Lord is healing me more each day. I can now walk, sleep more restful, and I am off pain medicine. As I look back over the past week, I am reminded how God is always with us. He will never put more on us than we can bear. I am also reminded that when it looks the darkest, he can turn your situation around even from your least favorite source, and it can happen in an instant.

These reminders are important to our family as we travel through our journey...His call. Our call to Ireland has been a journey, and we have gained much along the way. There have been questions of if we will make it, but know that even when it looks the darkest, he can turn our situation around in an instant. We are still believing the remainder of our budget to be raised, so we can set foot on a nation that God has planted in our hearts. The question the surgeon asked not only stirred my heart to be out of the hospital, but it stirred my heart for where God has called us...Ireland. Our family is "ready to go home"

25 Thousand or More!

The Wall of Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah

I recently shared the story of Nehemiah's call to rebuild the wall in a children's service. The theme that was covered was "Overcoming Obstacles". As I was rereading the story to prepare the message, I was amazed again at the success of Nehemiah. No doubt there was adversity around every corner. No doubt the task at hand seemed impossible. My amazement was the response that God gave in order for Nehemiah's call to be fulfilled...people, and a lot of people!

From what I can count, there were about 40+ different groups who helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall. How many were in these groups? Some count the total number to be 25 Thousand or More! The Bible says they were not all skilled builders. They were men and women who heard the heart of Nehemiah, and said they wanted to be a part of what God was going to do.

The outcome of God's people joining the call was this wall being rebuilt in 52 days! 52 days! Not years, not months, but days! It can almost leave you speechless when thinking about Nehemiah's call. One can only say that it is astounding what can be done when God's people join together for His purposes.

The story of Nehemiah is great encouragement for our family as we prepare for Ireland. God called, brought favor, provided and protected in order for His call to be fulfilled in Nehemiah's life. Our family is trusting God for the same outcome. Our numbers may not total 25 Thousand or More, but there have been many who have heard our heart for Ireland and responded by joining the call through prayer and financial support. We feel God will use our family to reach lives in Ireland. It is a nation with less than 1% of believers in Jesus. We have been given the opportunity to go and serve the people of Ireland.

Nehemiah would not have been able to rebuild the wall on his own. God sent the people he needed. We can believe God for the same.  

We will go when all the Dots are Green!

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How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news? Romans 10:15

PEAK SEASON

Are you a part?

It's June...it's summer...it's hot! However, it happens to be the beginning of the "PEAK SEASON" for these radiant flowers. Is it even possible to pass by one of these and not smile, or awe in His wonder? Passing a field of sunflowers will no doubt turn your head. There are many flowering plants that will produce multiple blooms. Yet, God chose for these tall beauties to have one bloom, one stem.

Nevertheless...

Sunflowers are made of anywhere between 1000-2000 individual flowers at the base of the bright yellow petals. If we're counting parts, you can add the 2000 seeds that form at the center of the flower. I believe it is safe to say that it is the work of all these parts that enable this bloom to stand tall.

So, why the sunflower?

A few months ago, a special lady shared at Randal's birthday party, the importance of having many seeds in the bloom of a sunflower. She then shared how she felt a part of our Baird Journey; one of the many seeds that are needed and used for His purposes. With "PEAK SEASON" beginning for the sunflowers, it is also "PEAK SEASON" for the Baird Journey. If we are going to depart for Ireland in time for the boys to start school, then we are in "PEAK SEASON". We are believing and declaring for God to move on our behalf during this "PEAK SEASON".

What's needed?

Over the past year, we have added 53 individuals/families/churches to our monthly support team. There has also been numerous individuals/families/churches who have given offerings toward the Baird Journey. This has set us up at 98% of our cash budget raised and almost 45% of our monthly support.

We lack about 50% of our monthly support in order to have clearance for Ireland.

We are grateful for each one who has prayed for, encouraged, financially supported, and loved our family. They are the many seeds that allow the one to stand tall! They are also many seeds sowed into a nation whose waiting to stand tall. Our heart is to reach the people of Ireland, and we also believe it is "PEAK SEASON" for this nation. Will you be a seed? A part that makes the whole? You can become a part by joining our team and sharing our story.

When all of these dots are green, we can go!

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"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news?" Romans 10:15

The MOST Suited

se·lect

səˈlekt/

verb

1. 1.

   carefully choose as being the best or most suitable.

   "students must select their own program"

   synonyms:

   choose, pick (out), single out, sort out, take;

   
   Have you ever been selected for something? Possibly it was as a child to be part of a team, or on the job for a particular task. How did it feel to know that you were selected, that someone thought you were "the most suited"? Someone thought you would be the BEST pick. Have you ever considered how you are God's "most suited"?
   
   The Lord brought to mind this concept of selection when thinking about His call. It was even more evident when thinking of our Missionary training last summer. It was amazing to hear of all the specific places God called each of our 2014 class. Each individual/family had a story of God leading them to a specific place; their call to the mission field.
   
   

   

   Our family is humbled to think that we were carefully chosen by God as being the best or "most suitable" for the nation of Ireland. What has He called you to? Is it a nation? A particular ministry? Your community? Your school? Without a doubt, we believe He has called you. Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us, "before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart..." For us, to know that God selected us for Ireland isn't the only excitement, but to know that He will enable us to go is even more exciting. For each call, He has a plan and is willing to put it into action with our faith and trust in Him. His promise is to "continue His work until it is finished..."
   
   
   
   
   

How is God Using You?

On a very special night before Katherine was born, even before we knew we were having a girl, I was feeling very low. Randal took the time to pray for me, and as he was praying God used Randal to speak His heart. I don't know if you've ever had anyone prophesy over you, but what I can say is your spirit knows when God is speaking to you. As Randal was praying, God used him in the gift of prophecy. 

Some of Randal's prayer said this, "God is giving you what He has promised you. You are having a girl, and He will begin to give you the things the enemy has stolen from you over the years." As Randal prayed this, I knew in my spirit that God was speaking to me. It was weeks later that we found out we were having a girl. 

Since Katherine has been born, there has never been a day that God hasn't reminded me of that special night. Each night as I put her down for bed and pray for her, God reminds me that He is faithful. He has used her many times over the last 2 years as a reminder that God is speaking and will fulfill His promises.

I often wonder if God can use Katherine at such a young age to impact my life so much everyday, how much more is He willing and able to use me to touch lives? I pray that I too can remind others of His goodness, faithfulness and love each day just by smiling as Katherine does. 

Next time you see Katherine, let it be a reminder that God desires to use you and He will fulfill His promises!