Aria was recently sick, and we’ve all been battling with diarreah for a while. Aria’s doing better but they think it was some stomach, bacterial infection. So, pray for no more health issues

Things at work are going really well. We are establishing a new and very complicated content management system that would really expand our ability to minister through the website more effectively so, please pray for that to go well.. it should take about a month but, we’d love to have it up quicker

Pray for CBN India and it’s leaders as they co-labor with Christ. Pray that God would continuously have His way there.

And, pray for our relationships with others. We hope to be a blessing and have true fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ whom we already know. And we also seek to make Christ known to those around us so pray for those opportunities–and boldness.

Finally, pray for our future! We’re going to Scotland and there are alot of unknowns. Namely, job, visas and all that jazz. God knows though, so just pray for us to have faith, peace and wisdom in matters concerning our future.

Ok… That’s us right now. Don’t forget to contact us, or drop a comment to let us know you’re thinking of us. We love you too!
John and Rachel

Places of rest.

However, all that being said, I have been so encouraged as I’ve sought the LORD these past few days. Every day, many times through the day, I’ve been giving him my worries, the stress, my desire to know if we indeed will be able to immigrate to the UK after John’s internship or if we’ll simply float here and there, unable to return to the States, and John unable to work anywhere else. The prospect can be daunting. So I turn to our loving God who promises me that, “In repentance and rest is my salvation, in quietness and trust is my strength.” (Isaiah 30:15a) So I’ve come to him, repented for my lack of trust, and simply rested, knowing that he is the one who brings salvation to me, he is the one who truly cares where these wanderers, these sojourners, will wander to next. He will not see us, his righteous ones, forsaken, or our children begging bread. (Psalm 37:25) Amen! And in him I find quietness for my restless spirit, for my strivings. As I trust in him I am strengthened to complete the tasks set before me on this day. Trust—other versions of the verse say “confidence”. I look to God with confidence knowing that I am engraved on the palms of his hands and am ever before him. (Isaiah 49:16) I can praise my Father though I know not what comes next. The doubt does try to creep in, but God is helping me to recognize it and to return to him where my heart, my spirit finds rest. Thank you for the prayers you’ve offered to him on my behalf.

First, trust in Him and act in His peace.
Second, be granted the wisdom to know what it is He wants us to do.

There are many opportunities out there. It’s just finding out which one we should do and then step out in faith. Also, pray for the resources to be there when we need them.
Thanks everyone.

“Rachel, yes, you have these tasks before you, but first of all, don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

This is constantly a weakness for me. I love to be at rest and to simply savour things, but in my life, it doesn’t seem to pan out. Instead, when I have a little space, I think,

Okay, what do I have next on my list of things to do?

Since coming to India and moving into our own place, that list has been constantly filled. I’ve been falling into bed exhausted at night, lamenting that I had no time to write, or read, or use my creativity. But then, if I did have time to do any of these things, the feeling of guilt attacked because I wasn’t doing more. I’d think that people or John would not see my place as valid if I wasn’t constantly busy. Then, like John, I read our friend’s post (Tara Hills) about expectations. It encouraged me to accept where I am right now and embrace this time in my life. I don’t have to worry about pleasing others as I don’t need to impress anyone with all I do. What a burden released!
Then, God pointed out to me that I needed to look at the tasks that I do during the day (laundry, changing diapers, caring for Aria, cooking, emails, etc.) as things that he has given me to do. They shouldn’t be looked at as tasks, but as pleasures. What?! Pleasures?

“Yes, Rachel. Delight in them. It’s okay. Your taking pleasure and delight in simple things delights me and brings glory to me. Do it to be happy.”

What a strange idea— doing things because they make me happy. Or, doing things and feeling released not to strive, but to take pleasure in them and not feel guilty about not doing more. Also, not feeling guilty for the pleasure I take in them as people will think I’m not doing enough if they knew that these things delight me and I don’t see them as sacrifice and work.
That’s where I’m at right now. It’s a good place— a green place. It’s life itself.
Please pray that I’d walk in delight.