Left My Heart in .......

INDIA/NEPAL!!!!!  I'm always amazed at how the little things that come in to my head or see a picture and then the memories just blow me away.  They just flood my memory and I can almost smell the smells of that precious land.  I never dreamed in a million years back in 2000 that I would ever set foot in India and much less Nepal.  I was just amazed when the Lord called and I answered. 

JL Williams of New Directions International had come to preach that night at church.  Marsha (My Other Mother) and Tim had already committed to going.  I sat and listened and prayed and the only thing going through my head and my heart was......"Lord, when is he going to be done so I can commit to go!!!!!!!!"  I don't think the first words of the Invitation were sung before I was at the altar, tears streaming down my face and hugging Marsha and telling her "I'm going with you".  I was just amazed. 

We went that year and then we went again the next year.  It was something that you never forget.  Something that changes your heart.
Something that changes your vision.
Something that changes your sight.
Something that changes the way you live.
It was something that still to this day leaves me speechless!!!!!! 

I found some pictures on the Internet so I don't take credit for any of them but just wanted to share them with you.  Things that I have seen.  Things that I have experienced. Things that broke my heart. 

Holy Cows sitting in the middle of the street

Maha Kumba Mela- Hindu Festival-Only every 144 years

There were MILLIONS of people there that day that we were there!!!!

Aerial shot of the people.  It was overwhelming.  We stood on the banks and could not do anything.  We witnessed millions of people washing in a river and everyone of them lost with out a Savior.

Stupha in Kathmandu Nepal.  Buddhist Temple

Typical shopping area.

Typical area in Nepal, notice the Holy Cows?

Crematoria on the river.  This is up stream from where the people are bathing in the same river.  They cremate the body and them push the ashes off into the river.

Entrance to Red Fort in Agra India

Red Fort- So majestic appearing

Taj Mahal was absolutely amazing.  You must remove your shoes when you go in.  Just mind blowing!!!!  It's such an incredible place and the realization that it is a tomb.  You see the columns on the corners are built at such a slight angle.  You can't really see it when you are standing there.  The lean away from the Taj so that if there were ever an earthquake, they would fall AWAY from the Taj.  INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!

India and Nepal, Oh how I pray for you. Oh that the Lord would allow me to come to you again some day. I just wanted to share part of me and what the Lord can do when you are least EXPECTing it!!!!!!!!

 Blessings,
Pam

Expect It!

Well, my word for the year was EXPECT!  Well sometimes He does things and we were not EXPECTING it. 
Today a new Community Bible Study started. Doing the book of Job!!!!  What a book!!!!!  I had my information to go and had seen one of the ladies and told her how excited I was about coming.  I had it written on my calendar and ready!

Now let's back up a little bit.  Earlier, almost 2 months ago, I started a "Read Thru The Bible In a Year" on my iPad with the You Version Bible.  I LOVE IT!!!!  Part Old Testament and Part New Testament every day.  It was perfect.  I am not perfect and had fallen behind. 

Back to today.  I got up this morning feeling rough.  I had not slept well at all last night and was kind of achy/sore and of course I had 2 thoughts.  First- OH NO I'm getting the Flu.  Second- I over did it at the gym yesterday.  I took some meds and thought I would just stay home and take it easy.  I just didn't feel good.  So I sat down on the couch and thought....."Lets get caught up on my "reading".  Well, I started reading and then figured out that it could be listened to, so I let it read.

I have made it through Genesis, Exodus, Mark, 1st and 2nd Thess.  Well, I got caught up to today's reading.  You will NOT BELIEVE this!!!!!!!  Today started with Job 1 and 2.  I almost fell off the couch.  I could not believe it!  I didn't see it coming.  I had no idea.  It was such a God moment! 

I had made the decision to stay home today and wanted to be at Bible Study.  I didn't EXPECT to have the same Bible study with just me and my Savior.  OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!  I wasn't expecting it but  did He ever just BLOW ME AWAY!!!!!!!

I will be at Bible Study next week.  Amazing!!!!!!  EXPECT HIM!!!!! 

WORD for 2013

Well, the day finally has arrived me to share my word.  It is something that has really been impressed upon me this year.  I have seen it happen and yet there are times when I don't think that it will.  Even to the point of just doing out of routine and keep going. 

Expect!  That's my word this year.  It sounds a little strange but it's one of those things that you just know its from Him. 

When I was thinking and praying about it I was so convicted over prayer life and the sincerity of it.  When we sit with a group, like Sunday School or Bible Study, and we list out our prayer request.  Some maybe very "simple" so to speak and some maybe a matter of life or death.  The key for me is that when we pray do we expect Him to answer?  Do we expect Him to hear us? Do we expect to hear from Him?  Do we look for His answer? Do we listen to what He has to say about that request? 

I'll be the first to admit that I fall right in to the ones that will put something on a "prayer list" and pray about it then and then walk away and check it off the list and move on.  I don't think that is what we should be doing.  We should be praying and seeking.  Over and over scripture tells us to seek Him, seek Him first, seek Him with our whole heart.  Scripture also tells us that He hears us and that He answers us. 

Do you believe that?
Do you think He does?
Do you expect Him to hear you?
Do you expect Him to answer you?

For sure His ways are higher and greater than mine.  His answers may not be what I think they should be but He knows best and that I can have faith and trust.  I'm excited for this New Year!!!!  I'm excited to see how this is going to change me, my thoughts and most of all my relationship with my Heavenly Father. 

I hope you have a WORD for 2013.  If you don't, please be praying about it!!!!!!  It's exciting to see how He uses it!!!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!