He's my mountain mover

it's pretty late, but i am still up, so I thought I would add a little update to these pages.

I went for my physical today, and returned with a clean bill of health. "You are healthy!", said my doctor. It was good to hear. I am one step closer in preparation for Moldova now. Next I have to send my physical results and other paperwork into the OM office and then I wait to hear from them about being accepted for the position of serving in Moldova.

I would appreciate your continued prayers for the sake of some other issues that have surfaced that I am having to trust God for: some personal things going on in my life presently that seem to be as big as a mountain in front of me, and I can't see what's on the other side cause the mountain is so large. I am beginning to see maybe why God gave me the verse in Luke 1, while still in Moldova, about there being nothing impossible with Him. He knew there would be some hard tests coming along for me this summer. I want to be willing to trust Him, no matter what it may require of me to do that. I know God is building character in my life through all these experiences, and I would not trade them for a life full of ease and comfort. He knows what He is making of me! I like the song lyrics that say, "He's not finished with me yet". I am a work in progress. But He knows exactly what I will look like in the end!

stretchability : how far are you ready to fly?

its good to be reminded of things sometimes. today a friend reminded me of a couple words that missionaries learn to relate to real fast.

1. patience

wait for an answer. wait for a phone call. wait for paperwork. wait for a response. wait for funds. wait for test results. wait for mail. wait for a car repair. wait for a good night's sleep. wait to see a seed planted to produce fruit. etc, etc, etc.

But what does patience produce? The ability to wait long on God and to bear fruit for His kingdom. Patience creates ears that are willing to listen to those who are hurting. It teaches you to be sensitive and compassionate. Jesus had compassion on the multitudes, and fed them, by giving of Himself when He was tired. Learning patience means you are given opportunities to be patient. We can't attain some virtue without seeing our lack of it, can we? So, when you see your lack of patience, and it frustrates you, but you come through the test triumphantly, be encouraged that you have just attained a new level of what you have been seeking after.

2. flexibility (a.k.a. stretchability)

Have you ever watched a child with a rubber band? Maybe you have had fun yourself with these strips of continuous stretchy stuff. Stretch, stretch.....let go! Rubber bands are quite worthless on their own. They can't get up and make anything of themselves. They are ugly, and pointless without the help of someone who can make use of them.
Think of their use: STRETCH around something to hold it together. But, have you ever seen a dried up band? It's not worth anything, and when it's stretched, it breaks. They stay useful when they are put to good use.


Ok. I do have a point here. I like to think of myself sometimes as a rubber band. I imagine God holding on to me, and thinking over a plan He has in His mind. Where will He send me? What will He use me for? (stretch) God remembers, and He smiles. He thinks on where He will send me(stretch), and what He will do with me(stretch). It is a perfect plan. It has been in His mind from the beginning.

He takes careful aim, stretching me possibly more than ever, and then lets go. Does he stand and watch how far I go, and where I land? I picture Him running underneath me as I sail through the air, over obstacles, across great heights, and when I land, He is there, to catch me when I come down, right in the perfect place He intended-again in His hands.

Do you ever think the rubber band is not willing to go where one wants to send it? Some bands are definitely not as stretchy. Some are resistant. That usually would cause me to choose another. I never want that to happen with me. I don't want God to pick me up with all His plans and intentions for my life, and find me resistant to His will, and have to choose another in my place.

So use me Lord for your purposes! Stretch me, mold me, shape me, prepare me. Set me in your hands, stretch me to the limit, and let me fly as far as You choose. I am willing to fall into Your hands in the place you have prepared for me, whether near or far. Whether a place of comfort, or a place that requires me to be stretched more permanently, to draw others together, or hold together those who are seeking to follow You.

I appreciate those who take the time to read these ramblings from my heart. I hope it encourages some, and sets you on your path to fly.....as far as your Maker has chosen for you. Don't limit Him! He has a perfect plan for you!

Trust God. Trust God. Trust God

"Consider replacing your battery", is what my lap top is telling me with a flashing red icon. One more thing to think about on my long list of things to do. Have you ever wanted to just 'replace your battery'? Ever feel like things are just running on without you, and you just can't keep up? I have been feeling that way lately. There is so much to do, and I feel like there is so little time. Maybe I am trusting in my own strength? Maybe I have failed to think about how much God cares for me, and has not forgotten me? It is so easy as a human to try and logically think things out. "how will I make money?", or, "who will I marry?", or, "where does God want me to serve Him?", or, "how do I love this person that is so unlovable?", and all such questions we may ask ourselves. God has the same answer for every circumstance. Trust Me. Just trust. Believe that I know. And again, God is asking me to trust Him. He wants me to remember that He is the mountain-Creator, so why can He not be the mountain-mover? He definitely is. There are many little details about my preparation for returning to Moldova this fall. Sometimes I wonder if I will get them all done! Delays. They can either bring you down, or they can create character. As mentioned above, I am having technical difficulties with my computer. It has done well for me all this time, but now it's ready to give up. I am almost on 'empty' in my funds tank, and that can be discouraging when there are so many expenses coming up. But my Father is like the gas station that never runs dry. He knows all about my needs, large and small, and He is more than willing to help, and to meet every one that He knows is important. I hope to soon post more detailed information about my needs. But at this point I don't know the numbers. Please remember me in prayer as I make decisions, set up appointments, fill out documents, etc. God is right here with me. He is taking my hand and leading me step by step. Thank you for standing with me. You are God's hands here on earth, holding me up. All my love, melanie

Domnul te va pazi la plecare si la venire de acum si pina in veac Psalmii 121:8

My God is with me, just as He has promised. He said He would be with me as I depart, and as I return, and I have found Him to be true to His word.

I have now been home in America for about 3 days, and there have been some challenges, though not unexpected. Imagine living in a completely different culture for 3 months, sharing everyday life with a certain people group every day for those 3 months, and getting use to that being 'home'. All around you is a language spoken that is not your native language, but it has become the norm as every part of your life now involves this language. Can you imagine this? I know most of you cannot, if you have never spent any time in another very different culture and among a strange language.


I am experiencing some culture shock, as well as jet lag yet.
I have been able to sleep at night, for which I am very grateful to the Lord, after being exhausted all day trying to keep myself awake. I have found that I have been waking up almost every morning at 4am...lunch time in Moldova :) ...but have been able to sleep again afterwards. Moldova's time zone is about 8 hours later than CST. I have heard that it will take a while to adjust. So far it has not been real bad. I just have to keep active during the day, and I stay awake. :)
This week I am taking it slow, laying low, hanging out with my family, and just resting. I have a lot I feel I should be doing, and part of me wants to jump right on it, but I know I have to prioritize the time that I have here to be with family.
I am encouraged that Jesus is by my side, and as I take His hand, He will continue to lead me in the path that He has already prepared for me from the beginning of time.

stateside

dear faithful prayer warriors,
thank you for praying for me. it was sad to part with my friends, teammates, and dear brothers and sisters in Christ yesterday, but yet with a promise of the future. So, we didn't say goodbye, but see you later.
Today has been a long day of travel, with more hours than should normally be in a day, if you count them all together. I have been traveling from Moldova for about 20 hours with very little sleep, but I have made it safely home to America, and I am happy to report that there were no complications with my flights, and I think I could say it was the easiest return trip home from overseas, as far as travel goes. I know you were praying, and I so appreciate that you had my back. I arrived in my home town at about 3:30pm(CST).
Right now I am feeling the effects of the time change, and feel like i need to be in bed like the rest of Moldova is, but I'm doing my best to stay awake.
Upon reaching the airport in Germany, I had to stand in line for the restroom, and because I happened to be carrying a bag that said Chisinau on it, from Moldova, a conversation was started between another woman and I. I had previously recognized by her dress, and her language that she was from Moldova, and was of course interested very much in maybe talking to her. God opened it up! She began by asking me about my bag. With my very limited knowledge of the Romanian language, I ended up having a conversation with her, and it was fun! I was excited at how much I could communicate, though I'm sure my use of certain verbs were wrong. At a certain point she asked her daughter I believe, who was walking by in the airport, to translate. It felt good to be able to communicate! I think I tried more with her than I ever did when I was in Moldova, and I didn't even know her. :) She sent me off with 'Drum bun' and 'Dumnezeu se va binecuvanteze' (God speed, and God bless).
On my return flight from Frankfurt, Germany, as God would have it, I sat next to a woman who was a former missionary in South Africa. We bonded in Christ immediately, and shared many experiences. It was an extra special blessing to meet her, and to share fellowship, and be encouraged to keep trusting God to make a way for my every situation. Thanks Adeye!
I was received with a hug by some dear friends at the airport, as my family is away picking up a sister from Bible school this weekend.
I ask again for your prayer support as I get accustomed to live not in Moldova now. The reverse culture shock is sometimes more difficult I think. I appreciate your patience with me. Thank you again for standing behind me and praying me home.
I love you, and more reports will hopefully come soon.

God is good all the time, and in every situation He is faithful

I want to try to give a little update on what's happening right now with me.


I am presently in Chisinau, and am safe from harm. I still plan to leave for the USA on Friday morning, in spite of the fact that it may be impossible. I know that God sees the whole picture, and is in control. I am not worried. I know He will make a way for what He sees best for me.


So far, as of today, I heard that there has been another eruption in Iceland, and the flights that were opening up have been canceled again. I have heard nothing regarding my flight yet, whether or not it has been canceled.


I am not in any danger, and am with friends. I have until 2 May to be in Moldova legally. If I am for some reason still here then I will have to go to another country, like Romania.


Thank you for your prayers! I am excited to see what God has planned for this situation. I think there is really going to be a testimony from this. I have heard that the last time there was a volcano like this, it went on for 2 1/2 years. But, we serve the Almighty God! He created these things, and can put them to an end in an instant.


Keep believing God, and hopefully i will be home soon with a report to share.

urgent prayer

please pray for me in regards to my return flight home to America. If you are not aware, there has been, and is presently a volcano erruption in Iceland. the ash from it has effected many flights across Europe-cancelling thousands. Please pray that by Friday, the ash has cleared and the air is safe enough for travel. Also remember in prayer those who have been stranded in the airports in many countries.