a 94th birthday?

So, this week was my nana's (great grandma) 94th birthday. Had a great time and I was so blessed my family got together as a (somewhat) whole for the occasion. It was truly an answered prayer. The pictures here are of the event and the cake my mom and I made her. Her brother (86 yrs.) came out from Connecticut.

God is so good. Last year, the India team joined me in prayer for my family to get together - that was for Christmas, but who says it won't be this year, eh? But God is also showing His faithfulness on my great grandma's behalf. Psalm 127 says this:

1Unless the LORD builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the LORD guards the city,

The watchman keeps awake in vain.

2It is vain for you to rise up early,

To retire late,

To eat the bread of painful labors;

For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

3Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one's youth.

5How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;

They will not be ashamed

When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

So my great grandma has a great reward... five generations are alive on my mom's side of the family. God is so good!

The Lord has blessed me with getting involved in a church here as well. As I came into Blythe, I was a bit hesitant to get involved, since my time here was so short, but upon learning that my time here will be extended until January, I plan on getting involved as much as possible. God had already been speaking to the pastor and his wife about me a bit. It was good to sit and hear Robert and Pam's vision for outreach here. They just want the Lord to move powerfully here and save some souls. During my time here, the Lord has opened the doors to begin being involved with the musical protion of worship, and just to serve His body by being an usher, greeter, pretty much just serving where needed. I am blessed though, I get to play a song for offeratory this weekend! Please pray for me though, that God would truly give me a heart-deep understanding of the fact that I am nothing and He is everything, seeing as though I struggle with a bit of pride.

Earlier in the week, He spoke to me out of Matthew 23:8-12, which says:

"But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."

It was good to think and meditate upon (and still is, of course). Just to know mentally, that I am no one and that He alone is my Teacher (not for me to consider someone beside Him that), my Father (no one else can fulfill that role perfectly), and my Leader (the only One who can guide me into His perfect will). It was good to see this, because if I look to anyone but Him for these roles, I begin to serve man (and get puffed up in my fleshly ego) and become self-righteous. But when I look to Him for these, I truly serve Him in the roles He was meant to fulfill in my life, and His righteousness shines forth in His perfection through His Spirit. ( a little confusing? I hope not.)

Anyway, that's all for now! Be blessed! Praise the King for His goodness, He and He alone!