Living Generously

We shared Thanksgiving again this year with the Stremetski family. We have been friends with them since the day we arrived in our city over 3 years ago. It was one of those Godly things. You know, when you meet someone and hit it off right away. It's like we have known each other all our lives. We have so much in common it is amazing. They are Russian we are American. They are some 10 years younger than us. They have 7 of their own children, we only have 4 of our own (with sasha now, makes 5, hee hee). Volva and Michael are great friends, and Sveta and I are too. Grace is really good friends with their daughter, Caleb is really good friends with their son.

This was the 4th Thanksgiving we have had them in our home with all the traditional American holiday foods, and we spend every Christmas eve in their home, with all the traditional Russian holiday foods.

Sveta was saved from a life of going from one bad relationship to another searching for love in all the wrong places. Volva was saved from a life of drugs, alcohol and violent gangs. He watched many of his friends grow up to go to prison or die. Neither of them had one Christian that they knew from their family or friends. Through amazing miracles and divine appointments, God sought them and they sought Him and they were saved. They have been believers now for about 14 years. He has been the pastor for about 5 years now. They love Jesus, love people, love the lost, love His Word and love their 7 children that the Lord has given them. They have 4 sons and 3 daughters, ages 5-21. the youngest three are boys ages 5, 6, and 8. The children are beautiful, well behaved and the most loving people you would ever want to meet. They are looked at very strangely in our city and maybe even by the world, because they have so many children. You see, there are still people in the world who have hope in Him, who feel that children are a blessing from the Lord, a gift from Him and dont see them as a nuisance or burden, who realize that providing a loving Godly home is more rewarding than a materialistic home filled with things, money and alot of times strife.


We live in a city of about 300,000 people with some low rise apartment buildings and alot of single/double dwelling homes (mostly old log home styles) There are even some log/wood apartment buildings (with outhouses) Like most of our friends, they live in a small wooden house about 900 square feet. It is heated by coal or wood and someone has to feed the Pechka ( like a wood heater closed in by brick/concrete) continuously to stay warm. They have no running water in their home. They have to fill water jugs/cans/barrels from different places around the city for their water. They have a well for water for washing/cleaning. They heat their water for cleaning and cooking. They use an outdoor toilet, and have a banya, sort of like a sauna (bath house where they heat water/stones) and go there for their thorough bathing. They grow their own vegetables and can them for the winter. Like most homes, they have a podvalka (cellar) to store their potatoes, cabbage and carrots etc...

REGULAR APARTMENT



USUAL SINK IN HOME WITH NO RUNNING WATER



EXAMPLE OF A CELLAR














WOODEN APARTMENT





WOODEN HOME












PECHKA
HOW THEY HEAT THEIR WOODEN HOMES AND WHERE THEY COOK





FILLING WATER JUGS; TYPICAL OUTHOUSE; CHOPPING WOOD FOR PECHKA















THE STREMETSKIS ARE SOME OF MY HEROES


Last month the Lord began speaking to them about His orphans, and how much He loves them. Last night they welcomed 3 more little boys into their loving home, ages 3, 5 and 6. Now they will have 5 boys home aged 6 and under.

There were 4 little boys 6, 5, 3 and 1. Their father abandoned the mother and 4 boys last year, as he could no longer live with an alcoholic woman. Just a few months ago the youngest little boy died of neglect, so they came and took the other three boys from their alcoholic, neglectful mother.

What a blessing to know such people to add to their 7, 3 more to care for. I called last night to check on them and one of the girls answered the phone and said that mama and papa were reading to the Bible to the little boys to call back later or tomorrow. We will need to add 4 more chairs around the table at Christmas this year, we will have 4 more boys: Our sasha and their Max, Igor and Andrushka.

I tell you, I am crying even now as I type. These little guys are now going to be raised in a Godly home. They are hearing the Bible read to them for the first time, and seeing it lived out for them for the first time. They are in a warm home with food (maybe the home is small and the food is scarce) but they now have a family that will love them and care for them and most importantly teach them about God.

What's our excuse?? Couldnt we all (no matter what age or how much money we make, or what size of home we have) do more ??

I praise you, Jesus, for people like the Stremetski Family who do not look at their ability, but make themselves available to You and are willing to obey You at all costs. Help our family to serve and give out of our poverty and not out of wealth. Help our confidence, security or trust not to be in man, jobs, government or money, or in our case in IMB or Lottie Moon or Cooperative program, but in You and You alone. Help us to hear Your voice and fully, carefully, completely obey no matter what.

Rotten Words

Ephesians 4:29 (NASB)
"Let no unwholesome (rotten) word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word that is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."

We are reading through Ephesians as a family right now and last nights reading brought back a childhood memory/lesson that I learned the hard way.

My mother is the God-wisest woman I know. Seriously, with less than 8th grade education (she tells us all the time that though she attended 8th grade it was an absolute waste)It so happens that we homeschool and all our kids skipped 8th grade too haha) Mama grew up in a home with 12 brothers and sisters, during the Great Depression. By the way, she says that they didnt know there was a great depression, they lived the same as they always did.

I am seriously considering writing a book someday of all her sayings and stories of her wisdom. I truly believe she is the wisest woman in the world. I am so blessed that she is my mother.

Ok, back to the story. I was 8 and my brother, Keith, was 10. As best I remember, we were doing chores. On a side note, for all you "modern" readers: In my family, in South Mississippi, we didnt get allowance or get paid for chores. But we did get all sorts of wonderful privileges like food, water, a comfortable home, an education, clothing, bed, to be part of a family, a strong work ethic, responsibilities, and stuff like that. Our "chores" consisted of being expected to do what we were told to do, when we were told to do it, without grumbling, and doing it with a "Yes, Ma'am; Yes, Sir". We often heard, "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right (everything they told us to do was definitely worth doing), and one of my favorites HAHAHA... "Don't half-a@@ do anything".

On this particular day, Keith and I were told to fill up some empty milk jugs. Our water came from a well/spring and sometimes it froze up, so we always had to have plenty of water jugs. So, we were behind the house where the water faucet is located filling up empty milk jugs. We got into some sort of argument (I can't for the life of me remember what started it, but since he is not here to defend himself, I will take the blame). The argument involved lots of "name callings" some not so rotten, others very very rotten. For several minutes we took turns calling each other names (dirty names). After all was said and done, we went back into the house, best friends again.

Then, to our surprise, Mama sent us to her room to wait on the bed. If you don't know what "wait on the bed" means, you have been deprived. We couldn't imagine what we had done. We waited with great anticipation for what seemed like forever. Then we heard her coming down the hall.

It seems we had forgotten, to our horror, that the window above the kitchen sink (which is always open) is located just above the outdoor water faucet.

We waited for the belt, which never appeared. Instead, the wise woman, told us that she heard all the things we said. She lectured us a few minutes about name calling and how we were supposed to love one another and blah blah blah (no disrespect intended) Then, she did the unspeakable, the unthinkable, the unimaginable. She told each of us to take turns using those same words and call "her" those names, our precious mother. We pleaded and cried for a spanking instead, and pleaded and cried, as the words to our mother, slipped out of our mouths. When she felt we had had enough, she hugged us and told us that if it was that hard to call her those names, it should be that hard to call each other those names. Some lessons hurt to learn. A spanking or tongue lashing (though we often got our share of those) didn't go near as far as that wise discipline.

To this day, I remember the shame. Does the shame make me feel bad about myself or have a low self esteem? NO WAY. It makes me mindful of how words can hurt, can never be taken back, and how we are accountable for what we say. Sometimes, we should just plain be ashamed of ourselves for the things we say to each other, and do something about it !! Another great way to hold our tongues is to imagine the person we respect most hear us talk like that, or getting up in front of a huge church congregation and spouting them out. Kinda makes ya'll want to learn to control that flapper, huh?

Rejoice no matter what

Going down memory lane to Thursday, December, 9 1993, 17 years ago.

age 28
wife, stay at home mom, awana teacher, youth sunday school teacher, just started studying the Bible for the first time...Precepts Inductive Bible study, Philippians: Rejoice no matter what
3 children: Reagan age 7- 1st grade, Mrs Beeman, Brandon Elementary, Bryan age 4, Grace 8 months.
Michael was a car salesman at Gray Daniels Ford, Brandon, MS
members of Park Place Baptist Church, Brandon/Pearl
just moved to Brandon and rented a home for $500 on hwy 468, near brenmar st, no pets allowed
2 cars
My sister, Vidonia and her family were IMB missionaries in Argentina and had just returned for STAS (Furlough)

A lot of my family (Donia's family, Ginger's family, Keith and his fiance and Mama) came over to our "new/rental" house in Brandon. We wanted to celebrate and give them all a Christmas gift to the chinese restaurant "Shanghi" our treat (good month in car sales) and listen to Christmas music and decorate our tree.

Before we left for the restaurant, Keith switched Grace's shoes around, to tease me and make people think I couldnt even dress a little girl right after 2 boys... haha

After Chinese buffet, the guys went to the boy scout tree farm and bought a really pretty real tree (keith and steve argued over which one, keith won, as usual, Michael didnt care hahaha)

We had such a wonderful night decorating the tree, listening to Alabama Christmas, setting out the beautiful porcelan nativity set my mother gave each of her children (from Avon) Each year they came out with a different piece. She collected 6 complete sets for each of her children. As each piece was placed, the birth of Jesus was read from the Bible. Reagan had just given his life to Christ in July that year, so it was his first Christmas as a believer. He had just learned all the words to Away in a Manger. He was especially sensitive to the Lord and very excited about his new faith, and still at the age that he didnt care what people thought, he praised Jesus wherever he was. As baby Jesus was placed, he knelt on his knees, folded his hands in prayer and bowed his head, and began singing Away in a Manger, as if it was scripted. Of course we all joined in and sang with him. As we were singing, my eyes met Keiths and he had the biggest tears you ever saw, and so did I. It was a special moment frozen in time and in my mind for eternity.

Afterward, Keith made coffee and served everyone, and we sat around and talked and laughed. We even created a tv show idea "Coffee with Ginger" (this was before reality tv, looking back now it would certainly have been a hit). Keith decorated Grace in her stroller with lights and tensil. He also announced his and his fiance's engagement/wedding date for February 14, 1994, that day would never come for him. That night, he asked mama if he could have his nativity set since they were getting married and she agreed. (she told him he couldnt have it till he settled down, or got married and had a home to put it in. It was the last night me and my family would see Keith. He was a great brother, an encourager, a protector, a loyal friend, an amazing athlete: mvp football player senior year, 2nd place state hurdles, scholarship at JCJC football, (most important to my boys, he could jump a whole truck) a servant, hot tempered :), defender of the weak, and loved his family more than anything. I was blessed to have him as an older brother.

It was a magical night, even before I knew it would be my last with Keith.

One week later, December 16, 17 years ago today, a thursday. Vidonia came and shared with our WMU at Park Place, then we went for ice coffee at the mall. Then I did all our Christmas shopping. Returned home with all the loot and was sitting in the floor dividing and organizing (making sure everyone had the same amount of gifts from us and from Santa. I remember the news as playing on the tv in the background and there had been a murder in Brandon in Robin Hood subdivision. I remember saying a silent prayer for the family of the one killed and thinking how sad so close to Christmas. Moments later I would receive the worst phone call of my life from my sister. After she told me that Keith had been killed, I dropped the phone and fainted. The next thing I remember was throwing all the gifts into the closet and going to meet my sister at the brandon courthouse to drive down to mama and daddy's to give them the news in person. The chief of police followed in their car for our safety. We literally prayed out loud together as we drove the 40 minutes. How do wake your parents in the middle of the night to tell them their son's life has been senselessly taken?

The details of how Keith's life was taken by another human being is much too personal and painful to write about. We heard that Keith's murderer lived his last days in Parchman before he died of natural causes in 2005. What a wasted life. We heard a few years later, that the guy who witnessed and testified gave his life to Christ, what a redeemed life.

Through it all, God is faithful, He is sovereign, and He will carry us through anything this life brings. ANYTHING. He will give joy no matter what our circumstances. We can rejoice no matter what. Life is precious, dear and it truly is a Wonderful Life. I pray that you know that whatever loss you (whoever you is) are going through this year, or whatever you might face in your life, He is enough, for this we have Jesus, He will carry you, every day is a new day, His mercies are new every morning. He will give you enough light for the step you are on. I pray that you will trust and praise God no matter what. Don't waste your life. Make it count for Jesus.

My New Russian hat and other such thoughts

There are some days when one really mustn't blog. I dreamed about nonsense all night. I woke up all stuffy and feeling yucky. Michael gave me a kiss and took Sasha to school. I am not even sure what happened after that. My Gosh/Goodness !! OOPS, IM NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY THAT ANYMORE (sasha thinks im cussing when i say either of those, so i guess i must say something new, like "My, MY" or maybe he is right and I should say nothing at all)I think that is a perfect example of not being a stumbling block. To me it means nothing of the sort and I dont even say it in anger or with any evil intent of my heart or with a nasty tone, but because it bothers him, I will do my very best and ask the Lord to help me change it. On the subject of being a stumbling block, some of our wonderful Russian friends think that playing cards is a sin. They will let their kids play skipbo or uno and other card games but for their own reasons, all are different, they do not play with regular cards. When we had one of our friends stay with us for about 10 days, Michael and I refrained from our hand and foot card playing so as not to be insensitive or a stumbling block to her and her little girl. I guess that means we are not addicted if we can give it up for the sake of someone else.

I fussed at Michael the other day for watching so much football (nothing compared to most American men) Its just that he is rarely home and I was wanting to play hand and foot HAHAHA... anyway he has been so sweet and hasnt watched any in the past few days. So I realized something. The last few days there have been many more dishes than usual. GUESS WHY?

ALL THOSE TIMES HE WAS WATCHING FOOTBALL IN THE KITCHEN, HE WAS WASHING THE DISHES. SO TODAY, I AM UNGROUNDING HIM. IT REALLY IS ALL ABOUT OTHERS !!

Anyway, after that, I had coffee, some time to reflect and wake up and watched Christmas tree lights, then got on facebook...BORING...so was I. Made the bed, Helped Grace study, Helped Caleb study, graded papers, washed dishes, swept kitchen, cleaned toilet, put away clothes, heated plof. Now it is almost the end of my day, 6 pm dark outside, grace should be home from volleyball soon, caleb went to the church with his daddy (they took pingpong paddles) Sasha had a meeting to go to. And very rare as it is, I am home alone. I usually like that, but today, not so much. I am still in my jamas, in a fleece hoodie and fleece socks and still cold. I turned the electric heater on for the first time since -30's have set in.

Oh yeah, now I remember what I was going to write about today. I need some advice. My New Russian hat. Michael has been after me to get one for 3 winters. I finally succombed to the pressure (his and the other ladies at church who are afraid i am freezing)

Why I didnt want a Russian Fur Hat:
1. I am from MS, and am not used to hats
2. I dont think look good in hats.
3. I have thin, fine hair that gets electricity VERY EASILY and gets messed up easy
4. I have a small head and hats never fit
5. I dont like stuff touching my head
6. I feel like I am smothering
7. Russian fur hats are expensive
8. I feel dumb in hats (like im being extravagant or something)
9. I hate spending money on myself (always have, always will)
10. I hate trying on stuff and making decisions like buying clothing

as usual, just like in hand and foot, he won, I got the hat after literally trying on every hat in the store (there were like millions) This was Michael and the sales attendants first choice. After about 30 minutes, I tried it on. I was so worn down after all that, I finally asked Michael which was his favorite, we bought it and left the store. Everyone has been so sweet and complimentary and I appreciate it, and I am trying, but I still feel ridiculous in it.

Now he is trying to talk me into a new coat. The one I have was bought used in Moscow for 35 dollars. It is too big and I look like the michelen man in it, but i justify it because it is warm and was cheap. My new hat doesnt match, so I might give in. what do you think ?? Be honest, do you like my hat, and should I get a new coat on next payday ?

What can we give Jesus for His birthday this year

During one of the 2 one hour long Russian sermons this past Sunday, I sort of zoned out. I must admit that I blocked it out completely and began meditating on how to make Jesus the center of my life, especially during the Christmas season, when we celebrate His birth. I guess i sort of "went shopping" in my mind. I know we all have wonderful family traditions, put out advent calendar, read the Christmas story, bake Jesus a birthday cake, give gifts, decorate, bake, cook and all sorts of fun things, which I ABSOLUTELY ADORE and will continue as long as I have breath in me. I love Christmas and these are all good things that we do. I was personally searching for something more/different for Him this year, for my KING.



Anyway, I was thinking about how I could be and encourage our family to be more intentional at making His birthday more for Him, and not about us, truly celebrating Him, and what He might want or enjoy from us for His gift this year. Here is what I believe He showed me:



# 1 KNOW HIM... He wants us to KNOW HIM this Christmas, to examine our hearts to make sure that we have accepted Him not only as Saviour but as Lord, and recommit our lives to Him anew: to make sure He is the King of our heart/life. Maybe we could set aside time to just be with Him and get to know Him even better. I know on my kids birthdays (and mine), I like to look back at pictures, reflect on how they were at different ages, celebrate different times/memories/accomplishments in their lives. I always want to tell them how much I love them, and how proud I am to be their Mama, and remember things we have done together, and all the things we have gone through (easy and hard) and just remember all the memories. I bet Jesus would like that too. For us to reflect on all He has done in our lives, all the memories we have made together, all the struggles He has brought us through and the joys and even sorrows of the Journey. We dont have pictures, but we do have spiritual markers and "history" with Jesus to reflect on and thanks Him for. If not, it is never too late to start the journey and begin walking with Jesus.



#2 GROW in HIM: Maybe ask Him to show us an area that we are struggling in or weak in and then study His Word, read good Christian books, or listen to online sermons, on the topic. To have focused prayer times over a certain area, or circumstance, person in our life, asking Him to grow us up into more mature followers. Maybe we could just spend some time set aside from the crazy/busy-ness, like He did at times. Just get away from the crowd, fast and pray during the Christmas season. Maybe we could plan to just go sit out in the woods, in the beautiful creation He gave to us, and just quiet place for a little while and ask Jesus to GROW us up some in some specific area, even if it is only for a few hours.



#3 SHOW HIM: We can try to be more intentional to show Him to others by our deeds/words (written and spoken) of kindness, goodness and giving, within our family and just out and about, as we go, and in His name; not our own. Intercede for others, for the lost, for the hurting, for the persecuted. Show love to others, especially those that can never repay or return it... not for our glory but for His (fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, sefl control, patience, kindness, faithfulness) I would also like to add here that He is truly passionate for us, loves us beyond comprehension, and rejoices over us with singing. He finds joy in His children, just like we find joy in our children; watching them laugh, play, enjoy life, and watching their pleasure when they receive gifts. I truly believe He feels the same pleasure only deeper for us. So we should do something fun during the Christmas break; go out and have some fun, laugh, sing, dance and play in JESUS NAME. Plan some special fun times and make some memories. I just have a feeling that our being joyful and grateful in this life pleases our King and makes Him feel pleasure.



#4 SOW HIM (The Gospel): We can find ways in our neighborhood, community, state, to be active and intentional about sowing Jesus this year, spreading the Word, His plan of salvation, hand out tracts or set aside a day to be intentional about talking to people about how much He loves them so much that He died for them, that He will take us where we are in our sins, forgive us and give us a new clean heart; to give us hope and faith that will carry us to the end. how very much He wants for us to live for eternity with Him, and desires Lordship in their lives. We can also take this time of year to give above and beyond to some specific church or mission organization that is serious about sowing the Gospel (JESUS IS THE GOSPEL)



I pray that we can all Know Jesus, Grow in Jesus, Show Jesus, and Sow Jesus more this Christmas,



Have a Merry Christmas, for His glory and love em like Jesus,



Patsy

important info for Christian parents about our kids and internet/tv

The Grace and Truth Paradox: Excerpts by Randy Alcorn

full excerpts here: http://www.epm.org/resources/2010/Mar/23/grace-and-truth-paradox-excerpts/

Truth, Grace and Media

Parents who wouldn’t dream of letting a dirty-minded adult alone with their children do it every time they let their kids sit and surf channels and access the internet without supervision. There’s nothing new about sexual immorality. But there is something new about the ease with which it invades our homes.

Why do we do this? Because we want to trust our kids, and show them children grace. We don’t want to be known as restrictive, anti-fun or legalistic. We want to be cool parents. The kind that don’t get hung up on rules. Such “grace” is merely parental neglect in disguise.

We sacrifice our children on the altar of appearing cool (which never works anyway). Our children may never recover from this “grace” we’re showing them. In fact, it’s moral child abuse. We should repent of it. Our children don’t need cool parents. They need parents full of grace and truth."

note from Patsy: I would like to add that Satan is a liar and a thief and will stop at nothing to try to seduce us and our children in whatever way he can. Let's encourage and pray for one another that we would not be deceived to his crafty ways. Pray for more Godly wisdom and true love and His amazing grace as we parent. for His glory, Patsy

My 45 th Birthday November 6 Thank you, Mama, for choosing life...Mine

GRATEFUL



G - GOD IS FAITHFUL. No matter what I have gone through in my life or will go through in the days He gives me on this earth, be it emotional, physical, or spiritual. My God has proven Faithful, He will do it. His Word is truth. He is my beginning and my end, my greatest treasure. His glory fills my life and this earth and the heavens. He is my ALL and ALL. My Faithful Sovereign God, there is no other GOD. He is worthy of all praise. ALL NATIONS WILL DECLARE HIS GLORY.



R - RAISING OUR KIDS ON THE MISSION FIELD. There are no words to express the gratefulness I feel and the privilege to be able to see our children grow in wisdom and stature in Russia: to learn His sovereignty, His faithfulness, His love for them and for the nations, His sufficiency, His protection, and to learn the importance of joyful sacrifice, selflessness, and service for Jesus and telling others about the greatest gift ever.



A – AMAZING GRACE – God’s grace, what an amazing gift, and completely undeserved, and greater than all my sin. Grace for salvation, Grace for sanctification, Grace in our marriage, Grace in our parenting, Grace for the journey, Grace that will get me to the end and lead me home. Where would I be without Jesus. There is no other name , by which I can be saved. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow down. He is my Lord, my Savior, my closest friend, my redeemer, my superhero, and my KING, oh for grace to love Him more.



T – TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE- GOD HAS GIVEN ME THE BEST FRIEND/PARTNER IN MINISTRY/LOVER. I am so blessed to have been given a man of God who loves Him, me and our children unconditionally, who values commitment, honor and trust, and guards his heart and ours for His service, who takes prayer seriously and prays for me and our children earnestly, who has a passion for the lost and leads by the Word of God, by example, sometimes using words.



E – EVERY GOOD GIFT IS FROM THE LORD. Children are a gift from the Lord. Each one of our 4 children are such blessings, with different gifts, personalities, and beauties. They teach me day by day how to love. Each one brings me joy every day of my life. I am so thankful that the Lord allows me to be their Mama. They help me realize how much joy the Father has in me, his child, and how He cheers me on and rejoices over me with singing. They have been obedient and respectful and most important they love Jesus. I could never ever repay them for the ways they have blessed me.



F- FRIENDS- I HAVE BEEN BLESSED MY LIFE TO HAVE TRUE, ENCOURAGING, AND FRIENDS FROM A YOUNG CHILD UP UNTIL NOW. I am so thankful for all the teachers, pastors, prayer warriors, colleagues, friends the Lord has placed in my life over the years. I have some of the most God-wise friends in the world. They are always there for me to walk through life’s struggles, heartaches and successes and joys. They pray for me and my children, and encourage and spur me on to good deeds. They love me even in my faults, and challenge, inspire, and teach me by example and word to press on and finish well.



U- UNBELIEVABLE FAMILY. THEY SAY WE CAN CHOOSE OUR FRIENDS BUT WE CANT CHOOSE OUR FAMILY (LIKE WE ARE JUST STUCK WITH THEM) I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT I WOULD CHOOSE EACH ONE OF MY FAMILY. I am blessed to have a mother who lived out God’s Word in her life for me to see. She didn’t have to “preach” at me or cram His Word or church down my throat, because I learned by her example. She just lived a life of love and sacrifice before and for me. I have the most amazing wonderful siblings and their mates and children. They know every single thing there is to know about me, and yet love me unconditionally and wholeheartedly. They encourage and challenge me. They have set amazing examples of strength, forgiveness, perseverance, mercy, passion, compassion, grace, endurance, integrity, obedience, love, steadfastness, commitment, righteousness, tenderness, faithfulness, honor, courage, loyalty protection in day to day living and serving the Lord. (and yes, I was thinking of each of them when choosing those specific words) I have been blessed with wonderful aunts and uncles who have invested in my life. Over 25 years ago, the Lord blessed me with a second family, the most incredible second parents and sisters/brother anyone could ask for, as if bringing me Michael wasn’t enough He sprinkled my life with his family too.



L- LOVE – I have truly been loved my whole life. There has never even once been a doubt in my heart or mind, even in the most difficult of times, that I am loved, by a wonderful Heavenly Father, and my siblings or their families, and my husband and children, and my friends around the world. LOVE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING !



THANK YOU FATHER FOR THE GRATEFUL HEART YOU HAVE GIVEN ME !

A New Creation

A New Creation

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Last week, we traveled with the Thommarsons in “Z” Region to visit three of the pastors serving in our region. They invited us into their homes, and we had worship services in each place. While at Deacon Sasha’s home in Town “D”, having a meal together, Sasha’s wife, Lena began telling us to pray for her upstairs neighbor, Dzhenya, age 23, who had just days before killed her drunk husband in self defense, as he almost beat her to death. She is now a widow and has three children. As we were eating, Lena invited her down to visit. She sat with us and ate and we fed her children. Then Sasha and everyone shared Christ with her. She was so scared and really wanted God’s forgiveness in her life. Sasha led her to pray and she repented. She now has a new life in Christ. Pray that God will remove her fear, and that she will begin going to church with Sasha and his family. (photo attached Dzhenya is third from the right)

"Wherever you are be all there" Jim Elliot

One of my favorite quotes is "Wherever you are be all there." by missionary Jim Elliot. It has meant so much to me over the past 11 years especially in our journey of serving overseas. It is something I have told my husband, my children and myself countless times. I have posted it in emails and on facebook, and shared it with friends. We have even had to remember this in the states when we wanted to be back on the field.

Somedays are just easier to say that and practice that than others, like today.

I am just pure "feeling" guilty today.

...because we are so far away from our boys at this wonderful exciting times in their lives.

...because we are not there to celebrate Bryan's 21st birthday.

... our parents are getting older and we are nowhere near them.

...because I am not there for decoration Sunday at my family cemetery this weekend.

...because we are not going to see our mothers on Mother's day, or getting to celebrate Michael's parents 50th anniversary next weekend.

...because we will not be at the Puckett family reunion at my mother's or extended one the end of may, not there for new births, graduations, weddings other special extended family events.

and the worst feeling of guilt of all: Guilty because I feel this way, when I know I am right where the Lord wants me and I need to be "all here", and I am just not feeling it today.

The good news, my life has never been, is not and will never be based on "my feelings". Praising Him that His mercies are new every morning, and trusting/believing I feel better tomorrow :) :)

Feelings flow
Feelings come and go
Feelings lie
Feelings die
what matters most is WHO and what I know

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."

New Year of Poverty

2009 was a great, crazy year of learning and I expect 2010 to be much more of the same. Prayerfully growing more and more dependent on Christ, seeing more people trust and depend on Him, and seeing more groups of those people joining/serving in local churches, and starting new churches. I began 2009 with major back surgery, and watched our sons marry the women that God chose for their lifemates in June and again in December. We were blessed to celebrate Jesus' birthday in the states for the first time in 6 years with each of our children, and our new daughters in love, and most of our families. I ended 2009 watching a dear young man marry his first love, thinking what a privilege it was to be there, as his mother/my friend celebrated Jesus in heaven. I am more depedent on Jesus again this year than I was the last, and trust nothing less for 2010, as that is my desire.

Alot of people make new year's resolutions, I have never been too much into that. I did have a sweet/bitter talk/ time of fellowship with Jesus when we returned to our city January 8. Sweet: We absolutely love the place here in the Far East that He has brought us to. We are content with the ministry He continues to show us here, and we love the people He has brought into our lives and that we are blessed to serve alongside. Bitter: We love our sons and their new wives, our parents, and other family in and around MS. After 10 years on the mission field, I must admit, the goodbyes get harder and harder, yet the returns get better and better. How can that be? I don't know, but as the youth today are saying so often these days "I'm just sayin..." it does.

As I talked to Jesus the second morning back, I cried out to Him in my confusion, how can it be so hard to leave, so sweet to return and asked the Lord as I do every time we return, "Why do You want us here? I mean sometimes I cant see much good we are doing. I mean I know what Your Word teaches about obedience and following, Lord, You know I understand that. I know that we won't always see fruit and that being here is important for so many reasons, but I just want to ask You, why ?? again today"

I must say I was surprised at His answer to me. I expected it to be the same as in the past, something about obeying/following no matter what, which are all great reasons. I was reading/meditating and praying through Luke chapter 21 when He spoke so clearly to me. I was reading about the widow giving it all. " Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them" Lord, have I put it all in? I have left my homeland, my family, now my sons and their new wives to follow You here. I fell on the ice and had to have back surgery..." I hope you are still following me, as i share what I was saying to Him as I read His Word and asking "why??" I read further: "for they all out of their Surplus put into offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on" I continued on "Ok, Lord I am listening. Everything I have ever given was always out of my "surplus". Well, Lord, teach me what it means to give out of my poverty, all I have to live on. That is when i realized that in my crying out to Him at that moment, I was as poor in Spirit as could be, I was weak, I was completely dependent on Him. That was my answer to why?? I asked and He answered and it was a different answer since ever coming to the mission field.

Lord, why did you bring me here? His answer was as clear as if He were speaking out loud, deep into my heart and spirit: I can be with you here, my Patsy, like you won't let me be anywhere else. In this place you are more dependent on me than any other, you are poorer here than any place else. It is in this place alone, right now in your life, right where I have you, that you can truly give out of your poverty, all you have. WOW. He can be with me here like I wont let Him anywhere else. He desires to be with me that much, to love me that much. And let me tell you it is a sweet fellowship, a sweet place, a place I want to stay, wherever I am !!

I don't know about you and where you are at this year, physically, spiritually or emotionally, but I pray that you will "put in all you have to live on", and out of your poverty (need) not your surplus. That you will be put in places, hard or easy places that will cause you to depend, trust and need Jesus more than ever in 2010. Out of that relationship, He will take you where you need to go, get your through anything you are going through and speak through you to every person He wants to draw to Himself. I encourage you to take the time to read through Luke 21 someday soon.

Lord, let everything You bring into my life this year, lead to an opportunity for my testimony !