Getting Up

A friend asked me today, "What is success?"  My response was "getting up".  Debbie will think I mean "getting out of bed in the morning", but my answer is so much more than the simple act of will it takes to get oneself out of bed.  Life has a way of knocking us down.  Have you ever watched a baby learning to walk?  They fall, they get up, sometimes they are scared to get up, but sooner or later, they will try again.  The bad bumps and bruises don't come until later, after they have learned to walk.  When they head for the stairs or try to exit a door.  Of course later, there is the bicycle, the skateboard, the motorcycle, the hang gliding and on and on the list goes.  The point is: they get up, they continue to grow, they reach for new experiences.  Do they fall?  Yes.  Do they get hurt? Yes.  Do they get up? Yes! Success is getting up when you fall.  Success is trying again. 

Coy Gnade made the statement that everyone is getting a divorce.  This teenager cries out for security in the home.  The sad truth is the home is the very place we get knocked down the most.  It is the place where we feel the pain most.  It is the place where we have the most trouble getting back up.  It is the place the devil attacks most.  Sometimes it feels as if he can suck the energy right out of our bodies.  The desire to get up is gone.  The strength is gone.  The willingness to face the problem head on is gone.  We fall flat on our face.  We blame the failure on our spouse, our children, our spouse, our finances, our spouse, our church, our spouse, our government, our spouse, our parents and usually...on our spouse!  I always think of Job here, he didn't blame God exactly, but he did say; "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away."  I remember years ago, writing in my journal that life could not be sweeter, brighter... just a few days before I received some of the most devastating news of my life!  I fell from the mountian peak into the abyss.  And I put the blame on every doorstep... except the devils and on sin, right where it belongs. 

My gracious God taught me through the trying times.  He stayed with me.  He lifted me up and he helt me, until the fear was less and I was ready to try to get up, try to walk again.  Through His strength, I became stronger.  As I look over the trying times in my life, I see that God was always there.  He provided exactly what I needed, when I needed it.  I also see that in times of trial, I ran to HIM.  I prayed, I read my Bible, I reached out for God and He was there.  I learned to depend upon Him in my time of need.  I can get up, by the grace of the Almighty God, I can get up, one more time!

I thank God for His love and care for me.  I thank God for each valley and each mountain top.  I believe I will appreciate and enjoy the mountain tops more than ever I could . . . because of the valleys. 

Feburary 12, 2010

How beautiful the wide expanse of  'white' lawn between my trailer and Rebecca's home!  The smoke from the chimney disappears into the grey skies.  This is our third snow this year!  North Texas received their fair share this time; somewhere around ten inches.  One can only hope this is the last of it for this season!  But, then again, it is early yet.

Lee called me this morning from Lanny's phone. Lanny stopped by with his bus to have breakfast with them, before continuing his trek to Oklahoma. He hopes to be here tomorrow evening. Lee talked excitedly a few moments, then said, "Mama, it is hard to do this (Wii) and talk on the phone."

Today, is Ronny McKnight's birthday. He is 62 years old. How quickly time seems to pass. As we look backward, it is like the chimney smoke that quickly drifts into the grey sky. A scent left for a short moment then, gone.

Beside the fireplace in Rebecca's Dream House is the place to be on this winter wonderland day.  The snow continues to fall, turning the dull browns of winter into beautiful white.  As long as I don't remind myself of having to walk home in a little while, I can enjoy it!

Randy and Gwendolyn left Jimenez Tuesday, after lunch.  Wednesday morning they were at Mary's and today (Friday) they are in Virginia.  An arduous trip under normal circumstances, but racing against the elements, pulling a trailer and wrestling with sinus problems makes it a real hardship for Randy. 

Because of the winter storm, Randy made the decision to drive through the southern states to Tennessee, then across to Virginia.  I missed seeing everyone, but know they will be back this way soon.  Lanny did get to see them for a little while.  He said William was laughing a lot. They grow so quickly, or is it, time marches onward?

Family Ties - Changes

How things change in our lives!  When I started Family Ties seven months ago, Randy, Gwen and their four were busy in Jimenez and Rhyan was working toward Central America.  Lanny and I were living in the trailer behind Jeff and Rebecca's house in Mineral Wells while Rhyan and Lauren were packing the big ol bus with all their belongs from inside Jeff and Rebecca's old house.  Jeff and Rebecca were moving into their dream house in McAlester. It is amazing to just look at where we are today!

Randy, Gwen and their FIVE have left Jimenez and are on their way to Thailand!  Lauren has completed her language classes and they are finishing deputation to return to Central America.  My trailer is now behind the "dream house" in McAlester.

Tommy and Mona have spent much time on the field in Chiapas and are now on deputation!  Randy and Gwen have made a trip to Thailand and Lanny and Randy made a trip to India!

David and Jolene had a beautiful Jewish lady saved while on their anniversary in Jerusalem!  They moved into their new home.  Billie had another of her ladies banquets with souls saved.  Praise God for each testimony shared, each soul saved.  To God be the Glory! 

I spent a month with Lauren and Rhyan in Antigua, Guatemala.  I spent a month in Cd. Jimenez, Mexico with Randy and Gwen.  I've made three other trips back to Jimenez.  I've been to Monterrey and to Missouri. 

About six o'clock, last Saturday evening, Richard Henry Ashcraft; Uncle Bud, closed his eyes on earth and opened them in Heaven.  He was three months short of ninety-five!  God blessed him with a long, fruitful life.  He spoke of Jesus as naturally as one speaks of a brother or neighbor.  He spent much of his time on earth telling others of Jesus Christ.  I am honored to have met him and I joyfully include myself as his niece.

January, 2010, here we come!! 

   

Thanksgiving

It would be best to change this page for something else. It is not working as well as I had hoped.

William Randyle Ashcraft

What a big name for such a little bundle! He gave us a scare, arriving a little too early, however, he is just fine. He can be heard when he is hungry, his lungs work just fine! His Mommy is doing better than anyone expected. Stitches will be removed tomorrow from the cesearean surgery.

All the children love to watch him and take turns holding him.

Thank you for your prayers.

Family

Lauren's family left Guatemala City today returning to the USA. Gwen's leaves Chihuahua City tomorrow returning to the USA. I know both families have enjoyed having parents (and grandparents for Lauren) visit. Family encourages us. Family listens to us, cares for us, shares with us...prays for us.

The gift of family is a precious one. I praise God for the family He chose for me. I loved to have them visit us on the field. My Mom and Dad visited us when we were in El Barrial and when we moved to Cd. Jimenez. Once when they visited us, Bro. Carlos Demarest was there with a group. We had such a good time. At the end of the week, we received a phone call that my niece, Tammy, was very, very ill. I remember asking Bro. Demarest to pray for her to recover. He prayed a very sweet prayer for my family and for Tammy and he prayed that God's will be done. He prayed that God would give us strength in whatever we faced. I remember wishing he would have just prayed that God would heal her. I knew that whatever Bro. Demarest would ask, God would do it. And I was right. God's will was to take Tammy home to Heaven and God gave the strength to bear the loss.

Once, my dad came and went fishing with Lanny. They were gone for days. He had the time of his life! His happiest days were fishing. I don't understand why, but I know his mother was exactly the same way and I know that his baby sister; Aunt Clessie, is over 80 years old and still goes fishing every chance she gets!

My dad came when Rhyan hurt his head, he was there just when I needed him, to care for the family. My mom made clothes for all three of them, she quilted to give them quilts to keep them warm. Beverly was there with open arms (and a tongue lashing) when I felt I could not go on. Mary stepped in as 'Mother' to all three of my children when they came to the USA.

How I love Mom and Pop Ashcraft. I love them as I love my very own parents!

I cannot hope to fill the shoes of those before me. I can only ask that God will provide for those He has put in my path. That He will help me to be just exactly what He would have me be. My prayer is that through my weakness, He can be strong in my life.

I pray, one day, Lauren and Rhyan, Gwen and Randy, Rebecca and Jeff will have the opportunity to teach the next generations the value of family. The love of family, the strength of family, a Christ centered family.

As Dr. Wolfenbarger said tonight in his sermon; "Standing Firm on the Gospel", we stand firm because the Gospel has the power to make sons out of sinners; servants out of sons; students out of servants and saints out of students.