set the pace
as i walk forwards i realize i have to look backwards at the things that i have done or left behind in my journey.Anywase, lifes been busy lately and ohh man i am finding it hard to even have one nite to myself so every week i pick a nite where that nite is all for me. ONLY ME> it is soo needed i am much an extraverted person but i totally need to be by myself some times.
anywase here is an up datethis is my prayer letter soo sorry that it may not be soo fun for you....
Dear Friends, Nov 17, 2005
Wow, I find it hard to believe that, I have been at home in Sebringville, Ontario for about two months now. To my surprise, God is also in Stratford just as much as he was in Vancouver - who knew that God could be in two places at once J From the time when I came home I have dealt with struggles and have had many successes.
Coming home for me is much harder then what it is for some, coming from a Christian supported living to a pre-Christian or non-Christian living setting. Living with my parents is a hard thing because I don’t want to see either of my parents die and not spend eternity with Jesus. It always is a challenge to come home to a place where my family doesn’t understand who I am, what I am about, or why I do the things I do. Currently though my dad is asking me questions and reading the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. This is quite exciting to see God work in someone so important to you as your parents. Pray that as my dad continues to read the book that God would speak to him and continue to stir up questions in his heart.
When I decided to come back home I didn’t really know why I was doing it, I just knew I had to. At first it was frustrating cause there were no jobs available, my car broke down to a point that I had to get a new one, my colitis was acting up, my parents were on my case, and I felt like I had no friends. I asked God many times why I was home because I didn’t see a good side to things. But I remained faithful to God and said to myself “God is faithful. God will pull through.” My thoughts we true and within a week God had rewared me for being faithful. I got a job working at the YMCA as a daytime lifeguard and I got a cheap but good car, and I managed to make two very good friends.
So what’s next, You may ask? Well I don’t really know! I find that as the pool is quite and very isolated, I have lots of time to myself and I can basically use it as I please, just as long as I am watching the water…sometimesJ . As a result, I have been using the time at the YMCA to pray and have more conversations with God. Where God has been giving me a vision and a stronger passion to work is with young people. I would appreciate it if you would pray as I go though this “transition” period - as I listen to God and search His journey for my life. Pray also that God would continue to use me to impact the youth who I come in contact with.
Also, as many of you know, this summer I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. The inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, causing diarrhea. Ulcers form in places where the inflammation has killed the cells lining the colon; the ulcers bleed and produce pus. Right now I think I am in a state of remission where I am not experiencing much pain or symptoms. This disease is causing me to eat certain foods which my body can digest and deal with. Currently I am not taking many drugs, only vitamins, but I am still seeing a doctor once a month and sometimes even two or three doctors a month. Please pray for complete healing.
This past weekend I also attended a leadership conference with Youth For Christ. This training week was exciting because I got to meet a lot of other people who are passionate about youth and reaching the next generation for Jesus Christ. My favourite part was meeting people who poured into me and wanted to see me grow. Every morning one of the training team members gave a devotional. On Wednesday morning, Brett Andrews, who is the National Director of Leadership and Resources for Youth For Christ Canada, shared with us a quote: “How will we reach a generation that listens with its eyes and thinks with its feelings?” That is a beautiful question because it shows the reality of how youth understand things. He later answered the question with, “We will reach them by proclaiming a gospel that is not only heard but seen and felt.” That whole statement to me is astonishing because it speaks truth. Youth want to see and feel things not just hear them.
So pray as I go on living in Ontario - living a real Jesus like life. May He bless you and keep you well throughout the rest of the year. Thank you once again for your support and love for the life God has given me.
Sincerely,
Faye Smith
(check me out online for a more day by day update at www.throughthegreatunknown.blogspot.com)
Thank You..
To my home church Memorial Baptist who sponsored me to attend the Leader Shaping conference with Youth for Christ. I couldn’t have went with out your support.
Suzi Higgins who year after year shares her life with me and guides me in all walks of life.
Frank Braun who encouraged me to continue with Youth For Christ.
Amanda Laycox who keeps me accountable and loves me day after day
Ruth Smith who invited me over for lunch and shared her wisdom with me
To my small group who continues my thinking and gives a great sense of community
YFC staff who provide a sense of family in just a week
Rob, Iona, Jan, and Brian who set amazing examples for me to follow last year and challenged me to become a real woman of God
To the YMCA for providing work for me and great staff to work with
To my parents for having patience with me
Rodney Robinet who continues to show me what a young man of God looks like
To the Maranger family for continually showing your love and support for me
To everyone who has been praying for my health. Especially memorial for keeping the bulletin updated and praying for healing
The many people in British Columbia who have touched my life and shared Gods journey through their lives with me
To the LifeTeamers,’ of my year or the years before who pray and support me
To the Youth who I’ve gotten to know and each one of you has taught me so much
To my family for many reasons
To YC who is my family also
To my small group who challenges me and walks with me
Youth Net members as you continue to remind me of the unity that Jesus wants for us
Youth for Christ family for always believing in me and encouraging me
To the Doctors who look after me
To each one of you who have cared for me and influenced me in some sort of way that helped in my journey of life
Thank You most importantly to God who is so super duper amazing and continues to put me in awe of all that he does. Thank you for continually speaking to me, comforting me, guiding me, loving me, showing me grace, forgiveness, mercy, for being who you are and allowing me to see who you truly are. It’s all possible from you offering your son so that I could live thanks God, I love you.
posted by Sojourner @ 6:09 PM
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