Hurry!!

While I was on vacation in a little cabin in the woods in Arkansas last week, I picked up a DVD series called "Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People" by John and Nancy Ortberg.  Each day I would watch one or two segments.  In one of the segments John said, "you must ruthlessly erase 'hurry' from your life."  We usually talk about how busy we are and how we need to remove 'busy' from our lives, but Jesus was often busy. He was busy healing people, teaching, traveling, out by himself talking to the Father, etc...  Basically he was loving and serving others.  You can't hurry love and you can't hurry when you are really serving someone.  He didn't hurry or let people hurry him.  When Lazarus died, the disciples were all concerned because Jesus wanted to stay where they were and finish what they were doing instead of going to Lazarus's side.  Jesus waited a few DAYS before starting the journey to see Lazarus and his family.  He wasn't in a hurry...  He was doing what needed to be done and then going to the next thing. 

This statement hit me like a ton of bricks.  Probably the biggest reason I needed that vacation was that I had been hurrying through life to get it all done, now.  I was getting/allowing myself to be pulled in too many directions at once and not getting very much done well.  The other lesson from both the "Spiritual Disciplines" DVD and the story about Jesus and Lazarus is that I need to set boundaries.  If you are anything like me, that means boundaries on myself and boundaries on others.  I am currently reading a book called "Boundaries" by Cloud & Townsend.  I am only a few chapters in, but so far it is a great book that I highly recommend.  

I am not "fixed" yet :-), but I'm trying to be mindful of the words "hurry" and "boundaries."  Just thought I would share!  Hope you have a great "non-hurried" week!

Jan/Feb 2012 Prayerletter

Hello Family & Friends!

I can’t believe it is already March!  Where is the year going, already?  With a new year has come new volunteers, new volunteer jobs, new ideas, and new plans…  For someone who likes consistency, that is a lot of “new.” :~)

Speaking of new plans…. I am planning a partnership development trip around the end of April through mid-May, the purpose of which is to locate new partners who will provide the remaining 30% of my monthly support.  I would appreciate your prayers regarding where I should travel for this trip and that the last 30% of my monthly support would be raised quickly.  If you have friends that would be interested in supporting my ministry with Wycliffe Associates (WA), would like to host a home group one evening, or would like me to speak at your church, please contact me via email at Paula_Oestreich@WycliffeAssociates.org.  The sooner I can raise this last 30%, the sooner I can commit my attention full time to the ministry of serving Bible Translation.

The second area of prayer I would ask you to pray for is direction for international travel.  Last year I spent 3 months in Cameroon while the volunteer Program Manager was on furlough, and there are needs like that all over the world.  There either isn’t a Volunteer Coordinator in that location or they need someone to fill for a short time.   Please pray that the Lord would clearly guide the decision to go and to the specific location He would have me to fill in.

The third prayer request I have is for my vacation.   I am headed to The Broom Tree Refuge for a week.  It is a cabin in the woods in Arkansas set up for people in full time ministry to take a break and be refreshed.  I leave Sun (3/4) and return the following Sat (3/10).  Please pray that I would have a     relaxing and rejuvenating break, and also quality time with the Lord in the Word and prayer.  I will specifically be praying about the two aforementioned requests…

We praise the Lord for a good volunteer season. 

*Every season we are identifying more areas that volunteers can serve,      thus accelerating Bible Translation (in Dallas and around the world). 

*No serious accidents or injuries.

*New volunteers catching the vision of spreading God’s Word.

Thank you all for your continued prayer and financial support.  I cannot do this ministry without each of you!

**To become a financial partner, click on the "partnership" tab above.

"I Knew What I Was Getting Into" by Misty Edwards

This is one of my favorite songs...

I knew what I was getting into when called you.
I knew what I was getting into when I said your name, but I said it just the same.
I knew what I was getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into.

I knew what I was getting into and I still chose you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into when I said your name, but I said it just the same.
I knew what I was getting into.

And I am not shocked by your weakness.
And I am not shocked even by your sin.
And I am not shocked by your brokenness.

I knew what I was getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still chose you.

Cuz only I can see the end from the beginning.
And only I can see where this is going.
And only I can see the end from the beginning.
And I see in you the seeds of love.
And I see in you strength when all you see is your failure and all you feel is ashamed.
I can see deeper than that.
I know you better than that.

I knew what I was getting into when called you.
I knew what I was getting into when I said your name.
I said it just the same.
I knew what getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.

Your only at the beginning.
You've only just begun and I know where you are going
And all you can see in the moment is that your hurting.
And all you can see in the moment is that your aching.

I knew what I was getting into when I called you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.
I knew what I was getting into when I called you.

Just don't give up.
And don't give in.
If you don't quit. You win, you win.

Just don't give up.
And don't give in.
If you don't quit. You win, you win.

Everything is in my hands.
It's going to be alright.
Everything is in my hands.
It's going to be alright.
It's going to be okay.
Everything is in my hands.
It's going to be alright.
It's going to be Okay.
And you don't have to pretend to be something or someone your not.
Cuz I know you better than that, even better, even better than that.
Listen my Beloved.

I knew what I was getting into when I called you.
I knew what I was getting into when I said your name.
I said it just the same.
I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still chose you.