Life's disappointments =(

We all have disappointments in life... we look forward to something, and it either doesn't happen, or doesn't happen the way were were planning or thinking.  I'm learning more and more that things happen for a reason, though it's so hard to believe it in the midst of tears and sadness.  And obviously, we can't compare disappointments... they are so personal and hurt in different ways.

My parents should be here with us in Nice, France right now.

Well, they aren't.

 (The last time they held Daphné, she was only 7 months-old... I want them to hold her again soon!)

Thankfully, my dad is getting the proper medical care he needs (don't worry, he's fine).  Last minute, the doctors sensed an urgency to remove a melanoma above his eyebrow on his forehead.  His health is WAY more important of course!

I'm still sad.  I've cried everyday, since I talked to my dad late the night before they were supposed to be getting on a plane at LAX.  We have an empty room, a ton of food, an extra ticket to the ballet for my mom and an open schedule.

They would like to try to just postpone the trip by a few weeks... I'm not getting excited yet, until I know more about his surgery on Tuesday, June 21st.  If you pray to God, I'd request your prayers for the doctors to get all the melanoma, that there is no spreading, that he heals completely, AND that they could come soon.

Thanks!

Love Linz

A prayer

Tonio's uncle sent a really sweet note along with this prayer written down (thanks Steve!).  It really impacted me, and I wanted to share it with you.  (I've typed it below for easier reading, including the last verse.)

O persistent God,

Deliver me from assuming your mercy is gentle.

Pressure me that I may
grow more human,
not through the lessening of my struggles,
but through the expansion of
them that will undamn me
and unbusy my gifts.

Deepen my hurt
until I learn to share it and myself openly,
and my needs honestly.

Sharpen my fears until I name them
and release the power I have locked in them
and they in me.

Accentuate my confusion
until I shed those
grandiose expectations
that divert me from the
small, glad gifts
of the now and the here and the me.

Expose my shame where it shivers,
crouched behind the curtains of propriety,
until I can laugh at last
through my common
frailties
and failures,
laugh my way toward becoming whole.

(Guerrillas of Grace by Ted Loder)


I want to pray to God this way ; real, raw, scary and exciting.
Love Linz

answered prayer: horses

One month ago, I prayed for an opportunity to ride a horse.
You can see my journal entry here, dated August 31st.
It had been 3 years since I last rode.

God heard my prayer and responded through my friends Sandra and Jean.
They had no idea I prayed this, but God did, and He loves to bless His kids.
August 15th, Sandra invited me to go with her in a couple weeks to ride.
August 29th, we went riding !!!

 Meet Fiston and Franska.

 Meet Paul, the owner of the horses, and all around crazy cowboy.

 Wet Fiston (he's a boy).

 Me and Sandra = Happy.

 Bareback just after the rain.

 The other girls were fun, some in junior high, some in high school.

Sandra just had a baby (Gabriel - 4 months); I'm glad she's back on a horse.  So is she =).

 THIS is France.

 And this is France by horseback.

 Thankful.  It's hard to express my joy.  Thank you Jesus.

 Franska (she's a girl).

 Alert.

 Beautiful Sandra.

 Sandra, Alice, Friend and Victoire.

 And meet Bingo, a rescue dog that can outrun the horses.  He's so cute.

 Another round.

 Ready to gallop up the hill.

 Gabriel, the future Niçois cowboy.

 More of the crew.

 Jean, Sandra's husband, Gabriel's daddy.

 Me on a little walk with Ilana and Victoire.

In awe of my Creator, the One who made me, made the beauty around us, and made horses.

Do you have a dream like this?  Small?  BIG?  Have you talked to God about it?

God is not a magical genie in a bottle.  He is GOD.  He is GOOD.

 HE wants to know you.  He wants YOU to know Him.

 I'm just blown away at how He is forever faithful.  I'm rich because I have Him in my life.

This day was just a little glimpse of Heaven for me.  Your glimpse might look different.
But all in all, I believe Heaven is a reality, and I know I am going there.
I can't wait !!! Are you sure you will be there?  I hope you are.
It's going to be awesome, and I love that God gives us little previews...


like today...

...spending time with this precious family...



...and enjoying a desire of my heart, riding horses !

I'm sure you already picked up on it,
but I'm so thankful for today.
For me, yes, but I'm also glad I could share it with you.
Not just for the reason of horses, but mostly to share that I have a God who loves me and who loves you too.  I do hope you get to know Him and surrender your life to Him.  There is no greater joy I've experienced !!!

I hope you enjoyed this day with me,
Love Linz

pray

 prier

The key to the missionary’s difficult task is also not the key of common sense, 

La réponse, au problème missionnaire, n'est pas la solution du bon sens, 

 

nor is it the key of medicine, civilization, education, or even evangelization. 

ni le secours médical, ni la civilisation ou l'éducation, ni même l'évangélisation.

 

The key is in following the Master’s orders— the key is prayer. 

La réponse, c'est la prière.

 

“Pray the Lord of the harvest . . . .” -Matt. 9:38

"Priez donc le Maître de la Moisson."

In the natural realm, prayer is not practical but absurd. 

Pour l'homme naturel, la prière n'est pas rentable, c'est une absurdité.

 

We have to realize that prayer is foolish from the commonsense point of view.

Il faut bien reconnaître en effet que du point de vue du sens commun, prier est stupide.

Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. 

Le Seigneur ne nous appelle pas à une "tâche spéciale", il nous appelle à Lui.

 

“Pray the Lord of the harvest,” and He will engineer your circumstances 

to send you out as His laborer.

 "Priez donc le Maître de la Moisson" ; il dirigera lui-même les circonstances de votre vie, 

et vous enverra dans sa Moisson. 

This really taught me something this morning,

so I wanted to share it with you guys.

I hope it changes your perspective, too.

I'm so thankful for such a gracious God.

--Love Linz

read for yourself if you are interested: 

in  ENGLISH

FRANCAIS - remplir la date 16 Octobre