First day in England

Today marks my first full day here at The Kings Lodge. :]

After many flight delays and missing my bus, I arrived yesterday at about 4:30 in the afternoon. Jet and Edward were so welcoming and excited to see me. I got settled and we had super with the group. 

Everyone I meet says something like, "Oh! You're Anna! We've been praying for you for weeks!!!" or "Anna! You've arrived! An answer to prayer right before my eyes". I'm not quite sure how to think about it all yet. 

The Kings Lodge is beautiful!!! The room I'm in is lovely and has two majestic windows that  overlook the front lawn. There are people here from England, America, Germany, Brazil, Korea, Malaysia, Amsterdam, among others. And someone from South Africa will be arriving later.  :]

I'm excited for the opportunity to experience it all. Daan is so much fun and so easy-going. He likes my nose and my glasses the bast so far. :P It's cool because Jet confirmed what I felt during my quite time this morning; that it's ok for me to take care of myself.  And in fact, that I need to value myself especially while I'm here, if only so that I can serve more wholly. 

There is a man from Kentucky here and also a British Lady who lived in my neighborhood and who's husband used to teach at OSU. :] How cool is that? :]

Dinner [main meal of the day] is at 1pm (in 30 minutes) so I better go. Jet lent me a book on parenting that I am going to read through. :] Praise the Lord, it hasn't rained yet! It is so sunny and beautiful out! 

Please feel free to send me a letter if you want *wink wink* the address is:

The King's Lodge 
               Watling Street
               Nuneaton
               Warwickshire 
               CV10 0TZ
               England

Have a great day! Leave me a comment so I know you read this. :) 

God bless and keep my family and I in prayer!

In Him^,

Anna :]

Boldness

"Whatever situation you are in, remember, God always knows something you don't"

What does boldness mean to you?

Boldness is talking to a God you can't see.

Boldness is praying for someone other than yourself.

Boldness is listening for whispers from Jesus.

Boldness is understanding when He whispers.

Boldness is hearing a request from God.

Boldness is following through.

Boldness is speaking.

Boldness is conversation.

Boldness is making a fool of yourself.

Boldness is speaking the name of Jesus. (Out loud)

Boldness is telling people God cares for them. 

Boldness is pushing through fear.

Boldness is saying yes.

Boldness is saying no.

Boldness is being open to change.

Boldness is being ready.

Boldness is understanding.

Boldness is seeing.

Boldness is doing.

Boldness is love.

Boldness is passion.

But most of all, boldness is simply being in the presence of Jesus.

 

"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." -Hebrews 4:15-16 (New Living Translation)

I especially like the way the New International Reader's Version puts it:

"We have a High Priest who can feel it when we are weak and hurting. We have a High Priest who has been tempted in every way, just as we are. But he did not sin. So let us boldly approach the throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it." 

The biggest step we can take. The boldest thing we can do, is to simply approach the throne of grace. 

And when we become overwhelmed with fear or anxiety or anything that would hinder us from Him, remember, God is bolder than you can ever imagine. Jesus made God accessible to us so that we can come to Him and receive the gifts He has to give us. 

I started this week out thinking that my life would continue on the way it was. I thought the most challenging thing God had for me at the moment was to learn to be more bold. I never thought God would choose to show me just how bold HE can be. 

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." - Hebrews 11:8