You know how people go on a mission trip and come back fired up? They share pictures and testimonies, and you listen politely and share their excitement. But eventually you grow a little tired of hearing them yak about their stories and wish they’d talk about something else?
Ooh, I can feel you squirming, but stick with me. I’m just being real.
You see, when you’re the participant, you come back overflowing with stories. You can’t help but share it with anyone who’ll listen.
When you’re the spectator, you can share in the excitement up to a point, but – since we’re being brutally honest – it’s impossible to have the same level of enthusiasm. It just IS because you weren’t there.
I feel your pain. You’ll be relieved to know I keep some posts in Draft Mode, ready to schedule for such a time as this. I’ll be rolling out a couple of those in the coming weeks so you won’t feel smothered by Guatemala. But…
Would you permit me one last random post from the trip?
I want to reflect on some of the wonderful new friends I made.
We had some great days of service and some awesome times of worship. I had several chats that allowed me to take a little peek inside hearts. Of course we know that we’re all parts of the body and God uses us all to accomplish His purposes, etc. etc. but it’s exciting to meet some new body parts and hear how God is moving in their lives.
For some, it’s a complete change; for others, it’s a more intent focus.
For some, it’s about career; for others, it’s about ministry.
For ALL of us, it’s about a stirring of hearts.
It’s made me take another look at myself. I know I need to make adjustments in certain areas, but there are a couple of new things that have me a little… well, overwhelmed. I can’t help but wonder what might be on the horizon.
Whatever it is, you can be sure I’ll be all fired up and yakking about it.
Now all of you together are Christ’s body, and
each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.
~1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)
What about you? What are some ways YOU serve in the Body?
(PLEASE SHARE! You never know when your comment might spark an idea for someone else. Just another way the Holy Spirit moves in the Body of Christ!)
Oh Susan, Keep the flame burning! It’s been 8? years since I went to Nicaragua, and I am still fired up. You know, more than most, that I do what I can to support this mission, even if it is collecting bowls to send, making note cards to give to the pastors there, sending money…whatever. Whether your mission is there, or here (Bethany Hall), STAY FIRED UP! Don’t ever be content to just “sit in the pew and be stroked”. BE THE CHURCH!. I’m so proud of you! xoxox
You’re sweet, TK, and I’m glad your flame hasn’t got out either! Yes, I’ll never be one to sit and be stroked
Keep the stories coming, Susan! They stir my heart and spur me on to accomplish those things that the Lord has for me to do. Yak away, my friend!
One way I serve the body is to lead a community ladies Bible study. The Lord laid it on my heart when we began attending a non-denominational church. They focused on small groups but didn’t have any structured teaching environment other than Sunday services. I enjoy small groups but personally feel they have a different “calling” than a bible study. So, I emailed a few friends, found a place here in town where we could meet, and in the past four years I’ve seen God do amazing things. It’s become a place where women from all different churches gather to learn about our AWESOME God and I thank Him often for the opportunity.
Bless you, Susan!!
WOW, Cathy. I didn’t know the story behind your study, but I’m so impressed (in a godly way) at how your group has grown over the years. I’d love to hear some of your stories, and I’ll funnel mine in here and there. Just enough to keep you interested
Thanks for stopping by today!
Susan, I love hearing your Guatemala stories and can totally understand your enthusiasm. The closest the Lord has brought me to missions work is when I was a counselor at a camp for abandoned and abused children, a cause very dear to my heart. It was a chance to touch hurting and yearning hearts in a totally real way, and I have not been the same since. AND I have shared my story of that week more times than those close to me probably care to say.
These days God has given me a whole new mission which I can thankfully work on from home. And the Lord is blessing me every day by sharing His Word through me to people I will probably never know about.
Hold on to that fired-up feeling, Susan. God placed that in your heart for a reason, even if it is not clear yet. You know you’re in my prayers every day, Sister!
Love…hugs…blessings!
~Anna
You’re the BEST, Anna! And I’m loving your scripture posts every day. Yes — you never know how the Lord will use those to encourage someone on the other side of the world. I try not to look at my analytics, but every now and then I look and find hits from the most unusual places. Isn’t the internet an awesome tool for spreading the gospel and encouraging the Body?
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my stories, and promise I’m holding on to the passion. More stories will come
Thank you for praying for me every day. I appreciate that more than I can say!
Love, hugs and blessings back-atcha!!
I could listen to your Guatemala stories all day!!! I know you had a fabulous time and have left with a heavy heart, wondering what else you could do. But that’s what makes it real. I am so thankful for your blog and to live vicariously through you!!!
I love you, my friend!!!!
I love you too, Sandi, and I’m SO dragging you with me next time
I love “meeting new Body Part”! Great Expression! I love hearing about your trip, I wish I could have been with you. Love you!
I want you to go on the next one! I’ll keep you posted
Love you too, Di!
Oh, how I love you, my fired up friend!!! And I’m always happy to hear you yak…especially face to face!
I wanna go to Charlotte and be fired up in your face!! LOL, Love you, Kristi. Hope to see you soon!
Susan,
I love the power of a story and you continue to bless us as you share about your trip to Guatemala. I also understand how overwhelming missions trips can be.The culture shock both over there and here does make us wonder what’s next. God is continuing to stir my heart these days to “stir up the gifts” within me…which include encouraging the body of Christ. I love your thoughts about the different body parts and the joy of meeting new sisters in Christ. Thanks for being a “body lifter” as you continue to lift up Jesus through your writing, teaching, and sharing.
Oh Glenda, how humbling it is that you consider me a “body lifter” when YOU are such a sweet body lifter yourself! I love that God continues to stir our hearts at every age! I want my heart to stay “stir-able”
Yes, a trip to a third world country will do a number on you, that’s for sure. I’m still trying to make sense of some things here, and that will probably continue for a long time.
I’m not squirming! I’m so glad that you share, since I didn’t go. It is good to see how different people fit together to serve God- it’s nice to be able to respect and appreciate talents at work in others. I’ve been thinking lately of how I can best use my gifts to serve- and while I was reading from Genesis in front of our church on Sunday, I could feel it – “I’m meant to do this,” I thought. It’s nice when those moments of clarity hit you. I feel confident about my gifts to read and teach.
Wow, Julia – you had that “aha” moment this past Sunday? That’s great! Can’t wait to see how the Lord develops that in you. We need to meet for lunch soon. I’ll text you and lets work that out
Believe me when I tell you–your time in Guatemala (and Alene’s time–Hi there Alene in the photo!) will never get old with me!
How do I serve…let’s see. I’m a Sunday School teacher for the 4 and 5 year olds but really–that blesses me more than it does them I’m sure. they show me faith in childlike fashion…just the kind I aspire to.
I’m in a small group of young adults and the funny thing is–I’m the oldest one there! ack! it’s a whole new experience — when someone asks a question, all eyes first turn to you — I’m enjoying the comedy of it all;)
I’m giving a devotional at a baby shower tonight. I’m speaking at a mentoring event for the ladies in our church — my first time… and when God knocks on my door, I open it. I say yes. make myself available because there’s no telling what He can do through me! {HUGS}
Ok, Nikki, and on top of that – you homeschool your kids! Your plate is FULL, and still you serve and keep Him first. You’re an inspiration. No wonder those young eyes turn to you
And yes – isn’t Alene the BEST? Love her!! Excited to return to Guatemala with her for even MORE stories!
Susan — love this!! It was amazing to see how God swooped in a spoke to each of us in such unique ways. Part of me wonders if it was because we were out of our routines, in a quieter world with less “tech” chatter. Oh how I long for that world again. I can’t wait to go back.
And HEY NIKKI — you should pray about coming. Not sure of dates yet, but we’ll be getting more info out as we get it together. I know you serve so much here, but the “gift of perspective” I received from Guatemala was priceless.
LOVE YOU BOTH!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Alene! I still feel like I’m floundering from the trip, but in a really good way. When I wrote my article for Christine, I realized just how much.
And YES, wouldn’t it be awesome if Nikki went? And Dolly! And… I think we should start a list
Susan,
I love this and I love your post! God is in the business of stirring hearts isn’t He? One thing recently the Lord is getting me fired up about is reaching beyond my comfortable zone with relationships and taking bold steps of inviting people for dinner who may or may not know the Lord.
And, He’s getting me worked up about teaching His Word. Our church has very young believers who don’t know the basics of the Bible and Christianity and my husband and I have been swirling ideas in our heads (our building doesn’t have space for adult Sunday school), as to how we can meet their needs.
And, (I know this is a lot), but God has me grieved over many marriages that I know of that are in the toilet; even Christian marriages. Several ladies have recently confessed things to me that break my heart.
Anyhow, that’s enough for now.
Much love to you dear!
Love, Hester
Oh wow, Hester, that’s a LOT of stirring. And so many great needs — where to begin? I’m glad you shared that. I’ll add that to my journal entry for you. I know He’ll lead you to the right things at the right times. With spring sports starting, I imagine you’ll have lots of opportunities to invite the boys’ friends (and their families!) for a fun meal. It makes me miss our fun times with baseball
Love and hugs to you, sweet gal
Keep it going girl….it is so motivating when you talk about your exprience in Guatemala. Almost signed up to Mexico City for March 9th but hubby did not give me his blessings….so….. I guess not. I look forward to everyday even tho I am just staying home Mon I get to work at the foodbank & meet some friends, esp. the women inmates who wears orange uniform. Last year I was a new worker at the foodbank & I wore my orange flip flops & I asked one of the inmate if I can have an orange top to go with my flip flops she thought I was making fun of it, I was serious. Mark gave me this look!! OK . Then on Tues I get to go to the Awanas & goof off with the cubbies. Tonite I get to meet a friend for coffee to talk about our plans for Central America (yes I will let you know if something comes up). Thursday I get to go to my Bible Study
. I even look forward to see my dentist tomorrow, ugh! I get to make the snacks for SS Class. Seriously we need to drag Sandi N. somewhere. Love ya 
You’re amazing, Anita. I want to be like you when I grow up — Always learning and doing new things! And GOING places! Can’t wait until our next adventure, and YES — we’ll be dragging Sandi
Dear Susan,
I love your enthusiasm…I think when God gives you the gift of going then you share that gift by sharing with us…btw…Mucinex (1200 mg guafanesin) will help with the sinus congestion, it is OTC…my allergist rec it for me when I kept getting sinusitis…FYI because you’ve had this for a while, and friends tell friends….
Right now most of what I do is local except for the praying and giving which is not…praying about whether there is a trip we can do as a family…serve together.
So grateful for you and your friendship, Susan
Thanks, Dolly. Yes, I started my head cold cocktail: Mucinex, Motrin and Sudafed, with a Neti treatment thrown in every few hours and a Vitamin C chaser. Ugh. Can’t take the extended release Mucinex because it makes me lightheaded, so I’m popping pills every 4 hours. And Steve is sick too, so we’re a sad, stuffy couple!
I’m not surprised that you serve locally. In fact, it’s our first mission field! Maybe the Lord will give you the green flag to go on our Guatemala trip in the fall?
Thanks so much for checking in on me, and for praying. You’re a treasure, Dolly
I’ve begun to serve in some ways that surprise me, in addition to the ones I’ve always loved (teaching/speaking). Discovering that middle school kids are AWESOME was a total surprise. I spend Monday nights co-leading a Bible study for those that want to go deep, and Wednesday nights in the mayhem of youth group. It’s fun to have God surprise (and change) me.
Wow, Kirsten! I’m a big fan of co-leading, especially with an in-depth study. I co-teach a class, and it’s nice to have an occasional breather. I knew about the teaching/speaking, but youth too? Whoa — Your weeks are FULL!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by each week. I really appreciate your encouragement
Susan, you surely have the gift of peeking into hearts. I love how that was your desire. So blessed by you!
You’re so sweet, Mandy. Thank you so much for the prayers and encouragement during (and after!) my trip.
I don’t get tired of your Guatemala stories! Perhaps it’s because I have done local work that has been similarly life-changing, so I understand completely the “SQUEEEEE! I just have to share this AMAZING EXPERIENCE with everybody!!” BTW, you don’t come off like that.
I am glad you are sharing about your trip so much. You just never know who might wander in for a drink of your deliciousness, and wouldn’t it be wonderful for them to feel the joy of that service, that stepping out of your comfort zone?
You’re sweet, Kim — I’m glad you can identify! And you’re right about not knowing who may stumble upon a post. I actually had that happen a couple of weeks ago — a total God-incidence!
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting
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