| Penrhy's
Newsletter 3 October 14, 2004 Hello, Many lessons are to be learned as you enter into another part of God’s awesome plan. It’s not always easy and its not always hard, but its always important. It’s about the journey that God takes us on as he shapes and molds us into the piece of clay that he wants us to be. I am completely humbled each day as I make mistakes and fall down but the Lord blesses me so much each day by all that is happening here. I don’t even know if I can completely write down all of my experiences and thoughts as accurately as I want to, but I am going to try my best. “But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will no receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter into it.” Luke 18:16 I am completely blown away each day by the children here. The things that they ask and the things that they see that we don’t is amazing. And even though they have their moments when they really are so wild you can’t do anything to control them, its those moments when they say the perfect things or do the cutest things that make you see what Jesus means when he talks about entering the kingdom of heaven as a little child. Many of the children that I work with do not have the love and structure of the families that many of us come from. It makes me realize how blessed I have been to grow up in a household of love, discipline, and an overflow of affection. Many questions have gone through my mind of why God would allow all of these things to happen to these little children who don’t even ask for it and how can I change it. But its not God creating all of this heartache and its not for us to change, its up to God to change things. He has allowed me to rest in his peace and know that he is in control. The other day at church there were two little girls about age 5 who have been coming to Sunday school regularly and they were asked what the cross is and what it means to them. And when they answered with such confidence that it was Jesus who dies on the cross for us because he loved us so much. It made me want to cry at their innocence ad pure joy of truly believing that answer with their whole heart. It gave me a peace just knowing Gods hands were already at work in their hearts. During piano lessons I am continually amazed at these children’s desire to learn and work hard at it when most of them don’t even have pianos to practice on. To see them light up when they have accomplished playing a song that they sing like, “ Old McDonald” and “Mary had a Little Lamb” truly makes you realize how awesome little things are. Another example of children’s hearts was while I was on a school bus with a woman from Penrhys who drives handicapped children to school. One boy asked me where I lived and I explained that I lived in a church up in Penrhys. He then asked why? I told him that I was serving the Lord for a year. "Why?" was the next question out of his mouth. If you think about it, it was an awesome question. Do we adults ask questions so openly when we don’t understand? The boy next to me told the other boy its because she believes in Jesus. Ok you have to just sit there and love the way God works. I don’t think I go a day without talking about God with someone and let me tell you it’s not me at all. It’s all God. I have already learned so much from children here in Penrhys. First, their confidence and innocence is such an asset in our walks with the Lord. Truly coming before the Lord knowing it’s not about us but knowing he is in control is what God wants. Secondly, the children’s excitement over little things during the day is amazing. We could all use a bit of excitement over what God is doing in every minute of our lives. Just look around you, you will be amazed. Lastly, children have such a curiosity for things in life and they always want to know more. By allowing ourselves to go to God with everything is what he wants. He wants us to ask him things without hesitation. But I think one of the greatest lessons that I am learning is about Love. Love comes in many forms and each one is amazing. But it’s through the Lord that we can truly love and be loved. I will end with a verse from 1 John 3:18 “ Dear Children, let us love not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” I miss u guys sooo much and hope to see you all at Christmas!!!! In Christs Love, Kari |