April 13, 2005
“I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:11
This past month I was blessed with a visit from my parents and aunt during Easter.
It was so wonderful
to have them see a part of my life right now and to put faces to names
of those that I have told them about. During the Easter Play on
Easter Sunday my parents presented the banner that Donna Wandke from
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church had made
. Every time I
look at it now I am reminded of the love from back home and the body of
believers all around the world working together for God's kingdom.I was given a wonderful image of sheep during my visit up to Scotland. As the tour bus that my parents, aunt, and myself were on, pulled up to the side of the road a heard of sheep started to run towards the bus all following each other one by one. These sheep didn’t know who we were or what we were doing there, but it reminded me of how dependent the sheep are on the shepherd.
Even today the Shepherd is there to guide them to new pastures, help
deliver the newborn lambs, make sure all of them are counted for, keep
them out of danger, and so much more that I am not even aware
of. As I am over here in Wales this year 
I have continually been reminded of how dependent I am on
God. This year has been difficult to be pulled from my
comfortable surroundings of home, my friends to talk to, and the
worship style that I am used to. In a way all of the volunteers
from overseas have felt as though we are the lost sheep in the
wilderness. But as those sheep that ran towards our bus in
Scotland, Jesus is there to welcome you and me into His arms and He
isn’t a stranger, He is our Good Shepherd. He has amazed me more than
once how he continually pursues me know matter what. It has
been humbling to be constantly reminded of how I am not in control of
anything that happens here, but amazing to be used by God in his
awesome plan.This past week a woman from Penrhy’s came to church for the first time in 9 years and it was so wonderful to have her with us during Worship. You never know how a simple smile or a just listening to someone might affect them. "Keep smiling… It’s one of the best advertisements for God… it makes people wonder what you’ve got…”
I love how God continually guides us on our journey just like the sheep. Recently God has started guiding me in my next step in life as this year comes to a close. Next year I will be attending Luther Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota and will be working on receiving my masters in Youth and Family. I look forward to this next chapter in my life and growing more in my relationship with the Lord.
Thanks to all who have sent wonderful e-mails encouraging me in so many ways. It means so much to me to read your letters. Thanks also to the many prayers that have gone out for Penrhy’s. It’s so encouraging to see the body of Christ at work.
I love you guys!
And if there are any prayers that you would like to share I would love to pray for you or someone else. I always love hearing what is going on with you all!
“Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3
In Christ’s Love,
Kari