It seems that over the past year, every time that I’ve been led to think on the Lord and what He is to me, the very first word that comes to mind is “faithful”. Over and over and over again, I find myself thanking Him for being so faithful. It’s something I’ve been thinking through even more so here recently. Today marks 3 years officially cancer-free for me, which is a pretty big deal. Seriously, in my life over the years, time and time again He has proven faithful.
“You’re going out of town today?!” Charis said as I was dropping her off for her first day camp. “But what if you aren’t back to pick me up?!” “Charis, have I ever not picked you up?” “No.” she said. “Have I ever not been there for you?” “No.” came her reply. “I will be t.jpg)
here today too.” I said a little frustrated at her irrational fear.
I felt the Lord gently remind me…”Rhonda, have I ever not provided for you? Have I ever not been there for you?” “Um, no.” I said in my spirit and smiled as I realized Charis’ worry was a reminder to me of my sometimes irrational fears and how the Lord is always there saying the same thing, “I AM FAITHFUL! I have never not been there for you.”
-
-
Rhonda and Clay,
I can completely relate to your fears concerning your girls. When we felt called to become foster parents, our 3 biological children were a huge concern. How would having other children come into our home and live with us effect them? To make a long story short, God has shown me exactly what you already know. My 3 kids were made to be foster siblings. They have loved several other kiddos as if they were our own! It has been such a joy to see!We are praying for you, Clay and the girls! I know God has big plans for you and your ministry!
-
-
-
Meet Mark Zheng. This is the name of a man you will hear about quite a bit over the coming months and years as he is my closest friend and will be working alongside us during our time in Taiwan. He actually lives in Taipei. We had the pleasure of having Mark stay with us for most of the month of April, which was awesome! Our girls had a great time getting to know “Uncle Mark” better, which is great as they’ll have someone locally that they’re really familiar with when we do make the move.
While Mark was here, he graciously sat down to share his story on camera and to answer some questions that will help give you a better feel for what things are like in Taiwan. Right now, we’re going to introduce him and his story. In the video I also share our very first conversation, which was a bit of a “Who’s on first” situation in two languages – classic!
Enjoy…
If you read my husband’s first blog post, he compared his journey to Bilbo Baggins in ‘The Hobbit.’ Well, where he relates to Bilbo, I relate to Kung Fu Panda :) …..seriously though.
I grew up as a pastor’s kid in South Carolina. I can remember in middle and high school feeling frustrated because I was always looked to as a “leader” and always being held to what seemed to be higher standards than other kids around me. I loved the Lord and had a relationship with Him even then. I distinctly remember a moment where I felt like the Lord was saying, “I wouldn’t have put you in this position if you couldn’t handle it.” So, I just embraced my life, looked to the Lord, and did what He asked me to do to the best that I could at that age.
My journey led me through college then overseas where I lived for a year in Poland and a year and a half in Taiwan. I remember trying to pin point what the Lord was “calling” me to in my future and I narrowed it to music or missions or both. I met Clay along the way and together we said forever to what the Lord had for us believing it would be back overseas one day.
A couple of years ago, the Lord showed us we were in the right place and our moving overseas would be coming soon. I kind of freaked out. :) I realized that in the few years leading up to this, there had been many insecurities, questions, and doubts that I had been believing about myself. View full post »
-
-
Bilbo & dragon warrior,
what a team! He doesn’t choose the qualified but qualify those whom He chose!!!
Don’t think it’s delayed. The journey had begun. He has been preparing His vessels in every high and low. He honors your “yes”. The Lord WILL （that’s His desire, His heart, HIs zeal) fulfill His purpose for you!
So proud of you!!!ReplyCancel
The Shire, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” was a beautiful and considerably sleepy little place in the grand scheme of Middle Earth. It was here, after a visit from Gandalf and a group of dwarves, that the ordinary Bilbo Baggins was invited on a journey, a journey for which he initially felt drastically under-qualified, which even made him question the sanity of the one asking. After several initial declines, he decided to say “yes”, and his life changed forever.
“Each step along the journey he had to make a choice…”
He became part of a grander story, one that ultimately helped him realize the depths of his identity, find a greater sense of purpose, and restore things that had gone wrong in the lives of others and the world. Each step along the journey he had to make a choice, he could turn back as things got harder and what lay ahead was unclear and potentially scary, or he could continue on and see through to completion the quest for which he was born.
This story resonates deep within me…
-
-
-
-
-
WOW! It was so good to find you again! I sat with your mom at the OBU Faculty/Staff banquet in August and she caught me up on you and your beautiful family! She accidently stopped by today, looking for another office, and gave me your website and told me about the link for your blog. It is so heart warming to hear how God has brought you into His grander story!!! Keep up the good work, and you will always be in my prayers.
love, Mrs. MarthaReplyCancel
loading
Meryl McGinley - Enjoyed reading your blog. Your message really ministered to me regarding walking forward in faith and believing God to provide. I have found this to be true too. God bless you and I stand along side of you believing for His provision for you all.
Clay Danner - Thanks so much for sharing, Meryl and thank you for standing with us!