fran

Oct 282011
 

This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of my mother’s death. I wish I could say I understood grief, but honestly, the older I get, I conclude, grief still has it’s way of surprising me.

Yesterday I was putting up clothing that I had packed in our crate from the US. I unpacked one of my mom’s blouses, and one of her hats. It dawned on me that this time last year, Oct 30, 2010 when I went home to TX for my mother’s funeral, that I snatched these two articles from her home and packed them in my suitcase for when I return to Taiwan. Then in April 2011, when we left Taiwan to go stateside for 4 months, I had packed the same two articles in my check in luggage, taking them to TX with me. In August 2011 we packed a crate of things to send to Taiwan. Yes, Mom’s blouse and hat tucked among the things, which I rediscovered yesterday!

I haven’t worn them, I just like to pack and keep them and take them back and forth from one side of the world to the other. I recognize the Lord’s comfort here.

Isa 53:4-6

4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him. NAS

When Jesus went to the cross – he even bore our griefs.
How do you know you if have really surrendered your grief to the Lord?
Could it be when you recognize his comfort? Like I said, grief still has a way of surprising me, but better yet, the Lord’s comfort is even greater.

MomsHat

Do you like My Mom’s Hat?

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Aug 242011
 

A Fran Moment:

I love the work of God’s Spirit among the community of believers! In a brief 15-minute conversation with one of my Chinese sister’s, she told how she had been praying for me the past 4 months while I was in the US. Out of her mouth came Paul’s prayer from Phil 1:9-11. Wow! She went on to share how her quiet time with the Lord each day consisted of praying the word of God. This morning, I opened my bible to read the prayer that so easily fell from my friend’s mouth, because it is genuinely in her heart. In my bible I recognized a couple of personal notes jotted beside this prayer: June ’09 – my own prayer for a named loved one’s spiritual condition; and July ’10 – when I last went to BSF – HQ for TL Institute, Phil 1:9 was my room assignment! Again, I love the work of God’s Spirit among the community of believers! Organically, I was pointed back to His love message to me.

Also in this brief 15-minute conversation with this sister, she shared how she has been slowly reading through Psalms 119:1-7, taking it one section at a time, meditating upon it and praying it back to the Lord. Because our time was brief, she didn’t share specifics. So this morning, I turned to Psalms 119:1-7. The first 7 verses provided a full meal of spiritual food to see me through this day. I look forward to tomorrow’s feeding. Again, I love the work of God’s Spirit among the community of believers! My heart is flamed afresh as I reconnect with the body of believers in Taiwan. My heart is spiritually fueled with words of encouragement and direction through God’s word. No wonder we are charged to know the word of God and commanded to not forsake the gathering of His people! Open the word and connect with a brother or sister in Christ today to experience the work of God’s Spirit among the community of believers!

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May 022011
 

My daughter, Paige, planned a “Surprise Momma’s Day Brunch” to honor me and the many mommas that influence and care for her while I live overseas. Most of these women I know, and a few I have heard about over the years.  I am so thankful for the many women that influence her in a variety of ways, pointing her towards Christ – to shine for him.  The table setting was beautiful and the food was fantastic!  Her husband, Chris, took her daddy and dad-in- law fishing while we did the girl thing.  It was a very fun day, full of surprises.

Mom & Daughter

Ladies

Table Setting

Table Setting

Mom & Daughter

Both Fams

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