‘You make known to me the PATH OF LIFE; in YOUR PRESENCE there is FULLNESS OF JOY; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’Psalm 16:11
Thanks to my audience for your faithfulness in reading my blogs and following me along life’s path. I love hearing your stories as I travel, see your remarks on Facebook or in the comment section. Please feel free to pass along myblog toothers who might find the stories helpful or the questions asked beneficial.
What an inspiration of hope and joy to know that we can be an encouragement to one another, that we are not alone on this journey.
In this Christmas season I am reminded of Matthew 2:10 where we hear the story of the Shepherds, ‘And when they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.’
‘And the Psalmist tells us in Psalm 16:11b “In your presence there is fullness of joy.’ Psalm 16:11b
We all have our stories but we are part of God’s bigger story together. Let’s keep intentionally telling our God Stories in Praise to God.
SO AS YOU LOOK BACK OVER 2019 WHAT HAS BROUGHT YOU HIS GREAT JOY?
One joy recently, Jim (my husband) and I returned from a trip to Europe where we were with a group of 75 young leaders where we both spoke on the Theme of “Dwelling” for 6 sessions. Shawna, our daughter, also joined us and spoke. It became a beautiful family affair; not to mention an incredible theme.
What a privilege also to serve the next generation. One of the sessions I spoke on was built around the theme of Dwell from Psalm 84.
‘Blessed are those who dwell in your house (the Lord’s) ever singing your praise, SELAH.’ As I practice sitting in His presence and singing praises to Him, my heart longs to draw others along with me. (Even if I cannot carry a tune).
Christ came down to this earth and dwelt among us in order to offer life and eternal life to all. He is ‘Emmanual’ ‘God with us’! God invites ‘us’ to come into his presence, to dwell with Him. One day we can sit with Him forever.
As we sat with these young leaders from all over the world for 8 days we felt God’s love and affection. We dwelt together in His presence. What a joy to hear their Kairos moments (those epoch moments) with God (His Story in their lives) as well as their respective journeys’ of pain over the last year. They vulnerably allowed us to peep into their beautiful hearts. Do not underestamate the power of skilled listening, sitting in God’s presence together hearing one another’s stories and watch God do the healing.
How can we be present and show God’s love for others if we have not learned to experience His personal presence daily ourselves? This reminds me of another story that still lingers in my mind’s eye with much joy but not without a path of pain.
Many of us missional women, along the journey of life, may find ourselves married and with missionary kids (MK’s) or maybe you are a MK yourself or work with a c0-worker that has MK’s.
Taken in 1995 of our Family
I just recently wrote my two middle children of 4 (Shawna and Shane), who are MK’s, and happen to like to write,
” I would like to invite you to write something for my blog if interested? I think my audience would be interested in hearing what you have to say. “What was it like to grow up in the Philippines 🇵🇭 as an MK missionary kid? Good and bad , if any, and in what ways has it impacted your life today ? Or if you were to share one story about your life as an MK what would it be and why ?“
Both of them responded back. Shane, our third child wrote, VIVID DREAM (October 2019) and Shawna our second child, will share one of her stories this week in MY SOUL FELT LIKE ONE OF THEM (NOVEMBER 2019). Both are grown and out of the home. We are very blessed by what they have become. I think you will enjoy their insights.
Psalm 139:16 “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (NLT)
Shawna lives in Pennsylvania, and has been married to Matt Kussmaul, her high school sweetheart since 2010. They have 2 adorable twin boy’s born June 2016. Shawna was born in the Philippines and graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Women’s Ministry. Besides being an active mom she works alongside of us, her parents with our Next Gen Leaders (NGLC), among other things. (www.nextgenleader.net) Shawna, is a young leader in her own right and is an invaluable part of the team with her eye for details, and her compassion, and intuitive understanding of people.
“MY SOUL FELT LIKE ONE OF THEM”
by Shawna O’Neill
ONLY STORY I KNOW
My life as a missionary kid… where to start? Sometimes, you are asked to share your story and you know exactly why it was unique or worth telling and you dive right in. And then other times you are asked to share your story and it is the only story you know, it is your only normal, so you can’t think of ways to tell it so that others can appreciate how different your life was from theirs. This story is the latter of those two. I will do my best to summarize my childhood and why growing up as a missionary kid was unique.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. “(2 Corinthians 12:9)
Many of us missional women, along the journey of life, may find ourselves married and with missionary kids (MK’s) or maybe you are a MK yourself. So I just recently wrote my two middle children of 4 who are MK’s, and happen to like to write and asked:
” I would like to invite you to write something for my blog if interested? I think my audience would be interested in hearing what you have to say. “What was it like to grow up in Philippines 🇵🇭 as an MK missionary kid? Good and bad , if any and in what ways has it impacted your life today ? Or if you were to share one story about your life as an MK what would it be and why ?“
Both of them responded back. This month will be Shane, our third child, and next month will be Shawna our second child, who are both grown and out of the house. We are very blessed by what they have become. I think you will enjoy their insights.
Shane is the editorial director for Proven Ministries, a sexual integrity organization. He is finishing up his graduate degree in apologetics and lives in Lynchburg Virginia. He loves reading, movies, and rock climbing. You can read Shane’s work at https://www.provenmen.org/blog/.
VIVID DREAMS
“I’m 29, and yet I’m still discovering what it means to be a missionary kid (MK) and how that experience has shaped me. Let me take a moment to share two ways I’ve been impacted by being born in a Majority World country. I was born in the Philippines in 1990, and I lived there for the first five years of my life. Many of my memories from the Philippines strike me as a series of vivid dreams, dreams I used to have over and over again, but dreams that suddenly stopped. It’s hard to say how an environment and culture form a person, specifically a child.
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 3:2-3)
Our Family would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas from our Home to yours! Whatever is your life’s journey remember God love’s you so much that He sent His Son as a baby, Jesus (Emanuel With US), who lived, died, and rose from the dead, so that we might have life and life more abundant, eternal life.
May He encourage your heart and help you remember what is important even when things might not be as you expected or would like. And be thankful for the things that you do have. Stop and reflect how God has blessed you then pray about ways to bless others. You are blessed to be a blessing.
As I think of Christmas my heart often is drawn to various people from around the world or people around me who are less fortunate or broken, in need of Christ. People, who may not have a family to spend Christmas with or even heard the name of Jesus. How can I bless?
So what is it like for many overseas Gospel workers to be away from one’s mom, dad, siblings, “back home”, all that is familiar, especially at Christmas and find oneself living in another culture?
Many workers around the world and you may be one, too, wrestle with such conflicting thoughts. I was reminded of this the other day when I read an article in alifeoverseasblog.com “Tis the Season of Incongruity” by Marilyn on December 9, 2018. She helped put into words how one might feel this time of year. She stuggles with it, too, like many of you might.
The beauty of Christmas we often experience over against the hopelessness and brokeness of one’s reality around them gives us time to pause and think of those less unfortunate. Marilyn said “And yet, God’s story has always been a story of conflicting images…..God came into a world of contrasts. A world of the beauty and the broken….. I cannot make sense of this world but He can.” She concludes with
“The words of a Christmas carol”, where she said “I rest in these words”
Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.” 1
Jesus, the True and only one God is the Hope of One’s Faith that satisfies the longing of the human heart. He is the key to the joy that makes sense of life’s incongruences.
I was in my early 20’s when I experienced my first Philippines, Christmas where we moved and would spend the next 13 years calling the province of Bohol home. Recently I found an article (update newsletter) I wrote from that time period. To my surprise it got published. As I read it again it was fun to reflect back on those early days in mission service in Asia. How did I handle that first Christmas away from what I knew to be home, before the Philippines became that place too? Maybe you can relate.
“Christmas time can be one of the hardest times for many missionaries especially when you are 10,000 miles from family. We found that by giving to those around us, we were able to see people brought together. I asked myself. “What am I giving of myself to make this the best Christmas ever for those I love and I am ministering to-like Christ gave of Himself to me?”a
Taking the advice of a friend, we had brought our own Christmas tree (4 ft Tall) with us from the States to our new home in the Philippines. Having it really helped us feel like we had a bit of “home” with us.
Reaching out to other” team-mates “was my next step. I had surprise gifts made for them and then packaged “native-made” gifts to send to our family in the United States.
On Christmas night, we got together with” some of the believers we were serving, “gave them gifts, sang Christmas songs, and presented the Christmas story. In giving to others, we were able to lose some of our home-sickness. We are very thankful for the ministry God has given us to these special people. “2
From the article even in my early 20’s I loved traditions, people, family and opportunities to express and reflect Christ to others. Also I looked for ways to give back to Jesus by giving to others in need.
This year I was given a gift for a free class with Coach Marcia Ramsland (https://organizingpro.com “Simplify Your Holiday Season This Year: Overcome Season Stress with a Plan” .3 Even as a Life Coach myself I still need and love to be coached.
So Marcia stressed the importance of giving time and space for our hearts so it got me thinking about what I might want to cut back on or what I might add to make sure my heart is prepared to serve others during this season. The point is to keep my heart on track with Jesus and the values important to me in the midst of the culture in which we live that doesn’t always lift Jesus up as the reason for the season.
Of course every year is different, so I have been reminded to simplify my Christmas to what I can fit in with whatever schedule given, saying yes to some things and saying no to others.
With all the traveling this year, unlike other years, and with all our children coming this year to celebrate Christmas with us, having Marcia’s class and coaching has helped me stay focused. To keep the main thing the main thing. Her coaching has allowed me to be able to be ready for Christmas both inside and out with much less stress and more time to feel relaxed and be ready for my family coming.
She encouraged us to put Jesus at the top of our Christmas gift list of people to get gifts for. “What can you do for Jesus this year?”. Almost the same question I asked myself in my early 20’s in the Philippines that first Christmas there.
So one thing we did this year was clean the house by getting rid of Christmas ornaments, clothes, etc… we didn’t want anymore but others could use.
We found an organization, “Global Charitable Resource” 4 who provide resources to those who are involved in changing the world. They also provide resources to those in diaspora communities and people around the world who might have greater needs at this time of the year.
Jim also preached a sermon last Sunday on “When Heaven and Earth Meet” on the characters in Luke 1 and 2. This study helped us stop and reflect in a deeper way into the lives of those God tells us about when HE (Jesus) was born into this world many years ago. Today He is still using us to tell His story in the midst of life’s messes.
Can you stop for a moment and reflect on where your heart is this Christmas if you haven’t yet? Seek to feel his presence then ask: what do I need to give up and what gift can I give Jesus this year? It is not yet too late!
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: Where are you this Christmas? How is this Christmas different for you than before? What traditions enhance your season and enrich your life and faith? What can you do this year to make it more simple and less stressful? What ways can you give a gift to Jesus? Would love to hear some of your journey at the end of the section on “Merry Christmas 2018”
From One Pilgrim to another together on the journey,
“Consider how you may spur one another on towards love and good deeds….. encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
One extra resource to encourage your heart during this Christmas season. 12-days-of-christmas-an-audio-devotional by Josh Davis, Founder of Proskuneo Ministries.
“The steps of a man are established by the LORD when he delights in his way; though he falls, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand”. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken…”
Is the Call to Mission still binding even in significant times of change?
Jim and I were called many years ago in college to go to the Philippines. We spent 13 years overseas then God reassigned us back to the USA.
When we first came back to the States this transition seemed like an intrusion to our original calling. We found ourselves in another stage of life. God, how do we live out our calling in this season of life and in this new place? Are we still called to mission even though now we live in “America”?
Today, we continue to give our hearts to the mission of God, to the next generation in leadership development, whether, Majority World Leaders, and/or young leaders in ministry and mission, so that the 2.9 billion Gospel-less peoples who have not had the chance to hear, will. The calling and passion by God has not changed only the places have expanded and specifically collaborating with others to see the commission realized.
Part of that calling responsibility has always been to our family as well. We find ourselves now in the season of “The Sandwich Generation” between aging parents and grandkids. These various seasons and/or stages of life in the midst of the calling is not always easy to navigate. His steps are not always clear. But His call remains a sure marker for our lives.
WHEN SEASON’S OF CHANGE ARRIVE UNANNOUNCED
We received word today from a couple serving overseas, that they just had a miscarriage. The baby was stillborn. Of course, it came in the middle of a busy time of personal transition but yet the fruitful season of ministry. (Not easy!) Where does one land their emotions when this happens? (more…)
“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS SUBMIT TO HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.” Proverbs 3:6
In 1995, after 13 years in the Philippines, we felt God was asking Jim (my husband) to take the Mission’s Professor and Director position at LU. We realized this would be a good next step in multiplying ourselves and God’s Kingdom for the nations. Yet this would not be an easy next move. The Philippines had become home for us!
Let me backtrack, we had been back in the States for Home Ministry for a good one year already. We visited each of our partner churches and individuals, reporting to them the good work God was doing in the Philippines. Reestablishing these relationships with our partners was special.
The kids experienced formal school during our home assignment for the first time since leaving the Philippines where we home-schooled them. God had provided a beautiful old bed and breakfast home on a cow and corn farm in Lancaster, PA, that had been converted into an apartment for us to live in for the year. Many memories were made. Our children learned to skate, ride bikes, and had lots of experiences of life in the USA. It was a fun and replenishing year squeezing in all we could with family and friends, thinking all the time we would be returning to the Philippines soon for another 4 more years. Only to find out God would be prompting us toward a different direction.
“God are you calling us back to the States?” Like Samson in the Bible, we at first ignored these promptings. “Surely God wouldn’t be calling us back. There is still work to be done in the Philippines.” Again, “God are you really (3x) calling us back to the States? Lord, the US is a nice place to visit but we don’t want to live here.”(more…)
Psalm 27:4-5 says “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquirein his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”
There are Seasons of Life where it seems when it rains it pours. Is the same God on the throne during those times as He is when all is good? Is God good? Often when going through hard times we question God. Nothing wrong with that but use it as an opportunity to lean into God rather than run from Him knowing that He is God! He can handle it.
Find things to be thankful for in the midst of these hard times is crucial.
This summer 2016 was one of those seasons for me. It isn’t the first and I am sure it will not be the last. However, this one was hard in the midst of so much grieving. But I can say as I look back on it, it was one of the most rewarding. (more…)
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
In those times where my heart feels divided I have to reclaim my allegiance to God in that moment. I remember a time in high school I had a divided heart; I knew something wasn’t right. I wanted man’s approval as well as God’s. Therefore I felt like a wave tossed back and forth, like the book of James tells us in chapter one. I was miserable. Can you think of a time you felt this way? or Maybe you are feeling that way right now?
Matthew 28:18-20 “Go, Make Disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching…”
I just finished reading a novel today called “Stolen Child” by Kimberly Rae. Asha, an adopted Indian young lady raised in the States, came home from her short-term summer missions trip to India. When she returned home, Asha had a hard time getting the faces of the stolen girls/children forced to work the red-light districts out of her mind even months after being back in America.
As she remembered the needs and helplessness on their faces, Asha struggled to enjoy the privilege of living in the States. “It taunted her, attacked her with guilt”, as the author so well put it. “How could she buy a special drink for 4 dollars when those girls would sell themselves for less than that?” Asha would say, “How can I enjoy myself when so many others are suffering”? She had a difficult time coming to terms with those conflicting emotions.
While in India she looked forward to getting home. She was excited to show off her pictures, telling all her friends, family, and churches, about her new friends, the orphanage she worked at, and the possibility of rescuing more girls from their bad situations.(more…)
I Timothy 6:6 “Butgodlinesswithcontentmentisgreatgain”
Transitions are never a straight line. It is hard to see when they will end. There is much grieving for what you left behind and often a mixture of excitement, fear and uncertainty as you face the future. God says, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” How do we get to a place of contentment in the midst of change?
Where are you in the process?
When I was young, I would often go up onto a little hill between my home and our neighbors’ so I could climb on a swing that hung from a great, big beautiful tree. I would stay up there for hours, singing and talking to God. It was the best feeling. I didn’t know who Jesus was, but I knew there was something out there—a God—and He must love me. I always wondered what life was going to be like when I grew up. I felt safe singing on my swing, but outside of that, there werea lot of unknowns and fears in my life.
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”(more…)
