Comments on: obedience in the upside down http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640 My attempt to be an authentic woman in an inauthentic world Wed, 15 Mar 2023 07:22:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Sharon Lebsack http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640&cpage=1#comment-10118 Sharon Lebsack Fri, 25 Oct 2019 16:33:52 +0000 http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640#comment-10118 Dear Amy: I’ve known you since you were a toddler. It was a joy watching you grow into a beautiful child, teenager, then a Godly Woman, mother & missionary. We are admonished to look back at how God has brought us through storms into quiet calm seas. Our prayers are with you, Joel, & your precious children. As you know I wrote my story “ Confessions of a Pastor’s Wife”. I had read many books on this subject & you are right many make it sound like a beautiful rose garden. When we tell it like it is -God uses those overcoming experiences to glorify Him... Every deep valley I had produced a green pasture beside a still water. Preparation takes time to produce the ultimate plan. Love you. Prayers continue. Sharon Dear Amy:
I’ve known you since you were a toddler. It was a joy watching you grow into a beautiful child, teenager, then a Godly Woman, mother & missionary. We are admonished to look back at how God has brought us through storms into quiet calm seas. Our prayers are with you, Joel, & your precious children.
As you know I wrote my story “ Confessions of a Pastor’s Wife”. I had read many books on this subject & you are right many make it sound like a beautiful rose garden. When we tell it like it is -God uses those overcoming experiences to glorify Him… Every deep valley I had produced a green pasture beside a still water. Preparation takes time to produce the ultimate plan.
Love you. Prayers continue.
Sharon

]]> By: Mary Denison http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640&cpage=1#comment-9375 Mary Denison Mon, 02 Sep 2019 16:46:38 +0000 http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640#comment-9375 Here is a hug, Amy......I learned that this past year's intense journey I traveled was actually the way the Lord answered my prayer: "take me deeper into you"....You will come thru this with more of Him in you and more of you in Him....love you, Amy, Here is a hug, Amy……I learned that this past year’s intense journey
I traveled was actually the way the Lord answered my prayer: “take me deeper into you”….You will come thru this with more of Him in you and more of you in Him….love you, Amy,

]]> By: Kathy Carlin http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640&cpage=1#comment-9341 Kathy Carlin Sat, 31 Aug 2019 14:15:10 +0000 http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640#comment-9341 Good morning, Amy, What a beautiful blog...what a gifted writer...I sit here in our little "farmhouse" (a 1979 single wide manufactured home) on property with our kids. It is a blessing, and I am thankful for it. This isn't exactly what I thought my life would turn out to be...yet it is wonderful. And then I try to imagine where you are this morning, and what you are waking up to. You had me at "ants"...honestly, sweet girl, I cannot imagine being in your shoes...certainly not at this time in my life...and probably not in my younger years, either. God knows each of us...calls us uniquely, and chooses to use us all differently. My true admiration for you and Joel (and those precious "kids") has increased exponentially as I have followed your journey to "here." I love your hearts and love seeing how God is going to use all of you. Worship music gets me through my days (which are now spent simply recovering from my recent stroke). Again, not what I planned...but what "is". God is faithful. God is good. And we are overcomers!! Hugs. Good morning, Amy,
What a beautiful blog…what a gifted writer…I sit here in our little “farmhouse” (a 1979 single wide manufactured home) on property with our kids. It is a blessing, and I am thankful for it. This isn’t exactly what I thought my life would turn out to be…yet it is wonderful. And then I try to imagine where you are this morning, and what you are waking up to. You had me at “ants”…honestly, sweet girl, I cannot imagine being in your shoes…certainly not at this time in my life…and probably not in my younger years, either. God knows each of us…calls us uniquely, and chooses to use us all differently. My true admiration for you and Joel (and those precious “kids”) has increased exponentially as I have followed your journey to “here.” I love your hearts and love seeing how God is going to use all of you. Worship music gets me through my days (which are now spent simply recovering from my recent stroke). Again, not what I planned…but what “is”. God is faithful. God is good. And we are overcomers!! Hugs.

]]> By: Judy Hayburn http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640&cpage=1#comment-9340 Judy Hayburn Sat, 31 Aug 2019 13:06:31 +0000 http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640#comment-9340 God has truly given you a gift Amy. Some of the best writers are the ones who are willing to be real and honest and "tell it like it is". How boring to read stories about someone who always handles life's difficulties like a "super hero". Because of your willingness to be "authentic", you are giving others a refreshing glimpse into your life's journey without glossing everything over to make yourself look good...or to look "spiritual". God is using you to show others that He is always there in the midst of it all providing a "way of escape" (1 Corinthians 10:13). The truth is, faithfulness (which is "authentic spirituality") is most often tested in the fires of the "day to day" life of a believer whether in America or Africa. How a person handles life's inconveniences, disruptions and difficulties, (particularly in a new missionary's life with culture shock that disrupts every aspect of what used to be normal), is where the rubber meets the road. Not very many people would be willing or able do what you are doing and then be brave enough to honestly tell about it. In the natural it is not easy or "fun" to face the challenges of your new "day to day" life. However, that is why yours is such a powerful story. Never doubt that God is guiding your thoughts in each and every post. I am so very proud of you! God has truly given you a gift Amy. Some of the best writers are the ones who are willing to be real and honest and “tell it like it is”. How boring to read stories about someone who always handles life’s difficulties like a “super hero”. Because of your willingness to be “authentic”, you are giving others a refreshing glimpse into your life’s journey without glossing everything over to make yourself look good…or to look “spiritual”. God is using you to show others that He is always there in the midst of it all providing a “way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The truth is, faithfulness (which is “authentic spirituality”) is most often tested in the fires of the “day to day” life of a believer whether in America or Africa. How a person handles life’s inconveniences, disruptions and difficulties, (particularly in a new missionary’s life with culture shock that disrupts every aspect of what used to be normal), is where the rubber meets the road. Not very many people would be willing or able do what you are doing and then be brave enough to honestly tell about it. In the natural it is not easy or “fun” to face the challenges of your new “day to day” life. However, that is why yours is such a powerful story. Never doubt that God is guiding your thoughts in each and every post. I am so very proud of you!

]]> By: Vi Engelgau http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640&cpage=1#comment-9329 Vi Engelgau Sat, 31 Aug 2019 04:36:54 +0000 http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640#comment-9329 You write so beautifully, Amy…I love your comments and posts. You take me back to emotions I had at that point in my life. I’m sure the Enemy senses how very effective your life will be there, so he is hitting you with everything in his arsenal! I recall experiencing very similar situations…but they didn’t last forever, and neither will yours! You are facing the effects of an incredible schedule of itinerating, creating and maintaining relationships with pastors across the state (and beyond), packing what you needed to leave here and shopping for what you needed to take for a family of six, saying painful goodbyes to family and friends, followed by extreme jet lag…and with NO opportunity to catch your breath and rest a little, you’re plunged into incredible culture shock, a home that isn’t ready to be moved into, and very little working the way you might have expected! You have to be depleted physically and emotionally. But God has called you there, He has uniquely equipped you, and He will see you through this—victoriously! There’s an army of prayer warriors behind you, and a God who answers those prayers…because He cares for you just as much as He does those to whom you are called to serve. Rest in and draw strength from Him. “Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” It might help to let go of expectations right now, so that what does happen on time or the way it’s “supposed to” can be cause for celebration. :-) And remember: Kids are resilient! God will answer their hearts’ cries and meet their needs just as He will yours…so don’t carry extra burdens that He doesn’t mean for you to. I wrote you some days back, but I think my message got lost along the way. I suggested to you that you make hard copies of your letters to your family and your blogs, so you’ll have them to refer to and be encouraged by. My mother kept all my letters through our years on the mission field (some 2000 of them), and they continue to bless today, both myself and others. They will outlive you and continue to be a blessing. (I say hard copy because I don’t trust computers and even the grid that much!) You will find them to be the most complete journal of your life and ministry during those years in Malawi...and will enjoy reading them when you’re 95, too! God will do wonderful things in and through you, Amy, and you’ll be reminded of His gracious workings in your life and family. Take courage, my dear…and remember, it’s not the destination, it’s the journey you and God are on, and the lives you’ll impact as you live your “every days”. Be assured of my prayers for you every day. Vi You write so beautifully, Amy…I love your comments and posts. You take me back to emotions I had at that point in my life. I’m sure the Enemy senses how very effective your life will be there, so he is hitting you with everything in his arsenal!

I recall experiencing very similar situations…but they didn’t last forever, and neither will yours! You are facing the effects of an incredible schedule of itinerating, creating and maintaining relationships with pastors across the state (and beyond), packing what you needed to leave here and shopping for what you needed to take for a family of six, saying painful goodbyes to family and friends, followed by extreme jet lag…and with NO opportunity to catch your breath and rest a little, you’re plunged into incredible culture shock, a home that isn’t ready to be moved into, and very little working the way you might have expected!

You have to be depleted physically and emotionally. But God has called you there, He has uniquely equipped you, and He will see you through this—victoriously! There’s an army of prayer warriors behind you, and a God who answers those prayers…because He cares for you just as much as He does those to whom you are called to serve. Rest in and draw strength from Him. “Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” It might help to let go of expectations right now, so that what does happen on time or the way it’s “supposed to” can be cause for celebration. :-) And remember: Kids are resilient! God will answer their hearts’ cries and meet their needs just as He will yours…so don’t carry extra burdens that He doesn’t mean for you to.

I wrote you some days back, but I think my message got lost along the way. I suggested to you that you make hard copies of your letters to your family and your blogs, so you’ll have them to refer to and be encouraged by. My mother kept all my letters through our years on the mission field (some 2000 of them), and they continue to bless today, both myself and others. They will outlive you and continue to be a blessing. (I say hard copy because I don’t trust computers and even the grid that much!) You will find them to be the most complete journal of your life and ministry during those years in Malawi…and will enjoy reading them when you’re 95, too! God will do wonderful things in and through you, Amy, and you’ll be reminded of His gracious workings in your life and family.

Take courage, my dear…and remember, it’s not the destination, it’s the journey you and God are on, and the lives you’ll impact as you live your “every days”. Be assured of my prayers for you every day.

Vi

]]> By: Josh http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640&cpage=1#comment-9323 Josh Fri, 30 Aug 2019 18:00:49 +0000 http://amyeslater.com/?p=4640#comment-9323 Keep pushing. You've got this! You and Joel and your family are incredible. There will be no stopping you guys. These temporary abnormalities will subside and a beautiful new life will emerge. The new beauty that will emerge from the ashes of chaos will be incredible. You know this all too well already with your prior experiences in Africa. Hugs from your neighbor down south! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emJSnwYOHVc https://www.amazon.com/12-Rules-Life-Antidote-Chaos/dp/B0797Y87JC/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=jordan+peterson+12+rules+for+life&qid=1567187919&s=gateway&sr=8-3 Keep pushing. You’ve got this! You and Joel and your family are incredible. There will be no stopping you guys. These temporary abnormalities will subside and a beautiful new life will emerge. The new beauty that will emerge from the ashes of chaos will be incredible. You know this all too well already with your prior experiences in Africa. Hugs from your neighbor down south!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emJSnwYOHVc

https://www.amazon.com/12-Rules-Life-Antidote-Chaos/dp/B0797Y87JC/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=jordan+peterson+12+rules+for+life&qid=1567187919&s=gateway&sr=8-3

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