Hi Friends~
Do you have Faith Like Potatoes? You will certainly want to watch this DVD this weekend! I must tell you, it is one of the best movies I have ever seen! Wonderful plot. Clean language. Some subtitles...but they are large on the screen and they leave them up there long enough to read. If you have a hard time understanding the different accents give it a while...and turn up the volume, that helped us! It is a great story of a Scottish Family and South African people. The movie is about Faith, Trusting the Lord, Friendship, relationships, and so much more. It is rated PG. You will love it! Scripture, music, coming through the storms in life...great movie! We rented it from Netflix. Dave, my still Atheist husband sat through the whole movie, heard the Scriptures, and loved the story. And, we know that His Word gets through to people. Praise God for that! Thank you, Lord Jesus! It is a story that I hope I remember forever, I hope it prepares me for my next storm. This is what Netflix says about this movie...
Faith Like Potatoes
"Based on a true story, this inspiring drama centers on white farmer Angus Buchan (Frank Rautenbach), who--weary of the conflict in Zambia--moves his family to South Africa, where they try to transform a bare plot of land into a working farm. Buchan faces a string of challenges, but as he overcomes each hurdle, he gradually realizes that his hunger for material wealth has been replaced with a growing sense of spirituality. 2006."
This movie had me so excited for what the Lord can do-- I couldn't sleep. I woke up so early praying for my friends, my prayer list, and for my husband and my son Josh's Salvation. I felt so close to the Lord. I praised Him all morning. And, then the phone rang.
It was my son, Josh. We had just spent the day with him on Sunday. He told us he was going to apply for a job at the sub shop or the yogurt shop. He had signed up with the Air Force earlier this year. With all of the troops starting to come home (yeah!), the majority of the military branches were not taking applications for recruits currently. In fact, they had stopped sending the people in Josh's group of recruits to boot camp for months. Last week, they had just told two men to show up for boot camp-one in December and one in February of 2012! We all figured Josh would be here through the holidays--especially. He has already signed the contract, taken the Oath, passed the physical and other tests and was wanting to go...but was getting comfortable taking it easy just spending time with friends and family this summer.
Well, on Monday, like I said, he was going to start looking for a job. He called me and said with excitement, "Mom, I have a job!" Well, he just told me that he was applying. I asked if it was the sub shop or the yogurt place. He replied, "The Air Force!" I couldn't believe it. I have been waiting for this news for half a year! I just didn't know this was THAT call! I was shaken from head to toe, and flipped upside down! I sounded excited and supportive and happy for him...and when I hung up, I fell apart. I wrote a few close friends and filled them in...told them how I was falling apart, and didn't know how to be without Josh around me. I mean he moved about 3 miles from us when he was 18, he is turning 22 on Saturday. But, we have always been near by. Now, he will be going to boot camp all the way in Texas. For 8 weeks...no calling. Only letters...not even cards! I asked my friends what to do, how to be, how not to fall apart, like I felt I was doing. I couldn't believe God was letting this actually happen! Josh would finish boot camp, and could be sent anywhere in the world! And, he doesn't know the Lord! I have been praying for his Salvation for such a long time. Now, I prayed and asked my friends to pray that he be Saved before his departure date! God works on His own time, always has, always will! I knew that. They know that. I was hoping for an exception. Later on, I would be more realistic. I am grateful for their prayers for his Salvation. I was a mess, and couldn't even write the blog posts this week, especially with the added migraine on top of everything! It was as if I forgot everything I knew in my heart and my mind. I was ashamed of that feeling. I needed to confess.
I felt that it would be impossible for me to go on...how to "be" not knowing what he was doing, learning, if he was safe during weapon training...if they were going to yell in his face! It felt impossible for me to know peace for the next four years...at least! I knew I was supposed to Give it to God and let Him keep it...but that felt impossible, too! Even though I have been doing a pretty good job of leaving it with the Lord for half a year or so, but no one was being sent to training...so great, I had faith, when things were easy. Anyone could do that. Now, it seemed so hard.
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you."
I received the same message from everyone. I am so grateful for my friends...you are truly my Sisters-in-Christ. My Family. Thank you so much. You told me to "Stay close to Him. Have faith in Him. Keep praying for Josh." I heard you, but it just didn't sink in. I was in such despair.
One of my very dear friends sent me this Devotion from Charles Stanley, and thought it would be helpful to me. Thank you for thinking of me! It is from October 5th of this year. It is a part of "In Touch Ministries."
Charles Stanley and the In Touch Organization has an amazing home page.
This Devotion helped me so very much! And, they can send you a Daily Devotion also. Please check out their website here is the link: In Touch
It was exactly what I needed to do! It answered my question, and told me what I was doing wrong. I wanted to know what I should do, How I could "be." I need to keep my eyes upon Jesus...because ...
He IS Able!
Please leave a comment or prayer request. I would really love to hear from anyone who has been through anything like this...and how you continued to thrive, and not curl up and hide. Of course, we would love to hear what ever is on your mind from anyone!
Oh, we will be giving away 2 cards on Wednesday since I wasn't here this past Wednesday. That is 2 cards to one person! Leave your comments today! Thank you so much for being here, and listening. (I feel that I am talking with each of you when I share on this blog.)
Please take a moment to look at the prayer request from Cathy, and the Praise Report listed in the last post's comments. Prayer is needed urgently.
His,
Traci Starkweather
Do you have Faith Like Potatoes? You will certainly want to watch this DVD this weekend! I must tell you, it is one of the best movies I have ever seen! Wonderful plot. Clean language. Some subtitles...but they are large on the screen and they leave them up there long enough to read. If you have a hard time understanding the different accents give it a while...and turn up the volume, that helped us! It is a great story of a Scottish Family and South African people. The movie is about Faith, Trusting the Lord, Friendship, relationships, and so much more. It is rated PG. You will love it! Scripture, music, coming through the storms in life...great movie! We rented it from Netflix. Dave, my still Atheist husband sat through the whole movie, heard the Scriptures, and loved the story. And, we know that His Word gets through to people. Praise God for that! Thank you, Lord Jesus! It is a story that I hope I remember forever, I hope it prepares me for my next storm. This is what Netflix says about this movie...
Faith Like Potatoes
"Based on a true story, this inspiring drama centers on white farmer Angus Buchan (Frank Rautenbach), who--weary of the conflict in Zambia--moves his family to South Africa, where they try to transform a bare plot of land into a working farm. Buchan faces a string of challenges, but as he overcomes each hurdle, he gradually realizes that his hunger for material wealth has been replaced with a growing sense of spirituality. 2006."
This movie had me so excited for what the Lord can do-- I couldn't sleep. I woke up so early praying for my friends, my prayer list, and for my husband and my son Josh's Salvation. I felt so close to the Lord. I praised Him all morning. And, then the phone rang.
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
(John 14:27)
It was my son, Josh. We had just spent the day with him on Sunday. He told us he was going to apply for a job at the sub shop or the yogurt shop. He had signed up with the Air Force earlier this year. With all of the troops starting to come home (yeah!), the majority of the military branches were not taking applications for recruits currently. In fact, they had stopped sending the people in Josh's group of recruits to boot camp for months. Last week, they had just told two men to show up for boot camp-one in December and one in February of 2012! We all figured Josh would be here through the holidays--especially. He has already signed the contract, taken the Oath, passed the physical and other tests and was wanting to go...but was getting comfortable taking it easy just spending time with friends and family this summer.
Well, on Monday, like I said, he was going to start looking for a job. He called me and said with excitement, "Mom, I have a job!" Well, he just told me that he was applying. I asked if it was the sub shop or the yogurt place. He replied, "The Air Force!" I couldn't believe it. I have been waiting for this news for half a year! I just didn't know this was THAT call! I was shaken from head to toe, and flipped upside down! I sounded excited and supportive and happy for him...and when I hung up, I fell apart. I wrote a few close friends and filled them in...told them how I was falling apart, and didn't know how to be without Josh around me. I mean he moved about 3 miles from us when he was 18, he is turning 22 on Saturday. But, we have always been near by. Now, he will be going to boot camp all the way in Texas. For 8 weeks...no calling. Only letters...not even cards! I asked my friends what to do, how to be, how not to fall apart, like I felt I was doing. I couldn't believe God was letting this actually happen! Josh would finish boot camp, and could be sent anywhere in the world! And, he doesn't know the Lord! I have been praying for his Salvation for such a long time. Now, I prayed and asked my friends to pray that he be Saved before his departure date! God works on His own time, always has, always will! I knew that. They know that. I was hoping for an exception. Later on, I would be more realistic. I am grateful for their prayers for his Salvation. I was a mess, and couldn't even write the blog posts this week, especially with the added migraine on top of everything! It was as if I forgot everything I knew in my heart and my mind. I was ashamed of that feeling. I needed to confess.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all righteousness." (I John 1:9)
I felt that it would be impossible for me to go on...how to "be" not knowing what he was doing, learning, if he was safe during weapon training...if they were going to yell in his face! It felt impossible for me to know peace for the next four years...at least! I knew I was supposed to Give it to God and let Him keep it...but that felt impossible, too! Even though I have been doing a pretty good job of leaving it with the Lord for half a year or so, but no one was being sent to training...so great, I had faith, when things were easy. Anyone could do that. Now, it seemed so hard.
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you."
(1 Peter 5:6-7)
I received the same message from everyone. I am so grateful for my friends...you are truly my Sisters-in-Christ. My Family. Thank you so much. You told me to "Stay close to Him. Have faith in Him. Keep praying for Josh." I heard you, but it just didn't sink in. I was in such despair.
"A friend loveth at all times." (Proverbs 17:17)
One of my very dear friends sent me this Devotion from Charles Stanley, and thought it would be helpful to me. Thank you for thinking of me! It is from October 5th of this year. It is a part of "In Touch Ministries."
|
Charles Stanley and the In Touch Organization has an amazing home page.
This Devotion helped me so very much! And, they can send you a Daily Devotion also. Please check out their website here is the link: In Touch
It was exactly what I needed to do! It answered my question, and told me what I was doing wrong. I wanted to know what I should do, How I could "be." I need to keep my eyes upon Jesus...because ...
He IS Able!
"So then faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17)
Please leave a comment or prayer request. I would really love to hear from anyone who has been through anything like this...and how you continued to thrive, and not curl up and hide. Of course, we would love to hear what ever is on your mind from anyone!
Oh, we will be giving away 2 cards on Wednesday since I wasn't here this past Wednesday. That is 2 cards to one person! Leave your comments today! Thank you so much for being here, and listening. (I feel that I am talking with each of you when I share on this blog.)
Please take a moment to look at the prayer request from Cathy, and the Praise Report listed in the last post's comments. Prayer is needed urgently.
His,
Traci Starkweather
You know that I too am with you, holding your hand, hugging you with comfort. Our faith is strong, believe and trust and accept what we have been given, I walk beside you too. hugs
ReplyDeleteI left an update and another critical prayer request yesterday and it has disappeared and it isn't on here.
ReplyDeleteOur Pastor has a serious stroke Monday morning. They said there is nothing they can do and they don't have much hope. We know that strength and hope comes from God!! Yesterday we got a phone call that his brain was swelling and they were going to remove some of his skull. We later got a call to say the swelling is going down and they wouldn't do a surgery. They say they can't go in and get the blood clot and they can't dissolve it.
Rod's Mom is still with us. The miracle here is she isn't in any pain Praise God! She is very frail and she can go at any time.
My Mom was returned to the hospital from the care facility. They have given her about 13 pints of blood in the last 2 weeks. Finally they think they've found the source. There are lots of problems and I know God can and does heal. She needs her strength back so she can endure physical therapy.
The enemy has been stirring up conflict and division on our families. The tension is thick.
I've leaned heavy on this group, but cherish the prayers that are lifted up and the encouragement I've read here. Thank you for praying, we cherish each and every one and that is what is getting us through this. Blessings~
Traci you already know I'm praying for you and for Josh too.... praying for salvation and safety! Sounds like this devotion was just perfect for the need! That's a God thing!!! Thanks for letting your light shine for Him! His Word never returns to Him void, so your efforts will be rewarded even if in this life you don't always see it!!!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Grace
Hi Traci. My son, too, enlisted in the Air Force but did so immediately after high school. They sent him to Germany after boot camp. He is the 2nd of my 5 kids. The other 4 are girls. We lived 20 miles from town, so for work, school activities, to see friends, etc. they often drove those old gravel country roads. In the beginning of the years when they become teenagers, I worried myself sick.
ReplyDeleteOne day I just couldn't take the stress any more, so I gave them all back to God. Literally, I prayed and told God that I needed Him to take them back and be responsible for them, to watch over them in all that they would do, to keep them safe and well. He is so faithful!
They are all 40 something now, married with jobs and kids (4 have children). Some have made faith committments, some have it on their minds often. I know that our God will draw them and their kids to His side, and I believe in His will to prevail. I trust my Lord and Saviour to have His way in their lives. I still pray faithfully for each of them and their kids, and for my DH too.