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Tuesday, January 6th, 2004
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5:07p - Poetry Appraisal, Please
Please tell me what you think of this! I just wrote it tonight and I'm thinking that I might submit it to the Yearbook staff, since it fits the theme of missions so well. I got a pretty cool review from my roomate though (although she's not American, so maybe she didn't get the grammar?), so now I'm kind of wondering if it's just me who thinks it's good... :/ Please be honest. Any bits you think should maybe be changed, please tell me! Thank you. :)
My spirit is on fire tonight...
I wish I could explain this light
That dawned in glory when I heard
The humble preaching of His Word.
And there arose desire strong
To teach the world redemptions’ song
A hunger that I can’t define
(thought sweet as water turned to wine)
To be a mirror of His face
And shine with love, and glow with grace.
My life—a story I must speak
How mercy bathes the vile and weak
And rescues they that take His hand—
I long to go to every land—
Mountains or Sahara sands!
And share this joy with weary hearts
Where hopelessness loathes to depart
And bring to them this message great—
The Jubilee—it’s not too late!
The Cross—O story to be told;
I’ll speak in love this message bold
And feed the hungry hearts I find
With words of grace, so pure and kind.
This rescue—setting prisoners free—
Was not alone for those who see
But lost and blind so need to know
That love has reached them, here below
And God, not distant, told our worth
By walking among the men of earth
And living a life of purity…
But darkness hated to be seen,
And on that eve the sky turned dark
And nails bore their wretched mark
The Cross was raised on Calv’ry’s hill
—Yet oh, it was His Father’s will—
That sons and daughters, killed by sin
Could now receive new life within
That causes every other thing
To pale beside this inner spring
That we, a people so depraved,
Might know that we are wholly saved.
Oh plan extravagant! Did I
Deserve to have my Savior die?
Yet though my sin did hold Him there
Joy flowed in Him--not despair!
He triumphed over sin and grave!
And purposes that all be saved
To carry us to realms of glory…
This is why I’ll live this story!
…Of wretch redeemed, forgiven, free;
Of life of hope, and liberty.
current mood: accomplished and unsure
current music: The kitchen sink running (comment on this)
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8:16p - Being a Missionary
Well, my dears, it has been an interesting week for me! I feel as if there are a dozen thoughts buzzing through my head like excited bumblebees. :) Many of them are thoughts from the Word that are only questions at present; when the Lord gives me more precise definition on them I will surely post them here. For now, though, I'm going to describe the happy events of my weekend to you... which might sound boring, but it's the only way to get to the real news I've got to tell you!
Martina--my friend from Prague/London that was staying with me for the week--was to leave on Saturday night at 9pm, so La Tascha and I conceived a plan to make her last day in Baltimore an eventful one. After outreach on Saturday morning we rested and then drove to the "touristy" section of Baltimore: the Inner Harbor. There are dozens of little shops and quaint restaurants, as well as the lovely harbor view to attract anyone visiting the city. We took Martina there for the area's main attraction: the Aquarium! It's said to be the best in America. And as luck would have it, we were just in time to catch the last showing of the seahorse exhibit, which was to travel to Italy the next day. After shopping in the large and luxurious Barnes & Noble first we went over to the aquarium. My, I had a nice time! Upon first entering you are greeted by a large lagoon full of exotic creatures--like manta rays five feet across, huge tuna fish, and a beautifully graceful sea turtle. I could describe the rest of the aquarium to you, but I think I'd rather just show you a few pictures instead. :) Sadly, most of them didn't come out well enough because of the lighting in there... I couldn't use my flash or the glare would ruin the picture, and with the quick way fish move, most of the shots I got were pretty blurry.
( But here are the best ones. ;) )
After that we went to Fudruckers for dinner and I got the sandwich that is sooo delicious! I've been craving that sandwich for AGES! Lol. Anyway, I had to leave for a few minutes to go get my plate when my blinky-light thingey started flashing. When I came back Martina's had started flashing, so she left to get her meal. When she was gone, La Tascha told me that she had asked Martina what her favorite thing about her visit to Baltimore was, and she had told her that it was staying up late talking to me! Isn't that nice? I then mumbled something about how that gave me hope that I will be ready to be a missionary some day, and without batting an eye, La Tasha says, "Oh, I don't doubt it. You're ready right now." Wow... how that blessed me. That's what I love about La Tascha. She doesn't make it her business to gush over people or complement them all the time... so when you do hear something like that from her, it really means something. She doesn't pretend.
On our way out from the restaurant we were walking the few blocks up toward the parking garage to bring Martina to the airport. I looked up and could see stars. I began to lag behind the other two engaged in conversation, just for a few minutes... and suddenly I was just overcome that God actually had called me to be a missionary! I cried in joy and thanksgiving silently, as we walked. It was a moment I'll never forget.
At the airport, just as we were saying goodbye, Martina turned to me and told me what a great missionary I am. How I expressed such love to her and what a great thing that is... how I'm going to impact so many lives. I was embarassed at the unexpected praise and didn't know what to say. It shocked me so much. She was the missionary, and she thought those things about me? Such things to ponder... God really was taking that day to edify me in my call. And I am so grateful.
* * * * *
In less than two months, I am going to board a plane again. The plans happened so suddenly, but I fully believe that God is behind them and leading me directly into this. It's only for a week and-a-half, but it's more serious than any of my other trips so far.
I am going to Romania. As a missionary.
current mood: amazed (2 comments |comment on this)
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