The Month of October - Part 3: Flash Back

Ok, since Corey insisted that we still go to the 80's Reunion Party (even though he had been in an accident only a few short hours before), we got ready to have a "TOTALLY" fun night with friends! It was a murder mystery night...Corey and I played the Prom King and Queen! Very funny. We had to be "in character." I am terribly insecure when it comes to acting, so I was nervous. However, as the night went on...it was SO much fun and it became easier and easier to play my role. I even won the "Drama Queen" award (best acting) - that is so the Lord to make ME win something that I'm so incredibly shy in! It was such a great night...and my husband made the perfect Prom King. ;)

(Ella trying on the prom dress and tiara.)

(Corey - the Prom King!)

(Getting ready to head out the door to our 1985 Class Reunion! I had some BIG hair!)

(The whole group!)

It was such a blast! Check out Amber (lower left)...she made an awesome 80's punk!

The Month of October - Part 2: The Accident

A couple days later, Corey and I had plans for a fun evening out: an 80's-themed Mystery Dinner with several of our friends - FUN!

Mid-afternoon, Catelyn informs me that someone called - I notice that I've missed 5 calls from Corey. I call him back. His voice is calm and nothing out of the ordinary. He tells me that he's on his way home EARLY to get ready for the party, then he added "there is something else..." He informs me that Stan (our boss) is bringing him home. That's weird...our home is way out of the way for him. And here it is: "I got in an accident." My heart sinks. Before I could get through my list of Are you ok? and What happened? questions, he interrupts and says he's home and needs people to help unloading his motorcycle out of Stan's truck. Gulp. So, I rush out the door, hurriedly trying to explain to our helper in my limited language that Corey got in an accident, I don't know what happened, but that he's home and needs help.

Just then, Stan's truck pulls up and I see the bike first...it's damaged on one side. Then Corey slowly hobbles out of the truck. He's limping, his hand is swollen, he's got road-rash all down his arm. He looks weak. But he assures me that he thinks he's OK.

We get him inside and take off his shoe and his foot is swollen up with a wound on the top-side. I check his eyes to check for head trauma. He says he simply wants to sit down and rest. So, onto the couch he goes, with his foot elevated.

He then begins to explain what happened: He hit a dump truck. The truck was on the side of the road (seemingly stopped), so Corey proceeded to pass it. Then the truck suddenly turned onto the road and Corey hit it. He was thrown from the motorcycle. He was lying on the road. The truck driver looked out the window at him, and then drove off. Many Acehnese men ran to help Corey and lift him out of the road. Corey couldn't get up by himself. He tried calling me...to no avail. Then he remembered that Stan was only a few hundred feet ahead of him, so he called him. Praise God that he walked away from this!

I told Corey that I would call our friend's to let them know that we would not be making it to the party that night. However, he insisted that we still go (yes, even after colliding with a dump truck a couple hours earlier!)! So, after he rested a bit, we got dressed and ready to go (More on that later...).

The next morning, we took him to to get x-rays taken on his hand and foot...all is clear. He just needs to ice it and stay off of it. Corey was scheduled to work the entire second week of our moms' visit, but due to the accident and the injuries, he stayed home that week - laying on the couch immobile is not the most fun vacation plans. Our boss was funny when he said, "You know, Megan, if Corey wanted to take some time off, there were certainly easier ways to go about it!" Our other teammate suggested, "He could have simply drank the water here - less dangerous, but just as effective!"

Later that day, our helper, Pak Andrean, asks if he can make a traditional Acehnese medicinal concoction to help bring the swelling down in Corey's foot. Corey's up for anything, so he tried it:

(And this is pretty much the position Corey took for the rest of the week.)

Corey is still recovering. He is back to work. His foot is still a little bit swollen, but SO much better. His hand, however, is still very painful and swollen, so he is trying to use it as little as possible. We are thankful that God in His mercy and grace spared him from any severe injuries.

The Month of October - Part 1

We are so thankful that both of our moms were able to come visit us here in Indonesia and experience a little bit of our life out here. They did get to experience our normal (yet, not-so-normal) life. The next few posts will highlight briefly some of the things that occurred during the past month. It was an eventful month.

So, first off...the beach. Within the first couple of days of our moms' arrival we took them to dinner on the beach. We enjoyed a long walk along the seashore, we had fun playing in the sand, and we watched the evening sun disappear behind the warm, tropical Indian Ocean. A good start to the 17-day visit with our moms.

(Sorry, there are no pictures with Corey in them because he was behind the camera this time.)

Happily Busy

We've been a bit busy the past few weeks...we've been busy having fun with our moms here! That's the reason for the lack of posts...more to come soon.

Singled Out, But Not Alone

I'm reading through Genesis right now. I'm on chapter six. Now, I've read this book many times, but don't you just love how new things pop out each time you read His Word?! Oh the depths of the riches of His words! There is so much for me to learn (and apply!) from this particular passage of history. So, here is one thing the Lord is stirring in my mind, heart and soul through my reading today.

My own heart hurts from reading that God's heart was grieved because of the wickedness of man upon the earth. That our Creator, our God, felt sorry that He had even made man. Oh, the immense weight of that! That's enough to cause one to pause and reflect on the gravity of such a statement.

But, despite my heart hurting, I'm also encouraged and inspired by this chapter. By Noah specifically. I'm encouraged and have been given hope that I too can rise up and not "conform to the pattern of this world" (Romans 12:2), that I don't have to be like the crowd. That I can be different...because I am different. I am a child of God who has been set apart. A few other names used throughout Scripture for those of us in Christ are holy ones, saints, aliens - we are different - we don't need to try to be - we are. But that's a whole different subject altogether. So, back to my original thought...

God describes the state of the earth in Noah's day: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his [man] heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." Genesis 6:5-6, and He continues in verse 11, "Now the earth of corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence." I'm thinking our world today isn't too much different. Simply turn on the news or walk outside and there is evidence of it all around us. And that's sad, so very sad, considering how that affects God's heart...the Creator of our hearts and lives.

But the good and encouraging news that I find in this passage: "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God." vs. 8-9. Can you imagine the integrity of Noah? In a world that was corrupt, when the intent of everyone's heart was evil all the time, and violence was the way of life, Noah was found to be blameless and righteous! I'm guessing that Noah wasn't the most popular guy. Probably felt alone, even among his friends and family; but still he chose to hold tight to His convictions in God. He continually went against the crowd, he wasn't the "life of the party." He probably made those around him feel uncomfortable because he wasn't going along with them. He chose to walk with God when all others chose to walk in their own way. He was different - because he walked with God.

Noah may not have been the most popular guy in town, but when all was said and done...he was the one still standing in the end; admiring the breath-taking scene of the first-ever rainbow, and relishing in the promise that it held from the One that he chose to obey and trust (even at the expense of not fitting in with the crowd).

In this world there are voices all around me telling me to follow their lead and go their way; saying that the way I desire to go is "old-fashioned," "not necessary," "more work," or just plain foolishness. This leaves me with two choices: to conform and compromise (usually begins with the little things) or to stand firm. In the midst of this continual opposition, will I choose to "stand firm" (Ephesians 6:14) and choose to "prove [myself] to be blameless and innocent, [a child] of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [I] appear as [a light] in the world, holding fast to the word of life..." (Philippians 2:15)? I love the NIV's translation "and you will shine among them like stars in the sky." That is my desire. Not for my glory, but for God's. And by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within me, I can. Just as Noah did.

I'm thankful for those faithful ones whom have gone before me and have paved the way, like Noah - offering examples of faithful lives lived for God. As these individuals pass by me (whether through the pages of Scripture or in my daily life), there is a sweet fragrance that lingers about them, and you can almost hear the soft invitation that their lives offer: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1. And so I will choose to stand up and follow in their footsteps.

Blind-sided by His Grace

Today I am reminded of the grace of God. The forgiveness that He offers is absolute. That through Christ, though my sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow. I need only ask and it is mine. He gives liberally and without reservation when requested by a repentant heart.

Today, on the floor with our faces to the ground, my daughter and I laid our selfish hearts at the Throne of Grace. What I thought was a moment to teach my daughter how to humbly come before a gracious God, turned out to be a moment that God had other plans for me.

As of late, selfishness and ingratitude have been running rampant in our home. This weekend, Corey and I decided we really need to address this full-force. So, this week's devotions and teaching have and will be focused on thankfulness and selflessness. We have been teaching the girls of the selflessness of Christ and how we are model ourselves after Him. That His Spirit enables us to walk in love and to bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

This afternoon, Catelyn behaved selfishly and aggressively toward her sister. As I turned a corner, I witnessed the act. Because of the intensity of it, she received discipline immediately for it. We talked about it, discussed what the Scriptures say about it, and sought forgiveness from God through prayer (and then from Ella). Everything was fine and back to normal...so I thought.

It was already time for Ella's nap, so as usual, I took Ella into her room to lay her down. As I am doing so, I hear the faint sound of sobbing in the distance. I continue to tuck Ella into bed and quietly leave the room. The sobbing is now louder. My sweet, dear Catelyn is the one sobbing! My heart aches. She is flat on the couch with her face in a pillow crying. I hurry over to her and gently ask her, "What's the matter, Sweetheart?" To that she replied through her tears, "I'm so sorry, Mommy!" Her eyes blood-shot and full of tears. She really meant it. I asked her if she truly believes that she is forgiven by God for what she did. She nodded. So, I asked why she is still so sad, and she said because of how ugly her heart has been for so many days. Oh Catelyn, how I love your precious heart for purity! I explained to her again, that when God forgives us, it is done...no more...we need not be upset about it. We need only turn around and walk back to Him and keep walking...His face is smiling and His arms are open wide! She nodded again, but still crying. So, I decided to show her what I do when my heart is overwhelmed with sorrow over my sin.

I asked her to follow me. I proceeded to get on my knees in the middle of the room and put my face in my hands while face-down on the ground. She copies. Then I begin praying (she repeats): "Lord, forgive me for the ugliness of my heart lately." (she repeats) "I know that I've been selfish." (I begin sobbing). "I don't want to be like this." (my hands are full of tears now) "Forgive me, I pray, for I know that when You do, I will be completely clean because of Jesus. Thank you. I love you. Amen." I lifted my head and my eyes met hers and we both smiled through our tears.

What began as a lesson on the faithfulness of God's forgiveness for my daughter, turned into an opportunity to repent of the sin that was residing in my own heart that had been ignored. God knew. And He was eager to grant forgiveness...even when I wasn't the one initially looking for it. His forgiveness found me and met me where I was at. That's how faithful my God is...and that's how much He loves me! "...the kindness of God leads you to repentance.." Romans 2:4

Thank you God for lavishing grace upon grace! You pursue me with a relentless and merciful love! You are so much more than I know...and it makes me want to know you more!