Gotta Love Sweets

I have often wondered what good ants are. I mean really. What do they DO? What GOOD are they? Well…besides the obvious answer of annoyance. Ants have become a part of my daily life. I am not complaining. Just stating a fact. And tonight they helped spark my idea about this blog. I have always thought that ants are attracted to sweet things. I mean, I have never see ants get into Tabasco sauce! So I “googled” it and I found that yes, most species of ants are attracted to sweet things. I guess the ones in my bathroom sink like my sweet smelling hand soap? I cannot leave anything out on my counters for any amount of time or any food in my sink. I cannot leave anything in the pantry opened. That is why my fridge is jammed pack with opened boxes of cereal, crackers, and anything from the states…because these ants can eat through packaging from the states. Yeah…these are ants on steroids.

Anyhow…going off the idea that ants are attracted to sweet things, it made me think of the verses in Psalm 19.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

Yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

And in keeping them there is great reward.

Oh, how I wanted to be drawn to His Word like the ants are drawn to sugar. Oh, how I want it to convert my soul, make me wise, and enlighten my eyes. I want to desire it more than fine gold. I want His Word to be sweet to me, sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. That has been my prayer lately. I want to desire more. I want to see more clearly. I want to be transformed by His Word. Daily. I want, in this instance, to be an ant drawn to the honey. I never thought I would want to be an ant. Annoying people on a daily basis is not on my list of things I want to accomplish in life. But being drawn to His Word, yes. It being sweet to my soul, yes Lord. Give me more. Fill my longing with You.

I guess ants are good for something. They serve as a reminder of His Word, His sweet, like honey, Word.

Come What May

I woke up this morning with a burden on my heart.

I woke up and prayed that God would give me “eternal eyes.” I asked Him to help me not focus on what I don’t have but glory in what He has given me and where He has placed me. He knows I have struggled with thoughts of “missing out” on things back home. He knows I have cried tears and tears over what feels like an empty hole. I woke up this morning and prayed for Him to help me fight these feelings. I asked Him to help me stand against Satan’s attacks in this area.

I woke up this morning and did my Bible study.

It was on self-centeredness and God-centeredness. Of course God would do that! It’s just like Him! And I am so thankful! So many times I look with my self-centered eyes or earthly eyes. So many times we put our trust or try and find our fullness in so many other places. We find it in our material possessions. We find it in encouragement from others. We find it in our husbands or wives. We find it in what we are good at. We find it in our ministries…what we think defines us. But what really defines us in God. What really fills us is God. What really heals that longing heart is God.

I just got through watching “Faith Like Potatoes.” Such a good movie with such a powerful story. I would encourage you do watch it! Are we ready to trust that He has it all under control? Are we ready to really and truly give it all to Him? Do we really have faith that He can fill us like we need to be filled? Do we really have faith that He knows our hearts and knows what we need? Do we REALLY believe He can give it to us? I don’t think we do. I don’t think we REALLY understand. I was humbled this morning when I was spending time with Him. And I was humbled again when watching that movie. Man…if only we really understood. If only we really got “it.” I miss “it” so many times. And fall flat on my face. I miss that He is our Sustainer. I miss that He is our Provider. I miss that He sees us…in the darkest of times. I miss that He hears our prayers. Are we ready to trust? Come what may?

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7

Lessons Learned

These past couple of weeks have been full of learning! What exactly have I been learning? I’m glad you asked!

I have learned how to say several Ilongo phrases that I can use and not be scared if I’m saying them wrong…that’s a big accomplishment, in case you didn’t know : ) I have also learned, for the most part, how to maneuver around Bacolod using the public transportation!

I have learned that I will just have to live with ants. There’s no getting around it. But Joanna did share with me how to make anything ant proof! I was pretty excited about that one!

But more important than all these I learned something else.
I have learned that Satan attacks, but God will always give you strength to fight the battle. The past couple of weeks Satan has been creeping in. And I was letting him have those small victories.

Well the other day, Satan wasn’t creeping in he was standing there banging at the door. It was one of those moments that you just feel so defeated. His attacks had been strong and I was getting so tired of fighting. I know Jesus is the only One that can fight those battles for me…but sometimes Satan’s lies are SO loud and feel SO real. I was sitting on my bed feeling so defeated and alone, typing a message to a couple of friends asking them for prayer when all of the sudden it starts pouring outside. This isn’t just a light rain shower. It. Was. Pouring. It was so loud I could not hear anything. I just kind of sat there amazed at the intensity of the rain outside and thinking, “This is kind of creepy. I am typing a message about Satan being so loud. And the bottom is falling out. Weird.”

I finished typing the message and then it hit me. That rain…that rain that was SO loud, was God. It was Him showering His mercy and grace on me. Wow! I had no words. It was so overwhelming I just sat there and worshipped.

Just a couple of hours ago I was skyping with a friend telling her about that experience and she said the same thing. That the rain was God showering…no, pouring…down His grace and mercy. I told her grace and mercy are like patience. You know people tell you all the time not to pray for patience. Because God will give you ways for your patience to grow. Well wouldn’t grace and mercy work the same way? Without those trials, we would not need grace and mercy. It’s in those times of trials when grace and mercy come and we realize what a gift they are from God. And why are we so shocked when He does give us those things? It’s almost like we don’t really believe He will give us exactly what we need and when He does we are just so overwhelmed. We can’t not believe, but so often we do.

Some things are good to learn. Some things are essential to learn.

Egg salad...that's what happens!

What happens when you are boiling eggs for Tuna fish and then you realize you don’t have a can opener? Egg salad…that’s what happens. Just a little something that happened to me today . Random I know. But life here in Bacolod is going super! I am finally moved into my apartment. And I am realizing what all you need to make a home run…even if only for one person. For instance, the can opener.

These past weeks I have been staying with Wade and Joanna Allen. They are another missionary family that live here in Bacolod and they have been a blessing from above! They have taken me under their wing and have helped me ease into life here in Asia. Carly and Caleb, their kiddos, have been fun to be around and have become my little sister and brother! When God takes you away from your family He always gives you another! That I have learned many times over. And I am so thankful for it. It just shows what a detailed, caring God He is. He knows what we need…even if it is a little brother that drives you crazy sometimes! Love you Caleb!!

I am now on somewhat of a schedule for daily life. I have language class every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. And in the afternoons I go to the market and practice! The other day, after my first class I rode a Jeepney (a form of public transportation) all by myself using what little language I know so far. I was so excited! Even though it may seem like a small feat…in life you must look for those! Sometimes those small victories are what can keep you going! And I have also been looking for the little ways that God shows up in my life here. I got this idea from a book I was reading a couple of weeks ago. The book is called Captivating by John and Stasi Eldridge. I highly recommended it for women. But the idea was to be aware of those moments that God gives you a smile from above. For example, I was in this store a couple of weeks ago and I heard on the stereo, over the loud speakers Nicklecreek playing. Now, I know…that is kind of random and you might be thinking how in the world does that have to do with anything spiritual? Oh but it does! God knew I needed to hear something familiar. He knew I needed to hear something that I recognized. So He gave it to me. Over the sounds of people speaking a language I do not understand, over the sounds of the hustle and bustle of a busy store…He gave me Nicklecreek. What is God giving you to smile about that you so easily overlook? Maybe it’s that random flower on the side of the road, the smile of your child under the dirt and mud from playing outside, or that fresh cool breeze out of nowhere. I challenge you to look and find that smile from Him. Ask Him for one. But be ready to receive it as well! And remember to thank Him for it! Maybe it’s not having a can opener for the tuna when what you really needed was an egg salad that reminds you of mom’s.

Two Weeks

First of all....Rebekah, do not faint! :)

I cannot believe that its possible that I left home two weeks ago today. Life has been a whirlwind of activity just getting over here to Bacolod and settling in. God has been so very faithful in giving me just what I needed when I needed it. I have felt the prayers of you all back home and I am so grateful for them.

My apartment is just about ready for me to move into and that has been fun and exciting fixing up my own place. I feel like such a grownup! Even the electric bill with my name on it was pretty exciting, though I doubt it stays that way. :)

So my apartment might need a "little" mopping! I'll post pics when I get it all finished!

first night at GMAs

My welcome in Bacolod. Made my heart smile!

I travel "light" :)

Its been amazing to see God work out every little detail, from my getting everything ready to leave, to the journey over here, my arrival, just everything! God's timing has been absolutely perfect! I just continue to stand in awe of Him and am humbled that He called me, just an ordinary girl from Mississippi, to carry His light to the Asia Pacific region.

I'm praying for you all as you carry His light to whatever part of the world He has placed you, whether that is in school somewhere, at a job, with your family, wherever you are there is where He has called you. Shine your light for all to see and know that I am praying for you.

Please continue to pray for me as well, there is such comfort in knowing that I'm being lifted up in prayer. There are still many adjustment days coming, times of homesickness and feelings of being overwhelmed, but our God has been faithful before, He WILL be faithful again! And I am so excited to be here in this place, at this time!

Hugs to all of you!

~Sarah

in case you didn't know

That's Hadley, Sarah's 2 1/2 year old niece for those who are wondering. She's absolutely a.dor.a.bull. I realize that's not how you spell it, but, I wanted you to get the full affect. :)

Just a little update, Sarah landed in Manila about 9:00 a.m. CST on the 27th (10 p.m. Filipino time, I don't know what else to call it) and was greeted by Joanna, Connie and some others and they then flew to Bacolod Saturday morning CST (Saturday afternoon, Filipino time).

Please continue to pray for her as she gets adjusted to all things Filipino and I PROMISE you'll hear from the girl herself soon. And by promising, I mean, I really can't make her but I can call her out on the blog and have you people annoy her on Facebook and whatever else so that she'll update :)

And, yes, I was a big crybaby the day she left, and every day leading up to it. Twas not good. But, it just means I love her a lot :)

I haven't really cried since then. Praise the Lord for that. I have a theory. But I think I need to be further removed from the situation before I write about it. And if you want to read it, you can check out my blog for updates. Shameless self-promotion? I'd say so. I'll still write here but not as often. (Not as often? I've written here like, twice. I'm ridiculous.)

Thank you SO MUCH for all your prayers. They have definitely been felt and I'm sure that's the only reason I'm not holed up in some mental institution rocking back and forth crying out "Sarah!!! Saaaarrrrrraaaahhhhhh!!!" :)

Love y'all!

God's Perfect Timing

I was talking to Sarah about this and she asked if I would post it on her blog, so here you go!

I just had to sit in amazement at God's timing this morning.  I picked up a book months ago entitled "Voices of the Faithful" (inspiring stories of courage from Christians serving around the World) and was reading today's selection.  God knew just what all of us that knows and loves Sarah Hebert needed today, I found it no coincidence that the devotional today was exactly perfect!

"What Saying Yes Means"  -by Jessica serving our Lord in Central Asia

"He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" Psalms 126:6

"I read this verse when I was going through the interview process to come overseas for a two-year journeyman term. This verse was specifically for me, because I wept more over the decision than any other decision in my life.  You see, adventure does not appeal to me in the least. In fact, the opposite characterizes me. I like to be comfortable, for my life to be consistent and to sit on the couch with my family. Yet God, in His amazing wisdom, decided to call me to go.

The uncertainity of leaving my family and their security made me cry a lot. This struggle was not with going to the ends of the earth, but simply leaving my family.

Then, as I had been doing all that year, I turned to read in the Psalms; and God, once again in His amazing wisdom, gave me this verse.  God promised even though there would be weeping, there would also be rejoicing.

Since the beginning of my journey, God and His Word have been so faithful. I still miss my family and weep often. But every time, God reminds me that the seed I have to sow is worth it. He reminds me that there will be songs of joy. I look forward to the day when we'll all rejoice around the throne. In the meantime, I've got some sowing to do. Many people still need to hear the story.
No matter the cost, we together need to share Christ with lost people around us.

~Heavenly Father, be especially close to those young women who have left families in order to minister in international lands. Keep them content in the knowledge that You are with them and won't leave them. Help me today to be a witness to others, no matter what the cost. Amen

As most of you know Sarah flies out at 9 a.m. in the morning.  God blessed her with an amazing last weekend in Conway with friends here and He has continued to bless her with a fabulous time back home in Mississippi with her family and friends there.  I've enjoyed looking at pictures and videos posted of her laughing and enjoying good times. He is pouring down grace, mercy and strength to her and for that we are so grateful.  As this young woman shared in this devotional, it. is. not. easy. BUT God is FAITHFUL!!  And there is hope and comfort for our hearts in that statement alone!  Please pray for Sarah's family as they say their "see you laters" and for Sarah as she takes the biggest step of her life...stepping on that plane in the morning. 

We love you, Sarah, and will pray continually for you as you follow our Lord and Saviour to the uttermost parts of the earth. Thank you for opening your heart to loving, your ears to hearing, your feet to following, and your whole life to serving Him!
~Toya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnai5kc36bs&feature=related

Antioch's "See YOU Later" Weekend ~written by Toya Aultman

The lives of many at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, AR have been touched by the humble life of Sarah Hebert.  We were all blessed to have her as a part of our "family" while she was attending Central Baptist College, and my family was especially blessed as she literally became a part of our family.

She has left a lasting legacy on many hearts and lives, young and old here in Central Arkansas.  She has lived a life here worthy of imitation. A life that lived out Colossians 3:14, because above all, she loved.  Her humility, her hunger for God's Word, her prayer life and that precious servant's heart was not only encouraging, but also challenged us all!  Its like when you see someone with really great posture you sit up straighter. Well, she made us sit up! All of us!

We have shared a weekend of tears, no doubt, but we also shared so much laughter and giggles!  Oh the memories made! I thank God for this very bittersweet weekend!!  One of the most precious memories for me this weekend happened last night.  The very last folks had left our house and it was just Sarah, Jason and I here...this was like 1 a.m. or something crazy like that.  Well, Sarah and I were sitting in the floor bawling and squalling and Jason comes in, kneels down on the other side of her to tell her bye.  He hugs her and holds her as she is sobbing; and as he gets up to leave he kisses her on top of the head and tells her that he loves her and is so very proud of her! I'm telling you, just about too stinkin' precious for this heart of mine to handle!!!  I love him so much! And I love the fact that he loves my best friend and prays for her and is proud of her for going wherever God leads her!  (all of this said he did text me this morning and said to tell her bye, he didn't want to wake her before he left because he's scared of her in the mornings!! LOL!! And all this time we thought she was scared of him??!!!!)

Now as we have had our time to hug on, pray with, and encourage her anyway we know how, we pray for Bethel Church in Fulton, Sarah's home church.  First of all, we thank you! We thank you for being a church that raises up young ladies willing to lay aside all and follow our Lord!  We thank you for sharing Sarah with us these last few years. She has been a blessing to us and we pray God rewards your church with many more years of raising up young men and women like her.  Our Heavenly Father loves to show off when we are obedient to Him and He showed off in this life! Her heart is plenty big for both of our church families and now it will grow even more as we both share her with a new church family in Bacolod.  We will lift you up as you all begin the goodbyes and BCCBC in Bacolod, we pray for you all as you welcome her and love on her!

To the Hebert family, words will NEVER be enough to thank you for the blessing of sharing your "baby" with us.  We are praying for many laughs over the next few days as she prepares to fly out.  The tears will be there too, trust me, we had some ugly cries here; but one thing I've learned...God IS FAITHFUL!  He will pour down grace and mercy on each of you and give you just what you need when you need it! 

Now, Sarah, go turn this world upside down for Him!!!!  We. Love. YOU!!! And you will always make our heart smile!!

it's like...really soon.

Hey everyone! Rebekah here. I've been meaning to blog for the past month but then something would happen and it was like God was telling me, "Nah, you don't need to blog right now." He speaks to me like that. It's pretty amazing.

I write to you today as someone who has not cried ONCE over Sarah leaving in the past...3 weeks. Maybe 4. I don't know exactly the last time I cried because of this whole situation, but it's been a LONG while. LONG. WHILE.

And honestly? That is amazing.

I say it's amazing because the day that Sarah was commissioned back in April?

Cry baby.

The Monday after that?

Yes, squalling like a one year old that just got their shots. On the way home from work. While trying to sing. (Me...not the one year old. Can you imagine a one year old singing on the way home from work? That's funny isn't it? :))

It wasn't pretty.

Speaking of shots - Sarah always tells the story how she didn't cry when she went to get her shots for kindergarten. Seriously...if you're ever around her and mention shots, she'll probably bring that up. I'm not kidding. I wish I were. She was super cute back then.

Anyway, that Monday on the way home from work was probably the worst cry I've had. It was AWFUL. I'm not sure I've ever cried that hard. Puffy red eyes and a splotchy face and all that mess. Ug. Lee. Cry. (I say that like I have a pretty cry. I don't. I'm not blessed with that spiritual gift). And honestly I'm sure it was for no reason at all. I probably thought about something random and just started crying.

So you can see how I'm amazed that I haven't cried about this in at least 3 weeks.

You know what I like to think of it as?

God showing Himself a big 'ole HUGE GOD in my life.

You're probably thinking, Rebekah, get a hold of yourself, you're talking about crying (or rather, not crying).

Yep, you're right. But I've discovered over the past 8 months, God's 'love language' to me is showing up in the little details of life. Reading a verse in Bible study and then randomly finding a keychain with that verse on it. (Isaiah 43:1 anybody? He's redeemed us? He knows our name? We're HIS? YES PLEASE!). That's just one of the hundreds, dare I say, thousands of ways He has shown himself.

Where am I going with this?

You see, it hurts when I cry. I don't particularly like to cry. I don't mind it, but you get that headache the next day and your eyes are all puffy and feel like they're being held together by glue, ugh, nasty. So, when God allows me not to be a big ole ball of tears over Sarah's leaving? I see that as a blessing. And it's not because I don't care, I think God just wants to show me that I can trust Him with Sarah's leaving. I know that sounds silly. Trust God? Any good 'Christian' knows to trust God. Well...it's hard sometimes, we think we can do better or know better and the next thing you know you're not trusting. That's a whole other post.

All that being said. Things are good at the moment. Sarah leaves in 16 days. Now...if I come back and blog about how I had another ugly cry on the day that she leaves? Please don't throw this post back in my face because I will really dislike you, and I don't think that logic will hold then. I've learned from the book of Ruth that you can weep and walk forward. You can be weeping and trusting God.

The important part is the trust.

Pray for Sarah and all her Arkansas friends as they say goodbye this weekend. There will be a lot of crying.

A lot.

Toya, another contributor that we've heard from, created this video. Sweet, sweet video. You probably will need some tissue. Although, I've watched it like 5 times and haven't cried.



Crying? Okay, read the rest of this.

I kind of downplayed this, but another reason I haven't been all wah-wah-wah is definitely the prayers y'all have lifted up on behalf of us. Thank you for those. They are felt. They are powerful. And they are needed.

Y'all are awesome! God is awesome. PLEASE continue to pray! Because, you really don't want a basketcase blogging do you??

:)

Still crying?

I'm sorry. I don't...know what to tell you. God sees your tears! Weep, cry, but walk forward trusting Him! :)

Its July??!!!!

I hope you all are having a great summer. I've been living out of a suitcase....literally! It seems summer is flying by and my departure day will be here all too soon. Though I am very excited about this next step in following God's will for my life, I'll admit I'm a bit nervous too!

A couple of very dear and precious friends I was reunited with at SOAR 2010!

SOAR 2010 was this past week and I was able to attend with the youth from my home church, Bethel in Fulton, MS. It was an amazing week and kind of surreal as I stood at the missions table before and after every session as the newly elected BMAA Missionary selling the awesome tees that Rebekah designed. The theme for SOAR this year was "Disciple" and how we have to let go of our nets and follow Him.

As I begin the letting go process I wanted to give you a few prayer requests:

* my family...lift them up whenever you think about them, though they could not be anymore supportive, its still a huge adjustment.

* my church family

* the hearts of those I will be going to minister to

* my physical health and energy level as I try to finish up all that needs doing

* the other missionaries that will be leaving soon, as well

* that God will provide financially for every need that arises (and He is already blessing and proving Hisself faithful in big ways here!)

* for me to remain focused on my calling and God would provide the grace and strength for each new day

* for the boxes of my things being shipped over to arrive safely and all together! :)

* for God to just pour down mercy on those days I feel completely overwhelmed by it all.

Thank you so much for supporting me as I follow God's plan for my life. I do not know what all He has in store, what blessings or trials may await, but I do know that He is already there. He's holding every piece of the puzzle of my life's journey and I trust Him.

He loved. He came. He served. He died. He rose again. He reigns.

I must go. I must tell. I must love.

This is my reasonable service.

Getting things in order...

Hey folks! This is actually Toya Aultman, I have set up this blog for Sarah and ocassionaly we will get the privilege of her postings, but she is a busy lady these days!

As many of you know she will be flying out to the Philippines near the end of August and has many things to take care of before she goes. She was in Conway this weekend to speak at a GMA Coronation at Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock and then we had an awesome meeting with a consultant this morning that gave us some ideas on how we can help her.

.

She is on her way home to Mississippi right now to spend some awesome quality time with her family

If you have ordered one of the t-shirts that we were selling to help in her support, those are in and if you have not paid, they are $15. We do have extras, so if you didn't order one and want one, order it quick...they're going fast! Also, if you would like to help financially in any other ways, please let us know! We can get you set up with the right folks! She has to raise all of her own funds this first year and then past that will have to supply all of her work funds, so please be in prayer as to ways you can help her!

Sarah has a busy summer ahead of her with much to do still so I would like to give you a few prayer requests:
*pray for her as she travels to the many camps, retreats, training sessions, speaking engagements, etc this summer
*pray for God to pour down an unbelieveable amount of calmness and peace on her and take away every feeling of being overwhelmed
*pray for wisdom in the many decisions she has to make on a daily basis
*pray that God would place the right people in her path that are willing to support her in prayers, but also in finances
*pray for her family has they prepare their own hearts and minds to let her go, ask God to pour His grace down on them and they can see His faithfulness in every turn
*and begin praying now for the people in the Philippines that she will meet, build relations with and minister to. Anyone who knows Sarah's heart, knows this is her calling. She loves people and loves to serve and does it all with an unbelieveable heart of love and humility. The Philippines better get ready, cause their world is about to be turned upside down by this young lady!!!