Day Four Diary Page ~ A Day of Unexpected Happenings

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Today was a day of unexpected happenings, including: enjoying a stamp museum, discovering my purpose while sitting outside of a hospital room, an impromptu meeting with the entire school board, & my beloved & treasured camera deciding to die.

I woke up at 7:45, without an alarm. Showered. For breakfast I had granola, milk, & fresh squeezed orange juice (THANKS 2 Julie!)

We decided not to go on the cathedral tour yet, as we had planned, because of the enormous amount of walking involved. (I was still having altitude sickness symptoms & not yet used to the heat.)

Instead, I did Facebook, Flickr, & Blog until 11:20 with my feet up, to try to reduce the swelling.

We took the bus to a free stamp museum. (Free is the best kind!) I didn’t know quite what to expect. I had collected stamps for a time when I was a young child, but didn’t know if it would be worth the bus trip & walking… It turned out to be really VERY fascinating, especially the room with the world map on the cement floor & then stamps from all over the world on the 4 walls!

I found stamps from every country I have been & took pictures each. That was cool. I also bought 3 really neat bookmarks, made from used stamps from Mexico. They are stamps from like 40 years ago! Really neat!

Then, we walked to a local hospital for Julie to visit her friend… Along the way, I saw some interesting things ~ including walking underneath a lime tree & some cars & trucks I've never seen before. 

It was during this part of the day that I was reminded, “it’s not about me!” I was sitting outside the room, perfectly occupied with going through my receipts in my purse, then writing in my journal, then looking at the pictures I’d taken on my camera, then eating a granola bar… Then, I found myself wondering what to do next. My selfish brain even wondered what was taking so long. Then, KLUNK! It was like I was hit in the head with the reminder that this is NOT about me! We were there to visit someone in the hospital!!!! Even if I couldn’t go in, I could still minister to him with prayer! So, I began praying, first to thank God for reminding me that my life is not my own, it was bought with a price, & then for comfort for this man that I didn’t know & for wisdom for Julie as she talked with him. It was a good reminder to check myself.


We took the bus back to the house, arriving at 2:30. Then, we quickly left again for 3:00 Bible study at the school, with Julie, Lorri, & Nancy (2 teachers there at OCS). They were just beginning the Bible study in the book of Colossians that week, so they had invited me to join them. On our way TO the school, a phone call with David (the school’s principal) ended by him announcing that he wanted me to meet the school board before the Bible study. Oh my goodness gracious! Meeting the school board while sweaty from hours of being outside & on public transportation?? So, when we arrived ~ I met the entire school board! They were very nice & welcoming (considering how I looked & considering that they were in the middle of a board meeting).


Bible study was really good ~ it was a detailed introduction with a good amount of discussion. I learned quite a bit too, that’s always good! It lasted until about 5. I took 3 pictures of the 2 teachers, Nancy & Lorri, with my little handheld camera. It was School Spirit Week at the school, and that day was Twin Day. They looked so adorable, so I offered 2 take a picture & said I’d email it to them.

I was SHOCKED & DISMAYED to discover that only minutes later, the camera wouldn’t work! It would beep & give me this error message about the lens. I couldn’t believe it! I had only been in the country for 4 days out of a 7 week trip & already my camera had broken??? The whole ride back to the house & the rest of the evening, I kept trying it. I even took the battery & camera card out of the camera…still the same error message. I looked at the manual & looked at the Canon website, searching for answers. It said that this message would come on if the lens had too much pressure applied to it. So, I guess I squeezed it in its case too hard? All I know is I was really sad about it.


The loss of my camera, plus the way I was feeling, equaled me falling into discouragement. With tears in my eyes, I typed this as my Facebook status that evening:


Jenn Noll is trying NOT to be discouraged... Please pray for my STILL swollen feet & ankles, the rumbly in my tummy, & my handheld camera that I apparently broke today after taking a picture of 2 teachers I'll be volunteering with. :( Also, please pray for my visa application as I go to immigration WED morning! On a positive note, I got to see the school where I’ll be, met some staff, & enjoyed a Bible study there today.

10 Memorable Moments in Oaxaca, Mexico (from Days 1, 2, & 3)

On past missions trips, our team would meet together at the end of each day to regroup & decompress, with what we called "Highs and Lows" ~ this was a chance to share what God had taught us that day, what really made us smile, OR what made us cry, or was bothering us.  Then, we'd pray for each other & for the ministry, praising God for the things that were the HIGHS & asking for help with the lows.

I decided that I'm going to share with you my HIGHS & just keep the "lows" to myself (only to be shared with God & with those of you who ask).

So, these posts of HIGHS are for:
     * those who want the "short" version, instead of reading each day's diary page I've posted.
     * those who are interested in the HIGH points of my trip so far
     * those who just want a quick glimpse of what it is like being a volunteer missionary here in Oaxaca, Mexico

HIGHS of Days 1, 2, & 3:

* that God helped both of my laptops get here safely & Roy was able to fix the power cord that was irreparable (there are 2 because one is being donated to SIL)

* meeting the famous author of beloved children’s books, Harry Allard (I LOVE the Miss Nelson books!!!!)

* enjoying fellowship with 3 teachers from Oaxaca Christian School (toured a museum together that used to be the governor’s palace where we learned and played an ancient board game & saw beautiful murals, then went to lunch where I had my first taste of authentic Oaxacan food)

* sitting on a bed in Oaxaca, Mexico listening online to Pastor Joe’s Sunday morning message just a few hours after he had preached it at Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia = PRICELESS!

* visiting an impressive English Lending Library & ending up buying Thai food inside the library & enjoying it for supper (my first time eating Thai)

* relaxing with an iced mocha at The Italian Coffee Company, next to the beautiful Park of the Lions

* answering all of Rosa’s questions about my immigration paperwork in Spanish (It’s been 3 years since I’ve even attempted speaking Spanish & I was only a beginner even then…to say that I NEED PRACTICE is an understatement!!!)

* the encouragement and smiles that come from being able to chat online with Facebook with family, friends, & former coworkers  (IF you see me online on FB, FEEL FREE to open a chat ~ it's great to hear from "home" when I'm out of the country!)

* trying to keep a straight face when I got my pictures taken at a professional photographer for my immigration papers (He instructed me to be solemn, but I was giggling inside that I was an unattractive, sweaty mess with a swollen face and eyelids!)

* relaxing with feet up & watching the movie Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood with Julie & Roy (Although I’d seen it several times before, it was so much fun to watch it with people who’d never seen it before!)

Day Three Diary Page ~ A Day Like None I’ve Ever Had Before

Monday, April 19, 2010
Today was a day FILLED with new experiences: riding a public bus in Oaxaca, visiting an English lending library where famous authors hang out & they sold Thai food, enjoying a yummy iced drink that looked like art, visiting the SIL office, & seeing the biggest mountains my eyes have ever seen!

I woke up this morning before the alarm clocks again, at 7 something. This is two days in a row this has happened & it’s cracking me up because at home, it takes like 3 alarms to pull me out of bed! Well, it’s better to be up early, then to sleep through the alarm, so it’s all good! I stayed in bed till 8, & was downstairs by 8:30. I had oatmeal, a piece of toast, & milk. The milk here is the ultra-pasteurized kind that is in a box & is sold on a shelf instead of refrigerated.

Julie drove the 3 of us into the SIL office. She introduced me to several of the members & also showed me a wall with pictures of about 100 members, telling me where they were ministering. It is all really interesting!

Then, we walked to the ATM, walked to the bus stop, took the bus, then walked a few more blocks to get my picture taken for my immigration visa. By the time I arrived, I was “glowing” ~ I knew it wouldn’t be an attractive picture, because my hair was all pulled back, my face & eyes were still all puffy, & my face was still dripping from the exercise & the heat. But, I figured, at least I still have my winning smile! So, the photographer placed me on the stool, tilted my head one way, then another, pushed back my shoulders, & nodded approvingly. As he stood behind the camera, adjusting the lens, I was smiling my widest smile. He was shaking his head & speaking in Spanish…all I caught was a word that sounded similar to “solemn” ~ sure enough, he didn’t want me to smile! By now, I was giggling inside, just imagining what this picture would look like ~ a sweaty, white girl with apparently no hair, puffy eyes, and no smile. It was so hard to keep a straight face, because I was laughing about the unattractive picture that would portray me on my official documents!

Then, we walked to a nearby English Lending Library. Imagine my surprise when I once again saw the world-famous author, Harry Allard! Julie bought a movie that I suggested (for 5 pesos) and I bought a non-fiction book about the survivors of the 1930s dust bowl (for 30 pesos).

I was also surprised to find a lady selling Thai food right there inside the library! Joy bought a shrimp & rice dish and spring rolls for us to eat for supper.

As we walked back to the bus stop, Julie suggested that we take a break by stopping at The Italian Coffee Company.  I knew I wanted something iced, to refresh from the heat. After I decided what I wanted, Joy told me she & Roy both liked that one too. I guess great minds think alike. It was an iced mocha with chocolate syrup, and topped with super yummy whipped cream, jimmies, & an Oreo. It was SO good! They also had nice comfy chairs & a great view of the beautiful park across the street!

We took the bus back & then walked a couple blocks uphill to the SIL office.

Boy, walking back up that hill was tough!

After drinking a bunch of water, I sat with Rosa (the SIL office receptionist) to do final paperwork that would be needed to apply for my visa. This was my first attempt at speaking and reading in Spanish.

Julie made us yummy ham & cheese quesadillas for lunch at 3:30. We had an interesting conversation over lunch where I learned about a couple of enlightening topics. We left the office at about 5 & drove over a mountain to get back to the house. It was really neat to get that view of the valley! Man, those mountains are HUGE!

We all watched The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood together when we got back. (This was the movie I had recommended from the library.) I had already seen it more than once, but it was such fun watching it with people who hadn’t seen it before. Good times, many laughs…

At 8 I had a small plate of the Thai food for supper. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not, as I had never tried Thai food before, but it was really tasty.

Julie went to aerobics class then & I spent time chatting on Facebook & editing & uploading pictures. I also had good conversation with Roy on & off during this time ~ I so enjoy learning about this area & the people of this area from both the English speaking Mexicans and from others who have spent many years here! In my opinion, it’s better to hear the facts from those who’ve experienced it than just reading about these things online or from a book.

I went to bed at 12:15, but didn’t sleep well...

Day Two Diary Page, Waking Up In Oaxaca, Mexico for the Very First Time

Sunday, April 18, 2010
Today was a day of pleasant surprises: a yummy homemade breakfast, finding so many things in common with Miriam, meeting a world famous author, finding inspiration in a liturgical Anglican church, visiting the governor's palace, finding authentic Oaxacan food delicious, & finding comfort in a message streamed all the way from Philadelphia!

I woke up, without an alarm, at 8 & stayed in bed till 8:30. I got in the shower for the first time here…I was told that it would take a little while for the hot water to come on. So, as soon as it was warm enough, I stepped under & did my thing. But, the water kept getting warmer & warmer until it was hot! I was turning the hot knob down & the cold knob up, but it didn’t make a difference. I finished quickly, but boy oh boy, that was some hot water. Here, it turns out that the cold water had run out. Well, it sure woke me up!

When I came downstairs, I found out that Julie was stomach sick all night. So, Roy made scrambled eggs. Miriam came over to drive us to church. This is the girl who is my age & teaches Spanish at the school where I’ll be volunteering. She is going to be the one driving me into school each day. I got to know her a bit then at the house & on the way to church.

Pastor Steve was outside the Anglican Holy Trinity Church building & greeted us. I walked in to find that this was actually their house & we were meeting in their living room, which had been converted into a small, but effective sanctuary. I had only been to a liturgical service once & just looking at the order of service in the bulletin was a bit overwhelming. So, I suggested to Miriam that I would be in charge of finding the songs in the hymnal if she would be in charge of finding all the prayers & readings in the prayer book. The sharing idea worked well & we managed to stay mostly on track. The whole service was in English. There were about 15 other people at the service, including Lori & Nancy, who are 2 of the other teachers at the school. I really appreciated the pastor’s message, which touched on topics of coping with commitments, the dangers of self-sufficiency, seeing God through stressful circumstances, & staying focused on counting our blessings!

After the service, they had a time of fellowship with refreshments provided by one of the missionaries. There were yummy bite-sized spinach quiche, of which I had two. There were also Triscuits (which apparently are really tough to get here) with dip & black coffee. As Miriam, Lori, Nancy & I were sitting down, Lori asked me if I’d ever heard of the Miss Nelson books. I said, “Oh yeah! That is one of my very favorite series!” To which she said, “Well, let me introduce you to Harry, the author.” I TOTALLY THOUGHT SHE MUST BE JOKING! I mean, seriously, what are the chances that I would come to a tiny, English-speaking Anglican church in Oaxaca, Mexico and meet one of my very favorite authors??? So, I stumbled out a few phrases that made it evident I thought she was joking. Meanwhile, my head just kept going back and forth from him to her, shaking in disbelief! When I finally realized it was true, I shook his hand & told him that I use the 3 Miss Nelson books in my classroom, to start off the first few days of every new school year! We all had good conversation during the time of fellowship & I was able to get to know all 3 teachers a bit more.

Joy had thoughtfully arranged a plan for lunch after church, but because she was still sick, it was just 3 teachers & me. They showed me around the zocolo, which was a busy square where people gathered to shop, sell, meet, & eat...  The state band was playing and we listened to it for a few minutes. There must have been 50 to 75 people playing in that band. Their music sounded great. Then, we decided to walk into the museum that borders the zocolo. It is a state museum that used to be the Governor’s palace.  The inside was amazingly beautiful!  While there, we had fun learning and playing an ancient board game with beans & corn as our playing pieces. It was such fun that Nancy bought one! The museum was really interesting, although we didn’t look at every single exhibit. Another fascinating thing were the 2 murals. I’ve been fascinated with murals for a long time, so I was excited to see some Mexican mural art in person!

Finally (at 3:30) we sat down, outdoors, at a restaurant to have lunch. I wanted to have some authentic Oaxacan food, so I picked from a few that were recommended. I don’t remember what it was called, but it was a large, thin slice of Oaxacan beef with crispy tortillas, covered with a chile sauce made with green tomatoes, covered with 2 different kinds of cheeses that I’ve never had before. I was so super hungry & it was so super good!!!

After Miriam dropped me off at the house, I spent about an hour online – checking email, Flickr, & Facebook. Then, I took notes in my journal as I streamed Pastor Joe’s message from that morning at Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia into my new room in Oaxaca, Mexico = GOTTA LOVE IT!

When I went downstairs, we got to talking about movies. Julie showed me this dvd they had called The Ultimate Gift. Since I’d never seen it, Julie watched it with me. It was a really good story & I recommend it for sure.

At 10ish, I had a ham & cheese sandwich for a late supper & was in bed by 11:15.

I AM disappointed that I didn’t have my camera with me to capture the events of the day, but it was a GOOD day, waking up in Oaxaca, Mexico for the very first time!

Day One Diary Page ~ Getting To Oaxaca, Mexico from Pennsylvania, USA

Saturday, April 17, 2010
I want to say a gigantic “Thank you” to my prayer partners for praying over all the details of this day for me! There were so many steps ~ so many things that had to go right for me to catch my flights, make my connections… All in all, things went very smoothly!

My sister Jackie, who lives 5 minutes from our house, was in the kitchen making breakfast for me when I came downstairs! What a blessing it was to eat a warm meal & to visit with Jackie & my 3 nieces a bit before leaving for the airport! My Mommy & Daddy drove me to the Philadelphia International Airport, where we arrived at 10am.

I bought a BIG water bottle before the flight & sat next to a very nice Texan man on the flight to Houston, TX. When we arrived, they told us the tram was down, so we would need to walk. It was 35 minutes of walking & sweating & walking & sweating through the airport! I bought a jumbo diet coke & sat down with my sandwich to relax & cool down.

I hadn’t remembered that when you fly on one of these much smaller planes, that your carry-on suitcases aren't allowed on the tiny airplane. Instead, they tag them & stow them under the plane.  I had my laptop computer in the front pocket of the suitcase, because that is where it fit.  But, now that it wasn't with me, safe in an overhead compartment, during the flight, I was concerned that the laptop would get cracked or crushed by the other luggage in the belly of the plane. For 2 ½ hours, we flew down the coast, through thunderstorms & there was turbulence the entire way from TX to Oaxaca.

While on that plane, I had filled out the customs declaration form. But, I didn’t realize that there was ANOTHER form that I was supposed to be given while on the plane. It was a form for immigration, to receive the tourist visa.  When I found out there was a different form that I needed, I was standing in front of the immigration agent, dumbfounded as to what to do next.  Then, by God’s provision, a girl who had been sitting a couple seats behind me on the flight had an extra form. I remembered hearing her tell the flight attendant that she had an extra & the flight attendant told her to go ahead & keep it as a souvenir. Well, she gave me the form & I got it filled out & all was well!

Praise the Lord, I picked up my luggage & got through customs with no issues. Roy was right there to help me to the van & Julie was there at the van. It was so great to finally be there, to meet them, & to know that the day’s journey was almost over! It was maybe a 15 minute ride to their house? I called my parents when we arrived. (It was nice to hear their voices! Of all the short-term missions trips I had been on, I had never had the opportunity to speak with family from the field! So, that was a true blessing! I unpacked into the room they were providing for me, visited with them a bit, used the laptop, & got to bed about 12:30.

It's Official!

IT IS OFFICIAL!!!!  I'm Going to Serve, with Wycliffe Associates, at Oaxaca Christian School, in Mexico, for 7 Weeks!!! 

I wanted to share all the details I know with each of you!  But, since I am leaving in just two weeks, there's no way I can speak with each of you. 
So, I created a Partnership Letter, filled with details.  You can read it (and print it) by clicking HERE.

I also created a Prayer Card, with the trip dates and specific prayer requests about this trip.  My intention for this Prayer Card is that you would have it hanging on your fridge, or in your office, or put it in your Bible ~ somewhere that you will see it daily and remember to pray for me. Prayer is SO powerful & is really needed when on a missions trip!!  You can view it (and print it) by clicking HERE. 

Lastly, there's a Partnership Response Card, provided by Wycliffe Associates.  This is for anyone who is able to financially contribute to this trip AND who wants to receive a receipt, for tax purposes.  To print this Partnership Response Card, click HERE.   

I have been told that I will have access to high-speed internet while I am in Mexico.  So, it is my intention to regularly update this blog with stories and pictures from the trip. 
STAY TUNED!!!  Feel free to comment on this blog and feel free to share it with others.  :)

Also, feel free to email me while I am away...I cannot explain how wonderful it is to hear "from home" ~ share whatever you like = words of encouragement, prayer requests, updates on your life... 


THANK YOU for ALL you are doing, to partner with me as I minister in Oaxaca, Mexico!  Thank you for your prayers!  Thank you for your financial donations!  Thank you for sharing the news with others!  “You are the world’s light…You glow in the night for all to see! Don’t hide your light! Let it shine!  Let your good works shine so others will see them and praise your Heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16

If God Could Use A Donkey...

I want to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ by reminding you that no matter where we’ve come from, no matter what we’ve done, and no matter what we’re struggling with right now, God can still mightily use us if we are available and listening for His direction!

Sometimes, we allow our enemy Satan to plant seeds of doubt in our minds. We think we are not good enough for God to use, or think we don’t have enough victory in our lives to testify, or even think that we don’t have an impressive enough testimony.
Personally, I have felt all those things at different points in my life.
Often, I just feel too sinful and full of weakness for God to use me, to bring others to Christ, or to work through me, to encourage others.  But, remember ~ Satan is a LIAR!

During those times that I do not feel useful for God, I remind myself of the Bible story from Numbers 22.  It is an interesting story about the prophet Balaam.  What ended up happening, is that to get Balaam’s attention, God actually spoke through the donkey!
YES, ~ the donkey talked!
Maybe even more amazing, is that Balaam did not hesitate to talk BACK to the donkey!
Seriously though, I figure, if God can work through a donkey, then He can certainly speak through me!

Many years ago, I wrote a poem about this, and I want to share it with you.  It's about men and women from the Bible who COULD have thought they were not useful to God.  HOWEVER, God did a mighty work in and through their lives anyway!

Use Me, Lord!
I was busy thinking…
“Can You use me Lord?
Lord, can you use ME?
What would You possibly use me for?
Sometimes I feel rotten to the core.
What good could I do for You?”
But then, God reminded me of some important Bible characters:
And NOW I say,
If You could use a “Divided David,” You can use me;
He was a murderer and adulterer, yet he was “after God’s own heart!”
If You could use “Teetering Thomas the Twin,” You can use me;
He doubted God, hence the blessing for those of us who believe without seeing!
If You could use “Persecutor Paul,” You can use me;
He once mocked God and persecuted His people, then wrote half the New Testament!
If You could use “Rehabilitated Rahab,” You can use me;
She was a prostitute, yet helped Israelite spies, and was an ancestor of Christ!
If You could use “Ancient Abraham,” You can use me;
He was way past his prime, yet God blessed his seed as the sands of the earth!
If You could use “Jittery Jonah,” You can use me;
He ran from God’s calling and will, yet with one sermon saved a whole city!
If You could use “Redeemed and Royal Ruth,” You can use me;
A foreigner who came from poverty, yet she became an ancestor of our Messiah!
Yes, thank You God for these reminders!
Thank you that no matter what I have done, You can still use me!
Please God, save me from the distractions of life, that I may better serve You!
Written by God and Jennifer Noll, September 22, 1998

I hope this will encourage each of you to daily resist those seeds of doubt; then, instead to recognize that God has a plan for your life.  It is a good plan!  It is a plan that includes working through you to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

You can begin just by sharing with someone else what God has done for you lately! Can you share of what He has taught you? Can you share what He has brought you through? Can you share how you have seen His hand of protection over you? Can you testify of His faithfulness in your life?  The answers should be: Yes! Yes! Yes…and Amen!

Remember, if God could use a donkey, He can use you too! 
So, don’t hesitate, start sharing the Good News!  Then, trust Him to bring about results!

Click HERE to read that interesting story of the talking donkey!

Who Is In Control?

Having grown up just an hour from the ocean, I have many vivid memories of childhood trips to the Jersey Shore.

That was back in the day when you could just enjoy a day on the beach, instead of being consumed with today’s concerns. There was no such thing as sunblock. I had no fear of sharks or jellyfish or pollution. I didn’t care what others thought of how I looked in my swimsuit.
We just enjoyed ourselves in the sun, with the Coleman cooler of food, and fun in the ocean!
I remember:
* the excitement during our drive there, when we began to see sand along the sides of the roads.
* the slightly fishy smell as we stepped out of the pickup truck.
* hearing the sound of the waves, before actually seeing them crash against the shore.
* the feel of the hot sand between my toes.
* the taste of drying saltwater on my lips.
* sun so bright, I needed to squint to see anything, but no matter how hard I focused, I couldn’t see where the ocean met the sky.
* being amazed by how powerful the ocean was, when I would be knocked off my blow-up raft, get sucked under the water, and fight against the waves until my smiling face once again touched the sunshine.

I know that I am SUPER blessed to have had parents who took us to the shore, so we could have those experiences growing up!
Now, as an adult, I still love the ocean!

Because my sister & her husband live in Florida, this past year I was blessed to spend 2 weeks in Florida, on the ocean! The first week was with my teenage niece, Alexis. The second week was with my Mommy. I had a TON of fun, enjoying the ocean with them!

I still stand on the sand, amazed by the power and beauty of the waves!

I am still someone who goes to the beach to actually get in the water, because I still love bobbing around to the rhythm of those rocking waves!

I still drive away with a smile on my face, remembering a fun-filled day!

BUT, I also view a day at the shore much differently than when I was younger!
~ like getting a headache from the glaringly bright sun,
~ the grating sand inside your swimsuit that gets transferred to your car, your clothes, and your tub,
~ the inevitably burned skin and chapped lips,
~ the unintentional gulps of germy saltwater,
~ your bottle of ice water that too quickly turns the unappealing temperature of bath water,
~ the annoying birds that want to steal your sandwich…

All these memories (good and bad) came pouring into my mind today when I read Job 38:8-11. It says: God said, “Who created the ocean? Who caused it to be born? I put the clouds over it as though they were its clothes…I fixed limits for it…I said, ‘You can come this far. But you can’t come any farther. Here is where your proud waves have to stop.’”

Besides all my memories of the ocean ~ these verses also remind me that God is in control! Just like the ocean gave me both positive memories and not-so-positive memories, God being in control brings both wonderfully comforting thoughts and not-so-easy to accept facts.
     God is in control means He is at work in each of our lives!
     God is in control means He has a design for each of our lives!
     God is in control means He has given us everything we have!
Job 1:21 says, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave me everything I have. It was His to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
And, Job 2:9-10 reminds us, “…Shall we take only good things from the hand of God? Shall we never take any bad things?…We accept good things from God. So we should also accept trouble when He sends it.”
     God is in control means He doesn’t always give us what we want when we want it.
     God is in control means He allows things (or people) to be taken from our lives.
     God is in control means we don’t get to know what tomorrow might bring.
BUT ~ even in the midst of all this, He is still working in our lives and He is still in control.
These are lessons that He wants each of us to obediently accept, even before we understand.
So, because He knows best, we need to first CHOOSE to allow Him to have control! If we’re trying to run things, then we are living in disobedience.
As I reminded a class of middle schoolers this week ~ EVERY TIME we disobey, there IS a consequence! Every time…
Job 5:17-18 says, “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal.”
If we are living a life yielded to the Savior, we can look forward to blessings to come as He reveals His will for our lives! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

To my Brothers and Sisters in Christ ~ PLEASE keep me in your prayers!  Yes, I am still planning on going to the international mission field for another short-term trip.  Yes, I have been accepted by 2 missions organizations.  Yes, one of them has offered me placement.  BUT ~ I am still prayerfully seeking direction on which way I should turn... I am expecting a phone call this coming week with more details about another placement.  I am hoping that call will bring much awaited answers.  Meanwhile, I am still substitute teaching, trying to walk obediently, trying to daily surrender, and trying to accept that peace that passes all understanding!  So, please pray with me! 

Through Rose-Colored Glasses

Lessons in Vision, Part Four

A couple weeks ago, my 7-year old niece Vanessa and I were getting bundled up to spend some quality time together outside. It had already snowed about 9 inches, and was still snowing. Because it was really bright outside, I wore my sunglasses. (If you look at this picture of us, you can see them on top of my head.)
 

We walked through the snow for about 20 minutes, and made it to the park. After swinging on the swings for a bit together, I took my sunglasses off so I could take a few pictures.

When Vanessa asked if she could wear my sunglasses, I didn’t hesitate to give them to her. Seconds after she put them on, with surprise in her voice, she dramatically said, “Auntie Jenn, these glasses make everything look so different! Everything is so pretty! I feel like I am looking at Heaven!”

She was so cute that I literally laughed out loud at her reaction!

She looked around for another minute, then gave them back and continued playing.

A little while later, I asked her if she wanted to wear them again. She said, “Nah. It makes things pretty, but I want to see how they really look instead.”

Her reaction to seeing things through those sunglasses has come to my mind several times since then.
It made me think of the Biblical applications to that cliché expression about “Rose-Colored Glasses”.
When someone thinks about or looks at something with rose-colored glasses, it means they are seeing things as better than they actually are. You see the beauty, but not the truth. You are making a choice to not accept what is true because it’s easier than taking an honest look inside.

So, I’m encouraging each of us today to CHECK YOUR VISION! Are you looking at things in your life through Rose-Colored Glasses? Many of us feel like, “No, I’m doing alright. I love God and I basically keep the 10 commandments. I haven’t done anything really bad.” But, the truth is that God sees sin as SIN. There is really no difference between a tiny white lie or murder. In fact, Scripture says that if we even hate others, we are guilty of murder.
I John 3:14-15 “We know that we have left our old dead condition and entered into new life. We know it because we love one another. Those who do not are still living in their old condition. Those who hate their brothers and sisters are murderers and do not have eternal life in them.”

It is SO easy to slip on those rosy glasses and not recognize the sins we are committing. But, we NEED TO TAKE THE GLASSES OFF, because those sins keep us from true fellowship with God! But, if we choose to recognize them, repent, and move forward, making changes with God’s strength, we will remain in His love and have joy overflowing.
John 15:10-11 says, “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

Here is a list of reality checks for each of us:

• How competitive are you? Does it bother you when someone else wins? = Jealousy
• Have you not done something that you said you would, or broken agreements you have made? = Hypocrisy
• Do you remember to say “thank you” to others and to God? = Ungrateful
• Have you thought “it just isn’t fair, that they…?” = Envy
• Do you throw out insults instead of encouraging others? = Malicious
• Are you afraid how circumstances will turn out? = Worry
• Do you find yourself snapping at others or holding onto something another has done to you? = Bitterness
• Do you use “Oh my God,” or in text “omg” instead of only using His name reverently? = Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain
• Have you taken something that isn’t yours at work, like food from the fridge or office supplies? = Stealing
• Have you found yourself saying something harmful about someone else, maybe saying things that don’t know for sure are true? = Blaspheming
• Have you complained about something that someone else did without knowing why they really did it? = Slander
• Do you only tell half the truth sometimes or leave things out on purpose? = Lying

I want to encourage you to quiet yourself before the Lord. Ask Him to reveal to you any areas of your life where you are not being honest with yourself. Listen for His still small voice. He will help you to take off those rosy glasses to see what you need to change.
     Sometimes, He will do this through His Words in Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
     Sometimes God will use other people in your life. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “So we are Christ's official messengers. It is as if God were making his appeal through us. Here is what Christ wants us to beg you to do. Come back to God!”

SO ~ my brothers and sisters in Christ ~ I want to leave you with a verse of encouragement. Although it is Paul writing to Timothy, we know and believe that it is the inspired Word of God, and is still for each of us today. 1 Timothy 6:11 says “Run away from all of those things. Try hard to do what is right and godly. Have faith, love and gentleness. Hold on to what you believe.”

(I just HAD to add this photo of Vanessa here! 

It's from this past summer...she's SO cute!) 

“Marco!”…. “Polo!”

Lessons in Vision, Part Three

With my eyes tightly closed, I stood perfectly still and shouted, “Marco!”

Their response came immediately, “Polo!”

“Marco!!” I repeated.
“Polo!” THEY repeated.
I slowly walked forward, through the waist deep water, with my arms held straight out in front of me. From different directions around me I heard: giggles, whispers, and small splashes of the pool water… Where were they?

When playing that pool game, I'd say that it's MORE fun to be the ones “Marco” is trying to find than to be blindly searching for the others. Wouldn't you agree?


I am SO glad that we do not need to blindly search for God, like in that Marco Polo game! There are so many promises in the Bible that God is with us always, that He will never leave us, and that He will be found by us when we seek Him.
Those promises are always a huge comfort to read and remember!

Recently though, I was reminded of the story from Luke 24:13-35. It is about two followers of Jesus, who are walking along the road to Emmaus, just a couple days after Jesus was crucified on the cross. Verses 15 and 16 say that when they were talking about the events of the past couple days, “Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. But God kept them from recognizing Him.”


So, sometimes, we do not recognize Jesus, even though He is right there with us!
To be completely honest with you, this is something I am recently walking through, in my desire to be more involved in world missions ~ my head KNOWS that God is still working in my life. But, I seem to be in a holding pattern, and find myself wishing God would just tell me which path He wants to walk along with me. It FEELS like I am playing “Marco Polo” with God ~ but, feelings lie!!!


What about you? Are you searching for God in the midst of it all? Have you been struggling through something? Are you calling to Him while wondering, “God, where are you?”
Two questions we need to ask are:
1. How often is Jesus in the midst of it all, in my life, and yet I do not recognize Him?
2. Am I looking FOR Him and TO Him in the midst of it all?


He is not seen in a downwards vision!
We will not see Christ if we are looking down in discouragement! Every day, we need to decide to look UP! This means we need to focus on our blessings and depend fully on His help! He is asking, “Are you going to quit, or are you going to trust me?” It is our responsibility to make the CHOICE to look up!
He is not seen in a backwards vision!
Some of us get stuck by the “good old days” or stuck by regrets from the past. Instead, only look backwards to see where He has brought us from and how faithful He has been. Then, He will help us become unstuck and be able to look forward to where He is taking us.
Jesus is seen in the attentive gaze!
We need to recognize and live connected to the fact that we serve a risen Savior! Every day, we need to make the choice to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and the truth of His Word. We cannot let distracting debris get in our way. He can give us victory over the spiritual attacks of the enemy! Whether we feel like it or not, out of obedience, our vision needs to be focused on Christ alone!
REMEMBER Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes only on Jesus, the champion who began our faith and makes it perfect. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor at the right side of God’s throne."


So, I want to encourage you to LOOK FOR Jesus and LOOK TO Jesus in your daily life. What has He blessed you with? What has He protected you from? What doors has He opened for you? Who has he brought into your day that you can share Him with?


Ask yourself ~ Are you daily depending on His strength and His guidance?
Or, are you trying to do it on your own, finding your own way…blindly playing Marco Polo?

My New “Corrective Lenses”

Lessons in Vision, Part Two

A couple months ago, the eye-doctor gave me a prescription for glasses. She had actually given me the same prescription at my last visit, 2 years earlier, but I had decided not to get them. That was mainly because, it seemed to me, my vision was just fine. This time though, I considered the doctor’s advice and got the glasses.

Four things the doctor told me that day stuck with me:

1. It was my choice whether or not to get glasses.

2. It would be such a small prescription, that the change would be barely noticeable.

3. She warned me that once I put them on, things might look like they were coming at me faster.

4. She warned me until I got used to them, that I would need to be careful walking while wearing them, especially walking up or down steps.

I’m not too proud to be honest here ~ so, yes, I’ll admit it ~ I actually tripped in the parking lot, as I wore the glasses out of the store!

Wearing those glasses just made my surroundings LOOK different!

* It LOOKED LIKE the ground was higher!

* It LOOKED LIKE I needed to lift my foot higher as I stepped.

* When I was driving home, the street signs LOOKED LIKE someone had redone them in a bolder print.

Obviously though, even though it LOOKED LIKE things had changed, nothing at all had actually changed. Those glasses just allowed me to see things as they really were.

This experience reminded me of a verse I had memorized as a child. First Corinthians 13:12 says, “Now we see things imperfectly. It is as if we are seeing them in a cloudy mirror. But someday we will see clearly, with perfect clarity. We will see face to face. All that I know now is partial and incomplete. But someday I will know completely, just as God knows me completely.”

Because we live in a fallen, sinful world, we are all in one of 3 places right now:

1. heading into a difficult circumstance

2. in the midst of a difficult circumstance right now

3. just coming out of a difficult circumstance

But, I want to challenge you to check your vision!

Remember how my surroundings LOOKED different, once I put those new glasses on? It was once the glasses were on, that I actually saw things as they really were!

Well, in the same way, our circumstances will look different when we focus our vision on how mighty God is!

* Don’t focus on the impossibilities, instead, focus on His miraculous power!

* Don’t focus on the size of the problem, instead, focus on the size of the problem solver!

* Don’t focus on the doubts that the enemy brings, instead, focus on the promises of our faithful God!

More than once recently I’ve been reminded that we do not get to see the whole picture that God has planned for us! We need to be okay with not knowing. The only way to be okay with it, is to trust Him! That verse in I Corinthians 13 reminds us that one day, we will see clearly, and know, and understand...Meanwhile, brothers and sisters, CHOOSE every day, moment by moment, to trust Him!

Check your vision!

Where Is Your Focus?

Lessons in Vision, Part One

Have you heard this while driving? “Keep your eyes on the road!!!!” On the other hand, maybe you have shouted it at someone while you were a passenger?

I want to invite you to take a road trip with me for a minute here as you read…Ok, hop in! 

Now, if you picture what your eyes see while you are driving, there are three basic views:
1. Straight ahead of you is where you will soon be.
2. Out the side window is what you are currently passing by.
3. In the rearview mirror is where you have come from.


A safe driver is completely aware of what is happening all around them, while they stay focused on the road straight ahead.
Of course, it is also important to use those other views too. Rearview and side mirrors help you get ready to pass someone and help you to reverse into a parking spot. And, you look out the side windows before you make a turn.
But, IF a driver focuses on any one of those views for too long, they quickly become an unsafe driver!
Are you still with me?


Okay, so once upon a time, I had an inspiring poster that said:
My name is “I am” ~ Don’t look for me in the past, I am not called “I was” ~ Don’t look for me in the future, for I am not called “what will be” ~ My name is “I am”.
That poster was probably based on Exodus 3:13-15: God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' …This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.”


For me, personally, this translates into:
1. It is not healthy to focus mainly on the past. There is nothing I can do now to change my past. There is no use regretting my past because it made me who I am today.
2. It is not healthy to focus mainly on the future. There is no sense in being worried about what is next, because we do not know what tomorrow holds. There is no way I can know God’s plans for every step of my future.
3. It IS healthy to focus mainly on today. I need to live one day at a time. I need to use these 24 hours to the best of my ability.


Hebrews 13:8 is the promise that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
  * This means that the God who was faithful to keep Noah’s family safe on that ark will still be faithful to you and me!
  * This means that the God who forgave Peter, who had denied Him 3 times, will still forgive you and me!
  * This means that the God who lovingly chastened Jonah and gave him a second chance, will still act lovingly with you and me!
  * This means that the God who met the needs of the 5,000 with 5 little loaves and 2 fish will still miraculously provide for you and me!

I want to encourage you to check your vision!
Recognize, that although it is good to remember God’s faithfulness to us in the past and to be hopeful about His plans for our future, it is best for our focus to be on just walking in-step with Him today!
I know that no matter what challenging circumstances I might face today, it is my goal to keep focused on the promise that He is the same faithful, forgiving, loving God who provides for all our needs yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

PLEASE ~ continue to keep my ministry in your prayers!  I am still substitute teaching a day or two a week.  This week, I am scheduled for 3 days.  I am trying to be a Godly blessing to the kids and to the teachers.  That requires a LOT of dependence on God.  Thankfully, when we are weak, He is strong!  :)     

True Love From Above

For those in a relationship, Valentine’s Day is a special occasion that celebrates the love you have for your significant other. 

But, if you are single like me, Valentine’s Day can become a nasty, nagging reminder that you are all alone.  I heard a line in a movie today that said, “If we are all alone, then we are all together in that too.”

I've heard it said, "There's a God-shaped hole in each of us that no one else can fill."  God's Word reminds us that God IS love ~ and He created us to love and to be loved.  I Peter 4:8 says, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other. Love makes up for many of your faults.”

To keep all of us focused on True Love From Above, I am posting a poem that I wrote in 1999, followed by a few verses about love.  So, whether you are in a loving, committed relationship, or whether you are single and wishing they would just take Valentine’s Day off the calendar, I hope this poem and the verses are an encouragement to you!

True Love From Above

This year, to celebrate Valentine’s Day,

I want to take a moment now and say…

You, yes YOU, are a very special person!

No one else is just like you, no not one!

I genuinely care about what happens to you;

And I want to reunite with you one day in Heaven too!

So, during this special commemoration of love,

I’ll remind you how God sent down His Son from above.

“So that none would be lost, but would have eternal life.”

Jesus died, after much pain for you, He gave up His own life.

I hope you have chosen to accept this persona gift from Him.

There’s no better feeling that having your wrongs forgiven!

This here is simply one day our society has set aside;

Though we should daily tell others what we feel inside!

We are told to “encourage and lift up each other”

Whether stranger, parent, friend, enemy, brother…

God loves each of us the same no matter what we do;

He won’t love you any more or less, this is true.

Love is not merely a feeling, it is a choice!

Let’s express our love through actions, not just our voice.

The Bible tells us that “God IS love!”

So, let us show each other this true love from above!

Written by our Loving Creator & Jennifer Noll, February 9, 1999

*  Titus 2:7 You must be an example of good deeds of every kind. Let all you do reflect your love of the truth. Show that you are serious about it.
*  II Corinthians 3:18 We Christians have no veil over our faces, we reflect the wonderful things of the Lord. As God works in us, we become more like Him.
*  Luke 6:37 Never criticize or condemn. If you do, it will all come back to you. Go easy on others, then they will do the same for you.
*  Ephesians 4:29-32 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them…Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander. Stop all fighting and lying. Put away every form of hatred. Instead, be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you.
*  I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

PLEASE ~ put me on your prayer list, as I am still in the process of becoming a short-term missionary! 
I've been offered positions in 2 different countries from one mission organization.  I'm waiting to hear back from another mission organization.  And, I'm waiting to hear back from my missionary contacts in Guatemala, where I volunteered a few summers ago.  Please pray for wisdom, as I make some tough decisions.