The past week till 7 June

Had a good week, considering I have chronic pain in my ribs, sternum, hand and wrist for which I take a morphine cocktail :)
The pain is mostly controlled but shows itself in inconvenient times and places - like when taking exercise... or trying to write something with my hand-brace on...

Please, please, if you read my blog, say a little but heartfelt prayer for healing for me.. it's absolutely necessary, the way I see it, though I'm not sure God says the same thing? What I do know is that He's loving me through it, and that's 3 years now... and I'm waiting for an appointment for another 'nerve block', which I last had in December and worked really well for about 5 weeks. The doctors have been reluctant to give me another one so "soon" after the first.

I've recently read a book called 'God On Mute' by Pete Greig, who founded the 24/7 prayer movement, and it's outstanding: well-written, reader-friendly, and he speaks from the heart about his questions about healing, as his wife has suffered from a brain tumour which left her prone to epileptic seizures - they have 2 small children. It's a MUST for everyone's reading list, as it reminds us of the depths of the Father's love and commitment to us during the most painful times of our lives.

I also had cancer 2 years ago from which I believe I'm healed now, though I'm told I'll get the all clear after another 6 years. It was a shock but a process through which I discovered how God uses the Body to support each other - me being the recipient. My friends and mission-colleagues were wonderful.

So this past week was a good week pain wise, allowing me to work well, enjoying the people-contact and relationships I encounter daily, and to enjoy shopping with a good friend who has ovarian cancer and who I met when we both underwent chemtherapy together. One of the Lord's greatest gifts to me is and has been friends. World-wide. I'm SO grateful for them.

How have you encountered pain in your life, and how have you been supported? I'd love to know.

Great books recently read

Pete Grieg's 'God on Mute'

I know the plans I have for you...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." Jer.29:11

This is my 'life-Word', to which I refer continually through the good and the hard times, through valleys and over mountains; and which sustains my faith in the Father to see me through to the end.


(Just to let you know: I've never done a blog before so this is a new adventure; please bear with me as I try out my creative skills and discover what my computer can do!)

A photo will follow soon

My favourite things:

GOD

Family

Friends

Flowers (arranging them

and in gardens)

Animals (especially dogs

and cats)

Books (most types),

magazines

Music (classical, worship,

light pop)

Pink

Words

Interior decorating

What I spend my time doing:

Being with friends

Work: counselling, prayer ministry, mentoring, debriefing missionaries, teaching and training

missionaries (mainly) for the counselling ministry and in discipleship;

Helping out at our Christian bookstore

Praying for others

Visiting, 'being there', and generally making myself useful to a dear friend who has cancer

Communicating via email, skype and pretty cards to friends worldwide

Reading and studying

Shopping - when I can, even to look!

Making cards

Watching good TV shows and sport

A little about me:

I was born and raised in South Africa - a farmer's daughter

Surrendered my life to Jesus at 24 years old

Became a missionary at 27

My mission organization is Youth With A Mission; I joined in January

1979 and am still here!

I did counselling training with YWAM and have since then, enjoyed

training others to become counsellors

My heart's motivation is to pastor those who are hurting and encourage

those around me to grow as 'relators' in this world

My blood-family (Mum, Dad and brother) have all passed away

and I still have my beautiful

sister-in-law and her beloved children, as 'Number One'

people in my life

I would like to start hosting and facilitating quiet retreats,

where others can meet with God through silence,

contemplation and solitude

I have a Ghanaian god-daughter and a South African

great-niece, whom I adore

My wonderful friends live in many parts of the world,

and I often wonder what I'd do without them

I long for deeper intimacy with the Lord