Giver of Good Gifts - Guest Blogger

 When I read the latest Compassion Blogger assignment I immediately thought of my dear friend and fellow blogger Katie, from Walking in Unity!  I won't spoil why but read on to find out!


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God Is Good!

                  

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above......... (James 1:17)

    Please allow me to share a little of what is going on in my life as you are reading this now. I have a husband, two girls, work a full time job and currently entering into my second semester of Nursing School! - Yes a little exhausted! -But God is good!

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

    Over the years “I” have tried to go to nursing school several times, but life seem to get in the way. But I know now that God opened the door to this opportunity at exactly the right time. His time!

Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

    Being His daughter, I smile after seeing his hand work in my life and so many others around me. I know without a doubt at the age of 33 that I am where God has called me to be. After trying on my own through the years to find my place, my way, I surrendered to God and His timing and although very exhausted, less pay and little time for sleep, He has given peace and strength I have not known before.

    This all being said let now share something special to my heart. One Saturday night, tired and in debate if I really wanted to go, I went ahead and attended our church’s Ladies Auxiliary Christmas party. This is a dinner where we fellowship, have devotion and “Secret Sisters” exchange gifts.

As I opened my gift not knowing who was or is my Secret Sister. I soon realize I know it must be a dear sister that knows my heart. She must know how I love the Lord, have a heart for mission (although God has yet to open that door for me) and my heart to be a nurse, to be able to care and love others, that I may have care and compassion from God to help those hurting and in need. I pray I may help those physically, emotionally and spiritually as God allows me to do so.

So you must be wondering by now what was inside my gift?

A precious homemade gift card.

And As I open it, it says……………..

                                                                          
“In your name………….. 5 kids are protected”

With pictures from Compassion of children receiving medical care.

   

Five children are receiving medical care needed and provided by Compassion International due to a simple $20.00 given as a gift in my name by my precious “Secret Sister."  Not only did my secret sister give to missions for me but she gave to something so very dear to my heart. 5 children that are so loved by my Father will receive care from parasites, will receive protection from Malaria, and will receive care for an illness or an injury.

This is a gift, a good gift, one that is so simple but so powerful, that 5 children can be reached and through those 5 a difference can and will be made!

Mother Teresa once said…….

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

    I pray those 5 children touched by Compassion will be the start of many ripples.

I may not be able to travel across the waters to care for those in need, although my prayer is for God to use me and my nursing skills for His purpose and to someday cross those waters and serve Him by caring for His children. But that will be in His timing too.

 Though this gift I not only have been touched but all those I share this with and those of you that read this, I pray you will be touched and I encourage you to pray for those who give and those who receive the gift. 

1 Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

    Remember this Christmas what the true gift of Christmas really is! Jesus, He came to love, care, heal, die and save each one us. That is the best Gift!

Acts 20:35 - "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

By: Katie Presser

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Please remember the Giver of the perfect gifts this holiday season. Please visit the Compassion catalog to see how you can help make a difference in some body's life.

 

On a mission

Over a year ago when I felt the Lord calling me to the World Race I couldn't make sense of it. Like most things the Lord asks of us, it seemed crazy and most of all didn't fit into what I thought His calling on my life was.

As the race began, I only became more sure of what I already thought my role was going to be in the Kingdom; to be a support to my youth pastor husband and work with the youth. So how did international missions come into all of this? Or maybe I was wrong about what I thought my path would look like? I knew that we are all called to a mission field, but what was God wanting to show me in that specific season?

When had I started preparing for the world race I realized that our small community had a big heart for missions. Over the months of my world race journey I realized there were very few local and affordable options for most people to get involved. During the race, as I witnessed the possibilities of what ministry could look like, (and some of what it isn't) I realized that He was showing me what He wanted me to take back to our small church and community.

Four months into the world race, in Costa Rica, my eyes and heart began to open up to what the Lord was speaking to me. When I told Brett one day on the phone he practically began screaming, God had been speaking to him about the same thing! God wanted us to open a door...

After hearing what sounded like the Lord screaming, GET TO WORK, I returned home, got some business out of the way... :)

and we got straight to work.

The first 6 months we were married we spent more time away from home then we were at home. (really we counted it all up!) We had church camps, mission trips, conferences, and many other youth trips that have kept us very busy! However, we have not forgotten what God -not so gently- laid on our hearts. Although Brett's youth ministry is our first priority, we are currently in the process of forming a non-profit organization and we are so excited to lead our first mission trip to Costa Rica in May 2015. (crazy how we are going back to where it became so clear to me what God was trying to show us! Fun Fact: Costa Rica is also where Brett took his first mission trip!) AIN'T GOD GOOD!

We cannot wait to see all the ways God will use this to bless His people and further His kingdom!

Once God convinced me the world race was part of His plan, I thought I knew what 2014 would look like, But He is so good to keep us paying attention. I could not have planned it better myself, isn't that the way it always works!? Our Father in Heaven will always show us that trusting Him and His plan for us is far better than we could ever imagine!

Thank you for all your love & support,

Brett & Kylee Morris