I can’t believe it is already Friday!
This week has flown by.
Isn’t it amazing how much time people spend waiting for the week to end and the weekend to begin?
I don’t want to be one of those people.
I believe working is a gift from God. Scripture talks about how God made us to work and to enjoy the fruits of our labor.
As I think about going to the Czech Republic, I don’t want to just live for the two weeks we are going there.
I want us to enjoy the preparation, the time we are there and the time we are home.
I don’t want to view the trip like the weekend – where we spend so much time looking forward to it, that we forget to enjoy the process of God refining us and preparing us for the trip. The work he is doing now in our hearts is going to shape us for the future.
As Danielle and I have mentioned, this trip isn’t just a short little trip in our minds, we believe it’s the beginning of something more God is doing in our lives.
Have a great weekend!
-Ryan
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Daily CZECH Up-not so daily.....
Just a little note to let you know that we may not post something everyday. Between work, life and well, everything, sometimes we just don't have the time to post something. But don't worry, we will keep updating you and sharing a bit about the Czech! Maybe just not daily as the name suggests!
Stay tuned!
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Daily CZECH Up-Preparation
Last night I was out with one of my good friends. She asked me if we were ready for our trip.
I quickly said "Yes! We are so excited!" Then I realized. No, I am not ready at all. In fact I have had very little time or energy to think about it.
In my mind we have so much to do. Get a backpack for me. Get some clothes that will help. Start walking every day so we can be in shape for the trip. Get cat sitters figured out. And the list goes on.
But as Ryan talked about in a previous post, it's more important for us to be preparing our hearts for what the Lord is doing.
And I have failed. I keep getting caught up in all the other craziness in our life, that I forget to just slow down, and really allow the Lord to be working on my heart. To ready me for the work he is going to do this summer.
Time to put the lists aside, and get on my knees! Because more than good walking shoes, I need to be prepared spiritually for this trip.
I quickly said "Yes! We are so excited!" Then I realized. No, I am not ready at all. In fact I have had very little time or energy to think about it.
In my mind we have so much to do. Get a backpack for me. Get some clothes that will help. Start walking every day so we can be in shape for the trip. Get cat sitters figured out. And the list goes on.
But as Ryan talked about in a previous post, it's more important for us to be preparing our hearts for what the Lord is doing.
And I have failed. I keep getting caught up in all the other craziness in our life, that I forget to just slow down, and really allow the Lord to be working on my heart. To ready me for the work he is going to do this summer.
Time to put the lists aside, and get on my knees! Because more than good walking shoes, I need to be prepared spiritually for this trip.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Daily CZECH Up-A Verse
As uncertain as the world may be, today’s Daily Czech-up is a verse of promise.
We pray it will bless you.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
-Ryan
We pray it will bless you.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
-Ryan
Monday, May 24, 2010
Daily CZECH-Up-Preparing our Hearts
We hope you had a good weekend. We had a great and busy weekend filled with family and friends!
Friday Night, my Mom came and stayed with us. We had a great time with her.
Saturday morning, we talked and talked and talked. You know, the older I get – the more I appreciate the Mother I have.
My sister brought our niece and nephew over. They are such great kids and such a joy to be around.
Saturday afternoon, Danielle and I had the privilege of watching our friends’ children. As mentioned below, our friend Jeff graduated from Pharmacy School Saturday.
We watched his one-year-old and Jeff’s nephew who is also just over a year old. We had a good time playing with them outside in between the frequent rain.
On Saturday evening, Danielle and I hosted Jeff’s mother-in-law. What a treat!
We stayed up late talking to her. I love hearing testimonies of God’s faithfulness. She has a great testimony and continues to let God refine her. She reminded me about our “great provider” and how he is always working on our behalf. Linda is so honest and so genuine. What a blessing to have her in our lives.
Sunday morning, we stayed home from church since we had company. Danielle spent several hours making cupcakes and a cake for Jeff’s graduation party. I am so proud of my wife and how she is really using her baking skills for Christ. She is always looking for ways to bless people with her baking, including me! What a great gift God has blessed her with. Sunday afternoon, we had the graduation party for Jeff. This was a great celebration of family and friends. His wife Katherine, was very intentional about giving God the praise for his accomplishments.
We’re thankful for them both and how they have stayed true to the Lord through years of a grueling schedule. We are looking forward to seeing what God does in their lives in the coming months and years.
Sunday night, Danielle and I got home and relaxed for the remainder of the weekend.
Throughout the weekend, Danielle and I brainstormed about our future and about what God is doing.
One thing that kept coming up is how we often limit what God is doing in our lives.
Something Danielle and I are really working on is submitting our fears and concerns to Christ and letting him truly control our lives!
We both like to be in control of things which makes it hard surrendering that control to God.
I am amazed at how few people in the Czech Republic claim Christ. As Danielle and I were talking, we kept coming back to the idea of what it would be like if we as believers got out of the way and let God move through us and reach our world for Christ. It’s possible! We want to be vessels for Christ. We want people to see Christ in us.
This is one way we are preparing for our two weeks in country and then several years here at home.
We aren’t looking at this trip as an adventure that will have a beginning and an ending. We are viewing it as a trip that has a beginning and we hope it will stir things up in our hearts that will last a lifetime.
There’s a lot I don’t know about our future, but one thing I do know is that we are a work in progress. I am excited to see what God is going to do in the coming weeks, months and years.
-Ryan
Friday Night, my Mom came and stayed with us. We had a great time with her.
Saturday morning, we talked and talked and talked. You know, the older I get – the more I appreciate the Mother I have.
My sister brought our niece and nephew over. They are such great kids and such a joy to be around.
Saturday afternoon, Danielle and I had the privilege of watching our friends’ children. As mentioned below, our friend Jeff graduated from Pharmacy School Saturday.
We watched his one-year-old and Jeff’s nephew who is also just over a year old. We had a good time playing with them outside in between the frequent rain.
On Saturday evening, Danielle and I hosted Jeff’s mother-in-law. What a treat!
We stayed up late talking to her. I love hearing testimonies of God’s faithfulness. She has a great testimony and continues to let God refine her. She reminded me about our “great provider” and how he is always working on our behalf. Linda is so honest and so genuine. What a blessing to have her in our lives.
Sunday morning, we stayed home from church since we had company. Danielle spent several hours making cupcakes and a cake for Jeff’s graduation party. I am so proud of my wife and how she is really using her baking skills for Christ. She is always looking for ways to bless people with her baking, including me! What a great gift God has blessed her with. Sunday afternoon, we had the graduation party for Jeff. This was a great celebration of family and friends. His wife Katherine, was very intentional about giving God the praise for his accomplishments.
We’re thankful for them both and how they have stayed true to the Lord through years of a grueling schedule. We are looking forward to seeing what God does in their lives in the coming months and years.
Sunday night, Danielle and I got home and relaxed for the remainder of the weekend.
Throughout the weekend, Danielle and I brainstormed about our future and about what God is doing.
One thing that kept coming up is how we often limit what God is doing in our lives.
Something Danielle and I are really working on is submitting our fears and concerns to Christ and letting him truly control our lives!
We both like to be in control of things which makes it hard surrendering that control to God.
I am amazed at how few people in the Czech Republic claim Christ. As Danielle and I were talking, we kept coming back to the idea of what it would be like if we as believers got out of the way and let God move through us and reach our world for Christ. It’s possible! We want to be vessels for Christ. We want people to see Christ in us.
This is one way we are preparing for our two weeks in country and then several years here at home.
We aren’t looking at this trip as an adventure that will have a beginning and an ending. We are viewing it as a trip that has a beginning and we hope it will stir things up in our hearts that will last a lifetime.
There’s a lot I don’t know about our future, but one thing I do know is that we are a work in progress. I am excited to see what God is going to do in the coming weeks, months and years.
-Ryan
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Congratulations...DOCTOR
So, today our good friend Jeff is graduating from Pharmacy School. Did I mention with his PHD? No, I didn't. Yeah he is getting his PHD. He will now be Dr. Jeffrey Wiedemann. We are so very very proud of our friend. Minor Correction: Jeff got his PharmD. Docotorate in Pharmacy. Sorry for the PHD confusion.
It's been so fun to watch the whole process. From applying, getting in, getting his white coat, studying, studying, studying, his residency, and now this exciting day!
Jeff, we are so proud of you! Congratulations on this huge accomplishment!
The photos are from his hooding ceremony on Thursday Night. We weren't there, but here are some snap shots from his wife (and one with her)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Daily Czech-up – Prayer Requests
It’s Friday and another week has already come and gone.
Our prayer is that we won’t waste each day the Lord gives us.
We are frequently reminded that each day is precious and provides opportunity.
We ask that you pray with us for the missionaries currently serving in the Czech Republic.
We pray that they will take each day and each opportunity seriously and that their days won’t be wasted.
We pray for strength for them. That they would be able to standup against the opposition they face.
We also pray for protection for them. That God would protect their marriages and their lives.
It is so awesome to know that we our Father is our Savior and we pray this message will get out to those around the world and in our own communities.
Have a great weekend.
Your next Daily Czech-up is Monday.
Thanks for your prayer, your love and your financial support.
-Ryan
The picture is of Daniel and Kim Johnson, the missionaries in Orlova, Czech.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)