what is seen- and not known

I drove to Duke yesterday to see a dear friend in ICU. He is battling cancer.  It is comforting to know that our Lord is in control, even of this.  We do not see the big picture, He does. We are here for HIS purpose and glory.

So, after driving for 3.5 hours, then spending the day at the hospital. It was time to go to the room.
My friends sister, Margie so graciously allowed me to stay with her in her hotel room. 
My friends daughter is staying at XYZ hotel, which has a shuttle to the hospital.  I drove to XYZ hotel, immediately caught the shuttle to the hospital. (leaving all my stuff in the car at XYZ hotel).  My friends daughter told me that her aunt was staying in room 309.  So, when it was time to go to the room, I got off the shuttle, went to my car, gathered up all my stuff, yes, arms loaded as I just threw stuff together to come here.  I called Margie and she said she'd meet me at the room.  So going into XYZ hotel, I bypassed the front desk, climbed up the steps to room 309.  I waited, and waited some more. Margie didn't show up. I knocked again real loud this time.  I heard a woman ask 'who is it', I reply, "Margie, it's me" She opened up the door..... NOT MARGIE... haha- I increduliously say, I'm looking for Margie, she said she was in room 309..... haha, WRONG ROOM.  Did I hear correctly?? as many of you know, I do not always hear good-  so I call Margie again.... 'what is your room? did you say 309?' yes, where are you???  I explain what has just transpired.... Margie asked me, "where are you again" this time I state, 'XYZ motel"  she LAUGHED. She is at ABC hotel... just a small detail that was left out!!  Margie got me directions, she was 3 blocks away.

My lesson in this:  I 'thought' I had ALL the information needed to 'procede'.  I made decisions, choices and actions based on what I 'thought' was the right thing to do. 
I did not see or KNOW the whole picture.  God is showing me, teaching me that ONLY He knows the whole picture and that ONLY HE can guide me.  I will go 'off path' in my own wisdom and knowledge. (which of course is not actually wisdom!) haha and what is knowledge if it is INCOMPLETE??

My friend, Ralph may go be with our Lord sooner than later, but only God knows why He brings him home now... I pray the Lord allow Ralph to stay here (of course selfishly) but I also ask the Lord to use Ralph as a testamony of His greatness!  It is imparitive to TRUST IN THE LORD IN ALL THINGS. Not to lean on my own understanding.

Please pray with me and lift Ralph up to our Lord for His glory. 

In His grace;
Kim
May our Lord make His face to shine upon each of you.

Hello my friends and family in Christ Jesus;

I have just written a blog titled, "speak, Lord",  but it didn't publish in full context, so I deleted the small part that did publish.  haha~ guess that wasn't what I needed to write about. The following is different, but the same. sorta~

I have been seeking the Lord, asking Him~  "Speak, Lord"  praying I listen as He does. Praying also that I accept and be prepared for the firey furnace of cleansing~ 
I want to pour myself out and allow Him to fill me with Himself. That I would be a willing vessel for His purposes~  That I stay out of His way!!
haha~ How many times do I ask, then look inwardly instead of up at Him!  It's not about me, it's ALL about Him.
Our purpose here, on this pilgramage, is to speak His truth to all the world.  It's not about my comfort, but what He did for me, and the world.  He has a gift, will we share the gift of grace? or be selfish and keep it to ourselves? 

I desire to hear the Lord as He speaks to me.  I desire to walk His path, not my own.  This fleshly body gets int he way and my selfish pride does too.  I pray these die and He lives in me.

I am so blessed that that Lord of all Lords, the King of Kings has died for my sake.  That He conquered death so that death no longer has a hold on me.  Who am I to not follow Him and glorify Him?  Why wouldn't I want to share 'the good news' with others??

"Speak, Lord" 

I pray; Let me have ears to hear you, eyes to see you and a willingnes to follow you.  AMEN

this world, a classroom

I want to first thank everyone that continues to lift me and the missions trip to Guatemala up in prayer to our Lord.

It has been an interesting week.  I have been praying for God to continue teaching me, giving up myself to His will, wanting to be a willing vessel for His purpose.
The Lord has showed me that no matter what happens, He truely is in charge and sometimes it's just not about 'me' yet He uses me to help another.......without my even knowing it!! haha~ yeah sometimes I am pretty thick. 
Usually when something happens the natural inclination is to think... 'me, I, myself' when in fact it isn't about me, I or myself. I am just a tool to be used however He chooses. And if He chooses to use me to cause another to look deeper into Him, then so be it.  Again, it's not me being wise or wonderful, it is purely the love of God.  He also uses various situations to grow us, teach us, stretch us.  Again, even when I am a 'bystander', He can GROW ME, STRETCH ME, AND TEACH ME....
For this life is a classroom, a learning experience on how to love, trust and rely on our Lord. To bring Him glory for His loving kindness, His faithfulness, His truth and that He is Just.  I PRAISE HIS WONDERFUL NAME, MY LORD, JESUS CHRIST, SON OF THE TRUE LIVING GOD WHOSE WORD WILL NEVER DIE OR CHANGE... HE REMAINS THE SAME, YESTERDAY, TODAY AND ALWAYS. amen!