Category: PrayerPoints

New Things!

Traveling together for three weeks has provided Don and I with new insights, new experiences,  and two new states for me. We have met new people, traveled new highways, and tried new things.

One of my new things was learning how to play Cribbage ~ have you ever played it?

I knew next to nothing about the game but I had a patient teacher! I think that makes a world of difference. When someone is learning or experiencing a new thing, I think it is important to be patient with them.

I think God is patient with us when we are learning something new, too.

Like itty bitty buds during springtime, new things are happening around us but some of the growth happens under the cover of brush, decay, or even snow. Sometimes we don’t notice it or see it.  Ask God to show you what He is doing.

Then, grab a faith-full friend and ask them to share with you the growth they see. We aren’t always in the business of noticing the “new” when we are slogging through the “old”. Have your friend to help you remember God’s promises by pointing out God’s previous provisions. Ask them to pray for you!

God is  busy making a way so pay attention. Look up, look around, look down. Sometimes, with all new things, it just takes some time to catch on!

On the Road,

Liz

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NIV


Routines

When I am home, I have a few routines. Nothing fancy; they mostly involve how my morning starts and how my day ends. But when I am traveling, most routines are out the window.

Are there special ways you start and end your day?

Routines give birth to habits and can be great. Or not. Do I routinely criticize how someone does something? Do I regularly complain about every little thing? Do I have a tendency to give a harsh response to simple questions?

Have I developed some bad habits that I need to get rid of?

Disrupting routines helps me fall out of habits–both good ones and bad ones. But when I get back to regular life, I find that I easily return to the worn path. Those “ruts in the road” are hard to deny so I need to choose my ruts carefully because those will be the very things that pull at me as I am cruising through life.

When I switch up my routine, it helps reveal my habits. And when I find habits that need to change, it’s best to tackle that head on. First, I pray for the strength to go against my sinful nature. There will be numerous times to practice in any given day! Then I might find a friend and tell them what I am hoping to change. Verbalizing my intentions helps me stay the course because I have spoken them to another human and I really don’t want to report back that I have failed. That is because I have a tendency to be an “obliger” read more about the Four Tendencies here…

I have choices on how I can respond. Unfortunately, when I find myself in a “negative” situation I don’t always choose well and sometimes I try to justify my ugly response. But, with God’s help, a little practice, and outside accountability I can choose the better way.

On the Road,

Liz

 

 

Unexpected Adventure

Both Don and I grew up in single parent homes. Our dads died when we were quite young and our moms did not remarry. We didn’t have the up close and personal experience of watching the daily actions of our parents’ marriage but we have found our way. We have four fun kids and we are enjoying the adventure of our life together.
I am so glad we invested in our relationship over the years. Traveling 4444.4+ miles together in a loaded down Toyota Highlander since February 28th has been fun. We have met up with so many delightful and interesting people as we have traveled and had so many encouraging, fun, and faith-filled conversations! God’s people are everywhere and we have enjoyed spending time with so many of them — some we have known for over 30 years and some we have just met but felt like we have known for a long time. We have seen some beautiful areas of the United States and we have laughed a lot and learned a lot!

This trip was not something we have been planning for a long time, but sometimes unexpected journeys are the best because your eyes are wide open to see it all! We didn’t have any big expectations except that we were going on a trip to connect with some Hungarians in Phoenix and our travels took shape around that main goal.

You don’t have to travel 4000 miles to go on an adventure. Delving into your regular situations, your natural interests or having a friend that inspires you to explore something new might be enough! Sometimes just looking at where I am through the lens of faith helps me see the adventure of where I am — even if it might feel mundane or routine or even stressful. If I am in a situation that I am a little unsure about I have a tendency to ask God a few questions:

  • What are You doing here, Lord?
  • Is there something you want me to do here?
  • Is there something here You want me to learn?
  • Is there something I need to share?
  • Is there someone here I need to encourage?

And then I wait as the adventure plays out. God wastes nothing. He knows. He sees. He provides. He can use us each where we are and He can help us move to a better place without us having to pack a single box.

On the Road,

Liz

Yours, Mine, and Theirs

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Sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I worry. And sometimes I get anxious!

God’s Word tells us “Do not be anxious…” but there are times I am.

I know the truth of God’s Word but we are sinners living in a sinful world. Your sins, my sins, and their sins all can impact us and cause a lifetime of pain and consequences. Life isn’t all about rainbows and fluffy kittens. Some people are living in very hard situations. There are times I look at what some people are going through day after day and I have no idea how they survive except by putting one foot in front of the other and carrying on and clinging to their faith.

But there is more to this life!

Some people are bogged down in difficult life circumstances and others are caught up in the race of acquiring more and achieving more. Sometimes it is easier to hold onto the depths of God’s truths when we struggle because climbing the ladder of success and notoriety takes a lot of time and effort and often some very important stuff can easily be lost in the ascent. Whatever the circumstance,  it is easy to get distracted and disoriented when ugly things happen in life if not grounded in God’s Word and His gifts of grace, forgiveness, mercy, and love.

God’s words go against what we see in our world today. His promises and provisions don’t follow the ways of the world and I am so very glad! Posted below is the first verse of a sweet hymn. I didn’t grow up hearing this one but it is one I love to hear children sing! It is both simple and complex. As I look back over my life, I can see God’s gentle guidance and provision and I know that He will provide for me as the future unfolds before me!

I am Jesus’ little lamb,

Ever glad at heart I am;

For my shepherd gently guides me,

Knows my needs and well provides me,

Loves me every day the same,

Even calls me by my name!

   by Henritta L. von Hayn, 1724-1782

 

On the Road,

Liz

Today

On a scale of 1 – 10, I am about an 8 when it comes to being brave. There are plenty of new things I will taste and try to do but I draw a firm line on a few things.

Now that I think about it, maybe I am only a 6 or 7 on the “Brave Scale”. 

It is so hard to judge what is being brave, being stupid, or simply dealing with the stuff that happens in life. You know some unbelievable things can happen — both good and bad.

As we embarked on this trip, we mostly knew what we were getting into. So far, things have gone very well but it isn’t over yet. I am celebrating the “so far” and hoping what is to come is fine too. I am careful not to stress about tomorrow because today has enough trouble if its own. I love the truth of this verse!


My hope is that I can be content with where I am and with what I have been provided for each day — both in the blessings and the troubles.

It is important to be thankful in each day!

Are you in a difficult chapter in life? Try to train yourself to give thanks for at least the smallest, most simple things. As you practice looking for the good things you will see it is like a hunt for a treasure, especially during hard times. Looking for the blessings is a great distraction from the challenges and helps me to focus on the good that is around me.

God’s goodness is always around me.

Heavenly Father ~ please give me the eyes to see Your gifts of beauty and blessings all around me!

On the Road,

Liz

You Never Know…

We have learned so much about ourselves and others on this trip! We’ve met and visited with people with fascinating life stories. I love to listen to stories. There is so much that can be learned by listening.

We were in Albuquerque for a Hungarian event yesterday and we had dinner with a couple of friends from my college days in Nebraska. We chatted for several hours last night to catch up on kids and life stuff. It was wonderful to reconnect and hear about what was happening in their lives.

During the course of the conversation, we talked about their son’s love for Hungary, a recent trip they took to Europe, and her grandmother’s Hungarian heritage (this was news to me!). Her grandparents ran a “Magyar Cukrazda”  (Hungarian Bakery) in New York City in the Hungarian area of Manhattan–just around the corner from the Magyar Ház (Hungarian House)! Wow! We have been to that area frequently since we moved to New York. Back in the day, there were many Hungarian businesses in that area. In fact, I often run into people who lament about how easy it was to access Hungarian things in NYC and are frustrated so few businesses remain.  It is just a little wild to me that someone I know from over 30 years ago has such a close connection to where I live now.

The things we don’t know!

Sometimes they are fun connections–like the one I described with my friends from college. Other times they are very difficult life stories that finally come to light after years of processing.

Everyone has a story that is worth hearing. And everyone has a story worth sharing. You never know what you will learn about someone when they start to share about their lives. Maybe the biggest challenge with getting to know one another’s stories is taking or having the time to listen. I know that has been a challenge in my life depending on the season I am going through. But I need to be more intentional about listening.

You never know what you will learn!

When people share difficult stories, it is hard to know what to do with what I have learned. Heartaches, struggles, and joys are all a part of the human experience. We can learn a lot by listening and it can inform our praying.

As you spend time with people this week, think about what they are saying and consider what you learn as “prayer points”. Then pray for them. Sometimes that is the best gift!

On the Road,

LizIMG_5311

What is Remembered?

We spent the day at a Hungarian festival in Phoenix yesterday. There was delicious food, great music, a wonderful family atmosphere, and the carrying on of some fun Hungarian traditions!

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Woodcarver from Hungary
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The Hungarian Crest

I had the opportunity to meet with several customers face-to-face that I only knew from phone calls and emails and that is always a special time. I have never been to Phoenix before so it was interesting to run into so many people I “knew” or knew about me. Some people knew about the festival and came because I mentioned it in my e-newsletter. The best feedback from a newsletter is some sort of action — and people attending a festival they didn’t know about before they read my newsletter means I am doing my job. I don’t know the names of everyone who receives the Magyar Marketing newsletter so it is always good to see the action of participation.

One particular gentleman came up to our booth and said something like “Are you Elizabeth’s daughter?” Well, I did have to go around and greet him because I love running into people that knew my mom —  they usually have a sweet story to share.

Let me explain first that there have been several times Hungarians have come from Hungary to resettle to the United States. One of those times was in 1956-1957 following the Hungarian Revolution. Another time was in the 1980s and my mom helped resettle refugees during both times.

So, this gentleman came to the United States as a Hungarian refugee in 1982 and started off in my hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. Naturally, he loved my mom! He said, “I looked at the name of the business and I looked at you and I knew you were her daughter!” So we took a few photos, I gave him a quick hug, and he went off to enjoy the festival.

My mom was definitely one-of-a-kind! She was smart, forward-thinking, and loved helping people — not just Hungarian immigrants, although she definitely had a heart for them. Those who remember her remember stories of her service, compassionate and gentle spirit, quiet faith, and love for people.

What will you be remembered for?

Every snapshot of my life isn’t pretty, so I am sure there will be some people who don’t think happy thoughts about me. Of course, we are all works in progress.But my prayer is that I am remembered by most who knew me as showing God’s love and grace, among other things.

On the Road,

Liz

 

Drink Up!

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Of course, water is good for everyone all the time but it is especially important when traveling through arid areas. It is important to plan ahead, have an ample supply, and stay hydrated. Water is precious.

We also noticed some homes collecting rainwater in barrels; preparing ahead for the dry season. They don’t waste it and they are very intentional.

Are there times you drink deep of God’s life-giving Word in anticipation for those desert times?

My most intense communication with God always seems to be during those dry times. When things are going well, I am, unfortunately, not quite as serious a student as I am in times of trial. The more challenging the moment, the more God has my attention. I am “all ears”.

Heavenly Father ~ help me to desire your Word even in times of plenty. Amen.

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.   Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

On the Road,

Liz

Misjudging Distance

While we have been traveling through wide-open expanses, we have noticed our judgment of distance is not accurate. We stopped so I could take some photos of this mountain. Sadly, I do not remember the name of it. But where we stopped to take the photo Don said the mountain was 17 miles from us. I wouldn’t have ever guessed it was that far away!

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This photo does not do this mountain any justice. It was beautiful! What I saw in front of my eyes and in the camera lens seemed like two different mountains. It looked so far away when I looked through the camera!

Then I zoomed in a bit. This is more of the view we saw from our vehicle.

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Lovely, isn’t it?

This misperception of distance is something I experience in my life on many levels. Sometimes I see the end goal and I misjudge how long it will take to get there. I find I have many goals and while the path may not seem clear, the general direction is.

What about those times where we don’t even see where or when the end is?

  • Working on a bachelor’s degree over an extended period of time
  • Raising a child with long-term health issues
  • Caring for aging parents
  • Going through the adoption process

It is easy to get focused on our own journeys and lose sight of the bigger picture. The words of Psalm 8 bring some things into perspective for me!

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them? 

5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!  Psalm 8 NIV

On the Road,

Liz

 

Sweet Surprises!

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So beautiful!

Yesterday, we took a little drive through some beautiful but dry land to reach an area called Catwalk Trail.

The rushing water was refreshing. The temperature was very pleasant and the sun was shining.

We walked along and took some photos and enjoyed learning about the history about the area.

 

 

 

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See that little piece of paper?

I was waiting for Don and just looking around and saw this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It held a Big Truth!

Curiosity got the best of me.

One never knows what they will find in these types of situations but I was pleasantly surprised!

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 NIV

 

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My sweet guy!

What a great reminder for anyone, but a particularly sweet one for us!

On the Road,

Liz