Perfection

Adams’ Update

Have you ever seen a hamster running on a wheel? Endlessly chasing an unachievable goal. It doesn’t matter how hard he runs or how good the hamster appears, he will never obtain his goal. In the same way a hamster chases the wheel, I at times chase perfection. My house needs to be perfectly clean and put together at all times, I have to be the perfect mom with pinterest crafts each day and nutritious snacks always at the ready and at the end of the day be the best wife who has a hot meal with tons of fixings when Dave walks in the door. Many of us feel this way on a normal basis. Now add the holidays and the pressure mounts. We all want the perfect decorations, tree, presents, meals and family photos in pjs on Christmas morning to show how great it all was. None of these things are wrong, but when perfection is our end all then there is a problem.

The problem is perfection is a lie. There was only one perfect human who has ever walked this earth and we are blessed to have him as our example. Lately the Lord has continually been pointing me back to this verse.

Hebrews 4:15

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

He has been in my shoes and yet he was perfect. He was sinless. The Lord felt the pressures of the world and yet he stood firm. Let us all vow to stand firm this busy holiday season and instead of chasing the perfect photo or cookie, chase the true reason for Christmas, Jesus Christ!

Please take a few seconds to read the chorus our sweet young ones sang at the finale of our Christmas pageant at church on Sunday. Let these words wash over you and focus you back to Jesus Christ.

Jesus, name above all names
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.
Emmanuel, God is with us.
Blessed Redeemer, Living word.

Jesus, name above all names
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.
Emmanuel, God is with us.

Living in Step with the Spirit

The other day I (Megan) had just come home from work and Josh was sound asleep. I laid down for a quick nap and was dead asleep when I heard Josh cough. It was the faintest cough and wasn’t even enough to wake Josh, yet it woke me. The reason I was able to hear Josh’s cough through two doorways, three fans and thick cement walls was because I have spent the majority of the last two years with Josh. My ears are so trained to hear him that even in the deepest sleep I can hear him move. This is the same way it works with the Lord. The more time you spend with the Lord, then the closer you become and the easier it is to hear Him. Dave and I long to live our lives so in step with the Spirit that when he says move, we move and when he says stay, we stay. Originally we came down to the DR thinking it would be a three year commitment, but the Lord has made it clear that our work here isn’t done.  We are asking people to prayerfully consider continuing to support us whether it be through prayer or finances. If you are a financial partner and feel that the Lord is asking you to support another ministry, then we ask that you let us know as soon as possible. We are beyond grateful for our time in the Dominican Republic and the loving support of our friends, church family and loved ones. 

Galatians 5:25

                         Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
 

In other big news our family of three is expanding to four. Nicole Marianna will be born in early April. Dave and I are really excited to bring another baby into our family.  Josh is so excited to have a sissy and take her on walks. Please pray that baby continues to grow, develop normally and that her heart will be ready to know the Lord.

August Update

Hey guys, 

First I (Dave) want to apologize for not having a July update.  We were finishing up our summer groups and also had to move (long story) so the busyness grabbed most of my attention and I completely forgot to write the blog.  Anyway, we have finished our summer teams which took place non-stop from mid-May through the end of June.  It definitely makes things busier for us when we have groups, but it is a blessing at the same time.  It is cool to see teens and even adults leave their comfort zone to come serve alongside us at the site.  One of my favorite parts is seeing the groups overcome the language barriers and form relationships with the boys.  It is great to see how God's love and how we can show His love to others, is not limited to speech and being able to verbally communicate with each other.  

During this summer we had the rare opportunity to have four different young men who came to serve at our site who were not, nor did they claim to be, believers.  As I prayed about how to best minister to these young men, God just kept bringing me back to the idea that "there can only be one truth".  It’s so popular now to be accepting of everyone and say that no matter how you live that it’s ok and no matter what you believe it’s all rainbows and butterflies.  But in reality, not every path can lead to heaven and not all "gods" are the same.  I would talk to the guys about this idea and explain how if several religions claim they are the only true religion, then how can all of them lead to the same place.  Only one can be truth and the others have to be false.  I think a lot of people "choose" what they believe based on what’s easiest to accept, but if it is simply not true, then where does that leave you?

Those of you who know me, know I'm not always much for political correctness so here comes a prime example.  In light of all the news coverage of racist cops, black lives matter, transgender, homosexual rights, chosen identity, separate bathrooms, Trump vs Hillary….I personally want to encourage Christians to not care about public opinion or the personal feelings of someone else when you are deciding what is ok and not ok. If you claim to be a Christian, you are called to a higher standard. I think we as Christians need to get back to the basics of what matters.  What does God's word say about a certain issue and how would Christ have reacted to those issues?  In the end, we can form our own opinions but our opinions aren't worth the post we put in the comments section of some ridiculous article.  If our "opinions" do not match up with God's Word, then we are completely wrong in our thinking. We need to focus more on what God says about these issues than what the media or our friends think about these issues.  

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   

Summer

As I wrap up another year of teaching I decided in interview my students and see what they like most about school. I got a few of the typical answers such as playing or the good food in the cafeteria, but a few of the answers shocked me. One fourth grade boy said he liked it because the teachers were his protector. A kindergartner said she liked it because she loved the teachers. When I asked the girl why she thought the teachers loved her, a boy in the class responded because God loves the teachers and kindergarten.  These three answers blew me away. Our school is seen as a refuge to some, a play place to others, but to all the students it is clear that Doulos is a place where the staff love them because God first loved the teachers.

Pain

This week Josh and I were video chatting with Nana (My Mom). It was time to go and I told Josh to say goodbye. My sweet loving boy grabs the ipad, squeezes it in the tightest hug he can manage and then places a kiss on the screen. It's times like these that there is so much pain in my heart and makes me wonder if us being in the DR is the right choice. We live so far away from family and technology can only do so much. We still miss out on family celebrations, birthdays and just actual physical hugs. It can be really hard and we know how hard it is on our families. As hard as it is, we can't deny that God has us here for a season and for a specific purpose. We have seen God's powerful hand moving the Dominican Republic. He has blessed us so abundantly and made it so clear that we are to continue being here. God is a loving God and he understands pain. He knows that He is calling us to something that can cause pain, but if we shy away from pain, then we shy away from a life completely and totally sold out for Him. When Jesus was in the garden before His death he knew the pain that was coming. 

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch[a] with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Mathew 26:36-39

I am not suggesting at all that we are experiencing pain even close to what Jesus suffered for us. I am merely saying that at times following God means doing what is painful. 

This month we just want to publicly acknowledge the sacrifices that many people are making so that we can be here. Friends and family are giving up part of their monthly income so that we can do what God has called us to do. Family is missing out on weekly time with Josh. We feel each one of your prayers and appreciate all the time you give towards supporting us. We know, feel and appreciate it all! 

Don't Blink

This past month Josh and I traveled to the United States to be with family as my grandpa died. During the funeral, I just kept thinking about how quickly a lifetime goes. While we were driving home the song "Don't Blink" by Kenney Chesney came on the radio. The lyrics are listed below:

Don't blink

Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you

Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife

Don't blink

You just might miss your babies growing like mine did

Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your better half

Of fifty years is there in bed

And you're praying God takes you instead

Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think

So don't blink

It just made me stop and truly think about the things that I give so much time and energy towards that won't matter at all at the end of my life. This coming month I am making a conscious effort to put my time with the Lord and my family first. The never ending "to-do" list will always be there tomorrow, but the time I have now with my family is fleeting. We are only given one lifetime and we are called to live it abundantly. 

Jumping In

Josh is growing up so quickly and has entered into the toddler stage. This stage is when he is  more mobile than ever and always on the move. The other day we were playing outside. Josh really wanted to go to his water table, but was too scared to step off the concert into the grass alone. 

Josh called for help and Dave took his hand. Instantly he took off for the grass. He knew that his daddy had him and it even though it might be scary, it would be okay. 

This reminded me of our heavenly Father and how he sometimes calls us to take a leap of faith, but never requires that we do it alone.  In Exodus 14:14 it says, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." God spoke these words to the Israelites as they were being chased by the Egyptians. The Egyptians were coming up behind the Israelites and they had the Red Sea in front of them. They were trapped, but Moses told them to just be still and trust in God. God parted the Red Sea, allowed the Israelites to cross and then killed the entire Egyptian army. We serve a mighty God that sometimes calls us to take His hand and jump in. It might be scary, but it is always worth the risk. 

Be Holy

This year Dave and I are committed to reading straight though the Bible. We did this last year and we saw such growth in our spiritual lives and wanted to do it again. As always we start strong in January and love reading through Genesis and Exodus. Those books are filled with stories of warriors of the Christian faith. Then we hit Leviticus and it gets tough to read. I wanted to make Leviticus feel more relevant so I started praying, "God reveal yourself to me through this book. It seems like a long list of rules that no longer apply, but Lord there must be more to it or You wouldn't have put it in the Bible." He was faithful in answering my prayers.

 In Leviticus 19:1 it says: "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am Holy."

This sentence hit me hard. Be Holy. That is a hefty command the Lord is giving the Israelites, but notice God doesn't say it and leave it up to the Israelites to figure out how to go about it. He gives them clear direction. God is always willing to give clear direction to those who are willing to listen. This month we are praying that God will lead us in a few up coming decisions and we are asking that you will join us. Please pray that God will reveal to us the right timing.