tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90691995635757987392024-03-12T16:38:00.934-07:00I Will Follow: A missionary journeyI am a Christ follower whom God has called to serve in Lima, Peru. This is a journal of my journey as I passionately pursue God's call to go.
"Passion is the degree of difficulty we are willing to endure to reach a goal" PiperMarissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-59391358710410877272015-03-17T20:31:00.000-07:002015-03-17T20:31:18.664-07:00Hard Work and Patience<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Discipline of Dismay...</i>this was the title of my devotion this evening. Not really the pep talk from the Lord I was hoping for tonight but it was just what I needed. </div>
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My current job is probably one of the most demanding jobs I've ever had. It affects me mentally, emotionally, and physically. I came home today really hungry so I went to the kitchen to find something to eat for a snack because it was only 3:30. I was so tired I decided to lay down to think of what I wanted to eat. Yes, so tired that laying down was what I felt I needed to do in order to think. The next thing I knew it was 7pm. Hard work.</div>
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Tomorrow I take 3 of my choirs to be assessed by district standards. Friday I take another class to a competition. Pushing teenagers to work hard is very exhausting it is like herding cats. They have a mind of their own and are most of the time not at all interested in what your agenda means for their life. Let's take a moment to talk about self-discipline, respect, and love for the creative process. The thing about music for me is I love the process of learning music. I can sit and learn music all day and never perform it anywhere. I remember hearing Jon Foreman speak saying he had hundreds of songs he had never even recorded. I think he might love the process too. My current group of students seem to all love the end result without regard for how to arrive at that place...we are so not on the same page. Hard work that sometimes causes me to be dismayed.</div>
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I don't mind hard work. At one point in my life I had 4 employers...I like being busy with work. I have always liked the phrase "work hard, play hard" I wouldn't say it is a philosophy but and underlying theme of how I have functioned for most of my adult life. Because my current job is so demanding it deprives me of any kind of a personal life outside of work. </div>
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I was the girl who was very active in my church, Bible study, and whose primary call and goal in life was foreign missions. I also had a pretty rocking social circle in addition to ministry and career so this is a weird place for me to be. It feels kind of dark and at times I would use the word <i style="font-weight: bold;">dismayed</i> to describe how I feel. On a day to day basis I find joy and happiness but in my soul I still feel at times I am not really where I want to be or where I thought I would be. My life is so different. There are still dreams and desires not yet realized and in my current situation those dreams and goals seem impossible and lost which causes me to be dismayed.</div>
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The following is an excerpt from my devotion this evening:</div>
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<i>"At first I was confident that I understood Him, but now I am not so sure. I begin to realize that there is a distance between Jesus and me... I have no idea where He is going, and the goal has become strangely distant. "- Oswald Chambers</i></div>
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I would say that this accurately describes how I feel. It is no secret I have been frustrated, concerned, unsettled about my current life situation. To the onlooker I probably seem well adjusted and happy (and regardless of how I feel I try to take each day as a blessing)...but for me the goal has become strangely distant. </div>
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The devotion closes with this next statement:</div>
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<i>"But when the darkness of dismay comes, endure until it is over, because out of it will come the ability to follow Jesus truly, which brings inexpressibly wonderful joy."-Oswald Chambers</i></div>
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<i>Isaiah 50:10 "Let Him who walks in the dark, who has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. </i></div>
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<i>Isaiah 54:7-8 "For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you says the Lord your Redeemer"</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Though I know these verses talk about the redemption of Israel after slavery, rebellion, and exile, and the promise of a Savior I believe that it can apply for any time of dismay and darkness. There is a way ahead and though it seems like the way is lost we have already been brought back with deep compassion and everlasting kindness. We must live in that continued promise and endure until it is over...what ever the "it" may be in life. Anything good in life and truly worth having is going to be hard. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">This is currently my favorite song...I've never heard it in English. I prefer the Spanish text so here are the lyrics in English but you should listen in Spanish. </span></div>
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<i>"Beautiful Exchange"-Hillsong</i></div>
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<i>You were near though I was distant</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><i>Disillusioned</i></span><i> I was lost and insecure</i></div>
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<i>Still mercy fought for my intention</i></div>
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<i>You were waiting at the door, then I let you in</i></div>
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<i>Trading your life for my offenses</i></div>
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<i>For my redemption</i></div>
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<i>You carried all the blame breaking the curse</i></div>
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<i>Of our condition</i></div>
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<i>Perfection took our place</i></div>
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<i>When only love could make a way</i></div>
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<i>You gave your life in a beautiful exchange</i></div>
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<i>When only love could break these chains</i></div>
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<i>You gave your life in a beautiful exchange</i></div>
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<i>My burden erased, my life forgiven</i></div>
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<i>There is nothing that could take this love away</i></div>
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<i>And my only desire, and my sold ambition</i></div>
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<i>Is to love you just the same</i></div>
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<i>Holy are you god, holy is your name</i></div>
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<i>With everything I've got my heart will sing</i></div>
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<i>How I love you</i></div>
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Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-73624209716074239912015-01-25T05:40:00.001-08:002015-01-25T05:40:27.202-08:00Beautiful Things and the Wall<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am back after a very long time of being away so much has happened since my last post that I cannot even begin to write in paragraph form so I will make a list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">-I have moved back to the US to be close to family and am in Virginia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">-I teach High School Chorus and Show Choir</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">-I am still a missionary on journey just in a really different capacity</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The title of this post comes from a Gungor (Christian music artist) song called "Beautiful Things". Have a listen it is a great song.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There are several things which come to my mind when I listen to this song. Creation of man as stated in the Bible in the second chapter of Genesis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Then the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> God formed</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> a man</span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-38c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-38c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202&version=NIV#fen-NIV-38c" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> from the dust</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> of the ground</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> and breathed into his nostrils the breath</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> of life,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> and the man became a living being.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">We were created from the dust of the ground. From something dead, lifeless, and usually not desirable. God made something beautiful, intricate, and simply amazing out of dust and in His own image. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">This song also is a reminder that regardless of how broken we are or how far away we feel from anything beautiful our Creator God can do anything to make us new.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">This past year I have felt very far from beautiful or full of life</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">. By that I mean anything beautiful. I am not just talking about physical beauty here I am taking about the beauty of the soul and circumstances. Let's just say it has been a tough year and a half of transitions and leave it at that. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Tonight I went through and read older blog posts and remembered some of the words from the Lord in the past. I was amazing to remember God's work and the work of the Holy Spirit. Even thought this year has been tough I know God's hand is still there guiding me it just feels like he is pulling me by the collar of my shirt not holding my hand. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I still carry around a lot of frustration from old hurts and hang-ups and no matter how many times I do Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" study I always find there is something else to "break free" from. I always find there is a little "dust" somewhere in the corner from some old hurt I haven't gotten rid of. I'm working on not doing this.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I got hurt once and it seemed to destroy something in me. You know the old saying, "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me". Well I am not the type of person to wait around for the second hurt. Momma didn't raise no fool. So, naturally I put up a wall around my heart. It was only put up to potential male suitors. No one can hurt what they don't have access to. You see the problem is that wall doesn't have a passage way, so it ends up blocking even those people like family and friends who once had access. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I believe my singleness is by God's design, reasons, and a season. My singleness is beautiful in many ways. God has used it and my life is so full regardless of my marriage status. However, I believe my wall has contributed to the length of my singleness. My loving Savior doesn't want me to stay like this. My wall has been there for so long I am not even aware of its' existence at times. It has been creeping up lately. I was made aware of this walls' continued existence by a lovely young lady who is like my little sister who shall remain nameless to protect her identity. She will however feel happy I included her in this blog (to the moon and back). She told me some things that she noticed about me that really upset me and it shocked me into awareness of this wall. I have been so closed off emotionally to everyone and everything. The thing about this wall is it is big and heavy and I don't really know how to get it down. I would love to have the Israelite's come march around, blow, horns, and shout but I am sure that won't happen. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I thought it was going to take some major construction. I was afraid there would never be someone who could get the wall down. It was just going to be there forever. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24px;">God didn't send the Israelite's or a construction crew. In His gentle way he sent a messenger who erased it away in one conversation. This person opened their mouth and God jumped out in a way I have not experienced. This person spoke to every hurt that put up that wall and the wall fell down so quickly I was in tears. Now there is nothing left of that wall but dust. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24px;">I am reminded that Jesus cares so much about you. He cares about tearing down walls so you can experience beautiful things. Some times God has to come along and breathe a fresh breath of life into His creation. I love that God gets creative with how he refreshes and restores us. I love that He uses his people. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24px;">Genesis 2:7</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;"><b>"</b></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Then the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> God formed</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> a man</span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-38c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-38c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202&version=NIV#fen-NIV-38c" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> from the dust</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> of the ground</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> and breathed into his nostrils the breath</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> of life,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-38P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-38P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> and the man became a living being."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">2 Corinthians 2:5 </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things pass away; behold, new things have come."</span></span><br />
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BEHOLD; new, beautiful things have come.<br />
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Every Blessing,Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-88248159740063177532013-05-04T23:12:00.001-07:002013-05-05T00:08:46.975-07:00After a long period of silence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">So I
don't actually believe what it says in this banner above I just thought it was
funny. I don't think about my singleness all the time. I just have a flare up once in a while. A friend, who is my same age, posted the picture above on Facebook recently and it caused a flare up and the desire to share my feelings once again with cyber space and those who
choose to read this blog. Interesting how perspective and life experiences
change your opinions on certain matters. You can live your whole life thinking one thing and then life hands you something unexpected. I don't spend all my time thinking about this but recently some fresh light has been shed on the subject by my awesome Savior, Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I have
tried to take my singleness with humor and dignity even though most places and
society gear things to finding a “significant other”. I mean seriously where are they selling singleness? There are no websites on how to stay single. No books are written on why single is the better way. Advertizing companies don't sell being on your own. Churches don't discourage couples who want to marry. Churches cap their "Singles Ministry" at 29 or 30. The next small group you see is "Singles Again". Even on certain job applications for ministry organizations I have looked at recently there is a cap age of 30 for single missionary positions. Secular society is even trying to make marraige attainable for everyone they possibly can. Being a never married, over 30, Christian single is almost an oxymoron. Maybe that last one was a slight exageration. Just trying to get you to think. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">One time in the staff
lounge at school a young married girl was telling of her fiancée’s extravagant
proposal. It was amazing and she was encouraging people to wait for the good
stuff. I totally and honestly agree. I was joking around and said, "Man I would be happy just to hear the words
“Will you marry me?” I laughed and the rest of the room was quiet. When I got home from school I told my roommates, who are also over 30yrs old, and they laughed hysterically. I was glad to know they got my joke. Most evangelical churches spend a significant amount of their resources on
married people and families. Rarely have I heard a sermon on “What to do when
you are single.” We are kind of left to our own devices and the self-help
section at bookstores or a therapist if it is really deep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I would
consider myself an optimist. However, over the past couple of years I think my fears
and insecurities have come out like a roaring lion of pessimism. Especially regarding
the areas of dating and marriage marriage. I would say this ship
sprung a leak July of 2011 in Southaven, MS at my Orientation for NICS for
serving overseas as a teaching missionary. There I realized this was a sensitive
area for me. We were being schooled on life overseas and issues that would
arise. One of the sessions was on serving as a single along side married
couples in a small community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Libby
Alexander is a dynamic presenter, energetic, mature single women. I cried
and/or laughed through 95% of her presentations and I am not joking when I say
cried. I think a few times it was ugly and I needed tissue. I went up to her
after one of the sessions trying to thank her for what she said and I couldn't
even get the words out. She said it for me, "I know, you feel
validated". Like magically someone else knew and had been where I am,
survived and lives a happy, full life. She is still longing for that special
someone to minister along side. She finally put into words the things I had
felt but never put into words. The above picture reminded me of something Libby
said. </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">She said, "I
hate it when people meet me and say I am so great wondering why I don't have a
husband." She replies that her husband’s parents decided not to have
children. She enjoys watching them think it over. I love it because it is so
true for many single women. I too have had people say this to me, like I have
the answer to why I am single. Trust me if I could just run out and fix it I
would. Just the other day a cab driver grilled me on this topic. "Don't
you want to get married?" As if I really had total control over the
situation. I have read books (secular and Christian), done devotionals, talked
to other women (single and married), and sought council with respectable married
friends. Watched my single friends go through dating, marriage, and now
families. I have tried to figure it out. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Hi, my name is Marissa. I will be 34 on
July 23. I am single. I would like to one day be married and have my own
family. I am also happy, well adjusted, have experienced professional success,
and living independently out of my parent’s home for almost 17 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I have enjoyed living the single life
through college and now career years. I really have tried to embrace my
singleness and do what Paul said and allow God to use me because I am not tied
down to a family. I hope that is what people see. However, I will be the first
to admit that it was fun in my 20's but as soon as I hit 30+ fun has turned
into challenging. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I have
two lovely students that I mentor. God uses them in countless ways in my life.
I watch them navigate through the difficult waters of being a teenager and
praise God for his grace and mercy. I try to encourage them the best way that I
can. On occasion as I encourage them God reminds me of things I should direct
towards myself. When I was their age I struggled with this dating and relating
to boys thing. It took me until college before I had guy friends and they still
scared me to death. I always remember being nervous around them. Not because I
liked them but because I had no idea how to relate to them. Those guys taught
me how to without even knowing it. Thanks Jeff, Matt, and other Gardner-Webb
Christian dudes who treated me like a friend. I still managed to make it through
college single. The college girls that openly stated they were there for their
Mrs degree really made that single girl stereotype unappealing. I don't want to
be that single girl. That being said, I totally loved seeing the relationships
God brought together while at college. Once I was in the working world I saw
girls small group/church hop to find guys. I saw that as negative and didn't
want to go to church to meet guys. I do have several friends who met guys at small group and church but they didn't attend for that purpose. I don’t want to be that single girl that is on the hunt. I have been paranoid about being seen in a negative light. I think one facet of my adult spiritual life has been plagued by flare ups of trying to figure out how to be single and still
want something God clearly created/blesses and is the norm around me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">As a
teenager I saw girls at school and church go through countless relationships
and heartbreak. The tears that flowed and hearts that broke made the whole
dating thing really unappealing to me. I remember thinking, "Ain't nobody
got time for that!" I even made a bet with my Dad that I would not date
until after I was 21. I kept my end of the bargain and didn't date until I was
25, but that is a whole other story. I look back at the statement I made and my
views on dating and realized deep down I wanted to be those girls dating and it
hurt that I wasn’t being pursued like the others. I think that I said that just
because I was insecure and no one was asking me out so I used the whole
"heart break isn't appealing" line to make myself feel less like a
looser. My stubbornness knows no limits. I seriously remember thinking,
"Fine, if no one is going to like me then I just won't date at all. I
don't need it.” I think there is some truth to waiting until you are older but
I think there was a little stubborn streak in there too. Now that I have lived
a little more life I can see a pattern with my stubbornness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I started out this semester with fasting and prayer. I decided to do the
21 days Daniel Fast. I highly recommend it for first time, longer than one day,
or one item fasting. Let me just say Jesus rocked my world in those days and
every day that has followed. One of the things (I mean one, there were a ton of
things revealed to me) he has showed me is how I cope with negativity or
rejection. Some people get sad or depressed. I get stubborn. My mom tells me
about how I dealt with the word "no" as a toddler. She said that if
she told me no that I would go sit down at the brick fireplace and beat my head
against it. Yes, literally beat my head against it. This brings new definition
to hardheaded. I will pause to let that sink in.......Yes, I actually hit my
head against a brick wall. Fast forward a bit and think of what that means for
adult Marissa receiving rejection or being told no. I no longer hit my head
against the wall. I have also learned how to internalize most things, which can
sometimes be more dangerous. The stubbornness that causes one to react by
beating your head against the wall might be deep down inside there somewhere
setting up really negative ways of coping. Brick walls turned into sayings like
"I don't need that", "It doesn't matter", or even "The
Bible doesn't say anything about dating", "I can do it alone",
"Maybe something is wrong with me", "Two play at that
game". There may be some truth to some things. But in general telling
myself negative things so the seemingly unmet expectations would be less painful
only ends up hurting me in the end. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 21px;">Genesis 2: 18-24</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">18 Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every [wild] beast <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span> living creature of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was its name.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">20 </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">And Adam gave names to all the livestock and to the birds of the air and to every [wild] beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">21 </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">or</span> a part of his side and closed up the [place with] flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">22 </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">And the rib <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">or</span> part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man He built up <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span> made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">23 </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">24 </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span> cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">What does the woman who was created from the rib of man, to be a partner
for him, do with that desire to find the thing you were made from and for? Man
isn’t it true the longer you wait for something the harder it gets. Think of a
crying baby waiting on a bottle. That cry gets a little more intense as the
wait is longer. Think of 20 minutes in traffic versus 1 ½ hours. Any time you
wait the longer it is the harder it is. That is why you need more
encouragement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I love seeing God's word in action. That is what marriage and family are to me, God's words and commands in action. There is so much joy in seeing your friends meet who God wants them to
share their life with. It is a blessing to stand along side them on their
wedding day. I have cried tears of joy over God creating new life holding their
babies in the hospital. When those babies learn to talk to me and remember when I come for a visit or talk on the phone
calling me Rissa my heart melts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
shared tears in dealing with the trial of raising a young family. My married
friends have cared for me and allowed me to be Auntie Rissa to their kids. I
wouldn’t trade any of those experiences for anything in the world. I have
learned with them and from them. I totally love the fun relationship my friends
Bobby and Christine Turner have. It has been a blessing to know them as single
friends serving in church, to a dating couple, and now seeing them as parents.
While they were dating they would say, “I love you like peanut butter loves
chocolate, like cookies love milk etc.” The point is those things individually
are great but together it is a powerful combination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is clear that God created both the
institution of marriage and being single. Both are equally hard. I remember one
friend saying it was a miracle she and her husband made it through their first
year of marriage. I have seen friends meet challenging difficulties in marraige and learn to trust God on a deeper level. If marriage is hard enough with two people, let the married
people procreate and add little dependent people to the mix. Marriage isn’t the
answer to singleness God is the answer to anything hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To all
the single ladies and especially the friend, who inspired this late night
reflection…. you are valuable, and it is ok to desire something God hasn’t
brought you YET. A friend here in Peru made me say YET recently. I almost cried. I haven’t been able to
say that word for a long time. That should tell you right there how hard it is.
I stopped saying yet and when the “yet” goes so does hope. I found that
picturing what my wedding might be like one day was too hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A series of bad experiences with guys made
“yet” look really unattainable. Looking at the statistics for Christian single women took “yet” right out of my vocabulary. Also the Romantic
Comedy genre on movies and TV made the “yet” look like the fiction isle.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">God
doesn’t know how to be late. He wants only good things for you. Keep letting
him fill your heart with truth and don't let disappointment tell you a lie. Our
hope is the Lord Jesus and comfort is in His word. We don’t live in the “yet” or
hope of a husband. We live in the hope for the return of our Savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+25:2&version=AMP"><b>Psalm
25:2</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span> am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">or</span> [my <b>hope</b> in You] be
disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+39:7&version=AMP"><b>Psalm
39:7</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">And now, Lord, what do I wait for <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span>
expect? My <b>hope</b> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span>
expectation are in You.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119:74&version=AMP"><b>Psalm
119:74</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those who reverently <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span> worshipfully fear You will see me
and be glad, because I have <b>hope</b>d in Your word <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span> tarried for it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+130:5&version=AMP">Psalm
130:5</a></b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wait for the Lord, I
expectantly wait, and in His word do I <b>hope</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Isn’t it true the longer you wait for something the harder it gets.
Think of a crying baby waiting on a bottle. That cry gets a little more intense
as the wait is longer. Think of 20 minutes in traffic versus 1 ½ hours. Any
time you wait the longer it is the harder it is. This can be applied to any area or answer that is "wait". That is why you need more
encouragement and more happy music to keep you in the right frame of mind. Fill
your mind with scripture and ears with happy music. I am performing this song with my High School vocal ensemble. If you lay the songs out we are doing this semester it is a direct reflect of this journey. I had no idea when I selected these songs it had to do with my journey on this topic. Once I picked up on it I had to appologize and say, "We just have to go with it we can't change now." So here is a happy song to close out this long session. The theology isn't perfect but it is fun and I like the hook on the Chorus :-) I hope the saying "good things come to those who wait" will be true for all who wait on the Lord!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Blessings!</span></span><br />
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Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-5223203119234157392012-07-06T20:11:00.000-07:002012-07-06T20:11:22.933-07:00Brace yourself, it's a long one.You might be looking at the title of this and wondering where I am going with this blog. You may decide that you just don't want to go there with me...but I hope you will.<br />
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I find myself repeating this line, "Does anybody hear what I'm sayin'?!" over and over in my head. This phrase might not mean anything to you if you just read it with a monotone, dry voice that we often read with. Try saying it out loud, in your most Southern accent, making sure to leave off the 'g' at the end. Also make sure that you try to say it as if no one is listening to what your saying and you are trying to make a point. </div>
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Go on...say it out loud.</div>
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That is how I hear it in my head, only Beth Moore is the voice I hear. Our small group has been doing a study on Romans using Beth Moore's audio teaching. She says that phrase a lot and it just sticks out to me. The inner Southern woman in me has the voice of Beth Moore, the stubborn fire of Madea, the sweetness of Southern Tea, and the free spirit of a salty ocean breeze carrying with it all the places it's been. Lately the inner Southern woman in me has been a little frustrated. I feel like Beth is yelling, Madea has her saw out asking me "Which half do you want?", the sweet tea is more like syrup, and the ocean breeze is like a Morton's salt shaker. My momma always said, "Too much of a good thing is just too much". I find that balance is a lifelong lesson. Sometimes I just want to say out loud DOES ANYBODY HEAR WHAT I'M SAYIN'!<br />
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We all need to be heard. It is important to know that our voice and experiences, whether bad or good, matter to someone. When you have a bad day everyone needs someone who will just listen and say, "I'm sorry you had a bad day". I find that most of the time with my little ones in school that their discipline problems come when they just don't feel like they are heard or seen. Many people look at little kids and miss them entirely. My goal has always been to let them know that, "I see them". I make eye contact, smile, and say I see you. </div>
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Like most strong willed women it takes extreme circumstances to get my attention sometimes. The Lord never wastes an opportunity for a teachable moment. Right now it is BRACES. </div>
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At 18 I found out I had a baby tooth on a routine visit to the dentist. Their suggestion at that time was braces to pull the tooth into place. I immediately dismissed that idea thinking I was not going to go through braces my Freshman year of college. I asked the dentist how long I could last with the baby tooth. He said I could have it until I was in my 30's. In my mind that was an instant pass to do nothing about it at that time. I clearly remember thinking let's just take it out and stick in a Chicklet. The next thing you know I am 32 at a dentist in Peru and he says I have a ticking time bomb in my mouth and that I will have major problems if I don't do something soon. After more mouth ex-rays than I have ever taken, ever, and being presented with all the options I decided on braces to pull the tooth into place. I cried the whole way home from the orthodontist office. The inner Southern in me was saying, "Are you hearin' what I'm sayin'?" My first carnal/fleshly thought was, "Lord, I am already 32 and single and you want me to put on braces?! Let's just join a nunnery and secure eternal sigleness". Thought number 2, "Oh my goodness did he say $4000?!?!?!". My final thought was, "I guess maybe I should have done this when I was 18". After a long walk home, a bunch of tears, and me trying not to cry out loud as I passed by my Peruvian neighbors in the street, I finally settled down and accepted reality. </div>
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Thursday April 19, 2012...a day that will go down in infamy. I went into the orthodontist and came out with rocks on my teeth that have to be there for 2 years. For whatever reason I am really sensitive to pain in my mouth. Some people might say I am a wuss but my mom will just tell you that I am stubborn. I also hear adults just have more pain associated with braces. Right now I can't brush my teeth, talk, eat, or even close my mouth without pain. These braces are instruments to pull things back into shape and into place. I have felt a whole new connection to all my students who have braces. They have been most helpful, encouraging, and supportive. There is comfort in people who are going through the same thing as you. They just happen to be almost 2 decades younger than I am, smile. I dislike braces probably more than anything. Right before I got my braces I asked my middle school choir what their thoughts were. One quiet, but poignant, student said, "It ruins everything". I knew I was doomed when the person who never talks chose those words to say when he had the opportunity to speak in class for the first time. As I sat in the orthodontist chair last week and cried due to the pain, I reminded myself that I was paying for this service. Today when the doctor said, "Now... this is going to feel like I am pulling all of your teeth out" I reminded myself that I willing walked there and sat in that chair. Apparently there is a lot of "shaping" up I have to do.<br />
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So I find myself again at the original question. Is anybody hearing what I'm sayin'? My answer from the Lord, "Yes, I see you...I hear you". It doesn't mean he is going to take it away it just means that I need to keep sitting in the chair and letting Him put things where he wants them to be...no matter how much it hurts.<br />
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Right now this is my favorite song..."King of All Days"-Hillsong<br />
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<br /></div>Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-72990217231351445582012-07-05T22:35:00.000-07:002012-07-05T22:35:50.531-07:00Furlough and Friends<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Well...it is well past time to write. I originally started this blog to keep supporters updated on things that were happening with ministry. Ministry updates now happen through other methods in case you were wondering. Every time I sit down to write it turns into therapeutic writing and far more personal and deeper heart feelings that I am unable to get out otherwise. Somehow putting my thoughts into cyber space is easier than verbally processing. A moment for the shock to absorb for those that know me well.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Furlough: </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">1. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="labset" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-style: normal;"><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">Military</span> </span></span><span id="hotword" style="position: static;">. </span></span><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">vacation</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">or</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">leave</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">absence</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">granted</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; position: static;">an </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: pointer; position: static;">enlisted</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">person.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; text-align: left; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2.</span></span></span></span><div class="dndata" style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">usually</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">temporary</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">layoff</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">from</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">work:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">Many</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">plant</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">workers</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">have</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">been</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">forced</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">go</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">on</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">furlough.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="dnindex" style="display: block; float: left; text-align: left; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; position: static;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3.</span></span></span></span><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span id="hotword" style="background-color: white; position: static;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">temporary</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">leave</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">absence</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">authorized</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">for</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">prisoner</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">from</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">penitentiary.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">My definition of furlough comes from our families missionary friends definition and aligns most closely with definition number 1. I listed the others because I thought it was funny. This is my second furlough after beginning my service in Peru. Second...wow crazy to think that this is my second in one year some missionaries have to wait years for a furlough. I am so grateful. I was able to come visit for Christmas and now for US summer. The most difficult thing about my time in the US is that I split that time between North Carolina and Virginia. You see I have family in both places and I couldn't imagine coming here and not being with one or the other. My natural family is in Virginia and my adoptive families and sending church are in North Carolina. I end up splitting the time pretty evenly between both and my heart in three places. Three? Yes, North Carolina, Virginia, and Peru. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">The first time around was really tough on me personally. I put a ton of pressure on myself to see everyone I could and the best way was to car trip and stay a couple of days with one family at a time. By the time I returned to VA for my trip back to Lima I was ready for a vacation. I tried to make up for 6 months of relationships in 2 weeks, impossible and exhausting. I also think I was in a little bit of transitional fog. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">This time around I decided to stay in one persons home and do day trips with people. I ended up really getting to spend the same amount of quality time without moving around so much night after night. It seems to be better but I have to say I am still ending up with a broken heart not getting to spend enough time with my dear friends. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">I have the most fantastic, supportive, loving group of friends who have poured over heaps of prayer, love, and patience with me over this year. I am leaving NC this weekend feeling so much love and support. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">I distinctly remember one youth group lock-in when I was in Middle School. Oh yeah I am going there. Stick with me this is good. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">My family had just moved to Greensboro, NC from Greenville, SC and I had started my 6th grade year in a new city. Needless to say I recall this transition being very difficult on everyone. I remember our first summer there how my sister, mom, and myself would talk about going back to SC because none of us liked NC. I was an awkward, low self-esteem kinda kid and didn't make friends easily. I was kinda shy. Another moment to pause for those that know me now to get over the shock. Well it was true. Middle School is a tough time for everyone and it was especially hard for me. I remember never feeling like I had friends and being so frustrated with the drama Middle School girls created. I would go sit in the nursery and rock babies when I would get frustrated with youth group stuff. Back to the lock-in I mentioned. It was my first lock-in and drama started to occur with girls in our youth group. I vividly remember thinking this is not what friendship was supposed to be like. I had not accepted Christ at this point and was still very much searching. I remember sitting down praying with my bible looking up every reference on the word "friend" I could find in my concordance. I wanted to know what God had to say about friendship. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Proverbs 17:17</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Proverbs 27:17</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">These were the first 2 scriptures I found. I will never forget it and have searched for it and strived for it my whole life. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God answered that prayer so long ago. I am blessed to have friends that are what these 2 scriptures say a friend is. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">To my soul sisters (and the brothers who now come with the sisters) you know who you are:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">You are a forever part of my heart. No matter where the Lord takes me or how little time we are able to spend together I carry you in my heart. I carry the prayer times, laughs, hugs, movie nights, road trips, talks, amazing meals, and most importantly the incredible gift of seeing you develop into amazing godly single women and men, godly wives and husbands, and super hero moms and dads. Thank you for sharpening my countenance on this furlough.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">I haven't even gotten to spend much time with my family yet...I'll just have to keep those thoughts to the closest place in my heart. I have used almost a whole box of Kleenex writing this post...just so you know. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">To know that Jesus is the reason that I even get to enjoy some part of this on this side of glory is all a part of Gods lavish love for his children.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Blessings</span></div>
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<br />Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-51361109999349848242012-03-21T22:42:00.002-07:002012-03-28T16:04:28.670-07:00On DisplayTearful hearts were on display today.<br />
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Most of us are uncomfortable with public displays of emotion...even those of us estrogen driven folks who frequent the Kleenex box for the most absurd reasons.<br />
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I can't recall all the times in my life where I have totally lost it in front of a group of people. Tonight I am just thinking about a few loosing it moments that were major. When I say "it" I mean composure and the ability to keep my emotions to myself. Most of the time these moments for us all are private. I am not counting the times where we tear up and fan our eyes to dry up our tears before the mascara starts to run. I am talking quivering voice, snot running, can't pull it together no matter how many deep breaths you take kind of moments. The kind where you close your mouth and look around as if you've totally become mute. For me these times can be directly correlated with movement of the Holy Spirit, or grieving of the spirit.<br />
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My first tearful display was in Memphis, TN on my first mission trip. We had been doing some repair and maintenance to a house in a very poor neighborhood. All of the groups were meeting the tenants of the homes they were working on and building relationships with them. Our group was bummed because we had been there for a couple of days and hadn't even seen the people living in the house we were working on. On the third day I went up and knocked on the door to the house several times and called out. A quiet voice came from behind the door in the hot July heat. We asked if she would come out and meet us. To our dismay she said no and the reason why was because they didn't have any clothes. Our entire group was floored. We dropped our paint brushes and hammers and immediately got to work on this need. We got their sizes, took the church van, and got them clothes. I will never forget her face as long as I live. They were so excited to get the clothes and so grateful. I invited them to come to our evening service and youth group devotion. This sweet lady came and sat in on our youth group devotion listening to all these privileged kids talk about how our lives were changed by what we saw happening in the lives of the people we were helping. I couldn't help but cry. I lost it. She looked at me and said, "Baby, you got to pull it together. You got the ugly cry." That was the week I committed my life to full time ministry. The Spirit moved.<br />
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Display number two was at the funeral of my friend, Marty, whose tragic death shook me to my core. The worship choir that I lead, and sang in, was asked to sing at his funeral. My friend April had to hold my hand so I could stand up. I did not make it through "Jesus Messiah". To this day I cannot sing that song without seeing his face. The choir sang and I wept. The Spirit was grieved.<br />
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Display number three was the day before I flew out of Los Estados Unidos to Peru. My moms pastor asked me to sing "Blessings" during both Sunday morning services. I said yes because I don't know how to say no knowing full well it was not a good idea. I practiced and had it down no problem. So I am sitting there getting ready to sing and the pastors wife gets up and plays a video of her relative who is an Army Chaplain in Afghanistan. He was asking for prayer for their unit because they had suffered loss. I saw the boots with the helmets and guns of the fallen soldiers and began to tear up. Then the pastor got up and talked about a family who had recently lost their mom. She had just given birth and died shortly after. The pastor was asking for us to pray for this dad as he will now be caring for their new baby and other children alone. I was tore up before I ever got up to the piano. I made it through the first verse and in walked that Daddy with the new baby and kids. I lost it. I had only made it through the first verse. I was grateful that my fingers still worked and that I could cry and play the piano so at least the congregation got to hear pretty music while I cried. That was the first service. I got to look at my tearful family in the second service. The spirit was grieved and blessed.<br />
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Display number four happened today. Corporate worship through music is something I am extremely passionate about. I am a musician and I love to sing to Jesus. I love singing alone but there is just something special that happens when voices come together. Something really important to me is that the students at our school know, understand, experience, participate in, and enjoy worship together. Not just singing but the real honest pouring out what is happening inside your heart kind of worship. This week is a special week at school where we have a team in from the States doing a spiritual emphasis study. We have Chapel services every day this week and I have the privilege of being one of a team of teachers leading worship. God has really been burdening my heart for real authentic worship at our school. I mean up at night, can't sleep, thinking about it a lot kind of burden. All week I have been struggling with weird headaches, a cough, and extreme exhaustion. I've been getting up every day wondering if I would even have a voice to lead. The first two days we would look out at maybe just a few people singing along. It took me until today to realize that God wanted to use me in a weakened state. I was frustrated from a vocal and health standpoint but he wanted to use me in that state. I had this realization while we were singing. At that same moment I heard the kids singing along. It was over...and I couldn't recover. It isn't my favorite thing to cry in front of a whole group of Middle and High School students and co-workers but it was definitely real and honest. Thank you Holy Spirit for moving and reminding me that you are there!<br />
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Most of the times the word <b><i>worship</i></b> is used in the Bible, with the exception of Psalms, it goes something like this. And_____________ fell down and worshiped (insert name in the blank). I would say when I loose it and cry that it is the equivalent to and I fell down. We are so afraid to fall down and show this side of ourselves. But guess what, that is how those of us who are in Christ will spend eternity. We will be before a Holy God face first in awe of His holiness. What are we afraid of here? I guess you could say today I fell down and worshiped...and I got to do it with a whole bunch of other people.<br />
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Tearful hearts were on display today. I'm not entirely comfortable with crying in public but I think it is beautiful.Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-47460436387087218672012-02-19T20:51:00.001-08:002012-02-20T13:19:43.112-08:00When the going gets tough...the tough keep goingIt has been a while since I've blogged. I guess I didn't really feel like I had anything enlightening or worth putting out in cyber space for the few that dare to open this page. Sometimes I don't feel like I have a voice at all. Some moments are fantastic and energizing with little time to stop and process how great things are. Some moments are just crummy. We all have those moments...right? Moments when we wonder if the last bit of strength we have will be enough to carry us to our next stopping place. Sometimes the stopping place isn't there at all. At other times we feel alone in the journey, which only seems to make things seem worse than they are.<br />
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When you step out and dare that your life could be different expect the stopping place and the loneliness to be ever present. Once you start you can never turn back. The amazing thing is all the tiredness and loneliness are woven with brilliant colors of joy. I imagine it to be something like stained glass. Beautiful colors of intricate glass held together by the ugliest soldered metal. I have actually had the opportunity to learn how to make stained glass. It is tough and takes a long time. You get cuts on your hands and shards of glass get everywhere but the end product is so amazing.<br />
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There have been glorious moments over the course of the past 8 months since I made the move from Huntersville, NC. Like the moment when I arrived at my apartment in Peru at 2:30am January 17. I was so excited to be back that I stayed up all night and unpacked so I could enjoy the whole next day. I got up the next morning and ran until I hit the ocean then walked until dinner time. There have also been so many sweet moments with students at ICSL where you know God is working and things just seem in place. We went to the Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional this past Friday. It was so neat to share that passion and see it in my students.<br />
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This week I have been battling the ugly on the inside while trying to cut beautiful glass on the outside. A battle under tired and lonely conditions makes for an interesting fight. In the ugly moments when I want to quit and go back home to the familiar I find that picturing what things would be like helps me turn the ugly to pretty. Immediately I realize I can never go back...it doesn't work that way. The intricate stained glass work of art my heavenly Father is trying to create wouldn't be as beautiful with out the ugly pieces bringing me to the pretty.<br />
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In church today I was encouraged by this verse and later by a sweet friend, Kim. God brings us people in the lonely and gives us His word to fight. He says to the church at Philadelphia, "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth." Revelation 3:10 Oh Lord give me strength and grace to endure with long suffering and dignity. Verse 11 is what really stuck out to me...and it came with a picture. Earlier in the chapter he points out the weakness of the church and their lack of power...this makes verse 11 even more meaningful. He says,"I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown." As I talked with Kim we shared about how Satan attacks us and tries to steel our crown. The word crown is used in many places in the scripture. It is most often used when talking about wisdom, joy, and life. "Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your (crown) wisdom, joy, and life." I told Kim I feel like there are times when I have to hold on to my crown with both hands because it is open season for crown hunting. Someone or something is always trying to take it from me. At times I am just not vigilant about making sure that no one takes it and I give it away freely. I have this mental image of me running with both hands gripped tightly to my crown, sometimes I am ducking in this mental image. James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."<br />
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The enemy has to leave at the sound of HIS name...JESUS. Go on...say it...out loud. It really does help.<br />
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I realize the things I am dealing with may not be life changing or as Beth Moore says, "just a gnat in the lip gloss type of issue" but never the less Satan will get at me in any way he can. He knows he can get to me by sewing small seeds of doubt and insecurity and that I will do the rest for him. I am an easy target. The enemy doesn't have to do much. I will destroy myself. Not this week...I am holding on to my crown with both hands.<br />
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BlessingsMarissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-65365428063460556462011-12-30T21:45:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:07:46.213-08:00Safely Home<div class="MsoNormal">I borrowed this blog title from a book I just finished reading called “Safely Home” by Randy Alcorn. It is a story of Christian martyrs in China. It has been an interesting parallel to my current life position. Parallel meaning going in a similar direction...I hope we all are. While my title is a missionary and I definitely know God has placed me in Peru for his purpose, to share who he is with those around me, I am acutely aware that my situation is different than many other missionaries, or Christians for that matter, across the globe. This doesn’t in any way diminish what I do, and others like me, it just keeps things in perspective and grounds me. This story reminds me of the call on every Christians’ life. The call to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">From childhood I have always been curious, interested, and gripped by the stories of missionaries and believers all over the world who have sacrificed for the sake of the Gospel. It began with our Vietnamese friends who came on a boat to the US, whose homemade egg rolls I enjoyed frequently. Childhood friends who were missionaries to Honduras inspired me. Countless church workers and full-time ministers our family supported, served under, and along side have been constant reminders of God’s call to serve. Stories I’ve read or heard from the pulpit or stage have all gripped me in a way to change my course and my worldview. This book “Safely Home” has been an inspiration to me over the past few months. I encourage you to find it and read it…it’s available on Amazon for Kindle.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
As I journeyed home to spend Christmas with my family and friends the words safe, home, and Christmas had new meaning. I am grateful for what God has done and the blessings he has brought to me in the past year. I hope I can rise to the challenge and serve Him well. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I leave you with several thoughts and quotes from the book that I can’t seem to get out of my mind, and hope I never do. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He could no have it both ways, not here. No God, no good. Forever. He had wanted a world where no one else was in charge, where no order was forced upon him. He had finally gotten it.”<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Never postpone obedience to Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Never forget Jesus is King. Never forget your home is in another world.”<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Do I know Gods word well enough that if imprisoned because of my faith I could still be encouraged by His words to me?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Is my faith and my relationship with God enough that if everything I knew was taken and knew nothing of earthly comfort I could still sing praise to my Savior? Reflections for a new year.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Blessings and Happy New Year!!</div>Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-24740587326106367282011-11-30T19:48:00.000-08:002011-11-30T19:48:11.284-08:00Normal...for now anywayI am almost late for my promised once a month post. Things have been a bit busy since October 1st. To save time and preserve my desire to share details in person I will make a list.<br />
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Since I last wrote here are some things I've been involved in:<br />
<br />
2 Community Service projects<br />
Chile Getaway<br />
Recital<br />
Somalia/World Vision Fundraiser<br />
Thanksgiving Getaway<br />
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In addition to the above add the usual day to day activities that happen once life starts to feel normal. Normal, this is the word I feel like explains where I am right now with life in Peru. I feel pretty comfortable in my surroundings and not nearly as awkward or overwhelmed. Spring has sprung which makes my walks to and from school, and just about anywhere else, super enjoyable. The birds are chirping, butterflies a fluttering, and the songs have been coming back into my heart. I know I am truly happy when there is always a song in my head. For a while there was only silence and no music. I am thinking in songs again...and this is a good thing. I have a couple of tunes and songs that are always on the play list and they have come back into rotation.<br />
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I am in full swing for Christmas Concerts and Musicals in the last 2 weeks of school and then I am back in Los Estados Unidos por Navidad. I can't believe the 1st half of the school year is almost over. I feel like I blinked in July and ended up in December.<br />
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The song that has been in my head the past couple of days is "Where Are You Christmas?" from the movie "How The Grinch Stole Christmas". This is pretty remarkable since I have never seen this movie and haven't ever really sat down and listened to this song. It is amazing how my musical brain works that way. When I think of the song I actually hear Faith Hill singing it in my head, I can even visualize it. Weird...I know.<br />
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So, today I sat down and actually listened to the song because I thought it might help me move on to another song. Once I listened I realized why it was in my head. I watched the youtube video with the words scrolling so I could figure it out. The phrase "...my world is changing, and rearranging, does that mean Christmas changes too?" kept sticking out to me. This is why I had the song stuck in my head. My world has been changing and rearranging for almost a year now. I spent my first Holiday away from family at Thanksgiving. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be thanks to Jeremy and Rachel Hollie and the wonderful house in Cieneguilla, Peru. It was weird to be by a pool getting sun burnt and it being 70 degrees. Back to the song...I have been evaluating my feelings and thoughts on why Holiday's, and most specifically Christmas, are so special and magical. It is magical because of people. Most specifically Jesus...the most important person. Trees, twinkle lights, presents, carols, gingerbread houses, snowmen, holiday movies, parties with friends, special holiday meals, Christmas cookies, 102.9 playing all Christmas songs beginning in October, festive greetings, White Christmas (the movie). All of these wonderful harmless things mean absolutely nothing compared to the fact that God sent his son Jesus as a baby to make a way for me to know my creator God. That my friends is magical and all the Christmas I need. I want to feel magical about that every day and not just in December. While I miss the festivities and decor of the season I am grateful that this is a lesson I have learned. To be content no matter the circumstances or the decoration.<br />
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I am still going to enjoy the season and festivities when I return for Christmas, I haven't turned into the Grinch. I am happy about the trees, twinkle lights, and special time with family and friends, but my heart has changed with the way I see it and the place it holds.<br />
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It was magical today seeing all the flags representing countries our students are from at ICSL. It was magical hearing a Japanese family sing a song about Jesus, in Japanese (and the most wonderful family harmony I've heard). After, the Gospel was shared to the whole school encouraging our children to allow themselves to be used by God to take Jesus to their countries. That was magical and it had nothing to do with Christmas.<br />
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Blessings and Merry Christmas!Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-85530700181975717622011-10-02T14:44:00.000-07:002011-10-02T14:44:05.315-07:00Life Out of ContextContext. The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be <i><b>fully understood and assessed</b></i>.<br />
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Some people spend their whole lives out of context, others never try, not even for a week or even a moment.<br />
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David Platt challenges you to spend a year out of context at the end of his book <b><i>Radical</i></b>. On my way home from church today I had a great conversation with a girl I work with and it reminded me so much of this statement. She is a Missionary Kid who grew up in a Quechua village in Bolivia. I am a girl from the suburbs of the US. Out of context for me was coming here to Sur America. Out of context for my friend was going to North America. I think no matter your circumstances you have to go somewhere that it is hard to understand and fully assess. This is part of the process of being rendered and shaped by a God who won't relent until he has all of us, every part of our heart, and every corner of our mind. Sometimes we have to get out of context before we can realize what we are lacking. It is through the process of assessing and grasping to understand that we become redeemed and His ownership is recovered. A life out of context is valuable to the refinement of a believer. It is when that believer takes The Word or words out of context that it is epic failure. Or better yet when our life seems out of context and we don't even try to seek the truth and realize that Jesus is the only context we need. His word and His truth is the truth of our circumstances and all the context clues we need.<br />
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We sing this song at my home church called "Hope of the Nations". It is one of my favorites. When I said the words " the nations" as we sang I used to picture a place outside the US. Now I live in a nation outside of my passport country, out of my usual context, and the song "Hope of the Nations" came to mind. After being in a international community my understanding of the word nations now includes my passport country. In that song the words "the Nations" should be replaced with "all people"....because no matter where you are there are mothers, fathers, children, poor, rich, and all manner of people struggling to figure out their context. The only answer, Jesus, and a sober understanding of the Change in your heart and mind that must take place in order for your heart to be His dwelling place. I mean capital "C" change not little "c" change. Big, mega, life altering, head spinning, heart wrenching CHANGE. Once you come to the point of accepting Christ in your life this process never ends until one day you see him face to face. At that moment all we will be able to say is "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!". Songs like Hope of the Nations won't even be a distant melodic memory. Can I standsit, get on my face, lay down, dance, be in a group of people, or be alone and say/sing or reflect through silence "Holy, Holy, Holy is the the Lord God Almighty!"?<br />
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Just thinking,Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-55807996058296495332011-09-25T22:18:00.000-07:002011-09-25T22:18:16.541-07:00Is September really almost over?<div style="text-align: justify;">Every day I find myself feeling more comfortable calling South America home. I am officially a Peruvian resident. This means that when I leave SA and enter the US I will need my passport and carnet, my Peruvian ID. As comfortable as I am I still have moments where it doesn't seem real, like I'm dreaming. I am so grateful for this dream. I am grateful even when things are hard because I know it could be harder.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is God doing? He is STRETCHING me and I mean stretching. It isn't like the stretches you do before a workout that make you feel good. They are the kind of stretches you would do to create an extra appendage, make you 5 inches taller, or have an extra rib or something. It is the kind of stretch that hurts but you know you need it, for a reason unknown by you. It is the kind of stretch you don't see coming.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">School is great! Nothing is ever perfect and as with any new job and position for me I begin dreaming and getting a picture in my head of what it can be one day. I'm a builder and a dreamer. I pray that I can let go of my vision and let God be the visionary. Every day I am grateful that he brought me to this place and to a group of people who love the Lord, pray for students, and genuinely pour into their lives. We have Spiritual Emphasis Week this week. Please pray for students who have not yet committed their life to Christ and for those who have and are struggling. Pray that the Lord will do a mighty work this week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I've been going to different churches in the area every week. I've already visited all the churches with English services and am now visiting Spanish speaking churches. Today and last week I went to a church called Camino de Vida. I really like this church and really feel at home. Before I came to Peru all I heard was don't try to find a church like you had at home. After going to this church I said, "Does it count if I found one like my church when I wasn't looking?". It is a fantastic church with awesome worship and solid biblical teaching. Services are in Spanish but this is a bonus because it will help me learn and speak better Spanish. I am able to get things out of the sermon and don't feel totally lost. Some days it is easier to translate than others, depending on who is speaking (in any church). Bummer...It takes about 45 minutes via bus and combi to get there. A combi is a small van crammed with a ton of people. A man hangs out the side window calling out where they are going. This call almost sounds like a song to me and I am often distracted my the rhythm and cantor and cannot understand what they say. If you want to go there you wave them down and hop on. You are lucky if they slow down to a stop for you to get on and wait until you are seated before they go. Friends, you know I like this church when I am willing to ride a bus and a combi to get there. I am not a fan of public transportation in the US...so this is a stretch. Combi's are so uncomfortable for this large Norte Americana. I have to sit sideways because my legs will not fit behind the seat. If you don't get a seat you have to stoop while you hold on to whatever you can so you don't fall all over the place. It is truly a cultural experience and the cheapest way to get around. One trip is 50 centimos or 18 cents. Back to church...they have 5, 000 members and a ton of services and opportunities to get plugged in. The pastor started 2 orphanages and gives wheelchairs to handicapped people. They have a huge heart for social injustice, are very active in sharing Jesus so he can change peoples lives, and planting churches. I know I need to keep looking but I really feel like this is a place I could settle. Plus...the man sitting beside me today invited me to his house to have dinner with he and his wife. Did I mention their praise choir practices on Tuesday night? I wonder if they practice jumping on stage like they did today and last week during worship? It was awesome! I'm going to keep praying and seeking where God wants me to be.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I learned the district I live in, Miraflores, is approximately 3.7 miles with app. 85,000 people. This is why it is so easy to walk everywhere, bonus. It is amazes me how big 3.5 miles can seem. Most people have a dog here. As it turns out I like dogs when living in the US where they have space and grass to roam in and use the bathroom. Not so much when 85,000 people live within 3.5 miles and there is no animal control, there are no dog parks, or waste disposal systems. No wonder we can't drink the water. I struggle with sanitary conditions here for that reason alone. I am really sensitive to it right now and hope this will change over time, but I'm not sure. I have always been an animal lover and wanted a dog for a long time. Living here has taken away my love of animals. Strange.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I went to the movies on Saturday night with another teacher friend. As we walked up to the entrance of the mall I heard, "Miss Parsons!". Now it feels like home. Hearing "Miss Parsons!" while I'm out and about on a weekend in a district of 85,000 people feels strangely normal. Strangely normal...this is a new description for how life is right now. Things are strange but becoming a new normal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is a song we have sung at church the past 2 weeks. I love it and God has used it in the stretching. Read the lyrics in English but listen in Spanish (the link is below text). Con todo Dios.</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 15px;"><strong>With Everything</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 15px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 15px;">:</span></i></span><br />
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</div><div id="songlyrics" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Open our hearts,<br />
To see the things<br />
That make Your heart cry,<br />
To be the church<br />
The You would desire.<br />
Light to be seen.<br />
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Break down our pride,<br />
And all the walls<br />
We've built up inside,<br />
Our earthly crowns<br />
And all our desires,<br />
We lay at Your feet.<br />
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So let hope rise,<br />
And darkness tremble<br />
In Your holy light,<br />
And every eye will see<br />
Jesus, our God,<br />
Great and mighty to be praised.<br />
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God of all days,<br />
Glorious in all of Your ways.<br />
Your majesty, the wonder and grace,<br />
In the light of Your name.<br />
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With everything,<br />
With everything,<br />
We will shout for your glory.<br />
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With everything,<br />
With everything,<br />
We will shout forth your praise.<br />
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Our hearts will cry<br />
Be glorified,<br />
Be lifted high,<br />
Above all names.<br />
For You our King,<br />
With everything,<br />
We will shout forth your praise.</i></span><br />
</div><div id="songlyrics" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhIPaW9v-3g">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhIPaW9v-3g</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-24158879630703161732011-08-24T21:20:00.001-07:002012-03-28T15:58:33.857-07:00Tension is Good, Transition and Growing Pains<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get ready this is a long one.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These words are strong statements that have been a regular part of my vocabulary for the past year. Yes friends a whole year. When I look at where I am sometimes my first thought is, "Oh my goodness!!! I am living in Peru!!!", sometimes it is "Praise the Lord you have brought me to this place I longed to be for so long!", sometimes it is "Lord, you brought me to this place. Now what?", and other times "Lord....really?"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is easy to focus on your current circumstances and allow them to shade your emotions and thoughts. This is exactly what the enemy wants. Satan wants you to be disabled in the transition, to allow the pains of growth to render you immobile. Only after looking at the whole picture can you truly see that God is working for his purpose in spite of, through, and because of your circumstances. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my Junior year of High School (1997) my church went through the study Experiencing God. The Lord used this in my life to prepare me for my first mission trip the summer before my Senior year. It was on this trip that the Lord called me into full-time ministry. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flash forward to August 24, 2011. I am sitting in a house in Peru full of missionary teachers I work with doing the Experiencing God study. Friends I am having a major moment here. I am overwhelmed at God's amazing faithfulness. "Because of your partnership with the gospel form the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on until completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:5-6. He will carry it on until it is complete on the day of the return of our Lord Jesus. It has absolutely nothing to do with me, my timing, my hopes, desires, dreams, or best intentions. I just get to be a part if I choose to surrender, get out of the way, and be a moldable earthen vessel. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The October before I accepted the call to Peru I went to a church leadership conference called Catalyst. Catalyst is put on by Andy Stanley and the ministry of North Point church. The Lord has always used speakers from this conference, most often the first thing Andy Stanley says on Thursday morning. Last year he said, "Tension is good". Excuse me, did you just say tension is good? I was hooked. I had been experiencing spiritual tension from 1996 when God started working on me until that moment in the Gwinnett Arena. He said we have to understand that God created us with desires and natural tensions that will never be met this side of Glory. Wow ya'll that is pretty powerful. He then proceeded to share a message with us from the Old Testament. Genesis 25: 29-34 gives the account of brothers Jacob and Essau. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-688" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">29</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-689" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">30</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-690" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">31</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-691" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">32</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-692" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">33</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-693" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">34</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> So Esau despised his birthright.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not going to try and quote Andy Stanley. Here is what the Lord showed me in through the scripture Andy shared (I guess I can call him Andy). Hunger is a tension. It is a physical tension and a figurative tension. Esau allowed his physical hunger, his flesh, to override his desire to cherish this coveted birthright. How many times in our spiritual lives do we allow desires, or hungers, to override our calling to glorify the Lord as his children and heirs? What "bowl of stew" are you reaching for in exchange for God's plan. I realized in this moment that I had tensions in my life I had been reaching for that I needed to relinquish to God. I needed to submit and accept that there were longings, even callings, that may not be realized until I see Jesus face to face. It was a huge God moving moment in my life. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From 1996-2011 (15 yrs) I attempted to help God with the mission he had called me to. I talked about this in one of my first posts. Our flesh tells us if we work harder or look longer we can get where we want to be. Jesus says let go, and trust me and you will be there. When I finally let go is when he finally sent me out.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So...all that to say right now I am in transition and experiencing growing pains. This transition started when I signed my contract at the end of January until now (around 7 months). The most intense months of my life so far have been July and August. Add 15 years of tension and waiting, 7 months of transition and growing pains, and you get a lot of time to let circumstances and trials weigh a woman down. I'm just saying it hasn't been easy to get a picture of what God is doing with me. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you go places and hear the same message over and over...God might be trying to tell you something. Tonight a girl in bible study told the same illustration I have heard so many times over the past few years, and more so recently. The picture of a tapestry being woven is a beautiful metaphor for what our perspective is compared to Gods. He is the weaver, we are underneath watching the crazy maze of colors, knots, and clumps. We see a crazy mess that doesn't make sense. God sees beauty and perfection. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friends, I am still sitting under the tapestry saying, "Lord I trust you are making a beautiful picture, I don't want to get in the way". God is saying, "Get out from under there where it is messy and look at the big picture I am creating something beautiful". He will complete the good work on the day we see Jesus face to face. Don't trade in your front row seat for a bowl of stew. Know that things look messy, but will turn out beautiful if we don't get lost in transition. </span><br />
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<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"And when the earth fades, falls from my eyes, and you stand before me. I know you love me, I know you love me. At the cross I bow my knee, where you blood was shed for me, there's no greater love than this. You have overcome the grave, glory in the highest place, what can separate us now." ~Hillsong</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></div>Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-77042165502869526392011-08-06T11:49:00.000-07:002011-08-06T11:49:37.393-07:00Picture PostHello Friends and Family!<br />
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As with all of my posts from Peru please be gracious with my editing issues. When I do spell check it thinks I should be writing in Spanish so everything is highlighted yellow. I proof read and re-read but sometimes I just have to click <b><i>Publish Post</i></b> and be done with it.<br />
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I thought I would give you a tour of where I live. I hope you enjoy seeing pictures and that it will help frame the picture of what is happening here in Peru.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRZar-u6JD95ElmDdtSnuSWBBVv8omxNu8vHaZUGMIzrf7Of-01DPHPOR6aZco3gXfqdxxTSWg2c2CTRzIgzh65Rg7FULFuLF6iel4TGHA65_Cc_x2SkKZRa9DvDgJCrQwTrgTN83YAA/s1600/DSC01390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRZar-u6JD95ElmDdtSnuSWBBVv8omxNu8vHaZUGMIzrf7Of-01DPHPOR6aZco3gXfqdxxTSWg2c2CTRzIgzh65Rg7FULFuLF6iel4TGHA65_Cc_x2SkKZRa9DvDgJCrQwTrgTN83YAA/s320/DSC01390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is the view when you walk into the apartment. The apartment has been lived in by the same 2 girls for the past 3 years or so which is why it is so well established. It allowed me to feel somewhat settled because everything was already here. My roommate's name is Yvonne DelSanto a super sweet person.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJxNGBLtEhekSyMyOm5SvKqxBBr5riZsMJ8knRDY6NIIy6Oe7541HZ80e08o3fZlOinmTYus59l97Dkqy91YInNxg708M3jroyYOEWzhoii8YQqwASv9fdl90Wt5qGRd6wz5LabNrIrI/s1600/DSC01391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJxNGBLtEhekSyMyOm5SvKqxBBr5riZsMJ8knRDY6NIIy6Oe7541HZ80e08o3fZlOinmTYus59l97Dkqy91YInNxg708M3jroyYOEWzhoii8YQqwASv9fdl90Wt5qGRd6wz5LabNrIrI/s320/DSC01391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is the view going into the kitchen. You know what it says on the side mirror of your car? <i><b>Objects may be larger than they appear.</b></i> This is not true in this case. I can touch the ceiling without really stretching and the sink is below my waist :-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IxrT8otQckWS_0Jx24hWKxXO0wW-uWYon2k4QhdUSB2CYahUDkPvod11JHhW4MqgTqJNZOE1-Oee9myNXR-KGxjGmaVS0xGoR5JA8Gh7rsE4eF7Ze_bUZqyiD5o4cpHpQ10Lec0NtEA/s1600/DSC01392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IxrT8otQckWS_0Jx24hWKxXO0wW-uWYon2k4QhdUSB2CYahUDkPvod11JHhW4MqgTqJNZOE1-Oee9myNXR-KGxjGmaVS0xGoR5JA8Gh7rsE4eF7Ze_bUZqyiD5o4cpHpQ10Lec0NtEA/s320/DSC01392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Kitchen view...you really have to be creative with storage (laundry is off to the left).<br />
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View from the roof of our building. Interesting fact, Peruvians love their dogs. You see them all over the city both on and off leash. Remember I live in a busy part of town...really busy. One night we were walking to a coffee shop and I saw a lady with a Golden retriever off leash. She stopped, looked at the dog and said, "Ok, which way do you want to go?". The dog walked toward the street and she followed. This was on a busy 4 lane divided street that I have to cross with extreme caution because pedestrians don't have the right of way. While I was out on the roof taking this picture I saw 2 large Husky type dogs on a roof a few buildings over. What were they doing you say? Probably going potty or having "yard" play time. Here the roof is the yard and potty for dogs. Needless to say since I found this out I don't go up there much. There are not any of the nice doggy trash bags stands around for you to clean up after you dog. You just have to watch where you step when you are walking around the city.<br />
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This is the Malecon. It is a park that runs along the coast line in Miraflores, really a nice place. We saw a giant pillow fight there one day. Not to far of a walk from my apartment.<br />
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Another Malecon pic :-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIzALFBMzb7a0OFr9DB8dhXFY-VOjK5nnJ9XHyTREQQUN0dcohDOb0K6AWI0la_-4TRZ_Dg-Bwa1rP5tNU5YNnF4KZpb7Fxs2IaHPAUxDZwvfSGZtyZWHsVTmmXb4VFKRI20nfiOfVVs/s1600/DSC01373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIzALFBMzb7a0OFr9DB8dhXFY-VOjK5nnJ9XHyTREQQUN0dcohDOb0K6AWI0la_-4TRZ_Dg-Bwa1rP5tNU5YNnF4KZpb7Fxs2IaHPAUxDZwvfSGZtyZWHsVTmmXb4VFKRI20nfiOfVVs/s320/DSC01373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Another view from another missionary apartment that is on the 5th floor a couple blocks from my building.<br />
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I hope you get a good idea of where I am. I will post more as life begins to take shape and school life isn't as consuming. It has been a whirlwind but very good. Please continue to pray that the Lord will guide by His Spirit and through his word. Pray that I will rely on His strength and not my own. School started this week and I felt like it was a good start. As with anything new there are challenges but I know the Lord is in control!<br />
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Blessings for todayMarissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-22390530713115001382011-07-31T19:47:00.000-07:002011-07-31T19:47:56.808-07:00All Things NewGreetings from Peru!!<br />
I have been here for 14 days and feel much more comfortable than I thought I would. I have been challenged more in my understanding of what I "need" to live and have been coping with a whole new way of life. Here are the top 10 things that are different. Different isn't bad and in most cases it is for the better.<br />
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1-My ministry and job are one in the same...I get to talk about the Lord with my students! This also means I have one job. Which for me has not been the case in several years. Sunday's right now are very strange. I almost feel out of place or like I am not doing something that I should be doing. Like I'm skipping class or something.<br />
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2-I walk to and from work everyday (around 15 minutes). Great weight loss program and way to learn the road system.<br />
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3-I walk everywhere ie. store, shopping, dinner, to a friends house, church.<br />
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4-My apartment is in one of the busiest parts of this district, Miraflores. So much street noise that I had to wear earplugs to sleep the first few days. Now I use a dehumidifier to muffle the noise. There is a grocery store, bank, and excellent restaurant all on my block.<br />
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5- My ability to communicate with family and friends has changed drastically (I teared up several times the first week because I didn't have phone or internet). Because I only talk to people maybe once a week my conversations have become more meaningful.<br />
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6- I haven't watched TV since I left on July 18 and don't care at all about having one. Although I did watch a movie on my laptop Sunday afternoon before a nap.<br />
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7- I have only cooked twice since I've been here because grocery shopping and cooking is not the same, and I don't have as much time. I think I went through a whole box of matches trying to light the gas stove. Plus, restaurant food is amazing and affordable!<br />
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8- I have trouble speaking English because I am trying to get better with my Spanish and am saying goofy things. I really need a tutor.<br />
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9-I have been wearing some form of tennis shoe every day. For those that know my history with shoes you will appreciate this. For those that don't know...it isn't something I'm proud of.<br />
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10-I miss my family and friends much more than I anticipated.<br />
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I really do love it here and have really enjoyed my experiences so far. The weather is very grey most days and people walk around with grey sad faces. I felt strange walking around smiling the first couple of days. The past couple of days the sun has peeked through to remind us it still exists. Today it was out so long I got to see it set and then saw stars later on because the cloud cover had diminished. As we walked through the Malecon, a huge park that travels along the coast, we came upon a large group of people having a pillow fight. Yes, I said a pillow fight. There were about a hundred or so teenagers and young people with their pillows whomping each other in an organized fashion. It was so great. I wished I had my pillow.<br />
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Today was the Peruvian Independence Day. As I walked the empty streets seeing families gather it made me miss my family, friends, and anything familiar. I think it is possible to be excited about all the new possibilities and friendships, maintain sweet relationships from the past, and maintain my sanity. Tonight some of the staff got together to celebrate Peru's independence. It was so nice to bond with these new friends and co-workers as we prepare to start the school year.<br />
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Wednesday is our first day of school. Please pray for the ICSL staff, students, and families...especially with all the newness. The start of the school year is always crazy but this year in particular. I know the Lord has a perfect plan and I long to step aside and see his plan and not mine.<br />
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There have been so many new things and adjustments I can't even put them all into words. We began our teacher in-service training this week. Since the first day I sat foot in the building the Lord has been speaking to me and my creative juices have been flowing like never before. I've been having the kind of moments when you feel acutely aware that the Lord is planting a thought or a vision, so real that it gives you cold chills. I just keep praying that the Lord will guide me and use me. I know the Lord has me here and has a purpose for my life taking this dramatic turn. I am so thrilled about what He is doing!<br />
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Matthew 5:13-16 Striving to be salt and light!Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-2755730146194704612011-07-18T23:43:00.000-07:002011-07-18T23:43:55.924-07:00Leaving On A Jet PlaneWell... I wish I could say this was going to be a super uplifting and encouraging post, I hope it will be but I don't want to make any promises I can't keep. I just want to be real. Truth is I'm kinda sad, a little emotional, excited, tired, ready, and a whole bunch of other descriptors I'll spare you. Somehow putting my thoughts out in cyberspace helps me to process all the mountains of things I'm trying to process. I feel like a computer when the hourglass/color-wheel spins relentlessly. You wait for the page to load and it keeps spinning. This is how I feel my hourglass/color-wheel is spinning and nothing is happening. My parents living room floor has four large suitcases scattered around. I've been relying on prayer, the bathroom scale, and a luggage weight to help make sure my bags are at the right weight. Tonight I put the scales away and just put the stuff in the bag. As my dad said your not going on a trip your going to live. I am carrying 26 pounds of Choral Octavos!! That's choir sheet music for all you non-musuc teacher folks. I've also been rehearsing how I will maneuver these bags through customs. If you know me well you know I am an over-packer to a fault. I have always just thrown a bunch of clothes in the bag and figured things out when I got to my destination. This time I have not been able to do that and the packing process was so not fun. I am pretty much done as of tonight...hallelujah!! Let me just say I have kept the company who produces SpaceBags in business. P.S. I DO NOT like the roll out SpaceBags. Rolling all that air out caused some pretty serious hand/wrist pain and I am no wimp.<br />
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There are so many things the Lord has been showing me but primarily about how much this place, planet earth, is not my home. I have driven in my preverbal tent pegs really deep. Several times in the past month I have found myself in piles of stuff. I thought I had eliminated everything preventing me from going unhindered, but I was wrong. Every day the Lord shows me something or some place in my heart that I don't trust him. Every day he says to me, "How much do you want to serve?, What are you willing to let go of?, What are you willing to endure for my names sake?" Many of my married friends tell me that when they got married they realized how selfish they were. Then when they have kids they retract the previous statement and say, "Now I really know how selfish I am". This whole process of becoming a teacher, missionary, and world traveler has taught this girl just how selfish I am. It has made me reflect on the depth of my relationship with Christ, rely on him more than ever before, and trust in areas I've been trying to be self-sufficient in my entire adult life.<br />
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I've been reading RADICAL by David Platt as some of you know based on previous posts. I am living out the Radical year experiment he describes in the last chapter. I finished reading it just before I left and it encouraged and challenged my thought processes. I am so grateful God has given me this opportunity this chance to serve him in this capacity. Matthew chapter 10 also rocked my spiritual world this week.<br />
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I'm finishing up this post in a bed in Lima, Peru. My flight got in today or should I say yesterday. The clock is showing 1:35 am Lima, which means my body thinks it is 2:35. I go to my apartment tomorrow. My roommate won't be there until Saturday so I will be on my own to get familiar with the place. The girls that picked us up from the airport are super sweet and welcoming. I am so excited to meet everyone else. I had 4 bags that I intended on checking and was politely told that I could only take 2 ;-) I then proceeded to perform the airport shuffle with my mom and dad as partners. Now we are figuring out how to get the rest of my clothes and teaching materials to Peru and not have to take out a loan or sell an organ on the black market. The ticket clerk thanked me for not falling out and having a tantrum on the floor.<br />
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Folks it is humid in Lima. It doesn't even touch Mississippi humidity.<br />
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Pray for a smooth transition as I learn how to get around in my new home and get to work in a couple of weeks.<br />
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P.S. If there are numerous grammar errors just give me a break. Spell check thinks I should be typing in Spanish and everything is yellow or underlined. I am not editing tonight:-)<br />
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Blessings for todayMarissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-57902994733876300192011-06-30T21:08:00.000-07:002011-06-30T21:08:37.000-07:00Where I've Been, Where I Am, and Where I'm GoingGreeting from Pre Field training in Mississippi. I never in all my wildest dreams imagined that this time would be like this. I've only been here for 4 days and it feels like an eternity. <br />
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I spent the 2 weeks before I left for Mississippi with 2 dear friends The Turner's and the Alley's. I was so blessed by my time with these dear friends. Bobby and Christine gave me so much grace with my crazy busy schedule. That is precious time I know I can't ever get back. Amy and Joel threw a big sending off party that was so beautiful. I spent the weekend before orientation with the Boyd family. It was so wonderful to see my sweet friends Robin and Coleman and their 6 precious children. Their family was a blessing and encouragement to me the couple days I was with them.<br />
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I am so excited but am so overwhelmed by all the important information and the new relationships I am forming. Yesterday I found out who my roommate will be in Peru. She has a puppy, she lives within walking distance of the school, and I think she is pretty close to my age. Her name is Yvonne. I am so excited!! I emailed her and am anxiously waiting to hear back :-)... I guess it is ok to use smiley face symbols in blogs and not just text messages.<br />
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Yesterday we heard from the president and founder of NICS, Joe Hale. He is the neatest man and told us the story of how NICS was founded. I don't believe there were many dry eyes in the place. I have to tell you that God's hand is all over this organization. It was the Lord's plan from the beginning. We visited the home office today and have met the staff over the past few days. There are so many amazing godly leaders who work for the Lord. It is humbling and over whelming to hear to stories of how God is working in the lives of teachers, students, and families all over the world. The gospel is being shared and lives are being changed. I am so happy to be a part of this work. I love hearing all the Third Culture Kids stories. I love hearing the life changes happening in the young people who have been a part of the NICS schools all over the world.<br />
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I have met some of the staff already serving in Lima as well as the other new folks coming in with me. It is so neat to see how God has been working in all of our lives to prepare us for this time and for this work. I am getting so excited about what life will be like in Lima!!<br />
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Despite all of the excitement there are also moments of sadness and frustration with this major life transition. I missed the birth of my nephew, Finley Elliot. I missed the week he was in the NICU and I won't be there for his surgery next week. I miss sleeping in a regular bed. I miss showering in a normal shower relatively close to where I sleep. I miss being outside. I miss being active during the day. All of it really silly but when it all adds up it can be overwhelming. I miss the familiar. I miss community. All of this is so worth what we are being prepared to do and small on the scale of necessary and I'm pretty sure it will be harder once I arrive in Peru. I've been told it will be the hardest year of my life. I'll leave you with this word from 1 Peter.<br />
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1 Peter 1:1-2 " Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, though the sanctifying work of the spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood. Grace and peace be yours in abundance". <br />
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I've learned that this was written to people like me. People who are scattered out of obedience to Christ. I am called to be a part of a people who choose another land to live their life out in service to Christ and the spreading of his Gospel.<br />
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1 Peter 1:6-7 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."<br />
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I have learned that these trials and the ones to come are placed in my life for a purpose. I will gladly walk the path Christ has laid out for me, trials and all.<br />
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BlessingsMarissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-81268301140135127622011-06-15T17:31:00.000-07:002011-06-15T17:31:44.184-07:00SupportOver the past 5 or so months it has been amazing to see the outpouring of support from family, friends, my church, co-workers, students and random strangers. Everyone seems to know someone who is in Peru, has been to Peru, or just knows a lot about Peru. People have been handing me cards and slips of paper all with a contact of someone I can connect with when I get to Lima. I have stuffed my brain with as much as information as possible and think the rest will just have to come when I get there.<br />
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The past 5 months have been a whirlwind.<br />
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There have been times when concerns over finances or worrying if I could get paperwork done and in a timely manner would totally consume me. The Lord has taken every concern or worry and ushered it out the door like yesterday's trash. My spirit is overwhelmed with the peace of our Heavenly Father and his lavish provision, grace, and faithfulness. Here is one small example of how the Lord has provided. <i><b>A week ago I was at a restaurant buying dinner for myself and a friend. On the way there I remembered I had a gift card for the restaurant and got really excited. When it was time to pay the gift card covered all but chump change. I didn't have the cash to cover it so I handed the girl at the counter my Debit card. It is important to not at this point that I was picking up the take-out from the bar. While I waited for my dinner there was a man sitting beside me having his night cap and playing trivia, it was obvious he had been there for a while if you catch my drift. He apparently had been watching and when I handed the girl my debit card to pay for the balance of my bill this man intercepted it with cash and said, "Oh no, let me". I am here to tell you that God cares about even the little things and will provide for us even through the most unlikely means.</b></i><br />
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I have been learning so much about trust and fully relying on God in everything. <b><i>I asked God to help me make a phone call today to the insurance company about needing a 6 month prescription authorization at 5:30pm. Prayed I could talk to a human and get it done tonight. I was off the phone in just a few minutes. Or when I stood in line a the post office while everyone tried to figure out how to fill an M-Bag hoping the two 24 pound bags wouldn't cost a fortune. I prayed the whole way there it wouldn't be more than $200. When the total rang up $197.37 I almost cried right there in front of the awkward man helping me. </i></b><br />
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I am just 7 days away from the 2 week Pre-Field orientation in Mississippi and almost one month until I am on the plane to Peru. I am so excited!! I covet your prayers as I begin this major life change.<br />
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You know what I am most excited about? I am so excited that I get to teach music and Jesus at the same time. I'm not just saying that because my new job title is missionary. The coolest thing this week was reading the notes my students wrote to me in the journal one of my students passed around the whole school as a gift for me. I was never able to stand up and openly share my faith at school. In their notes I knew they could tell something was different about me. I am so excited to be able to share what makes me different and that is JESUS! I'm not just excited about the teaching aspect of my job. I am excited to get plugged in to a local church and serve. I am excited to get involved in the community. I am just plain excited!!! I know it will be hard. I know I will miss my people here like crazy but I know I am going to do what God has called me to do. That my friends is exciting.<br />
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I kind of feel like Rudy Ruettiger in the movie <b><i>RUDY<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">one of my all time favorite movies. He tried for years to get on the Notre Dame football team as a walk on. He was really small and not that great. He basically allowed himself to be a practice punching bag for all the real players. He finally got his chance the last game of his eligible season. He got out on the field and was running around. He was so excited he didn't now what to do. I hope I know what to do (smile, wink).</span></span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Blessings</span></span></i></b>Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-92025003370559110132011-05-30T19:41:00.000-07:002011-05-31T18:38:45.437-07:00Gatherings, Friends, and Good-ByeLast night was my first send-off gathering by close friends. Over the next few weeks I will be doing this several times. If you know me well you know that I am a people person. I have kept very close ties with several friends from my college days. There are also close new friendships and ties with my home church here in the Huntersville area. I really value relationships and friendships. Friendships are like cherished treasures more valuable to me than any material item.<br />
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I enjoy seeing my friends through all of life's stages. I've seen them through dating, marriage, and now families. I love watching their kids play together and seeing them transform into wonderful parents. I have always looked up to them. I love being with them through all of life's ups and downs. Being a part of peoples live and them a part of yours is what life is all about. You can't take things with you but the relationships you have had along the way stay in your heart forever. True friendship is a gift that never gets tossed to the back of your closet or discarded in a move.<br />
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The knowledge that this move will change relationships is the tough. I don't know where I will be living or who I will be living with. There are no details about what it will be like once I step off the plane July 18. None of that bothers me or makes me nervous. The hardest part about leaving is saying good-bye. My coping mechanism is knowing I will be back to visit over the Holiday's. So this is not good-by just see you in January. I am saying good-bye to more than people. It is the close of this chapter and the beginning of another. As one person put it, I am starting over. <br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">My feet aren't even on Peruvian soil yet and I am already being stretched in my relationship with God. In small group we have been reading "So Long Insecurity" by Beth Moore. It has really opened my eyes to a lot. I realize I wrap so much of my security in having great friendships and don't always fully rely on God like I should. I lean on people for so much. The first thing I do when I get in the car is call my mom on the phone and if she doesn't answer I try until I find someone else to talk to. I use people as a way to avoid being alone. There...I said it. I don't want to be alone. As a teenager I always struggled with fitting in and feeling like I didn't have real friendships. I made it my life's mission to never feel alone, unwanted, or like the outsider band geek I really was. Don't get me wrong God wants us to have meaningful encouraging friendships but he never means for us to put anything between us and him. I am learning to hand over so many areas of my life I thought made me secure. My security is in the LORD and HE is my strength!!</span><b> </b></i><br />
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<i><b>"10-12 </b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626;"><i><b>And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. 13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."</b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626;"><i><b>Ephesians 6:10-18 The Message</b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626;">This is one of my favorite songwriters and singers from the band NeedToBreathe. This is such a fantastic song "Stones Under Rushing Water". The years truly go by so quickly and we waste it by not dancing before the Lord, our creator. </span><br />
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</div>Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-6216688592743437112011-05-14T17:21:00.000-07:002011-05-14T17:21:37.032-07:00The Letter MThere are many words that begin with the letter <b><i>M</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">. Here are some words that define my life right now.</span></b><br />
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</span></b></div><div><b><i>M</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> is for </span><i><u>M</u></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">ay, </span><i><u>M</u></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">oving, and </span><i><u>M</u></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">ess. </span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">May means countdown time...I move out of my apartment in 4 weeks. My apartment is a mess with boxes, clothes, and things all over the place. What I don't sell I am packing and what I don't pack I am giving away. </span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></b></div><div>If you know me really well you know that I don't have a ton of "stuff" (except for clothes and shoes and I already got rid of those). I have moved too many times to have a lot of stuff. Each time I move I downsize and this time it is a major downsize. When I knew I needed to get rid of things I just prayed that the Lord would bring people to me. What I have isn't worth a lot but I knew I didn't need to just give it all away. Some of my furniture I just bought when I moved in to my apartment in July. The money I get from selling my stuff will go towards the move overseas and all the cost that goes with a continental move. </div><div><br />
</div><div>My bedroom furniture, baskets, and side table went to my friend Debbie from school. She and her girls were excited to get the furniture. Laney has already bumped her head on the glass table. My sweet friend Lori Anne was really needing to get a car for her daughter. My friend Bobby and Christine are purchasing my couch, chair, and ottoman for a family member. My move is providing for others. God is so good!! </div><div><br />
</div><div><b>M</b> is also for <b><i><u>M</u></i></b>emories and <b><i><u>M</u></i></b>anagement of stress and emotions. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I have been taking a lot of trips down memory lane. I have so many fond memories of special people and places I've gone with those people. I even went on iTunes and bought my favorite music from the 90's. I have asked myself many times how I can take these people and places with me. How can I still be who I am and love those close to me so far away? So much of who I am is wrapped up in relationships. I try to leave a piece of myself with them and take a piece of them with me. My dear friend Amy encouraged me to let the relationships change with the circumstances. The book I am reading encourages me to mourn those changes and look froward with hope and anticipation. I have been leaving sentimental items with friends and family and packing as many photo's as possible. </div><div><br />
</div><div>When you move there is always stress but when you move to another continent there is a little more stress than usual. For weeks I woke up with headaches that never went away and felt this knot in my neck. I was also unable to sleep because as soon as I lay down I my brain wouldn't shut down. I had to up my workout routine so I could manage. I'm not going to lie...I'm a little anxious about the unknown but so excited to take it on!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Through it all I have seen the Lords hand. His immeasurable kindness, faithfulness, and blessings are like a river washing over me. On my way to work a few weeks ago I started crying because I was overwhelmed with how good the Lord has been. After choir practice one evening I was talking to a friend and she commented on how I seemed different and my singing was different, in a good way. I told her that for the first time in 16 years I really feel like I am where I am supposed to be. There isn't something else out there I am missing or something else I was supposed to do. I was made to take this journey and all the destinations along the way.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Our pastor gave the illustration one Sunday of a little boy who was sitting on the floor beside his mother watching her cross stitch. As he watched her work all he saw was the mess of knots and ties underneath. He commented on how ugly and messy it was. She said, "Just be patient I am working on a beautiful picture. Just trust me and wait you will see". I have often felt like that child. I have wandered, been confused, and even frustrated at times because I couldn't see the picture. I finally feel like I got a peek at the picture and can't wait to see the rest!! I finally understand what it means in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." I really know what trust means and not leaning on my own understanding. I get it...finally. </div><div><br />
</div><div>For now I will continue to build my RAFT. The book I am reading uses RAFT as a way to handle a transition like I am going through in a healthy way. </div><div><br />
</div><div>R- Reconciliation</div><div>Make sure you don't take relationship baggage with you to another continent.</div><div><br />
</div><div>A- Affirmation</div><div>Tell those you love just how much they mean to you. </div><div><br />
</div><div>F- Farewells</div><div>Reminisce and say good bye and try to take sentiments with you.</div><div><br />
</div><div>T- Think Destination</div><div>Look at external and internal resources for coping</div><div><br />
</div><div>Blessings for today!</div><div><br />
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</div>Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-11316840428146721892011-04-03T18:55:00.000-07:002011-04-03T18:55:49.804-07:00I'm a WeeperI borrowed that line from Jude Law in "The Holiday". Lately I cry at the drop of a hat. A good show, a sad commercial, a students football video during Talent Share day, showing pictures of my niece to a complete stranger, and when anyone hangs up the phone with me. I knew it would be hard to leave but the tearful moments are coming at strange times. I know this is part of the process and I am really trying to get a grip on the tears.<br />
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We are blessed by the technology age. Global communication is much easier, faster, and accessible to the masses. In my preparations for Peru I find comfort that goodbye isn't goodbye forever. Skype is free, Vonage is affordable, and Facebook is...well, the same.<br />
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I have loved hearing about missionaries from the time I was a little girl in Mission Friends and GA's (all you Southern Baptist girls will feel me on this). Along with the Great Commission (which is enough on it's own) many quiet times, people, books, talks, and sermons have influenced my heart for missions. Nothing has impacted me more than the letter I heard read from the pulpit one Sunday morning when the pastor was talking about missions. I will never forget the day that I heard a beautiful letter written to a father by his daughters betrothed.<br />
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<i>"I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure for a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing immortal souls; for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness, brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"</i><br />
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This was a portion of the letter Adaniram Judson wrote Anne Hasseltine's father to ask for her hand in marriage. After hearing a little bit about their lives that Sunday I decided I needed to hear more. I bought two books on their ministry and lives. I highly recommend "My Heart in His Hands" the memoirs of Anne Judson. Anne and Adaniram Judson lead amazing selfless missional lives to the Glory of God. Imagine the tears her family shed as she prepared to go on the field. Some missionaries didn't survive the month long boat ride to where they were going to serve. All I have to do is take a 7 hr plane ride. When I think of what missions was like then and what it is now I wonder if any of us would have been willing. Even with the ease in communication and travel may we never take for granted what the call to serve means, laying down your life. May we all understand the call to spread the Gospel of Christ and the <i><b>RADICA</b></i>L life style that it requires no matter our location in the world.<br />
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"When we realize we have a responsibility to teach the Word, it changes everything about how we hear the Word... <i>God's word is being multiplied</i> because the people of God are no longer listening as if his Word is intended to stop with them. They are now living as if God's Word is intended to spread through them." David Platt <b><i>RADICAL</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Blessings</i></b>Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-62741656429086957822011-03-18T21:45:00.000-07:002011-03-18T21:45:16.922-07:00March MadnessMy March madness has nothing to do with basketball. Every time someone brings up basketball or anything normal I feel so disconnected. My brain is divided between Peru, Pine Lake, and CCC (in no particular order) and I have trouble thinking about normal life. Shopping no longer holds enjoyment and I felt uncomfortable in a mall. There is also this intense need to spend time with people and talk to my family on the phone. Spanish tutoring with my good friend SariElaine starts tomorrow!<br />
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This is the busy season at school and things are getting ready to wind up for the race to the end. The Evening with the Arts and my Chorus concert are a week apart in April, after that it is all down hill at school. I am presenting to the CCC mission board the same week as the Art Show. I am praying for the Lord to guide that meeting and my relationship with the church here in Huntersville.<br />
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I have been tirelessly preparing paperwork and documents to get ready for my move to Peru. Paper work is not my strength. I am praying that I don't miss a step.<br />
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The paperwork that is most nerve racking is the renewal process for my NC Teaching License. My renewal cycle is up in June. I worked really hard on getting all of my papers in order (almost 9 years of certificates and documents from 3 institutions). I mailed it out this week and the state of NC says they won't review the document until after April 15. This late date gives me no time to correct any errors, should any come up, before I move in June. I pray every day not to stress out and worry about this. I trust the Lord but not the NC Dept. of Public Instruction. The Lords will be done!<br />
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I have created and sent out my first round of prayer support cards and packets. I was really proud of the way things turned out and am learning how to trust the Lord more completely with finances and provision.<br />
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I have spent countless hours researching my new home. I am sure that nothing can adequately paint a picture of what it is really like there.<br />
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Here is what I have read so far (some are a little crazy):<br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">Miraflores is the area of Lima where the school is located. It is one of the most modern areas in Lima. With most of the comforts of the states.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">I am not supposed to allow government officials to bribe me should they ask.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">Ceviche is something I might need to try before I get to Peru</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">Peru is foggy and humid most of the year and only sunny in the summer months. The climate is generally mild. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">The poverty level in Peru is not rising but there are many "Young Towns" (shanty towns) surrounding the city.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">There are several bilingual churches in the area. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">My biggest expense will be housing</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">An average lunch out is $2-$3 (this includes appetizers, entree, and drink)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">I have to pack things I need in suitcases and can't ship things</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">I can only pack one wind instrument (per the Peruvian customs)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">I shouldn't wear earrings because my ears might get torn off during a mugging</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">I should line my purse with chicken wire to "knife proof" it from muggers</span></li>
</ul>As you can see I've been incredibly busy. Through all the madness I am still so excited about what God has for me in Peru. I have a renewed sense of purpose and focus.<br />
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I am holding tight to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Psalm 112:7-8 "I will not fear bad news; my heart will be steadfast, trusting in the Lord. My heart is secure, I will have no fear; in the end I will look in triumph on my foes."</span></span><br />
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Blessings for today,Marissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069199563575798739.post-32737230934344142762011-02-25T20:29:00.000-08:002011-02-25T20:29:18.517-08:00BeginningsThis journey began at a World Changers mission trip in Memphis, TN in 1996. God called me into full-time ministry through missions after one of our speakers gave his testimony to wrap up the weeks work. I was moved that week and loved the work. I felt like I had found my place. God called and I said, "Here I am Lord, send me". I went on a 1 month mission trip to Honduras, CA the following summer and haven't been the same since. After 15 years of waiting, praying, searching and wondering if that call was real the Lord has opened a door!<br />
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I leave for Lima, Peru on July 17, 2011. I am so excited that this dream, desire, and prayer has finally been answered. Over the past few years I have been so discontent and unsettled. I couldn't figure out why, after all of these years, I still felt so strongly about missions. I found myself praying that God would take the desire away because It was just too painful. I struggled a lot over the past year watching my friends move on, get married, settle down and start families. I wasn't jealous of their marriages but of them being where they wanted to be and accomplishing their dreams.<br />
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I have been serving and teaching ever since that trip to Memphis. However, I have always had a vision of ministering overseas, and truth be told it was always to a Spanish speaking culture. Anyone who knows me well knows my love of the Latin culture, especially those who have been Salsa dancing with me. I have always said there is a Latina girl inside me somewhere. My trip to Honduras was the beginning of a great passion and love. I remember crying the day I left and praying that God would give me another chance to go and do ministry.<br />
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There have been two specific moments I knew God was reminding me of the call to mission after the initial call in 1996. One was on the beach in LaCeiba, Honduras with missionary families and their children. I had never felt such a strong sense of purpose and sense that I was in the right place. The other was on a mountain in Quito, Ecuador with my Dad. We had been leading worship at a Mission meeting for the missionaries in South America and hiked one afternoon on our tourist day. The view was amazing and I was overwhelmed with the emotion of being back on the field. It was so quiet. All I could think of was a song that we sang at church, "Where you lead, I will follow. Where you lead, I will go; to the top of the mountain or the valley below. Through the changing of seasons to your hand I will hold". Dad took my hand and we began the long walk down the mountain. I wasn't saying anything. Dad turned to me and said, "I know you long to be here and have someone to serve alongside". All I could do was cry. He was right all I have ever longed for was for God to use me and to be a missionary.<br />
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I am 31 years old and begin this ministry 4 days after my 32 birthday. I know that the Lord has used this time to prepare me for the journey ahead. I have been teaching and ministering and now have a chance to be teacher and minister all in one.<br />
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I will be teaching at the International Christian School in Lima, Peru. This school is supported by a non-profit organization called the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS). This organization believes that a major thrust in evangelism can be done through Christian education. The students in the school are 1/3 Missionary Kids (MK's), 1/3 Claim Christianity as a religion (but do not practice), and 1/3 agnostic (1 muslim). The students are from all over the world and are known as Third Culture Kids (TCK's). I will receive special training on TCK's when I leave for Pre-Field Orientation (PFO) in June. These children have a unique set of issue and perspective on the world and often struggle. I have seen this struggle and feel called to love on these children. The schools director said they had 23 professions of faith last school year and 12 so far this year (out of a total enrollment of 150). One of the first things the director asked me was if I had ever led anyone to the Lord. He said that I would get the opportunity if I came to teach with them. After talking with a few of the current staff members I know that they really minster and disciple their students. I cannot wait to go and serve!!!<br />
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So...things have been moving quickly over the past couple of weeks. I have signed a 2 year contract, become an official project with NICS, signed up for Pre-Field Orientation, ordered my first set of prayer support cards, and become a blogger (something I never thought I would do). Trying to keep up with both of my jobs and responsibilities as well as preparing to go is tough but I am so excited!<br />
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Blessings for today, MarissaMarissa Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18302683524915475140noreply@blogger.com2