Open Doors

Last week was the second week of JC's spring break. We just stayed around the compound....hanged out at the apartment and the playgrounds.

Thank the Good Lord, this morning back to school went without a hitch!

The church, once again, had cake for those who had a birthday in April. (Micah's birthday was in March....so the Wingfield's had part in this two months in a row.) :)

We are so blessed to have this church family!

God gave us an open door to help with ministry here at Jeon ha Church. I will be helping teach a children's Sunday School during our International Worship. It has truly been a door opened. There will be English speaking children and Korean children in this class.

Please pray for me and the other teachers as we study and prepare for this new class. Pray that the children will find a new love for God and for the Word!!

Tribute to Mike Yaconelli

Spring is Here!

Spring is here and everything is in bloom. Isn't it great that God put the resurrection.... Easter..... right smack dab in the middle of it?

Easter is about new life, new beginnings, new everything!

It seems that this week has been our "new beginning". Our transition here to South Korea has been filled with great times and stressful times. However, this week has really improved. I have been taking our concerns to prayer a lot more. I started the week feeling sorry for myself because I wasn't home for my nephew's birth. But, then God reminded me why I am here.....I am here on earth to worship and serve him.

Yes, family is very important. But, I had to be reminded who I was called to be.......

First, I am the daughter of the King. And with that, comes not just blessings....but responsibility. I am called to share the love of Christ with everyone. I heard a pastor say (in a podcast) today that John 3:16 says Jesus died for everyone! I think we memorize this scripture when we are young...and we don't truly read this verse. Jesus paid the price for every single human being you encounter each day. And all those people deserve to know His love....because of that fact! He died for them, also......the lovable and the unlovable.

Second, I am called to be Mike's wife. He works so hard so that I can be a stay at home mom to your two sons. I take that for granted so much. I am making a new commitment to be in constant study about who I should be......who a godly, supportive and loving wife is supposed to be....and then do it!

Next, God gave me two sons. He didn't give them to me so that I would get some cool paparrazi (many people in Korea love to stop and talk with our boys, no matter if they can speak any English or not...they are always telling us "cute, cute"!). God gave us these boys to raise....to bring them up in a godly home.....raising them to be warriors for Christ. That is another commitment I make, to bring them up to be warriors!

Then, God calls me to be a servant to everyone....not just my friends and family....to EVERYONE! I am to stand up for the brokenhearted and hurt, serve those who love us and don't love us, to pray for others, to be in a state of unceasing praise and prayer.....

I am preparing to start a new children's "Sunday School" for our international worship service. This is just one of the things he has led me to do here in Ulsan. They have never had anything like this before....so we kind of feel like pioneers. :) Please pray for us as we prepare and share with the children who will come during this time.

So, what is new in your world? What is God doing in your life? Embrace it and enjoy the ride!

And when you doubt yourself....that you cannot do what you think God is calling you to do....just listen to Mike Yaconelli!!!! (He is the founder of Youth Specialties and pastor of a small church (could have been a pastor of a mega church. He was killed in an automobile accident almost 10 years ago...but his legacy still lives on!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ODB8cPiZUQ

Emotional weekend

We had quite an emotional weekend.

First, we were preparing for JC's birthday party. He turned 7 on Sunday. Then one of our best friends here (who works with Mike) had to fly out to Singapore. His wife is going to have her baby tomorrow.

Then, as we were talking on Skype with Grandma and Uncle John....we find this on facebook.

Turns out my nephew, Knox, decided to come early. It will be three more months before I get to see him.

So, I had some emotions flying....missing everyone......JC having another birthday away from home.....not being there for my sister who needed me.

But we are here for many reasons. God wants us to meet the people we are meeting. He is leading us to people and places I never dreamed of going. God has a plan for us here, even though it is hard being away from home.

I know that we are here for my husband's job, but I think maybe He sent us here to be "mini" missionaries. In fact, every Christian is called to be a missionary. We seem to forget that part Jesus said about Go ye therefore........Jesus did not say, "Okay, only the pastors and missionaries go ye therefore....". He called us all to GO!

Okay, God, just keep telling me everyday what you would have me do for today! :)

So, baby Knox...I hope you understand why KK (that is what my neice already calls me) cannot be there. I am praying we are preparing a legacy for you to follow as missionaries....to share the gospel with as many as we can!

Why the Kids Really Need A Little Red Hen Mama….

I so needed to hear this....
See, when you are "cut off" from home, being in a foreign country, you can easily get addicted to things like blogs, news sites, facebook, twitter, etc.

I want to be a red hen mama...one who spends her precious time with her family...and not just the computer screen.

Why the Kids Really Need A Little Red Hen Mama….

Joint Korean service

Easter Sunday

It is Easter Sunday here in South Korea. I got up this morning later than I wanted to.....I had told my family we would Skype early this morning. Thank goodness they were able to still talk with us.

I then checked facebook. It has been sort of my salvation and my downfall since moving here. Some days...it is what gets me through the day. Today....it just dragged me down.

I saw all the pictures of the kids at the church Easter Egg hunts, parties, and everyone getting ready for the Easter Bunny. I started my pity party. I began to miss home .....missing Easter the way we had it with our family and church family back home.

But then, God gently reminded me that Easter is not all about that. I had lost focus of the real meaning of Easter......HE IS ALIVE!

So, the boys, my husband and I got ready and headed out for worship. We had a joint worship service with the Korean church that sponsors our International worship service.

We sat with our church family and worshipped. They even had (from what we could tell) a talent show. Now, yes, it was very unconventional in the eyes of the typical American "church-goer". However, at the beginning of the service and at the end....we worshipped! We may not have known the words sang or said....but we saw authentic worship! It was a celebration like I have never experienced in a church ever! They were worshipping and celebrating the resurrection!!!

Our church family (the international crew) was able to share in worship. Chris, our worship leader, led us all in "Our God is Greater". Mike and JC were right in the middle of it. I am including a video of that part of the service.

Even though today, Satan tried to drag us down any way possible....he did not win!! God has won that battle already....I just have to join Him in it.

So, don't just celebrate Easter the way you always do....add some authentic celebration for what God did when He rose our Savior from the grave....and for what He is doing in you today!

God's Heroes vs. the World's Heroes

Earth has its heroes. Some are just pretend.....cartoon characters or movie characters. Some are splash across newspapers and magazines for the world to "ooh" and "aah" about.

God's heroes look different. They do not where super capes or masks. They are real. They are the same no matter where you see them. They are not famous.....and they do not want to be famous.

The world lost one of God's heroes today.

You see, there is a pastor who lives in a small town in South Mississippi. He and his beautiful wife have lived there a long, long time. They raised their children there. Their grandchildren grew up there.

I remember the house they used to live in. It always smelled like there was something baking all the time.....and coffee. I also remember the smiles we saw there. And their yard and garden was so beautiful all the time. I remember the high ceilings in their living room and the big windows for the sun to shine through.

But what I remember the most are the stories my dad told me about how this man was his mentor. My dad worked at an upholstery factory when I was a baby. This pastor worked there, also. He began to encourage my dad to become more involved in church....not just for himself, but for his wife and child. My dad has been dedicated to his faith, his family, and his church 100% ever since.

This pastor and his wife were an inspiration to so many through the years. He left a legacy!

There is another couple who I remember making such an impact on my parents. We actually called them "Uncle Grady and Aunt Ruth". Just like Bro.and Mrs. Odom, they were such strong Christian examples. They had no children of their own.....but all of us felt like their kids and grandkids.

I started thinking.....how old were they when they were such an influence on people? I think they were close to my age! Then, I have to ask...am I a strong Christian influence like they were?

I may not be able to leave as big of a legacy as these heroes....but I sure can try!

Lord, help me and guide me to be the mentor I need to be for someone who needs more of You.

I may be crying as I type this post, but I know I will see them again! I bet there is a huge party going on right now in heaven!