Goodbye 2007

As I reflect on this past year, I am amazed at where the Lord has taken me. I remember the very beginning of 2007 being so distraught over what to do with my life. I was not about to make a career out of waiting tables! I then made it my goal to have a job in 6 months and sure enough, I was hired to become a Home Ec teacher to middle schoolers. What in the world? I first of all have not ever been called "domesticated." I give that title lovingly to my sister. I was always too lazy to keep my apartment clean. Teaching? I detested doing speeches in college and even more detested waiting tables and having people listen to me as I gave my spiel. I could feel my face turning red when people stared at me. Kids? I was rarely ever around children and at times, I had questioned if I really wanted kids. Junior high? 7th grade was the worst year for me. I sat alone at lunch several times because my friends had made new friends. Well, okay God. I guess this is the place where you want me. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

The spring went by as I subbed during the day and waited tables at night. Summer time came and I got the awesome opportunity to travel to Cuba. What a blessed experience to meet brothers and sisters in Christ who were so passionate about the Lord! I got to see how little the Cubans had physically but how much they had spiritually. It was also a time where the foundation was laid for some amazing friendships I so cherish today!

The fall semester started with fear, anxiety, anticipation, stress, and challenges. I had no clue how to be a teacher even though I had read books and attended classes. Nothing prepares you like the day to day experience of teaching! Boy was I put to the test! I do not think I had been challenged that much in so many aspects of my life in such a short period of time. I also do not think I have sobbed that much before either. Are you sure Lord? I asked almost everyday for 10 weeks. Yes, Heather. Stick it out. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Why did I continue to doubt God when He specifically placed me there? Why did I think He made a mistake since it was so hard? I was struggling with unbelief. I was not trusting Him. The God who sent His son to die for me. The one who had taken me out of the muck and mire of my worldly life. The one who loves me unconditionally and forgives me of my horrible sins. "Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you fight the good fight, holding onto faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." 1 Timothy 6:18,19

I finally surrendered my fears and trusted the Lord. He then taught me so much more and I grew to like teaching. More importantly, I understood that no matter what I am doing in life, it is about being obedient to the Lord. Not questioning it. Not whining about it. Not comparing. Just doing as He says. "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands." 1 John 1:6a.

The end of the semester wrapped up with finals and then I was off to stay with my parents in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Such a difference from Phoenix, AZ where they lived for 4 years. The blessing was in the fact that they are a quick 2 1/2 hour drive rather than a 2 1/2 hour flight away. I got to have quality time with them and also got a lot of rest. I did not talk much as I was talked out from teaching. I read a book and got to scrapbook with my mom. Christmas day was peaceful and uplifting.

I am so thankful for what the Lord has taught me through my many trials, challenges, blessings, sermons, and His true Word in 2007. I look forward to 2008 with much optimism, possibility and anticipation. I know the Lord will teach me so much if I am just willing to listen. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22

This is what the world is coming to

Overheard at Starbucks yesterday morning:

Lady to the man standing in line ahead of her: "That is a beautiful ring you are wearing! How gorgeous!"
The man said thank you and continued in small talk with her.

The weird part of this story is that he was clearly homosexual and was wearing a 4 karat round solitaire and a diamond eternity band on his ring finger! Come on lady, you cannot convince me that you did not for a second think this was inherently wrong and ironic!

December 23

And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
Revelation 16:7

The phrase ‘another out of’ does not appear in the original Greek text. Thus, newer translations correctly render this verse: ‘And I heard the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.’ Now whether this voice be figurative or literal, I cannot say. But this much is sure: the voice which cries, ‘True and righteous are thy judgments, O Lord,’ originates at the altar.

In our own times of trial and tribulation, there can be a tendency within us to question the fairness of the Father.

But the altar, the place of sacrifice, the Cross speaks just the opposite.

If you don’t see this, you’ll go through life one day blessing the Lord in the amphitheater and the next day cursing Him because of your troubles at work.

God demonstrated His love for you in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Therefore, I must look at every trial I face, every hard time I endure through the lens of God’s love as shown on the altar of Calvary.

‘What shall we say then? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?’ (Romans 8:32). Because God loved me enough to hang on the Cross in my place, to pay for my sin, to die for me, I know everything He does in my life — whether or not I understand it at the time — is right.

If I complain about my job, boss, paycheck, kids, singleness, employees — it only means I am not listening to the cry of the altar, that I have forgotten Calvary. Allow the Cross to ‘altar’ your view, precious people, as you look at everything in the light of Calvary.

This Daily Devotional is an excerpt from the book "A Days Journey" by Pastor Jon. "A Days Journey" is a collection of 365 short devotions from the New Testatment.
Pastor Jon Courson

Sanctuary City

Read this article about immigration in Houston. You decide if we are a Sanctuary City.

Emergency Room

Wednesday morning I awoke slowly. I started my coffee maker as usual and drank my first cup as I put on my make up. Soon I began to feel winded. I felt as if I could not catch a full, deep breath. I continued to get ready but I asked God to comfort me and strengthen me. I also practiced breathing exercises hoping I would feel better for school.
Feeling out of breath is not new to me. It has been going on since early 2004. The first time it happened I had just quit smoking (yes, I has smoked off and on since 2001) and felt that maybe this was related. The breathing problems persisted occasionally over the next 3 years as I continued to smoke.
On October 31st 2006, I quit smoking for good. That was it. I had to be done with this nasty habit because of it's devastating effects. I no longer wanted to reak of it nor did I want cancer.
This past year after I quit, whenever I worked out, I felt it was incredibly difficult to get through my cardio without feeling worn out and breathless. There also were days when I would wake up and be out of breath for no reason. I would have to lie down and try breathing exercises. I finally took myself to the doctor in July of 2007. This doc said it could be asthma so he gave me Singulair and an Albuterol inhaler to use before physical activity. I slowed down on the work outs but was still waiting tables and used the inhaler infrequently.
Nothing much changed with medication. I began teaching and had about 4 or 5 episodes of feeling out of breath. Not just out of breath but it felt I had this pressure on my chest. I also felt faint and weak for most of the day.
Last week I had 3 days of it. By Thursday I broke down. I tend to keep health issues to myself for some reason. Maybe I think it is not that bad. Maybe I do not know how to talk about it. Whatever the reason, it was not the best idea to keep it to myself though.
I was at school trying to make a dr. appointment but my doc did not seem too accomodating or caring about my issue so I quickly found a new one. The nurse said she would try to get me in by Friday. It was Thursday and I needed to see a doctor today! So right as my 6th period kids were entering class, I just started crying and could not stop. Luckily my friend the speech teacher came to the rescue. He took my kids into his classroom so I could calm down. I called my mom and she gave me advice and prayed with me. Soon enough I was ready to take on my last 2 classes for the day. I then had to work my usual d-hall shift and then went home to relax.
Friday morning during my conference period I got into my new doctor. The nurse administered an asthma test which showed my breathing was just fine. No problems there. The doc asked questions and basically surmised that my sinuses were backed up and I needed a nasal inhaler to breath better. Okay, she seems to know what she is talking about I thought.
Fast forward to Wednesday where I left off...
I got to school and had an hour and a half before my first class because of finals. I was still struggling to breathe deep and I felt more faint by the minute. I got online to research my symptoms on Web MD. Everything about chest pressure and breathing problems kept saying to go immediately to the ER. What? I have never been to the ER and that only happens on tv anyway...besides, I have a class coming in soon. What will the administration think? So I just started sobbing. I prayed about it to calm down and sent a quick email to the appropriate people that I would be leaving to go to the hospital and asked if they could cover my classes. The secretary swiftly arrived in my room to see how I was and let me leave to the ER. I left crying and called my family. I called my sister and before I could get the words out, she was on her way to meet me. I talked with my dad and eventually my mom. My sister met me at the ER and I filled out the paperwork. Soon, I was seen by the entry nurse and then taken to a room where I was told to put on a gown. Why do I need to do that? I wondered. Another nurse arrived to ask me questions. Then another nurse came in to ask me other questions. She was very competent and knowledgeable. She was also funny and full of positivity. A little while later I was getting blood drawn and having an EKG done on my heart. I was then take to get chest x-rays. This whole ordeal was about 3 hours long so it was awesome to have my sister be there for support. It was very encouraging to have her by my side as we talked about life. Eventually Dr. O'Malley (yes, Holly and I grinned at each other when we heard that was my dr. for all you Grey's fans) came to review the tests and rule out possibilities. He was a Northerner with the gentleness of a Southerner. He was very thourough and kind. He said my oxygen levels were perfect and my x rays showed nothing. Heart was great too. He, along with the nurse, thought it could have been anxiety or a panic attack. I do not think it was that at all because I am still having the same problems today. But they did suggest that I get my thyroid checked as well as my hormone levels. In the ER, they are prepared for emergencies so the other issues need to be checked out by specialists.
Praise the Lord I was checked out by 12:45pm and on my way to lunch with my sister. The principal's secretary called to check in on me and of course my family wanted to know what was going on. My mom wanted to drive in from Lake Charles but I told her that would not be necessary. I am a big girl now ;)
I spent the rest of the day napping and resting. My breathing was still a struggle up until I fell asleep. The next day I felt better but not perfect. All my students wanted to know what happened to me. The staff and teachers were also very sympathetic to what was going on with me. It was incredibly encouraging to come back to such warmth. I really feel like we are a family at school and I am thankful the Lord has placed me there. Most everyone is so understanding and supportive.
Today I am still feeling the effects of this breathing issue. The next step is setting up an appointment over Christmas break to get everything else checked out. I would greatly appreciate your prayers at this time for wisdom from God and that I would not be fearful.
Joshua 1:9 says, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Even though I still do not know what is wrong with me, I am trusting the Lord for the direction. He was taken care of me through this experience and for that I can only be thankful. I am definitely praising Him for allowing my sister to be there, for my school to have been so understanding, and for great hospital staff that made the experience more enjoyable.

Politics and Cuba

Ever since I travelled to Cuba this past summer, my heart beats widly for this oppressed country. If I hear anything related to Cuba, Cubans, or Castro, my ears perk up. This was a country I sadly did not research up until I was praying about a mission trip to go on so now I like to stay updated on the status of Cuba. Tonight I was just checking out Mike Huckabee's page (2008 Republican candidate) so see where he stands on the issues when I noticed that he has a Cuba policy! It is worth your time to read it (and see what other views he has).

Civic duty

Sunday afternoon I was leaving T.J. Maxx when all of the sudden I heard the screech of tires as a car tried to brake before crashing into the glass wall of a store. Several of us shoppers stopped to see what just happened. 2 Hispanic males got out of the 4 door American made sedan to survey the damage. Their fender had completely fallen off and the building was damaged. As I drove past them, I saw that these two men were about to pull out of the parking lot leaving their fender behind and without calling the cops to report their accident! I don't think so! I quickly memorized their license plate and wrote it down as they sped down Sage towards Westheimer. I then called 911 and reported those criminals. Why would they be leaving the scene of a crime so quickly? I have a few reasons:
1. They have priors on their records.
2. Their car is stolen.
3. They have no insurance.
4. They are illegal aliens.

I feel it is my civic duty to help protect my city any way I can (and help Houston with the immigration problem). There are not enough cops to do the job so why not help them out?