“The Triumph of John & Betty Stam” As I read this simple yet awesome little book God spoke to my heart. I was revived again in my heart to give everything no matter the cost. At any price. For my Precious Lord and Savior.

As I lay on my bed and finishing this book I prayed and dedicated my life to missionary service whether He call me away to a place far, far away or right in my own town. Wherever I can serve Him I except. I will go. I will do. Lord show me. I am yours at any cost.

The things I noticed about this young couple that made me examine my heart are things I would like to share here. I want the kind of fire they had for the Lord. These people really, really loved God heart, soul, mind and strength. They were willing to give up anything and everything they had for Christ and did in the end- their very life. They had faith and trusted God would lead them together if that was His will.

John and Betty knew God had a wonderful plan for them to be together when they both met in Shanghai not even knowing the other was going to be there. They made no plans and were totally surprised when they did meet in China, unexpectedly. They were engaged to be married at that time. God cares about this area of our lives.
The thing that most impressed me was the awesome love for Christ they had. There love for Jesus was so great it was ruled by Christ and not there own feelings or emotions.

The ministry was very hard at times walking long, long mountainous roads to get to places to preach and teach the people gathered there to hear. At times they said that many times there were very, very few people there to listen. But they stayed faithful. They were not discouraged but walking the long walk to other places to share Christ. They both had a burden for China for the lost ones who lived there.

They loved Christ so much they were willing to give everything. It was evident in the way they lived. And in their death. I ask myself the question is it evident in my life that Christ is my love. That I am totally and completely in-love with Christ. Is He everything to me? I fear that to many times I fall into my own ways of loving myself. Thinking of myself and forgetting Him. Thinking of what might please me today. Instead of what would please Him.

Before they were led to the little hill were they would soon pass into eternity they had to leave their precious little baby girl, Helen. They loved her so very much it was evident in the letters written home to their parents. How could you look into the little eyes of your only baby for the last time if God was not real to them both.God was very real to this couple. This is I want for my life. I pray God would take my life and use it in any way He chooses to bring glory to Himself.

No comments yet

On Memorial Day all the R.C.I. Staff went to the park. We all played a little kick ball then I stopped and found a place I could sit in the sun. I laid down and just enjoyed having the sun on my face. I miss the sunshine when I don’t see it and when I can’t be out in it. But I was able to be in it all day and it was very nice.

All day the others played volleyball, kick-ball, soccer, ect. I was glad to get out and really be out getting some fresh air again. I enjoy God’s creation so much and believe you can learn about God just by enjoying what He has created for you.

After we were done playing and eating Dad sat down and told us a story as the sun was setting. A story of a man and his son and because of hurts, misunderstandings and expectations they were not close and did not love each other throughout there whole life.

I was glad I could not relate to that. Me and my Dad are so close and love each other very much. I just know it is not that way for many girls today. When I am older and someone asks me about my relationship with my Dad I will be one of the few that can honestly say my Dad loved me, spent time with me, talked things out with me, gave me Godly advice, listened to me talk, cried with me, laughed with me, let me know I was one of the most important things in life to him.

Dad talked about the importance of never letting anything come between you and your earthly father and never letting anything come between you and your heavenly Father.

I am so thankful that I can have that same relationship with my Father in heaven. I am so thankful that when I am straying He leads me back home like a good father should.

No comments yet

Early in the first beginnings of summer Mom, Kyle and I went for a walk.

In downtown Flint there are not a lot of beautiful things to see and to look at. There are a lot of tall buildings and that’s about it. We went walking through the University of Michigan Flint campus and I did notice that there were some very beautiful flowers that lined the walk, also flowering trees that smelled just like spring. We walked down town and passed by a church built in stone and noticed that two beautiful dogwood trees stood beside the steps leading into the church. A couple of pictures went through my mind of the pastor greeting his people on a sunny afternoon on those steps… And I beautiful, happy bride and groom coming from those steps to start a life…

On the walk we just wanted to look at what spring had brought to Flint. I enjoyed that walk for days to come sitting inside the Inn when I couldn’t go out. I would go back in my mind to those flowers on that walk.

Here I live in Flint. It needs a lot more flowers. I thought of my life being a flower here in Flint. I can grow like Him even when I would really love to be planted in the country on the hillside of beautiful Amish Country Holmes County, Ohio or Prince Edward Island. Flint needs a lot more flowers growing here though. I have noticed that flowers grow from dirt something so beautiful has to grow from something not so lovely. And I need to grow here… I can “Bloom were I am planted” as the saying goes. God knows what He is doing and He has planted me in here. I think He must want more flowers in Flint.

No comments yet

Well it has been busy around the Inn for the last couple of weeks.
The Crim race is now over. It is hard to believe almost. I heard so much about the race and now it’s all over. I took so many reservations working on the Front Desk and the Inn was full.

It was a beautiful day for a race and I was able to get free of the Front Desk long enough to see my family running and walking in it. I like to run though I don’t do it much. I like to push myself beyond what I think I can do. So I was thinking it would be nice to participate next year in the 5k or something like that.

Lately I have been looking forward to going on our trip to Kentucky. I always love going for the family reunion and just seeing the beautiful state with the pretty horses and white fences. We will be singing downtown on Sunday afternoon like we did last year. I like visiting Grandma and I love the hills of Kentucky.

I have been reading the book “Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ” by John Piper. Dad bought it for me to read. I really have to apply my mind to concentrate and think about what he is saying. It is a great book and it’s all about the glory of God. When I see how awesome and full of glory He is I realized the other day while I was praying If I have even one drop of His glory my whole life would be so much more beautiful.

I also bought the book “Lady In Waiting”. The book is full of practical help for young ladies who really want the best in life and give that with sacrificial hands to Christ.
I am already marking it all up. I was thinking to myself the other day ” I may as well just I highlight the entire book”. It’s all that good!

I hope to finish the book “A Chance To Die” By Elisabeth Elliot on Amy Carmichael. That book with such a convicting title is just wonderful to read. I would really recommend it to anyone especially girls. She was single missionary, with a singled out heart for Christ, with I single geol and God used her for it.

I am starting on reading through the Bible I am only in the second chapter of Exodus. But I want to take it slow and really enjoy it. It really is story after story and it makes me want to read more.

I think it is so great to always have a list of really good books to read. I have another list of books to read waiting on my shelves as soon as I am all done with these.

So that is what have been up to lately along with working on the Character Lunches and Front Desk. It has been very busy like always but God has been teaching me I believe that it’s all for Him.

No comments yet

(Holly wrote this little note in July just before we headed up north for a family adventure. I found it attached to a note she sent me and I included it here for you to read. -Dad… the guy who posts Holly’s stuff).

Well we are heading north! I am so excited and looking forward to having a time to relax and enjoy spending time with my family, reading good books, getting some warm sunshine on my face again, reading my Bible by the lake and enjoying God’s wonderful creation in the U.P

I am planning on bringing a really good, inspiring book that I have been wanting to finish. I am trying to decide what it will be I have so many good ones. I am just finishing one that I have been wanting to read for a while it is called “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken. It is a true-life love story. A great read. The book is full of beautiful poems. This couple loved life and each other so much and in that drove them on a quest for the God who created it all. It is among my recommended.

I suggest you find a good book. On a rainy day curl up on the couch with your favorite tea or special coffee. If it’s beautiful and the sun is shining go out and find the relaxing shade with ice-cold lemonade and enjoy what God has given you. And don’t forget
Your life is good!

My goal this week: to show love to my family and to walk close with God.

No comments yet