Quiet Time (Revisited)

Ever since writing that blog entry about quiet times, I've been convicted of my need to make spending time with God more of a priority. I have actually come to "miss God" whenever I don't get some alone time with Him. It's been cool.

Anyway, I also know that when making big decisions like the ones I have coming up about the mission field, not just your daily devotional time will do. These things call for some serious get down on your face and wait until you hear from God time. That's what I headed out for on Saturday. Problem: I like to have these times near the water...something about being near water, especially running or moving water makes me feel closer to God (weird, I know). So, where does a Houston girl go to find a quiet place to sit near the water and pray (on the best weather day of the year so far-sunny and 72-perfect!)? Certainly NOT Hermann Park...that place was a ZOO!! Pun intended.

So, I turned the little blue Saturn South and headed down 288 to my home town of Lake Jackson...LJ, you know! (ok, not really, but it's nostalgic). There's a little pond with a park near my old house which although not nearly as crowded as Hermann, was still not the best place to be "alone" with God. But, I'd come this far, so I was determined not to waste the trip. I took my blanket and my bookbag and found a spot on the water's edge. I wish I could tell you I had some epiphany and that I came away knowing exactly what to do with my life, but I don't think it usually works that way.

What happened that day was goodbye. God took me to my hometown to show me not what He has for me, but what He doesn't. Sitting there in that place that held so many memories from growing up, surrounded by families with children fishing, running, swinging, feeding the ducks, it struck me that this American dream wasn't for me. I knew that I would probably never live in one of those houses on the water with my husband, our 2.5 kids and a golden retriever. My place is somewhere else. So I said goodbye to that way of life and opened my mind and my heart to what God does have for me, realizing that it might not be immediately revealed, but resting in the fact that He's already got it planned out.

And wouldn't you know it? Sunday morning, the sermon was on leaving your comfort zone. More than once Gregg mentioned the mission field and at the invitation, there was no question I was headed to the front. I don't like the front, but I went, stammered out to one of the missions pastors about my calling, got prayed over, spent some time on my knees weeping, got a hug from my Starbucks Tour '07 partner and said goodbye again...this time to my church. So, what's next? An interview with the IMB on May 17, then what? Not sure, but it doesn't matter.

COSTA RICA!!

Ok, so now that you've read about my trip to Guatemala (see previous post), it's time to start gearing up to pray, give and GO to Costa Rica. I just found out that the deadline to sign up for the Costa Rica trip has been extended, so if you're thinking about going, but haven't taken the leap yet...DO IT NOW!!


Click on this link to sign up:


http://secure.signusup.com/registration/wz_event.aspx?ChurchID=1130&EventID=5506


Pray about it, seriously...I'd love to have you join me on mission to Central America...it will rock your world!

If you can't go, but want to be a part of what God is doing in Costa Rica, please consider being a prayer partner for me, and if you feel led, contributing to the cost of my trip. NO pressure! For those who do want to contribute, you may send checks* (payable to HFBC) to:

Houston's First Baptist Church
7401 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77024

*In order to receive a tax-deduction for your contribution, please do not put my name in the memo line. Instead, include a note with your gift indicating that it is to go toward Karla Turner's trip to Costa Rica.