SEE ME AT THE NEW SIGHT PLEASE

MissionaryNatasha.wordpress.com

A NEW CHANGE SOON TO COME!!!!

I am so excited!  I am back from the trip!  I have begun to work on the missions process!  Sorry for the lack of updates.  I am just like the SLOWSKIS!  You know the turtles from the commercial.  I have to process, register and make sure that everything is in sync, so that I can pour all into the mission!  I have a new website coming soon with information about the process, updated newsletters, a blog and much much more! 

I’ve been away from my home for seven weeks.  I was in Minnesota for ten days, New Jersey for three days and then off to Ukraine for the month of July!  While I was gone I learned a lot about life!  While in Minnesota, I went through training and I realized that I made an excellent decision to join the mission squad at CONVERGE WORLDWIDE!  I feel supported and encouraged.  We went through a thrilling experience as we practiced public speaking and worked in cooperative groups.  I also was commissioned along with a number of my colleagues!  We will be spanning the globe to spread the gospel.  I am soooooo thankful!

 

Next stop New Jersey…my little sister (a good girlfriend of mine) got married!  Danielle married Christopher Bennett.  It was a grand affair.  The dress fit and that was a bonus.  The shoes weren’t opened until the night before, when I flew in from the TWIN CITIES! They were too cute, so regardless of whether or not they fit, I was going to squeeze my hooves into them.  We celebrated and had a ball it was a fabulous occasion!

From New Jersey back to Maryland for two days!  I repacked and hopped on a plane July 2nd.  How was the 4th of July?  I hope that it was awesome!  Tania Martin (see blog to the right) headed to Ukraine.  First stop Dubrovitsya, where our sister church is.  It was lovely seeing the gang!  Next stop Rivne, I’ve never lived in the city before, but I kind of liked it!  We cooperated with the Rivne Baptist Union and visited various families to share and exchange a little good news.  We traveled to orphanages, churches and more!  I must say ministry is tough, but I learned a lot about life and the love that God has for His children!

Now…I am so excited about some of the details from that trip.  I have photos to share, funny stories and so much more.  The latest newsletter is ready for press!  I know that you have been waiting.  Give me one more day and if you don’t see anything tomorrow then you can….wait another day!  HA HA HA HA HA!  

 

I love this process!  Oh let’s see some other snippets…I turned in my leave of absence…AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!  Pray for me and my residence and my house and my preparation!  HOOOORAY!  I am going to be doing some odd jobs!  I am so excited and let us hope that that isn’t translated as crazy!

Novastov Tuberculosis Clinic with some Little Ones

A Day at the Office

So I am here in Ukraine and we have been involved in ministry for the past week!  What a wonderful time in the Lord!  Today, Tania, Tonya, Inna and I are at the office typing away, catching up on e-mails and preparing for more ministry.  What a wonderful time we have had so far, as we have been informed, challenged, blessed and surprised!  I will post some more tomorrow as we are headed home after a long days work.  Thank you for praying with us and thank you for your constant encouragement!

Little Ol’ Me

A Running Start!

 

An evening scene in Minnesota…What a gorgeous week!

You know, I wonder if I am overly crazy! I was just in Minnesota and I flew to New Jersey for a girlfriend’s wedding and now I am back at home!  I am going to Ukraine on Wednesday! HOORAAAAAAAAAAAY!  So the past few weeks have been unbelievable.  Let me tell you why…

I was in Minnesota and I got to hang out with an awesome group of missionary appointees!  They are family! We laughed and we cried!  We shared and we created and we worked and we learned.  It was a good time in the Lord. 

I think that one of the best parts was meeting the leaders of our sending organization, CONVERGE WORLDWIDE…Men and women of God.  It is so good to know that we are being lead by a group of faithful men and women who are diligently seeking God’s face.  I learned of Dawn Sheveland, the president’s wife.  She recently went home to be with the Lord and what a testimony her life has been to me.  Just hearing about her relationship with God, makes me want to love people more.  Our president, Dr. Sheveland shared the word with us and it was unbelievable.  In his weakness, God’s strength was made perfect.

 

My pastor’s wife was there and she prayed with me and encouraged me!  What a wonderful support my pastor and first lady have been to me.  I am honored to be around strong leaders, who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable and transparent and committed to Christ!

Well, Tania and I are headed to Ukraine soon.  Pray for us!  We have a plan and we need God’s favor and direction!  

Thank you for reading and I will try to write more often so that you know my happenings! Feel free to share with me! 

Love…Me

 

 

 

 

My first full-time mission field…BFES

So how about yesterday ended my twelve years as a teacher at BFES!  It hasn’t sunk in quite yet.  I am going to miss the staff more than words can express.  I love them so much!  We worked together through blood, sweat and tears!  They are my family.  I’ve never been to a family reunion, but I would liken the times that I have spent at to that.  We’ve cooked together, served together, cried together, fussed together, dined together, danced together, and celebrated together.  

I woke up this morning and it occurred to me that my reliance and dependence upon God increased ridiculously yesterday, because I basically no longer have a job :O)  My faith is being stretched and it is a neat feeling because I know that He is going to take care of me.  I had the best conversation with my boss yesterday and I know that God put her in my life to give me perspective, to stretch me, to challenge me and to make me a better person.  

When I first got hired ( I had a different boss at the time), I was a hot mess (I still am by the way… just a lower temperature).  The biggest issue that I struggled with was anger and therefore I was depressed.  I hit low lows all of the time and I had no idea what in the world was going on with me.  After about six or seven years of sleeplessness, procrastination, fits of rage and anxiety, I discovered the problem.  I couldn’t get my work done.  I was struggling with everything, but the one thing that I had was the ability to love those children and to give them the best that I knew how. Through the years, God has loved me through the pain of my past.  My fears have subsided.  My focus is sharp and I am much more productive.

Well a lot has changed since then, I got set free from that depression business about three years ago in the Spring of ‘05.  I stopped being a victim and I started walking victoriously.  God used that place in so many ways to strengthen me and to prepare me to preach the gospel!  I am a better person, because of BFES!  I am a better person because of the people I served with and ministered to children with at BFES!  

BFES was my first full-time missions assignment.  You live, breathe, eat and sleep your job, always looking for ways to present life to your students so that they can see better.  My prayer is that I am able to take what I have learned to Ukraine as I work with children in a different capacity.  My hope is that I work with a team that loves me the way my family at BFES loves me.  My wish is that I would serve children with all my heart and that they will know that Jesus is Lord!

 

Okay so I have been on the run…

The school year is winding down.  Data is in my nose!  Life is awesome though!  I was in the car today with one of my mentors,  Mrs. J and this chick is off the chain!  She pours into me like it is nobody’s business even if we are just runnin’ to the store.  We talk and she shares life with me and she has been such an integral part of my growth as a Christian.  We were talking about how good the Lord is and how much we’ve grown.  I am growing up and becoming more and more responsible everyday as I rush to meet deadlines and get things done.  Laid back and easy is my typical way, but I am learning to make things happen.  I am so excited.  I thought that I would be a “slowski” for the rest of my life, but there is a fire lit and I know that it is God.  He is into the most tiny and intricate details of our lives when we let Him in, and heaven knows I need all the help I can get.  I have a lot to do in the next week or so as I buckle down and handle my business!  I pray that all is well with you, because no matter what it is well with me!  The next edition of the SPARKLER will be coming out soon.  Hooray!

 

I love this awesome life that I have been given and I love the One who has given it to me!

 

My Overalls

Overall, life is good!

Overall, things are going well!

We’re a Couple of Misfits

We’re a couple of misfits
We’re a couple of misfits
What’s the matter with misfits
That’s where we fit in!

We’re not daffy and dilly
Don’t go ’round willy nilly
Seems to us kinda silly
That we don’t fit in.

We may be different from the rest
Who decides the test
Of what is really best?

–(this part sung by Rudolph)–
Why am I such a misfit?
I am not just a nit wit!
I’m an adorable reindeer
Why don’t I fit in?

–(this part sung by Hermey)–
Why am I such a misfit?
I am not just a nit wit!
They can’t fire me.
I QUIT!

We may be different from the rest
Who decides the test
Of what is really best?

 

We’re a couple of misfits
We’re a couple of misfits
What’s the matter with misfits
That’s where we fit in! 

 

So I am back from the “U” and I had an absolutely AMAZING time!  It was a great time of reflection and awakening!  Earlier in the year, I wrote a post about my theme for the year…DIG A LITTLE DEEPER.  In the beginning of the year, I felt like I needed to do just that.  So I have been seeking the Lord, strengthening relationships and just getting  back to my own heartbeat hoping that it is in rhythm with God’s.

Well since I have returned, I have been speechless, yet ready to “pop!” Something happened while I was in Ukraine.  I saw ME.     This trip to Ukraine brought an excitement back into my life that I haven’t felt for many  years.  It was the most non-threatening environment that I have been in for a long time.  I didn’t feel like a MISFIT even though I am one!  I was part of the team and that was so refreshing. I wasn’t an outsider, but I was able to get in the huddle for Jesus and it felt good.

Ministry hasn’t always felt good.  Sometimes it is just hard. I was on the phone yesterday with my missions coach and I was trying to explain what God is doing and I almost broke down and cried, because God is resurrecting me. 

 

For the past eight or so years, I’ve felt like I was in a coma.  You know, I could hear what was going on around me, but I couldn’t move.  I was being poked and prodded and twisted.  I was intibated(i don’t know how to spell this)…not even breathing on my own broken down and humiliated on various occasions only to repeat the cycle again and again, but I could say nothing.  In this process, I lost my confidence, second-guessing my purpose and my gifts….SURELY A MISFIT.  I used to be so sure of myself in Christ, but my environment chiseled away at that and I grew weary in well-doing, but it is coming back.  I am investing in a new environment where I am being empowered as a capable, creative, thinking human being.  I am getting my mojo back. Honestly, I thought that I lost it.  I would think to myself, “Surely I have nothing to offer, because I am not the status quo.”  I felt like I was doing something wrong, but this trip showed me that I’m not.  I was able to be myself and my ideas were respected.  I was a contributor and I still can’t believe it.  As my perspective changes and as I grow, ministry is becoming exciting and real again. I am no longer questioning my differences.  I know why and it is what it is.  I have accepted myself, weaknesses and all.  My church, New Vision and my pastor and his wife, Ronald and Brenda Crawford have been there to help me regain focus every step of the way and I am thankful.    My fears are subsiding and my core is stronger and I am excited.  My missions organization, The Baptist General Conference has allowed room for my gifts to be used and they are supporting me 100%.  

I am thankful for my comatose season, because I was able to spend time with God.  I learned a lot about my faith and my pride, my insecurities and my attitude.  I learned patience and humility, resilience and tenacity.  For this I am thankful..

 

My  Over-alls

Overall, life is awesome…it is an amazing adventure that I plan to take!  

Misfits have no choice but to depend on God, not skill and prowess, so I’d rather be a misfit because that’s where I fit in!

More about the actual trip to come!  I hope that this post wasn’t confusing, but I had to let that out…

 

I’m Back!

Okay sooooo…I am back from Ukraine and the trip was unbelievable, but I am at work and I can’t talk about it yet.  So tune in  for more later!  I am so excited about God and how much He loves me, you and us!  Un believable…but then again believable!

Love

Tash :O)

Can you say bizzeeeeee?

I have never been so busy in all of my life and there are days when I just can’t handle it :O)  Honestly, my nature is to relax and enjoy.  Think of the most uptight, retentive person that you know and then turn them inside-out!  That’s me! I don’t wear a watch.  I don’t do to do lists, calendars, PDAs and all of that jibe.  My desktop is slightly cluttered.  No place is everything’s place.  I function in it, but I need a slight change.  Now it is no where near what it used to be, but it certainly isn’t where I want it to be either.  My life is in the shift process and I am shifting.  The process means that I have to get organized, because the high water is coming.  So I today am struggling because I forgot to do some important things.  I have to tell myself to stay on top of the details, because my focus is always the big pic!  What’s the goal?  Give me a theme, some colors, a date and a guest list and it will be done, because life for me is like art work.  You know what the end should look like and you paint.  The only problem with art is that you can’t quite explain how you get to the end result.  You just know the medium you used and maybe the inspiration.  I thank God for my boss, because she has helped whip me into shape.  She’s a detail gal and I’m not, but I am learning…slowly surely…I am learning!  I must learn before I hit the road to the U, because I have a whole lot to do before I go!  

Is it just me….????

Or is there a whole lot of crazy stuff going on in the world right now????  I wake up in the morning barely able to move….whining about my job and the stress that is smothering my brainzzzz, but at the same time there are soldiers fighting, Tibetans protesting, children starving, ballots being casted, ice melting, gas-prices rising, houses foreclosing, people denying the existence of Christ and that’s what I know about.  I sometimes want to be more affected, because I need to pray for people and situations.  It’s not that I don’t pray, but I feel like I am asleep, numb, desensitized.  This stuff hits home, but I go on about my day and I don’t feel like I should?  A tear, a thought, a prayer, something….pray with me for our world.