It is hard enough when you are fighting an enemy to fight against him, but when your own team mates turn on you it is second to impossible. Yet if you are doing what you KNOW is the right thing, there is no other option. Moses knew he was doing what God called him to do. He knew that the only way the people would be set free was to follow God’s plan. Yet God’s plan was not working out like he thought it would. Now Pharaoh was mad at him and the people were mad. 5:20They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
As a leader it is so difficult to lead, but when you are leading a people who don’t want your leadership it is second to impossible. This was definitely one of those but God moments. As God sent each plague it wasn’t just for the Egyptians sake, but it was also to show God’s own people who He was and what He could and would do. Leaving your existing “comfort” even if that comfort is slavery to do something new and go to a new level with God is never easy. We may kick and scream as we are going, but it is right. The immediate may be painful, but the long term has great rewards. Even as I write these words it encourages me. Life sometimes is hard, but the end result is to be more like Jesus. Father, please break away anything in me that is not completely Yours. Help me to follow even when times get difficult. Help me to trust You over my comforts. Help me to run to your freedom instead of the bondage of my will.

Who me? Can’t you just hear Moses saying that as he looked around for someone else to take the calling God had on his life. He was honest about his feeling of inadequacy and yet God said “I Am” will help you and I will be whatever you need. You would think at the end of this pep talk complete with signs and wonders that when God told Moses he would speak to the people that Moses would say “anything you want God.” Instead he chose to let his brother be his spokesman because of Moses’ fear. Even after all of that! His fear of men and speaking before them robbed him of what God had for him. Much to take in! Many questions to ask. What is God calling me to? What is He equipping me for even without me knowing? What am I choosing fear over faith in? Am I missing the blessing God has for me because my fear is so great? Don’t miss the blessing! Don’t miss God’s best for you!! Father help me in my fear to counter that with great faith in You even when i don’t feel I can accomplish what you have in store. Thank you for choosing me and allowing me to serve in any way You choose.

Did you know there were dragons in the bible? If you have a son or daughter that loves stories about dragons tell them to check out our passages today. Here is just a sample:
41:15His back is made of rows of shields,
shut up closely as with a seal.
16One is so near to another
that no air can come between them.
17They are joined one to another;
they clasp each other and cannot be separated.
18His sneezings flash forth light,
and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn.
19Out of his mouth go flaming torches;
sparks of fire leap forth.
20Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke,
as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.
21His breath kindles coals,
God is so amazing. He created the great creatures yet for some reason He allowed them to be no more in our time. I wonder if they will be in heaven without venom or the will to destroy? It could be fun walking around or even riding along with them. 🙂

A week ago today we were sitting in a cool light wind brushed with sunshine as my husband walked our only daughter down the aisle. We had worked so hard to get everything done. I say we because God poured out His love on our family through friends we have invested our life in. Friends decorated beautifully with maps, globes, old suitcases, lace, candles, fresh flowers and so much more. Another set of friends prepared the food. There were vegetables, fruit, cheese, trail mix as a take home gift and so much more. The cakes were amazing made by yet another precious friend. I cannot imagine anything being more beautiful than the Barn at Shady Lane that was anything but a place for animals. Even it was a gift from God to us as it was open to be used that day and our friends, the owners, were gracious in every way. At the end of the wonderful day precious friends also helped clean up until everything was in a vehicle and headed back to its specific place. We came away exhausted but absolutely blown away by God’s goodness through our friends and family.
Gene’ was a beautiful bride! I can’t imagine anything more precious than both of her grandfathers, her three brothers and her dad doing the ceremony! Each had words of encouragement and challenge for Gene’ and Zach. There were many laughs and even a few tears as each challenge the couple to live a life and a marriage that looks like Christ and the Church.
The point at which the day really dawned on me was when they spoke their vows and exchanged the simple gold bands. At that point it was like “wow, this is really happening.” When Les got choked up telling Zach he now would be her protector and provider, we all wiped tears! To give his daughter away was one of the hardest things he has ever done! Zach must be a special man for God to have chosen him for Gene’.
Now that I have caught my breath and rested some I still feel the way I did Sunday evening. We have already had Thanksgiving. Last Saturday and Sunday as our family and friends poured out their love on us through serving us we thanked God over and over and over! At the end of the day we just kept calling out to God the names of person after person who had blessed us by their service and their presence that day.
Thank you to everyone of you. We will be forever grateful!

Video highlights of Gene’ and Zach’s Wedding can be viewed at the following link:  https://vimeo.com/146711467

I love when it is time to decorate for Christmas. I have often wondered what was wrong with me lol that I should love it so much. I have pondered what it is about the decorations and just this time of year that I love. I think it is just the light heartedness and really just the playfulness. I LOVE the lights!!!! Jesus is the Light of the World and every tiny sparkling light makes me think of Him and HIS BIRTHDAY!!! After Halloween that is so dark to be able to decorate with brightness and hope makes me thrill with joy!!! I also love the whimsicalness of music and Hallmark movies that always have a happy ever after ending. I love having reminders all over my house of Jesus’s first birthday party with Shepherds. I also include the wise men though they weren’t there at the first party. Jesus’ family may have been like mine who just loved having friends over. 🙂 The playfulness of the season makes me smile and want others to join in the fun!!!! Whether it is dancing around to the fun music or eating way too much sugar it all screams come play with me!!!
If you have lost your joy for this season I challenge you to go back and remember who it is really all about. Jesus, God’s Son sent to this world for you and me. It is a celebration of Him and His life! If that isn’t enough go watch children as they play. See their joy as they talk about Christmas. Oh for Pete’s sake go grab some lights and throw around a little evergreen and enjoy the smell and glow. Jesus is life everlasting and He is light! If all else fails, go to Walmart, buy some divinity and come home to a fire in the fireplace and Christmas movie or soft music playing. Just have fun and ask the Father to return to you the Joy of what He has done in saving you!

Are you ready for some fun?  Why not plan a Heavenly Luau.  Here are some ideas.  Make it your own.

Invitation : Plane tickets were too expensive

And the time was just not there

To fly us to Hawaii and see the

Beautiful paradise there.

But home will have to do this time

With decorations not as fair

Come join us for a luau

Food, Fun, and laughter we will share.

Decorations: Anything tropical or beach like. Palm trees, flowers, leis, surf boards, beach towels, sea shells, fish net, fresh fruit, fresh flowers, Hawaiian music, small umbrellas for drinks.

Refreshments: Roast a pig if you are one who goes “whole hog”. For the rest of us cold ham slices, pulled pork sandwiches, or sausage on the grill may be a good substitute. Pigs in a blanket (bite size sausage wrapped in small portions of canned biscuits) can be fun as well.

A cascade of fruit that is able to be picked up by fingers is good. The original luau did not include utensils and everything was eaten by hand, so finger tuna sandwiches, cheese kabobs and crackers or whatever makes you think of the tropical islands would be great. We served fruit juice smoothies as our beverage. These are easily made by choosing your favorite fruit juices combined with equal part of ice and blend until smooth. You can get much fancier by throwing in fresh fruit of your choice to vary the taste. Serve in fun glasses with an umbrella.

Just For Fun: have a friend who has been to Hawaii and taken hula lessons to teach the hula. It doesn’t matter if they make up their own motions, just have fun moving to the music. If you don’t have a resource

Devotion: “Aloha” If you have ever traveled to Hawaii or even studied about it you have heart this word. In days of old the Hawaiian people would greet each other forehead to forehead with the greeting “Aloha”. According to tradition they would be so close they could feel the breath of the other. This was a show of trust and affection. God desires this close relationship with us as well. He longs for us to be so close to Him that we can feel His presence. The bible says, “Draw near to Him and He will draw near to us.” I pray that you will feel God’s “Aloha” to you.

Take home favor: Chocolate covered macadamia nuts with a note that says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

That my friends is 150 pounds of supplies headed to Swaziland. Our clothes will be in our carry on bags. We leave at 5:20 out of Louisville. We fly to Charlotte then on to New York. Our flight to Jo’burg leaves at 11 so we have an hour between each flight. Needless to say our greatest prayer need tomorrow is to make each flight and our bags to make it to Swazi with us. Thank you for taking this journey with us!

In three days we fly out to begin our next adventure in Swaziland, Africa. I started this journey with a timid heart. I knew God was calling me but “explained to Him” that going now did not seem to be a possibility due to financial reasons. Lol If you have ever “explained to God” how things limited you, you know why I am laughing. God understood my fears. He knew I was speaking from my resources not His. He also knew the plans He had for me. In obedience I followed Him and told Him I would go but He would have to provide. He has provided more than I could have ever asked for!
One morning He planted in my heart an idea to egg houses. 🙂 No not like throwing real eggs, but to place the resurrection story in 12 eggs with items that reminded people of the true meaning of Easter. God used my little sister Hope to send me a link on Pinterest to the sign to use on the door of each house. Within days I had 72 dozens of eggs ready and the egging began. I sold most of the egg sets then ordered another 72 dozen. I gave some away to other churches and groups who wanted to make money for missions, but I sold the rest and God provided in a huge way for me financially.
Then one by one I started receiving gifts from people God just laid on their hearts to give. One person even egged me with money in the eggs as well as the scriptures. God paid for my entire trip as well as gave me money to help with all of the ministry needs once we get there. I am blown away by God!
He not only gave to me, but to Ruth and Cindy! All of our trips have been paid for and we have money to do ministry with once we get to Swazi. We are all moved to tears at God’s goodness.
I guess the moral to this part of the story of our journey to Swazi is don’t doubt God. If He leads you to do something He will provide! Trust Him. Watch and see Him do exceedingly more than you could ever dream or imagine. There is so much more yet to come!

Thank you for joining us on this adventure with God to Swaziland, Africa.

Members:  Page Hughes, Ruth McCoy and Cindy Sampson

Trip Dates are April 21-May 1, 2014

As we have done mission trips through the years we experienced the value of having prayer warriors doing battle with us.  Though few pack bags and travel, it takes an army of people to support in prayer.  Some of our specific prayer needs are:

*Health and safety in travel both to the country and while we are there

*Develop strong relationships with Swazi nationals as well as missionaries

*Opportunities to share the gospel and receptive hearts.

*Discipleship opportunities that grow deep followers of Jesus

*Vision to see what God has in store for days to come as we minister in Swaziland

To follow us daily connect with us at here at pagehughes.com or on Facebook.

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