God's Summer Treasures

Yesterday, after a fun morning at the park, Teagan, Isla and I cut into the sweetest, juiciest piece of watermelon I'd ever had. It took me back to my childhood with memories of my mom. It was one of her favorite treats in the summertime. 

The smells and sights of summer came rushing into my grateful heart: dill growing in my friend's garden, playing for hours in the sunshine, flowers peaking their heads out of a tall grass, swimming in a mountain spring with the icy cold water shocking our warm bodies as we jumped in... 

Today I thank God for this watermelon. 

I thank Him for the simple treat that brightens our summer days while providing a means of nutrition as well. And for me? It also gave me a sweet trip down memory lane. 

All that in a piece of fruit! How great is our God?! 

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

Genesis 1:28-30 (ESV)

Think about our current drought here and the famine in Africa. How many in our world have never had the pleasure of tasting a watermelon? What would we do if it disappeared? 

Did you know in Japan the humble cousin of a watermelon, a version of a cantaloupe, costs over $400! There melons are packed oh-so-prettily and given as special gifts. I can tell you when I lived there as a college student and English teacher I couldn't afford melon...and I did miss it, indeed!

Dear God, thank you for all the treasures you filled our world with. Help us to be mindful of these today. To take a moment to rejoice in simple blessings and give you the glory! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

What are some of God's summer treasures you are thankful for today? What sweet memories do they bring back for you?

Blessings, Michelle

When God Says "No"

The other day, I saw the most beautiful dragonfly buzzing around our front door.  Dragonflies.  I love them. In Japan, they are called tombo and serve as a symbol of good luck. 

Public Domain Source

This vision of a tombo in my front yard brought back memories.  As a college student, I longed to travel.  And my heart has always been fascinated by France.  The people.  The food.  The gorgeous language and scenery. I wanted to study there. But despite my greatest efforts, I could never pull the funds together.  I was frustrated and discouraged. 

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.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

One day, at the end of a political science class, my professor called me to his desk.  And right there, an opportunity I could never have imagined changed my life forever.  I could go to Japan to study in a university on a full scholarship through the Japanese embassy!  The day I turned in my application, a dragonfly or tombo was hanging about my front door.  I knew that day that I was going to get my scholarship!  The two years I spent in Japan were some of the happiest in my life and truly blessed me.   And that provided a valuable lesson to me. Sometimes when God says "No" it is because He has greater plans for us.  Plans we could never imagine. 

There was a time early in my career when I was laid off and couldn't see past my tears and feelings of embarrassment.  I'd considered that company like family and worked until the wee hours of the mornings, invested in its financial success.  But despite my feelings of defeat, what followed was a completely new career that took me around the world and to my beloved France for the very first time! 

God said "No" to many a college boy that I tried to mold into my idea of husband material.  But at the age of 35, after 5.5 years of dating, He (ok, can I say "finally"?) married me to my best friend.  A lad from Ireland that I met in Colorado of all places just one month after we were both transferred there for our jobs! 

God said "No" when I cried out for a baby.  I cried when I couldn't get pregnant.  I cried through miscarriages.  And I cried through a cruel ectopic pregnancy that had to be terminated.  But on the eve of Isla's first birthday and just eleven days from Teagan's third birthday, I can say my babies were worth every tear and moment of waiting.  I didn't become a mom the way I imagined. Instead, God brought me to my knees and back to Him.  To depend on Him and His timing.  And in the process, He taught me how to appreciate every single moment of my motherhood.  Even the sticky, poopy, frazzled, vomit-filled days full of no sleep (all of which I've had in the past 24 hours)...because they are precious. 

Public Domain Source

Now when I pray over a big request or decision we have, I imagine a stoplight, an idea given to  me by a pastor in a sermon I never forgot.  Red. Yellow. Green. You see, sometimes God's answer is "No" and sometimes it's "Not right now."  Sometimes it's "Go. All the way. Go for it!"  And sometimes?  If we are lucky?  It's something we've never even thought to ask for.  Something "Wonderous" as our Poppie would say.  Something magical. And it feels so right. 

I know there are also more serious decisions, painful decisions and I don't want to dismiss them.  I only intend to offer hope with this post.  Is there something you are praying for today?  It would be my privilege and honor to pray for you and your family.  Please leave a comment below.  Or if you would like more privacy, email me at teaganstravels@yahoo.com

In the meantime, let us say this prayer together:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and wisdom. Thank you for seeing a big, brighter and more brilliant plan than we could ever imagine possible. Comfort us in our disappointment. Soften our hearts and have us turn to you with patience and gratitude, assured that you have great plans in store for us.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Blessings, Michelle

Isla's Big Bite

Isla is officially four months old now! We took this video thinking it would record a life-changing moment where she discovered solid food! Baby tears and one red face later has me thinking we better keep looking before declaring rice cereal her favorite meal!



After a week on this we get to try veggies. The pediatricians in the United States have us start with a color such as orange and make our way through it by introducing the baby to a new food every 2-3 days. For example,we could start with pureed pumpkin followed by carrots, parsnips, squash before moving onto the next color. In a few months we'll do the same with fruits but the idea is that if we start with fruit there is no way we'll get her to eat spinach! Who could blame her, right? Is this the same in Ireland, Japan and elsewhere? I'd love to hear what doctors in other countries recommend.

Hope you are all having a great week so far!
Michelle

Japan: Gomen Nasai (I'm Sorry)

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41: 10

Hello everyone. Great friends are the sweetest blessings and I will always treasure my time in Japan. I was there first as an exchange student on a Japanese embassy scholarship and ultimately as a financial risk risk consultant. Words simply can't express how kind and welcoming the Japanese were to this American. I was already pulling pictures for a future blog on this very special place and I promise to write again soon about some of the happy, amazing experiences I had there.

For now today's devastating images of the 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami have been weighing heavily on my heart. I have been saying prayers for those who have lost loved ones and those who are having trouble connecting with family, along with all the countries affected by the resulting tsunami.

A few years ago I was in Tokyo on a business trip. My room was on the 40th floor of a Hilton hotel. I was looking forward to a sunny day of sightseeing following a particularly nasty typhoon the day before when a 7.2 earthquake hit about 100 miles away. With the tall building swaying and creaking eerily I didn't know if it would fall or if the earthquake would continue to intensify. I ran into the hall as sirens and instructions were going off! Figuring a corner was the best place to be I headed for one and promptly sank to my knees praying with all my might that I'd be able to get home to my family. In the midst of people running up and down the halls I remember seeing a sweet Japanese housekeeper walking calmly down the corridor with towels in her hand as if this was nothing unusual. Her eyes were so compassionate as she looked at me kneeling and praying. She said a simple sentence: "Gomen nasai." That means "I'm sorry." and I can't tell you how much those simple, sweet words comforted me in that moment. It felt like God had given me a hug and let me know all would be well.

Moments later an equally shaken German business man rushed into the hall. It didn't take much convincing for me to join his plan to ditch local advice which was coming at us over the intercoms saying we should stay where we were. We wanted to get out of that building pronto and the fastest way appeared to be via the elevator. Just to confirm, taking an elevator during an earthquake is not very smart. At all. But for this girl who likes to be close to the ground it seemed just brilliant and necessary at the time. I held my breath as our elevator made it quickly to the lobby and we ran outside to meet my co-worker. Running into the streets during an earthquake is, by the way, another not so great idea. Is it ironic that just a few months later I would be put in charge of a major financial institution's business continuity and evacuation plans should a disaster occur. All I can say is that it is much easier to think about what one should do in theory and far, far away from the action. And I'm ok with that.

As Japan continues its search and recovery efforts please remember the people there. The Land of the Rising Sun has always been generous in donating to countries experiencing devastating loss. If you'd like to help out here are two excellent organizations:

AMERICAN RED CROSS: Those who want to help can go Donate here to the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter. Donate here.

****And I also want to say a BIG thank you for the sweet comments you left under my She Speaks...From a Whisper to a Scream post!!! You all made me feel very special indeed and I am trying to figure out how Blogger will let me respond to you individually. In the meantime, the judges will be reviewing blogs over the weekend and I am hopeful, but also praying God will send the perfect person to the conference who will use it to bring him the most glory. I am so blessed to have all of you in my life and feel like a winner already!! Thank you again and keep those comments coming. I love hearing from you!
- Michelle*****