Following the Footsteps of Jesus

Blessings!

2012-01-29T17:08:00.000+07:00

Yesterday as I was stumbling around, just waking up, I found myself thanking the Lord once again that I was in Cambodia. This is right where I am supposed to be. : ) Yep! a coherent thought in the morning...and one of thanksgiving!

Here is a little reminder of my country for you. Right now I am in Phnom Penh, but in a few months I will move up north...we are praying about the exact location, a new option is Battambang.

It is a blessing to be here!

In mid-December I moved...just 5 minutes away from my original apartment. A sweet Australian couple needed to have someone live in their home while they went back home for 6 months. It was a perfect fit for me. A little less rent and the house feels more 'real' than the 'hotel' I was living in before.

I live on the main floor and the Cambodian landlord and his family live upstairs. The home is very spacious and comfortable. I have a spare room, and already have had several guests. Come for a visit, I have a room for you : )

The Lord has blessed in many ways...here is a small sampling. Thank you for being part of the blessing...and join me in the Thanksgiving!

My new bedroom...I think I might be crazy to try white ...but time will tell.

As you walk in...notice the couch in the background...I have a living room too.

Here is half of the kitchen...including a full trashcan and full dish rack. I am still trying to figure out where to put everything. : )

Here are 2 blessings....a scooter and a SUV. Thanks to all who gave so that I can get around town. I am still learning to like my scooter. I think it has more to do with the traffic than the scooter...time will tell!

Another shot of the Mitsubishi Montero. This is a huge blessing. I have enjoyed driving this around Phnom Penh...next step is taking it out in the country.

6 months already

2012-01-09T14:15:00.000+07:00

This video is a good reminder to me of why I am here...learning the language...and why I can't wait to get up North.

I Can Do This from Cadence International on Vimeo.

Visual Feast

2011-11-27T21:03:00.000+07:00

Cambodia....

Beautiful walkway in Kep...a seaside paradise

The friendliest cat...just wanted some love and to sleep on my purse

Best welcome ever to the Minefield by this beautiful lady with hugs and kisses ; )

my favorite flower

isn't he cute...he has a spunky attitude to go with that smile

school in the Minefield

Ladies who provide fresh crab for the tasty crab shacks in Kep

You are thankful you can't smell this fruit...Durian is not my favorite.

One of the stalls in the market...all kinds of dried shrimp and other 'tasty' treats

finally I have a picture of a Tuk Tuk...this little carriage could make you feel like royalty

GUAVA...my favorite of all time!!!

Come to Jesus

2011-10-29T13:12:00.001+07:00

The term "come to Jesus" often has a negative connotation... a meeting that is life changing yes...most often turns out for good...but not something we would want to experience with any sense of regularity. The term is most often combined in a phrase like this. "It's time to have a meeting, a come to Jesus meeting!" The intended recipient of this meeting has likely done something, maybe repeatedly, that warrants a meeting with their Creator. The words seldom refer to the speaker, but refer to some other individual that they are in relationship with who needs to make a change, who needs to be held accountable for their actions. The implied outcome of the meeting, is that Jesus is going to shape them up!

But the words COME TO JESUS are some of the sweetest words you and I could ever hear...and they are just the words our world needs to hear. Once we truly come, come to Jesus our lives are never the same. As we continue to come to Jesus our lives are never the same. As we help others come to Jesus...my heart leaps, tears well in my eyes, and I hold my breath...our lives are never the same. The Creator meeting with His created ones.

I come to Jesus for...

Love
Salvation
Forgiveness
Provision
Compassion
LIFE
abundant Life

I come to Jesus with...

Love
Joy
Sorrow
Pain
Dreams
Hopes
Requests
All of me

Take a listen to this song...

Come to Jesus...Chris Rice

Live
Sing
Fall
Cry
Dance
Fly

...to JESUS!

We all need Come to Jesus meetings every moment of every day!

My heart aches to share Jesus with the women and children of Cambodia. That they have a Creator who longs for them to know Him...He wants them to come to Himself.

it's the little things

2011-10-03T00:08:00.000+07:00

I just returned from a wonderful time in Chiang Mai, Thailand. My SE Asia team all live there and I get to visit then from time to time...this was one of those times.

It was the little things that really blessed me...

a comfortable place to stay
the quiet
the snails on the path to my room
conversations with new but dear friends and co-workers
celebrating a 10th birthday
mexican food
hanging out with a family
walking/jogging in a neighborhood
foot massages
connecting with the women on our team
italian food
the birds communicating
a shopping mall
...just to name a few...

The only American chain restaurant we have in Cambodia is KFC...and they don't carry diet coke...but Bangkok Airport had a fountain drink for me...and a whopper and fries. A little slice of home that I avoid when in the States but felt compelled to indulge in while in Asia: )

Chiang Mai has a wonderful place to get your toes done...Amazing... reminds me of Coco's on Okinawa : )

Great dinner out in the "Jungle"...an amazing place with an amazing team!

It wasn't all fun a games ; ) We did some work as well. Here were are lovely accommodations for those team sessions.

It's the little things that add up to huge blessings. It was great to be in Chiang Mai...and to connect as a team!

The Killing Fields

2011-10-02T23:20:00.001+07:00

Below are some pictures and stories about the Reign of Terror of the Khmer Rouge from 1975-1979. Over 2 million people lost their lives during this time.

It's hard to know what pictures to include...so I have only included a few to help tell the story.

Caution...the following pictures and stories are hard to view...please feel no obligation to continue.

This is the former secret Khmer Rouge prison, which was given the code name S-21. Prior to 1975 this was a high-school...interesting that they chose a school for a prison...as they strategically removed those that had any education. These buildings are now a memorial to those who lost their lives here. It is an understatement to say this is a hard place to explore.

Another view of S-21 now called the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Only 7 people were found alive in 1979, two of them are still alive today. Their stories combined with all that was found on site create a very bleak picture of life in this prison. One survivor just passed away this month, he was a painter and his pictures tell a gruesome story.

Early on in this genocide there were too many bodies to be buried in the city. So they started transporting live prisoners to their death outside the city. This is one of the mass graves that was discovered. This whole area is called the Killing Fields, with hundreds of mass graves. (every little valley you see in this picture is a mass grave)

Not all the bodies have been recovered...and every rainy season as the earth is washed away...their remains come to the surface. It's hard to see in this picture...but here are some clothes.

Some more clothes coming to the surface here in this picture. Words fail me as I try to describe what it's like to walk around these fields...the bodies are literally right under your feet...not carefully and lovingly laid to rest...but brutally thrown into a heap after suffering atrocities I can't even begin to understand.

Skulls that have been recovered.

This is the Pagoda that now holds the remains of many of the dead.

Cambodia is forever marked by this genocide. Every person living today that is at least 30 years old, has a Khmer Rouge story, but everyone has a connection. The country is still trying to recover.

Vacation at the Beach

2011-09-13T22:41:00.000+07:00

I was very blessed to be able to have a weekend at the beach last month. It had been awhile since my toes had touched sand and sea. The beach is one of my favorite places to go and just listening to the waves soothes my soul.

It was so nice to get out of the city and relax. Hope you are all getting some opportunities to rest and relax with Jesus and some of His wonderful creation. : )

And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

A trip up North : )

2011-08-25T20:23:00.000+07:00

the Ladies from Okinawa here for a short term mission trip
They are from our Cadence Hospitality House, the Harbor

The ice cream man in a province close by..notice the recycle truck
in the background...his truck was full of plastic water bottles.

catching a ride with mom

this sweet lady liked the jump rope : )

the Cambodia traditional scarf (kromah) worn by a sweet military wife

So glad to see her smile, the first day of ministry she couldn't keep the tears from coming.
Day 2 she said she was doing much better. She asked us to pray for her situation with her husband.
I look forward to getting to know her better in the future.

(pictures were not taken by me...borrowed from the team from Okinawa : )

2011-08-11T22:04:00.000+07:00

A few more glimpses of Cambodia...

A rainy Tuk Tuk ride

my neighbor ; )

This past weekend a Cadence group from Okinawa, Japan ministered at one of our Military Camps. They allowed me to join them. I will share more about that time soon. Suffice it to say it was great to be with the women!!!

This trip allowed me to experience some firsts...My first time out of the city since moving here. I was able to take some breaths of fresh air. My ears were able to rest from the constant barrage of noise. One night all I heard were crickets! : )

On the drive up, our driver decided that we needed to experience the road side corn on the cob stand. So a sweet little lady sold us 10 ears for $1...all cooked in their husks and ready to eat. It was a tasty treat.r

I also experienced my first Cambodian bus ride. Which was all in all a pleasant experience. Had the young man in front of us turned down his cell phone ringer, it might have been more peaceful, but if I had slept I would have missed some of the scenery. ( A few window shots are below).

It was great to get out of the city...great to be doing some ministry with the military and great to have a team in town. : )

a visit to the country...love these guys!

The bus ride home...planting rice

rice fields and palm trees...beautiful!

More fun photos of Cambodia

2011-07-21T21:53:00.000+07:00

Sweet little love seat, with a view

I have an APARTMENT!

Queen size bed

It is a fully furnished studio. It had pretty much everything I needed, and the timing was perfect.

Kitchen

Washing Machine

A little taste of my walk home from school

Dryer ; )

a very small part of the journey has a sidewalk

We called these Flame trees growing up...I noticed some little girls were using the tiny little leaves to 'cook' with. I used to do that do : ).

These are everywhere right now...just be careful the branches have huge thorns

All in all a beautiful walk...I didn't focus on the traffic or the dirt and grime of this busy 3rd world city. I will save that for another day. Beauty is everywhere, if we know where to look!

Pictures From Cambodia

2011-07-12T22:41:00.003+07:00

Some sights from my first few days...

It is pretty Foreign to me...but I am learning! This a door sign for the class I am taking at the Royal University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh.

The view from a Tuk Tuk...my favorite mode of transportation : )

Roadside haircut anyone...how about a shave?

My first attempt at baking in Cambodia...banana bread. I made a little treat for the guest house I have been staying at. If you are in the area stop on by for a taste. : )

My new best friend! The high temperature every day has been in the 90's with very high humidity. I glow all day long...really more of a glisten. : )
(Okay really more like drip)
My favorite moment so far... I was riding around town in a Tuk Tuk a bit overwhelmed with the smells and the noise of the city. We came to a sweet little oasis, a park of sorts near the Royal Palace. This park was filled with my favorite flowering tree. A smile came as I saw the flowers...a sigh filled my soul as their sweet fragrance wafted through the air. It was a little present for the day...I couldn't interrupt the moment to take a picture, but the memory is indelibly printed in my heart.

I am really glad to be here!

Made it...with all my luggage

2011-07-06T21:49:00.000+07:00

On my way...

2011-07-06T21:16:00.000+07:00

Daddy

Here are some pictures from my send off at my Dads just two days before I left for Cambodia! : )

2011-06-21T03:59:00.002+07:00

Some amazing things have been happening in Cambodia over the last month or so.

Last month Sareth (pictured above) was imprisoned on trumped up charges. A strong man payed off local authorities and Sareth was placed in jail for 30 days. There was no understanding why this happened or when he would be released. His release came just a week or so ago with the help of a believing Senator.

This same Senator has also given a warm and passionate welcome to Cadence and our partner ministry LightBridge to come and work in Cambodia. Sareth has been welcomed back to his home in the Minefield with tears and rejoicing. The recently built school has been recognized by the Cambodian government. Ministry has been able to continue at the Minefield. Sareth has stories to tell of the Lord at work in his heart and life while he was in jail.

This strong man wanted to thwart the work the Lord is doing in this small area of Cambodia. He was trying to stop the forward progress happening in this village...which will enable these sweet people to move beyond survival and to start thriving.

What this man meant for evil, the Lord has used for good. More doors have been opened. I can hardly express how excited I am to get to Cambodia...and begin to minister to the women in this village. The Lord is at work, and I can't wait to join Him there!

2011-05-03T07:55:00.007+07:00

This picture shows what I expect to see when I see a dog and bike. This past Sunday I saw something different. I don't have a picture...so you will have to imagine it with me.

I was on my way to share about Cambodia at a friends church. I was thinking and praying about what stories in my head and on my heart the Lord would want me to share with this sweet group of believers.

I was driving on a pretty busy street, but was the only car on my side. I saw up ahead a bike and a dog thinking about crossing the street. The rider was focused on the traffic, but the dog was focused on its master. The dog was prancing in place waiting for the signal to go.

The did move halfway across the street in front of me...the dog never really taking his eyes off of his master...his whole body expressing excitement to be on this journey ...not moving ahead but staying right by the side of the master.

Several things struck me all at once...

The dogs excitement

The dogs complete focus on its master

The fact that the dog didn't run ahead or pull with all its might

There were no obvious commands from the master, but the dog knew when to stay and when to go

Instantly I was encouraged that I need to be like that sweet little dog...excited to be on a journey with my Master. Prancing in place waiting for the signal to go, but staying right by His side. And above all else keeping my focus on my Master, Jesus.

What I expected to see is what I so often see in my own life...impatience, straining to move faster, trying to set our course...following my own instincts.

Oh how I want to be like this dog...thank you Lord for this gentle reminder to stay focused on you...you will navigate me safely across the busy 'streets' of life. May I never lose the excitement and knowledge of what a privilege it is to be right by Your side.

Several of the people at church really appreciated this 'picture' as well : )

2011-04-15T23:32:00.016+07:00

This sweet little family lives in a minefield in Cambodia.

Karla is the American woman holding the baby. She is a dear friend that took me on my first trip to the minefield.

I am sharing her experience with you.

Several months ago while visiting the Minefield Karla came across this little family. The little girl and baby on the dirt path, no mother in site, just a baby caring for a baby. This poor little 'babysitter' was traumatized when Karla took her baby sister from her. The little one was dehydrated and very lethargic.

Here is the story in Karla's words...

"We stood in the path holding this precious little baby while the 'big' sister cried. After quite a few minutes, the mother came along. Apparently, the mother left the baby with the sister to hold while she went to the market for some food. We brought the family back to our school building to make sure the baby was alright and to see if we could help the mother. We were able to give her some money to help with food and encouraged her to not leave her babies by themselves. The next day we visited the mother and she seemed to be doing better. "

Fast forward to this week...

"Today in our women's ministry time, I noticed a sweet lady smiling at me and realized it was this same mother. I was so excited to see her. After our meeting time, I talked with her and asked how she was doing and where her baby was (her older daughter was with her). With a shameful face and tears stinging her eyes, she shared that she had to give her baby to a family in the city for adoption because she just couldn't take care of her. I was stunned and not prepared for this kind of news. Don't get me wrong, I fully support and believe in adoption. But seeing the ache in this young mom's eyes was more than I could bear. The heart of THIS mother was broken."

This is just one heartbreaking story among many in Cambodia. The daily struggle to survive is more than we can imagine. Our hearts break for them...and I know their Creator's heart is moved by their struggle too. I don't know how to help these women. I have some ideas and hopes, but only Jesus knows what they need. I am looking forward to bringing Jesus to this woman and so many more just like her. He is their solution and I know He has a plan for them.

Please join me in praying. I am so longing to get to Cambodia!

Blessings

2011-02-26T07:32:00.008+07:00

The Lord has been blessing me over and over again... Walking this road of support raising has been a blast. The Lord opens doors and hearts and I get a blessing! He has added several people to my support team this last week...and many prayer warriors. Thank you for those prayers!!! Other blessings... A trip to Costa Rica to visit my dear friend Amy. Sun at the beach Monkeys playing in the trees Worship with Amy Dessert Parties The prayers of new friends Hearts responding to the Lord

Loving the blessings and the Bless er!

2010-12-14T08:39:00.002+07:00

This is the Christmas tree that is up in my home. I am very excited to have a tree this year...it has been many years since I put one up. I like the lights and the tinsel : ) Yep I am one of those that think the sparkle of tinsel is necessary. The tree is sparkling for me right now! One of the Christmas parties I attended last week reminded me that sparkle is pretty important to Jesus. He is the Light of the World...much more than just a little Christmas tree sparkle...but The Light of the World. Without Him we would be in darkness. He wants us to be lights too...we are the ones who sparkle. We are to let our light shine...the Light of Jesus to shine through us to others. The neat thing about this Light...it shines whether we are aware of it or not. Shine on Jesus...the celebration of your birthday is coming : ) "For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they will see you good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Jesus...change my heart

2010-10-13T05:15:00.008+07:00

"It is the cry of my heart to follow, it is the cry of my to heart to be close to you, it is the cry of my heart to follow all of the days of my life" Terry Butler

This has been one of my favorite songs for a decade now...and I was once again reminded of it as I sat down at the piano to play and worship. It has been way to long since I have been able to pound out my praise to Jesus. My heart starting singing this song...my desire to follow Jesus all the days of my life. I didn't have the music, but my fingers remembered most of the song. : )

I was reminded that this is the cry of my heart...to want to follow Jesus...but practically, moment by moment this is not always the song on my lips. I regularly have duelling emotions going on in my heart and I can't change those emotions by trying harder.

I can't change my heart...I can't alter my affections...only Jesus can.

"How does change of the heart occur? We increasingly have interactive, face-to-face encounters with God: moments of clarity ..., and moments of comfort and encouragement. In these moments we connect with God and learn to live a lifetime of such moments." Jan Johnson I was encouraged by this quote to seek to have some face-to-face time with Jesus last night. It wasn't profound...but it was real. The result of my time with Jesus won't change the world, but it did change me. I was comforted by the God of the Universe. Pretty amazing that He would want to spend time with me. Spend a little time with Jesus!

Labor and Rest

2010-09-07T11:38:00.003+07:00

Today was a day to rest from our labors...not that I labor physically like those the holiday was created for...but none the less a day of rest. We know that physical rest is important, our bodies need it in order to survive but also to thrive. How many days of poor sleep does it take before we begin to struggle? It only takes a few and we begin to see things in a negative light. The tasks before us seem harder and our ability to cope is compromised. We also know that spiritual rest is important. We need to rest in a power greater than our own or we will not survive. We don't often take the time to think about spiritual rest let alone practice it. Spiritual rest goes beyond physical rest...although it does give our bodies and minds a rest...to the very core of who we are. Spiritual rest is the act of taking off the old...our flesh...and putting on the new...Jesus Christ. He is our spiritual rest. We have no spiritual rest without Him. We rest in Him when we give him the burdens of our hearts, minds and life. We rest in Him as we acknowledge our dependence on Him and trust Him instead of ourselves. We rest in Him when we give Him our agenda's to replace with His own. How long can we go without this spiritual rest...before our ability to live is compromised? With our physical rest it takes only a few days...but our spiritual tank is harder to see and harder to evaluate. The truth is... Jesus did not design us to go even a moment without Him...His spiritual rest. We need Him moment by moment to refresh us with Himself. I know many who have gone their whole christian life without this rest...I know others who have tasted of this rest again and again but for some reason a circumstance (new or old) has them putting on the old and shrugging off Jesus Christ, trusting their own limited resources instead of His limitless supply. Did you labor today or rest? Was your old self in control or did you submit to Jesus? He is not a taskmaster keeping us performing and working for Him...He is a loving all powerful savior who promises to give us rest as we come to Him. Seek Him today for His rest...don't waste another moment!

Following Jesus

2010-07-13T23:26:00.002+07:00

I was encouraged and challenged last night. I was listening to a pod cast of Charles Stanley...about following Jesus. His statements were simple, and yet profound. Not all believers are followers of Jesus..they are saved, no doubt about that...but they aren't automatically followers of Jesus. To be a follower of Jesus...you need to put aside your own desires and seek His...you need to leave behind the pursuit of the American dream to pursue Him...you need to die to your self in order to live for Him. (just to sum up ; ) I want to continue to be a follower of Jesus...not just when it is easy or convenient...but always.

Cambodia...

2010-07-08T03:48:00.009+07:00

Every once and a while a place and it's people grab your attention. Few and far between are the times when a place and it's people grabs your heart.

This past February a small group of women in a little village in Cambodia did just that, they grabbed my heart. I didn't offer it...didn't withhold it either. But with a few simple words spoken through a translator a big part of my heart was lost.

I had asked the women if they would share some prayer requests with me. What were some of their needs. Along with their need for more food for their families, they also asked me to come again and teach them from the Word. Not just to come from time to time, but to "come" to teach them.

They got a part of my heart that day...they don't know it...but they have it regardless.

What is the Lord doing in your life? Where is He asking you to give your heart? What is the next step after your heart is pulled?

David Livingstone said..."Sympathy is not substitute for action."

God is active in our world, is He calling you to expand your action?

I am in Awe!

2010-05-08T13:31:00.002+07:00

Sometimes the Lord amazes me more than other times. I don't think that is because He changes but because my focus does. When I take time to focus on Him and Him alone...I stand in Awe! Today what amazed me was pretty simple, mundane some might say. : ) It was the smell of lilacs. It wasn't so much the smell...although I do love it...it was that when the smell wafted towards me, I was reminded that the Lord loves me! Lilacs were one of my mom's favorite flowers, and every time I smell them I am reminded of her and I smile on the inside and I hurt a little too. I am reminded of the kind of love that you don't want to take for granted. I am reminded to celebrate the little things and the big things. I am reminded that our time on earth is short...to make the most of our time and relationships. What made me stand in awe today...was that I had the sweet smell of lilacs and the sweeter reminder of my mom...right before Mother's Day! Thank you Jesus for putting those lilacs in my path today!

Thailand and Cambodia

2010-04-03T11:26:00.004+07:00

I had the amazing privilege of witnessing a miracle. This little girl was transformed in less than 24 hours. Houng lives in Cambodia, in a cleared minefield...a literal minefield. This minefield is a hazardous remnant of the Khmer Rouge's brutal rule of Cambodia. When Houng was 6 she barely survived an explosion...she found a unexploded bomb that exploded in her hand. More recently she was burned on her legs...no medical treatment for 10 days...and the medical treatment that came pales in comparison to what she would have received in the states. I got to visit Houng in her little hut about 3 weeks after she was burned. The poor thing was in much pain and couldn't walk..her legs were healing but the scar tissue was not allowing her to fully extend her legs. We couldn't coax a smile out of her. So my friend prayed...we felt hopeless. The next day on our visit...her dad exclaimed..."After you prayed, she walked". The Lord healed this little girl...the end of the visit resulted in the beautiful smile you see above. As of last week...6 weeks after her burn...she was jumping and playing. We have an Amazing God.

Josh Groban...I'll be home for Christmas

2009-12-27T12:29:00.001+07:00

Women in Uniform

2009-11-18T09:32:00.005+07:00

Women in the Military (taken from DoD Women's Research and Education Institution.) More women are serving in the U.S. military than ever before...(as of 6/2008) They make up 14% of all U. S. military personnel= 400,000 troops They make up 34% of the U.S. Air Force 26,000 women are currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan They fill 90% of all military roles...including gunners and MP patrols This is the first time in history that women are on the front lines. These women are married, divorced, single...mothers, daughters, wives, sisters and aunts... Please pray for our Women In Uniform!

PRAYER FOR FT. HOOD

2009-11-09T09:21:00.002+07:00

It would be hard not to be aware of the shooting that happened a few days ago in Texas. Ft. Hood is a place that will forever be changed as one of their own opened fire and killed 12 people. Please join in me in prayer for the families of the fallen, the wounded and others who are suffering as a result of this tragedy.

Thailand here we come

2009-10-30T03:00:00.002+07:00

February: A group of Cadence women will be traveling to Thailand, Cambodia and Burma. I am grateful to be a part of this group...

Please Pray...for our preperation, our hearts and our travels. My prayer is that the Lord will use us to be a blessing, and to be His Light to all those we come in contact with.

Thanks for praying : )

Welcome Home!

2008-11-21T13:05:00.001+07:00

He seemed hesitant to accept the cheers of the crowd, he didn't know where to look so he focused his eyes straight ahead. I couldn't help but notice the emotion behind his eyes. I wanted to reach out and comfort him, or somehow communicate to him. I wished that I could know what he was thinking, and how to help him transition from one world to the next...from a war zone to home.

Another mans' shock registered immediately on his face and his lips formed the word "WOW".
His eyes scanned the crowd, broad smile in place as he accepted the applause and cheers from a sea of unknown faces. I wonder if he was thinking... ' I am home!'

These observations came from a recent opportunity I had to welcome home some troops from Iraq. A large group of people gathered in an airport staging area manned by the USO. The returning military personnel walked through a tunnel of people...most of them knowing none of us, but all received the same welcome. For those who had a relative on the plane, they got a place of honor at the front of the line. This ensured that loved ones got to greet each other first. The next in line to greet them were the veterans that had served in other wars...people who understood much of what the returning soldiers were going through.

I don't know what the soldiers expected as they stepped onto US soil, or what they had experienced in Iraq. I didn't even speak to anyone of them...but I did whoop and holler with the crowds as we fellow Americans welcomed home those who had so recently been in harms way.

Each soldier has a different story, one that I am not privileged to know. From what I could tell, they all were happy to be home or close to home. All seemed grateful for the welcome...but not all knew how to accept it. For some is was obvious that they were overwhelmed either with awe or a bit of fear.

I didn't know how I would respond. I was very glad to be a part of the moment, and to honor those who serve our country. The major feeling was celebration...these soldiers were safe. I was honored to be a part of celebrating their safety, service and sacrifice.

As I reflect on this experience I can't help but think that this was a taste of what happens every day as believers are welcomed into heaven. I don't know what really takes place when we pass from this life to our heavenly one, but I can imagine. I imagine that those who have gone before us are all gathered. I hope, as Randy Alcorn has suggested, that our loved ones are front and center of the welcoming committee. The relationships that the Lord placed us in on earth, fully realized in heaven. I imagine that those that were a part of the same mission in life, being second in line. The crowds gathered, many we have never known.

I wonder whose reaction I will replicate in heaven. Will I be so overcome with the transition and the stark contrast along with my own unworthiness that I don't know how to accept it all? Or will I stand in awe and say 'WOW!', taking it all in? I don't know. What I do know is that Jesus will be there. Regardless of my reaction He will reach out to me. He will help me make the transition from the war zone to home.