Discouragement and Praise

There have been many discouragements this week...

1. I received my April financial support and it was only 40% of what I need financially to get through this month.
2. I got really sick.
3. Had to cancel Casa Alba group times because I was so sick.
4. My toilet still isn't flushing at all - have to bucket flush each time.
5. I dropped a full glass bottle of syrup on my foot and have a nice bloody, bruised toe to show for it.
6. Being sick, being single mom, trying to plan for the 5 million programs and activities for CA is proving a difficult task.
7. My apartment owners called me at 10pm last night and said that it was urgent that "we discuss the apartment." I think that means "We need you out of the apartment." I don't want to move, I really don't.
9. The bathroom sink is now leaking in a 3rd spot but there is no room for a 3rd bucket under it.
10. The foundation I work with here in Marghita is in a major financial crisis...you can see the burden on all of the leaders that the bank accounts are empty. There is enough money to last through April 20th (if I remember correctly). It costs $50,000 USD to run this foundation each month. (Yes, the foundation is that big).

PRAISES from this Week! PRAISES TO OVERCOME THE DISCOURAGEMENTS!

1. The Lord's leading was especially present during our worship and Bible study on Monday night. Everyone really connected with what the Lord had put on my heart to share and it was SUCH an encouragement to all of us!
2. We got a trampoline from some good friends of mine who were just here - Caleb loves it. His laughter is contagious when he is on it!
3. Yesterday morning God poured His ideas through me for a "Kids Church" that I'll begin at our Club for all the kids in Marghita. Seems that me being sick was the perfect time for Him to speak! I was really stressing out about not having this first Saturday planned...we've been discussing it for some months now and I keep switching the first date that it'll be because I didn't have it planned yet. Now, good to go!
4. My friend took Caleb yesterday so I could lie on the couch all afternoon. Which, was pretty much all I could do yesterday afternoon.
5. The Lord has been speaking and revealing longer term plans for me in Romania...I am SO EXCITED.
6. NOAH. You know, God BROUGHT the animals 2X2 to Noah. He didn't go out looking for them, he didn't have to try and catch them, he didn't have to worry a thing about that. God BROUGHT the animals to him. This was really encouraging to me as I consider my financial situation.
7. "Streams in the Desert" : "Glorify ye the Lord in the fires." (Isaiah 24:15)
During the conversation with my landlord today I will GLORIFY God, if they kick me out I will GLORIFY God because "We are to believe that out of this is coming something more for His praise than could have come but for this fiery trial."
8. My toe did not break when I dropped the syrup filled glass bottle on it!
9. I slept the whole night through even though this cold fever deal that I had should have kept me awake!
10. God has shown me how within the Christian body it really is a community. A friend of mine needed something a little pricey for her upcoming move to overseas missions. I e-mailed someone close to me, who doesn't know this person, and asked them if they would buy the item. Without even blinking an eye they ordered it. All of God's resources are His! If He wants to move those resources to another 'part of the body' we should be willing. It was an awesome example for me to see!
11. The Casa Alba kids are working their way into their 3rd memory verse...and, not only that, they are EXCITED about learning each verse each month!
12. My good friends were just here (we met during their visits to Marghita) and they are praying about moving here! Not only that, their presence here was a great encouragement to me.

So. There you go. Feels good to battle those discouragements with praises! AMIN!