The Chronicles of Janie

'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith...' Heb. 12: 1-2a Can you hear the voices of the ones who have gone on before? The patriarchs, the disciples, martyrs, leaders, kings, and slaves...heroes of the faith. "Run! Run! RUN!" Their voices are echoing down through the years. "Don't look back! Don't slow down! Finish the race! A great prize is in store for you." How can we get discouraged? How can we quit when we have such examples before us?

Some of you may have read my poem, Autumn Departure,  that I posted awhile back on my  Aspiring Bard  blog. Well, my amazing friend, Zhenya, got ahold of that poem and fitted it with a tune she composed. Then, her sister, Erin, and brother-in-law, Robert, took the song and...well, I will let you hear the result for yourself: Autumn Departure Song

Forgive me whilst I ramble and try to put things into some sort of perspective. When things move as quickly as my life has been moving lately, I feel the need to write everything down and get it all sorted out. So... Let's start at the beginning: I was taking a trip to Ivory Coast. I was raising support money. I had a few part-time jobs, and everything was hunky-dory. Then, the jobs all ground to a screeching halt. I suddenly found myself unemployed. I was just a little concerned. I did have $3000 to raise. Of course, I needn't have worried. God dried up all the jobs in perfect timing so I could start taking GED prep classes. Do I see a plan here? Yes. So, I focused on getting really, really good GED scores. I had a very nice man as my instructor. We found out that we were both Christians, and got to chatting about random Christian things. My excitement about going to Africa pretty much dominates all of my conversation, so naturally it came up. Come to find out, this guy an...

Mom and I were going through the family Bible today, and found this letter. It was from my dad's aunt, Martha. May 30, 1998 Dear Caileigh Jane, Here is a new doll and a few clothes. I really wanted to send you a porcelain doll but breakable dolls and little brothers do not go well together. I know a lot of stuff about little brothers. The tatting on the doll's nightgown was made by your great-great-grandmother: (Then follows a short list of 'the begats') Jane Hardy Hawk Lida Smith George Smith Robert Smith Caileigh Jane Smith She (Jane Hardy Hawk, my great-great-grandmother) was born in August 1844 near Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. Maybe Carrie or Candice can show this place to you on a map. Jane Hawk died in April 1935 near Winchester, Scott County, Illinois. The doll's night gown is really supposed to go on and off over her head but her hair sticks out so much I decided to have the gown open in front and slip on like a coat. I hope you will...

The older I get, the more and more complicated life seems to become. I'm not complaining about that, mind you! I'm very excited to be living life. However, the conviction that I need to look to God for a lot of direction has been growing on me. During my prayer time today, I spent several minutes asking for direction. Should I do this, or do that? Should I go here, or is that a bad idea? Should I really say that to them?  In the midst of this, a verse popped into my head. Prov. 3:6 'In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.' Or, as the New Living Translation has it: 'Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.' So, if I can truly say that I am seeking God, I do not really need to worry about direction. He will show me which path to take. This was a great comfort for me, because I really am seeking Him. I'm still pretty far from listening to Him all the time, but at least I truly am trying. God sees that. He ...