I'm Free!

Like the previous post said, I just moved into my new flat. It is the 5th place I've lived in the year and a half since I've come to Kosova. I was standing looking around at all the boxes and moving clutter and I said to my friend- "I think I should have a house warming party. Just to celebrate answered prayers and what I hope is my last move for a long time." We chatted about that for a while, and then I began to get worried. I remembered what a house warming party is...people bring you gifts! So, I told her- "Well, we can only have a house warming party if everyone promises to not bring me anything!" We laughed at that, but the last thing I need right now is more stuff! After moving 5 times (and it has been about 14 in the last 4 years...) recently, stuff becomes a hassle; to say the least. And reality stands, I don't need most of the junk I think I do...

However, it just struck me as funny, because I would never have said that in The States. We always want Baby Showers, Wedding Showers, House Warming Parties, Graduation Gifts, Birthday Gifts, Wedding Gifts...you name it, we want it! We, as people, especially Americans, are so attached to things, stuff, junk, and essentially something that will be in the trash a few years later. But God has been refining me so often lately- having cars catch fire and burn up, getting my stuff stolen out of my car, losing it in the mail, having to give it all away when I moved here, etc. And on the other side of it all, I can now see that stuff doesn't equal happiness...never, ever, ever! And actually the less stuff you have, the more reliant you are on others. Making cookies, but don't have a mixer- go visit your friend who does. Want to watch a movie, but don't have a DVD player, go to your friend's house. Don't have a coffee machine, go visit your favorite coffee bartender. It fosters a healthy sense of community and reliance on others. What we live out and do in America is pretty jacked up: "I need it all for me, just me, in my own house, that I had to have 5 different loans to get, and I am going to fill it will as many things as my credit cards can buy..."

"You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
-Luke 12:20-21

Freedom from stuff is a great privilege! Freedom to rely on your brothers and sisters is difficult at first, but a richness beyond words after you conquer your pride and independence. Freedom to not be distracted is a blessing. And Freedom to worship and love God, fully surrendered, clinging to nothing, is marvelous indeed!

Majestic

So this past week I finally was able to move into my new flat. It has had a few glitches and hang ups, but overall it has been simply amazing to have a home! I will post some pictures of it when I get a bit more settled in, unpacked, and repaint the bright orange and pink walls- Eek!


But for now: here's the view off my new balcony...
simply majestic, He is!

Kosova's Birthday!

Today: February 17, 2010, Kosova turned 2 years old...
That's a call for celebration!

Spotted one of my friends while walking around.

Even in the midst of all their progress and steps forward,
Kosova has a long way to go.
Keep praying for this place that is so dear to my heart!

A bit of traditional dancing!

Brokeness...Yes, Please?

Does anyone else ever have a hard time praying for brokenness? Well, tonight I began to pray for it, and then I paused and thought: do I really want to pray that? And then, the more I thought about, the more I realized that I was already in the midst of a lot of breaking. And it made me stop and laugh. God knows what He's doing, but He wants our hearts to align with that. However, there is just something inside us as humans that rebels against difficulty! We want comfort zones, cush surroundings, wealth, and ease. But how often is that not what we truly need? How many times do we need the opposite. Even in our souls we know and hunger for breaking? If you don't believe me, think back to when you had it all? You know, the nice car, the good job, the great relationship... Didn't something tug inside you that there was still emptiness? Well, haha, what I just described has never been my life, but I've had amazing circumstances at times. And I can tell you the lack of peace during those times was more than I could bear! So, give me terrible internet, loneliness, no car, dirty streets, power cuts, rowdy kids, not having a home... if it will mean that the peace of God rests upon my heart day and night, night and day!
So, bring on the brokenness (but only if You are by my side!!!)!