What is God Up To?

It's been a month since we arrived in Orlando, and if I do say so myself we have adjusted with ease. We are working with the School of Missions and have various other responsibilities that help this base run.
Upon returning, we wondered what God was going to do. We very clearly heard last May that we should work for several months and then join up with Y. I wondered why we should do this because we live by support of our friends and families (people who believe in us, our calling, and that God has a plan for this world). There was not one person who questioned us and God provided for us in Greenville in so many ways we felt truly blessed. Needless to say, I'm excited for this season and so far God hasn't disappointed. There is a Turkish Cultural Center that some friends told us about. We are taking Turkish language lessons for $35 a head, including books. WOW! What a leg up! We are enjoying that gift. On top of that, we have several people who have shown interest in joining us on this unknown, following God's voice, adventure to move to Antalya and start a ministry. I admit I had doubts we'd find anyone ever. Again, wow!
Now, I know, that we don't always see God at work. That sometimes it feels like our prayers hit the ceiling and there is no evidence of a greater being but I'll remember times like this, the proof of Him in my own life, and be able to continue believing that there is a God and He is Good and is up to something.

P.S. We have a new and beautiful nephew, Stephen Monroe born Jan. 24th.
I have a terrible cold and swallow garlic to boost my immune system.
Craig still sleeps by me despite the smell. Good old boy!!!

Back to It

Hey Everyone! We are back in Orlando, FL, back in YWAM!! Whoo! WHoo!! We spent six and half months in Greenville and two weeks in Pagosa. Now we are here until God leads else where. Most of you know that we are hoping He will. Not because we want to leave our friends here but because the calling God has put on our hearts has only gotten stronger and stronger. We are now taking steps to towards that goal! Whooweee! Exciting. Meanwhile, we are working with the School of Missions and plugging into the base. I have seen God fulfill promises. I heard him speak to me and then move on those words and yet I still doubt. Sometimes I think I'm crazy. I'm afraid that He won't speak and we just look silly and lazy. Well, I say that thought is crazy. God does speak, He has, does, and will!
Anywho, we are here in Orlando now but I wanted to post some pictures of our time celebrating Christmas in CO. Here you go!!!

Do Blondes Have More Fun?

Go to people.com click on styles, then makeover, upload a pic and have fun trying new looks. It's so fun and looks real. Ha! Which one do you like best? Personally I prefer the last one. :)

How about bob cut?
Or Ariel?

Sporting spikey and short


The best one yet!

Adoption, TGC, Religions

Yesterday at church had me so pumped up at the end of it.
First off, worshipping God with other believers did something to my soul. During the time I thought about people who don't know church and how incredibly weird and scary we are to them but if they only knew who God is and what He did, they'd join in too.
Anywho, the sermon was about the prophet Jonah and first few verses of his book. God said go to Nineveh and preach. Jonah didn't want to go, not of fear or bad timing but b/c he didn't want those people to receive God's mercy. He wanted them to go to hell. Then our pastor confessed he at times is prejudice against other people groups, religions, etc. That He often is a Jonah. God convicted him last week and he really did a number on his heart, getting that junk out. He pointed out on stage that Christians often despise Muslims because of terrorist fears but it's not right and that God loves all religions and peoples. Jesus died for them all. Wow!
After that, we worshipped again and in moving with the Holy Spirit we repented individually for our sin and we then prayed for God to reveal himself to the Hindus down the road. Wowzers!!
Lastly, they interviewed two women who under God's calling have opened an Adoption Fundraising Center, where they interview their applicants, chose one, and raise the funds needed for the adoption. Cool, huh! Our paster then asked if you was adopted, have adopted, or want to in the future to come to the front and receive prayer. Craig wasn't with me but did that stop me? No, I went up by myself. Again, WOW!!!
Man, I'm still SO pumped up!!!!!!!!!

A Blessings Blog

Hey Friends,
Lately, I've been so grateful and in awe of the God I serve. He always always always provides for us and this season in Greenville is no different.

We felt for the months of July through December we should pursue jobs in the city of Greenville to help our supporters provide for our move to Turkey. With such gratefulness, God brought Firestone and Glam Clothing Co. to us and we were hired.




The grand opening of Glam was August 1. Here I am with the Glam staff.








Craig in his Firestone uniform.















Wow, now we are employed but how to get where we need to be. Praise God, he provided a Ford Explorer for us and Craig drives that to Firestone. I, which I LOVE doing is, ride my brother's bike to Glam. It's a 15 min ride and I really enjoy the activity it gives. God knows me inside and out and knew that would bring me great joy! Another provision it has not rained on me, not once is several months. Go God!


Another gift of God that we never take for granted, our families. The Stubbs and the Branches are the best. I love spending time with them and believe I have the BEST family in the world.


The Branch Clan in June!












The newest Branch addition, Payton Jane.





















My brother, Paul, and I in Pisgah national forest where the family went camping for a a few days.





















Goofing around with Rose's birthday presents.

I love songs!!!

Often when I come across a new song and I like it. I listen to it over and over and over again until it's memorized and Craig can't stand it anymore. :) Nothing moves me like music. Normally, there's something about them that speaks to me or makes me think of people I love or will love. I have been making a list of songs that I plan on singing to my future children (Lord willing).





Here's a few;
Chiquitita by Abba (for my girls)
Waitin on a Sunny Day by Bruce (for my girls)
Family Man by AP (for my boys)
Godspeed (Sweet dreams) by Dixie Chicks (for my boys)
Annie's Song by John Denver (for my Craigel)
If I Had Me Million by Pat Green (to me from Craig)

Forgiveness

The past couple of weeks God has been teaching me a lesson of forgiving and asking for forgiveness. What was reiterated to me was the power of forgiveness. Whether you are religious or not, you have to admit the power of letting a grudge and bitterness go and forgiving the offender. It's wild and maybe painful, the release you feel and what you can accomplish with that. And to be forgiven is something so...there are no words. I know many of you think, 'well, what does Lisa know of being forgiven. She's so sweet." In the words of Andrew Peterson, "so you think i'm not a dirty rotten scoundrel through and through, well, lady, I've got news for you" and that news God reminded me of at church through Isaiah 53 (1, 3-6, 11)
Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?
He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, is was our pain he carried-our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him-our sins. He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way and God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong on him.
Our of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Sometimes I really feel there is a blackness in my soul that's really pretty horrible and hurts others. Thank God, he put that blackness on Jesus and Jesus took it knowing he would be glad. I'm free!!