Examples...

Amy Carmichael ~~~ Saved children in India from Hindu temples.

Jim Elliot ~~~ Died by the hands of the Auca Indians, trying to share the Gospel.

Gladys Aylward ~~~ Helped and took in orphans from China, risking her life many times.

Apostle Paul ~~~ Traveled all over the world sharing the Gospel, often coming close to death.

David Livingstone ~~~ Was a missionary and explorer in Africa for many years.

Hudson Taylor ~~~ Went to China as a missionary and spread the Gospel there.



I'm sure these men and women are familiar to you. You've probably read their stories many times. What do all of these people have in common?

Of course you know. They are all great missionaries. Men and women of God, doing things for God's glory. Have you every said to yourself, "Why can't I be like Paul?" or "I'll never be able to be like Amy Carmichael. She was amazing." I know I have. But here's the thing. God made those men and women like that. He gave them their talents, passions, and ideas so that He could be glorified. Sure, they used them in amazing ways, but they listened to God when He told them how. They were ordinary people, just like you, who followed God's voice when they heard Him talking. Grace was abundant in their lives.

Also, when we get caught up in thinking about how they used their gifts, and wishing we were more like them, we miss the whole point. Those people were imitating Jesus.

Hebrews 4:15
  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

All the most wonderful missionaries in the world, the ones with the best missions or the most converts, were all sinners. All of them had weaknesses, and struggles, and sins. They were tempted every day, just like you.
And just like Jesus. Except Jesus-- didn't sin. He was perfect. Even though He went through everything, all the sins and temptations, that we go through, He didn't sin. Jesus is our High Priest, our role model.

Hebrews 5:1-3
 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

Even the high priests of the temples in Jesus' day had sins, and they were the ones you went to for offering sacrifices so that your sins could be removed. They had to offer sacrifices for their own sins. And the great missionaries of our day aren't any better. Jesus is God's high priest, because He went through temptations as a human, and didn't sin. He was perfect. 

So don't you think, that when we look at missionary's lives, instead of looking at what they did as their own work and strengths, we should look in the background at God's grace to them? And look at Jesus Christ, our perfect High Priest, as our example in all of life?
 

Summer

Summer is here. Sort of.

Heat. Check.
Sweat. Check.
Mosquitoes. Check.
Swimsuits. Check.
Summer break. Oops.

That's right. I don't know about all of you, but I'm doing school over summer break. We've still got at least 50 more school days to go. What are you doing for summer break? Today my sisters and I went to writing class, for the last time! We did some informal impromptu speeches, ate snacks, and said goodbye to class and classmates in a fun way. Honey, who is our puppy in case you didn't know, is getting extremely big. Everyone who sees her comments on her big paws and says, "She is going to be a moose!" or something like that. "I'm sure she'll be big, sir, but it is not anatomically possible for a dog to become a moose as she gets older."  
"I was just using a figure of... well... never mind." :)
Summer is not my favorite season, but I do enjoy the heat and the swimming and popsicles. And of course the hot summer just makes the cool autumn that much nicer... ;)

I am sorry I haven't been blogging much. It's just that, there's these things I have called priorities, and blogging doesn't belong with that group. Maybe when summer break comes (if ever), then I can post more. Till then, don't expect much. Not that you have anyway, of course. See you guys later!

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

ps. i tried to put a picture on here, but for some reason it wouldn't load. maybe i'm out of photo space?
 

I'm doing lots of things...

 Here another list of the things I've been doing lately. Hope you enjoy! I'm still trying to get into a regular posting schedule, so sorry if the posts I post are boring with no pictures.

 1. We went to my cousin's high school play, Bye Bye Birdie. They were really good, especially the two main character, Albert and Rosie. Albert's mother was hilarious, too. I don't know if I would recommend it, because there is a definite feminist theme, but it was entertaining. My cousin had a smaller part where he didn't talk too much, but what he had he did really well.

2. Easter! We dyed eggs with beet juice and onion skins (all of our are eggs are pink and yellow) and went to an Easter breakfast at church to celebrate Christ's Resurrection. The pastor preached about what the world would have been like without the Resurrection. Then we had some family over with yummy food like corn and rolls. It was a lovely day.

3. My birthday. I'm now seventeen! When I thought of seventeen when I was young, I thought it would be an age when I had everything figured out. I would be beautiful, popular, and always know what to say. Well, that didn't happen... But God has blessed me with so much, that I can't really feel bad about the things I thought I would have. Sixteen was a great year.

4. We're doing a book study with some friends. It's called Passion and Purity, by Elizabeth Elliot. It's good so far, and I'm learning more about what relationships are supposed to look like. We're studying it with some really sweet friends, so the fellowship is fun, too.



What have you done in the past few weeks?

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

The tickle feather **

Spring is here! Ah, a time of warm winds, daffodils, blossoms, and... snowflakes? It sure has been an interesting season. Winter was so warm, I could practically wear short sleeves, and now that spring is here, I have to bundle up before going outside. Strange weather, for sure.... but maybe no mosquitoes in summer? Maybe they'll all be killed by the cold. *evil laugh* That would be worth braving the cold for.

Here are some of my highlights of March so far.

~Highlights of March~ a list

1. I'm entering an altered book contest at our local library, which means I get to cut up books and turn them into art. Mine's turning out well so far. I like how it looks. Maybe I'll post some pictures when I'm done.

2. Speaking of the library, I got my own library card! Hooray! I know there are lots of people that have library cards, but I'm really excited to check books out with it.
(again speaking of the library, I saw my old tennis teacher there when I was getting my card. I thought that was interesting.)

3. I'm working on a research paper for writing class. We picked a career to research and now we're writing about it. I chose a book editor, because I love finding other people's mistakes. :) just kidding.

4.  Our puppy Honey has a serious biting problem. Ugh. You can't even pet her without feeling little sharp teeth on your hand. Can anyone relate? Have any tips?


Well, that's just about it. Of course Easter is coming up (in March this year!) so I might post then. See ya later!

Grace be with you,

Abby :D 


ps. oh, i nearly forgot! my birthday is in a week! i'll be turning seventeen. :)

** the title of this post is from my little brothers who are playing with a feather. :) 
 

Poetry

I felt like sharin' something personal with y'all today. I ain't one of them fancy bloggers who can type up their thoughts real pretty-like, so I decided to share some of my poems! Yep, these are genuwine certified Abby material right here. Enjoy!


This is one I wrote when-- of course-- I wanted some snow. Writing about it's the next best thing, right?

Snow

Tiny ice sculptures blow down from the sky

So dainty and fragile, they melt with a sigh

Delicate, lacy, exquisite and light

Each one is different, but all are pure white.

 Please don't judge this one! It was a science assignment for school. :)

The Pituitary Gland

God’s creation is amazing

For so many things we should be praising

There are wonders in this world galore

The butterfly’s wing and the lion’s roar

But even the sunset can’t begin

To wow me if I look within

Every bacterium and cell

Has its special job and place to dwell

There’s a tiny thing called the pituitary gland

Under the brain is where it stands

It sends our hormones to and fro

Tells them what to do and where to go

It keeps our bodies free of strife

And helps us have a better life

Next time you bow and fold your hand

Thank God above for this awesome gland

Did I already share this one? I'm not sure, but anyway...

Panther

Black and sleek

Bold not meek

Dusky fur

Growl not purr

Leopard black

Hidden spots

Color dim

Courage lots

This one is about one of my favorite types of cats! I know lots of people think hairless cats are creepy, but I like 'em. :)

Sphinx

Naked but regal, they sit straight and tall.

For the fur lover, their skin will appall.

Wrinkled and darling, their gaze says to you,

“Laugh, but please love me, I will love you, too.”

Grace be with you,

Abby :D